Free camping for Freeport residents

Winslow Park’s 2012 free camping week for Freeport residents runs from Monday, Sept. 17 through Saturday, Sept. 29. Reservations are not accepted for free camping. Campers are asked not to arrive before 1 p.m. and are asked to bring camping gear at registration. For more information, visit the Freeport town website at www.freeportmaine.com.

Lobsterman ?triathlon coming

Cheer for athletes participating in this year’s Lobsterman Triathlon on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Winslow Park. The Olympic distance race begins at 9 a.m. and consists of a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike race and a 10-kilometer run. Organizers encourage participants and spectators to carpool and arrive early. Staples Point Road will be closed to traffic from 8:15 a.m. to approximately 12:15 p.m. Entry to Winslow Park is free for the event.

South Freeport Church Sunday School

The South Freeport Congregational Church has announced its schedule of events for Sunday school. Dedication of the Celtic cross and welcome-back cookout is on Sunday, Sept 16. Teacher training is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. First day of Sunday school is on Sunday, Sept. 23. Blessing of the animals will be on Sunday, Oct. 14. South Freeport Congregational Church has a youth group starting Sunday, Sept. 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the Watts home in Freeport. All teenagers are welcome. Contact David Watts at 865-1619 for more information.

Gas line installation

Maine Natural Gas will be installing a gas line at School and Main streets through Thursday, Sept. 13, from 7 p.m.-6 a.m. For questions or concerns, contact the Freeport Public Works Department at 865-4461.

Library news and notes

The Freeport Community Library has resumed Saturday hours from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Freeport Community Library offers its visitors wireless Internet access, story time for toddlers, monthly art exhibits, inter-library loans, Freeport history and genealogy research. Regular library hours are: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

On Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the library will hold the first of its technology classes, “Library website basics,” an introduction to the library’s website www.freeportlibrary.com, that will show you how to search for items in the online catalog and how to log in to renew items, place holds, create lists and more.

The library will be hosting an exhibit of photography and poetry by J.C. Cournoyer of Off the Wheel Photography. The exhibit is called “Neptune’s Cap: A Selection of Photos and Poems.” The exhibit will run through September.

Van Reid, author of humorous Moosepath League series of novels, will speak at the library on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. The latest title in the series, “Moss Farm, or the Mysterious Missives of the Moosepath League,” has just been released and will be available for purchase and signing.

Eat pancakes with ?the Freeport Elders

The Freeport Elders will hold their regular pancake breakfast on Saturday Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Freeport Community Center. The breakfast is held every first and third Saturday of the month. The deluxe breakfast is $4.50 and the basic breakfast is $3.50. Seniors receive 50 cents off. Contact the Freeport Community Center for more info.

Mercantile past ?subject of exhibit

The Freeport Historical Society presents “Buttons, Rum & Rakes,” an exhibit celebrating Freeport’s Mercantile Past. The exhibit runs through March 2. Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 45 Main St. For more information, visit www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org .

Upcoming meetings

Sept. 13 – Shellfish Commission – ?6:30 p.m. – Freeport Community Center

Sept. 18 – Conservation Commission – 7 p.m. – Freeport Community Center

Sept. 18 – Town Council meeting and District 3 workshop – 6:30 p.m. – South Freeport Church

Jennifer Pope rests on a cot while donating blood at the American Red Cross’ blood drive at the Freeport Community Center on Sept. 6. The Red Cross said the drive was a success, with a total of 49 units of blood donated, well over the goal of 36, and a 20 percent increase over the number collected at the Freeport drive last year. For more information on Red Cross blood drives, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.