Editor’s note: A previous posting of this press release erroneously said that Thomaston’s Jack Elliot served in WWI. In fact, he served in Vietnam and was honored posthumously by the United States Navy. Said the apologetic writer of the press release, “Heroism in any era needs to be honored, cherished, and memorialized for both the hero's family and friends and even more importantly for a grateful nation.”
THOMASTON — Historic Watts Hall in Downtown Thomaston is the site of Irene Drago’s author’s remarks and book launch, Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. Drago, Bath resident and author of three books about Maine, has centered her latest story, Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers, in Thomaston during its ship building period between 1865 and 1924.
This seafaring story is inspired by and based on the letters and papers of the Elliot/Dunn sail making families and leaders in Thomaston’s sailing heyday.
Although a work of historical fiction, the book is grounded in extensive research using the letters and papers of two of Thomaston’s prominent sail and ship building families, the Elliots and the Dunns, provided by Elliot descendant Ida Elliot Clark, as well as records from the Thomaston Historical Society.
Peggy McCrea, Thomaston’s town historian also provided materials and expertise to make sure that names and places and events within the fictional framework are historically accurate.
Although many books use Maine as the setting for stories, Thomaston and nearby communities are in the spotlight in Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers. Readers can locate homes and streets from the book that are easily spotted driving or walking through Historic Thomaston.
Drago also brings the story forward into the 20th century to share the continuing impact of the Elliot/Dunn clan.
The U.S. Navy recently decommissioned the USS Elliot named in honor of Jack Elliot, a Vietnam war hero.
Through these generational connections, Drago continues to remind us that history “is, not was” and that we are all surrounded by the efforts of and custodians for the dreams of those who come before us.
“Through these generational connections, Drago continues to remind us that history ‘is, not was’ and that we are all surrounded by the efforts of and custodians for the dreams of those who come before us,” said a news release.
Before moving to Maine, Drago worked for the Defense Department as a Russian analyst, earned a master’s of arts in Spanish language and literature, and taught at the high school and college level.
Her previous books are Daughters of Long Reach and The Maine Point. Drago is the recipient of a Next Generation Indie Book Award and a Spirit of Bath Award.
Author’s Remarks begin at 2 p.m., followed by refreshments and book signing.
This is a free event sponsored by Charlie and Susan Grover and hosted by the Cushing Public Library, members of the Elliot family, the General Henry Knox Museum, the Thomaston Historical Society, the Thomaston Public Library, Watts Hall Community Arts, and the Watts Hall Community Players.
