Seniors build new bridge on trail

Seniors Gabby Tilton and Lexi Dietrich have been avid runners at Freeport High School during the last four years. Wanting to give back to the running community that has inspired them, they decided to build a 36-foot bridge over a new part of the cross- country trails for their senior projects this year.

In 2008, the FHS cross-country team began construction on a home course at the Pownal Road Field in Freeport. Several local businesses donated materials to build two bridges, as well as machinery for trail construction. Since that time, Freeport High School has hosted several home cross-country races and the annual Betty ReeZ 5K each Columbus Day. The course consisted of two-and-a-half loops, which runners found confusing. In 2010, the Maine Conservation Corps cleared a new section of trail, which had been unused. Tilton and Dietrich believe that with the bridge, the course will be a much simpler two-loop trail after final completion of the new section. In addition to building a low scenic bridge, Tilton and Dietrich constructed a holder for a sign to house community announcements and a trail map. For this phase of the project, the materials and equipment have been donated by Freeport TrueValue Hardware, Hancock Lumber Brunswick, Seymour Excavating, Freeport Running Boosters, Coach Brian Berkemeyer, and Maschino & Sons Lumber. They plan on completing the bridge this week, in plenty of time for the 2014 FHS cross-country team to use next autumn, and community members to enjoy.

“We have learned life skills that we will use later on, such as approaching businesses with confidence, how to plan and execute a project, and how to safely use power tools and saws. It has been a great experience so far and we are excited to see the final outcome,” said Tilton and Dietrich.

Free community concert

The Coastal Winds Band, in a partnership with the Harraseeket Inn, present its Spring Community Concert, Tuesday, June 10, from 6-8 p.m., at the Harraseeket Inn’s Casco Bay Room. Under the direction of conductor Brendan Krueger, the band will perform fan favorites. Admission is free, with the donation of a non-perishable food item for the Freeport Community Services Food Pantry. Refreshments will be offered, and a cash bar is available.

For more information, contact Melanie Sachs, executive director at Freeport Community Service, at msachs@fcsmaine.org, or call 865-3985.

Pine Tree Academy graduation

Seniors at Pine Tree Academy, 67 Pownal Road in Freeport, will graduate at a ceremony scheduled for Sunday, June 8, at 10 a.m., at the school gym.

Avery Audet and Micayla Hill are graduating with Highest Honors.The other graduates include Alanna Asgeirsson, Emily Cancel,Rachel Cundiff, Nina DePalma, Beniah Christiansen, Andrew Goorhuis, Ezra Kruzick, O’Neal Lopez, Naomi Mawete, Beckie McGuire, Rebecca Moore-Myshrall, Jennifer Olson, Joshua Pierce,Trinity Skiadas and Stu Snow.

According to the school, 90 percent of the seniors will attend college next fall.

Library hosting genealogy workshop

The Freeport Community Library is offering a free, two-part genealogy workshop held on consecutive Wednesdays, June 11 and 18, at 6:30 p.m., led by Brian Bouchard, vice president of the Maine Genealogical Society. The June 11 session, “Using Newspapers to Discover Your Family History,” focuses on some online resources for accessing newspapers, how and what to search for, and how one can incorporate newspaper information into family history research.

The June 18 session is called “Google Your Family Tree,” where Bouchard will discuss some of the special tips, tricks and tools that can be used to research your family’s past. Pre-registration is required. Call Freeport Community Library at 865-3307.

Author to talk on Maine woods

Author Steve Pinkham will be at the Freeport Community Library Monday, June 16, at 6:30 p.m., to share stories from his collection of some 22,000 articles and stories of the Maine woods.

Pinkham selected many of the oldest and most exciting hunting and fishing tales, as well as stories of animal encounters, lumbering, canoe trips, and even a few ghost stories, for his book, “Old Tales of the Maine Woods.” Spanning 1849 to 1913, the book covers the Maine woods from Magalloway to Moosehead, and Mopang to Madawaska. “Old Tales of the Maine Woods” will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served.

Free films all summer

On the first Thursday of each month, at 1 p.m., the Freeport Community Library hosts a free community movie. Popular new releases, vintage classics, musicals and documentaries are shown. Light refreshments are served prior to each film. The schedule of films to be shown this summer includes:

“The Monuments Men” (historical drama), June 5, based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history. Rated PG-13, it stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett.

“20 Feet from Stardom” (Academy Award-winning documentary), July 3, focuses on backup singers. Rated PG-13.

“Mamma Mia!” Aug. 7, the ABBA musical with Meryl Streep. Rated PG-13.

Puppy, kitten spay-neuter clinic

This month, Community Spay-

Neuter Clinic in Freeport, will spay or neuter puppies and kittens for $20 in a program sponsored by PetSmart Charities called “Precious Not Parents.” Pets must be between 3 and 6 months of age in June for this promotion. Free transport available from several locations. For more information and to find out if you qualify, call 865-0772 or visit www.communityspayneuterclinic.com and on Facebook.

Magic at Theater of Awesome

Maine’s only full-time magic duo, Markus and Angelique Steelgrave, will perform Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m., at the Freeport Theater of Awesome, 5 Depot St. Their show blends magic with visual illusions, adorable animals, lots of good-natured audience participation, comedy, lively music, and surprises for the whole family. For tickets, see www.theaterofawesome.com.

Council sets district workshops

The Freeport Town Council has scheduled one Town Council meeting in each of the town’s voting districts. These meetings provide residents with an opportunity to meet their councilors more informally and discuss issues related to their specific district. District Town Council meetings will usually being at 6:30 p.m. with a meet-and-greet session and an open discussion related to district issues, followed by a regular Town Council meeting. The schedule:

District 1 June 17, Freeport Community Center.

District 2 Sept. 2, Mallett Barn.

District 3 Aug. 5, South Freeport Congregational Church.

District 4 Oct. 7, Merriconeag School.

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: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/664843. For more information, visit www.merriconeag.org.

Bow Street Market Tortoise and Hare 5K

The Bow Street Market 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 will benefit the Freeport Running Boosters, a group that supports youth running groups within the community and maintains the Pownal Road community trails.

Prizes are awarded to the top finishers, “Hares,” the person who can predict their time, the “Tortoise,” in 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and above male and female age categories. Overall male and female winners will win a $100 card. No watches are allowed to be worn in the race.

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).

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.

Absentee ballots

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

Absentee ballots for both the primary and school budget referendum are now available at the Freeport Town Clerk’s Office. 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.

Upcoming meetings

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

Freeport Withdrawal Committee, Thursday, June 5, 6:30 p.m., Freeport High School Conference Room.

Winslow Park Committee, Monday, June 9, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Freeport Planning Board, Tuesday, June 10, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Withdrawal Committee, Tuesday, June 10, 6:30 p.m., FHS Library (proposed).

Freeport Project Review Board, Wednesday, June 11, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, June 11, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Gabby Tilton, left, and Lexi Dietrich, Freeport High School seniors, stand on the 36-foot bridge they built over a new part of the cross country trails.