The Mechanics' Hall Casco Bay Writers Group will share original stories that are lively, heartfelt, and deeply human. Please join us to share the joy of storytelling at this very special salon-style event.

Participating writers include:

Susan Landry

James Wright

Joan Barker

David Body

Tess Childs Page

John Driscoll

Witold Fitz-Simon

Daphne Gregory-Thomas

Elizabeth Miller

Meredith Turner Anton

Leska Tomash

Shirley Willis

Thursday, September 18 at 6:00 PM (doors 5:30 PM), approximately 90 minutes.

ABOUT THE CASCO BAY WRITERS GROUP

The original Casco Bay Writers Project was founded by John Brogan, a devoted English teacher for 40 years in New Hampshire and Maine. He was a firm believer that everyone had an interesting story to tell and the importance of memorializing it on the page. Meetings were held at the Freeport Y. Susan T. Landry, a writer and editor by trade, was drawn to John’s wit and humor and joined the group in 2013. Her husband, James Wright, joined the group in 2016. Group format included each member reading work aloud, with other writers offering reflections and feedback. With the onset of COVID, the YMCA was closed and members met sporadically in homes. Once things began to open up in 2021, Susan began searching for a new meeting venue. She learned about Mechanics’ Hall and fell in love with the architecture and legacy. When she pitched the folks at MH about hosting a weekly writers group, they were enthusiastic. John Brogan supported the move and signed on with Susan to create The Mechanics' Hall Casco Bay Writers Group, still meeting every Thursday since. John Brogan passed in 2023, leaving a vibrant legacy group of writers to continue his good work. Fellow founding members Susan Landry and James Wright continue to lead the group. Work produced by members has been published in literary journals and magazines, transformed into published books, and received various awards and prizes on the state and national level.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

The Greater Portland Metro’s Congress & Casco Street Stop is directly in front of our building, served by routes 1, 7, 8, and 9B.

Parking is available at the Arts District Garage, which has entrances on Casco and Brown Street, with a rate of $5 per hour. Metered street parking is available on Congress, Casco, Cumberland, Free Street, and other nearby streets. Free hourly street parking is available between Parris and Alder Street.

ACCESSIBILITY

To enter our building, patrons will need to navigate a single step. There is a wheelchair-accessible elevator and a ramp available upon request.

If you need accessibility accommodations/questions please contact us at programming@mainemechanics.org or 207-773-8396.