Since 1992
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EAST DIXFIELD — Appalachia North — an informal group of people who promote literacy, the arts and other causes — wants to make winter more bearable by offering a variety of free magazine subscriptions, books and occasionally DVDs to libraries or other non-profit groups. However, noted organizer Kelly Sterns, this current round is open to anyone.
Believing “snowstorms are the best time to settle in with a good book or new magazine,” Sterns said the group’s focus is to make “tiny amounts of money do more than expected.”
Essentially, the members thought free magazines during the winter might be a nice treat for people. “If you can’t get out, it’s sort of nice if a little entertainment that comes to your door,” Sterns said. “If it’s free, it also gives you a chance to try something new and not feel like you’re losing out. The worst that can happen is they wind up with more lining for the bird cage. The best is they find a new magazine that turns into one they genuinely enjoy and look forward to that ‘friend’ coming in the mail each month.”
Sterns said the name Appalachia North originated with her move to Maine.
“My family is from Appalachia originally, and I started thinking of Maine as ‘Appalachia North’ in my head,” she explained. “Both Appalachias are very, very beautiful, but they also both have very difficult economies. So the name seemed like a good symbol to me.”
Currently, Appalachia North has the following items available:
Magazines — All Recipes (cooking) one year; “Birds and Blooms” (backyard birding and gardening) one year; Essence (African-American women’s culture and beauty) one year; Esquire (men’s culture and politics) one year; Family Circle (family/cooking) one year; Field and Stream (hunting/fishing) one year; Good Housekeeping (family/cooking) 1 year; Martha Stewart Living (household decorating) one year; Motor Trend (vehicles) one year; New Yorker (arts and culture) three months, 12 weekly issues; O, The Oprah Magazine (lifestyle and culture) six months; Out/The Advocate (gay culture, politics and fashion) two LGBT magazines in one, one year; Popular Mechanics (auto/home how to/DIY plus in depth explanations of how things work) one year; Strong (women’s fitness) one year; Time (news) one year, 52 weekly issues; Wired (technology and culture) one year.
Magazines — Large print: Guideposts (religious) one year;
Books — Audio: “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House” by Michael Wolff (just published) listen on smart phone or computer.
Books — Children: Currently all of Tomie DePaola’s “Oliver Button is a Sissy” are spoken for. More will be ordered if there is interest. Inspired by the childhood of the classic “Strega Nona” author, this book is available to individuals, homeschool groups, daycares and libraries. Highly recommended.
Books — Used: Romantic westerns by various authors
Newspapers — Digital: “New York Times” (news, arts and culture) one month subscription, includes daily mini-crossword puzzles but not the Sunday crossword puzzle.
DVDs — All of the “Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race and America” DVDs are currently spoken for. If there is interest, more will be ordered. This is a very interesting movie about the Grammy winning African-American musician who accidentally developed a strange sideline — making friends with members of the KKK. What happens next will keep you watching. Highly recommended. Available to individuals, groups and libraries.
Donations — If individuals or groups have any used copies of “Oliver Button” or “Accidental Courtesy” (or would like to purchase one for donation to a library or another group or individual), they can contact Appalachia North, which also accepts Women of NASA Legos for library playgroups, homeschoolers or individual families.
Call 207-491-3672 to leave name, number and the name of the magazine or book you’re interested in. Callers may also leave a message if they have materials or a subscription to donate. Additionally, Appalachia North is often interested in partnering with individuals or groups with ideas for projects fitting their motto — “Teeny, tiny projects that teach, transform or tickle you pink.”
