Jingle Bell Run

aids arthritis research

The 5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Mast Landing School, 116 Mollymauk Lane in Freeport. Registration is at 9 a.m., with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Participants in the run or walk will raise money for the Arthritis Foundation to help find a cure for arthritis.

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk began in 1984 to raise awareness of the country’s most common cause of disability, while also raising funds for research, health education and government advocacy to improve the lives of people with arthritis. To celebrate the season, participants form a team by inviting their friends and family members to join them. Participants tie jingle bells to their shoelaces and many wear holiday costumes.

Those interested can register at www.jbr.org/freeport, and save $10. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Tom Bringle at [email protected] or call 603-724-6080. Jingle Bell Runs will also be held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Dec. 11 and Concord, New Hampshire, on Dec. 18.

For more information, see www.arthritis.org.

Citrus sales fundraiser

for class of 2017

The Freeport High School senior class selling citrus fruits this month to help provide safe, chem-free senior week activities in June. Fundraising also provides scholarships to allow members of the class to participate in those class activities.

A large box of navel oranges (contains some seeds) costs $44, small box, $26. A large box of red grapefruit costs $39, small box, $25. A small box of tangerines is $33. A small variety box is $65. Large boxes are approximately 36-40 pounds, and small boxes are approximately 18-20 pounds. Orders are due by Monday, Nov. 21. Delivery will likely be Dec. 15-18.

Find the order form on the FHS website under Class of 2017 news. For more information, contact Beth Sutherland, [email protected] or 415-5787.

Biking for Vets

founder to speak

Michael Beattie, a veteran who started a nonprofit to help feed homeless and hungry veterans throughout the country, will speak on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., at L.L. Bean, 95 Main St., Freeport. The talk is free.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Beattie became a police officer in Mansfield, Connecticut, and owned his own local business for 42 years. After retiring, he traveled the country last year in a camper, hiking and seeing America. He was both shocked and saddened by the amount of homeless and hungry veterans begging for food and work all around the country. He decided to make a difference and started his own nonprofit, Biking for Vets (P.O. Box 44, Storrs, CT 06268), as well as affiliating himself with Feed Our Vets, a food pantry in Utica, New York, that provides paid food cards to needy veterans and their families in 38 states. After much research and preparation, Beattie took the proceeds from selling his home, hopped on his bike and made it his mission to raise money and awareness about veteran hunger in America. He has no intention of stopping his efforts to help just because his 12,124-mile cross-country ride is over.

Toys for Tots

collection starts

Caleb Stephens, financial adviser with Edward Jones, is supporting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program by using his office as a drop-off location for this year’s toy drive.

Local residents can help needy children in the area by bringing in a new, unwrapped toy to the office, at 5 Depot St., Suite 24, Freeport, during regular business hours, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, through Friday, Dec. 9.

“With the holiday season around the corner, we are all getting ready for the festivities,” Stephens said. “And as this is the season of giving, now is a great time to remember the less fortunate in our community.”

Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company, provides financial services for individual investors.

Tess Gerritsen

will talk Friday

Author Tess Gerritsen will speak at the next South Freeport Congregational Church Authors Luncheon, Friday, Nov. 4, starting at 11:30 a.m. The church is located at 98 South Freeport Road. Each luncheon features a short talk by the author, a sit-down catered lunch with dessert, books for sale, and a book signing by the author.

Gerritsen, who lives in Camden, is a medical suspense novelist and screenwriter. Her first medical thriller was written in 1996 and her first crime thriller in 2001. Her

series of novels inspired the TNT television series, “Rizzoli & Isles,” and

her books have been on top bestseller lists in the U.S. and abroad. To reserve a spot, call 865-4012.

Local students

at St. Lawrence

Emily H. Sturtevant and Mia S. Thomas, both Freeport High School graduates, are participating in an off-campus study abroad program in for the fall 2016 semester through St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Sturtevant is a member of the class of 2018 and Thomas is a member of the class of 2016. The school also has welcomed Brooke F. Kelly of Freeport as a member of the class of 2020. Kelly attended Gould Academy.

Music and more

coming to library

Miss Lisa’s Songs & Stories, a program of music, dancing, songs and stories for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, will be presented on the first Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m., through April 2017 at the Freeport Community Library. This month’s program is Saturday, Nov. 5.

A Music Jam-Along is Sunday, Nov. 13, from 2-4 p.m. Participants are invited to bring their acoustic stringed instruments and make music with friends and neighbors. Some folk and bluegrass lyrics with chords will be projected for all to see. Listeners, singers, and all musician levels are welcome.

Lioness-Lions prep

for annual fair, lunch

The Freeport Lioness-Lions 19th annual Holiday Craft Fair and Fish “Chowdah” and Chili Luncheon will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., with lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Harraseeket Grange, Elm Street in Freeport.

The fair will feature homemade knit items, stained glass, canned goods, jewelry, crafts and more. There will be hourly drawings and free coffee available. On the lunch menu are chowdah, chili, hot dogs, corn bread and homemade pies.

For more information, call Cindi at 798-0047 or Martha at 865-6188.

Flu shot

clinic Nov. 3

A flu vaccination clinic provided by CHANS Home Health Care will be held Thursday, Nov. 3, from 1-3 p.m., at the Town Council Chambers in the Town Hall. All are welcome. For a schedule of additional seasonal flu vaccination clinics in the area, see

www.midcoasthealth.com/wellness/flu/schedule/.

Election information

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. The polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. in the gymnasium at the Freeport High School, 30 Holbrook St. Anyone wishing to receive an absentee ballot can visit this link to apply online: www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl.

Voters can also request an absentee ballot by calling or stopping by the Town Clerk’s Office, 865-4743, ext.123. Ballots are now available. Sample ballots also are available for viewing at www.freeportmaine.com, the Town Clerk’s Office and the Freeport Community Library.

For more information, contact Town Clerk Christine Wolfe, 865-4743, ext. 123.

Author of new

mystery to speak

Author Bruce Coffin, a retired Maine police detective, will talk about his debut mystery, “Among the Shadows,” Monday, Nov.14, at 6:30 p.m., at Freeport Community Library.

Coffin had more than 27 years in law enforcement, including supervising all homicide and violent crime investigations for the Portland Police Department. His Maine-based book is the first title is his new John Byron Mystery Service.

Woman’s Club has

grant to award

The Freeport Woman’s Club is looking for a candidate for its 2016-2017 Step Up Grant, a $1,000 gift for a woman over the age of 21 from Freeport or Pownal who is seeking occupational training and is experiencing financial need. Criteria for selection of the applicant are based upon financial need, clarity of goals, educational program and references. For questions and further information, call Virginia Boyles at 865-3973.

Upcoming meetings

Planning Board, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Conservation Commission, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Project Review Board, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Coastal Waters Committee, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Shellfish Conservation Commission, Thursday, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

A full schedule of meetings and agendas is available at www.Freeportmaine.com.

Michael Beattie, who biked across the country to raise money and awareness about veterans’ hunger, will speak on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., at L.L. Bean, 95 Main St., Freeport.