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Bass Harbor Memorial Library

Celebrate our community with books!

Bass Harbor Memorial Library
89 Bernard Road, PO Box 99
Bernard, Maine 04612

Voice & Fax (207) 244-3798

Who Is Ruth Moore?

October 2, 2020 By Lisa Murray

Ruth Moore was born and raised on Gott’s Island in the early 1900’s. Ruth was a best selling author from the 1940’s and on (and even had a book made into a movie “Deep Waters.”) She was called “New England’s answer to Faulkner” and if you like reading honest stories about Maine people in an authentic voice, you won’t be able to resist her novels, ballads and poetry. The issues she wrote about still resonate today. Each year we aim to introduce the works of Ruth Moore to a wider audience, while providing insightful conversation and programming to enrich our understanding of her life and work.

Every year, around July 21, the Bass Harbor Memorial Library celebrates Tremont’s iconic bestselling author. We host an art show featuring work inspired by Moore’s writing, and host explore Ruth’s impact, history and legacy through programs such as author talks, panel discussions and theatre. In the past we have toured her home on Gott’s Island and her home in Bass Harbor.

 

Who Is Ruth Moore?

A Tremont native, born in 1903 and raised on Great Gott Island, Ruth Moore was an important Maine author of the twentieth century. She is best known for her honest portrayals of Maine people and evocative descriptions of the state. Moore was a significant literary figure on the national stage during her career. Her second novel Spoonhandle spent fourteen weeks on the New York Times bestseller list in the company of George Orwell, W. Somerset Maugham and Robert Penn Warren. In her time, Moore was hailed by critics as “New England’s only answer to Faulkner”.

Author, poet and essayist of over 25 novels, collections, short fiction and essays, including  The Weir (1943), Spoonhandle (1946), Candlemas Bay (1950), Speak to the Winds (1956), Cold As a Dog and the Wind Northeast (1958), The Tired Apple Tree (1990), When Foley Craddock Tore Off My Grandfather’s Thumb: The Collected Stories of Ruth Moore and Eleanor Mayo (2004)

The Bass Harbor Memorial Library has a large collection of Ruth Moore novels, poetry and essays for you to check out, and many new and used copies of select titles to purchase. Call 244-3798, or stop by the Library at 89 Bernard Rd in Bernard for more information.

Click the links below to start your exploration.

 

Resources

“Ruth Moore Remembered” by Harry Gatwick in Working Waterfront
A more personal, in-depth introduction to Moore as relayed by her friends and family.

“Homesick For That Place: Ruth Moore Writes About Maine” by Jennifer Craig
This excellent article explores Moore’s unique voice, why she was and still is, an important literary figure, and her impact on not only Maine authors, but the larger cannon of place and character driven novels.

“Ruth Moore: Maine Coast Writer” by Donald Mortland, Colby Quarterly
Article written about Moore in 1979, at a time when she was still actively writing and publishing. “There are several ruinous rocks to be skirted in writing about the Maine coast. One is the danger of being sentimental. Another is the tendency to be folksy. A third is the danger of falling into ruts made by previous writers that lead into folksy stories about quaint people with hearts of gold who speak a peculiar dialect, mourn about the past, and spend their lives dealing with trivia over which the author makes them triumphant in some minuscule way. Ruth Moore avoids all of these.”

“A Literary Refuge: Ruth Moore and Eleanor Mayo” by Sven Davvison
Explores Ruth Moore and Eleanor Mayo’s history and life together in Maine and beyond, as partners and as authors in their own right.

Description of Ruth Moore and Eleanor Mayo’s home in Bass Harbor

Ruth Moore collection, 1917-1995 at UNE’s Maine Women Writer’s Collection
A brief biography with links to a catalog of UNE’s entire Ruth Moore collection

Tremont Historical Society
The Tremont Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the towns of Tremont, Southwest Harbor, and the adjacent islands. The Society achieves this mission by gathering, cataloging, and making available to the public historical materials such as genealogies and information on the growth and development of the towns, as well as historical artifacts. The are hosting a full schedule of programming in Summer 2020.

Penobscot Marine Museum’s Panel Discussion of “Maine Women Authors Of The 1950’s”
Cathleen Miller, Curator of the Maine Women Writers Collection at UNE, Melissa Hays, Ruth Moore Days organizers, Muriel Davisson and devotee Jane O’Rouke discuss how the novels of Mary Ellen Chase, Elisabeth Ogilive, Ruth Moore, Miriam Colwell and Louise Dickinson Rich provide different portraits of the people and the state of Maine.

‘The Ballad of the Night Charley Tended Weir’ by Ruth Moore, read by former US Senator Dennis Damon

Review of the Stonington Opera House’s 2018 production of “I Have Seen Horizons: Ruth Moore’s Stories from Maine.”
The 2018 production of vignettes was based on seven of Ruth Moore’s short stories and poems and adapted for the stage by director Meg Taintor.

