The Farm Stand returns
Residents of Freeport, and all the tourists who know the back way to town, rejoice: The Farm Stand on South Freeport Road, which closed without notice several months back, is open once again under new ownership, offering local and organic fruits and vegetables with a few other surprises thrown in.
Since July 4, Meryl Mills has been manning the tiny wooden stand each weekend, chatting with neighbors and selling some of the best blueberries around. The former nanny and pre-school teacher moved to the area two years ago, and with her husband, a Maine native and former opera singer, also has a garden design and maintenance business.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to own a farm stand. It gets me involved in the community, and it’s something my grandchild can participate in,” said Mills.” Her granddaughter, 8-year-old Annaliese, obviously enjoys being part of the family enterprise.
“This is our starter year, so we are selling things grown by other people, all local. But next year we’ll include some of our own produce grown right here,” Mills said.
Besides those tasty blueberries, The Farm Stand has heirloom tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, goat cheese, corn, handmade soaps, sometimes eggs, and a necklace or two made by Annaliese. It is open Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m., at 136 South Freeport Road.
In Winslow Park, music fills the night
The five-member band, wittily named “Not Too Shaap,” will bring their eclectic sound to Winslow Park on Thursday, Aug.15. Performing for over 25 years, originally under the name Nothin’ Flat, the group’s impressive repertoire includes songs by Bonnie Raitt, the Beatles and Jackson Browne, and showcases their expertise on keyboard, guitar, bass, dobro, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, and various percussion instruments.
“Our best instruments, we feel, are our voices, with many four and five part harmonies and a few a capella tunes,” said Daric Ebert in an email. The concert is from 6:30-8 p.m. To add to your enjoyment, bring a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs. No alcohol permitted.
Irish music to your ears
If you fancy Irish music, here’s an opportunity this week to learn how to play it without leaving the country. Award-winning Irish musicians Edel Fox and Neill Byrne, accompanied by Dylan Foley, are touring the northeast United States this summer. They will be performing traditional Irish music locally in Freeport, after conducting workshops on their respective instruments: Fox on the concertina and Byrne on the fiddle. Registration is strongly suggested, as seating is limited. They will be at Frost Gully Violins, 457 Route 1, Freeport.
To register, call 865-0818. The schedule is: Friday, Aug. 9, workshops 6-7 p.m.; concert 7:30-9:30 p.m. Concert $20; workshop and concert, $30.
RSU board member resigns
Brenda Kielty, a Regional School Unit 5 board member for the town of Freeport, has resigned, effectively immediately.
“There’s no scandal involved,’ said Kielty, whose term was due to expire in November “I’m simply moving out of town. I’ve enjoyed serving on the board for the past five years.”
According to Freeport Town Manager Peter Joseph, the Freeport Town Council will select an interim board member until the next municipal election, slated for Nov 5.
The RSU 5, comprised of Freeport, Durham, and Pownal, has an 11-person board of directors. Kielty’s replacement will serve a three-year term.
Animal lovers to the rescue
Dr. Elizabeth Stone, director of the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic in Freeport, is hoping for a few good volunteers.
“We need help more than usual now, since this is kitten season,” she said, explaining that more cats give birth between March and October. “That’s when we need extra hands,” said Stone. “We had two pregnant cats in here just today.”
Volunteers can expect to help the technical veterinarian staff by preparing instruments, and for those who are computer-savvy, there is plenty of office work to go around. “We’ve started our mobile clinic up in Waterville, which means we are stretched even thinner than usual.”
All the animals at the clinic either have owners or have already been adopted, so don’t worry about getting too attached. If you are interested in helping, call 865-0772, or stop by at 475 US Route 1, Freeport.
Never too soon to start training
It’s not too soon to start training for the Freeport Half Marathon, now just about a month away, Sunday, Sept. 8. You can give to others while you give to yourself, since 20 percent of all entry fees will go directly to support Freeport Community Services and the Freeport Education Foundation.
Runners and walkers are invited to take a tour through Freeport Village and along Casco Bay at the inaugural Freeport Half Marathon and 5K race. The event is part of the New England Half Marathon Tour, which means runners will be treated to a first-class experience. The event features technical shirts for all half marathoners and T-shirts for 5K runners; finisher medals for half marathoners; pint glasses to overall and age group winners in both races; and post-race refreshments. Freeport Community Services is looking for local sponsors, as well as volunteers to help with the water stations and course marshals. Those interested in sponsorship or volunteering at the event can contact Phil DiRusso at 522-8739 or dirusso262@gmail.com; or Debbie Daggett, volunteer coordinator, 865-3985, ext. 206.
For more information or to register for the Freeport Half Marathon, which starts at 9 a.m., or the 5K which starts at 9:15 a.m., log on to www.FreeportHalfMarathon.com.
Still seeking host families
If you are eager to share your family and learn about another country and culture at the same time, perhaps you should consider hosting an international exchange student. The Freeport Rotary is seeking host families for the upcoming 2013-14 school year, specifically for Tiago, a 16-year-old boy from Brazil. The student will live with his host family for about three months starting on either Dec. 1 or March 1. To apply, or to learn more, call Karen O’Rourke at 865-6398 or email: orourkekaren7@gmail.com. You can also visit their website www.freeport-rotary.org and click on Youth Exchange.
Speak your mind about Freeport
Have you got a great idea to share about how to revitalize the community? Or maybe there’s a burning question you’d love to ask your community’s leaders. Either way, you can speak your mind and join the conversation at FreeportTalks.org. When you sign up, you are instantly connected with your neighbors. So you can add your 2 cents concerning the town’s latest projects, or just air your gripes about the last one. Get in on the next big thing or offer your congratulations on the one that happened without your input. And be sure to tell a friend, since the more people who sign up, the better the conversation. www.FreeportTalks.org.
Upcoming meetings
Shellfish Commission, Thursday, Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.
Winslow Park Commission, Monday, Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.
Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.
Freeport Town Council, District 2 workshop, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m., Mallett Barn, Wolfe’s Neck Farm; followed by regular council meeting, 8 p.m.
Conservation Commission, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center
Meryl Miller is helped at The Farm Stand by her granddaughter, Annaliese.
The five-member band named Not Too Shaap, which performed originally under the name Nothin’ Flat, will bring their eclectic sound to Winslow Park on Thursday, Aug.15.
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