In celebration of literacy, the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) English faculty will once again facilitate a series of events designed to share a love for literature with people of all ages in the local area. The series of events will run Oct. 8-10, 2026.
Professor of English and Creative Writing Geraldine Cannon Becker will continue the Literacy Awareness Events of previous years by reading a book, “Feathers Not Just for Flying,” by Melissa Stewart, to first graders on Harry Potter Book Day, on Oct. 8. She will encourage students to keep their imaginations alive and provide them with bookmarks, stickers and coloring pages of feathers. Cannon Becker will honor the memory of Dolly Parton, a literacy advocate and founder of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, by sharing a feather she colored in many different colors.
“My father, who could not read, was my first inspiration, just as Dolly’s father, who was not a reader, inspired her to want to help others. They did this through their hard work and storytelling, or song telling. My mother also sewed our clothes, like Dolly’s mother did for her children. I have a great affinity for Dolly,” said Cannon Becker.
On Friday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m., the English faculty will read some of their recently published or written work in Blake Library, on the UMFK campus. They will also read selections of work written by others. Professor of English Dr. Joseph Becker said, “Just as in past years, anyone is welcome to attend and share work with us, too.”
In prior years, these readings took place later in October, and in keeping with the season, they would read seasonal “spooky tales” or poems such as Poe’s “The Raven.”
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the “Composition Series: LIFE Review” book launch will take place by invitation only for students who have published, and they have been encouraged to share their work. This book is available in the UMFK campus store and may be purchased at the Old Sylvain House Press online store.
Money from book sales goes toward helping students publish work in this series and helping them see their work in print. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Cannon Becker. “Students find value in interviewing others and in reflecting upon what has been shared.”
In addition to the October series, the public is invited to join the UMFK English faculty throughout the year at the Fort Kent Public Library on the third Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. for our Writers of the First Mile Community Writing Group.
Geraldine Cannon Becker is an active member of the board of directors and the advisory council of the international women’s literacy group, WE LEARN. She helps publish the annual journal of writing by adult basic learners, called “Women’s Perspectives.” This year, she has also published a few of her own poems in Bee the Change Foundation’s “The Work of Art” (April, Issue 1), and in “Double Speak Magazine” (July, Issue 22). A Different Kind of Nonfiction Book Club selected Cannon Becker as a featured author in July. Additionally, Geraldine Cannon Becker and Joseph Becker have edited and published another collection of student essays in “The Composition Series: LIFE Review, Volume Six” (August 2026).