Congratulations to Wess Connally on the 25th anniversary of Books, Lines & Thinkers. Opening on a Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend back in 1996, Connally was the Rangeley Lakes Regional School English high school teacher at the time. He continued to run the bookstore on his off hours until the Fall of 1997.
Almost twenty years later, in 2012 he had the additional company and support of his wife Pongsiri to come work with him.

Hopefully, you have gotten the chance to visit his shop next to the post office on Main Street. Perhaps you’ve flipped through the books, admired the artwork presented by the Birds of a Feather Art Gallery artists, or maybe even took part in the seasonal book group discussions Connally has led throughout the years at the Loon Lodge. If not, you should come by for a chat with Wess. If you ask me, every great summer escape is not complete unless it contains a bit of literary escapism and I’m sure Wess can recommend just the right thing.
Also, here an fyi. I had intended to do an interview with Connally, but while he thanked me, he just didn’t have the time. Perhaps we can get together for his 30th anniversary. In the meantime, he did offer me this nice photograph of Cascade Gorge to share and the following words in honor of the occasion- “Overall, it has truly been a labor of love that never would have been successful without the support of the Rangeley Region community — full-time and seasonal residents, dear friends, and visitors from near and far.”

Have a wonderful summer Wess! Happy reading to all of you and HAPPY 25th WESS!