UMaine Bookstore to Celebrate Homecoming with ‘Alumni Author Day’ October 14

For this year’s UMaine homecoming, the University Bookstore will host five UMaine alumni authors to meet members of the public and sign copies of their latest books on Friday, Oct. 14.

“We’re very excited to have these distinguished alumni come back to campus,” says University Bookstore Director Dick Young. “It’s great for the UMaine community to see how well some of our graduates have done not only with their writing, but professional careers as well.”

The authors are:

Dr. Peter Cummings, (’97) The Neuropathology of Zombies, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cummings is a medical examiner board certified in anatomic, forensic and neuropathology. He is originally from Maine and currently lives outside of Boston with his wife, son and two dogs. Cummings has also written a textbook, The Atlas of Forensic Histopathology, but the novel The Neuropathology of Zombies is his first work of fiction.

Sandra Caron (’79, ’82G) and J. Michael Hodgson (’79, ’82G) Tackling Football: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding the College Game, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Caron is professor of family relations and human sexuality at UMaine. She has been involved both professionally and personally in college athletics, but has loved the college football game for more than three decades. Hodgson utilized his 30-plus years of college football experience as player and coach to co-write this comprehensive and fun guide with Caron.

Lynn Plourde (’77, ’78G) Only Cows Allowed!, 12-2 p.m.
Ever since she can remember, Plourde has loved words and reading. She thinks that being a children’s book author is the best job in the world. She has written more than 20 books for kids, including Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and Wild Child, an ABA Pick of the Lists. She lives in Winthrop with her family.

Lisa Turner (’85) The Eat Local Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes from a Maine Farm, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Turner owns Laughing Stock Farm in Freeport with her husband Ralph. Now in their 15th year of farming, they manage more than 10 acres of certified organic vegetables and five greenhouses, which they heat in the winter with used cooking oil. They sell produce to 18 restaurants from Freeport to Wells. An avid home cook, Turner wrote The Eat Local Cookbook to help folks use the four seasons of vegetables they purchase through a CSA or farmers’ market.

In addition, the Bookstore will unveil the 2011 Holiday Ornament at about 2 p.m. Each year, proceeds from the UMaine-themed ornament are donated to a selected student community-service organization, a tradition that began in 2003. All are welcome to join; light refreshments will be served.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Thomas Diaz, marketing coordinator for University of Maine Auxiliary Services, at (207) 581-4350 or email thomas.diaz@maine.edu.

Contact: Thomas Diaz, UMaine Auxiliary Services, (207) 581-4350