Mon, 09/08/2025 - 6:40am

Ed O’Brien

My little Belladonna enjoys a walk over to Maplewood Cemetary before the rain starts. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

It was a blessedly damp Sunday morning. The rain was so very welcome after an extremely dry spell.

I love a rainy weekend morning. The weekend chores were mostly completed yesterday, and Sunday afternoon football is back on. Autumn in Maine.

I was talking to a transplant from a much more populated part of the nation recently, who marveled about the fact that they find themselves talking to the cashier at the local market. Well, yeah. No one here is anonymous, everyone is your neighbor.

I got to thinking about all the characters we live amongst, and the roles we play. The gregarious, the cantankerous, the civic-minded, the ones attempting to mind their own business.

Should you choose to behave in an uncivilized way, expect to get called out on it. Your reputation will proceed you.

So much of our discourse exists online. Even in Lincolnville. There are a couple Lincolnville centered Facebook groups, and of course, the online Lincolnville Bulletin Board, where information is exchanged, goods are distributed, discussions are had.

I think of the Medieval town criers, the municipal official tasked with making public announcements, and how the internet has allowed us all become the modern versions of this.

For better or worse.

I think sometimes it is easy to forget that, even on the internet, our words, our behavior matters. Speak up for what you believe. Feel free to disagree with whomever you want. Understand that you may be judged for your opinions, unfairly or not.

The internet often affords some level of anonymity, and I tend to hold special respect for those who offer their opinions under their own names, whether I agree with them or not.

It is a different world than the one I grew up in. Though the world I grew up in was a different world from the one my parents grew up in.

Again, for better or worse.

This morning, my Facebook feed is full of the public shaming of a certain person who behaved poorly at a baseball game recently. My Puritan ancestors would be proud, those early American immigrants who are famous for managing their fledgling New England communities through public punishments.

Is this a good thing? I have no idea, but it is reality. My thoughts? Just try to be kind, to be understanding, while still being resolute in your beliefs. Listen, and be open to learning, to understanding. Maybe don’t judge someone else’s bad day too harshly.

Meanwhile, I am going to enjoy the rain, an early season football game, and a roasted chicken for supper. And maybe stay off Facebook for a bit.

Library Happenings

Join the needleworkers from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Thursday, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. will be cribbage for everyone. If you do not know the game, stop by and learn. And get soundly beaten. Friday will be preschool story and playtime from 9-12, and Saturday will Music Together at 10 a.m.

Honoring Our First Responders

On Saturday , September 13, from 12-4 p.m., VFW Post 3108 and American Legion Post 43 will host a lunch at the American Legion, 143 Church Street, Belfast. Hot dogs, burgers, macaroni salad and a drink will be $10, free for first responders. They will also be hosting a silent auction. Proceeds will go toward the creation of a monument to Waldo County First Responders- our dispatchers, EMTs, paramedics, local and state police, sheriff officers, firefighters, wardens, and Coast Guard. Support those who come out when there is trouble.

OK, Lincolnville. Enjoy the beginning of September. Be respectful to your neighbors as well as the stranger, stand by your convictions, and try to be kind. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, September 8

Recreation Commission, 6 p.m. Town Office

School Board Meeting, 6 p.m. Town Office

Tuesday, September 9

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

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

Wednesday, September 10

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, 7 p.m

Planning Board, 6 p.m. Town Office