“Conversation with Friends,” which is set in Dublin, is a novel told through the eyes of 21-year-old Frances, a student of big ideas and intellectual convictions — until several relationships spin out of her control. It’s a novel about belonging and growing up, about bad decisions and human nature, and about how the world doesn’t always fit into the archetypes we’ve seen or read.

Trans-Atlantic artist Kyle Carey will perform her unique fusion of Appalachian and Celtic music she likes to call ‘Gaelic Americana’. Having learned Scottish Gaelic to the point of fluency–Kyle’s music is an expression and exploration of the deep connection with Appalachia’s Celtic roots. Many critics have likened her to being a mix of Loreena McKennitt and Alison Krauss. Kyle has released two full-length albums, and her third ‘The Art of Forgetting’ (which was recorded in Louisiana and produced by Dirk Powell)…

For decades, Mary Pipher (Women Rowing North; Reviving Ophelia) has been a great source of wisdom, helping us to better understand our family members. Now she connects us with the newest members of the American family–refugees. In cities all over the country, refugees arrive daily. They come with nothing but the desire to experience the American dream. Their endurance in the face of tragedy, and their ability to hold on to the virtues of family, love, and joy are a…

This presentation by Greg (P. G.) Smith offers a lighthearted, interactive discussion of how and why horror literature thrills, provokes, and entertains us. Using short readings from the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Smith’s own work, he’ll explore the dynamics of mood, suspense, and mystery. Greg Smith is a retired Army officer and educator, as well as a writer of horror stories. Signed copies of his horror novel, Prayers for Evil: A Novel, will be…

Harpswell author Ed Robinson has been writing and speaking about the outdoors for years. His new presentation features superb photographs of many of Maine’s wild creatures, both the iconic and the secretive. Ed will share fascinating stories about these creatures and help us to understand more about their lives.

Butch and Sundance are the two leaders of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. Butch is all ideas, Sundance is all action and skill. The west is becoming civilized, and when Butch and Sundance rob a train once too often, a special posse begins trailing them no matter where they run. Over rocks, through towns, across rivers, the group is always just behind them. When they finally escape through sheer luck, Butch has another idea, “Let’s go to Bolivia.” Based on the exploits…

A former journalist and retired executive, presenter Chet Lunner has a 360-degree perspective on fake news, the First Amendment, and an inside-the-Beltway view of the national government. Lunner has been a Maine newspaper editor, Congressional chief of staff, 9/11 press secretary, homeland security intelligence officer, and staffer to four Cabinet secretaries. He worked with, or consulted for USA Today, U.S. Congress and the TSA and DHS.

Texas greenhorn Joe Buck (Jon Voigt) arrives in New York City for the first time. Preening himself as a real “hustler”, he finds that he is the one getting “hustled” until he teams up with down-and-out but resilient outcast Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman). The initial “country cousin meets city cousin” relationship deepens. In their efforts to bilk a hostile world rebuffing them at every turn, this unlikely pair progress from partners in shady business to comrades. Each has found his…