It was quite a week in the household at Sleepy Hollow. Our daughter’s graduation from Camden Hills Regional High School was a multiple day affair, starting with the baccalaureate on Monday, and ending with Friday’s graduation. 

As we were returning from the third night in a row of senior events (scholarship night), my wife made the observation that this served to make her graduation more than just a single moment in time. The march down the center of Camden, bedecked in cap and gowns, the streets lined with cheering locals and bemused tourists. Senior Night, with a much more casual celebration of our graduates, personal speeches and a slideshow and video showing how far they have come. The awarding of scholarships, the local organizations who support our students in their next steps, many presented by the representatives of those same organizations. 

Long time Camden-Rockport teacher Charlie Crockett was assigned to present a couple awards in the middle of the of the program. My geometry teacher and cross country coach, Charlie immediately dove into one of his stories, and I was transported back to 16. Ask Camden Rockport graduate from the 1970s through the 1990s about Charlie and Penny Crockett. Local institutions is what they are.

In many of the speeches I heard over the last week, there was a common theme: the incredible privilege of growing up in this place. The ways in which a community supports its youth. As anyone who, like me, actually grew up here, there is some nostalgia in this. I remember the skate board battles of the 1990s, where townspeople were concerned about youth skating in village limits, and the teens reacted as teens do, with stubborn defiance. Who remembers the scandal of the hacky-sack circle worn into the grass in Harbor Park? With the activity of kicking around a small knit bean bag in resurgence, I wonder if this debate will return.

The same qualities that cause many of those of us north of 30 to love this place, can be the same that cause our young people to want to get out as soon as possible. That was certainly me in June of 1993. Here I am though, and over the last week I saw many of my old Camden Rockport High School classmates, celebrating their own kids journey, and preparing to send them out into the world.

I watched an old friend’s daughter receive a scholarship from Charlie Crockett, and remembered that her mom told me 33 years ago that Mr. Crockett had also taught her parents. A through-line over three generations.

While the seniors technically finished school the Friday before, they were expected to still show up every morning for marching practice, something I strongly recall from my time. Tuesday morning, after finishing their drills, the seniors had the opportunity to return to their elementary schools, in their gowns, to visit their old teachers and meet the upcoming generation. Just such a sweet tradition.

Friday evening, I found my eyes leaking over and over, from my seat in the Athletic field, surrounded by my dearest friends and family, watching these young people transition. The babies from the group of moms that formed in 2008 to support each other and their infants. The little boys and girls from Lincolnville who I watched grow during their time at LCS- still recognizable as young men and women.

I send my best to the CHRHS Class of 2026, and especially to you young people of Lincolnville. Carry the best of our community with you as you follow your dreams.

Community Garden Care

As Lincolnville Central School winds down its school year, the community garden in front of the school needs your help, with the students off enjoying summer. LCS Garden Coordinator Tiffany Wolff requests volunteers to water, weed, and harvest. Maybe you have meant to start a garden of your own, but just haven’t found the motivation? This is your opportunity to gateway a taste of the activity. Caring for plants is very therapeutic; trust me, I am a professional.

Sign up for a shift here.

Library Happenings

Needleworkers meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Cribbage for Everyone will be held this week at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. The MahJongg group meets every Friday at 12 p.m. 

Always remember that the Library is a great place to get out of the heat, find some summer reading, or take advantage of free WiFi.

Radio Play at the LHS

Do not forget the radio play To Jack a Salesman will be presented on two dates this weekend, Friday, June 12 with dinner at 6 p.m., and Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. without dinner, at the Schoolhouse Museum, 18 Beach Road. Get tickets while they are available at www.lincolnvillehistory.org. Drama, intrigue, and very, very local characters.

Voting

Among all the flowers popping up, local green spaces are also sprouting a massive crop of lawn signs. It is time for municipal elections, the school budget vote, and the state primaries. We will need to decide on who we want to represent the party of our choice in the November elections of governor, U.S .Senate, and Second District U.S. Representative. Maine has an open primary, so even if, like me, you are not enrolled with a party, you can still take part. If we are lucky there may be church lady baked goods for sale, and the Lincolnville Women’s Club is raffling off one of there amazing gift baskets. Someday I will win one.

Town Meeting will be held Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m. at Walsh Common in LCS. For our newer residents, this is still how we do democracy in small New England towns. Show up, vote, see and be seen.

Do not forget that, no matter who we vote for, whose sign may show up on whose lawn, we remain neighbors, a community.

Get out there and do good. Take advantage of the local produce that is starting to show up at farm stands across the town. Our bodies are hardwired to crave greenery.

Spare a thought for the young people leaving school, maybe the community. For the kids looking forward to the summer stretching ahead, for the parents and grandparents trying to figure out what to do with them for 3 months.

Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, June 8

Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Office

Recreation Commission, 6 p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, June 9

Election Day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., LCS

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

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

Wednesday, June 10

Library open 2-5

Thursday, June 11

Library open 2-5 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Beginner’s Meeting, 7 p.m., Lincolnville Historical Society, 33 Beach Road

Conservation Commission, 4 p.m., Town Office

Annual Town Meeting, 6 p.m., Walsh Common, LCS

Friday, June 12

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

Library open 9-2 p.m., 208 Main Street

Saturday, June 13

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, June 14

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 10 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages, 10:40 a.m. Coffee and Baked Goods, 11:00 a.m. worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway