A Short Biography
“A writer inspired by nature and human nature!”
Maine author/illustrator Bette A. Stevens is a retired teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of eight. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and childhood literacy and for monarch butterflies, an endangered species.
Stevens’s children’s activity book, THE TANGRAM ZOO and WORD PUZZLES TOO!, was first published in 1997 by Windswept House Publishing, Mt. Desert, ME; a second edition was self-published by the author in 2012. AMAZING MATILDA , Stevens’s second children’s book, self-published in 2012, won a 2013 Purple Dragonfly Book Award (Honorable Mention for Excellence in Children’s Literature – Ages 6 and older category) and placed #9 on The 2013 Gittle List TOP 10for Self-published Children’s Picture Books. Stevens has written articles for ECHOES, The Northern Maine Journal of Rural Culture based in Caribou, Maine. In 2013, the author published her first book for the YA/Adult audience: PURE TRASH, The story, a short story of a boy growing up in rural New England in a family whose poverty and alcoholism mark him as a target for bullying by young and old alike. This short story is a prequel to Stevens’s debut novel DOG BONE SOUP, A Boomer Boy’s Journey (KCT International Literary Award Top Finalist 2017/literary/historical fiction). Stevens’s first poetry and photography collection—MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons—released June 2019, celebrates the author’s love of The Pine Tree State and includes interesting facts and symbols from her beloved home state.
“My Maine by Bette Stevens captures Maine so well. This is a book that will satisfy everyone. Mainers will see so much of what they love around them while reading certain poems, while those who visit or have always wanted to, will discover something that pulls at them. The accompanying photographs are outstanding.” ~John Rogers Clark IV August 10, 2019
Bette A. Stevens advocates for children and families, childhood literacy & monarch butterflies.
From the Author
“I love to walk and enjoy nature’s beauty, whether at home or on the go. I’m passionate about the beauty in the world around me and enjoy jotting down notes and composing short poems. The coast is one of my favorite places to relax. I’m a nature collector: everything from seashells to birds’ nests. When I was teaching, these treasures filled my classroom and provided inspiration for reading, writing and research. It was hands-on fun and excitement and I enjoyed every moment spent learning with, from and about my students. One thing I learned is that many children don’t have an adult to read to them or listen to them read and have book discussions. Many of my posts will focus on how we can improve childhood literacy by reading to the children in our families and communities. My own childhood was filled with books and adults who shared and encouraged a love of reading. I’ve written some poetry and several short stories. I published DOG BONE SOUP, my first novel—a 1950s and 60s coming of age story—January 2015. On 4writersandreaders blog, I’ll post occasional reviews on favorite books. Meet the Author interviews will introduce you to some great authors and their latest books. I’ll also be sharing stories, poems and tips on reading and writing. I continue to advocate for children and childhood literacy and also for monarch butterflies (the only butterfly known to migrate) and milkweed (the only plant that monarch butterfly caterpillars will eat) restoration. Let’s have fun learning, living, sharing and loving literature together.” ~ Bette
- Find out more about Bette and her books at http://www.Amazon.com/author/betteastevens
- You’ll find Maine author/illustrator Bette A. Stevens & other Maine writers at Find Maine Writers http://find.mainewriters.org/writers/bette_a._stevens/
Follow Bette A. Stevens and find her books on YOUR AMAZON
Related articles
- Interview: RAVE WAVES SPOTLIGHT HONORS (June 2015) Bette discusses DOG BONE SOUP & AMAZING MATILDA http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub/2015/06/18/rrbc-rave-wave-spotlight-honors-with-guest-bette-a-stevens with Rave Reviews Book Club radio host Nancy Bell
- GET CAUGHT READING radio interview with Annette Rochelle Aben (May 20, 2016)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/themagichappens/2016/05/20/get-caught-reading-with-bette-a-stevens - Monarch Butterflies Face New Threats http://blog.nwf.org/2014/01/monarchs-face-new-threats-losses-along-migration-route/?utm_content=buffer4d58b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
- Monarch Butterfly Restoration http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/milkweed-restoration-monarchs-a-hopeful-story/
- Poverty & Prejudice http://ishistorytheagreeduponlie.blogspot.com/2013/10/poverty-prejudice-yesterday-today.html
Comments on: "About Me" (189)
hi, Bette. you’re a recipient of the sunshine award here’s the link https://kintal.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/the-sunshine-award/ thank you for sharing lovely posts and cheery thoughts.
;D
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Thanks so much, Marlyn. It’s wonderful to read your lovely comment as well. Have a wonderful week! 🙂
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thank you, too Bette
;D
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AnElephantCant think of anything clever to say
This happens time after time
But he wants you to know
That he likes you and so
He says hello with this silly rhyme
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Thank you, my friend!
I like you too
You remind me of zoo
I have a book about that
And in it’s a cat
Have a great day
Keep blogging away!
