2nd Annual Winter Read

The Great Depression hit hard all across our country, but isolated communities such as Georgetown, Maine really felt the pinch. The resourceful and resilient population had significant support through this hardship, however, from its natural resources and spectacular landscape.

Those natural gifts provided solace, income, sustenance and entertainment to Thomas Hanna as he relays in his 2006 memoir, Shoutin’ Into the Fog: Growing up on Maine’s Ragged Edge. Hanna tells the story of his childhood amidst the depression; his meager possessions and his rich life thanks to the benefit of his location.

The ways we measure scarcity and abundance, richness and poverty, needs and wants will be discussed in a series of community conversations as part of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust’s second annual Winter Read, a community book group offered in conjunction with the Patten Free Library and the Georgetown Historical Society.

On March 8, Laura Sewall will guide a discussion at Hyde School from 6:00-8:00pm with delicious refreshments provided by Mae’s Café. Ms. Sewall is the Director of Bates-Morse Mountain in Phippsburg and the author of Sight and Sensibility: The Ecopsychology of Perception as well as the former Executive Director of the Kennebec Estuary Collaboration.

On March 14 at 6:30pm the Patten Free Library will host a public discussion on the book  as part of their monthly book group. Gene Reynolds of Georgetown will be the guest speaker . Mr. Reynolds and his wife had close connections to “Tommy” Hanna and shared many of the experiences described in the book.

The Patten Free Library Children’s Room has selected complimentary books for young readers, including Between the Tides by Fran Hodgkins.

Please contact the Patten Free Library, the Georgetown Historical Society or your local book store for a copy of Shoutin’ Into the Fog. These events are free and open to the public thanks to generous sponsorship from First Federal Savings Bank. To register for the March 8^th event please contact KELT at 442-8400 or email Alicia Heyburn aheyburn@kennebecestuary.org .