A Deer in Distress

Sun, 11/23/2025 - 5:27pm

Ed O’Brien

The Lincolnville Woman’s Club (Photo courtesy of Diane Vanpelt)

The Lincolnville Woman’s Club officers. (Photo courtesy of Diane Vanpelt)

A buck at Ducktrap. (Photo by Randy Stearns)

The Lincolnville Woman’s Club (Photo courtesy of Diane Vanpelt)

The Lincolnville Woman’s Club officers. (Photo courtesy of Diane Vanpelt)

A buck at Ducktrap. (Photo by Randy Stearns)

There is a fascinating history of women’s clubs in America, rooted in a history that did not often include the role of women in society. Often relegated to auxiliary groups to established men’s clubs, women began organizing on their own — as abolitionists, as temperance groups, as advocates for woman’s suffrage.

There was a second wave of women’s clubs during the 1960s and 1970s, and it was during this time that Lincolnville’s group began.

The Lincolnville Woman’s Club was started in 1971, with Helen Dodd as the president, and 25 members.

In 2025, the Lincolnville Women’s Club has 25 members, and recently brought on Diane Vanpelt on as president. Diane would like to see the club grow.

Women’s clubs have often been associated with supporting the community; the youth, the underserved. The Lincolnville Women’s Club of 2025 would like to expand upon this.

At the polls this November, the club raffled off a massive gift basket. I bought some tickets, along with some church lady baked goods, but alas, I was not selected. It was a fundraising boost for the Women’s Club, and part of Diane and her leadership team’s efforts to increase revenues and recruit new members, as they build funds for their annual scholarship and other community projects, such as welcome packets for new town residents.

The group has more fundraisers planned, including a Souper Bowl chili sale this winter.

The current leadership consists of Diane with Dorene Hadley as vice president, May Lee Mills as secretary, Dorothee Newcombe as treasurer, and Marietta Schier stepping in for Marilyn Pendleton as chaplain.

The women’s club meets monthly from April to December, with their annual tea at the Spouter Inn in the spring. Interested potential members should reach out to Diane at nreach370@gmail.com. While the group currently meets during the day, they are considering some evening meetings to attract younger members.

A Daring Rescue

Our relationship with the deer that live amongst us is interesting. They get into our gardens and orchards, can be a menace on the roads in early evening, and fill our freezers for the winter. Thanks to my father-in-law, the cellar freezer here at Sleepy Hollow is stocked.

My social media feed this time of year is full of pictures of proud hunters of all ages, pleased to have an animal to offset the price of meat these days.

What I saw yesterday, however, was a something different.

Heather Moran, who lives overlooking Ducktrap, awoke to see a buck possibly stranded in the cold waters of Penobscot Bay. She watched it for 20 minutes, and it seemed unable to get itself to land. Irredeemable animal lover that she is, Heather decided she had to help the critter out, and headed out into the ‘Trap, grabbing its antlers, managed to turn the critter toward shore, and to safety.

She states that some may see it as foolish, but she’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Perilous safety perhaps, as there is still another week of firearms hunting season, but I’d like to think that this lucky fella will make it until winter.

No Words

In further evidence that the whole of Maine is a small town, I think we are all reeling from the tragic death of 12 year old Brayden Callahan in Rockland this week. Sending love and healing to his family, friends, first responders, and the entire community, as we collectively mourn a young man gone far too soon.

Thanksgiving Meal Pickup/Delivery

The Bayshore Baptist Church is preparing 50 Thanksgiving meals for the community that can be delivered in town or picked up at the church Wednesday evening, for anyone who finds themselves in need. Reach out to the church at bayshorebaptist1835@gmail or call at (207) 505-5697. The deadline for requesting a meal or meals is Monday, November 24.

Thank you, Bayshore Baptist, for looking out for the community.

This week marks the start of the holiday season, with my favorite gathering, Thanksgiving. For the last several years my wife and kids have dragged out my grandmother’s long neglected wedding china, and I volunteer to take care of the birds, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and rolls — you know, the good stuff.

The old barn loft will fill with people, family and friends and we will remember to be thankful. Thankful that we can be together, that we are warm, that we are safe, that we have food to eat. To think of all those in the world that who have none of those things. To remember those who are no longer with us, and the memories of all those Thanksgiving meals that came before.

Happy Thanksgiving, Lincolnville. Do good work and look out for each other.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, November 24

Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, November 25

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

Wednesday, November 26

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

Thursday, November 27

Thanksgiving, Town Office Closed