Fall Festival

this weekend

The Freeport Fall Festival, featuring two days of art, music, and fun, is set for this Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., on the L.L.Bean campus and Freeport Village Station courtyard. Some 120 artists will exhibit works ranging from photography, oil, watercolor, mixed media, fine craft, and jewelry. There will be live music both days and children’s art activities.

Also featured is the Freeport Community Services Chowdah Challenge, Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., on the porch of the L.L. Bean Home Store.

Ten area restaurants will showcase their best chowder. Chowder is served from 11 a.m. until it runs out. The cost is $10 per person. All proceeds benefit Freeport Community Services. A Judge’s Choice and a People’s Choice winner will be chosen.

For more information in the chowder challenge and the festival, see www.fcsmaine.org or www.freeportfallfestival.com.

Woman’s Club

offering grant

The Freeport Woman’s Club is looking for a candidate for its 2016-2017 Step Up Grant, a $1,000 gift for a woman over the age of 21 from Freeport or Pownal who is seeking occupational training and is experiencing financial need. Criteria for selection of the applicant are based upon financial need, clarity of goals, educational program and references. For questions and further information, call Virginia Boyles at 865-3973.

AT through-hiker

to speak in South Freeport

North Yarmouth resident Bob Rose will speak on his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail in 1996 at South Freeport Congregational Church on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. The talk will include photos, details, and personal stories about his 163-day adventure of a lifetime.

This lecture is part of the Wednesday Wisdom Series at South Freeport Congregational Church. All are welcome; a $5 donation is suggested.

Unwanted drugs

can be dropped off

The Freeport Police Department has installed a secured permanent drug drop-off box in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. Residents can drop off expired, unwanted or outdated drugs during their normal business hours, Sunday through Saturday, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The department also is participating in the National Drug Take Back Initiative, Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Public Safety Building. The following items can be brought in for disposal:

• Controlled, non-controlled and over the counter substances (medications may be disposed of in their original container, but it is recommend that the labels be removed or blacked out.

• Liquid products such as cough syrup, which should remain sealed in their original container if possible. Otherwise the item should be placed in a sealed zipped bag. The department will not accept intravenous solutions, injectibles and syringes. For more information, call 865-4800.

Public Safety to

host open house

The Freeport Fire Prevention Open House is Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 5-7 p.m.

There will be plenty of activities for children and adults. Freeport’s fire trucks, ambulances and police cars will be on display, and many community partners will be participating. Demonstrations are scheduled from both the fire department and police department, including demonstrations by the police department’s K-9, Cassie.

The Fire Auxiliary booth will sell grilled burgers and hot dogs, with proceeds going to support the auxiliary.

Running festival

coming Oct. 10

The Freeport Running Boosters is hosting a Trail Running Festival on Columbus Day, Oct. 10, to celebrate trail running and cross-country and as a fundraiser for the Freeport Cross Country team. This event will be held at the Hunter Road fields in Freeport, on the high school home cross-country course. There are events for all ages and each event length is designed for specific age groups. Run as an individual or as a team of five to seven runners. The top 10 runners in each event will earn medals, and the top scoring team in each event will earn a plaque. There is race day registration for the open 5K only. Pre-registration is required for the other races. The races include:

• Open 5K for ages 19-99 at 9 a.m. (male and female runners)

• Boys 5K for ages 15-18 at 10 a.m.

• Girls 5K for ages 15-18 at 10:45 a.m.

• Boys 2 mile ages 13-14 at noon.

• Girls 2 mile ages 13-14 at 12:30 p.m.

• Boys 1 mile ages 11-12 at 1 p.m.

• Girls 1 mile ages 11-12 at 1:30 p.m.

• Boys ¾ mile ages 9-10 at 2 p.m.

• Girls ¾ mile ages 9-10 at 2:30 p.m.

• Boys ½ mile ages 5-8 at 3 p.m.

• Girls ½ mile ages 5-8 at 3:30 p.m.

At 11:30 a.m. prizes will be awarded to the 5K winners. At 4 p.m. prizes will be awarded to the winners in all other races. For more details and registration go to www.runinarace.com.

