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Spooning Daisy – New Romance Novel based on our Seldovia!

| July 17, 2016 | 1 Comment
by Jenny Chissus

SPOONING-DAISY

Maggie contacted me about a brand new book she has written hoping that there would be plenty of “Seldovians” who would enjoy her fictional story set in ‘Otter Bite’, based on her experience here in Seldovia!   I had the opportunity to interview her regarding her new romance novel, and she has sent me two copies – one of which I have donated to the Seldovia Public Library!

Jenny:  You say that the fictional town of Otter Bite takes after your summers spent in Seldovia.  When did you spend time here, and what inspired you about our community to build a story set in this location?
Maggie: I was in Seldovia during the summers from 1986-2006, and then sporadically after that. I was living and working in Anchorage and my hubby (at the time) and I had a home on MacDonald Spit and a boat in the harbor. My ex still has that home and the “Maggie C” still has a slip in the harbor. I’m in Arizona now, but return to Anchorage every year. I was last in Seldovia in 2014 to scatter my mom’s ashes in Kachemak Bay. She was from Illinois but she loved Seldovia and she always looked forward to visiting. I mention Seldovia in the “acknowledgments” section of the book.
In regard to inspiration, what can I say? Some places you just love.  Seldovia is the quintessential Alaskan seaside village–mountains and ocean. Couple that with no road access, and you have a setting that is unique to those in the lower 48. Love the eagles and the gulls and the otters! Love the fishing boats and the small planes. LOVE the temperamental weather. Love the independent spirit of the residents. And there’s a nice mix of people, from “old-timers” to youngsters. I always felt very welcome, and loved to come into town for a latte or a bowl of chowder and a bit of shopping at the tribal store (wild blueberry jam!). When the Mad Fish restaurant was there, my favorite meal was salmon with mango chutney–which is why this is one of Daisy’s specialties. In general, Seldovia, aka Otter Bite, is a setting that offers many opportunities for plots.
I should mention, that the first part of Spooning Daisy is set on the Alaska ferry M/V Columbia. This book is the first in the series and we travel with Daisy as she makes her way to Otter Bite. So, I don’t want readers to start the book and say “Hey! This isn’t set in Otter Bite!” It is, but we have to get there so readers who aren’t familiar with Alaska can appreciate the journey.
Jenny:  Would readers recognize “Seldovia” in your story?
Maggie: Readers who are familiar with the area should recognize parts of Otter Bite that I’ve “borrowed” from Seldovia, like St. Nicholas RO church. The Otter Bite Mercantile was inspired by Susan Springer’s shop, and a few other businesses on “Main Street” come from Seldovia’s Main Street. I also mention some favorite Anchorage businesses–Moose’s Tooth and the Artique, plus a nod to Byron Birdsall whose art decorates my Arizona walls. And on page 140, I do mention Seldovia by name as a neighbor of Otter Bite.
Jenny:  Were any of your characters based on folks you knew here?
Maggie:  Not specifically. However, I do have a town horse in Otter Bite and I vaguely remember seeing a horse in Seldovia once. Maybe Seldovia residents can let me know if I was dreaming that or did someone in Seldovia once have a horse?
Jenny:  For someone who has never read your writing before, who is your main audience?
ANSWER:  This is a romance so typically my readers are women. Daisy and Max are in their late 30’s, early 40’s so my age group of readers tend to be 35-60. But, of course, I welcome all readers! And this is a romantic comedy so it’s fun with a happy ending.
Jenny:  I see you have another book coming in 2017 – Embracing Felicity – is it also set in “Otter Bite”?
Maggie: Yes, Embracing Felicity is set in Otter Bite and no travelling to get there! The main character, Felicity Ahrnaq is half Alutiiq and she lives on Bobrovie Spit (inspired by MacDonald Spit). In this book, we see a little more of the village and meet a few more of the residents. You can read about Felicity and find an excerpt from the book on my website MaggieMcConnellromance.com .
Jenny:  Is there any other info about your book you would like folks to know?
MaggieMaggie: There’s a story behind the story. Originally, I wrote Spooning Daisy as a single title (in publishing, that means only one–no sequel), but the publisher (Kensington) loved Otter Bite so much that they asked for two more with the same setting. Truth is, I’m hoping to write even more than that. But it all depends on how well this series of three is received. I would really love to be the “Dana Stabenow” of romance. Yes, that’s pretty lofty, but I love Otter Bite and want to share it with the world. I’m hoping “Seldovians” will help promote the book to friends and family AND to tourists. I’m a new author and it’s easy to get lost in the world of books. I could use a little help. A good review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads would be greatly appreciated. And MANY MANY THANKS to Jenny for this interview. I’m sending her two copies of Spooning Daisy to use as she thinks best. And thanks to Seldovia for some of the best memories of my life! Wouldn’t this be a great setting for a TV series?
Jenny:  I’ve always thought so – Seldovia is a magical place!  I’m looking forward to reading Spooning Daisy!  Thanks for sending the copies our way!  Best to you and the Otter Bite series!

