Wholesomeness at the Shore

Sun, 12/03/2023 - 6:15pm

Ed O’Brien

In all its blazing glory. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

A couple Scouts start stacking pallets. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

The completed pine pyramid. (Photo by Tracee O’Brien)

Adam Butamsu lights it up. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Carols around the fire. (Photo by Ed O’Brien

Santa came to warm himself at the fire. (Photo by Tracee O’Brien)

The spread at the Lincolnville Historical Society. (Photo by Arlene Jurewicz Leighton)

In all its blazing glory. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

A couple Scouts start stacking pallets. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

The completed pine pyramid. (Photo by Tracee O’Brien)

Adam Butamsu lights it up. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Carols around the fire. (Photo by Ed O’Brien

Santa came to warm himself at the fire. (Photo by Tracee O’Brien)

The spread at the Lincolnville Historical Society. (Photo by Arlene Jurewicz Leighton)

Friday evening found my wife and I once again standing outside Leonard’s, at the corner of Washington and Elm in Camden. The streets were lined with people as the parade started; fire trucks and municipal vehicles bedecked with lights, an impressive number of floats representing local businesses and organizations.

Children sat on parents shoulders or were protestingly strapped into strollers. My wife and I were child-free- our youngest riding the Troop 200 Scout Float, the other two somewhere in town with their friends. Adolescence. But the days of our kids yearning for a glimpse of The Santa at the end of the parade don’t seem long gone.

The Camden tree lighting with carols sung by the Camden Hills Regional High School choir, the performance in the lobby of Camden National Bank of student-led a cappella group Fortissima, the streets lined with bake sale tables peddling treats and hot chocolate to benefit worthy causes…

It was wonderful. Hallmark movie wonderful.

My wife and I discussed our idea for a cheesy Christmas movie — the disgruntled big city corporate lawyer finds themself stranded in the Midcoast for the holiday, and meets a foul-mouthed carpenter or lobsterman….

I’m curious to hear what you would title such an opus.

And of course, Saturday brought the less-polished Lincolnville response to Camden’s Christmas-by-the-Sea. The bonfire.

With Andy Young advising, I arrived at the beach Saturday to find Viking Lumber had donated an impressive pile of pallets and damaged boards. Troop 200 Assistant Scout Master Ed Hurlburt had also secured a pile of pallets. With the help of a couple boys from Troop 200 and a couple local gentlemen, we built a pine-board pyramid at the high tide line.

There was a moment of panic when it looked like we may be without a propane flame thrower to touch it off, but Andy Young came through again, and sent his colleague Adam Butamsu with the required flame. By 3:45 it was roaring, but we were blessed with an exceptionally calm evening, with what breeze there was sending the smoke out over the bay.

And by 4, with an impressive crowd gathered on the beach, the pine pyramid had settled into a more manageable bonfire, cool enough to gather around and sing carols. The tree was lit at 4:20, and Santa and his faithful elf arrived as predicted at 4:30, via LVFD fire truck.

Up the hill, the Lincolnville Historical Society Open House was packed with snacks and cheer, but I could not responsibly leave the fire this year.

I think the best part was standing before the pile of embers, with the few stragglers, and just feeling that things were right in the world.

As I say here ad nauseum, this is a very small place. Anonymity is not really an option. We all kind of know each other, which means our actions matter. The ways we treat each other matter.

I think this is why I love when large groups of us gather. Our individual beliefs, faith, and opinions are a lot less important when we gather. To watch a fire burn, to appreciate the beauty around us.

Watching our children- restrained to strollers, digging in the sand, or standing in awkward co-ed adolescent groups, navigating all the changes that age brings. To greet old friends, to meet new ones. Recognizing that we are stuck with each other, so we better get along.

All those things were happening this weekend on the Midcoast, and it was lovely. Christmas movie worthy.

Hopefully I will be able to secure one on Don French’s Christmas trees today before they are all gone. And I still have a lot of shopping to do. Here’s an idea- what are some locally produced gift ideas? This little town is full of talent, and next week I want to talk about gifts produced and created by local people. I will undoubtably leave people out, so reach out to me at ceobrien246@gmail.com if you want to make sure I include someone! Have a great week, do something fun. Thursday is the first night of Hanukkah, which is my excuse to make a massive plate of latkes with sour cream and homemade applesauce. Stay warm, stay safe.

CALENDAR

Monday, December 4

School Committee, 6 p.m., LCS

Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, December 5

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

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

Wednesday, December 6

Library open 2-5 p.m.

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

Thursday, December 7

Heart and Soul, 6 p.m. Town Office