Category: Books

Author Cathie Pelletier to speak at Stockton Springs Community Library on Sunday, July 28th at 2 PM

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will present author Cathie Pelletier discussing her work on Sunday, July 28th at 2 PM. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is required. Stop into the library or call 207-567-4147 during open hours to reserve your seat.

Cathie Pelletier is the author of sixteen books beginning with The Funeral Makers, her first novel published by Macmillan in 1986. Her most recent book is Northeaster, A Story of Courage & Survival in the Blizzard of 1952. She and theoretical physicist S. James Gates, Jr. co-authored Proving Einstein Right, released in 2019 by Public Affairs. The book was awarded the Brown University Book Award for 2020. Also released in 2019 is The Ragin’ Cajun, a memoir she wrote with her friend fiddler Doug Kershaw (Mercer University Press). A Middle Grade novel, Mystery Traveler at Lake Fortune, was released in July 2023 by Down East/Rowman & Littlefield. Evangeline’s Journey is due in 2024.

Producer Gabrielle Tana has recently optioned Pelletier’s novel The Funeral Makers for Doug Liman to direct and Pelletier to adapt. She has worked on several film projects with Grammy-winner and AFI founder George Stevens, Jr. She and the late Donald Sutherland collaborated on one of her original screenplays. Under the pseudonym of K.C. McKinnon, Pelletier wrote Dancing at the Harvest Moon and Candles on Bay Street, both with Doubleday, the latter earning a million dollar advance. Harvest Moon was printed in 22 languages and was a CBS film starring Jacqueline Bisset and Valerie Harper. Candles was translated to 16 languages and was a Hallmark Hall of Fame film starring starring Alicia Silverstone.

Two of her novels received notable mentions from the New York Times Book Review. Her third novel The Weight of Winter, won the New England Booksellers Award. In 2006 Running the Bulls won the Paterson Prize for Fiction. Her first middle grade novel, The Summer Experiment, was published in 2014. Pelletier was privately hired to write a memoir, now finished, that centers on the Vietnam War.

Cathie created and sold to Simon & Schuster a book for country music icon Tanya Tucker, titled 100 Ways to Beat the Blues. She co-wrote The Christmas Note with her friend, and Grand Old Opry legend, the late Skeeter Davis. She has co-written songs that were recorded by David Byrne (of the Talking Heads), the Texas Tornadoes, and others. She and Tanya Tucker are working on a children’s book.

A book-signing will follow the presentation. Books will be available to purchase.

Be sure to pre-register at 207-567-4147 to reserve your seat for what promises to be a very interesting afternoon!

Summer Reading Program at Stockton Springs Community Library Begins Tuesday, July 9th

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host a Summer Reading Program on Tuesdays from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM from Tuesday, July 9th to Tuesday, August 6th.

We will explore themes such as endangered animals, ways to repurpose, recycle, and reuse, and more. There will be stories, activities, snacks, and lots of fun. 

Come to one session, all sessions, or come whenever you can! 

This is a free program and open to all.

For questions contact the library at 207-567-4147.

Annual Book, Bake, and Plant Sale at Stockton Springs Community Library June 1st

 On Saturday, June 1st from 9 am to 1 pm the Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host its very popular Annual Book, Bake, and Plant Sale. This event provides an opportunity to stock up on books in all genres, a wide variety of plants, and delicious home baked goods. There’s always a range of sweet and savory baked goods available. It’s also a chance to reconnect with friends and neighbors after the long winter.

June 1st is also the last day of the “Art in the Stacks” exhibition in the nonfiction room at SSCL. The exhibition features works by the SSCL Wednesday Art Group. The event will also feature a drawing for the winner of the raffle for a $100 gift card to Stone Fox Creamery.

The Stockton Springs Community Library was founded in 2001 and is located in the historic Colcord House, which is owned by the Stockton Springs Historical Society. The library is run by a group of dedicated volunteers and new volunteers are always welcome. For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org

Mac Smith to Speak about his new book “Plain Madeleine” at the Stockton Springs Community Library on Sunday, April 21st at 2:00 PM.

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host a talk by author Mac Smith on Sunday, April 21st at 2:00 pm at the Stockton Springs Community Library. The talk will focus on Smith’s new book, Plain Madeleine. 

The story of Madeleine and Colonel John Jacob Astor is very much part of the story of Bar Harbor, Maine. The relatively poor Madeleine Force met Colonel Astor, the third richest man in the United States, in Bar Harbor in 1910. The vicious scandal after their wedding caused the newlyweds to board the Titanic to return to America; the ensuing tragedy would claim the life of the colonel.

Madeleine Astor returned to Bar Harbor after the Titanic disaster, where all eyes were on her, and where she was triumphant in claiming the role of social leader. In 1916, she remarried in the center of Bar Harbor, and gave up everything Astor.

The story follows the 17 years of her second marriage, and then her scandalous third marriage. Madeleine, now in her 40s, married a penniless young boxer and her name erased from the Social Register after that. She died a lonely figure in her 40s.

This new book from historian Mac Smith documents Madeleine’s life in Bar Harbor and the Astor presence on Bar Harbor through Colonel Astor’s family and the Kane family–Astor cousins who were prominent there. It puts Madeleine Astor’s story in the context of Bar Harbor’s Golden Age. In telling Madeleine Astor’s story, the story of a changing Bar Harbor is also revealed. 

A Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and former reporter for The Bar Harbor Times, Mac Smith lives in Stockton Springs, Maine in the village of Sandy Point. He is the author of several books of Maine history, including Mainers on the Titanic, Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine, Siege at the Statehouse, and Disaster at the Bar Harbor Ferry.

Following the talk Mac Smith will sign copies of Plain Madeleine, which will be available for purchase. Copies of his other books will also be available.

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.

Stockton Springs Community Library Hosts a Spring Fling Story Hour April 6th

The Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host a Spring Fling Story Hour for children of all ages on Saturday, April 6th from 10:00 to 11:00 am. In addition to the stories, there will be snacks and a craft activity.

All are welcome to this free event. The library is currently engaged in a fundraising raffle for a $100 gift card to Stone Fox Creamery. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase during the Story Hour and during all regular library hours.