I read more in the warmer months than I do in the winter. Three teenagers live in this old farmhouse, and they tend to make a lot of noise. Once the temperature rises north of freezing, I am able to find a place to hide from the chaos with a book. This year, my favorite spot is in the greenhouse my 80-year-old mother built last year.

On the seemingly rare sunny days of early spring 2025, it can get north of 70 degrees in the late afternoon, and I can sit next to the sprouting rows of arugula and radishes, and enjoy the quiet.

Early Spring in Maine. The first crocuses are blooming, and the last remnants of the winter snow slowly melt in the shady corners.

Inside the main house, the grow lights shine over the onion seedlings — all over Lincolnville you may see the purple lights in the road-facing windows, signifying someone pre-planning their summer gardens.

Talking with my wife the other day, she commented on our need to take the garden maintenance seriously this year. There may be leaner times ahead, and the family budget will benefit from having plenty of frozen vegetables in the freezer for next winter, canned tomato sauce in the pantry, carrots and potatoes stored in sawdust in the old dirt-floored cellar.

We live in a place where it is still possible to be somewhat self-sufficient. 

Now, I’m not going to act like we are some sort of hearty homesteaders, surviving off the grid. Most of our food is still purchased at Wentworth Market in Northport, or, in a pinch, Hannaford. I do not wish to see a world where my wife’s day does not start with a pot of coffee brewed with beans roasted at Green Tree at the Beach. There is no chance that coffee will ever be grown here at Sleepy Hollow.

I have had a certain smugness this winter, when eggs were in short supply at the markets, and we were collecting as many eggs as we could wish, and selling them for the same $4 per dozen out of the barn to the first takers.

We were chicken-rich, and we made crème brûlée and pavlova and popovers with reckless abandon.

Within living memory, most of the people in Lincolnville were generally self-sufficient. We were mostly poor, but we learned to survive largely on what we grew and raises ourselves, in the poor rocky soil left by the last glacier. Potatoes and carrots, apples and maple syrup, chickens and cows and pigs.

My parents, moving here in the 1970, had the benefit of a few remaining old timers, who could teach them how it was done. In this modern world, the information is possibly even more accessible. Last week, the Beach’s of Three Bug Farm did a talk at the library about growing your own food. Saturday, LCS hosted Rural Living Day with UMaine’s Cooperative Extension. Should you want to learn how to supplement your household budget with a small garden or a backyard chicken coop, you have lots of neighbors who can assist.

I strongly encourage this. I hear about people preparing for uncertain times by stockpiling guns and ammo and canned goods. To my mind, if you are truly worried about what might occur in the future, you should be learning how to grow things, and befriend your neighbors. You may feel more secure, and the simple act of caring for a garden or livestock will keep you from doom-scrolling, and getting caught in the overwhelming negative discourse. 

Tilling and planting and weeding and harvesting is enormously therapeutic. I believe we could all use some sort of therapy these days.

Word of caution to the newby backyard farmer, though — zucchini’s are easy to grow, difficult to offload, and just not all that delicious. Come August, resist the urge to pile them on your neighbor’s doorstep, unless you have been specifically told that they are hankering to make zucchini bread. Be a good neighbor.

McLaughlin’s

I have heard more than a few comments this winter about the closure of the Whale’s Tooth, leaving the only year round sit-down restaurant in Lincolnville Astor and Rose. I will never stop singing the praises of Astor and Rose, but it is generally more of a date night kind of place, though if you can find a place at the bar….

Sometimes Lincolnville’s year-round residents just need somewhere to have a beverage and gossip. Drake’s Corner Store certainly is the place to be on a weekday morning, but we have lacked a place in the evening.

Enter McLaughlin’s. Rick McLaughlin has had his own place for 45 years now. Initially an offshoot of his family’s restaurant across the Beach, The Lobster Pound, he ran the Lobster Shack near the ferry terminal. After selling the land to the state for additional ferry parking, Rick purchased the old Chez Michelle/Beach Inn building on the other side of Atlantic Highway last year.

It opened for the season Friday, and of course I was there, along with many of our fellow Lincolnville folks. It has been at least 30 years since I last breaded a clam for Rick, but I was proud to see my daughter among his crew for her third year, serving locals and early tourists the lobsters, fried seafood, and chowders that are a summertime staple of this part of the world.

With a full bar, the favorites old timers may remember from the Lobster Pound, along with an ever evolving menu, get yourself down there, and support a homegrown family business. 

Thanks Rick, Lynette, and crew for opening so early in the season. A fried shrimp roll was just what I needed after a long work week. And seeing so many neighbors after a cold winter was the icing on the cake.

Benefit Supper

I will once again remind you of the benefit supper with local musicians at the Lincolnville Community Building. Supporting Lincolnville resident Kim Moran, who lost her home recently in a devastating fire, it will be held this Saturday, April 12. The supper, with musical acts directed by Rosey Gerry, will run from 5-7. There is no charge, but donations are encouraged. Contact Heidi Perkins, (207) 930-9247, with any questions. Because we take care of our neighbors.

Library Happenings:

Tuesday, April 8, the library will host the LCS Sixth grade for a discussion with community members about the book Touching Spirit Bear. The needlework group will meet from 3-5, all skill levels welcome.

On Wednesday, April 9, at 3 p.m., the library will host Discover, Share, and Connect through poetry.

Finally, on Saturday, April 12, will be Music Together, for parents and young children. The Lincolnville Library had yet to be moved across the street when my children were little, but we always loved the music and stories hosted by Miss Amy Hand at the Camden Library. Such a great way to bond with your kids and other parents.

LCS PTO Book Sale:

On April 12 and 13, from 9-2, the Lincolnville PTO will hold their first annual book sale. Proceeds from the sale of gently used books will go to the LCS Library and the establishment of a Little Free Library at LCS.

Help Repair the LCS Ball Field:

Be at the LCS Ball field this Saturday, April 12, from 9-12 to assist with getting the field ready for this Spring's baseball and softball seasons. The dugouts need shingling, siding needs repair, painting and staining is required, not to mention repairs to LCS's "Green Monster". No tools or experience is necessary, and all material has been generously donated by Hammond and Viking Lumber companies. Email questions to recreation@town.lincolnville.me.

OK, Lincolnville. Thank you for all the responses to last week’s column, I really appreciate all the feedback and kind words. I don’t generally interact with article comments, but please feel free to email me at ceobrien246@gmail.com. I am always happy to offer my thoughts.

Enjoy watching Lincolnville green and come to life over the next few weeks. Be good and do good.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, April 7

School Committee, 6 p.m. LCS

Tuesday, April 8

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

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

Budget Committee, 6 p.m. Town Office

Select Board Workshop, 6 p.m. Town Office

Wednesday, April 9

Planning Board, 6 p.m. Town Office

Friday, April 11

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

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, April 12

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, April 13

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church, 18 Searsmont Road

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