Town of Lincoln Homecoming Festival 2011

2, Friday | July 15, 2011, Bangor Daily News - Lincoln Homecoming Festival

By Amanda R. BeaulieuEVENT COORDINATOR

The 2011 Lincoln Homecoming Fes-tival will be here before we know it! Thisyear is sure to please all ages, from thebeanhole beans at the Annual River Dri-vers’ Supper to the Grand Fireworks onthe water. We have great activities for all;three-on-three basketball tournaments,children’s beach games, and many, manymore.

I like to think of Homecoming as atime to share a laugh, enjoy the festivi-ties, and celebrate our community. Itgives us all a chance to join together, tocatch up on old memories, and to makesome new ones.

Homecoming begins when one ends;right after the festival, the planning andfund-raising begin for the following year.

The one thing that has always beenstrong and keeps the Festival alive are ourlocal businesses and volunteers; theirtime and support are very humbling.

Each year the goal is to keep Home-coming new and exciting with acts andactivities for everyone. Another concernis the safety for all. Keep a lookout forthe ATVs supplied by Richard SportShop, the EMTs, and numerous public-safety personnel roaming among thespectators to ensure that safety and agood time is had by all.

Back by popular demand is theRoaming Railroad. It will be on tour giv-ing rides to all — what a way to view allevents and the beautiful scenery thatLincoln has to offer! Thanks to the gen-erosity of Katahdin Cellular, an author-ized agent of U.S. Cellular, for makingthis happen again this year.

Our Grand Parade on Saturday, July23, with over 60 entries, is sure to bringa smile to your face. This year we willhave a “Dancing thru the Decades”theme to cover all genres, so put onthose dancing shoes and join us on MainStreet for a swinging time! Make sureyou stick around until later in theevening and head on over to Cobb Field;our Pre-Fireworks show will keep yourtoes tapping.

“The Boys Are Back in Town”: Allthree acts on Saturday evening arehometown boys! Frank McLaughlin &Family, Lenny & The MysFitz, andnational recording artist The SeanChambers Band will keep us movingwith great hits — from Irish/Americanfolk to blues to Southern rock!

Make sure while you’re in town tostop by Veterans Memorial Square to

check out the food and craft vendors.There is always a little something foreveryone. How about a funnel cake, adoughboy, or even an Italian sausage?Sounds good right now, huh?

We certainly hope that you enjoyreading this supplement and will packup the family and join us. Thanks to thegenerosity of our supporters, the major-ity of our festival activities remain free.

C o m esee fory o u r s e l fwhy peoplecome from as faraway as Alaska and Florida to partici-pate. This is a great week to visit Lincolnand spend some time here. We’ll wel-come you as a friend, and treat you likefamily.

HOMECOMING FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTSGrand Parade Theme: “Dancing thru the Decades”

Homecoming Calendar Raffle is back: just $10 for 31 chances to win!

SSaattuurrddaayy,, JJuullyy 1166TTiimmee:: EEvveenntt:: LLooccaattiioonn::9 a.m. 15th edition Lincoln Wiffleball tournament Mattanawcook Academy Practice FieldNoon Customer Appreciation Day Thornton Brothers

TThhuurrssddaayy,, JJuullyy 2211TTiimmee:: EEvveenntt:: LLooccaattiioonn::8 a.m. Penobscot Valley Hospital Yard Sale West Broadway, next McDonald’s8 a.m. Book Sale Lincoln Memorial Library9 a.m. Town of Lincoln Annual Yard Sale Ballard Hill9 a.m. Craft Fair Hannaford West Broadway10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Open House at Little Red Schoolhouse/ Corro House West Broadway11 a.m. Craft, Food Vendors & children’s games Veteran’s Memorial Square2 p.m. Photo Pet Show Lincoln Memorial Library4 p.m. - 6 p.m. 64th Annual River Driver’s Supper Ludden’s Field, Route 27 p.m. M.U.S.I.C Gospel Concert First United Methodist Church7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Teen Street Dance With DJ Chuck Foster Veteran’s Memorial Square

