Lincolnville at its Quaintest

Mon, 11/27/2023 - 8:30am

Ed O’Brien

Morgan Keating also had a time leading carols in recent years. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Awaiting the torch and the singers. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Morgan Keating also had a time leading carols in recent years. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

Awaiting the torch and the singers. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

On a cold Saturday evening in the beginning of December, a crowd gathers around a roaring fire on the beach. Huddled together, before the ocean and beneath the emerging stars, staring at the purpose-built fire- a hallmark of our species.

We sing.

This has been a Lincolnville tradition for nearly as far back as I remember. Loosely connected to the wider Christmas-by-the-Sea weekend activities, Lincolnville’s beach fire and tree lighting has always been a bit less polished and organized, though we do expect Santa will arrive to the beach, by fire truck, around 4:30, to greet the children who have gathered.

Beach bonfire builder emeritus Andy Young explained the Santa connection thusly, when asked several years ago.

“See, every year, on the first Saturday of December, Santa takes his sleigh out on a test run,” he said. “As he passes Penobscot Bay, he sees beautiful Lincolnville Beach, and the inviting fire, and the people gathered and singing, and he cannot resist. He sets his sleigh down at Mike’s Align and Repair, catches a ride with a helpful Lincolnville Volunteer Firefighter on their truck, and swings by the Beach to greet the good children of Lincolnville.”

A roaring fire, singing, a visit from a mythical faerie creature… seems positively Pagan. Or at least vaguely magical.

Hand in hand with the beach fire has been the holiday party at the LIA Building, aka Beach Schoollhouse. A spread of snacks- notably to me, the cream cheese and olive sandwiches, cookies to frost, decorations crafted by LCS students, and, in years past, Santa himself.

It is Lincolnville at its quaintest, a Hallmark-movie quality display of seasonal joy, and it makes me smile just writing about it.

But where did it come from? I spoke to a few of many who have been involved with this operation over the years. My own memories are, as usual, fuzzy.

Diane O’Brien, my dear ma, was present at the first, which she described as a small bonfire around which a group had started singing. Leo and Ann Mills, at the corner of Beach Road and Atlantic Highway, took over a pot of hot chocolate to serve to the carolers. She thinks this may have been 40 years ago, though I wonder if it was longer. Fuzzy memories, and probably someone out there has a more definitive timeline.

Early on, the after-party at the Beach Schoolhouse was established. Center resident Elizabeth Hand told me that she got involved when taking her young children to participate in making decorations at LCS, which were taken down to decorate the Beach School House. Penny Rae, who owned Hillside Market across from the Beach Schoolhouse with her husband Bo, was one of the primary party organizers with Diane.

For years, Penny suggested to Liz that it was time for someone else to take over the party planning duties, and finally, with her kids getting a bit older, Liz agreed, and assumed the position for 10 years.

But never without help, and if I try to name all those involved with this tradition over the years, I will inevitably leave people out. Cindy Dunham was always a big part of things, and also had her hand running the show for years. I believe Christine Buckley organized the party for a time. I have strong memories of Barbara Gould reading Christmas stories to a circle of rapt children in the upstairs classroom. And in recent years, Briar Lyons Boetsch and Tracee O’Brien have had their part in party planning.

This year, the Lincolnville Historical Society, now the official owners of the building, will be organizing the party, which will, as always, kick off as the bonfire winds down, around 4:30 p.m.

I believe Hannah Burke, of LCS, will be working with her primary grade students this week to craft decorations for the Beach School House.

But back to the fire. Andy Young also explained to me why the fire seemed to be getting bigger and bigger over the years. He explained, the ladies prepping for the party at the school house always missed the fire. So he wanted to make sure it was visible from the kitchen of the Beach School House.

The singing of carols is a big part, and for many years, Richard Grant led the caroling, with Tom Shandera before him. Prior to smartphones, Tom and his wife Jan handed out printed sheets with the lyrics of popular Christmas carols. Somehow, the duty of leading carols seems to be falling upon myself. I think there is a portable speaker and microphone this year, and I apologize in advance.

If you don’t know the words, I suggest, in the fashion of this time we live in, you pull up a list of popular Christmas Carols on that supercomputer you probably carry in your pocket, and sing along.

With the assistance of Scout Troop 200, we will start building the fire around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, December 2. Any donations of wooden pallets or other good bonfire wood would be appreciated- you can drop them off in the parking space to the right of the porta-potty kiosk. We will light the fire around 3:30.

Beach Decorating

Huge shoutout to Mike Grant and his crew at Grant’s Tree Care for stringing the lights on the Christmas Tree at the Beach. They donate their services to ensure that our little strip on Penobscot Bay looks appropriately festive. Thanks guys, you’re awesome!

And to Rob Newcombe and Mark Cini of the Spouter Inn for ensuring that the light posts at the Beach are also strung with lights against the dark. Mark also decorates our Lincolnville Dory- the boat turned planter at the Beach.

The Holiday Season has come to Lincolnville. And I am probably overstating, but I truly see this as a season of hope. Hanukah, Christmas, Solstice, New Year’s- all share a message of hope. Hope for better days, a sentiment I can get behind when I fire up my little pocket computer to read the news of the world we share. So join this little town as we welcome the season, be good and do good. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

CALENDAR

Monday, November 27

Rec Committee, 4 p.m., Town Office

School Committee, 6 p.m., LCS

Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, November 28

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

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

Lakes and Ponds Committee, 7 p.m., Town Office

Wednesday, November 29

Library open 2-5 p.m.

Planning Board, 6 p.m., Town Office