Merriconeag seniors present ‘Almost, Maine’

“Almost, Maine,” by Maine playwright John Cariani, will be performed by the senior class of Merriconeag Waldorf School, Wednesday-Friday, June 4, 5 and 6, at 7 p.m., at St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St., Portland. “Almost, Maine” comprises nine short plays that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical almost-town called Almost, Maine.

Tickets are $5, available at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/664843. For more information, visit www.merriconeag.org.

Wolfe’s Neck Farm celebrates spring

This Saturday, May 31, Wolfe’s Neck Farm will hold its annual Spring Festival with music, games, demonstrations and learning activities. There will be opportunities to explore the trails and gardens, interact with the animals, learn about seeds and plants, and try your hand at fiber arts. For younger children, there will be craft activities, face painting, a hay pile and tractors to climb, as well as hayride.s Food will be available for purchase.

Admission is $7 per person (2 and under are free). There is a 50 percent discount for members of Wolfe’s Neck Farm who register in advance. Proceeds will benefit Wolfe’s Neck Farm educational programming

Climate change topic of meeting

The public is invited to attend Freeport Conservation Trust’s annual meeting on Monday, June 2, at 7 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St.

Dr. Stephen Mulkey, president of Unity College, will talk about taking action to address climate change in his talk called “Crisis and Opportunity in the Environmental Century: Inspiring a Generation of Greatness.” He’ll make the case for steps that can be taken now to assure the earth’s viability for future generations.

The presentation will be accompanied by locally grown and produced refreshments. For more information, see www.freeportconservationtrust.org.

Recycling poster contest winners

The Freeport Solid Waste and Recycling Committee recently sponsored a poster contest and selected nine winners to receive a $25 FreeportUSA gift certificate.

The committee sponsored the contest to improve paper recycling in the schools and municipal buildings. Non-paper items such as drink bottles and soda cans, organic waste (banana and orange peels) and plastic waste and trash were mistakenly being placed in the paper recycling containers, or toters, that are found throughout the town.

Copies of the winning posters will be placed on the paper recycling totes to help students, employees and residents understand paper recycling. Winners are: Mason Galway and Riley Sterling, Grade 2, both students at Morse Street School; and seven students from Mast Landing School: Jillian Wight, Isla Wilson and Ava Klein in Grade 3, Eli Andreson and Andrew Morrissey in Grade 4; and Anna Yankee and Kaitlyn Sawicki in Grade 5.

The Solid Waste and Recycling Committee focuses on increasing Freeport’s recycling rate by providing information and education. The committee seeks ideas on the types of information and programs that may be the most useful to residents. The committee invites anyone who has an interest in recycling to contact the committee and/or to attend an upcoming committee meeting. The committee meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Freeport Community Services building.

Tote bags benefit food pantry

FreeportUSA has 1,000 tote bags available for $5, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Freeport Community Services Food Pantry.

People who purchase and show the bag receive 10 percent off at 24 Freeport businesses for all of 2014. All participating businesses are listed on the bag. The bag is available for sale at the Freeport Community Center Thrift Shop at 53 Depot St., and the Thrift Shop Annex at 48B West St. It is also available at Earrings & Co, Fiore, Hilton Garden Inn’s Garden Grille & Bar, J.L. Coombs, Mexicali Blues, RD Allen Freeport Jewelers, The Wishful Moon and Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections.

35 inducted into FHS honor society

On May 20, 35 juniors at Freeport High School were inducted into the National Honor Society. They included:

Caleb Abbott, Hannah Avant, Jill Baker, Ryder Bennell, Josef Biberstein, Rebecca Bonney, Lauren Carter, Lauren Cormier, Maggie Davis, Julia Dearden, Alexis Erlandson, Pamela Ferreras, Danielle Foster, Alana Franklin, Callum Gould, Abigail Gray, Emily Johnson, Kaitlin Johnson, Elizabeth Kille, Elizabeth Martin, Delia Mitchell-Gray, Hannah Morrissey, Katelyn O’Neil, Jasmine Olins, Monica Pallin, Alyssa Richardson, Devein Robinson, Margo Ruby, Meredith Saunders, Taylor Schenker, Abigail Smith, Lilly Smith, Sarah Watts, Chloe Whittaker and Sam Wogan.

Composting products at transfer station

Residents can purchase items at the Freeport Transfer Station to help with composting and recycling needs.

During Spring Cleanup, Earth Machine compost bin can be bought for $46, a countertop kitchen pail for $10, rain barrel for $60 and a Wingdigger compost aerator for $17. Items can be purchased during regular hours of operation, Wednesday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 9-4.

Shellfish license applications available

Applications for Recreational Shellfish Licenses for July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, will be available at the Freeport Town Clerk’s office beginning Monday, June 2. Licenses are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Resident license fee is $16; non-resident, $27; three-day, $20. For more information, call the Freeport Town Clerk’s Office at 865-4743, Ext 123, or email tstevens@freeportmaine.com.

Library to screen ‘The Monuments Men’ June 5

Freeport Community Library’s First Thursday film series continues through the summer with the showing of “The Monuments Men” on June 5 at 1 p.m.

Based on the true story, the film is an action drama focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon, tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. Rated PG-13, the film stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett.

Bow Street

Market Tortoise and Hare 5K

The Tortoise and Hare 5K race is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, starting at 9 a.m. near Leon Gorman Park, by Park Street and Bow Street Market.

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Freeport Running Boosters, a group that supports youth running groups within the community and maintains the Pownal Road community trails.

