kennebunkport events

AUTHOR VISIT – REVEREND DR. RUSSELL J. LEVENSON, JR. – JUNE 26

Priest, Pastor, and Friend…We are delighted to share the news that Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., will be here on Monday, June 26 @ 5:30 pm to talk about his personal relationship with George H.W. and Barbara Bush.  Witness to Dignity, recently published by Center Street Books, details Reverend Levenson’s intimate relationship with the former president and his wife. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing after the discussion.  Light refreshments will be served.  Parking is available at Consolidated School (Route 9), Maine Street, and the Village Fire Station (North Street).

 

“George and Barbara Bush belonged to and were active members of a Houston church for more than 50 years. The rector of that church, Reverend Russell Jones Levenson, Jr., believes he was invited into private moments with these public individuals so he could serve as a witness: a witness to observe, and a witness to tell.  With never-before shared correspondence, experiences, and personal stories, Levenson offers new insight into the Bushes’ wit and wisdom; their commitment to family and friends; their tireless desire to bless the lives of others; and their steadfast loyalty to their church, their faith, and their God. Before embarking on writing this book on faith, Levenson sought and received the blessing of all the Bush children, including the 43rd president.  This book is for readers who yearn for our public officials to serve with faith and integrity like the Bushes. But above all else, this book shows how powerful it is when world leaders are humbled before the power that rests above all powers.”

The Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., and his wife Laura, live in Houston, Texas where he has served as Rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church since 2007.  With nearly 10,000 members, St. Martin’s is the largest Episcopal Church in North America.  Levenson co-officiated and offered a homily at the state funeral for President George H.W. Bush in Washington, D.C., and in Houston, and also officiated and preached at the funeral for First Lady Barbara Bush in Houston.  President and Mrs. Bush belonged to and were active members of St. Martin’s for more than 50 years.

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!

         

 

 

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