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.

Lots of Activities and Events Scheduled at Stockton Springs Community Library

What’s happening at the library this summer? Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) is in the midst of a very busy summer, with numerous activities and events on the calendar. SSCL is an all-volunteer library located in the heart of downtown Stockton Springs.

“All Together Now” is the theme for this summer’s reading program every Tuesday from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. The free program for children of all ages offers stories, crafts, activities, and snacks.

The library hosts Tai Chi at Stockton Springs Harbor Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. In case of bad weather, this takes place at the town hall. Sponsored by the library and the Town of Stockton Springs.

SSCL is now reserving rental spaces for the giant yard sale at The Great Event, an annual event that brings the community together for the yard sale, food, entertainment, children’s events, and more. The Great Event is scheduled for September 9th from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Yard Sale spaces are $30 and may be reserved by visiting the library during open hours. Hours are Mon & Wed 3 – 5 pm, Tues 4 – 7 pm, Thurs 9 am – Noon and 6:30 – 8:30 pm, and Saturday 9 am – 3 pm.

Annual Pie & Art Festival is scheduled for August 19th from 9 am to 2 pm. A great opportunity to bring home a pie or two and add to your collection of contemporary art by local artists! 

SSCL is currently holding a raffle fundraiser for a $100 gift certificate to Sweet Cheeks Bakery on Verona Island. Tickets are $1 each and are available at the library during open hours. Drawing for the winner will take place at SSCL’s annual Pie & Art Festival on August 19th at 1:00. Proceeds will benefit the SSCL Endowment Fund.

Thanks to SSCL’s “Basil’s Bottles for Books” ongoing returnables collection, the library is always up to date with purchasing all the latest books and DVD’s. Stop in to check them out!

SSCL has a new, upgraded wi-fi service which is great for streaming.

SSCL also has two books groups, a garden group, a knitters & crafters evening, and much more! For details on all of the library’s programs and events visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org. See the new garden while sitting in the Gazebo reading a new book!

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

STOCKTON SPRINGS COMMUNITY LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM “ALL TOGETHER NOW” BEGINS JULY 11TH  

Stockton Springs Community Library’s Summer Reading Program, “All Together Now” will take place on Tuesdays starting on Tuesday, July 11th from 9:30 to 11:00 AM.

This year’s theme, “All Together Now,” has a focus on kindness, friendship, and unity. There will be stories, activities, crafts, and snacks.

The program is free and open to all ages.

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

Annual Book, Bake, and Plant Sale at Stockton Springs Community Library June 3rd

On Saturday, June 3rd from 9 am to 1 pm the Stockton Springs Community Library will host its very popular Annual Book, Bake, and Plant Sale at the library on Main Street in Stockton Springs.

Library volunteers are busy dividing perennials for this popular fundraiser. There will be a wide variety of flowers and herbs to brighten your gardens. You can stock up on books for summer reading while snacking on delicious homemade baked goods. There’s always a great variety of sweet and savory baked goods available. A wide range of books, both hardcover and paperback, fiction and non-fiction, will be available for purchase.

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.stockstonspringslibrary.org