Category: Maine

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 Hosting THE GREAT EVENT Saturday, September 9th

THE GREAT EVENT, hosted by the Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will take place on the grounds of the library and town office on Saturday, September 9th from 8 am until 2 pm. The event provides a festive atmosphere with something for everyone.  

THE GREAT EVENT is a celebration of the spirit of community which features a large community yard sale, live music, barbeque, homemade donuts, strawberry shortcake, bake sale, children’s activities, and more. It’s a great opportunity to find some bargains, enjoy great food and music, and have fun connecting with friends and neighbors.

There are still some spaces available in THE GREAT EVENT large community yard sale. Spaces are 10 feet by 15 feet and may be reserved by visiting the library during open hours. Spaces are $30. Crafters and organizations are welcome to reserve spaces. Library hours are Monday 3 – 5 pm, Tuesday 4 – 7 pm, Wednesday 3-5 pm, Thursday 9 am – noon and 6:30 – 8:30 pm, and Saturday 9 am – 3 pm. 

Everyone’s invited to come out and see what’s so great about THE GREAT EVENT!

SSCL is a nonprofit all- volunteer library.  For more information call SSCL at 207-567-4147 or visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org

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.