We made it over March Hill, and it looks like Spring is finally here in Midcoast Maine. The final icy remains of the winter snow are retreating, and the crocuses and snowdrops are up in front of this old farmhouse. 

Windows are opened to afternoon sunlight (only for a bit, the breeze is still a bit brisk) and the cats are overjoyed to hear birdsong, as they plot ways to capture and eat our feathered friends- such is the nature of these undomesticated little beasts that live among us.

We have two dogs, both rescues from PAWS. Our first, Conrad, we got the summer before the Pandemic. Conrad is a pretty remarkable dog. Covered in a thick brindle coat, with likely more than a touch of border collie, he is the ultimate family dog. Obsessed with balls and sticks, and one of the best natured pups you will ever meet. And his favorite person in the world is my wife.

And then there is Belladonna. We acquired her mid-Pandemic, and she had stayed at PAWS a bit longer than many dogs. Bella hadn’t had the best luck finding a family who could tolerate her. She was nervous and snappy, and very mistrustful of strangers. And her favorite person in the world is me. Figures.

Over the last two years, Bella has adapted to this crazy family, and her sweet side shines now. We still don’t take her around strangers, though, out of an abundance of caution, which suits her just fine. Conrad is the people dog, Bella is more of a person dog.

And Bella has been my constant companion on walks through the neighborhood every morning. I get to listen to my podcasts, and she get to glare suspiciously at the neighbors.

But this Saturday morning, I figured the ice had retreated enough to venture onto the trails of Camden Hills State Park, and I leashed up Bella, Tracee leashed up Conrad, grabbed some water packs and dog treats, and drove the mile up Beach Road to Stephen’s Corner, the trailhead at the juncture of Beach and Youngtown Road.

If you are familiar with Lincolnville, you are most likely familiar with this spot. Starting on a well-maintained trail that is more of a dirt road, you can access the entirety of the Camden Hills trail system, if you walk long enough. But the Bald Rock trail is probably the most popular. 

There are two trails up Bald Rock- we elected to take the second one, about a mile and a half up the “road”. Here there is a junction, you can continue into the heart of the park, where the ski shelter lies ahead, take a right to the old Cameron Mountain Road- a forgotten neighborhood of Lincolnville where abandoned cellar holes lie amongst the trees if you know where to look- or take the left up Bald Rock.

The half mile walk up the hill can be a bit daunting even in the summer, and, well, all the snow was not gone from the trails. But talk about a beautiful path. And getting to the top of Bald Rock- one of my favorite places in the world.

You have a panoramic view of all of Penobscot Bay- the villages of Lincolnville Beach and Ducktrap to your left, Camden and Rockport to your right. Islesboro and North Haven and Vinal Haven; Deer Isle and Castine in the distance. 

Sweaty and reddened by the wind, we gave the dogs some water and just took it in. I thought of all the times I had stood in that spot, all the people who had come here with me, forty-something years of memories. Watching the stars over the bay, cooking hotdogs over what I am sure was an illegal fire, even then. Not that you are overly concerned with that sort of thing when you are 19.

If you remember the lean-tos, one has been taken down, probably last summer, but the second one, always my favorite, as it is almost hidden amongst the rocks, still stands, but barely. Time and the ravages of weather. And inside is a sign with the signatures of the eight international volunteers who built it- likely replacing an older shelter- in September of 1994.

I imagine those young people, building a shelter on a hill on the coast of Maine, and where they are now, and what they are doing. And how their lives turned out. I’m sure I was up Bald Rock more than once in the summer of 1994, about to start my Sophomore year of college, and clueless of where my life would be 29 years later.

We headed down the secondary trail, which turned out to be a good choice, less steep and much less icy. Not as pretty though- and a true “Road Less Traveled”. Incidentally, it is from this secondary trail you can hang a right onto the Frohock Mountain trail. As it appeared to be completely snowed over, we did not attempt it this time, but many a hiker has taken this turn, and not realized it is a one way. They make their way to the top of Frohock, and find themselves on the unofficial, but well groomed path created by mountain bikers, head down the hill, and find themselves in my dooryard. I have transported several groups of exhausted hikers to their car at Stephen’s Corner over the years.