Watch Deep Waters on Youtube
“A troubled young orphan boy in Maine is taken in by a family and befriended by a lobsterman who shows him the ways of the world. Starring Dana Andrews, Jean Peters, Dean Stockwell, Cesar Romero, Ann Revere.” The 1948 film adaptation of Ruth Moore’s “Spoonhandle”, filmed on Vinalhaven took great liberties with her writing, but it had a big Hollywood budget and big Hollywood stars. The entire movie is available for free on Youtube split into 4 episodes.

 

Art Show

In 2020, we asked local artists to submit artwork inspired by Ruth Moore, the people and places she wrote about, or a particular piece of writing. Click HERE to view the slideshow.

 

Ruth’s Writing

Frenchboro native Dean Lunt started Islandport Press 20 years ago and has taken over the task of republishing and distributing Ruth Moore’s books from Blackberry Press. The press plans to release two novels a year for three or four years, starting with The Weir, Candlemas Bay and Spoonhandle, currently available now. In 2021, the press will release Voices off the Ocean, a new collection of excerpts and poems intended as an introduction to Ruth Moore’s work.

All selections are reprinted here with permission from Blackberry Books. Copies can be purchased at Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick Maine or at Islandport Press. Select new and used copies may be purchased at the Library at 89 Bernard Rd. in Bernard. Call or stop by for titles in stock.

Sunday, July 19,2020:   Prologue  to Cold as a Dog and the Wind Northeast

Monday, July 20, 2020:     The Barricades—1940, from Times Web

Tuesday, July 21, 2020:     Come All Ye Murderers, All—1971, from Times Web

Wednesday, July 22, 2020: July, from The Tired Apple Tree

Thursday, July 23, 2020:     Blue Ice and Green Water, from The Tired Apple Tree

Friday, July 24, 2020:     Old Sam, from The Tired Apple Tree

Saturday, July 25, 2020:     Reference List, from The Tired Apple Tree

 
 

 

Photographs of Gotts Island

  • Tour of the Moore Homestead, 2018
  • Tour of the Moore Homestead, 2018
  • Tour of the Moore Homestead, 2018
  • The Meadow
  • Tour of the Moore Homestead, 2018
  • Gotts Island Harbor
  • The Village road
  • Bass Harbor Head Light from the Meadow
  • The Meadow
  • The Village
  • Low tide in the harbor
  • The inner pool
  • Ram Island
  • The view of MDI
  • Rugosa Rose
  • Sunset at the cemetery
  • Meadow view of MDI
  • Village sign
  • The village and the cemetery
  • Storms on the east side of the island
  • The “box on the rocks”
  • Calico Rock looking out at MDI
  • Moon rising over Ram Island
  • The dock
All photos courtesy of Lisa and David Murray

Filed Under: Online Events/ Galleries, Reference Room Tagged With: ballads, Maine, Maine art, Maine Women Writer, Poetry, Tremont

Sunday, July 19,2020: Prologue to Cold as a Dog and the Wind Northeast

July 20, 2020 By Lisa Murray

From “Cold as a Dog and the Wind Northeast, Ballads by Ruth Moore,” Blackberry Books, Nobleboro, Maine. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ballads, Cold as a Dog and the Wind Northeast, ruth moore

Library Hours

Tues:  10 AM – 5 PM
Wed: 10 AM – 5 PM
Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
Sat:   10 AM – 2 PM

Calendar

June 2022

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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  • Introduction to Goog…

    Introduction to Google Drive and Google Docs- 3 class series

    June 2, 2022  5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
    Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Rd, Bernard, ME 04612, USA

    Learn how to use Google's free cloud-based apps to create and store files online. This is a three-week class meeting June 2, 9 & 16.  This is an in-person, onsite class at the Library. Registration is required.
    Reserve Your Spot

    See more details

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  • Trustee Meeting

    Trustee Meeting

    June 8, 2022  5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

    TOWN OF TREMONT 

    Bass Harbor Memorial Library 

    Meeting of the Trustees–June 8, 2022 – 5:00 PM 

    This meeting will be held via Zoom at the following link: 

    https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/8082395867?pwd=VmFvMGVqekNmY3lsL3ZLbF hnU1gwZz09 

    Meeting ID: 808 239 5867 Passcode: m00re 

    Or Call: 13126266799,,8082395867# 

    1. Call to order 

    2. Roll Call 

    Excused Absences: 

    3. Review Minutes of the May 11 meeting 

    4. Library Director’s Report 

    5. Treasurer’s Report 

    6. Committee Reports: Buildings and Grounds 

    7. Discussion Items: 

    a. Welcome to Becky Keefe, Trustee 

    b. Memorial for Paul Hinton 

    b. Board Development/Strategic Plan 

    8. Executive Session to Discuss Personnel Matters 

    9. Adjournment to July 11, 2022

    See more details

•
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  • Introduction to Goog…

    Introduction to Google Drive and Google Docs- 3 class series

    June 9, 2022  5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
    Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Rd, Bernard, ME 04612, USA

    Learn how to use Google's free cloud-based apps to create and store files online. This is a three-week class meeting June 2, 9 & 16.  This is an in-person, onsite class at the Library. Registration is required.
    Reserve Your Spot

