I know I have written before that my day job is in the mental health field. Lacking any appreciable technical or mechanical skills, and recognizing that my early career in the culinary and mixological fields were not a great long term prospect for me, I sort of found myself working as a social worker. As one does sometimes. This led to pursuing more expensive education, and a job that I enjoy immensely.

It is well known in the mental health field that among the most effective ways to combat the typical feelings of anxiety and depression that most of us experience from time to time, is quite simple and accessible. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, get moderate exercise. When any of those things isn’t happening, it is likely to take a toll on your mental health.

I, however, add a fourth component to one’s mental health maintenance routine. The act of creating, of making things. We are an animal with a very large brain and incredibly dexterous digits. I theorize that it is the lack of opposable thumbs that have kept the dolphins from taking over.

Simply, humans are made to make things. And for millennia, this is what we did. Until extremely recently, humans were always creating. It is my pet theory, that there is a strong link between the rise of general malaise in our mental health, and the lack of physical creation. I usually prescribe to my clients the identification of a creative hobby. Woodworking, knitting, painting, playing a musical instrument, baking… something that will make them use their hands, in addition to the aforementioned sleep, diet, and exercise.

All this brings me to my topic for today, the second annual Lincolnville Arts Fest. This little town is dotted with the studios of people who are making things- really cool things. This past weekend, many opened up their studios to the public, creating a self guided tour of the backroads of Lincolnville, sponsored by local businesses. Windsor Chair, a business sponsor, also offered a pop-up art show featuring several makers. Other business sponsors included The Red Barn Marketplace, Dot’s Market, The Whale’s Tooth Pub, The Beach Cottage Inn, The Red Cottage, Owen’s General Store, and the Lincolnville Business Group.

Beyond simply the talent that went into the art, the opportunity to see where the creation happens is super cool. From the mad scientist lab of Jordan Adam Designs, full of machines for the creation of high end jewelry and engraving, to the airy sunny studios Siem van der Ven and Lynn Travis, clay and paint spattered respectively, to the magical cottage feeling of Antje Roitzch’s space, hung inside and out with her beautiful mobiles, slowly spinning in their variety of colors and finishes and materials. Robin Brawn’s fantastic collages covering the walls of her living room, which appears to be actually sitting on Coleman Pond. 

Emma Schunik, Meghan Flynn, Anna Flynn, and Miki Glasser share the Boathouse Studio opposite the Lincolnville Community Library, displaying ceramics, pottery, and handmade thrush brooms. Out toward the Hope town line, Emilia Carbone paints out of her she-shed overlooking 3 Bug Farm, which she runs with her husband Jed and their four boys. And of course my own Ma, Diane O’Brien weaves, knits, makes dolls and beaded jewelry in the barn at Sleepy Hollow.

Explore the Red Barn or the Red Cottage, on opposite sides of town, and both full of things to discover and nooks and crannies containing products that you were not aware how much you need in your life, or that someone you love needs in theirs. After touring the makers set up in their yard at the beach, my wife and I strolled through the showrooms of Windsor Chairs, and the furniture that needs to be in our home once our home is no longer full teenagers.

I am writing this before Sunday evening, when there will be an after party at the Tranquility Grange featuring local musicians Sar D. Jo, Lise and Rose, Wade Graham and the Friday Night Band, and Electric Bonfire. The incoming 8th grade class of LCS are busy fundraising for their end of year trips, and will be selling food.

All and all, it was a wonderful weekend to see what our neighbors are creating, and, at least for me, to inspire my own creative activities. I may never have the kind of talent that I saw on display this weekend, but I do know the value of putting a pencil to a blank piece of white paper, plucking inexpertly at my acoustic guitar, or pulling out the knitting bag while watching the Patriots lose. 

Playing it Forward

The Lincolnville community pickleball players, in appreciation of the Town’s resurfacing of the tennis courts at LCS and painting pickleball lines, are hosting a “Playing it Forward FUNraiser” on Saturday August 24, with a rain date for August 25. 16 pre-registered players will participate In six games starting around 8:30 a.m., with the two teams with the highest score playing a final championship match. A pot luck picnic will follow the tournament. 

Funds raised will go toward the Lincolnville Improvement Association’s scholarship fund for Lincolnville graduates. So grab a folding chair and head over to the school tennis courts to witness the fast and furious game that is pickleball. Think tennis mixed with ping pong, with its own unique rules and culture.

School Budget Vote

On Thursday, August 22, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Town of Lincolnville will hold a special town meeting to consider validating the 2024-2025 school budget, which was approved in a modified form at the July town meeting, after failing to be validated in June.

Both the School and Budget Committees recommend validation of the modified budget. Through the work of school administrators and the School Board, they were able to get the increase down to below 10%, without reducing the excellent education provided to LCS students. Still a tough increase. Maybe reach out to your representatives in Augusta and D.C. and see why so much of the burden for public schools fall on the local taxpayers?

So stop by the school Thursday and cast your ballot. Being part of a small town gives you the opportunity to be involved at every stage in the process. Assuming the school budget passes, the budget process for next year’s school and municipal budgets for fiscal year 26 will start again this winter. All meetings — select board, school committee, budget committee, etc. — are open to the public and broadcasted over the internet. And every week, in this column I list public meetings for the week taken from the town’s website.

And just like that, as soon as the sun gets low in the sky, things cool down considerably. Summer gets tired. I now keep a sweatshirt in my car along with the paperback and folding chair for after work beach self care, and I am okay with this. I like seasons changing.

Behave yourselves and be nice. If you participate in midwinter gift-giving holidays, and are a planner, there are some really cool things on offer by local businesses, artists, artisans, and crafters. Reach out to me at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

CALENDAR

Monday, August 19

Lincolnville Historical Society Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

School Board, 6 p.m., LCS

Tuesday, August 20

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

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

Wednesday, August 21

Lincolnville Historical Society Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Library open 2-5 p.m. 

Cemetery Trustees, 5:30 p.m., Town Office

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

Thursday, August 22

Special Town Meeting, School Budget Validation Vote, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Lincolnville Central School

Heart and Soul Team, 6 p.m.  Lincolnville Community Building

Friday, August 23

Lincolnville Historical Society Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

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

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, August 24

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, August 25

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