Here’s a great idea — a scanner that can make digital files of microfilmed articles and photos and save them to a computer or send them to an e-mail address.
Sounds terrific to me.
The Friends of the Belfast Free Library recently donated $5,000 for the purchase of a new microfilm scanner for the library. The microfilm scanner is used mainly for reading and making copies of microfilmed Belfast newspapers dating back to 1820. It also can read and copy other documents on microfilm or microfiche.
The old microfilm reader-printer replaced by this new equipment was more than 30 years old, no longer made copies and could not be repaired.
A gift from an anonymous donor and proceeds from the library’s Annual Appeal paid the remaining costs for the new microfilm scanner.
I say “well done” to all involved.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, Rhea Cote Robbins and Trudy Chambers will read from their own work on “Writers Forum,” a monthly feature hosted by Joan Clemons on Community Radio WERU.
The program airs the second Thursday of the month on WERU-FM 89.9, also podcasting and streaming online at weru.org. Past programs also are archived at weru.org. WERU is a community radio station, “a voice of many voices” serving midcoast and Down East.
Rhea Cote Robbins writes about the French culture and language experience of Franco-American women in Maine and beyond. The voice of the Franco-American woman writer is a point of view necessary to understanding the cultural diversity that exists in the state.
Cote Robbins’ book “Wednesday’s Child” is listed on the Maine Literary Map and is taught in many college and university courses throughout New England. She has edited an anthology of translated early Franco-American women writers, titled “Canuck and Other Stories,” which addresses the Franco-Amercian women’s literary tradition.
Cote Robbins will read from work in progress, “Down the Plains.” She teaches at the University of Maine.
Trudy Chambers Price grew up in a Franco-American neighborhood in Caribou. Though denied the opportunity to learn about her French heritage, she felt a part of both the English-Irish and Franco-American culture.
Not until her father did genealogical research on his Franco-American mother did she understand reasons why the Franco part was missing from her life.
Price graduated from the University of Maine, taught elementary school and was partner on a dairy farm in Waldo County for 23 years.
Her memoir, “The Cows are Out! Two decades on a Maine Dairy Farm,” was published in 2004 by Islandport Press. She is the author of “Thirteen Is a Lucky Number: the Campbell Family in 2006.”
“Writers Forum” features Maine authors — residents, as well as summer visitors to Maine — both published and unpublished, reading their own compositions.
Writers interested in appearing on “Writers Forum” may call 469-6600 during business hours or e-mail writersforum@weru.org.
The annual Thomas Shorey Reunion will be held Sunday, Aug. 8, at the Ammadamast Grange Hall on Route 188, Enfield.
Those attending are asked to bring a salad, covered dish or dessert. Beanhole beans are on the menu. The hall will open at 11 a.m. for people to socialize, with lunch scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
Descendants of John and Hannah Davis will hold their 83rd reunion at noon Sunday, Aug. 8, at the home of Mary and Julia Pike in Carmel.
Please bring a picnic lunch, beverage, lawn chair and item for the auction. Baked beans will be served.
Descendants of Hannan-Hannon, Morse, Boynton, Marriner, Lermond and Heal-Heald will gather for the Maresh Backyard Reunion on Saturday, Aug. 14, at the home of Bob and Isabel (Morse) Maresh at 169 Howard Road, Belmont.
Bring a casserole, salad, soda, chips or dessert for the potluck lunch; recipe, too. Provided will be plates and utensils, beverages, potato salad, baked beans and sweet and sour meatballs.
Bring an item for the auction to help with expenses. For the past few years, a donation from proceeds has been made to Greene Plantation Historical Society for a special fund.
Those attending look forward to the auction, and some items have found new homes. Also bring a chair to sit on. Much appreciated would be some early birds to help with setup.
Bring your family history, your family photos to be scanned and show-and-tell items.
The Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29 Ocean Road, Cape Elizabeth. The speaker will be Ruth Ayer, author of “Early Families of Newfield, Maine.” The business meeting begins at 2 p.m. All are welcome. For information, call Linda at 490-5709 or www.gpcmgs.org.
Send genealogy queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or e-mail queries to familyti@bangordailynews.com.
