MSC PRESENTS WINTER WISDOM FREE LECTURE SERIES
Sponsored by The Highlands
Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m.
Curtis Memorial Library and Unitarian Universalist Church, Brunswick
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
January 8: Sean Fleming and Red Hot Peppers Band—Exploration of Development of Early Jazz
This concert and lecture explores the musical genres of ragtime, blues, gospel, and marches, and their influence on early jazz providing insight into the development of this unique expression of American music. Sean Fleming is a performer, composer, and arranger based in midcoast Maine. He serves as Assistant Artistic Director and accompanist of Sheepscot Valley Chorus and St. Cecilia Chamber Choir, and accompanies high school and junior high festivals. For the past 30 years he has served as organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newcastle. At Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, 1 Middle St., Brunswick
January 15: Apollo 11 Space Artifacts from Deep Beneath the Bermuda Triangle—Vince Capone
This presentation delves into the search and recovery of the Saturn V F-1 rocket motors from three miles beneath the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Without the technical marvel of this vehicle, a moon landing might still be a distant dream. Vince Capone, M.Sc., FN-89, received the Citation of Merit from the prestigious Explorer’s Club in New York City for his work on the Apollo recovery project. He has located over 100 shipwrecks, many aircraft, and even a lost drone during his 35 years of underwater search and survey operations. At Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick.
January 22: Building Wyoming: The World’s Longest Wooden Vessel—Christopher Timm
Launched from Bath’s Percy & Small Shipyard in 1909, this coal schooner was the longest wooden vessel ever built. This talk explores the technical innovations that made this behemoth possible and the bold and bombastic characters behind her construction. Christopher Timm is Executive Director of Maine Maritime Museum, which works to connect people to the past, present and future of Maine’s waterways. His background includes a BA in Ancient Mediterranean Studies from University of Minnesota and MA in Archeology from Queen’s University Belfast. At Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick.
January 29: Marine Mammal Health in the Gulf of Maine—Lynda Doughty
Marine Mammals of Maine is a non-profit dedicated to supporting a thriving marine mammal population in the Gulf of Maine and beyond through response, triage, research, and community education. This illustrated presentation dives deeper into its work, the species they respond to, and marine mammal health. Lynda Doughty is the Founding Executive Director of MMoME. In her career she has provided care for thousands of animals, opened Maine’s first seal triage/rehab center, and participated in marine rescue and environmental improvement efforts. At Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick.
February 5: Ralph Brewster, Brunswick, and the Klan—Gary Lawless
This presentation looks at the 1920s in Maine with Ralph Brewster running for Governor with the express help of the Ku Klux Klan, and explores Klan activities in the Brunswick area at that time. Gary Lawless is a poet, editor, publisher, community activist, and co-owner of Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick. He has a BA degree from Colby College in East Asian Studies and an honorary doctorate from University of Southern Maine in Humane Letters. In 2017 the Maine Humanities Council awarded him their Constance Carlson Prize. At Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick.
February 12: The Zany Majestic Bard—David Greenham
This work was commissioned and created in 2016 through a partnership between the Maine State Library and the Maine Humanities Council in honor of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death based on the premise that Shakespeare was written for everyone and can be clear, fun, and inspirational. David Greenham is Executive Director of Viles Arboretum and a lecturer in drama at University of Maine in Augusta. He has served as interim executive director of Maine Arts Commission and executive and artistic director of Theater At Monmouth. At Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick.
February 19: Longfellow Days – My Two Grandmothers Loved Two Different Maine Poets. And Why—James McKenna
Maine poet James McKenna will share his personal introductions to Longfellow and Edna Saint Vincent Millay. At Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick.
February 26: Snow Make-up Day