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Maine, and the world has lost a great soul, named Ashley Bryan. Thank you to the Bangor Daily News for Bill Trotter’s article (with photos) about him, and for George Danby’s editorial cartoon featuring the blackbird flying away (like one of Bryan’s book covers).
He was an artist and painter (with a gift for writing and illustrating children’s books), a poet and writer, puppet maker and created stained glass windows for the church in Islesford. I got to know him when I was organizing children’s programs for the Winter Harbor Public Library a few years back. At my invitation, he gave a poetry presentation in Hammond Hall, filled with children from three grammar schools. It was done in “call and response” form (as used in Black churches), and totally involved his young audience.
Bryan generously donated books to the library, and gave some to me personally. I felt blessed to call him my friend. He will be sorely missed. If Islesford is planning to create a memorial to him, I would be happy to make a donation.
Mary Lou Weaver
Winter Harbor