Community College to recognize
Women’s History Month
PRESQUE ISLE — Northern Maine Community College will recognize the month of March as Women’s History Month by hosting two public events that celebrate the accomplishments of county women.
NORTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE will host Glenna Johnson Smith on campus in the Edmunds Conference Center on Tuesday, March 22 from noon-1 p.m. as part of Women’s History Month to talk about — and sign copies of — her book, “Old Maine Woman, Stories from the Coast to the County.”
On Thursday, March 17, Pam Sweetser, an adjunct instructor for NMCC, will be giving a lecture entitled, “The I’s of a Diary: Writing History From Personal Narrative.” The presentation contextualizes two sets of unpublished diaries written by mother and daughter, Adwina (Addie) O’Brien Richardson (1851-1941) and Amy Richardson Sweetser (1896-1958). Her research on these diaries has been published in a three-part series in “Echoes” magazine. The diaries capture the lives of two Aroostook County women.
An Aroostook County native, Pam Sweetser taught at Hampden Academy for over 30 years before returning to Presque Isle, where she then taught at Fort Fairfield High School for six years. Retiring from education, Sweetser spent her time farming with her husband, Wayne, and writing.
The diaries are in the possession of Addie Richardson’s great-grandchildren, Miriam Gregg, an NMCC instructor in the arts and sciences department, and Wayne Sweetser, Pam’s husband. Gregg’s daughter-in-law, Andrea, and Sweetser hope to eventually transcribe, edit and publish both sets of diaries to tell the lives of the two ordinary women of the potato empire frontier of Aroostook County.
“Pam Sweetser will share her research into the diaries of Addie O’Brien and discuss life as a rural school teacher in northern Maine,” said Gail Roy, NMCC assistant dean of learning resources, who is coordinating the Women’s History Month activities. “Pam makes history come alive, and her presentations are engaging and thoughtful.”
Sweetser’s presentation will take place on March 17 from 1-2 p.m. in the Edmunds Conference Center on the NMCC campus.
HEIDI JO SAMUEL will be on the Northern Maine Community College campus in the Edmunds Conference Center on Tuesday, March 22 from noon-1 p.m. to talk about her book, “Boutique Gourmet, Cooking With Heidi’s Tea Shop.” She will sign copies of the book, as well. The event is part of Women’s History Month.
The college will also be hosting a book signing on Tuesday, March 22 in the Edmunds Conference Center from noon-1 p.m. Two authors will be featured at the book signing — Glenna Johnson Smith (“Old Maine Woman, Stories from The Coast to The County”) and Heidi Jo Samuel (“Boutique Gourmet”).
“Glenna Johnson Smith will read from her new book ‘Old Maine Woman’ and share some of her favorite stories,” said Roy. “We have all enjoyed Glenna’s writings in ‘Echoes’ magazine and now they have been collected in her book.”
Smith is a longtime Presque Isle resident and columnist for “Echoes” magazine. Her humorous writing style brings the experience of her childhood on the coast of Maine in the 1920s and ‘30s through to modern day Aroostook County where she has resided for the past 60 years. The book, “Old Maine Woman,” includes some of the best of Smith’s “Echoes” columns and four of her best fiction pieces. Smith has been honored and recognized for her work and civic contributions, including being named Presque Isle Citizen of the Year and being awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Samuel is no stranger to the NMCC campus. Her daughter, Lindsay Estabrook, is a current student in the medical office administration program. Her book is dedicated to Lindsay as a family legacy. Samuel, raised in Caribou, received her education in culinary arts in South Portland. She is the founder of the gourmet restaurant, Heidi’s Tea Shop, formerly on Main Street in Presque Isle. Her passion is exploring the world of food and creative cooking. She resides in rural Maine with her husband, Greg, who is her editor-in chief.
“Heidi Samuel will talk about writing a cookbook, creating Heidi’s Tea Shop, and her work as a chef and businesswoman,” said Roy. “If you remember Heidi’s wonderful desserts and meals, you will want to see her new cookbook. It is filled with wonderful recipes, stories, and memories.
“In honor of Women’s History Month, we are happy to host these two events that highlight the talents and skills of three remarkable Maine women: Pam Sweetser, Glenna Johnson Smith and Heidi Samuel. We hope that community members will join us on campus for these events,” said Roy.
Both events are open to the campus community and the public. For more information, contact Gail Roy at 768-3724.