By the time Tracee and I made it back to our car, poor little Bella was ready to be done hiking. Her short little legs had had enough. But I did notice she was unconcerned with the hikers we passed on the final stretch, and only mildly interested in their dogs. She has come a long way.

And now, sitting in this old familiar farmhouse, full of animals and three generations, I wonder what my nineteen year old self would have thought of it all. I think he would be pleased, especially after I assure him that we had plenty of adventures along the way.

New LCS Principal

With the imminent well-deserved retirement of long time Principal Paul Russo, the school board last week completed its interviews and selected Justin Bennett as the new principal of Lincolnville Central School. Justin agreed to speak with me about his journey to becoming the head administrator of our lovely little school.

Justin comes to us from the South School in Rockland, a K-5 elementary school, where he served as principal for 7 years after a year as vice-principal. Justin spoke proudly of the accomplishments of his staff, as the school transformed for the good over the years, and dealt with the challenges of a community with significant poverty and sometimes less than ideal student performance. His love for his former school and its students was clear during our conversation.

He spoke of growing up on a farm in Coopers Town, New York and his affection for rural environments. He was drawn to education out of a desire to make a difference, and the first 11 years of his career was as a Special Education teacher. He talked about the way young children are able to feel their feelings with such strength, and how adults can learn from the genuine emotions that the very young are able to demonstrate.

And Justin has a connection to Lincolnville, having lived on Norton’s Pond in a one-bedroom rental with his young family for three years, while his wife completed her Master’s degree. Justin and his wife, a School Clinical Social Worker at Camden Hills Regional High School, now live in Rockport with their three children aged between 8 and 16. I was able to catch him in between soccer coaching gigs, a major passion for him and his children.

He says he was drawn to the new challenge of heading a K to 8 school, and especially looks forward to working with the middle schoolers. 

I have known Justin for several years through his work as the principal of South School, and I for one am thrilled with the selection the School Board made, and applaud the hard work of the Principal Search Committee. I understand it was a tough decision, with well qualified candidates.

Pre-K in Lincolnville

Which brings me to the subject of a Lincolnville Pre-K. The school budget has been voted on by the School Board, and will go before the Select Board and Budget Committee Monday and Thursday evening respectfully. Due to state grants, the town looks to save something in the neighborhood of $70,000 by funding a Pre-K program for the 2023-2024 school year. The above committees will also be submitting recommendations on the municipal budgets at their meetings. The final decision on both budgets, in the tradition of small New England towns, will be made by at Town Meeting, Thursday, June 15, 6p.m. at LCS. Be there.

An Up and Coming Artist with Lincolnville Roots

Cranston Dean, the grandson of Lincolnville legend, the late Bessie Dean, is releasing a new album May 11, entitled Northern Town. Hear him perform at the Myrtle Street Tavern on April 10 and April 13, and listen to his new single https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SQkyrPhSu4w&fbclid=IwAR10wfvJYgEN-jIqJEy8iFIHyYuWT73B1H7O26TSM1ovaSVz5_YVv2uahwg&mibextid=kdkkhi 

Easter Breakfast:

Tracee and I were up bright and early Sunday King David’s Masonic Lodge’s breakfast at the Community Building. It is wonderful to be able to get together like that again- seeing the wide variety of neighbors who show up to share eggs and pancakes and bacon.  I’m so pleased that Mason’s have revived this tradition. And its a short trek across the parking lot to church, if you are so inclined.

Well Lincolnville, it looks like it should be a lovely Spring week ahead. Enjoy the sunshine and the flowers. And reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Monday, April 10

Select Board, 6p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, April 11

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

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

Heart and Soul Team, 12p.m., Library

Thursday, April 13

Conservation Committee, 4p.m., Town Office

Budget Committee Meeting, 5:30p.m., Town Office

Friday, April 14

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

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

Saturday, April 15

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, April 16

United Christian Church, 9:30a.m. Worship, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 9:30a.m. Sunday School, 11:00 worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway