Theodore Roosevelt leaning out of the train doorway of the
Portland-Lewiston Interurban no. 14, Narcissus, as he
addresses the gathered townsfolk in Gray, Maine on August
18, 1914. Roosevelt had experienced something special
as he and the Narcissus were approaching the Gray station
moments earlier. Image courtesy Gray Historical Society
One year ago, I was very happy to release a blog post announcing that award-winning Maine author, Jean M. Flahive, had agreed to write a young reader's historical fiction chapter book that would benefit the Narcissus Project. I am now, very happy to report, that the book, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride, will be released this fall! Below is the 'teaser' for the book and some feedback from two who read the manuscript just before it was submitted to Maine Authors Publishing in Thomaston, Maine, to be professionally edited. For an autographed copy of Jean's book in time for distribution as a holiday gift; advance mail orders of the new book received by the Museum Store of Seashore Trolley Museum, before November 15, 2019, will receive an autographed copy of the new book, signed by Jean M. Flahive. So, stay tuned for details on the release date, pricing, etc., in the coming weeks.
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
In 1911, young Millie Thayer is witnesses to the building of a rail line passing through the back pasture of her family's farm in Gray, Maine. Electric trolleys that will run from Portland to Lewiston capture Millie's imagination and dreams of faraway places. A chance encounter with a fortune-teller who sees Millie's future sets Millie on a path that intersects with former president Theodore Roosevelt and his trolley ride on the new Narcissus as it passes through her town. Millie's fascination with 'Mr. Teddy" and her childhood fantasies guide her actions for the next few years. Ultimately Millie is faced with one of life's harsh realities that cast a shadow on her dreams. In a moving twist, her answer comes in an unexpected place.
"...Jean Flahive expertly rolls back the years, bringing us back to the arrival of interurban rail in small-town Maine. These 'electric traveling machines' change young Millie's life forever..."
"...the story of their friendship is beautifully woven into the touching story of the girl..."
Donna Davidge; great-granddaughter of William W. Sewall - Sewall House, Island Falls, Maine, referring to Theodore Roosevelt and William Sewall.
"Jean M. Flahive skillfully describes the arrival of the interurban trolleys in Maine and how they changed both the landscape and lives of Mainers forever. Her captivating characters meet at the crossroads of progress and politics, taking the reader on a journey of anticipation, wonder, and the reality of a changing world."
Marie Dostie; Consulting Teacher, Gifted Education, Auburn Middle School, Auburn, Maine
"Flahive's book explores a lesser-known episode from the later life of Theodore Roosevelt; she imbues the story, told from her perspective of a young girl growing up at the turn of the century, with humor and heart."
Heather G. Cole; Curator, Literary & Popular Culture Collections at John Hay Library, Brown University
General comments: "An interesting juxtaposition of a "present-day" interview and a fictional account of the interviewee's childhood, all related to an encounter with Teddy Roosevelt on a Maine trolley car. Though written for children in the middle grades (perhaps ages 9 through 12), it can be enjoyed by older kids and adults, as well."
Title & Concept: "Title and concept are great and I like the "challenge" of the time shift between the interview and Millie's fictionalized childhood, especially for a kids' book at this level."
Editorial Evaluation of Manuscript Comments on Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride.
Jean and I are very pleased to be working with Maine artist, Amy J. Gagnon, from Mount Desert Island. Amy, like Jean, was referred to me by Maine Authors Publishing. Amy is now working on the cover illustration and twenty-eight individual sketches for the book. One of the different sketches will be at the top of the page of each new chapter in the book and one will be on the top of the first page of the epilogue. Click on Amy's name above to see her Google home page where there are links to her Twitter and Instagram pages.
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We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
Click Here: Donation Options
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
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