Freeport FebFest showcases the arts

The second Freeport FebFest, a month-long festival celebrating the vibrancy and depth of cultural arts in Freeport, features returning events from the first festival and new events to expand the range of offerings. The event spotlights a range of Freeport art –painting, theater, music, poetry, prose, food and more at venues around town.

Freeport Players spearheaded the creation of FebFest last year and continues to lead the effort.

“There’s a lot going on in Freeport’s arts sector, even in the dead of winter,” said Elizabeth Guffey, Freeport Players managing/artistic director. “This festival puts the spotlight on this cultural treasure trove.”

The FebFest 2016 calendar so far includes:

Comedy showcase Feb. 11 with Karen Morgan and Zacariah Stearn and friends.

• Freeport Historical Society’s new exhibit “Logging In The Maine Woods 1915-1928:The Paintings of Alden Grant”

• Workshops on a variety of topics offered through Freeport Community Education

• Tom Acousti in concert Feb. 13 at First Parish Congregational Church

• FreeportUSA’s Flavors of Freeport Feb. 19-21

• Poet Jennifer Lamson-LaPlume Feb. 8 at Freeport Community Library

• Open Stage Coffee House Feb. 27 at Freeport Community Library

For more about Freeport FebFest of Arts & Culture and an up-to-date calendar, see www.FreeportFebFest.org.

Chocolate buffet set for Jan. 31

South Freeport Congregational Church will host a Valentine Extravaganza Chocolate Buffet, on Sunday, Jan. 31, from 4-5:30 p.m., at 98 South Freeport Road.

A variety of decadent chocolates will be offered, including raspberry creams, sea salt caramels, pecan turtles, peanut butter cups, cappuccino and mint meltaways and more. Tickets are $20 and include beverages, background music and a half-pound of chocolate. For tickets or more information, call 865-4012 or email southfreeportchurch@gmail.com.

February art exhibit

An exhibit of fine art by members of the Art Guild of Freeport will be on display at the Freeport Community Library during February. Seven oil and watercolor painters will have their original landscape and still-life art on exhibit in the library’s main reading room. Artists include Shelly Breton, Christy Deveault and Beth Edmonds of Freeport, Jerry Corey of Westbrook, Caroline Paine and Debra Serino of Yarmouth and Ann Schutz of Falmouth. Artwork will be available for purchase by contacting the individual artist directly.

Farm programs enrolling now

Registration is now open for all 2016 educational programs at Wolf’s Neck Farm, including February and April vacation camps, spring after-school program and summer day camp. These farm-based programs offer children the opportunity to help with barn and garden chores, and to explore ecosystems through creative activities at the farm, in the woods and by the seashore. For more information, call 865-4469, ext.106, or visit www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Thank-you party

Casco Bay Fibers will hold a free “Thank You Party” at their store at 15 Main St., Freeport, on Friday, Jan. 22, from 5:15-8:30 p.m., to thank members of the community for the support the store has been given. Snow date is Jan. 23. Reservations are requested. Contact kminott@cascobayfibers.com or call 869-5429.

Winslow Park reminders

Pets are allowed in Winslow Memorial Park, but owners are reminded that the pets must be under control at all times and cannot be left unattended. Dogs must be controlled to ensure that they not jump on or in any way bother other people or dogs using the park, or they must be leashed. No pets are allowed on the beach or in the vicinity of the playground at any time.

Also, walkers should be reminded to be aware that the main road in the park is utilized by residents, their visitors and service providers for vehicle use and should be considered as any other road where there is light vehicle traffic.

Free tax prep assistance

AARP will conduct free tax preparation assistance Wednesday mornings beginning in February at the Freeport Community Center. Assistance is for low- to moderate-income households, with special attention to those 60 years and older.

For an appointment, call 865-4743, ext. 100 and leave a message. Beginning Jan. 21, calls will be returned by Freeport Community Center volunteers once a week on Thursday mornings.

Freeport Players party this week

Freeport Players invites the community to don a favorite hat and join the organization for its annual potluck party and short annual business meeting, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m., at Freeport Community Library. Prizes will be given for notable hats. Attendees can bring food or non-alcoholic drinks to share. Freeport Players members will supply desserts and entertainment.

Freeport Players is celebrating the accomplishments of 2015 and previewing the 2016 season, which includes “The Odd Couple” (female version), “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (abridged),” and the popular “WFCP Hometime Radio Hour,” as well as new acting workshops and the many activities of the upcoming FebFest, Freeport’s arts and cultural festival.

For more information, see www.fcponline.org or email info@fcponline.org.