Trail challenge

continuing

The Freeport Conservation Trust Trail Challenge is ongoing during September and October. Participants can visit trails at Calderwood, Quarry Woods, Pettengill Farm and Bliss Woods. Directions to trailheads are on www.freeportconservationtrust.org. Collect stamps from each trail on the Trail Challenge Passport or post a “selfie” from your walk on Facebook or Instagram (Freeport Conservation Trust will assume permission to reuse any photos that are posted). There will be prizes for kids who get all four stamps in their Passports and adults completing the challenge will be entered into a raffle for prizes.

Freeport Conservation Trust’s partners in putting on the Freeport Trail Challenge are town of Freeport, Freeport Historical Society and New England Forestry Foundation.

Pick up a Freeport Trail Challenge Passport at Town Hall, the historical society or the Community Center, or call 865-3985, ext. 212, to get a Passport mailed.

Betty ReeZ race

debuts Oct. 9

Betty ReeZ WhoopieZ is sponsoring the first annual Betty ReeZ Columbus 4-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, starting at 10 a.m. Betty ReeZ has partnered with Buck’s Naked BBQ in the road race, which begins and ends at Buck’s Naked BBQ. The Juke Joint will be open to all runners and their families post-race. All the net proceeds will be donated to the Tri-Town Track & Field Project.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first and second place overall male and female winners, and Whoopie Pie prizes to the first and second place finishers in various age groups. As always, a Whoopie Pie will be given to all registered runners.

Those who register by Sept. 15 will receive a long-sleeve tech shirt and the first 100 registered will receive a Betty ReeZ Race pint glass. Register online at Running4Free.com.

Sketchers group

meets Wednesdays

The Freeport Creative Arts Urban Sketchers Group meets every Wednesday at 8 a.m., at Coffee by Design in L.L. Bean. Participants should bring a sketchbook and supplies and join in drawing from life with other artists.

Gerry Boyle talks

on newest book

Crime novelist Gerry Boyle, author of the Maine-based Jack McMorrow series, speaks Friday, Sept. 30,at 11:30 a.m., as the South Freeport Congregational Church, 98 South Freeport Road, as part of the church’s author series. Boyle’s most recent book, “Straw Man,” is the 11th McMorrow novel. It was published in May.

The event includes a catered lunch, author talk and book signing. The cost is $15, by reservation only. Those interested should call 865-4012 by Wednesday Sept. 28.

Tea tasting

Customers can sample five varieties of tea while browsing the gift shop, Saturday, Oct. 1, from 6-7 p.m., at Jacqueline’s Tea Room, 201 Main St. in Freeport. For more information, see www.Jacquelinestearoom.com or call 865-2123.

Raffle to aid

Elders’ bus fund

The Freeport Elders Association is selling raffle tickets to support its bus fund. The winning tickets will be drawn on Dec. 9.

Items include an 18-inch American Girl Doll with bed and 10 outfits, with tickets $2 or three for $5; queen-size handmade quilt, lobster-trap coffee table, $100 gift certificate to Hannaford, $100 gift certificate Walmart and a fox family latchhook rug. Those tickets are $1 or six for $5.

All tickets are available at Freeport Elders Association at the community center, 53 Depot St.

Town will honor

local resident

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Citizen of the Year

Each year the Freeport Town Council presents a Citizen of the Year Award to honor those who have contributed substantively to the quality of the town. Jonas and Kate Werner were co-winners of the 2015 award. For more information, see www.freeportmaine.com.

License plates

at Town Hall

Residents of Freeport can now obtain license plates at Town Hall. New vehicle registrations and transfers are being processed during regular business hours. Residents also can re-register their boats, vehicles, trailers and snowmobiles online.

Upcoming meetings

Ordinance Committee, Thursday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Board of Appeals, Monday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Town Council districts 2 and 4 meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Planning Board, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Freeport Sewer District Board of Trustees, Monday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.,

Treatment Plant, 43 South Freeport Road.

A full schedule of meetings and agendas is available at www.Freeportmaine.com.

The Freeport Public Safety building is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 5-7 p.m., and a National Drug Take Back Initiative on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.