J.D. Irving, Limited supports northern Maine author

J.D. Irving, Limited will donate hundreds of copies of a local author's book to school libraries in Maine. The nonfiction book is titled Northeaster: A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952 and was written by Cathie Pelletier who was born and raised in Allagash, in northern Maine. 

It’s a gripping tale based on real-life events of residents who were caught off-guard by a northeaster that blanketed New England in the winter of 1952. It was a time of chaos, and Pelletier writes of acts of generosity, heroism, and humanism. 

She spent over two years writing the book and conferred often with family members of the principals in the story in order to get personal details. 

"To properly convey the words and thoughts of real people, I contacted their children, all now in their 70s and 80s. They answered the hundreds of questions I sent. I wanted them to be satisfied with how I presented their family members,” said Pelletier. 

This is the second time that J.D. Irving, Limited, which is a significant employer and landowner in northern Maine, has promoted Pelletier's work. Christmas in Allagash: The Early Years was published in 2009 by the Allagash Historical Society and was compiled and edited by Pelletier. J.D Irving, Limited bought hundreds of copies to donate to state libraries in celebration of an important document for the area's history.