LINCOLNVILLE — In a surprise June 8 visit to the Cronin Family, the Lincolnville Select Board and Town Administrator David Kinney dedicated the 2022 Annual Town Report to Lee Cronin, a high honor bestowed on a citizen once a year.

The dedication reads:

Lee Cronin’s deep roots in Lincolnville span over five decades, beginning when she spent many months here as a youngster with her extended family, including her grandparents, aunt, and uncle, Dr. Frank Kibbe, who was a beloved local pediatrician.  It was Lee’s grandfather, Edwin Kibbe, who found and donated the War of 1812 cannon that stands today at our beach.  

Her love for this community grew over the years.  During college, she introduced her future husband, Brian, to Lincolnville and he, too, was smitten.  Over the next 30 years, her three daughters, their spouses and children also became deeply connected to our community.  Lee and Brian bought land and later built a home, ultimately retiring here over 20 years ago.  

Over her many years in Lincolnville, Lee has formed lasting friendships with both permanent and seasonal residents, establishing a legacy of generosity and dedication to our town.  Her enthusiasm and boundless energy draw and retain a lasting, ever-growing group of volunteers that help carry out numerous projects.  This has resulted in visible and significant contributions to this community and generated infinite pride and good will. 

As a teacher, Lee became involved early on with the Lincolnville Improvement Association’s scholarship program which has provided tuition and expense benefits to over 50 college-bound Lincolnville students since its inception.  

Lee is the face and driving force of the beloved Blueberry Wing Ding, a LIA-sponsored benefit breakfast that funds the scholarships.  This event, held every August for 19 years, is a summer highlight for both locals and visitors.  Volunteers cook and serve a blueberry pancake breakfast alongside bake sale and white elephant tables.  Local merchants from the Town and the Beach donate goods and services for a raffle held at the breakfast.  The Wing Ding has proven and continues to be a widely successful fundraiser.  Since 2001, over 30 scholarships have been awarded in the amount of $34,350, benefitting Lincolnville students.  

Her dedication to our community’s youth continues with her work for the Lincolnville Women’s Club, of which Lee has long been an active member, helping raise annual scholarship monies for local deserving students through yard sales and other activities.

With an eye on beautification, Lee has been the driving force in creating and maintaining the stunning flowers and plantings along Atlantic Highway each summer for the past ten years.  She organized and planted numerous garden areas, many at her own personal expense, around the business area of the beach where locals and visitors alike to take photos.  Lee recruits and organizes volunteers to plant and care for specific gardens, barrel planters and other area each year.  Of special attraction is her petunia boat, where hardly a day goes by without photos being taken by those drawn to this lovely and unique garden in a boat.  This past year she was inspired to add a memorial garden in remembrance of local Covid victims in front of the post office where she plants flowers every year.  

Lee is also quietly involved in other important activities in the community.  She and her husband, Brian, are currently leading the capital campaign to restore and renovate the Lincolnville Historical Society’s Beach Schoolhouse building.  They coordinated a direct mail campaign that, when combined with other fundraising efforts including membership drives and grab-and-go meals, has contributed $61,088 to the project to date.  Lee is determined to help ensure that our Town’s historical records and artifacts are maintained safely for generations to come.  

When help is needed throughout the year, you’ll find Lee is one of the first to volunteer.  She is an annual volunteer at the UCC Strawberry Festival, and many other activities to support the Town of Lincolnville.  She gives as much help as she receives in her efforts to boost the town.  

Lee and Brain have three adult children (Kimberly, Karen, and Kristine) and two grandchildren (Wyatt and Lucy).

We are especially grateful to Lee for her dedication to our community.  The Town of Lincolnville is a better place for all to live due to her efforts.