Editor’s note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Public Library highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by their staff.
Bruce Irving loves New England and proof is in his latest book, “New England Icons” with pictures by Greg Premru. Covering all New England, Irving’s essays with subtle humor take in 24 areas of life we who live here take for granted. He builds upon the history of these icons to describe the uniqueness and beauty and sometimes the usefulness of these areas without becoming mushy.
Take stone walls and how they grew and still grow in certain fields. Grand Hotels: why they were even built, and what caused their demise, and the few which are restored. Why the popular band concerts in Houlton have counterparts throughout the area as parts of the Village Green. And how many of us remember the ice houses? (The 165-year tradition trumpted in Bristol, Maine’s Thompson Ice Harvesting Museum.)
Photography throughout is outstanding, yet it would be interesting to know where some of the pictures were taken, such as the armory which resembles a fortified castle. Also included are forests, church steeples, fireplaces and a neat description of cedar shingle making.
Take a peek; this isn’t a large book and discover how many icons we have in Aroostook County.
The Cary Public Library is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.
