Lincolnville has been my home for nearly 49 years.

A couple days after my birth at the Rockland hospital, I was brought to this old farmhouse at the top of Sleepy Hollow to join my parents, older brother, the cow, pigs, chickens, geese, dogs and countless cats who also resided here. 

A few years later, on November 11, 1978, I was present for the birth of my little brother, in the very room where I now sleep. My mom’s experiences with the obstetricians of the 1970s were pretty terrible, so she elected the then-radical option of giving birth at home for her third born, with midwives and surrounded by her friends and family.

And so, this place, this town, feels like it is in my blood. As a little boy, I got to know the trees and rocks which surrounded my environment. Frohock Brook behind the house, which apple trees had the most delicious green apples. The ant hills in the back field, the peas stolen off the vines, the remnants of the Lincolnville Gold Mine on the side of Frohock Mountain.

I ventured into the chicken yard to collect eggs, armed with a stick to ward off the geese- nasty, hissing, feathered snakes that they are. I talked to the pigs in their pen beneath the barn. I chatted at my dad while he milked the cow, surrounded by barn cats. He always left them a little dish of fresh milk, and there was always one clever kitty who could catch a stream squeezed directly from the teat.

With my brothers and neighbor-girl/cat-whisperer Karen Shandera, we tamed countless litters of barn kittens, to be given away across the Midcoast- it was a time before it was vogue to spay the furry little murder-machines.

Nine years at Lincolnville Central School, largely with the same small group of Lincolnville kids- by eighth grade we all knew each other FAR too well.

Riding bikes around town, racing snowmobiles across the ice while our dads fished, engaging in increasingly risky behavior on sleds. Feeding quarters to video games in the back room of Bill’s Store, now the Lincolnville Center General. A lot of time spent with my face in a book, in some hidden corner of the house, or building elaborate castles of blocks only to smash them down. So many Legos. I could be an odd child, who appreciated his alone time.

As the 1980s drew to a close, I entered Camden-Rockport High School, on Knowlton Street, the site of Camden-Rockport’s current middle school.

My world expanded, as my peers increased tenfold. More challenging school work, new friends with new interests. Participating in cross-country running and ski teams, and being pretty terrible at both, but enjoying the social interactions. Participating, admittedly also without much talent, in theater, and loving the unique peer group included in this activity.

It was the early 1990’s, and I was discovering music went beyond Guns and Roses and AC/DC. Experimenting with clothing choices, I discovering the Belfast Army/Navy store was a great place for cheap clothes and $9 combat boots; purchased from my earnings babysitting, stacking wood, mowing lawns, and, of course, summers breading clams and onion rings for Rick McLaughlin.

As I began driving (I had regular access to the old Ford Ranger), this world became a little small. A little predictable. And, as young people have probably always felt, I felt the pull of the wider world. To go to a place where nobody knows my parents, my brothers.

I went. This is a story for another time.

And here I am, back in this old farmhouse, writing beneath the vaulted ceiling of what was once the barn loft, the long ago place to store mostly forgotten things, now a comfortable living room for my family.

My own children are growing up, their own time of knowing every rock, every tree already beginning to fade. My daughter is starting to drive, finding her own people at the high school, now the much fancier Camden Hills Regional High School. My boys are in their final days at Lincolnville Central School.

I am sure they are starting to feel the pull of the wider world. As it should be. I will miss them, but they will always have a home here. Not just this old farm on Sleepy Hollow, as home wasn’t just the house they first knew on Slab City Road, but Lincolnville. Lincolnville will always be home.

Holiday Market

The Tenth Annual Holiday Market will be held this Saturday, November 18th from 9a.m. to 1p.m. at the Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road, Lincolnville Center, sponsored by the United Christian Church. Look for local crafts, antiques, and art. And of course, the UCC Church Ladies will be baking up a storm of sweet and savory treats. Proceeds will go to the vendors and to the ongoing missions of the church, including its Good Neighbor fund and upkeep of the historic 1820 Meeting House.

Something Rotten

There may still be tickets available for Camden Hills’ production of the musical Something Rotten, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (matinee). My tickets are for this Friday, but my wife saw it this weekend, and reports that it is fantastic, which we have come to expect from CHRHS musicals. The participation of Lincolnville kids both on and backstage is, as always, high- this little town punches above its weight class in the performing arts.

Sympathy

To the family and friends of Roger William “Bill” Rocknak. I did not know Bill, but reading his obituary in the Pilot, he sounds like he lived an extraordinary life. 

Okay, Lincolnville. Time to think about getting that turkey. I am getting two, because my wife told me I could not offer the Thanksgiving guests Popeye’s Cajun Precooked Turkey (TM) as the sole option. Fine, I’ll smoke a fancy free range bird as well. If you plan to celebrate this harvest meal in a couple weeks, maybe think about a friend or neighbor or stranger you could invite to your table. There is ALWAYS way too much food. At least there is in my house. Be nice, be good, and reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Monday, November 13

Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Offie

Tuesday, November 14

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

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

Hear and Soul Team, 12 p.m., Lincolnville Community Library

Athletic Infrastructure Committee, 5 p.m., Town Office

Wednesday, November 15

Library open 2-5p.m. 

Thursday, November 16

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee 6:30 p.m., Town Office

Friday, November 17

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

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, November 18

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, November 19

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

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