Events

New Course

Our History Matters: Finding and Telling Family Stories

Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., for 6 weeks starting November 3, 2026
Midcoast Senior College Learning Center, Brunswick, Maine

Barbara Kent Lawrence, Author. 6-week in-person course, Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., starting November 3, 2026. Midcoast Senior College, Brunswick, Maine. Barbara Kent Lawrence. 6-week in-person course, Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., starting November 3, 2026. As many writers have suggested, if we don’t know our history, we are likely to repeat it. Barbara Tuchman adds that the way to teach history is through stories. We will explore ways to tell our stories using illustrations of methods, sources, and resources from research about my British family during World War II as well as stories students share. In each class, we will explore ways to research our family stories using multiple paths and methods, including discussion of brief presentations by the instructor, in-class practice in varying strategies for research, and analysis of documents and other sources. Students will adapt these to telling a portion of their own family history in any period. In addition, there will be suggestions for voluntary work outside of class leading to a draft of a family story. For more information, please visit midcoastseniorcollege.org.

For course details and registration, visit Midcoast Senior College.

OUR HISTORY MATTERS

Please join authors Jack Montgomery and Barbara Kent Lawrence for an evening of memorable and important stories from people who experienced World War II on the battle and home fronts.

Through portraits and firsthand narratives, Jack Montgomery’s beautifully illustrated new book From the Holocaust to Maine: Testimonies of the Survivors brings to light the lives of Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives in Maine. Most of these 21 remarkable people were children during the dark years of fascism in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, making their stories deeply poignant and memorable.

In Both Sides of the Pond, My Family’s War: 1933–1946, Barbara Kent Lawrence tells the stories of her British mother actress Barbara Greene and uncle Kent in a powerfully revealing personal portrait of World War II. “This is a story of war, but also of artistry, ambition, heartbreak, duty, and the enduring strength of family…that stays with you long after you have closed the book.” (Goodreads Community Review)

Barbara and Jack will introduce their books, discuss ways in which their work weaves together, and answer questions from the audience.

DATE: July 8, 2026
TIME: 6:00 pm
PLACE: United Unitarian Church of Brunswick, 1 Middle Street, Brunswick.

This event is free to the public.

Please share this flyer with friends. View / download the event flyer (PDF).

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June 20, 2026 – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Portland Signing for "Both Sides of the Pond" with Barbara Kent Lawrence
In-Person Event
July 8, 2026 – 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Author Talk and Discussion
Jack Montgomery, author of From the Holocaust to Maine: Testimonies of Survivors, and Barbara Kent Lawrence, author of Both Sides of the Pond, My Family's War: 1933 – 1946, will discuss their books and ways in which they converge.
Unitarian Universalist Church
1 Middle Street, Brunswick, ME
In-Person Event
September 14, 2026
Thornton Oaks Retirement Community Book Clubs
Barbara will meet with members of their two book clubs that have chosen to read Both Sides of the Pond, My Family's War: 1933-1946.
Thornton Oaks Retirement Community
Brunswick, Maine
In-Person Event
October 27, 2026 – 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Author Talk: Mysteries and Discoveries
Southwest Harbor Public Library
338 Main Street, Southwest Harbor, Maine
207-244-7065
In-Person Event
November 3, 2026 – 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Our History Matters: Finding and Telling Family Stories
A 6-week, in-person course taught by Barbara Kent Lawrence at Midcoast Senior College. Classes meet Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 AM, starting November 3.
Midcoast Senior College Learning Center
14 Middle Street, Brunswick, ME
Course details and registration
In-Person Course
Date TBD
Author Talk and Discussion
The Wright Museum of World War II
Wolfeboro, NH
Date TBD
The Potomac School
McLean, Virginia
March 4, 2026
THE COFFEE POT BOOK CLUB UK
THE COFFEE POT BOOK CLUB in the United Kingdom will host a Blog Tour for Both Sides of the Pond, My Family's War: 1933-1946. https://www.thecoffeepotbookclub.com/
In-Person Event
April 2, 2026 at 2:00pm
Both Sides of the Pond, My Family's War: 1933-1946 — DISCOVERIES and MYSTERIES
The Merrymeeting Room at Thornton Oaks Retirement Community
25 Thornton Way, Brunswick, ME
207-373-4885
In-Person Event
April 29, 2026 – 5:30 PM
Northeast Harbor Library
1 Joy Road, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
Phone: 207-276-3333
In-Person Event
May 7, 2026
Author Talk and Discussion
Jesup Memorial Library
34 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor, ME
Author Talk May 7, 2026 at the Jesup Memorial Library, Bar Harbor, Maine
In-Person Event
June 11, 2026 – 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Camden Public Library
Book Talk: Both Sides of the Pond: My Family's War, 1933-1946 with Barbara Kent Lawrence.
Camden Public Library welcomes author Barbara Kent Lawrence to speak about her recent book in the Picker Room.
55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843
Phone: 207-236-3440
RSVP now!
In-Person Event
Late Winter–Early Spring 2026
Write Now! TV Interview Broadcast
November 19, 2025 Barbara filmed an interview with Gayle C. Heney for her show Write Now on HC Media, formally Haverhill Community TV. The program will air in late winter or early spring 2026.
HC Media • Haverhill, Massachusetts
October 3, 2025 – 11:00 AM
Friday Exploration Read-Aloud with thespian Joseph Coté
Joseph will read from Both Sides of the Pond, My Family's War: 1933 – 1936 during his weekly online show from Camden Public Library.
November 4, 2025
Rockport Public Library
1 Limerock Street, Rockport, ME 04856
Phone: 207-236-3642
In-Person Event
December 15, 2025 – 6:00 PM
Local Author Spotlight
23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011
Phone: 207-725-5242
Curtis Memorial Library