kennebunkport events

AN EVENING WITH BEST-SELLING AUTHOR DAVID BALDACCI

DAVID BALDACCI – A BENEFIT FOR GRAVES LIBRARY – JUNE 22, 2023

 

We are thrilled to welcome celebrated author David Baldacci to our 12th annual Author Event on June 22 at 5:00 PM at the historic Kennebunk River Club Casino, 116 Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport.  David Baldacci is the national and international best-selling author of widely read crime and thriller books and series. He published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996 and has written a total of 47 novels for adults, several which were adapted for film and television. He has also published seven novels for young readers. David’s books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His newest thriller, Simply Lies, is being released in April, 2023.

David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, “because every mom needs a break now and then.”)  A lifelong Virginian, he received his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C.

In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist. His greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation, established by David and his wife Michelle. The Foundation supports adult and family literacy by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs in the United States.

“We are beyond thrilled to have Mr. Baldacci join us this year,” said Graves Library Executive Director Mary-Lou Boucouvalas. “We are also extremely grateful for the wonderful community support provided by our event sponsors. One hundred percent of the funds raised will support the daily operations of the Library.”

This special fundraiser is being underwritten by Spinnaker Trust, along with the Kennebunk River Club, Fine Print Booksellers, Kennebunk Beach Realty, John and Mary Mills, Mike and Denise Iafolla, Paul Mahoney, Robert and Marjie Dennis, Mutasia, Mark and Vicky Lamarre, Billy and Rosemary Shore, Anne and Ken Raynor, Bob and Jane Garvey, Kitchen Chicks Catering, the Colony Hotel, Edison Press, Hurlbutt Designs, Schooner Eleanor, and South Portland Wine Company.

The ticket price of $75 includes an autographed copy of Simply Lies. Tickets can be purchased here at Graves Library and online through EVENTBRITE. (starting March 22).

Call us at (207) 967-2778 for more information. Seating is limited.

Don’t miss this extraordinary event with David Baldacci!

ANNUAL AUTHOR EVENT WITH DAVID MARANISS – SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

The Trustees of the Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library are pleased to announce their Annual Author Event to be held at the Kennebunk River Club from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2022.  This year’s fundraising event will feature award-winning author and journalist, David Maraniss. The evening will begin with a wine reception, followed by a discussion between David Maraniss and Peter Slen, Senior Executive Producer at C-SPAN. A book signing of David’s newest title, A Path Lit by Lighting, will follow the reception and discussion.  Tickets are $60/each (non-refundable), and are available for purchase at the Library (18 Maine Street), or online via Eventbrite. Ticket sales close the day before the event, on Wednesday, September 28th at 3:00 pm.

For tickets, click HERE.

 

David Maraniss is a New York Times bestselling author and associate editor at The Washington Post. He has won two Pulitzer Prizes for journalism and was a finalist three other times. Among his bestselling books are biographies of Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Roberto Clemente, and Vince Lombardi, and a trilogy about the 1960s. He currently lives in Washington D.C. and Madison, Wisconsin.

For more information about David Maraniss, visit his website.

Here is what people are saying about David’s latest book, A Path Lit by Lightning

“In different hands I might be dubious, but David Maraniss revives the titanic Jim Thorpe for a new generation with a surgeon’s care, the diligence of a great researcher, and the poignance and humanity that is the signature of his writing. Path Lit By Lightning is a masterful look at this country’s first super-athlete, unflinching from what conquest did to his people, from the rousing and bittersweet journey of fame and identity, nor from an American century often far less heroic than the book’s protagonist. It’s simply brilliant.”

– Howard Bryant, author of The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron

“Goes beyond the myth and into the guts of Thorpe’s life, using extensive research, historical nuance and bittersweet honesty to tell the story of a gifted and complicated man. . . . Maraniss’ biography does justice to the struggles and triumphs of a truly great man.”

– Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times

“A sensitive and compelling life of the great, ill-treated athlete Jim Thorpe. . . . Racism was a powerful element in Thorpe’s life, and Maraniss explores this topic with insight and nuance, just as he did in his biography of Roberto Clemente. . . . A tale that, though well known in outline, Maraniss enriches with his considerable skills as a writer and researcher.”

– Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 

 

 

 

 

We are very grateful to our Sponsors Spinnaker Trust, Fine Print Booksellers, Kennebunk Beach Realty, Cider Mill Press, Mutasia, Inc., and Rosemary and Billy Shore, for helping to make this event possible!  We would also like to thank our In-Kind donors – The Kennebunk River Club, Kitchen Chicks Catering, Hurlbutt Designs, Schooner Eleanor, So-Po Wine Co., The Wine House on Main, Wallingford Farm, and Maine & Vine.

 

SECRET GARDEN TOUR OF KENNEBUNKPORT – JULY 16, 2022

According to Cicero, “if you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

 

Click here to purchase your tickets!

We are very pleased to announce that Graves Library’s Secret Gardens of Kennebunkport will be held again on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (rain or shine). Six homeowners have agreed to open their private gardens for this one day only to help raise money for the Library. Tickets are $40 each and they can be purchased in advance on Eventbrite via the link above or at the Library at 18 Maine Street. On the day of the event, ticketholders should begin at Kennebunkport Consolidated School at 25 School Street to pick up their map. Day-of tickets will only be available for sale at Consolidated School.

A detailed map will be provided on the day of the tours to all ticket holders to reveal the secret locations of the six participating properties. Visitors will be treated to a wide variety of garden styles and plant types amid lovely natural settings hidden from view behind stone walls, seaside cottages, and privacy hedges. The magical garden settings include an abandoned granite quarry, a historic riverfront home, a wooded wonderland, and yards with sweeping ocean and harbor views.

This year, gardeners will especially appreciate the option to stop at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust annual plant sale at 57 Gravelly Brook Road- perfect for shopping, grabbing lunch from Beach Dawgs, and dessert from Gemini Cakes! Additionally, tour goers are encouraged to avoid the parking crush by visiting the gardens on the trolley that will be looping past the stops to drop off and pick up visitors, thanks to the generosity of Intown Trolley and Bill Guay.

All proceeds for this event benefit the Graves Memorial Public Library. Please call us with any questions. (207) 967-2778.

We are very grateful to our Premier Sponsor, Kennebunk Savings Bank!

Additional sponsors are:

Intown Trolley
Proscape Irrigation
Spang Builders
Chez Rosa
Farm + Table
Hazelwood Handyman
Huston & Co.
Terrapin Landscapes
Dock Square Emporium
Fleurant
JAK Designs
Rococo Ice Cream
Schlegel Realty
Smith & Company Realty
Blackrock Farm

Thank you for your support!

 

We also thank our food vendors, Beach Dawgs and Gemini Cakes, for participating in the fun!