BELGRADE — The Belgrade Public Library, 124 Depot Road, will hold two programs in early August featuring authors and their books.
Well-known weatherman Kevin Mannix and social worker wife Linda Rota will share their life experiences, lessons, struggles and feelings of shame and the stigmas they felt resulting from growing up in households struggling with alcoholism, severe depression and suicide Wednesday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In their book, “Weathering Shame,” the authors’ goal is for readers to benefit from their struggles, to raise awareness and to be inspired and encouraged enough by their personal stories to embark on their own journeys of self discovery, recovery or awareness. Mannix and Rota undertook this mission in an effort to lead society farther down a path of reducing shame and stigma.
The following week, Mac Smith, author of “Mainers on the Titanic,” will speak about his latest book “Mainers on the Titanic,” tracing the stories of passengers with ties to Main and traveling on that ill-fated ship. Many were wealthy summer visitors to Mount Desert Island, but there were numerous other residents of the state aboard as well.
Their tales are retold in a lively way, along with the tragedy-related events in the state at that time. Meticulously researched, this book reveals the agonizing day-to-day wait of Mainers for news of what really happened to their loved ones on board. It relates the stories of Maine passengers, from their boarding to the sinking, rescue, and arrival back in this country; for those who did not survive, their final coming ashore in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The discussion about this unique and fascinating addition to the Titanic story and to Maine history will take place Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Books will be available for sale, and light refreshments will be served at both events, which are free and open to the public; for more information, call 207-495-3508.
