Skidompha's “Chats with Champions” Committee is pleased to announce that Brunswick author Carla Maria Süllwold, accompanied by her Newfoundland dog, Ruffian, will be featured at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15. The venue for the program is the library’s Porter Meeting Hall, 184 Main Street, Damariscotta. Süllwold’s topic is her semi-autobiographical novel, “Raising Rufus: A Maine Love Story,” about an older couple, their Newfoundland dog and their passion for the coast of Maine. She will be available to autograph books after the program.

“Raising Rufus,” a romantic drama with an animal subplot, is the tale of Gus and Maria Sundergaard, who realize their dream of building their retirement home in Midcoast Maine. Though deeply devoted to each other, their forty-year marriage has sometimes been plagued by demons and discord and by secrets hidden deep in Gus’s heart. Childless, they adopt a Newfoundland puppy, Rufus, and embark on a series of hilarious and heartwarming adventures together. Though tragedy looms ahead, Rufus helps to heal his family, celebrating with them a renewed love for each other and for the place they call home.

Süllwold’s screenplay version of “Raising Rufus” was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2011 Rhode Island International Film Festival’s Screenplay Competition.

Born and raised in the metropolitan New York area, Carla Maria Süllwold received degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and Fairleigh Dickinson University. She began her career as a teacher and arts administrator before becoming a journalist, critic, and author, known especially for her scholarly works on opera and classical music. She and her husband, Gregory, established an independent imprint, Weiala Press. Süllwold is a member of Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.

The “Chats” series is sponsored by The First, 223 Main St., Damariscotta, a community bank that has grown to serve customers at fourteen branches along Maine’s coast.

"Chats with Champions" is a free community offering from your national award winning Skidompha Public Library. For more information call 563-5513.