🙂
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Congratulations, Bette!
I have nominated your blog for the Premio Dardos Award.
More about this nomination is at
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Pleased to meet you in this virtual world
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Dear Bette,
Now this is what I call a blog!! It makes mine look like a shack in the woods. I loved looking all around and reading posts. I can seriously say this is one of the most user-friendly, informative blog I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. I’ll have to put on my dress jeans when visioting again.
All the best, Micki
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Hey, Micki. You’ve got me giggling like crazy…yup, I needed that. Thanks for the gracious compliment, too (I’m one of those crazy visual people). Can’t wait to ‘see’ you all dressed up and ready to go (lol). I’d better get my closet organized and find something awesome too! Have a great weekend. ❤
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Thank you on behalf of Daylight Tune Ministry to follow our ministry blog. May our poetry bless your hearts and minds 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by and liking one of my posts! I’m looking forward to reading more of what yours is all about. Love monarch butterflies!
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Hi, Lori. Great to meet you. I’m following your blog now and look forward to reading more from you as well. We definitely have two things in common: writing and monarch butterflies. I hope you’ll download my FREE MONARCH BUTTERFLY pdf (link below) and let me know what you think. Have an amazing week! Bette
• Monarch Facts
• Coloring Pages
• Crafts
• Gardening
• Video: How to Make an Origami Butterfly
• Butterfly Teacher Guide and more…
• How you can help protect our Amazing Monarchs
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Thanks for the pdf! Wow, that’s a lot of links on there. They’ll be fun to check out.
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Hi Bette, thanks so much for the follow, I look forward to reading your blog 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Cathy. Look forward to reading yours as well. Have a great day! 🙂
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Hello There Bette!
I’ve nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. But since accepting awards can be time consuming I’ve also created a logo you can display in a blog entry instead if you’d like to. It’s just a little token to let you know I think you’re awesome.
Here’s the link to my list of nominees: https://essenfia.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/licence-to-ramble/
Cheers,
Fia
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Hi there! Kate M. Colby nominated me for the THE SISTERHOOD OF THE WORLD BLOGGERS AWARD. And I’ve nominated you: https://essenfia.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/the-sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/
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Congrats on your award, Fia and thanks so much for nominating me, my friend! HUGS
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It’s just my way of saying how much I appreciate having met you. Your positive attitude is a daily reminder for me to keep scribblin’, do my best, and be grateful for my blessings. HUGS back at you, you Groovy Girl.
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You have a nice and interesting blog. – https://migrantpen.wordpress.com/bookshelf/
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Thanks so much for the visit, Migrant Pen. HAPPY WRITING & READING! 🙂
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Many thanks for following my blog. I’m also a retired teacher and nature lover. 😊 I look forward to exploring your blog.
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My pleasure. Great to be connected, Mary. 🙂
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Hi, Mary. So nice to be connected to a new friend with shared interests. I look forward to getting to know you, too. 🙂
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So pleased that we’ve connected, Mary. Thanks for reaching out. Thoroughly enjoy your poems, my friend. ❤ Bette
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Hi Bette. Thank you for visiting my site. Good luck with all you do. 🙂
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Thanks to you, Dave, for stopping by as well. It’s great to be connected. 🙂 Blessings, Bette
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Nice to meet you Bette. Lovely blog. Hugs.
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Same to you, Teagan. Following your blog and glad we’ve connected. 🙂
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[…] and I are driving 90 miles down the mountain today to have lunch with Bette Stevens in Skowhegan. Actually getting to meet one of my favorite blogger alive and in the flesh is a big […]
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Hari Om! Bette,
You have a beautiful blog. I just read some of your pertries, your love for nature clearly reflects in your poems.
Very pleased to find a good poet who has been a teacher.
Regards,
Krishna Dev
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Hi, Krishna. Thanks for following my blog and for your gracious comment. I’m following you, too. Have a wonderful week! 🙂 Bette
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Nice reading about you
Thanks for visiting my blog. Be in touch. Browse through the category sections, I feel you may find something of your interest.
Please visit my new blog, hope you like it 🙂
http://ajaytaobotanicalblog.wordpress.com/
thank you so much dear 🙂
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Thank you, Ajaytao. Your blog is lovely and I’m following. 🙂 Blessings, Bette
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thank you dear 🙂
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How lucky you are to live with that acreage and commune with nature. Wonderful. Also, terrific that you advocate for literacy for children; the ultimate key to success. Nice to meet you. Paulette
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Hi, Pauline. Thanks so much for stopping by and for commenting. We’ve lived in Southern CA and Northern VA over a ten-year period when my husband was working for DOD. It’s great to be retired and to be home again. It’s a very different world from the general hub-bub. It’s also wonderful to have the internet, where I get to meet great new friends like you. Blessings, Bette
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hi Bette, just wanted to ty for liking my story, it felt good to
exercise the prose muscles after a long winter layoff.
