In: Events, News, Poetry

Wesley McNair, Maine’s former poet laureate, will return to the Thompson Free Library on Thursday, November 29 at 5:30 pm to read from his latest volume of poems, “The Unfastening.” His presentation will also offer insights into the creative process used in the writing of the book.

“In a dark time, unfastened by loss and despair, how does one find one’s way back to the world again?” asks McNair. “This book seeks to answer this question through poems of sorrow, and hope, and joy. My presentation will explain the complex, unexpected process through which the book reached its final form, weaving selected poems into the discussion.”

McNair, who lives in Mercer, is one of New England’s most celebrated contemporary poets. The author of nine volumes of poems, he has been selected for a United States Artists Fellowship as one of America’s “finest living artists.”

During his long writing career, McNair has won grants from the Fulbright and Guggenheim foundations, two Rockefeller Fellowships, two grants in creative writing from the National Endowment for the Arts, and an Emmy Award. He has twice been invited to read his poetry by the Library of Congress, and has served five times on the jury for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. In 2015, McNair was named as the recipient of the PEN New England Award for Literary Excellence in Poetry.

In: Authors, Events, News
Join us for an author talk and book signing by USA Today best-selling author Paul Doiron. On Thursday, November 15 at 6 pm Doiron will read from his latest novel, Stay Hidden, the ninth book in his series of crime novels featuring Maine game warden Mike Bowditch. Paul Doiron’s first book, The Poacher’s Son, was nominated for an Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America. His other novels include: Trespasser, Bad Little Falls, Massacre Pond, The Bone Orchard, The Precipice, Widowmaker, and Knife Creek. Books will be available for purchase at the event courtesy of The Briar Patch. About the James Brown Lecture Series: The James Brown Lecture Series has been endowed with memorial funds donated to the Thompson Free Library in memory of James Brown, who lost his life in a boating accident in 2008. The series presents lectures on topics related to history and literature, both areas of the humanities of great interest to Brown. As the longtime chair of the English Department at Foxcroft Academy, James Brown helped two generations of students explore the world of books. He was president of the Thompson Free Library Association and was also active in the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society.

In: Community, Events, News

Learn about the many ways you can help your community as an American Red Cross volunteer.

Drop by the Thompson Free Library  on Tuesday, Oct. 16, any time between 4-6 pm. Red Crossers from the Northern and Eastern Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross are looking forward to meeting you!

Red Cross volunteers make a significant impact on the community. In the past fiscal year, they’ve responded to 92 disasters in the Northern and Eastern Maine Chapter, assisted 288 individuals affected by home fires and other disasters and assisted 96 service members, veterans or their families.

Volunteers make up 90 percent of the American Red Cross workforce. By mobilizing the power of volunteers, the Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to affected individuals and helping them begin their road to recovery.

The Red Cross also provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families at home and around the world, collects 40 percent of the nation’s blood, trains people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills and makes communities safer through disaster preparedness measures.

Consider joining the Red Cross today. To learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross, call 941-2903 x 115.

In: Community, Events

Have fines? During the week of September 25-29 bring in non-perishable items to donate to our local food cupboards, and we will take those fines off your account!

Also join us from 4-5 pm on Friday, September 28 for a special “Meet Your Food Community” story time. Guest readers include Will Wedge from Will’s Shop ‘n Save, Gene Ripley from Ripley Farm, and 5th grade teacher Wendy Hutchins!