During the eight months since I took over this column from my dear Ma, I often try to find the appropriate cover photo, something that will draw in the casual browser of PenBayPilot, and get them to read whatever little yarn from Lincolnville I am spinning that week.

Frequently, too frequently to my mind, it is a photo of the Beach. This makes sense. Most visitors probably think of our beach; the only place where U.S. 1 actually touches the shore. And, of course, in the old traditions of this town, I am from The Beach neighborhood. Sleepy Hollow’s land line bears the coveted “789” phone exchange, singling it out as a part of The Beach.

But Lincolnville is more than The Beach, or even The Center, and I needed a different perspective. So on a beautiful Saturday, I headed north. Into the hills, to the border of Searsmont.

I believe I have written about the High Street neighborhood before. Running along the slopes of Moody Mountain, it boasts quite the little community. I am not aware of any neighborhood in Lincolnville that is as close knit as many of the residents there seem to be.

I was intending to hitch a ride up Moody Mountain on my friend’s Gator ATV, in order to get a photo of Lincolnville from a different perspective.

Soon after arriving at his home, another side-by-side ATV pulled into the driveway, bearing two neighbors. Something about a beautiful sunny day on the last weekend of summer, a bunch of guys just talking – neighborhood gossip, general musings about what is going on in town, talk of children and grandchildren. A certain new school bus driver, the new principal at LCS. Why the mailman came by twice yesterday. Sharing photos from their game cams of the neighborhood deer, in anticipation of hunting season. Venison is always on the menu on High Street.

Turn on the news, scroll through the news sites, and you get the sense of constant conflict — red vs. blue, right vs. left, woke vs. traditional values. More and more I feel this is a manufactured conflict, meant to collect views and clicks and dollars. Astroturf, not grassroots.

The more people spend time around each other, the healthier we are as a community, as a society. Our similarities will always outweigh our differences. And what is happening at the Town Office or LCS will always be of far more importance than what is happening in Washington.

My buddy and I drove the Gator up the side of Moody Mountain, even crossing the border into Searsmont, where the view from a friend’s deck looks over the entirety of this little town. The Center, Ducktrap Mountain, the entirety of the Camden Hills. The splash of blue in the distance that is The Beach, Penobscot Bay, The Gulf of Maine, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Munching on the sandwiches I’d promised to bring in exchange for a photo op, we reminisced over the 44 years since we first met, in the makeshift kindergarten set up in the corner of the cafeteria in the brand new wing of LCS. Our lives have taken us to different places over those years, triumphs and tragedies, joy and pain. We rarely agree on anything political, but we agree on the important things.

We both love this town, our families, and share a general desire for the well being of all people. We both recognize that it is probably our own family roots that have allowed us to remain to raise our children in this beautiful little place, as so many are priced out. We want to see our little town thrive, for all people, to see affordable housing for working families.

But, something about that view. All of Lincolnville spread out before me from Suzanne and Todd Young’s deck. An expanse of hills and green forests. From there, human structures are barely visible, at least not to my 48-year-old eyes. Just the land as it has been for millennia. It was neat.

Levenseller Mountain Farm

My trip north of The Center also afforded me the opportunity to check out Tracy Brixius and Tyler Brenton’s farm stand and nano-bakery at 307 Searsmont Road. I had been intrigued by posts on social media enticing me with promises of fresh baked donuts, cookies, brownies, and organic vegetables. 

I had heard about Tracy’s baked goods at the Beach Store, where she heads up the grill in the morning, slinging breakfast sandwiches and giant muffins. 

In the spirit of good old Maine side-hustling, the bakery idea was born in the midst of the Pandemic. Remember those 50 pound bags of flour we were all buying? Sequestered with two small children, Tracy and Tyler started baking. And now they are providing their wares to the rest of us.

They serve up fresh picked flower bouquets, seasonal produce, and all kinds of small batch baked goods.

Stop by, see what’s in the cooler. Self service, the accept cash, check, and Venmo. Having bought out most of their cookies yesterday to serve to guests last night, I can attest to their talent. Reach out to them at levnsellermountainfarm@gmail.com.

Children’s Hour at the Lincolnville Library

Starting Saturday, September 9, at 10 a.m. the Lincolnville Library will start hosting a monthly children’s program. Aimed at 2-5 year olds, the programs will consist of songs, crafts, and outdoor activities.

September’s program theme is apples. Led by Trudi Hennemuth and Karen Prather, the children will have the opportunity to pick apples from the library’s trees, including Lincolnville’s own Fletcher Sweet variety. There will also be apples provided by a local orchard. Participating youngsters are encouraged to dress like Johnny Appleseed!

Heh, I still have a distinct memory of my 5-year-old mind being blown when my kindergarten teacher showed us how to find “the star in the apple.”

Condolences

To the family of Mary Staples, a true daughter of Lincolnville. Reading her obituary here in the Pilot, it is clear that she had a life well lived. 

Hoping for bright days and cool nights, and a safe transition for our school kids. Watch out for them on the roads, and give the school buses space. A certain new driver will appreciate it. Enjoy the garden abundance, watch for zucchini’s being dumped on your doorstep while you are away. Be good, do good.

Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com

CALENDAR

Monday, September 4

Labor Day, Town Office closed

Tuesday, September 5

First day of school, LCS

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

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

Select Board, 5:45 p.m., Town Office

Wednesday, September 6

Library open 2-5 p.m. 

Friday, September 8

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

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, September 9

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, September 10

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

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