Mon, 05/26/2025 - 4:27pm

Ed O’Brien

Jeff Sukeforth and Ben Hazen

Jeff Sukeforth and Ben Hazen

As Monday dawns, there is actual sunlight filtering up through the Hollow, incredibly welcome after all those rainy, foggy days we have been experiencing. It is Memorial Day, the holiday which has become known as the unofficial start of summer, bookended by Labor Day in September.

Across town, the cemeteries have been spruced up, and mowers managed in spite of the damp. In even the hidden, private burial grounds around town, new flags adorn the graves of those who served.

Formally Decoration Day, Memorial Day sprung up, in part, as a way to ensure we did not forget the sacrifice of those who fought and lost their lives in the American Civil War. Many young people from Lincolnville answered that call, as they did for all the conflicts that followed.

It always makes me think of my family connections to war and conflict.

My direct ancestor Noah Woodward, was a Minuteman from Taunton, Massachusetts, who settled in Sydney, Maine, after the Revolution. There was my Uncle Joseph Woodward, who fought in the Civil War and wrote eloquently about his experiences.

John O’Brien, my father’s stepfather, who came to the hospital to claim my father as his son, even though he had been divorced from my grandmother for years, and had been gassed in the trenches of France during World War I. Likewise, my father’s biological father, Wallace Case, had seen heavy fighting as a marine during the “Great War”. My grandmother had a thing for veterans, apparently.

Then there is my mother’s biological father, the Naval cadet from Philadelphia, who met a young nursing student in South Bend, Indiana in 1943, just before shipping off to participate in the Allied landing in Italy.

All these men returned home safe, if not unscathed, and I am part of the legacy of their return from war.

No doubt many of their friends and colleagues did not. And so, on the final Monday in May, we remember.

The evolution of Decoration Day from a day of national grieving to a day for parades and picnics, burgers and beer, has been criticized. Having known more than a few combat veterans myself, I have resolved this thusly. I believe the fallen, in the battles of the Civil War, the fields of Europe, across the Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, the deserts of Iraq or the mountains of Afghanistan, and all the other conflict zones, wanted nothing more than to come home to their families and their communities. We celebrate them by living, and rejoicing in life.

So enjoy the sunshine, enjoy time with family and friends, but remember the sacrifice. Embrace peace, understanding, and conflict resolution. Believe in a time where this sort of sacrifice will not be needed.

Lincolnville Historical Society is 50 years old

From LHS President Diane O’Brien

“Sometime in the spring of 1975 Jackie Watts invited a few people over to her house in the Center to propose starting a historical society. Jackie was a Young, and that meant she had lots of ancestors, stories, and photos. And energy, lots of energy to make this idea a reality. Within the next few years she published three books of local history, (the white, the red, and the blue covers) scrapbook histories she called them. And for good measure, a fourth one appeared a few years later, this one with a green cover.

She wanted space for a museum, and for a time she and Cappy Hall manned the tiny brick building in the Center, but it was too damp, too small and she gave that up.

Jackie passed away in 2013, but did get to see the historical displays coming together at the Library property — the Jackie Young Watts Open Air Museum. By that time the Lincolnville Historical Society had become an official non-profit with the second floor of the old Beach Schoolhouse for a museum and office. Jump ahead to today and the LHS owns the building along with all the accouterments: a board of directors, maintenance of a 170-year-old building, and a collection of about 3,500 items. Best of all, and I think Jackie would love this, we have a group of enthusiastic volunteers who love working amidst old stuff and coming up with new ideas.

This summer the LHS will be exhibiting the work of three local artists for two weeks each. The first will be the Tableau Vivant sculptural scenes of Tiernan Reidy. With an opening on Sunday, June 8, 2-4 p.m. Tiernan’s fascinating work will be displayed in the downstairs room during LHS open hours — M,W,F, 1-4 p.m.

Stop in to see Tiernan’s tableaus, and then go upstairs where the volunteers have put together all new displays from our collection.”

Library Happenings:

On Wednesday, May 28 from 12-1 P.M., the library will host a free class on Identifying Frauds and Scams on the internet, in partnership with the National Digital Equity Center. Registration is required, register at https//digitalequitycenter.org.

On Saturday, May 31 at 10 A.M., the library will once again host Wayne King and his Reptiles. Mr. Wayne and Ms. Lenore will return with their boas, pythons, and lizard for a free show and tell presentation aimed at children and their families. Sounds pretty darn cool.

Remembering Peter Thomas:

My friend and neighbor Peter Thomas passed away recently after a long illness. I will remember him for that twinkle he would get in his eye, and that smile. Peter was one of those guys I could debate politics with and still come away laughing. He was a great guy and a great son of Lincolnville. Love to his family, he will be missed.

Okay Lincolnville, maybe we are finally due some sun and warm weather. Fingers crossed. For myself, work training is taking me to a city in the desert for the week, so please reach out with any news or comments at ceobrien246@gmail.com. I can guarantee that by the first day I will be missing this quiet little place on the coast of Maine, so help me from getting too homesick with dispatches from Lincolnville.

Be kind, do good, and may you find peace in your world.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, May 26

Memorial Day, Town Office Closed

Tuesday, May 27

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

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Select Board, 5:30 P.M. Town Office

Lake and Ponds Committee, 7 P.M. Town Office

Wednesday, May 28

Harbor Committee, 6 p.m. Town Office

Bayshore Baptist Church, Bible Study, 7 p.m.