Stephen King helps kids publish pandemic-inspired book

LEWISTON, MAINE » A group of budding young writers is about to publish a book with some help from Maine’s most famous writer.

Stephen King’s foundation covered the $6,500 cost of publishing a 290page manuscript by students participating in Farwell Elementary School’s Author Studies Program.

The students started with “Fletcher McKenzie and the Passage to Whole,” a story about a Maine boy by Gary Savage, and then reworked it to reflect their experiences during the pandemic.

Farwell Principal Amanda Winslow said she is proud of the students for their accomplishment and thankful for the dedication of Savage, who advised the students, and librarian Kathy Martin.

A number of local groups also sent donations that will be used for the Author Studies program.

PORT EWEN-Fr. Carl D. Johnson died Friday evening, Feb. 5, 2021, in the HealthAlliance Kingston Hospital from complications from COVID-19. Fr. Johnson was the pastor of the joined parishes of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Port Ewen and Sacred Heart in Esopus in Ulster County. He was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of New York on Nov. 4, 1978 by His Eminence Terence Cardinal Cooke, and went on to serve rst as a deacon in Regina Coeli parish in Hyde Park, and later as a priest at Good Shepherd in Rhinebeck, St. John the Evangelist in Mahopac, Sacred Heart in Monroe, and St. Augustine in New City before moving to Presentation in 2012. When he left Sacred Heart in Monroe in 2012, he told a local reporter, “The wonder of being a priest is the opportunity to be welcomed into a family at times of sorrow, tragedy and grief, and at other times to lead celebrations of happiness.” During his tenure, he was a member of the Archdiocese Priests Senate under His Eminence John Cardinal O’Connor, and he served as Chaplain for the Orange County Police Chiefs’ Association, as well as chaplain of the Mahopac Falls Fire Dept. during his time in Mahopac. He was dedicated to the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). In addition, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and other organizations. Fr. Johnson was a graduate of Our Lady of Victory School in Mount Vernon, and Blessed Sacrament High School and Iona College in New Rochelle. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in religious studies from Iona in 1974, he entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. Fr. Carl, as he was known, was passionate about serving the people of the Archdiocese in the Hudson Valley, and enjoyed getting away to his family home in Livingston, NY, and spending time with his ve siblings and their families. As a priest, he was known as a strong leader, parish builder and creative organizer dedicated to his parishioners, always showing his good sense humor and giving wonderful homilies. He loved to travel with friends, family and parishioners, and made trips across the U.S. and overseas to Ireland, France, Italy, the Vatican, Russia, the Holy Land, and Australia. During his life, he met and served two people who would become saints. In 1981, he was appointed a clergy security liaison for Pope John Paul II during his trip to New York, staying with the Holy Father in the chancery for a couple days; and earlier, as a student, he met Mother Theresa and accepted her challenge of creating and donating prayer booklets for her sisters. Fr. Johnson was born May 10, 1952, (at less than three pounds and eight weeks early), in Mount Vernon, to Fred Carl Johnson, Sr. and Catherine Browne Johnson, their fth of six children. Carl served as a school leader, an altar boy, an active participant and later advisor to the CYO at Our Lady of Victory. He was a paperboy, a golf caddie, an entrepreneur, and printer before graduating college. Still a student, he founded a pro-life organization, “Protect the Unborn,” and remained active in the support of mothers and children throughout his career. Fr. Johnson is survived by his ve siblings, Fred Johnson, Jr, (spouse Joan DeAlleaume Johnson) of Stow, Mass..; Gerard “Jerry” Johnson of Palmdale, Calif., Mary Johnson Giovannucci (spouse Luciano Giovannucci) of Livingston, N.Y., William “Bill” Johnson (spouse Joyce Adinaro Johnson) of Middletown, N.Y., and his younger sister, Helen Jonsen (spouse Mark Watkins) of Bedford, N.Y. He was beloved “Uncle Carl” to 13 nieces and nephews, 18 grandnieces and grandnephews, and one great-grandniece. Father Carl will Lie in Repose during a walk-through visitation period at The Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 209 Hoyt St, Port Ewen, N.Y. on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 from 3 to 6 p.m. Face masks are required and social distancing will limit the occupancy of the church. With COVID considerations, a private family mass will be held at his church followed by burial in Columbia County. If COVID allows, there will be a memorial service sometime in the future. Donations to honor the life and legacy of Fr. Carl Johnson can be made to his parish, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Sacred Heart. https://pbvmc.com/

Arrangements are under the care of the Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, 339 Broadway, Ulster Park, www.GVVFH.com