It recently occurred to me that we raised three sons two minutes from one of the most popular beaches on the Maine coast. And in all those years took them to that beach exactly one time. What on earth was the matter with us? Now, they weren’t exactly deprived of summer fun; we made frequent trips to Ducktrap; it was our favorite place on really hot days, where we could almost always count on a breeze. They even learned to swim by crossing the channel when the tide was high. But Ducktrap lacks a very important element – sand. Oh, but they’re little boys, we told each other. They love throwing rocks in the water. Well, sure, but little boys love digging in the sand, too.

I know why we never went to the Beach: too crowded. And on a hot July day, especially a weekend day, it is indeed packed. People and cars, towels and umbrellas as far as the eye can see. It’s not a local’s idea of fun. But that’s only on a really hot day. On an average day, a foggy day, a cloudy one, or even a cool, sunny one, the crowds are considerably smaller. In fact, early in the morning on any day, you’ll have the place to yourselves.

Most of us living in Lincolnville (and Camden or Hope for that matter) are mere minutes away from this rare sand beach; we don’t need to pack for a long trip, pay for lodging, fight crowded roads. We can take a tiny vacation at Lincolnville Beach any old time, if only we think of it. Mildred Flagg, who raised her four children on the other side of Atlantic Highway, told me that many summer days, after the gardening and canning chores were done, she’d pack a lunch (five sandwiches out of one small can of tuna!) and take her brood over to the Beach. Why didn’t I think of that?

So here’s my suggestion for the third week in July; take a tiny vacation ten minutes from home. Hop in the car, or on your bike, or stroll across the road if you live close enough, and spend some time exploring your own town. Start at the Ferry Terminal; ever been inside? Check out the big fisherman’s pier, and take a look at the ferry apparatus. Then walk along the beautiful brick sidewalks that DOT built for us several years ago.

Start at the Beach Road intersection and walk north until the sidewalk ends; cross over and you’re at the Windsor Chairmakers. If they’re open why not go in and look around? Two connected houses contain numerous rooms of beautiful, handmade furniture. On the way back walk on the west side of the road, and you’ll come to Cronin and Murphy Gallery. Go in, introduce yourself, and browse among the fine art and ceramics.

Back out on the sidewalk, look – really look – at the wonderful 19th Century houses that were built by the mariners and boatbuilders who made their living around Frenchs Beach, the old name for Lincolnville Beach. Stop on Frohock Bridge and look upstream; that’s the salt marsh that once covered the whole of today’s Beach business district. Atlantic Highway and all the shops are built on fill – logs, branches, hay, rocks – whatever they could find to build up the road. (It’s all in the old town records from 1803-05 if you’re interested.)

Wander around Nanette Gionfriddo’s Beyond the Sea, including the upstairs section, a fascinating combination of bookstore and gift shop. July 30 their annual Book Festival  brings over three dozen Maine authors to town with their latest offerings, to sign and sell. Next door is Dwight Wass’ Lincolnville Fine Art Gallery  with a fascinating and eclectic collection of Maine art on display, most of the artists well-known throughout the state.

Hungry by now? You can grab a slice of pizza or an ice cream cone at Di Lord’s Beach Store and walk across the road to sit by the sea to eat it. Next is the Maine Artisans shop featuring the work of some two dozen craftsmen, including jewelry, clothing, ceramics, and lots more.

Currently residing in the next old building, still called Betty’s Trading Post by those old enough to remember Betty Smith, is an Edward Jones office, busily carrying on the work of managing the finances of its clients amidst the sun and sand of Lincolnville Beach.

The Library book group meets Tuesday, July 19 at 6 p.m. to discuss Maine writer Monica Wood’s latest novel “The One-in-a-Million Boy.”

A community discussion of books by Louise Dickinson Rich will be held on Wednesday, August 3 at 7 p.m. The library still has extra copies of these books for anyone who would like to borrow them. 

Librarian Sheila Polson writes: “Flutist Maho Hisakawa and violist Nathan Hillman will present an evening of chamber music on Wednesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. at the Lincolnville Community Library. The duo will perform a selection of works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Wendelin Bitzan and Francois Devienne plus an original composition for flute and viola by Nathan Hillman. They will also each play solo works by J.S. Bach and Claude Debussy and will be joined by guest violinist Nancy Carroll for Bach’s Trio Sonata.

