More and more, people are turning to Craigslist to sell, buy, barter and give away myriad categories of goods and services. Craigslist is becoming a window into the culture, reflecting the humor and emotions of people from many communities.

The site has also become a form of entertainment for those looking to wile away a bit of time, and following is a verbatim sampling — typos and all — of some of the posts we found in the "free" category this week.

Oct. 19

Free Trailer (Searsport )

Free for the taking. Must take it all. You haul it.

10 gallon fish tank with reptile screen (Farmingdale)

No cracks & it's just like the title says.... come and get it.

Gas Grill (Cape Elizabeth)

Works great, it fell over so top has a crack.

Free Rocks (Portland)

Free rocks, granite I think. Currently used as a patio. You dig and haul. Priority given to whoever can come get them first.

Free kids artist easel (Portland)

White board on one side, chalk board on the other.

FREE PIANO (Ogunquit)

FREE UPRIGHT PIANO IN OGUNQUIT. YOU HAUL IT AWAY A.S.A.P.

Wooden 3ft high Checkers Table (Windham)

Free to whoever wants it; you must come get, I will not deliver. It can be taken apart; but takes a while to do so

free cat (Frankfort)

Pure white female cat 7 months old..loving and gets along with my 4 pound dog...has beautiful blue eyes...Free for the taking to loving home...

Big pieces Seasoned Maple firewood (Limerick)

Big pieces of maple Cut last fall very well seasoned. less than 20' from driveway must pickup today asap.

Gas Grill (Waldoboro)

Not pretty but still works.

Home Theater Projector (Sabattus)

I have a home theater projector for free to give away. It is a Panasonic PT-AX100U 3LCD HD. It has 1080P resolution and is pretty awesome. The good: Its free. You can't argue with that. And it works pretty well. I got it for free and I have now upgraded. So I am going to pass it along to someone else. The bad: It will only work from about 4-6 feet away from the wall. And the HDMI hookups for it no longer work. You can still hook it up to RCA jacks and a computer but that's it. Maybe you can fix it. I am not that savvy.

Oct. 18

CURB ALERT: Box Spring & Mirror (Topsham)

Twin box spring in great condition - the black liner on the bottom has a tear in it, but it's otherwise in great shape. Large mirror - this went to a dresser set. I intended to cut off the bottom "insert" part and hang it on an interior wall, but have never gotten around to it. It's beautiful, though, and HEAVY. Be strong and have a good back, or bring a friend to help load it.

The box spring is at the end of the driveway, but the mirror is a little further up, propped on a bush. If either are there when you come by, please help yourself. I'll remove this post when they're gone.

Free Refrigerators with issues (Biddeford/Saco)

All of cosmetic or other issues.
Older, Working units:
1. White, working, missing bottom grille. Good for garage.
2. Almond--old, but works well. Dings, scratches, etc.
3. White--smaller, in use now, but a bit noisy. Being replaced Saturday night.

22 cu ft? Estate brand-stainless look doors. Stopped working.
If you are interested in any or all of these, send an email with your name & number.
If you are a scrapper who lets the freon out into the atmosphere (highly illegal) forget it. I will ask for documentation of this.

5 childrens chairs (Portland)

4 are red and one is green. They are plastic and metal from a preschool would love them gone asap

Gas BBQ works on curb (Bath)

Free gas BBQ on the curb in front of my house. 24 Andrews Rd 04530 This grill works but needs a good scrubbing and maybe a new grate. Got a new one and I don't need this anymore. If it is not gone by Monday I will take it to the dump.

Low-Profile full size bed platform (South Portland)

2-inch high, full size wooden platform for mattress. Used instead of a box spring for a child's bed 6 months old. Pictures show both sides. Very clean home.

20 Gallon Fish Tank with Stand and Reptile Cover (Portland)

I have a 20 gallon glass tank and stand I would like to get rid of. The tank was used for fish and later housed a snake. There is a folding screen cover on top to protect your animal from escaping or from cats.

