This Week in Lincolnville

Sun, 07/12/2026 - 1:54pm

Ed O’Brien

Saturday morning opened with clear skies and bright summer sunshine. My mom’s truck bed had, under a tarp, a detailed model of 33 Beach Road, the Lincolnville Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum, ready for its debut in the Strawberry Festival Parade.

The Strawberry Festival is a decades-long summer tradition in our town, sponsored and organized by the Lincolnville United Christian Church. An event that celebrates the simplest of summer desserts: fresh strawberries, chopped and sweetened, poured on top of savory homemade biscuits, and smothered with whipped cream.

I have tried to explain strawberry shortcake to people from other countries and always fail. Each year, it seems to get bigger and better attended, a community gathering of the highest order.

When I took over this column from my mother several years ago, I certainly wondered what I would write about every Sunday; but, I knew that at least every second Sunday in July I would have a topic. Lincolnville is a quiet little town, but we like to gather together once in awhile.

Walking up Main Street from the church at 9:30 in the morning, people were already setting up chairs in the front yards, coffee in hand. At the Lincolnville Library, kids were gathering under a large inflatable arch, decorating their bikes, trikes, scooters, and strollers, preparing to take their place in the vanguard when the parade began at 10 a.m.

I chatted for a bit with my childhood buddy’s mom, Judy, and his sister, Emily, who seem to never miss a town parade. Judy’s granddaughter, Adele, would be carrying the banner leading the bikes; no longer the toddler riding in the firetruck with her dad, and past the stage of riding her own bike. I watched the parents fussing over their small children, and remembered pulling a red wagon full of my little ones down Main Street many Julys ago.

I headed back to the church with the crowd starting to grow. After purchasing a delicious and refreshing cup of strawberry lemonade from Ann Marriner’s grandchildren, the blue lights of a State Police cruiser appeared over by the library.

I stopped at my friend Liz’s house, where I was greeted by her daughter Callie, visiting home with her family from Hawaii — Callie, forever in my mind the little girl whom I babysat, along with her little brother at the cottage on Coleman Pond, and who greeted her new babysitter with freshly painted, bright blue lips. Her daughters, about that same age, collected lollipops tossed from antique cars, staining their own mouths. Time is a circle.

Small town parades. Mary Berry the clown, kids on bikes, the Lincolnville Band, antique cars of all vintages, a station worth of firetrucks. I am a simple man. This is the kind of thing that just makes me happy, makes me feel like everything will be okay.

Making my way back to the church, things were kicking off. A lemonade stand, popcorn and homemade ice cream sandwiches. Face painting and miniature horses ready to pose for a picture. The old fellas were grilling up hotdogs and onions. Every year, I offer to help them, but every year they manage just fine.

The real action was inside the Community Building, where the crew was busy scooping strawberries over fresh biscuits, where the table of church-lady baked goods stood. My arms-length of raffle tickets failed to win me a locally donated gift basket, but I did go home with a jar of strawberry-rhubarb jam, the best flavor combination, ever.

It is through our celebrations that I now mark time in this little place. Strawberry Festival means summer is halfway through.

Memorial Day, Strawberry Festival, Halloween, the Beach Bonfire; times when this town shows up.

My news feeds are full of stories about war and disease. Bigotry and injustice of all types. Scandals and betrayals, name-calling from behind a keyboard. Beyond all this noise, all over the world, events like Lincolnville's Strawberry Festival are happening. It doesn’t make headlines, but it is far more common than one might think. People gather with friends, family, neighbors, and strangers just to celebrate being here. Sharing food, laughter, camaraderie.

I think of last summer, when we escorted Ma and Don to a family wedding in Brooklyn, New York City. Staying in the heavily Caribbean neighborhood of East Flatbush, the next street over was closed for a block party. Same energy as Lincolnville's Strawberry Festival.

Thank you to the Lincolnville UCC and everyone who helped make this happen every year. I think I’ll make myself a piece of toast with strawberry rhubarb jam and enjoy the morning breeze.

Flea Market

Make your way back to the UCC Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road, this Saturday, July 18 for the monthly flea market from 8 a.m. to noon. You never know exactly what you may find, but expect antiques, handcrafts, farm products, and plenty of delicious baked goods.

Library Happenings

Tuesday, from 3 to 5 p.m., the library will host the Needlework Group. July’s book discussion of Ruth Moore’s Spoonhandle will be Tuesday at 5 p.m. Join the Library on Thursday, July 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for jam-making with master food preserver Claire Schreiber from the UMaine Cooperative Extension. The fee is $20, and you will go home with a jar of your preserves. Space is limited, so reverse your spot by emailing questions@lincolnvillelibrary.org or calling 207-706-3896.

Sympathy

I learned this week that former LCS middle school math and science teacher Steven Hutchings passed away. I only had the opportunity to by taught by Mr. Hutchings for a single year, but I remember him being a passionate and engaging educator. Other than our parents, few have as much influence on us as adults as our teachers. Thank you, Mr. Hutchings, for a life spent being a positive influence on the young minds of Maine.

I am preparing to make one of my rare trips out of Maine next weekend, and I am sure I will end up writing about it here. Enjoy the week, Lincolnville, and please remember to be kind. There is enough nastiness out there without adding to it. Water your gardens, cook something for someone you love, take the dog for a walk. Be good and do good. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, July 13

School House Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Select Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Town Office

Recreation Commission, 6 p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, July 14

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Wednesday, July 15

School House Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Library open 2-5

Cemetery Trustees, 5:30 p.m., Town Office