Wildlife Photographer Judith Hain to Speak at Stockton Springs Community Library on July 16

On Sunday, July 16th at 2:OO pm, wildlife photographer and author Judith Hain will speak at Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) about her book Other Lives, Sacred Places and the travels that inspired the book. She will also present images of her stunning wildlife photography.

Other Lives, Sacred Places is a fulsome expression of wildlife photographer Judith Hain’s respect for and love of the wild lives of Africa’s savannah elephants and their companions in that landscape. Judith offers her photographs and her story to communicate her deeply held belief that these beautiful beings have rich family lives, exhibit a wide range of emotions and intelligence, and fully deserve to be granted room to roam and safety on this earth.This belief is revealed in stunning images which draw the viewer into their world.

Other Lives, Sacred Places is at once a compelling portrait of elephants and, an invitation to all who read it to engage fully with the opportunities life offers us to pursue our passions even/especially when it means going beyond our comfort zone. Judith has said that “if my book can convince one person of the moral imperative of creating a world where animals and people can live harmoniously together, I will consider my efforts well spent.”

Judith Hain manifests her lifelong love of elephants and devotion to all animals over 22 years of wildlife photography in Africa. Judith’s work is distinguished by concentrating the power of the lens to eliminate the hierarchy between humans and other animals to capture compelling images of the intimate life of these other beings.

“Going to Africa is a spiritual journey for me. It’s as close as I get to God,” says Hain, whose 12 visits to Africa are chronicled in Other Lives, Sacred Places. Filled with stunning photos, Hains has captured images of the landscape, colorfully-clad villagers and African wildlife on the continent, focusing on elephants and their families.

Other Lives, Sacred Places was created as a charitable contribution to the organizations with whom Judith has engaged over the years that are doing groundbreaking work in conservation, particularly of wild elephant populations in Africa. Books will be available for purchase at the SSCL presentation. Proceeds from the book sales will be donated to these organizations.

Baby Elephant photo copyright Judith Hain.

For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org

Mac Smith to speak about “Disaster at the Bar Harbor Ferry” at Stockton Springs Community Library on Sunday, October 9th at 2:00 PM

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host a talk by author Mac Smith on Sunday, October 9th at 2:00 PM. Smith will speak about his new book Disaster at the Bar Harbor Ferry.

In an era when the only means of travel to the new, glamorous, and growing resort of Bar Harbor was through a small, isolated, rural-yet-elegant point of land on the mainland in the small town of Hancock, Disaster at the Bar Harbor Ferry tells the true story of what was, at the time, Maine’s deadliest disaster. The heartbreaking tale starts with the arrival of a train overcrowded with passengers anxious to be among the first to cross the bay and their rush for a ferry with too few seats, turning a casual summer Sunday outing into a scene of chaos, tragedy, death and heroism, occurring as quickly as the break of a wooden gangplank. Disaster at the Bar Harbor Ferry tells not only the complete story of the people and the events of that day, but of a time and way of life long gone by and nearly forgotten.

A Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and former reporter for The Bar Harbor Times, Mac Smith now lives in Stockton Springs, Maine, in the village of Sandy Point. He is also the author of Mainers on the Titanic, Siege at the State Capital, Maine’s Hail to the Chief, and Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine.

Following the talk Mac Smith will sign copies of the book which will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

SSCL is an all-volunteer library located at 6 Station St. in the heart of Stockton Springs. For more information please contact the library at 207-567-4147.

Local Authors Night at Stockton Springs Community Library August 17th

The Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will present three local authors from Maine Authors Publishing and Cooperative on Wednesday, August 17th at 6:30 pm. The participating writers are William Anthony, Hans Krichels, and Janet Williams.

William Anthony lives primarily in Maine with his wife and an English Lab and a Maine coon cat. When he’s not writing or painting, he’s out on the Damariscotta River in the Susan B., a Maine-built wooden boat. His book Farnsy is a novel featuring William Phineas Farnsworth (Farnsy), a young police officer in his hometown on the Maine Coast. He loves police work, but his relationship with Lucy is off again, and with his 35th birthday looming, he feels trapped in a life as predictable as the tides – until some Necco wafers appear mysteriously in summer cottages on nearby lakes. Anthony paints a rich picture of a Maine town and its vibrant characters.


