Corinna celebrating library donated 100 years ago

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Back in the late 1800s, $65,000 was a lot of money. It still is today. But 100 years ago, a Corinna native willingly gave that significant amount of money to build the residents of his hometown a library.

To recognize and honor the man who gave the town its library a century ago, the committee has planned a full day of activities, with something to please everyone.

A Centennial Celebration of the Stewart Library Building will begin at 10 a.m. and end with a Gala Ball at 8 p.m. Saturday at the facility given to the town by promiment Minneapolis lawyer and real estate agent Levi M. Stewart.

The Stewart Building houses not only the public library, but the Corinna Town Office and the Levi M. Stewart private library as well. The facility also serves as a community building for the town.

According to information provided us by Centennial Celebration committee member Maryanne Smith, when the Stewart Free Library was dedicated on Sept. 1, 1898, it had 3,000 volumes, all selected and donated by Stewart. His private library had more than 6,000 volumes including historical collections, a law collection and several first edition books, which were willed to the town when Stewart died in 1910. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Smith said the facility also includes “a stage upstairs which we believe used to be used as an auditorium.”

Centennial Celebration committee members have planned a full day of fun and festivities to commemorate the opening of the library.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. not only will the library be open to the public, but the private Stewart library will be open as well. Tours will be offered throughout the afternoon.

Children’s storyteller Kevin Duplissie of Bangor will entertain children of all ages at 10 a.m. with his Story Hour.

Following Story Hour, committee members invite everyone to bring their own picnic and plunk down on the lawn of the library for an old-fashioned family picnic, complete with the music of the award-winning Nokomis of Newport Jazz Band under the direction of Stan Buchanan.

Although we understand from Smith that the band lost several of its veteran musicians to graduation last June, we remind you that Nokomis has one of the finest jazz band traditions in the state, and they won’t disappoint!

And, if you don’t have the time, or don’t want to pack a picnic lunch, committee members have arranged for Mary’s Hot Dog Wagon to be on site.

Participating in the Centennial Celebration ceremony that follows the picnic and concert at 1 p.m. will be descendants of Levi Stewart, including Carl D. Smith and former Town Manager John Bird and his wife, Alice.

Closing out the celebration will be the Gala Ball, featuring Hal Wheeler and his orchestra, which the committee hopes will attract one and all.

“We want people to understand that they don’t have to dance to come to the ball,” Maryanne Smith said.

“And they don’t have to worry about being dressed in period costumes. Maybe some members of the Literary Club will be dressed that way, but most people won’t.

“We just want people to come and enjoy the music, and we want them to understand that everyone is welcome.”

Smith really wants to stress that you don’t have to be a dancer, or be dressed in a fancy costume, “to have a wonderful time and enjoy the festivities.”

Tickets for the Gala are $5 each and can be purchased from any member of the Corinna Literary Club, at the Town Office, or at the door the evening of the ball.

And, one more event is planned around the library’s centennial, Smith said.

“The St. Albans Players are performing at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Town Hall. It’s a mystery-comedy, and tickets can be purchased at the door.”

The saddest news we received upon our return from vacation was about the death of Barbara Eames on Sunday, Aug. 16.

Barbara was one of the loveliest women we have known; a woman devoted to husband, family, home, church and community.

Her quiet smile and gentle manner belied a strong inner determination to make the world in which she lived a better one for all who shared it with her.

Barbara’s selfless efforts on behalf of the children of the greater Bangor community, and beyond, earned her many accolades.

She served us well through her two terms with the Bangor School Committee and as president and member of several local service organizations whose work often focused on improving the conditions under which children live and learn.

The Bangor Regional Speech and Hearing Center, now known as the Warren Center for Communication and Learning, was founded in the 1960s by the Junior League of Bangor during the tenure of three presidents, one of whom was Barbara.

She worked most recently for that organization, helping raise funds for its capital campaign and, at the time of her death, remained active on the board of the Bangor Children’s Home, helping to compile its written history.

Our fondest recent memories of Barbara are of her with children.

No matter how she felt, during her 10 years living with cancer and all its painful and unpleasant ramifications, she always found time, and a reserve of energy, to be there for them.

Even when she wasn’t feeling well, Barbara eagerly participated in Children’s Reading Day, bringing smiles and delight to those who listened to her stories.

To her husband, Clif, and her family, we extend our most sincere condolences.

We have lost a community treasure but, thankfully, we retain the wealth of good works she brought to us.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.