Sam Smith - I first
took part in an election stuffing envelopes when I was 12 years old in a vote
that ended decades of GOP rule in Philadelphia. Seventy six years later I am
still working on the principle I learned back then: go with the candidate
who will act and vote the best. The fact that a candidate may have said or
acted wrong in the past, especially on non-political matters, is pretty
standard but the important thing is what will they do in the job that they’re
seeking. For example, neither Susan Collins nor Troy Jackson are particularly
strong role models but Jackson is the one who will most likely vote the right
way if elected. Much clearer is the justifications for supporting Hanna
Pingree.
The other race that draws my attention is for town council in Freeport. Running is Jim DeGrandpre who I’ve known and worked with for about six decades and have never experienced a bad moment. He not only is a great candidate, he is a role model for candidates we should be proud to elect.
Maine nonprofit receives national award for fighting childhood hunger (wmtw.com)
Press Herald - The Maine Trust for Local News partnered with the Siena Research Institute to survey 824 residents and take a snapshot of life in Maine. Although three out of four respondents described an overall positive quality of life, only 20% said life in the Pine Tree State is getting better or much better.
And 38% said life is getting
worse or much worse — that’s more than double the share of people nationally
who said things are getting worse in their communities, according to polling
Siena conducted last year.
Mainers are more likely to feel safe and secure in
their home than the average American. The state’s outdoor spaces, as Hoffman
noted, as well as its schools (particularly higher education) and sense of
community scored highly.
But they say healthcare is hard to find, housing costs are high and the
likelihood a young person will get a job with opportunity for advancement is
low. All of that contributes to the disproportionately high number of people
feeling that things are getting worse.
Bowers News Media - On September 22, ProPublica broke a
big story about how a public corruption investigation into Sen. Susan Collins,
and other powerful members of Congress of both parties, was cut short by the
Trump administration's evisceration of the Department of Justice.
The investigation involved Martin
Kao, the former CEO of a military contractor called Navatek, who is currently
in federal prison for influence peddling and illegal campaign contributions.
The short version of this long story is that Kao claims he steered a large
contribution to Sen. Collins's Super PAC in exchange for the preferential
treatment of his company in securing government contracts. While Kao's claims
were never proven, the investigation was ongoing and only dropped after Trump
returned to the White House and effectively put an end to all federal
investigations of public corruption.
University of Southern Maine
- The Maine Center for Business & Economic Research at the
University of Southern Maine is conducting a study to better understand how
people engage with live performing arts in Greater Portland. The
survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete
and asks about your experiences with live performing arts, what influences
your decisions to attend, how you learn about performances, and your
perceptions of performing arts organizations in the region.
OCT 4
Patch - Freeport residents can look forward to the 27th Freeport Fall Festival Oct. 4, with music stages, local food vendors, kids' activities, and a free shuttle linking downtown and L.L.Bean's redesigned flagship store. The piece also spotlights spooky nights and family Halloween fun at the Desert of Maine, plus fall-themed events in nearby Bath and Brunswick.
OCT 5
Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians 2026 Fall Meeting → Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main Street, Freeport
8AM - Coffee with Town Council | Council Chambers
6:30PM - Board of Appeals | Council Chamber
Weekly Ukulele Jam 3PM - 4PM 53 Depot St
How Maine Elections Work: A Community Conversation →
Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St., Freeport 6:00 pm
OCT 6
6:00 PM | Invasive Species Workshop Learn how to identify and manage invasive plants with experts from Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Bradley Room, Freeport Community Center
6PM - Town Council Meeting | Council Chambers
6PM - Planning Board | Council Chambers
Nature’s Palette: Art Inspired by the Season → Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St, Freeport 10:00 am
Maine Marathon Oct 7 2026: What runners, spectators and drivers need to know for Sunday's race (wmtw.com)
OCT 8
The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce invites you to join it on Thursday, October 8, from 5–7 PM for Business After Hours at Brickyard Hollow. Connect with fellow Chamber members and local business owners for an evening of networking, conversation, and community connection at one of Freeport’s local favorites.
6:30PM - Shellfish Commission Meeting | Council Chambers
OCT 9
Join us October 9th, at 4 pm at Sparhawk Mill, 41 Bridge Street, Yarmouth, to celebrate the removal of the Bridge Street Dam. No need to RSVP. Limited parking is available at Sparhawk Mill, and Main Street in Yarmouth is only a few minutes away on foot
OCT 13
Freeport Trail Challenge Click Here to Learn About the Trail Challenge
OCT 17
OCT 18
Meet the Marsh - Cousins River Fields & Marsh Preserve in Yarmouth, Maine. A family-friendly fall festival celebrating the ongoing restoration of the preserve with activities, trail exploration, fall-themed ambience, and tasty treats amid a beautiful seasonal landscape. Free to attend. More info. .
OCT 24
ANNUAL WOLFE'S NECK CENTER FALL FESTIVAL - Join us for hayrides, family activities, yoga, local food and more! One ticket secures a wagon ride around campus.