Pool ladders & diving board (Pownal)

Two in ground pool ladders and one 6' diving board. We filled in the pool and no longer need!

6' Glass Display Showcase (North Monmouth)

This is still very usable, I just have plenty of Display Cases and do not need this one nor want to move it again =) Has all glass and sliding mirrored doors. The top glass is cracked (I just cover it with a piece of material) but could easily be fixed! The inside shelve and the brackets are not included. Carpeted base. Nice and Sturdy.. Great for your store or just your collectibles at home!

Teachers, tutors etc-free books! (Auburn)

Medium sized box of classic books, plays, literature. If you can prove you are a teacher, belong to a non-profit theater, or something else non-profit that will put these to good use, they are yours. If not, make me a reasonable offer and they can still go home with you!

2 toilets, fully functional (Portland)

2 free white toilets, fully functional. Make unknown. Swapped out for more water-efficient toilets.

Free to teachers, day care etc (Auburn)

I am weeding out a large box lot I recently got and have a small stack of books for small children. I will give these free to anyone who can prove they work for a day care, school etc. Otherwise, make me a reasonable offer and they can still go home with you!

Free Bubble Wrap (Waterville)

12 sheets of bubble wrap. Some pieces are 1' x 1'. Others, bigger and some smaller in size. Gray in color. Bubbles are about one inch wide. Bring a bag to carry the sheets in.

Do not ask if it is still available. That is the most annoying thing some folks can do.

Various free household items (Wells)

All items free: kitchen sink and faucet, marble bath sink and rubbed bronze faucet, metal scraps from old garage doors, doors, black dishwasher (does not drain properly), bissel rug cleaner (only attachments seem to work)and bath stand for behind toilet, and high chair.

Crosley PhonoRadio circa 1951 (Stockton Springs)

Item is a Crosley PhonoRadio Model 11-207MU. Tube radio powers on but the stations (AM only) won't come in. Phonograph turntable part is long gone.

FREE FACIAL/MAKEOVER (Biddeford)

How about a pampering facial for some much deserved 'me time' ladies?
I can help get you ready for the holidays with a color makeover or job ready with a new look.
Completely complimentary and no obligation.

275 Gallon Horizontal Oil Tank (Biddeford)

275 gallon horizontal oil tank under my back porch. I switched to a tank in cellar. No issues that I know of (haven't used in three years). Maybe great for smoker. Has guage and filter, YOU TAKE AWAY.

Two free couches (Pittsfield)

Two couches free for the taking. The green one is a high quality couch that has seen a lot of living. It is very comfortable, but really stained. Would be great reupholstered or just hidden under a couch cover. The print one with rattan ends is a queen size sleeper (& very heavy). The mattress is a little thin but the bed is fully functional. Take one or both and bring help to move them.

Exterior door with casing (Kennebunkport)

Just replaced this metal exterior door. FREE to you but you must take both door and casing. Size in inches: 80 X 32. Removed by carpenter. Type that sells in Home Depot for about $200. No spammers. Serious inquiries only, please.

Oct. 17

Free: Working/Clean Toilet (Portland)

For free is a white, porcelain toilet. It works fine and is complete and clean. We took it out and replaced it with a toilet that matched the bathroom. It includes the water hookup hose. This would be good for a camp, but it is clean enough to put in a house.

Globe (Buxton)

2 pieces of the world are loose but still looks good and goes around it's axis...sort of.

Entertainment Center (Lisbon Falls)

Very heavy, You'll need help hauling this off. Want it gone ASAP.

Free Piano - Good Condition! (Buxton)

Free to the first person who e-mails me with date and time they will come get it. It is very heavy and you will need several men to help move it.

7x14 wooden garage door (South Portland)

This is a wooden garage door in good shape. 7x 14, need to get rid of ASAP, you come remove, hardware all included, if you would like the automatic door opener, year old from sears 175.00.

Free Chalk Board (Bridgton)

Free Black chalk board. Mounts on wall. 4feet x 3 feet 8 inches. Has front doors that open.