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It’s great that you’re back and I’m pleased to be following. Thanks for stopping by to leave a note. Have a great week! 🙂
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Congratulations Bette!
I have nominated your blog for The Field of Flowers Award.
You can read more about this nomination at:
http://michelleclementsjames.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/the-field-of-flowers-award/
You’ve worked very hard on your blog and you and your blog are very worthy of this accolade.
Have a wonderful day!
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Thanks, Michelle for your kind and thoughtful accolades and comments. I still have not had time to post and extend several awards, but will get to it. A bit overwhelmed right now–trying to finish my novel and hurt my back recently. You are such a dear friend. Thanks for your continued support and encouragement. Blessings, Bette
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Thx Bette, I’ll check it out. SD
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Thanks, Sandra. Have a great week! 🙂
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Hi Bette, thanks for visiting and following my Spanish blog. I hope you enjoy reading about our beautiful Spanish valley. As you are a writer, you might enjoy my writing blog too at http://www.sandradanby.com/ SD
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HI, Sandra. Thanks for the link. I’m now following your writing blog, too. Here’s my Facebook page if you would like to connect there… https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Bette-A-Stevens-Official-Fanpage/432247843452956 Have a great week! 🙂
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I was lucky enough to see Monarch butterflies in Arizona in 2012, and will always remember it. Good luck with your writing! SD
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Thanks so much for the comment, Sandra. We got to see them aggragating in Pismo Beach, CA one year. Two years ago I had hundred of them here in my gardens in Central Maine. This past summer, only a handful. Unforgettable, indeed. Have a great weekend! 🙂
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Congratulations!
I have nominated your blog for The Cracking Chrispmouse Bloggywog Award.
You can read more about this nomination at:
http://michelleclementsjames.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/483/
You’ve worked arduously on your blog and are extremely worthy of this accolade.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
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Thanks so much Michelle. I am honored. I’m way behind on accepting awards, but have a folder on my “Desktop” and will get to them ASAP. Thanks for your friendship, support and encouragement. Have an amazing week! 🙂
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So sorry – I have posted the wrong link above for the awards
It should be http://mungaiandthegoaconstrictor.me/2014/02/03/thanks-for-the-nominations-part-two/
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Congratulations, Bette! I have nominated you for another award. I have also thanked and linked to you for your award to me – but I’ve put the wrong one on. So sorry my friend. I have linked your blog to the Chrispmouse Bloggywog award. Please forgive me, I will do another post with the right one on ~ Amelia 🙂 🙂 http://mungaiandthegoaconstrictor.me/2013/12/16/thanks-for-the-nominations/
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Congratulations!
I have nominated your blog for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award.
You can read more about this nomination is at:
http://michelleclementsjames.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/dragons-loyalty-award/
Hope you have a wonderful day!
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Of course you know how much I enjoy your blog. Did you do a little “Re-Vamp”?? Love it! That’s why I have given you a “Versatile Blogger Award”!! I have shared you link on my NEW Writers/Author WordPress Blog! As I too am starting the New Year Off with a new blog home from my old Writers Blog on Simplesite!! http://anAuthorandWriterinProgress.wordpres..com Details for the award is on my “POST” “WOW! My very first blog award”….*Congrats* my friend!
Hugs & Blessings,
*Catherine* 🙂
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HI, Catherine. CONGRATULATIONS on your Award! I tried to find your new home, but the link didn’t connect. Keep me posted as I want to follow. Thanks so much for passing the award along to me. It’s an honor. Yes, I’ve still got a log of Ve-Vamping to do… Glad you like. Best always, Bette
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http://anauthorandwriterinprogress.wordpress.com
and the Post is called “WOW! My Very First Blog Award” Let me if you can not find it 🙂 *Cat*
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I have nominated you for an award, Bette. If you do not accept awards – no problem. Simply interpret this as my admiration for your tireless work and sharing your wonderful posts with us all. ~ Amelia 🙂 http://mungaiandthegoaconstrictor.me/2013/12/16/thanks-for-the-nominations/
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Thanks for stopping by, Bette, and thanks for following me.
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DITTO! 🙂
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Nice to meet you! I love gardening too. Veggies though, not so much flowers. For some reason, I’m more adept at killing flowers than growing them. But living in Maine and having 37 acres to play with sounds so amazing! What a great retirement 🙂 Good luck with your writing!
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Hi, Stephanie. Thanks for stopping by. It’s great to meet you, too! 🙂 We’ll be snowshoeing out our our trails soon and then, I have my first novel to finish. Best wishes, Bette
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That sounds amazing! I’ve always wanted to go snowshoeing, but the past few years we haven’t had enough snow. Not that I’m complaining about that haha. Have fun and good luck on your first novel! It’s such a great feeling when you finish it 🙂
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Thanks for your kind words 🙂 All the best for you and 4writersandreaders!
