Youth Chorale to perform

“A Wescustago Winter” will be performed by the Wescustago Youth Chorale on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St., Freeport. The chorale is an 80-voice auditioned youth chorus of third- to 12th-graders from 12 area towns. The concert will be conducted by Amanda Mahaffey, Renovia Day, and Jennifer Hand Runge.

Tickets at the door are $10, $5 for students and seniors 65 and over. A reception will follow. For more information, contact Leigh Palmer, 846-0705, or see www.wescustago.wordpress.com.

Concert band presents holiday music

“Sounds of Christmas Joy,” a holiday music program, will be presented by the Coastal Winds, Freeport’s community concert band, on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 6-8 p.m., at the Harraseeket Inn Casco Bay Room, 162 Main St.

Under the direction of conductor Brendan Krueger, the program will offer a variety of holiday music. Admission is free, but patrons are encouraged to donate to the Freeport Community Services Kaplan Fuel Fund and bring a non-perishable food item for the FCS Food Pantry. There will be hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. For more information, call 865-4747. New members to the band are always welcome.

Freeport chorus to perform ‘Gloria!’

The Greater Freeport Community Chorus will perform “Gloria!” on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Merriconeag Waldorf School, 57 Desert Road, Freeport, and on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2:30 p.m., at the Congregational Church in Cumberland, 282 Main St.

A highlight of the winter concert will be Robert Ray’s “Gospel Mass,” featuring guest vocalist Chas Lester. Director Virgil Bozeman leads the 70-member chorus, which is accompanied by pianist Kellie Moody.

Composer and conductor Ray has said “Gospel Mass” resulted from the Second Vatican Council’s decision to allow Masses in native languages, rather than just Latin. That opened the Mass to other changes, and in 1978 Ray set the ceremony’s traditional words to contemporary African-American rhythms and harmonies. Guest soloist Lester is a singer, percussionist and arranger who has performed professionally for nearly 15 years. Bassist Sean Finn and drummer Jacob Forbes will join the chorus on “Gospel Mass,” as well. “Gloria!” will also feature composer Franz Schubert’s three-movement “Magnificat” and three Christmas carols written by John Rutter.

Admission is $10 for adults, with a per-family maximum of $25. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information, visit the chorus on Facebook or at www.gfccweb.org.

USM singers to perform

The University of Southern Maine Chamber Singers will present a concert of seasonal, sacred choral music Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m., at the at Sacred Heart Church, 256 Main St., Yarmouth. The event is sponsored by St. Jude’s Church in Freeport. Works by composers Tallis, Omiccioli, Lauridsen, Shafer and others will be performed. All proceeds will benefit Preble Street Teen Center and Florence House for homeless women. A free-will offering will be taken at the door. The chorus is directed by Dr. Robert Russell, professor of music.

Audition notice for staged reading

As part of the Freeport’s FebFest of Arts & Culture, coming in February to venues around Freeport, Freeport Players is partnering with Gar Roper on a staged reading of his new play, “To Have & To Hold.” Open auditions are being held Thursday, Dec. 11, from 7-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4:30-6 p.m., at Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St. There are roles for three men and two women in their 50s, and one woman in her late 20s. For more information, email all4omni@aol.com or call 272-3641.

Bean supper Saturday

A baked bean and pasta supper will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 5-6 p.m., at First Parish Church Congregational, 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 is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Profits support outreach programs.

Business roundtable

Freeport Economic Development Corp. and the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce are hosting a roundtable meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 5-7 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park St., Freeport. The informal meeting has been organized by Mobilize Maine, an initiative of Maine’s seven economic development districts, and Blackstone Accelerates Growth, which works to create jobs and economic development in Maine through entrepreneurship and growth. The invitation is open to business people, those interested in starting a business and anyone who has opinions about business. The conversation will not be limited to Freeport, but to business activity in general.

For more information, contact Keith McBride, executive director of Freeport Economic Development Corp., at 865-4743, ext. 117, or kmcbride@freeportmaine.com.

Wolfe’s Neck Farm annual appeal

David Herring, executive director of Wolfe’s Neck Farm, is reaching out to the community for support in its annual appeal. The farm is making a commitment to strengthening the local food system by focusing on farmer training, research and exposing people of all ages to the source of their food. While Maine farms are positioned to increase local food production, the shortage of farmers is a real issue that Wolfe’s Neck Farm is ready to take on.

The farm’s new Organic Dairy Program will train new farmers while conducting needed research in organic, pasture-based management. The Teen Ag Program gives local youth an opportunity to gain real-world skills in organic farming while providing food to area food pantries. The Summer Camp and Farm School programs grow awareness of local foods and inspire the next generation of young farmers.

For information on how to donate to Wolfe’s Neck Farm, visit www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

Library Friends to meet Monday

Friends of the Freeport Community Library will hold its annual meeting Monday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. All are welcome to attend and light refreshments will be served. The meeting will feature an administrative agenda that includes the election of new board officers as well as discussion of ongoing projects and plans for the coming year.

Since forming in 2011, the nonprofit group has provided free or discounted museum and park passes for patrons, advocated for the addition of a technology librarian, sponsored “Meet the Author” book talks, raised funds for selected programs and projects and participated in a wide variety of library events. For more information, email ffclboard@gmail.com.

