Sun, 03/30/2025 - 4:40pm

Ed O’Brien

A Lincolnville otter surveys his domain. (Photo by Coraeyn Senn)

We are living through some worrying times. They are not generally to my liking. People seem to be angrier than normal, more unsettled. Were that it only was on the news channels, the media websites we read, but it is impacting even the small towns we live in, here in this small place.

The recent news about the detention of a local resident here in the Midcoast, a person who, according to the available information, was living here legally, has really disturbed me.

I wrote recently that if you live here, you are from here. I often write about the early European settlers of this town, but the Wabanaki people lived here for thousands of years, hunting and fishing and living full, rich lives when my ancestors were doing the same on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean that laps Lincolnville’s shores.

I will not pretend to know all the details, though I have done my best to collect information from local sources. I have been told that a local traffic stop led to a man who, having fled oppression in his native country, to be detained by the Border Patrol, and who’s current whereabouts are unknown.

I do not wish to attack the Border Patrol, or the hard working employees of the Waldo County Sheriff’s office, but I do think it is our right and responsibility to ask questions. The federal government has long enforced increased powers for immigration enforcement, such as warrantless searches,within 100 miles of a border. Maine’s location results in our entire state being within that boundary.

Along with the man currently detained, a young woman who was a passenger in the traffic stop was also taken to the border station, and released after extensive questioning, at a truck stop far north of her Waldo County home in the middle of the night. The most heartening part of this story is that the people there took care of her and fed her until a relative could make the trip up to get her. Because that is what we do.

I do wish to stress that some of this information is not officially verified, and I hope that more information will be forth coming.

Should we enforce the security of our borders? Of course, but I am really concerned about the rounding up of people who have been granted sanctuary here, of people who contribute to our society and raise their children here. Who work and obey the law, and just want a better life for their family. My ancestors came here seeking a better life, though they certainly did not even attempt to seek the approval of the people who already were living here.

If someone comes here to commit crimes and hurt people, they absolutely should not be welcomed. If they come here to be part of our community, welcome. If you came here from New York, or Columbia, or Ukraine, and are willing to be part of this little place on the coast, welcome.

Two of my sister-in-laws immigrated here from different countries, and both are amazing contributors to our nation, to our state, to our community. Hardworking, good people, outspoken and bold mothers, making the Midcoast great.

Our media, our politics, love to divide us. To try to force us into a binary team. Black and white, or red and blue, but this is just not the way people are. We are not that simple. A person who comes here to give their family a better life is not our enemy.

We just want to live, to work a decent job for fair wages, to have a roof over our head and food on the table, and a purpose.

Dividing us does not make us stronger. I go back to my metaphor of the Lincolnville Chevy truck with a MAGA sticker pulling the Lincolnville Prius out of a ditch on a snowy day. When someone is in need, we help them, we do not ask where their political loyalties lie. Or, for that matter, where they were born.

People in our town are scared, people are worried. Will the Social Security check come on time, will our Mainecare be cut off? How can we take care of refugees when we don’t know if we can afford the rent? For those of us more fortunate, we worry about our retirement funds, or if we can afford that new vehicle.

When people get scared, it is too easy to turn on each other. To turn on the new family in town — “she may be a hard worker, but she can barely speak English.” To focus attention on the trans kid, who just wants to be accepted. To express anger at the person who voted for the person currently leading our country, like everything currently frightening is their individual fault.

We are better than this. We need to start asking questions. Maybe it is worth asking our Sheriff, who I believe to be a decent man, to meet with the community and help us understand the relationship between our county government and the federal agents tasked with enforcing our border laws.

Lincolnville, we need to be our best selves. We need to be a community that can transcend the binary, to truly listen to all, even if it is incredibly hard.

Benefit Supper Take Two

Due to uncertain weather the benefit supper and music at the Lincolnville Community Building, for Kim Moran, whose home burned flat this winter, has been postponed to Saturday, April 12. The supper, with musical acts directed by Rosey Gerry, will run from 5-7 p.m. There is no charge, but donations are encouraged. Contact Heidi Perkins, (207) 930-9247, with any questions. Because we take care of our neighbors.

Rural Living Day

This coming Saturday, April 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host its 30th annual Rural Living Day here at Lincolnville Central School, 523 Hope Road.

This will be a daylong event intended to educate on topics of rural living. From joining author Tom Wessels on an interpretive walk through the woods, to learning the art of tool sharpening and maintenance from Chris Knapp of the Maine Local Living School, to the art of making beeswax candles from Jessica Marshal of Lily Bee Apiary, to learning to make homemade pasta with James Beard Award winning chef Melissa Kelly of Primos, as well as many other workshops it should be an exceptionally informative day.

Registration is required, for four workshops, morning snack and lunch. Register online. A $30 donation is requested.

If you live here, you are by necessity close to the land. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity to learn new things, or brush up on what your parents and grandparents taught you.

Library Events

Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m. the library will host John Luft, of ReVision Energy, for a Q&A regarding ways to access the benefits of joining a local community solar farm, lower monthly electricity costs, take advantage of federal tax credits, and be part of a sustainable energy future.

Also on April 1, the knitting group will meet from 3-5, all skill levels welcome. As an amateur knitter, I can attest that the only way to truly learn is from skilled elder knitters.

On Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m., Jed Beach of Lincolnville’s 3 Bug Farm, will share the basic of growing your own food — soil preservation, planting techniques, and basic pest management. And now I am remembering my dad, and his pest management of the potato bugs, involving daily surveillance and your thumb and forefinger. Maybe Jed has more advanced techniques.

Finally, on Saturday, April 5, the library will host a workshop on Visible Mending, ways to mend your clothing artistically by hand. Accessible for those who sew in their sleep and those who have never threaded a needle.

I love that our Community Library continues to commit to lifelong learning, from the youngest seeking a story book to be read from to those of us getting longer in the tooth seeking a new skill.

OK, Lincolnville. Bit of a political column this week, and I anticipate not to everyone’s taste. But it can’t all be sunny days and warm, fuzzy feelings. We live in a small and isolated place, but we are still part the wider world. I truly believe that a little town like ours can serve as an example to that wider world, should we treat each other with kindness, respect, and understanding, even, and especially, when understanding is difficult.

As always, do good and be good, and look out for your neighbor, wherever they may have been from originally. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, March 31

Land Use Committee, 4 p.m. Town Office

Tuesday, April 1

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

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

Wednesday, April 2

MCSWC Board if Directors, 6:30 p.m., Camden Town Office

Friday, April 4

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

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street