Virtual Author Talk: Sheridan Steele "From Bear Dens to the Oval Office"

Description

Former Acadia National Park Superintendent Sheridan Steele spent 38 years in the National Park Service (NPS) before retiring in 2015. Now, he has collected some of his stories of his time in the NPS in the new book “From Bear Dens to the Oval Office.” Join Steele for a virtual author talk on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. with the Jesup Memorial Library on Zoom.
 
The stories cover everything different parts of his position including wildlife management, search and rescue, visitor orientation and educational services, amusing visitor incidents and staff recollections, land conservation and working on special projects to expand or improve the national parks. During the course of his career, Steele met or hosted numerous dignitaries including President Clinton, President Obama (and the First Family), the Emperor and Empress of Japan, Pope John Paul II and members of Congress. Stories are organized by park assignments including his 12 years as the superintendent at Acadia. Many of the stories are illustrated with photos from Steele’s photo library of more than 100,000 slides and digital photographs taken during his working in America's national parks.
 
Steele retired from the National Park Service in 2015 after 38 years working in seven different national parks around the United States. He had extensive experience managing all aspects of national park operations including resource management, interpretation and visitor services, facilities management (buildings, roads, and trails), as well as ranger operations such as search and rescue, law enforcement, emergency medical services and wildland fire fighting. He also served as superintendent of Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area and Fort Scott National Historic Site and as deputy superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park. He began his NPS career at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. During his 38 years working with the National Park Service, he paid special attention to land conservation, youth engagement in nature, promoting a quality visitor experience in the parks and improving gateway community relations. He has been married to his wife Barb, a registered nurse, for 48 years. Together they have two children and two grandchildren and seven grand dogs, all now residing in Colorado. They have visited numerous national parks in the US and around the world.
 
Copies of Steele’s book can be purchased through co-sponsor Sherman’s Books in person, by calling 207-288-4245 or online at shermans.com. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link for the event. To register fill out the form at jesuplibrary.org/events/steele or email kchagnon@jesuplibrary.org.