Arco shingles (Fairfield)

About 1 square of arco shingles in good shape. no longer need.

car seat base (East Waterboro)

Eddie bauer car seat base

TWO HP PRINTERS (Freeport)

Photosmart C4480 and Laserjet 3050. Sitting at end of driveway until gone.

48" Mitsubishi High Def Digital tv (Lewiston)

I have a 48" HD Digital tv .This is not a flat panel wall mounted tv. Currently not working. I can get a picture but it does not stay on for long. Talked to tv repairman and he said something about soldering a bunch of connections. He said about $150. I have two other tv's so don;t want to put anything into it. I am sure someone that knows more about tv's than i am might be able to figure it out,. If i disconnect power. and reconnect the power lite flashes showing its resetting and then when it stops flashing you can turn tv on and and it will briefly come on with nice picture. The tv is in excellent condition other than that.

14' O'Day Osprey Sail Boat and Trailer (Gardiner)

Free sail boat. All sails and rigging available First to come get it can have it. Can be seen at the intersection of Rt 201 (Brunswick Ave) and Fillmore Place. Next to the Big Apple/ Citgo Gas. You will need to get a trailer plate for the trailer. I will NOT hold the boat. Just come get it, if you even Think you want it!!!!

Free mud/ dirt...loam? (Gorham)

I'm sick of the mud surrounding my barn, if you have a tractor, and dump truck you can scrape it up and keep it or sell it to someone? I'd like it removed sooner than later. I can even pay a small fee for your gas.

Oct. 16

Wood shutters (Harpswell)

14 wood shutters. 15" wide by 5' to 5' 4".

clothes dryer/scrap metal (Biddeford)

clothes dryer, doesn't heat but maybe you can fix it or use it as scrap metal.

Candy Machine (Wiscasset)

Free candy machine. Stopped working a year ago, fixed machine, but now has stopped working again. You can try to fix it, scrap it or use as decoration! It's probably worth something just in scrap metal. It must weigh 300-500lbs.

Kindling==branches from assorted trees (Damariscotta)

Several piles of limbs/branches, twigs are still available for kindling, (all the larger trunk sections have been taken away). You might wish to break it down into smaller sections so bring a chain saw. My opinion is that the kindling is only useful for someone who lives in/near Damariscotta. Tradeoff in gas might not be worth the effort to drive any kind of distance. Will need you to carry/drag wood approximately 30' feet to load.

junk scrap metal (Midcoast)

2 batteries . leave your name and number and i will call you .

Big Pile of Dirt (Wiscasset)

I have apile of dirt about 6 feet tall, its good for growing grass with. I want it out of my driveway, must take all of it. It is easy to access.

stereo case (Kennebunk)

Stereo display cabinet case
FREE
18'' deep; 18.5 '' wide, 35 in. high;
Delivery not included.

3 cordless handset unit home phone (Brunswick)

3 cordless handsets including base station with digital answering, caller ID. Needs new batteries, but usable as-is, if you don't talk too long.

EXERCISE EQUITMENT (Cornish)

I have three peices of equitment free for the taking.All one has to do is look up 53 CIRCLE DRIVE, CORNISH, MAINE 04020, On google earth and it will pin point where it is.No sence in calling, just come get it. Friday is a WHITES GOOD pickup day for the town of Cornish.The package on the treadmill is a pack of tent poles and i have No idera what they go to. If anybody wants them , then help ya self. Have a good day.

Nice Chain Linked Fence (Hiram)

I have approximately 100 linear feet of like new chain linked fence, with two doors. Its 4 feet tall. Free for the taking, under the condition that it is removed from my lawn without doing damage, and the holes are filled back in. I believe the corner posts are in cement and the others are not. Fence is in excellent condition.

I also have a small scrap pile in my back yard of building materials that I wouldn't mind hauled off. If it wasn't too much trouble.

Couch (Portland)

The upholstery is shot but the couch has a great shape and is ridiculously comfortable. It would be beautiful if recovered.