Hans Krichels is a teacher, writer, and woodcarver who lives with his partner, Nancy, in Bucksport, Maine, where he has lived and worked since 1971. His recent book, We Have Met the Enemy is a collection of essays, screeds, and story-poems all based on observations and happenings during the days of the pandemic in the author’s town. His recent work also includes pieces in Goose River Anthology 2019 and Willie Knows Who Done It, a collection of Maine Based Stories. 


Janet Williams grew up in England and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 20. She worked and raised her family in Cleveland and retired to Maine in 2007. Always an animal lover, all of her dogs and cats come from a shelter or off the street. Her recent book, Maxx and Mrs. Queen is a heartwarming and unusual animal rescue story. Maxx, Harry, Greta, Tootsie, and ZaZa were themselves homeless until Uncle Oscar found them one cold, dark night and took them home. At the invitation of Mrs. Queen, Uncle Oscar takes his family to the palace for tea, and so begins this imaginative animal rescue story.

All are welcome. Autographed copies of the books will be available for purchase following the presentation.

Visit www.maineauthorspublishing.com for more information about Maine Authors Publishing and Cooperative.

For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org or 207-567-4147.

Mac Smith to Speak about “Siege at the State House” at Stockton Springs Library on Sunday, July 24th at 2:00 PM

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host a talk by author Mac Smith on Sunday, July 24th at 2:00 PM. Smith will speak about his new book Siege at the State House.

Siege at the State House tells the true story of a coup that was attempted between Maine’s governor and the leaders of a new political party, almost plunging the United States into its second Civil War. With the Maine State House under siege for several weeks by a confederate force, the occupation culminated in a showdown between armed rebels and Civil War hero General Joshua Chamberlain, with Chamberlain standing on the State House steps, exposing his chest, and daring any man present to settle the standoff with violence, if they dared. It was an event the war hero called “Another Roundtop.”

In light of recent national events, this piece of Maine history is a timely and cautionary tale brought to life by historian Mac Smith. Elements of the story include a Christmas Day raid on Maine’s weapons arsenal, missing election results, and seven jackasses.

A Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and former reporter for The Bar Harbor Times, Mac Smith now lives in Stockton Springs, Maine, in the village of Sandy Point. He is also the author of Mainers on the Titanic and Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine

Following the talk Mac Smith will sign copies of the book which will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

SSCL is located at 6 Station St. in the heart of Stockton Springs. For more information please contact the library at 207-567-4147.

Mac Smith to Speak About His Latest Book at Stockton Springs Community Library November 7th

“Maine’s Hail to the Chief: A History of Presidential Visits to the Pine Tree State” is a new book by Mac Smith of Stockton Springs. He will present his first talk and reading at the Stockton Springs Community library (SSCL) on Sunday, November 7th at 2 pm. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

A visit from the President of the United States always brings excitement with it. In Maine, part of that excitement stems from the fact that presidents rarely visit the state – only 18 of the 45 presidents have visited Maine in the nation’s 244 year history.

Many of these visits came at significant points in a presidency; and some visits had controversy, conflict, and ironic twists. Each of Maine’s presidential visits left us with great stories, and a detailed view of Maine’s lively history. Mac Smith will share some of these stories at SSCL on November 7th.

Mac Smith is a Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and former reporter for The Bar Harbor Times. He lives in Stockton Springs in the village of Sandy Point and serves as Town Manager for Stockton Springs. He is also the author of Mainers on the Titanic and Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine.

Seating is limited to 25 so pre-registration is necessary to reserve your seat. Call 207-567-4147 to register. The presentation is free and all are welcome. Masks will be required. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org

Mac Smith to Speak About His Latest Book at Stockton Springs Community Library November 7th

“Maine’s Hail to the Chief: A History of Presidential Visits to the Pine Tree State” is a new book by Mac Smith of Stockton Springs. He will present his first talk and reading at the Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) on Sunday, November 7th at 2 pm. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

A visit from the President of the United States always brings excitement with it. In Maine, part of that excitement stems from the fact that presidents rarely visit the state – only 18 of the 45 presidents have visited Maine in the nation’s 244 year history.

Many of these visits came at significant points in a presidency; and some visits had controversy, conflict, and ironic twists. Each of Maine’s presidential visits left us with great stories, and a detailed view of Maine’s lively history. Mac Smith will share some of these stories at SSCL on November 7th.

