JAY — The Jay-Niles Memorial Library will hold a Community Read Program during May. The theme will be “Maine and the Outdoors,” with a special focus on Maine Game Wardens.

The objective of a Community Read program is to get as many people in the community as possible to read a book (or books) on a theme and to offer programming around that theme. Staff wish to encourage the community to talk about their experiences in camping, fishing, hunting and paddling and welcome them to read two different books, one by novelist Paul Doiron and a nonfiction book by retired Game Warden John Ford, and discuss them. Both authors will visit.

The library has 20 copies of “Knife Creek” by Doiron and 20 copies of “Deer Diaries” by Ford to circulate. They may be checked out for two weeks at a time. Patrons are asked to return them as soon as they are done, so as many people as possible can read them. The authors will sell and sign books on the nights of their visits.

The books will be discussed after all of the programming is done. It is not necessary to attend all of the programs in order to participate; participants may pick and choose what interests them most. It is not necessary that the books be read in order to attend the programs.

Programs will be as follows:

Thursday, May 3: 6:30 p.m., Meet Game Warden Kris McCabe, who will kick off the Community Read program. He will talk about his work as a Maine Game Warden as well as his experience on North Woods Law.

Wednesday, May 9: 6 p.m., presentation, “The Allagash – New England’s Wild River,” narrated by author and humorist Tim Caverly. The show will include music as well as scenic and historic photos from Maine’s northern forest. Attendees will see the world-famous river, discover forgotten logging history and learn about Native American archaeology. They will hear first-hand about the lore, legends and characters that Caverly experienced during his 32 years as a Maine Park Ranger.

Saturday, May 12: 6:30 p.m., visit from Maine novelist, Paul Doiron, who has written a series of mysteries set in Maine. The main character in all of his books is a Maine game warden named Mike Bowditch. “Knife Creek” is the latest in his series. He will discuss the book and his series in general, and give a preview to his new book coming out in July, “Stay Hidden.”

Saturday, May 19: 6 p.m., visit from John Ford and Mark Nickerson. Ford, retired game warden, and Nickerson, retired Maine State Trooper, will present “Blue Lights and Funny Cider.” It has been called “a raucous, ribald and sometimes poignant look at Maine law enforcement back in the day!” Ford and Nickerson will share comical anecdotes from their many years of experience.

Wednesday, May 23: 6 p.m., screening of the documentary, “Finding Donn Fendler: Lost on a Mountain in Maine 72 Years Later” (2011). In 1939, 12-year-old Donn Fendler was lost for nine days in the woods of Maine near Mt. Katahdin. His story of survival inspired the nation and his book, “Lost on a Mountain in Maine,” continues to inspire with its powerful themes of hope, faith and the will to live. The documentary follows Fendler’s story through the lens of Derek Desmond and Ryan Cook, two filmmakers trying to turn his story into a feature film. It includes interviews and footage of Fendler as an older man whom the filmmakers befriended in the last years of his life (Length: 61 minutes).

Wednesday, May 30: 6 p.m., book discussions and program evaluation. This will be the final night of the program when attendees will discuss the books and the programs.

All activities will take place in Memorial Hall, upstairs at the library. An elevator is available for those who need it. The Jay-Niles Memorial Library is located at 983 Main St. 

For more information, contact 207-645-4062 or thoke@jaynileslibrary.com.

The program is made possible due to a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. It is free and open to the public.

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