I seem to remember that we used to all get along. Even back in the bad old days when we fought over whether to fund a kindergarten or if we really needed a police department, it felt clean. There were arguments about zoning or if paving a dirt road would turn it into a raceway. Harbor issues became contentious. But never were we suspicious of our opponents’ motives, never did we wonder about their politics. 

At least that’s how I remember it.

Then there was the parking lot meeting that followed the official meeting. You’d come out from the overheated town office or school cafeteria into the cold night air, either triumphant or cast down, depending on whether your particular issue had carried the day. The  postmortem ensued, right there standing in the snow or rain – what went wrong, who was an ally, who an enemy? If you’d won, there’d be high fives all around, and maybe even a congratulatory beer at someone’s house.

Town meeting could be especially frustrating and exhilarating at the same time. There was always the budget-cutting contingent, rumored for weeks ahead of time to be marshalling forces to keep taxes down. Town employees, they insisted, didn’t need a raise or whatever other increase in expenditures was proposed. And nearly always, they’d chicken out after asking a single question. The Moderator (Ric McKittrick was especially good at this) would give a detailed and reasonable explanation for the proposal, and the article would pass nearly unanimously.

Can’t forget the Grange town meetings, traditionally held on the first Monday of March, with everyone dying to get out of the house and mix it up with each other. Sort of like the pandemic freedom we’ve been living this past summer. The Grange would be full to capacity, the sober, serious citizens seated on benches and chairs, while the rowdier crowd stood at the back.

Voting for Selectmen and School Committee was a process. Friends of the candidates stood at the door, handing out slips of paper with their guy’s name on it. When it came time to vote everyone filed up to the front and put their favorite’s name into the wooden ballot box.

Was it possible to put more than one slip of paper in the box? Hmmmm. And how did we know that all those voting actually lived in Lincolnville? Eileen Young, town clerk at the time, kept an eagle eye on each one of us; she could spot a stranger a mile away. The contents were dumped out up on the stage where Eileen and a couple of helpers counted them. The system had worked for years; that old ballot box had seen decades of elections.

One memorable night a woman – Norma Schmitt – was elected Selectmen, the first in the town’s history. I seem to remember that Wally nominated her. Eventually a citizen petition urging the Selectmen to adopt the “Australian” ballot, i.e., a written ballot and a real election day brought about change.

Town meeting bounced around after that, from the Grange to the school cafeteria at the old school, and from Monday in March to Saturdays in June. Town meeting these days, held in modern Walsh Common with its sound system and stage, is generally a pale version of its earlier self. But there was one meeting, some ten years ago, that none of us who were there can forget, the town meeting to decide the fate of the Lincolnville Police Department.

Held in the gym (yes, the same gym that had been fought over for years, debated, defeated and finally won), it was packed to the rafters; seemingly everyone in town showed up that Saturday. Reinforcements were recruited for both sides via phone  – “better get out here, the vote looks close.” In the end it was a squeaker, with the win going to the no police contingent.

That one wasn’t pretty or neat, but when it was over it was over. We got on with our civic life, our communal interests and faith in one another still intact.

But look at us today. We’ve succumbed to the partisan divide that’s ravaging our country.

As covid cases are rising and Waldo County has rates considered among the highest in the state, most of us worry about who isn’t vaccinated, while some of us staunchly defend our right not to take the shot.

We either believe the election results that put Biden into office are accurate or we think it was stolen.

Long-time friendships are frayed. Homes have become a battleground with spouses on opposite sides.

We use words like “delusional” or “nutjobs”, “socialists” or “libtards” to describe each other.

I’m tired of this. Tired of wondering who I’m talking to, what they believe to be true, where they get their information.

A friend said of Lincolnville, “We don’t have a whole bunch of anyone, but the ones we have stand out.”

He meant it in the best way, that in this little town (population now at its all-time historic high of 2,312) we have so many interesting people. Sadly, we commemorated two men these past two week-ends whom we’d lost way too early. David Barrows and Tom Sadowski. David, the quintessential good citizen, who quietly went about working for his hometown. And quirky Tom Sadowski, a real renaissance man.

Any town of any size would be proud to claim them.

Town

Because the town’s budget was approved before the state’s contribution was known, a special town meeting must seek voter approval of how to appropriate extra funds received from the state. That meeting will be convened at 6 p.m. Monday, August 23 at the Town Office prior to the regular Selectmen’s meeting.

Indoor Flea Market

Finally, the return of the Lincolnville Center Indoor Flea Market this

Saturday, August 28th from 8 a.m. to noon in the Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road, Rte. 173, in Lincolnville Center.  There will be a wide variety of merchandise for sale including a kayak, an L.L.Bean tobaggon, flat screen TV, maritime books, a 19th century wooden chest, hand knits, rag rugs, antiques, collectibles, household items, curious miscellanea, and home baked goodies including breakfast casseroles and quiche to go.  This event is sponsored by the United Christian Church (UCC).  Masks are required. FMI: call 785-3521.

This flea market has always had a friendly, fun vibe with music, neighbors and goodies to eat there or take home. Fun for the vendors as well as the customers. Hope to see you there!

Soup Café on Hiatus

With the return of covid worries this summer the crew that puts on the Soup Café every Thursday has decided to take a break for a while. Stay tuned for its return, but in the meantime a big thank you especially to Roberta Heald and all her helpers – Judy Cookson, Cyrene Slegona, Lois Lyman, Cheryl Wienges and of course, to Ann and Alan Woodruff – we haven’t forgotten their delicious desserts and breads. Thank you as well to Bob Hollingsworth who faithfully did the set up and sweeping up each week.

Hope to see this pleasant weekly lunch resume later in the fall/winter. By the way, donations to the Soup Café go to the upkeep of the Community Building.

Library

The needlework group will meet Tuesday, August 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. This is a great time for both beginners and those with more experience to get together to work on knitting and other handwork projects.

The watercolor journaling group plans to take a break from meeting for the next month or so. They expect to get together again in the fall and perhaps offer a special workshop or instruction in particular painting techniques. 

Everyone is asked to please wear a face mask inside the library building regardless of vaccination status. 

One Last Word

 Our zip code has the highest rate of covid in the county and Waldo County has one of the highest in the state. Get the damned vaccination!