Mac Smith is a Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and former reporter for The Bar Harbor Times. He lives in Stockton Springs in the village of Sandy Point and serves as Town Manager for Stockton Springs. He is also the author of Mainers on the Titanic and Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine.

Seating is limited to 25 so pre-registration is necessary to reserve your seat. Call 207-567-4147 to register. The presentation is free and all are welcome. Masks will be required. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org

Bob Hendrickson, author of “Crossing” to Speak at Stockton Springs Community Library on Wednesday, June 23rd at 6 PM

Bob Hendrickson, author of “Crossing” to Speak at Stockton Springs Community Library on Wednesday, June 23rd at 6 PM

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will present a talk by Bob Hendrickson, author of “Crossing” on Wednesday, June 23rd at 6 PM. Due to limited seating and social distancing, pre-registration is required. Please call the library at 207-567-4147 to reserve your seat.

An extraordinary successful Air Force pilot, airline captain, and FAA accident investigator, Bob Hendrickson explores his fascinating life of adventure and accomplishment in “Crossing.” He describes applying the lessons he learned from the aircraft accidents he investigated for the FAA, and his struggle with the heavy emotional burden that comes with great expectations. He also talks about his inspiring battle with Parkinson’s Disease and his refusal to let it conquer his lifelong dreams.

With 43 years and over 26,000 hours in the cockpit, Bob is uniquely qualified to take us along as he talks about his life, successes, and failures.

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or keenly interested in stories of courage and inspiration, you’re sure to find this presentation engaging.

Call 207-567-4147 today to reserve your seat.

For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org

Mac Smith to discuss “Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine” at SSCL

Mac Smith will talk about his newly published book “Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine” at the Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) on Sunday, July 12 @ 4 PM.  He will have books available for sale and also will be happy to sign your books.  There is no fee for this program.

To assure proper seating arrangements, seats are limited, reservations will be required, as will face coverings.

Mac Smith, author of newly released book "Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine"

Mac is a Stockton Springs native and lives in the village of Sandy Point.  He is a veteran of the First Gulf War and a former reporter for the Bar Harbor Times.

His first book “Mainer on the Titanic” is available to loan at SSCL.  He is currently working on his third book for Down East Books.

Please call the library at 207-567-4147 for reservations.  Our hours are Monday and Wednesday 3-5; Tuesday 4-7; Thursday 9-12 and 6:30-8:30; and Saturday 9-3.  Stockton Springs Community Library is an all volunteer library and membership is free to anyone from any community.

Mac Smith previews his new book “Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine”

Mac Smith will be holding his first talk about his newly published book “Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine” at the Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) as soon as it is possible to hold a group event again in the library.


While we wait, he thought it might be fun to provide us with a “teaser” video of what we can expect. We are sure that as soon as you see this short video you will want to run out and buy the book for yourself! It is published by DownEast Books and is available everywhere good books are sold. You will be able to borrow it from the library after he regales us in person.

His first book “Mainers On The Titanic” is also available to purchase locally and online and is available for loan at SSCL.

Mac Smith is currently working on his third book for Down East Books, but don’t ask him what it’s about. You’re just going to have to wait to find out.

Mac Smith is a Navy veteran of the First Gulf War and former news reporter for the Bar Harbor Times, Mac Smith lives in Stockton Springs, Maine, in the village of Sandy Point, where he is restoring the family homestead.

The video presentation is available through this link

 SSCL_teaser_peytonplace_smith.mp4

(Unfortunately, the file is too large to post here.) You can also view the video presentation on our Facebook page under the Videos section.

If you have questions about his upcoming book talk at SSCL, please call us at 207-567-4147 or email us at stocktonstaff@stocktonsprings.lib.me.us

Outdoors columnist John Holyoke shares stories from his book “Evergreens” at Stockton Springs Community Library

The Stockton Springs Community Library will be hosting an “Author Talk” featuring Bangor Daily News Sportswriter, John Holyoke author of Evergreens on Sunday, February 9th at 2 PM.

V. Paul Reynolds says ”Evergreens is an authentic slice of the Maine outdoors heritage and Holyoke’s best writing over his career, a wonderful addition to the bookshelf of any outdoors person.”

Please join us at the Stockton Springs Community Library on Sunday, February 9th at 2 PM to hear about these interesting stories. Books will be available to purchase.

For more information call the library at 207-567-4147.