YARMOUTH – Hanley Denning’s vision of a better life for the poverty-stricken children of the Guatemala City garbage dump spurred the Maine-native to take action and create Safe Passage, an organization dedicated to bringing them better health, improved education and hope for a brighter future.

Denning’s efforts inspired Lisa Belisle of Yarmouth to produce “Our Daily Tread,” a new book that combines the spirit of Denning’s work with inspirational and thoughtful quotes, photographs and artwork to both honor Denning, who was killed in a car accident in 2007, and spur others to action.

“‘Our Daily Tread” demonstrates that we each have the ability to bring joy into the lives of others – simply by sharing whatever we can of our love, time and talents,” said Belisle, who was a classmate of Denning’s at Bowdoin College. “I hope people who read the book will be as inspired as I was working with others to create it.”

“Our Daily Tread” features daily quotes grouped by month and season according to themes such as hope, courage, opportunity and gratitude. It also features personal essays, photographs and children’s artwork submitted by volunteers and supporters of Safe Passage. Sales of the book benefit Safe Passage.

There will be a launch celebration – “Giving & Gratitude: Celebrating Our Daily Tread” – from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Portland Museum of Art.

Belisle was raised in Yarmouth, the oldest of 10 brothers and sisters. After her medical education, she operated her own family medical practice for six years before starting Yarmouth-based Aerie River, a practice devoted to prevention and wellness using both traditional and non-traditional therapies.

“Our Daily Tread” was published by Aerie River Books (www.aerieriver.com) in collaboration with Islandport Press. For more information, visit www.islandportpress.com or call 846-3344.

Bath writer to sign copies of children’s book

NORWAY – Author Karen Schneider will read and sign copies of her newly released children’s book, “The Adventures of Skiff, the Harbormaster’s Cat” from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6, at Books N Things.

Inspiration for “The Adventures of Skiff” came from the artist’s husband, Joe, former harbormaster for Maine’s Harpwell Islands and his cat, Skiff. Watercolor illustrations of coastal life, including a map of the islands of Quahog Bay, and gentle prose tell the tell of Harbormaster Joe and Skiff’s rescue of a lost baby seal. With help from friends Ollie the osprey and Sammy the seagull, Joe and Skiff return the little fellow to it parents.

The author and illustrator, who have been sharing the story with children at schools and libraries, are both early childhood educators and grandmothers. They collaborated on the book for children ages 3 to 8 while working together at the Bowdoin College Children’s Center in Brunswick.

Peterson, who was an art teacher for many years, is now retired and lives in Cundy’s Harbor. Schneider, who has written a column in the Sunday edition of the Sun Journal for more than 11 years, resides in Bath.

“The Adventures of Skiff” was produced by Sunpress of Lewiston and is available at Books N Things, 430 Main St., or by calling 739-6200.