    See more details

•
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  • MacOS Basics

    MacOS Basics

    June 14, 2022  6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

    This 3-session class course will cover the basics of how to use Apple’s operating system which works on Apple’s popular line of laptops and desktops. This class starts with the basic functions of the MacOS operating system and how to navigate through folders, files, and menus. Organizing, moving, and saving files will be covered too.
    This is a series of 3 sessions.
    June 14 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    June 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    June 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    This free, in-person digital literacy class is taught virtually by an instructor from the National Digital Equity Center. Bring your own device, or reserve a library Mac desktop or laptop. Classes are free for all Maine residents and will be held at the library, 89 Bernard Rd Bernard, Maine. For help registering, or for more information, call the library at 207-244-3798.
    Registration is required at: https://digitalequitycenter.org/.../class/macos-basics/...

    See more details

•
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  • Introduction to Goog…

    Introduction to Google Drive and Google Docs- 3 class series

    June 16, 2022  5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
    Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Rd, Bernard, ME 04612, USA

    Learn how to use Google's free cloud-based apps to create and store files online. This is a three-week class meeting June 2, 9 & 16.  This is an in-person, onsite class at the Library. Registration is required.
    Reserve Your Spot

    See more details

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  • MacOS Basics

    MacOS Basics

    June 21, 2022  6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

    This 3-session class course will cover the basics of how to use Apple’s operating system which works on Apple’s popular line of laptops and desktops. This class starts with the basic functions of the MacOS operating system and how to navigate through folders, files, and menus. Organizing, moving, and saving files will be covered too.
    This is a series of 3 sessions.
    June 14 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    June 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    June 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    This free, in-person digital literacy class is taught virtually by an instructor from the National Digital Equity Center. Bring your own device, or reserve a library Mac desktop or laptop. Classes are free for all Maine residents and will be held at the library, 89 Bernard Rd Bernard, Maine. For help registering, or for more information, call the library at 207-244-3798.
    Registration is required at: https://digitalequitycenter.org/.../class/macos-basics/...

    See more details

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  • Westside Summer Gard…

    Westside Summer Garden Club

    June 25, 2022  10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Join the Westside Summer Garden Club! The Bass Harbor Memorial Library and the Bar Harbor Garden Club are offering a summer gardening program for ages 8-14, to foster a life-long interest in gardening and horticulture by providing a hands-on gardening experience to youth. The program runs from June to August and focuses on education and instruction in the areas of garden planning, cultivation, stewardship, harvesting, and conservation. 
    To register go to: https://forms.gle/TfhxKPKyAa6DmfuZ7
    Participants will be paired with a mentor from the Bar Harbor Garden club and participate in 3 Saturday morning gardening programs where they will learn about the gardening process from planning to harvest, then get their hands dirty preparing soil, designing a garden, planting seedlings, and tending and harvesting their crops. Club members will have access to a plot at the Kelley Farm where they will garden during the program and on their own time. 
    Program dates are on Saturdays from 10-noon: June 25, July 16, and August 20, 2022 with a harvest party in early September. (date TBD)
    The Westside Summer Garden Club is made possible with a generous donation from the Bar Harbor Garden Club.

    See more details

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  • MacOS Basics

    MacOS Basics

    June 28, 2022  6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

    This 3-session class course will cover the basics of how to use Apple’s operating system which works on Apple’s popular line of laptops and desktops. This class starts with the basic functions of the MacOS operating system and how to navigate through folders, files, and menus. Organizing, moving, and saving files will be covered too.
    This is a series of 3 sessions.
    June 14 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    June 21 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    June 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM
    This free, in-person digital literacy class is taught virtually by an instructor from the National Digital Equity Center. Bring your own device, or reserve a library Mac desktop or laptop. Classes are free for all Maine residents and will be held at the library, 89 Bernard Rd Bernard, Maine. For help registering, or for more information, call the library at 207-244-3798.
    Registration is required at: https://digitalequitycenter.org/.../class/macos-basics/...

    See more details

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Our Card Catalog

Bass Harbor Library Card Catalog
The Bass Harbor Memorial Library catalog is now on Evergreen. You can look up books and place holds with an account. Please call the Library at 207-244-3798 or email librarian@bassharborlibrary.com to request your card number and password.

Cloud Library: Download Audio & Ebooks

The new download library, CloudLibrary is up and running! Click HERE to borrow electronic materials.

Online Book Catalogs

  • Bass Harbor Memorial Library Catalog
  • Cloud Library
  • ComicsPlus
  • Digital Maine Library
  • Minerva Catalog- Interlibrary Loan

On Our Walls

July Exhibits

The Library will host two concurrent art exhibits in July 2022   July 1-30 Maria Charette and Janet Elvidge’s “Back to the Beach”  exhibit Reception June 30 from 5pm-6pm.   July 5-30 Ruth Moore Days: local artists drawing inspiration from Ruth’s original book cover artwork. Special private collection of original publication artwork from Ruth Moore’s… [read more]

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