Maybe you have not noticed, but the town of Lincolnville has been defenseless for the last 18 months or so. During the catastrophic storms of January 2024, the cannon, along with much of the beach infrastructure, was damaged, and taken away for renovations.

I go in depth about the story of the cannon in an article from a couple years ag , but suffice to say, it was set up on Lincolnville Beach to commemorate Lincolnville’s role in the War of 1812, when the British had set up a command center across the bay in Castine.

Noah Miller, originally hailing from Nova Scotia, had arrived in Maine in 1777 after refusing to sign a loyalty pledge to England’s King George. 

As hostilities broke out again, Noah and some other men from Lincolnville and Northport hired a whaling boat and turned privateer, capturing a British frigate, its crew, and its cargo, and taking it to Camden Harbor, which was still under American control.

While legend insists the cannon was installed as a defensive measure for French Beach, now Lincolnville Beach, living memory and those with a better understanding of the history or our town suggest that the cannon was found rusting on someone’s lawn in Camden, and installed at the Beach as a commemorative act.

I am told Dwight Wass was responsible for plugging up the barrel, to stop visiting youngsters from filling it up with shells and beach pebbles.

A piece of military hardware harmlessly standing on the Beach, forever incapable of harming anyone. Would that all military hardware be the same, and the hearts of our species fully turn from using violence to solve conflicts?

The cannon, so beautifully restored, was placed on a new chunk of granite just prior to July 4.

Thank you to those who made this happen, and preserving our history.

Should the British start getting ideas about Penobscot Bay again, remember that we have a cannon. For what that is worth.

A Damsel in Distress:

This story comes to me by way of our Town Administrator extraordinaire Dave Kinney.

Dave relates to me a typical Monday morning in the Kinney household, with everyone planning their day, and college junior Izzy announcing her plan to go for a hike before starting her afternoon shift at The Smiling Cow.

Late morning, Dave receives a call from his eldest daughter; she had decided to hike Maiden’s Cliff, as young women from Lincolnville have been known to do, and there was a problem.

Maiden’s Cliff, as all from the area are aware, is so named for little Elenora French, an 11-year-old from the Beach, who fell to her death during a May picnic in 1864, while chasing a straw hat. Should you visit her grave at French Cemetery, behind Dot’s Market, leave her some wildflowers.

Now Izzy is more sensible than poor Elenora. As she sat on the cliff’s edge, taking in the incredible view of Lake Megunticook, her cell phone began to slide, plummeting into the trees below. Izzy did not follow the phone over.

Say what you will about Generation Z and their reliance on technology, but what would you do if you suddenly found yourself without a phone? Needless to say, it is a significant disruption, when trying to juggle an internship and a regular job, not to mention social and familial connections.

Good Dad that he is, while Izzy made her way to work, Dave took advantage of a long lunch break afforded by his later attendance at an evening meeting, and made his way up Maiden’s Cliff, the “Find My” app open on his own phone.

Izzy’s phone had apparently survived the fall, and was still broadcasting its location — far below the clifftop cross. Well beyond her dad’s ability to retrieve it.

Enter the prince in this story. Through an old high school classmate, Izzy had made the acquaintance of Everett, a young man working in the area this summer for Equinox Guiding Service, leading people on rock climbing adventures through Camden Hills and Acadia.

When the phoneless Izzy made her way down the trail to her car at the Turnpike trailhead, she left an old-school note on Everett’s car, explaining why she would not be able to text him after work.

Tuesday dawned with Izzy’s phone still broadcasting its location at the bottom of Maiden’s Cliff. And Everett had reached out to Izzy; it is good to be friends with a rock climber. Tuesday evening, after getting out of their respected day jobs, Izzy and Everett made their way up the trail, Everett fully kitted out with ropes, harness, and helmet.

In a few short minutes, Everett secured his line, and rappelled down the cliff, returning a bit later, an iPhone in hand, generally no worse for wear.

Maybe a rather insignificant rescue mission in the annuls of Camden Hills State Park, but still a pretty cool story about the connections we form, and being there for each other.

Strawberry Festival

This Saturday, July 12, marks the 32nd annual Lincolnville United Christian Church Strawberry Festival. One of Lincolnville’s cherished tradition, the festival will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road. It will feature the famous strawberry shortcake- piled high on homemade biscuits and topped with whipped cream, as well as grilled hotdogs, popcorn and other goodies for sale. 

At 10 a.m. the parade will kick off, heading down Main Street toward the church. Youngsters are invited to bring their bikes, trikes, and wagons to the Lincolnville Community Library at 9:30, to decorate their rides and lead the parade.

The festival will also include face painting and other children’s activities, tours of the 1821 Meeting House, a white elephant sale, miniature horses, and live music by Rosie and Corinne.

The Strawberry Festival really is a fantastic time. Fund raised will be used to support the Meeting House and Community Building, and support he ongoing charitable missions of the church. The Lincolnville UCC is an Open and Affirming Congregation, where all are welcome.

Contact festival coordinator Susan Silverio at ucclincolnville18212gmail.com for more information.

Library Happenings

The Needlework group will meet Tuesday from 3-5.

In coordination with the Strawberry Festival, the newly paved library parking lot will be the place for the youth of Lincolnville to decorate their bikes. The Library will also host a make-your-own-hummingbird-feeder craft from 9-12 Saturday morning.

Finally, contact the library about the free passes to Boothbay’s renowned Botanical Gardens. The Library is able to offer a set of passes each day, for two adults and up to five children per adult. Stop by or reach out to the library at questions@lincolnvillelibrary.org.

Artist Tom Hardy at the Lincolnville Historical Society

The LHS is hosting its second feature artist of the summer with the artwork of Tom Hardy. Stop by during the museums open hours to view his work, as well as to peruse the carefully curated artifacts of this little town’s past.

Okay Lincolnville, have a fantastic week. Take time to help out a friend, or even a stranger. When we reach out, listen, and support each other, we are a better people. The cannon on the shore is a relic, a symbol of the past, that should be remembered, but it is how we treat each other now that matters.

Contact me at ceobrien246@gmail.com

Municipal Calendar

Monday, July 7

Historical Society Museum Open, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Tuesday, July 8

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

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

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

Wednesday, July 9

Library Open, 2-5 p.m., 208 Main Street

Historical Society Museum Open, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, Bible Study, 6 p.m

Thursday, July 10

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

Conservation Commission 4 p.m., Town Office

Friday, July 11

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

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Historical Society Museum Open, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Saturday, July 12

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, July 13

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