Winnie's Corks: A review of a book release party

 The first time I met Maine author Jeffery Wittig and his partner/wife/sidekick Elaine, we were sitting in a mortgage office in the Old Port with the intent of designing the best "liar’s loan" possible to get me into my house.
What resulted from this very important meeting was a two-hour, intense, knowledgeable (by them, not so much me) and inspiring discussion about vineyards, vintages, tastings and all things wine. Jeff (and his brother Jon, who incestuously enough was my cape-sporting, super hero Realtor) is a dedicated wine drinker with stories to tell.
We had to make a second appointment to actually talk about my sorry finances.
Fast forward five years later to this past Saturday at The Saltwater Grille in South Portland for the book release and fan appreciate party of Jeffery’s first book, Winnie’s Corks. The fan base was fully made up of supportively active family members, close friends (and me!), many of whom are thinly disguised in the sweet and smoothly flowing 424 page novel.
The book was aptly described by Jeff’s good friend Lanie Brown of Ipswich, Mass., as “A beach read…you know, something you can relax with.” Lanie’s husband Dean who is Jeffery’s college buddy and attorney (in the Hunter S. Thompson sense of the word) said the book, “Is well suited to intellectually thinking and feeling men who are looking for a less aggressive read.”
The release party location was chosen because Saltwater Grille, and longtime owner Jeff Loring, made it past the editing process and are in the book, as are many recognizable and beloved Portland area landmarks. After chatting with the Browns and other guests, I became aware that writing the book, and ultimately getting it into the hands of the end reader is food for another column which strongly parallels the peaks and pitfalls of the wine making process Jeffery so dearly loves. For the record, the falafel being served that evening was fluffy and intensely flavored.
Winnie’s Corks tells the story of a grandmother and granddaughter who bridge the gap of life experience and perspectives by sharing the stories held in Winnie’s hearthside basket of dated and noted corks spanning 40-plus years. Each cork is a chapter in the passing of time in Winnie’s ordinary yet eventful life, easily lending itself to the squeal presently in the works.
Like most things in the book, Jeff and Elaine have such a basket and provided guests at the book release with corks and sharpies to add to their collection. After his reading of a chapter titled Remember Pants, Jeffery marveled out loud at the emails he has been receiving from unknown readers across the globe who have started the cork signing, dating and collecting tradition at bridal showers, anniversary parties, and most fittingly, in their own daily lives.
Although it wasn’t a wine tasting, I stopped at an enticing lemonade stand during this past Sunday’s heat wave to Buy Local and support the five-year-old entrepreneurs running the show. After paying my quarter, I was offered a stunning handmade bookmark in return for the 100 percent tip I left, and promptly[placed it in my copy of Winnie’s Corks, which was stowed away in my backpack. I wasn’t surprised when the supervising mom said her book club was currently reading the book and they were all enjoying it. I was even less surprised to hear that Jeffery was coming to the club to sign the book and answer questions.
Oh, and after many edited revisions, the mortgage loan did indeed go through, and I have the moving day cork to prove it.

(Natalie Ladd is a Daily Sun contributor. Her column appears on Wednesday.)