“Maho, who lives in Lincolnville, said she fell in love with the sound of the flute when she was ten and learned to play on her father’s old tarnished nickel instrument. After taking some years away from classical music, she joined the Odeon Adult Orchestra at the Bay Chamber Music School in Rockport in 2012. She also plays regularly at local venues and weddings. Nathan is a violist, pianist and composer from Monroe who started studying music seventeen years ago. He has played in orchestras and other venues around New England and especially enjoys studying chamber music. Nancy, who also lives in Lincolnville, started playing violin at the age of ten and has performed with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra for twenty years.” This wonderful concert is free. And the Library, thanks to its solar powered heat pump, is air conditioned on these hot evenings!

Library Picnic and Auction

Mark your calendars! Sunday, July 31^st the Library’s fifth annual Summer Picnic and Auction will take place at the Lincolnville Boat Club, 209 Main Street, 5-7 p.m. The picnic supper is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and those under four and over 90 get in free. Rosey Gerry will be the auctioneer for an always entertaining hour. If you’d like to donate a salad or volunteer to help, please call 763-4343 or email.

Ponds

Coleman Pond Association meets this Saturday, July 23, 9 a.m. to noon at Whitney Oppersdorf’s studio, 32 Brawn Road. Linda Bacon of the D.E.P. will talk about the effect of climate change on our ponds; pond dwellers, ice fishermen and snowmobilers can all attest to the diminished ice these past winters. All are welcome to attend and hear what the speaker has to say.

 The VLMP, or Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, is offering a fun, free, three hour “paddle” workshop (via your own kayak or canoe) on identifying invasive plants in our ponds on Tuesday, August 2 on Pitcher Pond. 783-7733 for more info and to register before July 26.

Corelyn Senn told me this story the other day; I loved it, and she offered to write it out for me. Unfortunately, her imitations of Lucy’s expressions get lost in the telling:

“Lucy is a semi-feral cat with a large personality. She does not walk, she prances, she purrs loudly and loves to be petted—by me. She has had several litters of kittens which, if they are not born outside, she takes outside as soon as she can but she has not been wise as to where to house them and most of them have succumbed to various disasters.

“Recently I could see that more kittens were on the way and I hoped that she would come for dinner so I could shut her in for the birthing. But, Friday night she did not turn up. I looked, with hope, for her on Saturday morning but no Lucy. I decided that either she had had her kittens outside or she had been eaten by a predator. Later I went up to the woods to feed birds and when I got near the place where she often hangs out I called her name. Out she came from the mountainside, prancing of course, and purring like crazy. She was her very svelte self so I knew the kittens had been born. I filled the feeders while we exchanged pleasantries about birds, the weather and finally I broached the subject of kittens with her. “Where are they?” I asked, walking slowly in the direction from which she had come.

“’I thought you would never ask,’ she responded, and with her tail up and waving in a “Come Hither” motion she headed up the hill, turning back to make sure I was following. Not very far away but over some rocks we came to a big tree that had fallen years ago beside two very large moss-covered stones, one on top of the other. I was wondering where we were headed when she went over to one and bent her head down beside it and seemed to peer at it. I followed and when I bent down I could see there was a small opening. Lucy looked back at me, purring even louder and slipped into the hole that looked too small for her. ‘Are they in there?’ I asked, and as answer she popped her head back out and then climbed out. I peered in but could not see anything. I stuck my hand in, hoping not to lose any fingers, and got up to my elbow but still nothing. I lay down and reached as far back as I could and felt something furry—kittens, I guessed. Lucy was very proud of herself and rolled around on the ground for petting. When I left she followed me for a ways. Then she hurried back—no baby sitter.

“Later I took some food up to her in the hope she wouldn't go out hunting at night and be eaten by a predator. She was very grateful. I sat with her while she ate as I couldn't leave food up there to attract predators.

“Today came the heavy rains and I was worried as the “cave” slants downward under the rock and I could imagine everyone drowning. Before I left last night I built up a little dirt wall outside, but with Lucy going in and out I was not sure it would last. After the rain I went up with more food. Lucy met me part way down the trail. She was hungry! While she ate I checked the cave—all completely dry except for a little dampness along one edge. I reached the kittens and took them out for a check up—two black and white and two all black—unless I got the same one twice. All completely warm and dry and happy.

“I am not sure what animal dug the cave, but it is a very nice one, very clean and with a very stable temperature. At this point I plan to leave the kittens there until they start wandering around. Then it will be too dangerous with the number of predators on the mountain.”