Shop Local, Shop Often

Sun, 12/10/2023 - 10:00pm

Ed O’Brien

Maine Coast Artisans (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Lincolnville Fine Arts Gallery (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Michael Timchak with some of his work at Windsor Chairmakers. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Upstairs at the Redd Cottage (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

An example of the fine ceramics available from Mud by Mo (Photo courtesy of Molly Rubin-Sarsfield)

A vintage schooner model at Lincolnville Fine Arts (Photo courtesy of Dwight Wass)

Maine Coast Artisans (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Lincolnville Fine Arts Gallery (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Michael Timchak with some of his work at Windsor Chairmakers. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Upstairs at the Redd Cottage (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

An example of the fine ceramics available from Mud by Mo (Photo courtesy of Molly Rubin-Sarsfield)

A vintage schooner model at Lincolnville Fine Arts (Photo courtesy of Dwight Wass)

The tree I snagged from Don French last weekend is up, visible from the road through the window of what once was the barn loft. St. Nicholas Day has passed — chocolate in the shoes, not one child stolen away by Krampus, the monster who accompanies Old St. Nick on his rounds, according to Alpine European tradition, looking for the wicked children.

The menorahs are lit, as the nights of Hanukkah are observed. And Christmas is upon us.

For those of us who celebrate, it is time to look for the perfect gifts. To ensure there is something under the tree or stuffed in a stocking for the people we love.

As I teased last week, I want to illuminate the gift options which exist right here, within the borders of this little town on the Coast.

Of course, this is a very incomplete list; the talent within this little town is immeasurable, and I know I will leave many out.

Saturday morning I entered, for the very first time, Maine Coast Artisans, at the Beach. A cooperative of multiple makers, you can find books, clothing, jewelry, home goods, and tchotchkes of all sorts.

Next door is the venerable Beach Store, where you can purchase an incredibly delicious pizza (pepperoni and pineapple is this family’s go to) sandwiches, and various beverages to fuel your Lincolnville shopping spree.

And on the other side of the Beach Store sits Dwight Wass’s Lincolnville Fine Art Gallery, where you will find vintage schooner models, hand carved birds, and various antiques.

Just up the road, take the time to peruse Windsor Chairmakers. Lincolnville residents Michael and Jana Timchak preside over showrooms encompassing two old farmhouses full of the furniture Michael and his craftspeople create.

A trip to the Center will take you to The Red Cottage, a beautiful home goods store, with everything a coastal Maine house could need.

Dot’s at the Beach and the Lincolnville General Store in the center will supply you with fine wines and all your entertaining needs. Mmmm… cheese and a glass of wine…

Sleepy Hollow Rag Rugs has up-cycled rugs and hand knitted hats.

Should you need a caffeine boost during your Lincolnville shopping spree, swing by Green Tree Coffee and Tea on Atlantic Highway, for a pour-over coffee or a bag of fresh roasted beans to bring home. They also have all the accoutrements for the tea and coffee lovers on your list.

For the practical, Viking Lumber and Western Auto. Living in a very rural town, there is something amazing about having anything I need for my home or car a mile or two away.

Oh! and don’t forget the quintessential Maine stocking stuffer: scratch off lottery tickets! Drakes, at the corner of 52 and 173, has your back. And yet another place to grab a pizza.

Speaking of food, the Whale’s Tooth Pub and Astor and Rose at the Youngtown Inn are both wonderful places to take in a meal.

Dolce Vita Farm and Bakery offers home-cooked meals and pizza nights; subscribe and look to the Lincolnville Bulletin Board for info. And stop by Ararat Farms farmstand at the corner of Vancycle and Belfast roads, where an assortment of local delicacies are on sale.

So many artisans. Simon van der Ven, works in ceramics in the Center. Mud by Mo is another Lincolnville ceramics artist, and check out the ceramics produced by Meghan Flynn or Randy Fein.

Janet Redfield works in stained glass, Antje Roitzsch designs incredible art mobiles. Jordan Barnett-Parker is a Lincolnville jeweler.

And books. Someone on your list loves books. Elizabeth Hand, who I have mentioned before, but also Diane O’Brien, Richard Grant, and Lincolnville native David Dodd are local authors. I tasked Lincolnville Community librarian Kristina Landi with coming up with a list of local authors — sorry Kris!

So there is an incredibly incomplete list of gift ideas within the borders of this little town. I deliberately avoided including websites, emails, etc, because you all know how to search the interwebs. Right?

All these wonderful businesses and artisans are just a Google search away.

So get shopping, and support this little place!

Town Meeting

Monday, December 11, at 6 p.m., at LCS there will be a Special Town Meeting to vote on whether we want to adopt an ordinance entitled “Town of Lincolnville Major Non-Residential Development Project Moratorium.” Yeah, this is about the proposed development at the corner of Beach and Main streets, across from Drakes. So be there if you want your vote counted. Democracy, people.

Carols in the Round

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, there will be a performance at the Lincolnville UCC church by the Mountview High School Chamber Singer. This will be a candlelit a cappella performance, and I understand it is not to be missed.

Open Studios in The Center:

I received late news that there will be a mini open studio on Sunday, from 10 to 4, and Simon van der Van’s studio at the end of Moss Meadow Road (across from the Red Cottage) and Anna Flynn, Meaghan Flynn, and Miki Glasser’s studio next to the Lincolnville Boat Club, across from the Library on Main Street. Check out their wares!

Alright, Lincolnville. Take care of yourselves, stay warm. Keep being kind, get your steps in. Next week I will mention all the businesses and artisans I forgot, so reach out to me at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Monday, December 11

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, 10 a.m., Town Office

Recreation Commission, 4 p.m., Town Office

Special Town Meeting, 6 p.m., LCS

Select Board, immediately following Town Meeting, Town Office

Tuesday, December 12

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

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

Heart and Soul Committee, 12 p.m., Lincolnville Community Library

Wednesday, December 13

Library open 2-5 p.m.

Youth Group, ages 9-17, 6 p.m., Bayshore Baptist Church, 2648 Atlantic Highway