Half can of organic infant formula (Auburn)

I have a half can of Nature's place powdered organic infant formula I'd like to get rid of. My son doesn't use formula anymore and it expires April 24 2014.

Oct. 15

Large Moose Hide Free (Gorham)

Free large moose hide scun on Sunday, come get it. Perfect shape no holes.

curb alert - cat condo (Sanford)

Small, one story cat condo, needs cleaning (has fur on it) but it was never peed on. Curbside on Freemont st in Sanford. Probably wet from fog & whatnot but will dry nicely.

free swimming pool (Dayton)

beautiful 18 ft pool/4 yrs old/used maybe a dozen times/clean.like new with all accessories.ne liner last year, a real good quality.no leaks/always clean and 2 people used....

Full size futon mattress (Cumberland)

Full size futon mattress. Good shape, but not new. NO bed bugs!!! We do have a cat and dog, though the mattress has always been covered if you are highly allergic it may be an issue. Otherwise you wouldn't know we had a cat or a dog.

Railroad Ties (South Portland)

25 USED RAILROAD TIES FREE FOR THE TAKING. SOME IN GOOD CONDITION SOME IN NOT SO GOOD CONDITION. COME HAUL THEM AWAY. WE WILL NOT DELIVER THEM YOU MUST PROVIDE THE MUSCLE AND TRANSPORTATION

Smoke Detectors (Raymond)

7 battery operated smoke detectors. 6 Family Gard and 1 Kidde brand. One Kidde battery operated carbon monoxide detector missing battery cover. I push the test button and they all work. I switched over to hardwire battery backup ones.

2 couches (Westbrook )

two used couches one used daily. the other stored but one of the most comfy couches I have ever laid on. email for pics the tan couch has a sure fit cover it is the red plaid. The cousions with the flowery pattern go to the other couch but frame is in storage.

THIS END UP, twin bed (East Baldwin)

not all there, missing some slats and hardware, has headboard, footboard and 2 side rails.

Office Chair with arms (Standish)

very heavy construction, needs to be cleaned..

Attic Stairs (Falmouth)

Sturdy attic stairs taken from a renovated house. These stairs do not fold. They have a unique spring and a cable/pulley mechanism that lifts them into the space above.

Hutch (West Gardiner)

White Hutch needs minor touch up bt otherwise very usable.

Modine Heater (West Gardiner)

Modine heater looks rough, needs fan motor but does not leak.
1 1/2" inlet and outlet.

Pears (Portland)

Our pear tree was very fruitful again this year....we have a large tub full in the driveway. Bring bags and help yourself...no sprays ever used on tree!

sheetrock pieces (Windham)

free odds and ends of sheetrock.5/8" and 1/2" must take all.

Mixed metal (Limerick)

Light iron, no 1 & 2, aluminum, few hub caps, aluminum grill. Don't have my truck anymore and can't get this to recycler.

Shark chum (Buxton)

Free bucket of froZen shark chum

Porta Potti (Brewer)

Porta Potti in good working condition. Hold down clamp on one side is broken. It will need to be replaced if you wnt to clamp it down.

Oct. 14

Sofa Bed (Waterboro)

Very old, very heavy but very comfortable sofa bed. Removable cover for easy cleaning, new mattress.

Free professional haircuts! (Portland)

Akari is offering free haircuts as part of our apprenticeship program. All haircuts are overseen by trained and licensed professionals. Any cut. Any style!

CURB ALERT (Waterville)

Free bookshelf. Not answering questions.

air conditioner as is (Winthrop)

Window A/C unit- it powers on, and from what I can tell the a/c part works but the fan part doesn't. Maytag brand, not sure how many BTUs.

Big chair (Portland)

So we have this big awesome chair for free, why it's free? It has a big ass hole in the back where the cats decided to crawl into. We fixed it with ducktape cause we're super lazy but it could probably easily be sewed. There's also a small piece missing from puppy training. Despite all this it's a really comfy chair! And it's HUGE, absolutely huge. With big puffy arms and back. I'd love to see it go to a good home in a man den in the basement or something but if not I'll just take it to the dump. First come first serve we're keeping it in the house for now because it's raining but if you want it email me and I'll put it on the covered porch for you.

