HOULTON, Maine — Local dentist Dr. Donald P. Woods has lived an interesting life, and wished to preserve some of his memories and lessons learned to share with others. He wanted to show others that with hard work and dedication, they too can reach their goals as he did.
A book would be the perfect thing.
His dream recently became reality with the publication of “From Farm Boy to Dentist.”
He initially began dictating to his grandson, Robby, but his sister, Anne, convinced him to get an iPad. Story after story began to fill the device and he started digging through old photos in search of images to illustrate his memoir.
Unfortunately, a serious car accident brought the project to a screeching halt. Excellent care, the determination that had served him in the past, faith and time brought him through the ordeal.
2017 saw a renewed push to make the book a reality. Helen, Dr. Woods’ wife, began wrangling the text, finding the photos that had been set aside and searching for a way to turn the whole thing into the book he wanted.
She reached out to an acquaintance, Rosalind Morgan owner of RosWerks. Together they brought the book to print with plenty of guidance from Dr. Woods.
“From Farm Boy to Dentist” offers a peek at a personal journey through changing times. Growing up on a farm during a world war, finding faith and walking a challenging path; the story is told in a gathering of recollections with honesty and humor. The book is filled with Dr. Woods’ personality.
Woods offers glimpses of life along a much more forgiving Maine-New Brunswick border, and details adventures in cars before seat belts and multipoint inspections.
He said he hopes readers who think the odds are against them may find inspiration to keep pursuing their goals.
According to Morgan, “‘From Farm Boy to Dentist’ is a labor of Mrs. Woods’ love for Dr. Woods and his desire to encourage family and community to strive for more.”
Woods has donated the book to the Cary Library and The Aroostook Historical and Art Museum, and will add it to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum’s collection.