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Congratulations, Bette!
I have nominated your blog for the Blog Of The Year 2013 Award.
More about this nomination is at
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Congratulations to you, Petrel–on your six stars for 2013 and your wonderful blog. I thank you for the honor of nominating 4writersandreaders. Best wishes, Bette
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Thanks for reading my blogs,Betty, I enjoy yours as well.Best wishes, beebeesworld
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It’s great to be connected. (Yes, it is pronounced ‘Betty’). I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Best wishes right back to you. Have an amazing day! Bette
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Thanks for the “follow” – i’ll be back to delve into your great blog 🙂
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You’re very well accomplished. This is great to read 🙂
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Thanks for your visit and for your thoughtful comments. I enjoyed blog posts and watching your video poem–awesome!
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Hi Bette,
I don’t know if you accept blog awards, but I chose you as one of my recipients for the Super Sweet Award! If you wish to accept it, please go here: http://imagineerebooks.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/an-unexpected-blog-award/
All the best,
Steve
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[…] very grateful to Bette Stevens over at 4 Writers and Readers for supporting my efforts in the early days and giving me encouragement. Bette has kindly nominated […]
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I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blog award.
http://jrbarker101.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/very-inspiring-bloggers-award/
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Hi, JR. Thanks so much for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blog Award. It is an honor! I wish you much success with your writing, blogging and all of those other wonderful things that you do!
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Hi Bette, thanks for introducing yourself by following our site. Yours looks like a wonderful inspiration to others. You might also enjoy the RAXA Collective facebook page. See you there!
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Hello and many thanks for finding the time to drop in to my beeseeker blog, much appreciated.
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Thank you for your visit and leaving a comment. I’m glad to be following you here. Now you know what’s been keeping me busy.
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Thank you my dear Petrel. I hope this will sum it up for the years… I’m overwhelmed with stars and all. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to you. p.s. I decided to EDIT MY ORIGINAL POST and put the credits to all in the caption. Hope that is OK?
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Thanks so much Bette 🙂 All the best!
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Dear Bette,
Congratulations! I am nominating you for the Blog of the Year 2012 award. I think that is your sixth star 🙂
See
Happy holidays!
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Hi, I’ve nominated you for award, congrats! http://nkin.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-wonderful/
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THANK YOU, Aopmrdd! I am honored that you nominated me. Best wishes, Bette
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Bette is is my pleasure to award you The Blogger of The Year 2012 Award pleace accept when you have time
XO
Eunice
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Hi, Eunice. Thanks so much for the honor of the award and for thinking of me… I don’t know exactly what it entails. Let me know. May your Holidays and New Year be filled with abundant blessings. I do hope we can get together one of these days! XO Bette
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I am sure we will Bette 🙂 I do not stay away from Maine for too long 🙂 if we get a warm day between now and Christmas I will set up a table in Arundel to sell some jewelry and we always go to Pomham Beach and I love Freeport and Portland 🙂
A very Merry Holiday Season to you has well
For the award I make a post then save draft or open new window and go back an forth adding the award rules then save then back to who I want to leave it with and their links so others can click and go check yours out
I am on your facebook friend list Private message me if you need to and I will give you my phone number 🙂
really I use the heck out of copy and paste 🙂
XO
Eunice
Do you by any chance know a lady think her name is Judith who lives in Kennebunkport who is an author of a children’s book about Sea Shells I think she also edited a paper or Mag. up that way?
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Hi Bette, congratulations!
I have nominated your blog for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award.
The rules of that award are at
Enjoy!
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Thanks so much for the nomination. I’m very new at all of this (blogging & webbing), but I’ll click the link and try to follow the rules! Again, thanks!
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Just work on the award whenever there is time. There is no need to hurry 🙂
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[…] Bette A. Stevens received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Orono before embarking on graduate courses in Curriculum Studies at Chapman University in California. Following a rewarding career in the business world at a Maine-based construction company, she taught in elementary and middle school classrooms in California and Virginia. She and her husband are now retired and living in Central Maine, where they enjoy trips to the coast and gardening when they’re not renovating their 37-acre farmstead. They have two daughters and five grandchildren. Stevens enjoys gardening, walking, reading, writing, drawing, painting and Read more… […]
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Thanks for your subscription! Welcome 🙂
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Thanks for the link back. I graduated from UMaine in ’87 but now live out of state. I look forward to reading more about your life in Maine.
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Thanks for the look and the like. We’ve been back home (Maine) since 2005. California and Virginia were great, but there’s no place like home. I graduated from UMAINE 1997 with a B.S. in education. It was my second career and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I’m retired and writing books and having a fine time learning how to Web. Best to you!
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