55 gal. plastic drum (Sanford)

had soap in it, you pick up

Free washing machine (Topsham)

Free washing machine. Is giving us some problems so we decided to upgrade before it breaks down. Can use it, or just sell the parts. must pick up. and have help with you to carry it.

Hair Models Needed (Portland)

Hair models need for women's short cuts or men's cuts for Monday between 9 and 12 at upscale slaon in Portland. Haircut is free in exchange for your time!

Fake Books (music) (Oakland)

Three fake books:
• World's Fairest Songs Vol. 5 - Over 500 popular, Broadway, standards, and foreign songs (circa 1980's or 90's, no imprints on the book)
• 1000 Show Tunes, Vol 2 "Improved" (no imprints)
• The Ultimate Broadway Fake Book by Hal-Leonard Corp. Over 650 tunes from over 200 shows, published 1994.

Please come get them. We'd like them to go to a good home!

Foam mattress, twin (South Berwick)

This 5 Year old twin size polyurethane foam mattress ( medium firm) 8", is free for the taking. Good condition, adult used. You pick up.

Graco HighChair (Falmouth)

Free High Chair

Boat for FREE (Vassalboro)

I got a 14' fiberglass boat need gone NO MOTOR OR TRAILER free

Oct. 13

queen mattress (Portland)

queen size mattress (no box spring) comes from bug free home

FREE Misc. Items (Bangor)

The yard sale is over and the items need to go! Miscellaneous household items free for the taking. Books, kitchen items, jackets, etc. all items on the front porch. Please do not take the table or the tarp.

FREE-THREE (3) CUSHIONED GOLD TWEED COUCH (Bristol)

THREE CUSHIONED COUCH MADE IN GOLD TWEED MATERIAL. IT IS USED AND TWO OF THE CUSHIONS NEED TO BE COVERED. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUCH IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. NOTHING WRONG WITH ANYTHING EXCEPT TWO OF THE CUSHIONS. FREE, FREE, FREE!!! I ALSO HAVE A MATCHING CHAIR THAT I WILL LET GO WITH THE COUCH. ALL FOR FREE!!!!!! JUST COME AND GET THEM!!!!

Fish Tank Stand (for 46 gallon bowfront) (Gardiner)

Free to the first person who can come get it.
I recently purchased a 46 gallon aquarium setup, and decided not to use the stand that came with it.
Has a couple issues...there is some water damage on the bottom, and the magnetic door latch is busted. I believe these flaws are primarily cosmetic...it was holding up a full 46 gallon tank.

Free Couch & Chair (lightweight!) (Winthrop)

This couch would be lovely if someone wanted to take the time to paint or stain it and recover the cushions. The people that gave it to us had started to strip the finish, as you can see. The cushions are obviously old, and have taken some toddler abuse - stained with juice I believe- but there are no rips or holes. If you like the vintage look you could rent a rug doctor or something, to clean the cushions, or just turn them stain down like I've done. :) No cat hair, smoke free home, blah blah. By the way, because of its construction, this is VERY lightweight, it would be awesome for somebody living in an upstairs apartment, you wouldn't need The Incredible Hulk to get it up the stairs. If I weren't getting ready to move to a place that already has a couch, I'd be fixing this up for myself. It's pretty comfy. There is also a matching armchair.

1917 Portland Maine Working Antique Toilet (Saco)

I have a simple white Portland Maine toilet that would match your typical claw foot tub and 2 faucet sink from the early 1900's. The potty uses all standard parts and was working when I replaced it with an extended bowl. I had put a gallon jug of water in the tank to save water. The offset is 2 inches farther out than standard, but there is some room for adjustment by replacing the goose neck with a different piece. This toilet is that pretty real porcelain and very nice.

Computer desk-FREE (Sebago)

Wooden computer desk free. POSTED FOR MY MOTHER-IN-LAW I DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT THAT IS IT WOODEN.