Seldovia’s Labor Day Weekend Chainsaw Carving Competition

| August 10, 2015 | 0 Comments

by Jenny Chissus


Seldovia Hosts the Madison String Quartet

| August 6, 2015 | 2 Comments

by Tania Spurkland
Madison String Quartet 2015

Summer Solstice Festival Information

| June 19, 2015 | 0 Comments

FestivalFlier

LiveSolsticePerformances

Solstice Schedule Part 1

SummerSolsticeWeekendActivities

EnPleinAir

Friday Concerts About Town

| June 19, 2015 | 0 Comments

LiveSolsticePerformances

2015 Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival Program of Events

| June 13, 2015 | 0 Comments

by Margie McCord 

2015_SolsticePosterJoin us for the 14th annual Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival, held in a most beautiful setting where the eagles awaken you to another day to enjoy the snow-topped mountains as a backdrop. The blue, blue ocean bids you to watch for playful otters, and the sounds and scents coming from the shops and attractions ask you to explore the many nooks and crannies of our special town! Our walking map actually has listed over 101 things to do in Seldovia, so get going with the exciting Summer Solstice Music Festival always held over the longest weekend of the year! 

This year we are so pleased to present  as headliners for the Festival, the very innovative Inuit band Pamyua that has entertained all over Alaska and the world with their drum songs of native traditional music mixed with a fusion of Yupik dance. You will be amazed!

Adding to our first time in Seldovia headliners will be a great variety and mix of new-to-Seldovia artists as well as a reunion of past favorites we just haven’t heard enough of, including a poet! In addition, the 2nd annual “En Plein Air” event, featuring artists from around Alaska capturing the beauty of Seldovia scapes, will take place. A silent auction of their work will be held Sunday morning.

Thursday, June 18 

The festivities begin with the performers boarding the Seldovia Bay Ferry in Homer at 11:00 am for an hour ride of greeting and mixing it up with a jam session of favorite tunes to get everyone warmed up and in the spirit.  Any festival attendees are welcome to ride for a sneak preview of what’s to come and to enjoy the breathtaking view! 

The performers will be greeted by the Seldovia Arts Council members and host families who will take them to their housing before the fun begins! There will be time to stroll around to find the school and to check out the town before the “Meet and Greet” held at the Linwood Bar and Grill starting at 5:30 pm where you can catch an early dinner before attending the very popular OPEN MIC’ at the Susan B. English School with sign-ups at 7:30 pm and a start time of 8 pm. This is for the community members, visitors, or performers who would like to share a song, poem, story, or tune. This is always a fun, often a surprising opportunity to have a moment of stardom!

Friday, June 19

This year we are giving the community and visitors an opportunity to hear short “Samplers” from the performers of what’s to come at the Friday and Saturday evening concerts! There will be several places throughout town that will host the performers during the day; depending on the weather, they may find themselves on a sunny deck or playing in our new harbor pavilion! At noon be sure to drop by the Seldovia Village Tribe (a major Festival sponsor) at the Alaska Tribal Cache Building for the Tribe’s Annual Picnic and a chance to hear Pamyua play. 

Expect an intermission so you can scoop up a CD of your favorite performer(s), and visit the  commons for a delicious dessert and support the Children’s Fine Arts Camp!

  6:15
BRIAN SLOVER
  6:30
CLARK WHITNEY
  7:00
CHARMER’S DAUGHTERS
  7:30
HURRICANE DAVE
  8:00
PAMYUA
  8:45
intermission
  9:05
KEVIN WORRELL
  9:35
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
10:05
YNGVIL VATN GUTTU & ELENA LUKINA 

 

Saturday, June 20

Saturday always peps up our day with the popular YOGA hour (8:30 am) at the Seldovia Sea Otter Community Center followed by the favorite SONG CIRCLE at the Boardwalk Hotel deck (or tent) at 10:00 am with our musicians jamming and sharing tunes over lattes and/or breakfast. This is a lot of fun and all are welcome.

Saturday afternoon (1 -4 pm) is a favorite with the performers holding workshops for kids as well as the community and visitors. There will be several choices offered each hour including many “how-to” compose, teach, play, tune, drum or sing.  Pick and choose whatever looks fun and see how the artists inspire the love of their talents. In between all the happenings, there will be a chance to browse the shops, watch the boats come and go, or take a short walk or hike to our beaches or along the Otterbahn Trail which begins  next to the school. Don’t forget to periodically check out how our visiting artists with “En Plein Air” are doing creating their masterpieces throughout the town!

  6:15
KATHLEEN CLAIBORNE
  6:30
DAVID LYNN GRIMES
  7:00
SWING 49
  7:30
BETSY SCOTT
  8:00
PAMYUA
  8:45
intermission
  9:05
YNGVIL VATN GUTTU & ELENA LUKINA
  9:35
SHELBY & TIEG
10:05
NUTHER BROTHERS 

 

Sunday, June 21

Sunday brings to a close a very busy weekend but not before you get to view the work of our En Plen Air artists and then attend the very popular GOSPEL SING. We will end the fine arts portion of the celebration with an En Plen Air silent auction on Sunday, June 21st starting at 11:30 am until 1:30 pm with snacks and coffee available. The public viewing space at Seldovia’s new pavilion, located adjacent to the boat harbor, will be the place where all can view each artist’s work and where the auction will take place. The Gospel Sing will begin at 2:00 pm (location to be announced); bring your own instrument and/or voice to join along with the festival performers and the community. Song books will be provided. 

There is just enough time left to grab your personal belongings and an ice cream cone before saying good-bye to new and old friends and a memorable weekend of fun, song, and fond memories from a very special place by the sea! The Seldovia Bay Ferry departs at 4:30 pm. Thanks for coming and see you next year!!!

The entire festival passes are: adults $49, teens $16, and kids under 12 Free. Single night performances are: adults $25 and teens $8. Early bird festival passes (adults $39 and teens $15) are available locally at Thyme on the Boardwalk and Linwood Bar and Grill until 5 pm Wednesday, June 17th .

To read more about all the artists performing at this year’s festival – please visit the Arts Council’s site!