The Maine Coast Book Shop in Damariscotta reopened Friday, April 11, following a major spring update. Owner Susan Porter and her staff have done excellent work applying a fresh coat of paint, rearranging displays and reorganizing merchandise. They are ready to welcome the public once again to a downtown landmark.

“We are rejuvenated and re-energized and look forward to our old and new customers coming in to say hi and picking up some great new titles, including Richard Blanco’s “For All of Us, One Today,” Porter said. Blanco was President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Poet in January 2013.

Nicole Olivier of the Book Shop met Blanco a year ago and proposed that he make an appearance in Damariscotta. “That he will be speaking on Saturday, May 3 at the Lincoln Theater is very exciting! He is charming, erudite and personable,” Olivier said. In addition, he has a great story to tell. The event is at 3 p.m.

The paperback is available at $15 and the book shop is also selling event tickets at $20. Proceeds from Blanco’s talk will benefit Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta.

There are now three locations in town to purchase tickets for Blanco’s talk: Maine Coast Book Shop, Skidompha Library and the Lincoln Theater. They are going fast so don’t delay.