‘Blue Christmas’ service Dec. 15

The First Parish Church Congregational, 40 Main St., is hosting a “Blue Christmas” service on Monday, Dec. 15, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., acknowledging the fact that during the Christmas season many people face a loss or other reason for discouragement, worry or sadness, for either personal or world events. Dr. Gar Roper will conduct this service of reflection, worship, sharing and music, which is open to people of all faiths or persuasions.

Writers, poets to meet again

The monthly meeting of writers and poets will be held on Wednesday, Dec 10, at 8 p.m., at “Upstairs at Azure Cafe?.” Selections of writing by local authors will be shared. There is space available in the group for two new writer members. Call Gar Roper at 272-3641 to reserve a place. There is no fee required but a donation of $5 or more is requested to defray cost of wine and refreshments.

Holiday Helpline

Freeport Community Service’s Holiday Helpline program has joined forces with the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund for the winter holiday gift-giving season. The Bruce Roberts Toy Fund has been supporting families by providing toys for children since 1949. Partnership with the fund supports the Freeport Community Service’ mission of helping families in Freeport and Pownal by expanding services, avoiding duplications, and giving local families a “one-stop” destination for assistance.

Freeport and Pownal families can apply at FCS. The Bruce Roberts Fund will provide four new, pre-selected, age-appropriate toys for each child up to his/her 19th birthday. All toys through the FCS Holiday Helpline Program will now be provided through Bruce Roberts.

Community volunteers are essential to the success of the Holiday Helpline program. Here is how to help:

• Adopt a family: While the toys come from Bruce Roberts, Freeport Community Services still hopes to supply two articles of warm clothing per child and one gift for each adult in the family.

• Adopt an adult: Freeport Community Services provides one gift per adult. For some elderly, disabled, ill or unemployed adults, this may be the only gift they receive this holiday season.

• Provide cash donations to the Holiday Helpline: The organization can use these donations for items such as Bow Street Market gift cards and gas cards. Each family or adult, in addition to the gifts provided by donors, will receive a “Fund-a-Feast” box from Hannaford and a Bow Street Market gift card. Donors may also choose to make a contribution to the Bruce Roberts fund.

• Donate time: Help with gift wrapping, sorting, and delivering gifts and food boxes.

To volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Daggett, at 865-3985, ext. 206. To adopt a family, make a contribution or apply for help, contact Family Service Coordinator Sue Mack, at 865-3985, ext. 205, as soon as possible.

Woman’s Club has grant

The Freeport Woman’s Club is looking for a candidate for its 2014/15 Step Up Grant, a $1,000 gift for a woman over the age of 21 from Freeport or Pownal who is seeking occupational training but 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.

Holiday film to be shown

The film, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” will be shown Thursday, Dec. 11, at 1 p.m., at Freeport Community Library. It is based upon the well-known book by Welsh author Dylan Thomas. The award-winning film stars Denholm Elliott, who is probably best known as Dr. Marcus Brody in the “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Winter reminders from public works

The Freeport Public Works Department offers some winter reminders for residents:

• Freeport residents are allowed two 5-gallon buckets of sand per storm. Sand is now located adjacent to the silver recycling bullet on Hunter Road in front of the Public Works Facility.

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

• For residents who park vehicles in driveways, keep sidewalks clear so sidewalk machines are not restricted in doing their job.

• Do not push snow into sidewalks or public streets as this is not only against Maine state law, it is also costly and time-consuming for the public works department.

For more information, contact the department at 865-4461.

Dog licenses set to expire

All dog licenses expire Dec. 31 of each year. Dogs 6 months and older are required to be licensed by law. Registration can be done at the Freeport Town Hall or online at www.doglicensing.com. Bring proof of the rabies vaccination and spay/neutering. The cost is $11 or $6 if the animals are spayed or neutered. Dog license renewal can be done anytime up until Jan. 31. After Jan. 31, a late fee of $25 per dog will be charged.

Rabies clinic

A rabies clinic for dogs and cats will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Freeport Town Hall. The cost is $15 per animal. For more information, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 865-4743, ext. 122 or 123.

Food scrap drop-off

Residents who collect food scraps separately can now bring them to the Recycling Center on Hedgehog Mountain Road free of charge. The food scraps will be taken to the WeCompostIt facility where they will be turned into compost. Because WeCompostIt is a commercial facility, they are able to accept things that the average home composter would not put in their compost bin such as soiled paper towels, paper plates and cups, as well as meat, bones, and seafood shells. Residents can use any container for transporting their food scraps but special buckets are available for purchase at the Recycling Center, a 3.5-gallon bucket with a screw top for $11 or a 5-gallon bucket with cover for $7. To learn more about the program, contact Suzanne at 865-3740 or sduplissis@freeportmaine.com.

Food for fines

During December, overdue library charges will be eliminated in exchange for donations of non-perishable food items that are comparable in value to the fines. All the proceeds collected will go to the Freeport Community Services Food Pantry.

Energy audits available

The Freeport Home Energy Efficiency Program still has free energy audits available for income-eligible Freeport homeowners. Eligible participants will receive energy assessments and cost-effective measures (air sealing) to reduce their heating costs. Participation in this program typically saves 100 gallons of heating fuel per household. Over 30 households have already benefitted from this program.

For more information, contact Julie Fraser at the Town Hall, 865-4743, ext. 121.

Upcoming Meetings

Freeport Project Review Board, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Shellfish Conservation Commission, Thursday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Active Living Task Force, Thursday, Dec. 11, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

Traffic & Parking Committee, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

Town Council, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Recycling/Solid Waste Committee, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

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