I have written a fair bit about the long time families of this little town. The O’Briens are not one of them. They arriving in 1970, by way of Augusta and Chicago, Illinois. My parents came across this ramshackle old farmhouse at Sleepy Hollow and decided this would be the place to raise their family. 

Although we are in a place that dos not change very much, we have always had our share of recent arrivals. Sometimes met with a degree of suspicion by those who are already here, a not-so-quaint rural tradition.

Anyone who pay attention, however, will recognize that it is those from “away” who often add the most to our little town. If you don’t believe me, volunteer for a role in a community organization: a municipal board, the LIA or LHS, the library, the LCS Parent Teacher Organization, one of the local churches… Check to see how many of the people who keep this community going are “from here”.

For this week, I sought out a couple who have more recently made their home in Lincolnville, and Bobby and Alicia Martin were kind enough to oblige me.

Way back in the wild days of 2020, Bobby and Alicia found themselves working remotely, in their little house in Portland Oregon, with boys Finlay and Rowan then aged 3 and 8: a situation that was rapidly becoming untenable.

Bobby hails from Western Pennsylvania, and attended school at Boston College. He and his buddies would occasionally make their way into Maine, to see the sun rise after a long weekend night.

Alicia’s family has been in Oregon for generations, but had close family friends who had moved to Caribou, and made several trips to the North Woods as a child.

After college, Bobby found himself in Portland, Oregon, where he was employed in children’s mental health, and worked to ensure the children in the foster care system were provided with consistent medical treatment. He met Alicia, who was working in municipal organizing, planning, and engineering, and started their little family.

The family first came to Maine together in 2017, on a trip to visit Bobby’s parents in Prince Edward Island, and agreed that the this state on the opposite side of the country is pretty awesome.

Flash forward to that Pandemic year. They decided they would look for a place in Maine.

A whirlwind real estate tour of the Midcoast followed, with the couple agreeing that the place off Slab City Road was perfect.

Three months later they had packed up their house and set off across the country, Bobby killing a good portion of the houseplants in the moving van along the way, and arrived in Linconvillle in late October.

A couple of folks used to the amenities of an urban area in the woods of Midcoast Maine. Quickly they learned that the power can and will go out for more than 24 hours during winter storms. What it means to be on a private well, figuring out how to heat a house in January. Not to mention the reality of the cost of living in this tiny place.

Honestly there were parallels to the stories my parents told me about their first year at Sleepy Hollow.

Bobby was working remotely at that point, and Alicia got to feel the full brunt of the isolation. One boy tied to her hip, and another none to pleased that he had been moved across the country.

Alicia told me that it was a chance meeting at Drake’s one April afterschool (who doesn’t have stories of chance meetings at Drake’s?)) that led her to be introduced to one of her older son’s classmate’s moms, and an invite to the Beach, where other parents could socially distance while the kids played in the surf.

An afternoon at the Beach led to friendships and an end to the isolation. Alicia and Bobby were part of out little town.

Bobby now works for the Maine Primary Care Association, and continues to have a passion for the rights of children with significant needs. Alicia works in the administrative office at Camden Rockport Middle School, where she is the smiling face greeting students and visitors to the school.

Although Bobby’s initial dream of a little farm was not quite realized, he carved out a section of the woods for a garden of raised beds, and I was greeted by a pair of ducks when I arrived at their home. They also added that most necessary of Maine summertime amenities, a screen porch, to the back of the house- and therefore the ability to enjoy the late spring and summer without being eaten alive by blackflies and mosquitos. And Alicia’s mother soon followed them, finding a place down the road, further creating the sense of home for the lifelong Oregonian.

The supposed first settlers of Lincolnville, the Knights, were, not so long ago, just a family looking for a place to set down roots. Although the Wabanaki people who first populated these shores were likely not consulted. As the descendent of other “recent” arrivals, I welcome Bobby, Alicia, Finlay, and Rowan. Our town is stronger and better with them. And they are just good folk.

Friday at the Museum:

Join the Historical Society this Friday, December 20 at 7 p.m. for a Christmas Show, featuring stories, live music by local artists, and Christmas cookies. 33 Beach Road. There is no admission charge. It should be a good time

The tree, harvested from Don French’s field, is up, sporting a lifetime of decorations. Ornaments collected over my family’s life together. The one purchased on our Canadian Honeymoon in 2005, gifts from former colleagues, commemorating of the kid’s births, so many created by the children at school or church.

I have one more week of work before my boss gives me the remainder of the year off. I may not get paid, but I love that stretch between Christmas and New Years.

Be well, and reach out to your neighbors. You can always find me at ceobrien246@mail.com.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, December 16

Land Use Committee, 4 p.m., Town Office

Conservation Committee, 4 p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, December 17

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

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

Wednesday, December 18

Library open 2-5 p.m. 

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee 6:30 p.m., Town Office

Friday, December 20

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

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, December 21

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, December 22

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