After returning from a lovely family Thanksgiving in Vermont last Friday I was, like most thoughtful York County residents, perusing a copy of our area’s most widely-read daily newspaper. Figuring Thanksgiving had been a slow news day, I was stunned when I saw the following headline atop the right side of page A-4: 

Teacher, author to appear at Kennebunk Free Library

What followed was a lovely article detailing my upcoming appearance at the Kennebunk Free Library, where I’ll be doing readings from my book, “Young Ideas,” next month. I feel indebted to not only the librarian who put together the very kind press release, but also to the Journal Tribune for printing it. Unfortunately the writer(s) of the article were hindered by space limitations, but thankfully that can be remedied right here and right now. 

Like many English teachers I’m not the best at installing sheetrock, gutting a fish, building a fireplace, cleaning a furnace, or overhauling a transmission. But if you’re looking for editing and/or revision, well, I’m your man. What would have appeared on Page A-4 last Friday had the story’s writer been unfettered by a word count? What follows is the original article, with some helpful additions by me.

 Teacher, author to appear at Kennebunk Free Library 

KENNEBUNK—High School teacher and author Andy Young, who ordinarily deplores self-promotion, will read from his new book that would make a great Christmas present, “Young Ideas,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Kennebunk Free Library. 

A collection of 70 columns that have previously appeared in newspapers around the state, “Young Ideas,” which would make a terrific Hanukkah gift, gathers Young’s unique observations on life, teaching, writing, and everything else, all mixed with Young’s signature humor, insight, wit, wisdom, sophistication, and immense modesty.

 “There are a total of 70 essays in the book, more than a half-dozen of which are potentially life-impacting,” Young says. “A few of the rest are merely inspiring, insightful, or amusing, so probably no more than half of them are trite, insipid, dull, or downright foolish,” he added proudly. 

A long-time columnist for a number of Maine newspapers (several of which are still in business), Young reviewed more than 450 essays to choose the pieces for “Young Ideas,” a copy of which would make a marvelous Kwanzaa benefaction. According to the author, the columns about people and everyday life are the ones that still resonate for him.“After looking back at over a decade’s worth of essays, I’ve learned most of the ones dealing with current events or pop culture don’t have much shelf life,” he said in a recent interview. “Little vignettes about everyday occurrences, though, they stay relevant forever, and sometimes the significance of those events grows with time.”  He added that combing over all those articles not only made him nostalgic about the events chronicled in the book, but also made him pine for the days when he actually used his comb on a daily basis.

Young is a familiar face at Kennebunk High School, where he is in his 15th year as a teacher of English and literacy. Immediately before that he worked as a play-by-play announcer for several minor-league professional baseball and hockey teams. Previously Young had worked as a landscaper, fruit picker, ditch digger, basketball coach, algebra tutor, playground director, baseball umpire, gutter cleaner, soccer coach, and dishwasher. He also sold athletic footwear and Christmas trees, though not at the same time. In addition, he served as Brad Pitt’s stunt double in several hit motion pictures, developed a vaccine for HIV-AIDS, got Barack Obama his first job as a community organizer, and negotiated successfully with South African president F. W. de Klerk to win freedom for that nation’s future president, Nelson Mandela.

Young and his three children live in Cumberland.

“There are countless (though sometimes not easily-described) blessings which I consciously remind myself to savor, starting with some of the young people who walk into my classroom at Kennebunk High School each day,” he said. “I’ve got some incredible colleagues there too, each of whom serves as a walking, breathing reminder that the most valuable treasures in life aren’t tangible possessions, but people. And if some of those people take the time to read Young Ideas,” which makes a great New Year’s gift, well, so much the better!”

The Kennebunk Free Library is at 112 Main St. in Kennebunk. 

For more information, call 985-2173 or visit kennebunklibrary.org.

I’d love to show the writer of that original story my appreciation with a token of my esteem. Perhaps a copy of “Young Ideas” would be appropriate. It makes a great thank-you gift.

 — Andy Young is a high school English teacher. His first book of essays, “Young Ideas,” makes an ideal gift for weddings, graduations, retirements, or any other similarly festive occasion. The book is also useful as a paperweight.