In Lincolnville Center, on the outskirts of the village on the Searsmont Road, stands a large old building, the Meeting House, home of the Lincolnville United Christian Church (UCC). Built in 1821 by Joshua Lamb, it is on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Built in the style of older colonial meeting houses, it is little changed over the last 200 years. It retains the box pews, indicative of Puritan meeting houses.

Mr. Lamb’s original plan was to recoup the cost of building the church by selling pews. This failed, though I am told that some pews are still claimed by the descendants of families who bought one from Mr. Lamb all those years ago. 

Some pews, particularly those in the balcony, still bear the markings of bored young miscreants, who carved pictures of sailing ships and farm animals into the wood.

The only real alteration to the original church is the addition of a small parish hall and a modern toilet to the back of the church. This also creates a back entrance, a boon to those who show up late, as the original entrance has you entering from behind the pulpit — no sneaking in....

Next to the meeting house is the Community Building. First built as youth center in the 1960s, I remember it serving as a makeshift gym facility for Lincolnville Central School, as the town steadfastly refused to add a gym to LCS until the new school was built. The Community Building is now owned by the church and was greatly remodeled; it can be rented out for private use.

But I wanted to talk about the Strawberry Festival. There are four annual events in this town. The Blueberry Wing Ding and pancake breakfast put on by the Lincolnville Improvement Association in August, the Beach Bonfire on the first Saturday in December, the Memorial Day Parade, and the Strawberry Festival.

A fundraiser for the UCC, the Strawberry Festival is held on the grounds of the church and in the community building, a kind of old school community gathering.

This year marks 30 years. Or so they say.

The Strawberry Festival was founded by the matrons of the church, and, well, sadly most of them are no longer with us. So the actual number of Strawberry Festivals seems to be lost to time, but 30 sounds about right.

I reached out to some of those who have been involved over the years — music director Mary Schulien, Pat Shannon, Lois Lyman, Diane O’Brien. 

It seems that its origins may lie in the craft and white elephant sales put on by the Women’s Auxiliary. Over the years a few things seem to have remained constant: Homemade biscuits with strawberries and whipped cream, hot dogs, and a parade down Main Street. For as long as I can remember, the parade has featured a pack children on bikes, decorated with crepe paper, and a wide variety of children’s activities on the grounds of the church.

Basically it is just a really nice thing to do on a Saturday in July; see your neighbors, get your face painted, grab a hot dog, popcorn, an ice cream sandwich or a bowl of traditional strawberry shortcake.

Children interested in the bike parade can gather at the Library at 9:30 Saturday morning, and the parade will kick off at 10a.m. Food will be served until 1p.m. or as supplies last. I believe I have been assigned to assist the hot dog grill masters, which is probably a better place for me than my attempt as a face painter last year.

Belfast VFW Lobster Bake

After an appetizer of a couple hot dogs and strawberry shortcake, head to Belfast City Park where the VFW Post 3108 Auxiliary will be holding a lobster dinner from noon to 4 p.m. $35 will net you a lobster and steamers, corn, potato salad, roll, beverage and dessert. Or replace the lobster and clams for a hamburger or a couple more dogs for $18. There will also be a silent auction. You can also score a deal by preordering for $30 or $15. Call the VFW at 207-338-2358 to do so.

Condolences

For the family and friends of Fritz Trisdale.

And for Karen Federle, of Lincolnville Beach.

That’s what I’ve got for this week. I have given myself the week off work, so I really hope we see the sun. Happy Fourth, and if, like me I confess, you enjoy an occasional firework, do so safely and respectfully, being mindful of your neighbors and their dogs. None of those 1 a.m. aural assaults, please.

And in a follow up to last week’s article about Lincolnville swimming spots, it should be noted that dogs are not allowed on our public beaches. Sorry to the canines of Lincolnville, between the upcoming fireworks and no dogs allowed on the beach. You should demand extra treats and belly rubs as compensation.

Check in with your neighbors, mind your manners, be polite to yourself. And reach out to me with any news, ceobrien246@gmail.com .