This Week in Lincolnville

Sun, 09/20/2026 - 3:05pm

The CHRHS students join their team to celebrate a victory. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

The Windjammers face off against the Panthers. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

The CHRHS students join their team to celebrate a victory. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

The Windjammers face off against the Panthers. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

The September sun was hanging low over the trees as I pulled into the student parking lot at Camden Hills Regional High School Friday, Sept 18. It was 5:30 p.m. and the place was already filling up. I pulled on my Camden Hills Windjammers sweatshirt, something I never would have worn during my own time as a student, and made my way to the field.

Homecoming. A tradition of welcoming back alumni, the former members of the community. The complex off of Route 90 is not the school I attended. I went to Camden Rockport High School, on Knowlton Street, where the beautiful new Camden Rockport Middle School stands today. The regional high school has stood for 26 years, but it will always be the new school to me. I do like that those of us from Hope, Appleton, and Lincolnville are now recognized as full members of the school district, though.

I paid $5 to get in, as I am not a student, senior, or a veteran. I am, however, the parent of two of the players, so I know exactly where the money goes — heck, we bought the hotdogs being served at the concession stand. So I paid my fellow football parent and made my way to the stands.

Football parent. How did that happen? I have never been much of a sports guy, and during my own run at the local high school, I gave up soccer for cross-country running; instead of basketball I skied for the X-C team. I was terrible at both, but at least neither sport has a bench.

In the crowd, I saw so many Lincolnville kids, Lincolnville parents. The kids who had spent the first nine years of their lives being educated at Lincolnville Central School, now part of a much larger community.

I found a spot at the top of the bleachers, just below the press box, where my former math teacher and cross country coach Charlie Crockett, along with his wife, and my former English teacher Penny, assisted by my former biology teacher and ski coach Dave Ridley, were all preparing to broadcast the game on Midcoast TV.

I saved a space for Ma and Don, and my parents-in-law, as the Pep Band filled in the bleacher space below me, and the rowdy student section began filling in the space to my right.

We were playing Medomak Valley High School, our literal next-door neighbors. I know I was not the only Windjammer fan silently cheering for a kid or two wearing the opposing jersey. As I told the father of a certain Medomak player at half time, “I want to see your boy make a first down, but I draw the line at a touch down.”

Lights were on for this match, as the autumn sun set over the Camden Hills, and the boys came running out, clad in black, red, and white, armored against the incredibly rough game they were about to play. Band Director Craig Ouellette led his group in the Star Spangled Banner, and gosh, it was Americana at its best.

While CHRHS ended up winning 21 to nothing, it was by no means a sure thing, as the boys from Medomak made them earn every touchdown. I found myself regretting that my wife was at the top of the press box, filming the game as part of her role as a football parent; she was not there to explain to me each play and call. Ma and Don were there, reliving their own memories of homecoming games at their Midwest high schools in the 1950s and 1960s.

I had the chance to chat with Lincolnville native and longtime CHRHS teacher Patrick Kelly — PK to most of us, young and old — who was stationed at the top of the student section to keep an eye on things. Like me, PK grew up in the days when there was no Windjammers football team, and we lamented not experiencing a similar display of school pride.

Last year, Camden Hills won the championship for eight-man football. This year they are back in the more competitive 11-man league. When the game clock ran down, the stands emptied with raucous cheers, the students pouring onto the field to celebrate with their uniformed classmates. Kids from Lincolnville, from Hope, Appleton, Rockport, and Camden. From Northport and Saint George. Celebrating their team, their school, their community.

Well played, guys, on both sides. Thanks to all involved for a heck of a fun Friday night.

LCS-PTO Clothing Swap

The Parent Teacher Organization of Lincolnville Central School continue its planning for the autumn clothing swap, on the 23-25 of October at the Tranquility Grange This is an amazing event, and such an incredible way to upcycle the clothes you or your kids have outgrown, and get some new stuff. Leave your clean donations at the box outside the LCS front doors, and volunteers will sort and organize them for the October sale. Thank you so much to the Tranquility Grange for offering the space.

Library Happenings

Join the library for books, WiFi, and a sunny spot on an autumn afternoon. Tuesday will host the needleworkers from 3 to 5 p.m., cribbage will be played on Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and come play MahJonng Friday at noon.

More football this afternoon, thankfully without the anxiety of my boys actually being in harm’s way. I will take on my accustomed role of preparing and delivering snacks to my wife and boys as they cheer/yell at the Patriots.

Enjoy the fall colors, Lincolnville, and be patient with the autumnal visitors, who always show up this time of year to marvel at what we take for granted.

Have a wonderful week and open a new door with a smile. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, September 21

Select Board with Special Guests Camden Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Office

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

Tuesday, September 22

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

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

Lakes and Ponds Committee. 7 pm., Town Office

Wednesday, September 23

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

Library open 2-5