Yarmouth Comprehensive Plan Presents Rooted Narratives March 15, 2024

Even as we look to the future with the plan update, we remember the past and how it shapes Yarmouth today. The next Plan Yarmouth companion event, Rooted Narratives, will feature live stories on the power of place and what it means to belong in a place too. What better venue to hear live stories than Yarmouth’s historic library, Merrill Memorial Library at 215 Main Street.
Rooted Narratives was held on the 3rd floor of the library with live music and snacks from Maggie Mae’s. Numerous local storytellers and performers were part of the event:
Host: Kymberly Dakin-Neal
Local author, performer, and winner of the national Audie Award for Narration
Live Music: Music With Friends
A musical collaboration from Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee member, John Auble, and friends.
Keynote Reader: Abdi Nor Iftin
Selected Readers:
Edward E. Ainsworth
Jennifer Dupree
Elisha Emerson
Gro Flatebo
Daphne Gregory-Thomas
We gratefully acknowledge the community effort to bring this Plan Yarmouth companion event to fruition: the brave writers who submitted, the library for hosting us, and the volunteer panel of local writers, teachers, professionals, and performers, who reviewed the submissions:
Abdi Nor Iftin, award-winning author and performer
Ann Swardlick, Yarmouth Arts Alliance volunteer and communications professional
Betsy Puelle, theater director and drama teacher at Yarmouth High School
Charlotte Agell, author/illustrator and a recent teacher at Yarmouth’s Harrison Middle School
Chris Sullivan, Executive Director of the Royal River Community Players
Islandport Press, an award-winning publisher dedicated to stories rooted in Maine and New England