LINCOLNVILLE – It was a busy afternoon for Lincolnville's Select Board and town administrator on Wednesday, June 6, as they traveled across Lincolnville to hold two ceremonies honoring two town residents. 

First stop was to the home of Sheila Polson, where they surprised her with the news that the 2018 Town Report would be dedicated to her.

In 2011, Polson convened a committee to form the first ever Lincolnville Library. In 2014, that dream was realized as the Lincolnville Community Library opened its doors.

This past winter Polson stepped down as library director, but continued her role as board member and staffing volunteer.

Though her husband was in on the secret, Sheila had no idea the Select Board would be showing up at her house that afternoon to surprise her with the dedication according to town administrator David Kinney.

As the board gathered around, Lincolnville Select Board Chairwoman Ladleah Dunn presented Polson with a copy of the town report while expressing their gratitude for all her hard work.

"For spearheading and the energy you put into the library project and the town itself," she said. "The Select Board, on behalf of the town, would like to dedicate the town report this year to you with gratitude."

With her customary sense of humility, Polson noted it was a huge community project involving hundreds of people. She thanked the Select Board for the honor.

"Everybody here has been involved with making the library happen in a really big way," Polson said. "It was the fall of 2011 we had our first committee meeting. There was six of us in the school."

Leaving Polson's home, it was then off to Lincolnville Beach and the home of Elizabeth Louise Ingalls to present the 101-year-old resident with the Boston Cane. The Cane is presented to a town's oldest living resident.

Ingalls was born November 16, 1916. Her daughter, Doreen Hadley, said Ingalls never smoked or drank in her life. Ingalls said the secret to living so long is to just live.

Ingalls was born in Wilmington, Massachusetts, and moved to the Lincolnville area in 1970. She spent most of her childhood on Martha's Vineyard. She has one daughter, Doreen, five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

Hadley said all five generations of girls have the middle name Louise.

Ingalls is also the oldest founding member of the Lincolnville Women's Club which was founded in 1971.

Related article on Lincolnville Community Library

http://www.penbaypilot.com/article/lincolnville-community-library-opens-feb-1/26899