It was a relatively chilly week. After several years of winters that seemed a bit too mild, this last week made me think of the Januarys of my childhood. Though with less snow.

The pipes no longer freeze here at Sleepy Hollow, thanks to years of investment in insulation, but the store of wood in the woodshed my wife and father-In-law built a few years ago has taken a beating. Ma, the downstairs neighbor, has been keeping the fires going, and, as his her right, she recognizes the family upstairs need to ensure that the wood box is full. After all, not only do we benefit from the downstairs heat, we also are responsible for three adolescents — well equipped to carry in wood for their 80 year old grandma.

The week’s cold got me thinking about how Lincolnville survived the winter back in the day. 

Did you know Penobscot Bay used to freeze over? Watching the ice breaker circling Camden Harbor from my office on Bay View Street the other day made me think of the stories I’d heard, about people walking the three miles to Islesboro.

A friend of mind told me recently that her great grandfather, Austin Rankin, used to transport goods across the frozen expanse by horse drawn wagon to the people of Islesboro. One day one of the horses broke through the ice. Austin loved his horses, but realizing that unless he took quick action, he would lose not only the other horse but the entire wagon, he cut the poor animal free. 

This was heartbreaking for Austin, but it did not deter him from continuing his route. As long as the bay was frozen over, and there was a family to provide for, there was work to be done.

Edgar Allen grew up on Tuckerbrook Road. As a lad, he and a buddy would grab their skates on a Saturday afternoon and head down to Norton’s pond, and would proceed to skate all the way to Camden in order to take in a movie. I presume the theater they went to was what is now the Antiques Marketplace on Washington Street — the Turner family’s Five and Dime in my youth.

Edgar would then skate home to Lincolnville, arriving home long after midnight. 

This gives me such a strong image, a couple young adolescents in the 1930s, skating across Megunticook under the stars.

Edgar was also responsible for lighting the stove in the old schoolhouse at the base of Tuckerbrook. He would strap on his homemade skis and head down the hill early every winter morning.

When the draft called young Edgar to service for World War II, he mentioned this skiing experience, and ended up assigned as a medic to the 10th Mountain Division serving in the Apennines of Italy. A bit of a change from that gentle incline down Tuckerbrook.

Read more about Edgar’s story in “Staying Put” by Diane O’Brien.

Soup and Trivia at LCS

I mentioned last week that I was “volunteered” to make a soup for Lincolnville’s Parent Teacher Organization’s Soup and Trivia. Due to multiple members of my family knocked back by the upper respiratory infection circling our community, I did not attend, but it looks like it was a heck of a time. 

My Tomato/Basil soup joined a spread of 22 unique soups and stews spread out in Walsh Common at LCS. 

PTO member Lauren Beveridge talked to me of her grandmother organizing public suppers in her hometown of Oakland and it made me remember the prevalence of public suppers of my youth. We need to bring this tradition back, and I was heartened to see so many Lincolnville residents come out to break bread with their neighbors.

Open Mic

Okay, so this is Camden, but the American Legion has been hosting an Open Mic at 6 p.m. every Tuesday evening at their post on Pearl Street in Camden. I need to get there, because it sounds like there are some fantastic performers from the entire Midcoast region, but Lincolnville, as always, is disproportionately represented.

Library Happenings

Tuesday will host needleworkers from 3 to 5 p.m. All are welcome to join. From 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday will be Mah-Jong, with lessons available for those who want to learn. At 3:30 p.m., Saturday, the Library will host Music Together, for families with young kids. 

With a house full of adolescents, I sometimes miss those days of singing at the library with a pack of toddlers.

So winter continues, but the days get longer, with there usually some light now when I leave the office. Stay warm, keep those pipes insulated. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, January 27

Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, January 28

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 p.m., Town Office

Friday, January 31

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

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, February 1

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, February 2

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 11:00 worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway