The interior of the "Elegant Ride" during the operating years
of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (1914-1933). The original
six, high-speed, luxury interurban coaches were all named after
the favorite flowers of the intrepid builder of the "Finest and Fastest
Electric Railroad in All New England", W. S. Libbey. This is the
interior of one of the Laconia Car Company-built interurbans.
The Wason Company-built interurbans were only slightly
different. Those differences were merely cosmetic variations.
No. 14, Narcissus, is a Laconia-built interurban that is
currently undergoing restoration at Seashore Trolley Museum
in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Click Here for Lesson Plans for grades 3-8
Click Here for the OnlineBookClub.org review by J.Gideon 12-13-2019
Official Review: Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jgideon>> 13 Dec 2019 0:3:51
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride" by Jean M. Flahive]
Millie was seven years old when the Narcissus made its way to her hometown, Gray. With the words of a fortuneteller ringing in her mind, she ran as fast as she could towards the electric trolley (Narcissus). There, inside the trolley, looking at her and gladly accepting her bouquet of handpicked sweet peas, was Theodore Roosevelt, whom she fondly called Mr. Teddy.
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by Jean M. Flahive is a historical fiction book for young readers. It follows the life of a young girl, Millie, who was raised on a rural farm in Maine and witnessed the arrival of electric trolleys in her hometown. Her fascination with Mr. Teddy drove her to do things that ordinary farm girls would not do. Her story is spread within the twenty-seven chapters of the novel.
I loved reading this book. Flahive picked a significant historical event and turned it into a beautiful story that any young reader would appreciate. I loved the boldness of "spitfire" Millie and how her parents, Henry and Lillian, supported her to do the things that she loved. For instance, they allowed her to join Camp Fire Girls, which allowed young girls to support the American army during WWI.
The themes that the author brought out in this novel were unique to the given period: 1911-1920. Flahive managed to paint a clear picture of the effect of the war on families, the Spanish flu epidemic, the means of transport and communication during that time, the impact of Theodore Roosevelt on the lives of young people, and women's suffrage. Undoubtedly, young readers will learn a lot about the kind of life that people lived during that time. If I hadn't read this book, I would have never known that Roosevelt's mentor was such a simple man with a big heart.
I loved the writing style employed by Flahive in this novel. The interchange of scenes between the life of young Millie growing up on the Thayer farm and the 96-year-old Millie relating her life experiences to Phil when they visited the Seashore Trolley Museum in Maine was such a brilliant feature of the narrative in the novel. The age difference (of the same character) in the two scenarios helped to bring out the rich history of the period covered in the novel (1911-1920).
The book seemed to be professionally edited. I give it a perfect score: 4 out of 4 stars. This is such a fascinating read. Thus, I could not give it a lower rating. I recommend it to all readers, especially young adults, who enjoy novels in the historical fiction genre.
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores:
Androscoggin Historical Society, Lewiston
Eliot Historical Society, Eliot
Gray Historical Society, Gray
Kennebec Historical Society, Augusta
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Print: A Bookstore, Portland
Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Welshpool, NB, Canada
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Winthrop Maine Historical Society, Winthrop
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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