Summer programs in Dexter

    DEXTER — The Abbott Memorial Library and the Dexter Historical Society have teamed up to present a number of summer programs. On Thursday July 31 the two will have a presentation “An Evening With the Dexter/Newport Railroad” by Leonard Wallace at the Abbott Museum on Church Street starting with an open house at 6 p.m.

    For over a year Wallace has been researching the history of the railroad that came to Dexter in 1868. The coming of the railroad from Newport was a major historic event in the commercial development of the town.
    Wallace has created a large model taking up the space of a dining room table. Using over two dozen wooden models, he pinpoints the location of the important buildings in the depot. Today there is hardly a trace of this once huge railroad depot that had covered many acres at the corner of Liberty Street and Railroad Avenue. Gone are the ticket office, water tower, turntable, train sheds, repair sheds and cargo warehouses that extended 350 feet in length along Railroad Avenue. Here were stored Dexter’s many products, ready to be shipped all around the world. 
    On Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Abbott Museum. Molly Graham, oral historian and associate director of Oral History and Folklore Research at Rutgers University will discuss preserving stories, recollections and voices of local people and events. Topics to be covered will be setting up an oral history project, equipment needed and interviewing skills. 
    A Cruize-In is scheduled on Aug. 9 in the Dexter municipal parking lot with food, music and prizes. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Antique autos and street rods will be exhibited and the Grist Mill Museum will be open throughout the evening. All proceeds go to the historical society.
    On Aug. 22, Wendall Kinney, Maine humorist, will make a presentation about his growing up on a dairy farm on the Crawford Road, at 6 p.m. at the Abbott Museum.. Now a resident of Brunswick, he has written poetry and a book of short stories. He is presently out with a new CD called “The Bull And I, Maine Humor with a Twist”. All stories he tells are true but, “with a bit of blarney added for flavor.”