Prizes will be awarded to the winning male and female, as well as the “Hares,” or top finishers in their age group, and the “Tortoise,” the finisher that can predict closest to their time in each age group. No watches are allowed to be worn in the race.

Age groups are 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and above male and female age categories. Overall male and female winners will win a $100 gift card to Bow Street Market.

Register at www.runinarace.com. Pre-registration is $15 plus a $2.50 registration fee at checkout before June 5 (T-shirt guaranteed to first 100 registrants.). Registration forms are also available at RSU 5 school offices. Day of race registration is at 8 a.m. and costs $20 (cash).

For more information, call 232-8394 or email tquestion@runinarace.com.

Open Stage

Coffee House

The next Open Stage Coffee House will be Saturday, June 7, at 7 p.m., in the Community Room of the Freeport Public Library.

The library describes the event as a relaxed performance and safety zone for creativity and an opportunity for budding artists, established entertainers, and everyone young and old. Performers can just show up at the library and sign up. There is a two-song or 10-minute limit. For more information, contact Eric Bryant at 865-0052.

Author luncheon in South Freeport

Author Sharon Peters, a Maine native, will appear on Friday, June 6, at 11 a.m., at the next author luncheon series at the South Freeport Congregational Church, 98 South Freeport Road.

A career journalist who grew up in Maine, Peters has worked at newspapers throughout the country. Her book, “Trusting Calvin: How a Dog Helped Heal a Holocaust Survivor’s Heart,” is the true story of Max Edelman, who survived nearly five years in labor and death camps during the Holocaust. Edelman, who was beaten blind by camp guards in the final months before his liberation, moved to Cleveland after the war. When he was nearly 70 decided he needed a guide dog. Their relationship was troubled until Edelman was finally, at the dog’s insistence, able to release his hold on some of the self-protective barriers he had erected during his years in the camps.

Peters grew up in Bangor, graduated from the University of Missouri, and earned a doctorate in human and organization development when she was in her 40s. She lives in Colorado.

The cost for the talk and luncheon is $20 per person. Tickets must be purchased before the event. No tickets will be sold at the door. Call Beth at 865-4012 for reservations.

Seeking ideas for skating pond

Residents are invited to the skating pond at Leon Gorman Park on Saturday, May 31, between 9-11a.m., to find out more about the pond and talk about how the area should be used.

After several tries, the skating pond just doesn’t work, but the town is seeking ideas. Coffee and muffins will be served. For more information contact Donna Larson, dlarson@freeportmaine.com, or call 865-4743, ext. 103.

Absentee ballots

The polls will be open Tuesday, June 10, from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., in the gymnasium at the Freeport High School, 30 Holbrook St., for the state primary and Regional School Unit 5 school budget validation.

Absentee ballots for the primary are now available at the Freeport Town Clerk’s Office; absentee ballots for the school budget referendum are available on Thursday, May 29. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, June 5, at 6 p.m.

For information on how to request an absentee ballot call the Town Clerk at 865-4743, Ext 123; stop by the Town Clerk’s Office; or see www.freeportmaine.com.

Spring cleanup days

Freeport residents will again have the month of June to bring one free load of waste to the Recycling Center using the coupon in the brochure that is being mailed to each residence. Residents will be required to have a 2014 facility sticker ($6), which can be purchased at the Recycling Center the day of disposal or can be purchased ahead of time. More details about what can and cannot be brought to the Recycling Center can be found in the brochure.

New this year will be a free electronics collection day Saturday, June 7, as part of the Spring Cleanup Month. Residents who use their Spring Cleanup coupon on this day – and this day only – can bring electronics to the Recycling Center free of charge, including televisions (all sizes), computer monitors, CPUs (computer towers), laptops printers, copiers and microwaves.

Sunday to Sundae 5K debuts June 1

The first Sunday to Sundae Trot for Teens 5K and L.L. Bean Kayak Raffle has been scheduled for Sunday, June 1, at the Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. It is sponsored by RSU 5 Recreation & Community Education, The 5K will begin at 9 a.m., and after the race, participants can make their own Ben & Jerry’s ice cream sundae. Shortly after the race awards, the kayak raffle winner will be announced.

Proceeds from both events go toward supporting The Port Teen Center, located in the basement of the Freeport Community Center. The nonprofit organization is a youth-driven facility that provides a safe, enriching, and dynamic atmosphere for area teenagers.

To register for the 5K (includes race shirt while supplies last) and/or to purchase a ticket for the kayak raffle, visit www.rsu5-rce.org or call Recreation & Community Education at 865-6171. Pre-registration deadline is May 29, cost $20. No additional registrations will be accepted until the day of the race and the price will increase to $25.

Upcoming meetings

RSU 5 annual budget meeting, Wednesday, May 28, 6:30 p.m., Freeport High School gymnasium.

Freeport Withdrawal Committee, Thursday, May 29, noon-3 p.m., Freeport Town Council Chambers.

Talk about Leon Gorman Park skating pond’s future, Saturday, May 31, 9-11 a.m., skating pond area at Leon Gorman Park, Freeport.

Freeport Municipal Facilities Committee, Tuesday, June 3, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers,

Freeport Town Council, Tuesday, June 3, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Recycling/Solid Waste Committee, Wednesday, June 4, 5:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

John Burgess and Carlin Tindall of Merriconeag’s 12th-grade class in a scene from “Almost, Maine,” to be performed at St. Lawrence Arts in Portland, June 4, 5 and 6. 

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