Library hosting conference event

As part of the 2016 Camden Conference/World Affairs Council of Maine event, Freeport Community Library will stream on large screen the acclaimed 2012 PBS documentary, “Stealing Africa: Why Poverty?” on Friday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m. (snow date is Jan. 29). The documentary takes an in-depth look at why Zambia, one of the 20 poorest countries in the world, has not reaped the economic benefits of the more than $29 billion in copper that’s been extracted from the country in the past 10 years by internationally owned corporations.

Freeport Community Library is coordinating Camden Conference-related events this month with both Merrill Memorial Library in Yarmouth and Falmouth Memorial Library. The Camden Conference was founded in 1987 as a nonprofit, non-partisan educational organization whose mission is to foster informed discourse on world issues. The 29th annual Camden Conference, “The New Africa”, will be presented live from the Camden Opera House, and live-streamed at the University of Southern Maine Lee Auditorium in Portland, Feb. 19-21. For more information, see www.camdenconference.org.

‘Happy Neuter Year’

Sponsored by PetSmart Charities, a “Happy Neuter Year” campaign will provide $20 neutering surgeries for 100 male dogs and cats during January at the Community Spay-Neuter Clinic, formerly of Freeport and now located in Topsham.

This special $20 rate is even less than the organization’s normal low-cost price and is available to all residents of Kennebec and Cumberland counties. For more information or to schedule an appointment, see www.communityspayneuterclinic.com or call 721-8395.

Shorebird expert at ‘Birds On Tap’

Freeport Wild Bird Supply has announced its upcoming “Birds On Tap” series, which features speakers in the field of ornithology and conservation. On Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 5-7 p.m., Brad Winn will present his talk, “Understanding Shorebird Migrations to Help Direct Conservation Action,” at Rising Tide Brewing Co., 103 Fox St., Portland. Patrons can sample beers while learning about some of the most dynamic bird research in Maine. In addition, patrons can support the research direction, as a portion of the proceeds are donated to further the work of the featured speaker.

The talk will be about how rapidly evolving tracking technology is helping humans understand the habitat needs of individual long-distance migrant shorebirds. Winn is the director of shorebird habitat management at Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences in Brunswick. His work with Manomet has taken him to Arctic and sub-Arctic regions on 12 expeditions to study shorebirds on their nesting grounds.

The event is free and non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks will be provided free of charge. For every beer purchased, Rising Tide will donate $1 to directly support Winn’s research at Manomet.

Infant massage class starting

Freeport Community Library is offering an infant massage series led by Katiya Gettys of Freeport, a certified infant massage instructor. In four classes, she will teach parents how to help babies relax and relieve stress. Each class will build on the previous one so participants are asked to make a commitment to all four classes. Dates are Tuesdays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9 and 16, at 11:15 a.m. Babies are welcome, ages newborn to pre-crawling (9 months). Sign-ups are required as space is limited to 15 babies. There is no cost.

For more information and to register, call 865-3307 and ask for Holly.

Coffee mugs aid Project Graduation

Special Dunkin’ Donuts coffee mugs are now available to buy. Purchase a mug for $20 and use it for free coffee or tea (hot or cold) every Sunday at any Dunkin’ Donuts in Maine, as well as Coos and Carroll counties in New Hampshire. All proceeds benefit the Freeport High School class of 2016 Project Graduation fund.

Mugs can be purchased at Freeport Hardware, or contact Susan Karnes, 837-2925, or Chrissy Rice, 319-0397.

Rabies clinic Jan. 23

A rabies clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23, from 9 a.m.-noon, at the Freeport Town Hall. Dogs and cats are invited. Rabies vaccines are $15 per animal.

Freeport residents can also license their dogs during the clinic. For more information, call the Town Clerk’s Office at 865-4743, ext. 122 or 123.

Winter reminders

The Public Works Department reminds residents that for the winter season, they are allowed two, 5-gallon buckets of sand per storm. Sand is located adjacent to the silver recycling bullet on Hunter Road in front of the Public Works facility.

Also, no parking is allowed on public streets nor in turnarounds during winter storm events. Residents should keep streets and turnarounds clear of vehicles (including trailers, campers, etc.) during a storm. The winter parking ban is now in effect, from 11 p.m.-7 a.m., and will continue until April 15.

Residents who have questions or concerns can call 865-4461.

Conservation panel seeks member

The Freeport Town Council Appointments Committee is looking for applicants to fill a vacancy on the Conservation Commission. Applications can be obtained at the Town Clerk’s Office at the Town Hall, or call 865-4743, ext. 123.

Upcoming meetings

Active Living Committee, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

Ordinance Committee, Thursday, Jan. 28, 5:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

A full listing of upcoming town meetings and agendas is available at www.freeportmaine.com.