Author Miriam Colwell to visit UMaine’s Fogler Library
Contact: Gretchen Gfeller, Web and Public Relations Specialist, Raymond H. Fogler Library, 207-581-1696
ORONO – Maine author Miriam Colwell, who turns 90 in July, has spent more than half her life wondering if her fourth novel, “Contentment Cove,” would ever see the light of day. This and other topics will be part of the discussion when Colwell visits UMaine’s Fogler Library this summer for a reading and book signing. Colwell’s visit will be held in the Thomas Lynch University Club at Fogler Library on Wednesday, Aug. 1 from 2-3 p.m.
Miriam Colwell was born in 1917 and raised by her grandparents when her mother died and her father fell ill with tuberculosis. She lived in the tranquility of Prospect Harbor until being shepherded into an exciting life in the arts through her companionship with painter, sculptor and writer Chenoweth Hall.
The two met when Hall, who was living in New York at the time, came to Maine to visit friends. An acquaintance of Colwell’s introduced the two, and they became committed companions until Hall’s death in 1999. Colwell wrote “Contentment Cove” back in the 1950s. The books tells the story of what happens to an isolated Down East community when the influx of summer residents and new residents forever alters the lives of the natives and the character of the village — a topic that remains as relevant today as when the book was written.
“The more things change, the more they remain the same,” she said, reciting a line from her book. “It was a long time ago, but certainly when I wrote it, it illustrated the changing demographic on the coast of Maine. And it seems that issue remains timely and topical still today.”
Copies of the book will be on sale at the event. Miriam Colwell’s reading is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.