Author/humorist Poulin to speak

Maine playwright and humorist Susan Poulin will read from and sign copies of her new self-help humor book, “Finding Your Inner Moose: Ida LeClair’s Guide to Livin’ the Good Life,” at Freeport Community Library on Monday, July 14, at 7 p.m.

Poulin’s character Ida is a lifelong resident of fictional Mahoosuc Mills, a familiar town in western Maine, where she lives in a tidy and tastefully decorated double-wide with high school sweetheart Charlie and dog Scamp. Most importantly, Ida is a daughter, sister, wife, and best friend who draws upon her experiences (as well as those of the noble and majestic moose) to offer advice on relationships, physical fitness, stress, housecleaning, work, shopping and more. The book is published by Yarmouth-based Islandport Press.

Poulin created the character Ida LeClair in 1997. Poulin has been a leader in bringing a female voice to New England storytelling and humor, a genre historically dominated by men. Poulin has produced five stage shows featuring Ida: “Ida: Woman Who Runs with the Moose,” “Ida’s Havin’ a Yard Sale,” “A Very Ida Christmas,” “The Moose in Me, the Moose in You,” and her latest, “I Married an Alien.”

For more information, see www.freeportlibrary.com.

Year of giving

from Rotary

The Freeport Rotary Club reported that it donated more than $20,000 to worthy causes, both locally and internationally, in this past fiscal year that ended June 30.

At the local level, the Rotary Club awarded three $2,000 scholarships to Freeport High School graduating seniors; Emma Egan, Jessica Perry and Shelby Sawyer. The club also provided $3,100 in support of Freeport Community Services for its annual turkey drive, annual appeal and Carol Kaplan Fuel Fund, and $1,500 to the Mast Landing School playground fund. Other local initiatives included Freeport Community Library, the Merriconeag Waldorf School’s Circus Smirkus, and a Dictionary Project for RSU 5 elementary schools.

On an international level, the Freeport Rotary Club provided $1,500 to support a trip for six Interact Club students at Freeport High School to travel to the Dominican Republic to install water filters. Support for international initiatives also included $1,000 to Rotary International Foundation, $500 for polio eradication and $300 to the devastated community of Lac Megantic, Canada.

The Freeport Rotary Club, formed in 1983, is a diverse group of some 20 business and professional people from the Greater Freeport area. Its mission is to provide service to those in need in Freeport, Pownal and Durham and around the world.

For more detailed information about the club and its programs, see www.freeport-rotary.org.

Beans and more on supper menu

A baked bean and pasta supper will be held on Saturday, July 12, from 5-6 p.m., at First Parish Church, 40 Main St., Freeport. On the menu will be three kinds of baked beans, macaroni and cheese, American chop suey, hot dogs, rolls, pickles, cole slaw, homemade pies, beverages and more. The cost for adults is $8, and children $4. Profits support community outreach programs.

Bird migration topic of talk

Naturalist and author Scott Weidensaul will present a program, “Living in the Wind: Exploring Bird Migration and Simple Ways to Save Birds,” Friday, July 18, from 6:30-8 p.m., in the Morrell Meeting Room, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Freeport Wild Bird Supply is a co-sponsor of the program, along with Wicked Joe Coffee Co., Birds and Beans Coffee and Mid-Coast Audubon Society.

Weidensaul explores the wonder and mechanics of migration, and the simple, effective ways people can help save birds, from what we plant in our gardens to what we pour into our morning mug of coffee.

Weidensaul is the author of more than two-dozen books on natural history, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist, “Living on the Wind,” about bird migration, and “Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the Continent’s Natural Soul.” His latest book is “The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery and Endurance in Early America.” Weidensaul, who lives in Pennsylvania, is a frequent visitor to Maine and is director of ornithology and a teacher at Audubon’s Hog Island camp in Bremen.

Freeport Wild Bird Supply is owned by Jeannette and Derek Lovitch of Pownal. For more information, see www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com.

New garden at library

Utilizing the space between the two wings of the Freeport Community Library building, landscape designer Susan Cherbuliez and Matt Carter of Green Island Stonework have created a dry stone stream and plantings that provide a restful new garden for viewing. The new courtyard space doesn’t allow for people to wander in it; rather, it can be enjoyed by patrons as they look out the northwest windows of the lobby.

GOP committee sets meeting

The Freeport Republican Committee will meet Wednesday, July 16, at 6:30 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge, Mallet Drive, lower level. Committee members are asked to bring a non-perishable item for the Freeport Community Services Food Pantry.

Local students on USM dean’s list

Several Freeport students have been named to the University of Southern Maine dean’s list for the spring 2014 semester. In order to be named to the list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours. They are Richard Michael Baker, Sarah Rose Brooks, Cassidy Bell Cleaves, Scott Howard Gavin, Mihaela Hambrick, Alec Michael Salisbury, Mary Etta Stewart and Taylor Bennett Wood.

Town report now available

Copies of Freeport’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, are now available at the Town Hall. It is also available online on the town’s website. The town is currently looking for photographs or artwork of Freeport that can be donated for use in the 2014 annual report. It can be of any scene, event or activity around town and should be taken during fiscal year 2014 (July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014). Digital pictures are preferred, but paper copies will be accepted. Photos/artwork will be used as space permits. Those with an item to contribute can contact Caroline Pelletier at 865-4743, ext.107.

Cover contest time

RSU 5 Recreation & Community Education is looking for artists to submit entries for the cover for the 2014 fall brochure photo contest. The photo should be eye catching and professional in its look and have a fall theme. It will be used as the front cover for the 2014 fall brochure, mailed to more than 6,000 households in the RSU 5 district. The deadline to submit a photo is Friday, July 9. Photos can be sent to Anthony Johnson at johnsona@rsu5.org.

Local sculptor’s work on exhibit

A sculpture exhibit of works by Julia M. Doughty, with a theme of beach and ocean, is on display through July at the Freeport Community Library.

Doughty, who has lived in Freeport for 10 years, grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has a degree from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design. She also studied at the California College of the Arts and Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. An avid beachcomber and collector, the treasures she discovers find their way into her marine-themed sculptures. For more information, see www.juliamdoughty.com.

Annual art show and sale

Art Guild of Freeport holds its Annual Art Exhibit on Saturday, July 12, under the big tent at the Old World Gourmet on U.S. Route 1 in Freeport. Maine art by local artists will be on exhibit. Rain or shine, the event, which runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., is free to the public.

Arts and crafts on church lawn

The First Parish Church Congregational is holding an Arts & Crafts Market on the front lawn of the church, 40 Main St., Freeport, every second and last Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The dates are July 12 and 26, Aug. 9 and 30, Sept. 13 and 27, Oct. 11 and 25. Vendor spaces are still available. For each market day, one space is available free of charge for nonprofit groups. For more information, see www.FirstParishMarket.org, or Call Patty Kennedy, 865-0848.

Upcoming meetings

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

Coastal Waters Commission, Wedesday, July 9, 6 p.m., Town Hall (note location change).

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

Freeport Active Living Task Force, Thursday, July 10, 7:30 a.m., Community Center.

Winslow Park Commission, Monday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., Community Center.

Freeport Parking & Traffic Committee, Tuesday, July 15, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Town Council, Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Conservation Commission, Wednesday, July 16, 6 p.m., Community Center.

Freeport Recycling/Solid Waste Committee, Wednesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m., Community Center.

Susan Poulin will visit Freeport Community Library Monday, July 14, to talk about her new humor book.