FFrriiddaayy JJuullyy 2222TTiimmee:: EEvveenntt:: LLooccaattiioonn::10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Open House at Little Red Schoolhouse/ Corro House West Broadway11 a.m. Craft, Food Vendors & children’s games Veteran’s Memorial Square9 a.m. - Noon Mainely Rent To Own Yard Sale West Broadway11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Roaming Railroad Train Rides Downtown LincolnNoon - 3 p.m. Children’s Beach Events Prince Thomas Park5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. The Wildwoods Band Veteran’s Memorial Square6 p.m. The Crooker Family Gazebo8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Mr. Hyde Band Veteran’s Memorial Square

SSaattuurrddaayy,, JJuullyy 2233TTiimmee:: EEvveenntt:: LLooccaattiioonn::6 a.m. - 9 a.m. Annual Mason’s Homecoming Breakfast Masonic Lodge 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Open House at Little Red Schoolhouse/ Corro House West Broadway10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Roaming Railroad Train Rides Downtown Lincoln10:15 a.m. Children’s Parade Main Street11 a.m. Craft, Food Vendors & children’s games Veteran’s Memorial Square11 a.m. Dancing thru the Decades Annual Parade Main Street11 a.m. Chicken BBQ Cole-Whitney Ford Parking Lot1 p.m. 13th Annual Historical Society Auction Veteran’s Memorial Square1:30 p.m. 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney Prince Thomas Park6 p.m. Annual Alumni Dinner Mattanawcook Academy4:30 p.m. Pre- Fireworks Music Show Cobb Field4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Frank McLaughlin & Family Cobb Field5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Lennie & The Mysfitz Cobb Field7 p.m. - 9 p.m. National Recording Artist The Sean Chambers Band Cobb Field9:15 p.m.-ish Spectacular Fireworks Show Cobb Field

SSuunnddaayy JJuullyy 2244TTiimmee:: EEvveenntt:: LLooccaattiioonn::8 a.m. PVH & Sprint for Life 5k Wellness Road Race Veteran’s Memorial Square9 a.m. Marine Corps League Golf Tourney Jato Golf Course1 p.m. 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney Prince Thomas Park2 p.m. The Stewarts in Concert Full Gospel Tabernacle

This supplement is a custom publication of the

Editor/Layout: David M. FitzpatrickWriters: David M. Fitzpatrick, Brian Swartz

Photos: Most photos by Shelly Crosby, courtesy of the town of Lincoln;others by various artists Sales: Jeff Orcutt Cover Design: Sam Wood

If you’d like to advertise in next year’s Lincoln Homecoming Festival sup-plement, or if you’re interested in your own custom publication, contact

Jeff Orcutt at (207) 990-8036 or [email protected].

Welcome to the 2011 Lincoln Homecoming Festival!

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Parade and Fireworks Map

22001111 FFeessttiivvaall SSppoonnssoorrssAccess Auto & Powersports • Affordable Plumbing • Aubuchon Hardware •

Bangor Savings Bank • Barker Business Service • CWA & Lake Street Reality •Clay Funeral Home • Creative Blooms • Cross Insurance Company • Cumulus

Broadcasting/Chuck Foster Productions • F.A. Peabody Company • GoldenJade • Hannaford of Lincoln • High Street Market • Jato Highlands Golf

Course • John MacLeod • Katahdin Cellular-U.S. Cellular • Larry Ham Con-struction • Lincoln Color Center • Lincoln House of Pizza • Lincoln Motor

Company • Lincoln News/Gateway Press • Maine Distributors • Mainely Rentto Own • Mike’s Auto Repair • Pat’s Pizza • Penobscot Developers • PenobscotValley Hospital • Possibilities • Richard’s Sport Shop • Roger’s Small Engine

Repair • Sears • Select Embroidery • Shooter’s Billiards Bar & Grill • Smokes forLess • SOB Oil Company/95er • Springfield Fair Assoc. • Steaks N’ Stuff •

Thornton Brothers Inc. • Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop • Timber HouseRestaurant • Transition Hair & Tanning • TreeLine Service Center • WeatherbeeAppraisal Services • Whitten’s 2-Way Service • Wing Wah • Worcester Brothers

/ DOC Oil • Yogi’s Doughboys & More

With at least 13,000 people expected to descend on Lin-coln for the 2011 Festival, Lincoln’s public-safety depart-ments go the extra mile to make sure everyone is safe whilehaving a great time. Police coverage will be enhanced tocover both normal and Festival needs with available man-power provided by the regional safety agencies. Festivalorganizers have met with Police Chief William Lawrenceand Fire Chief Phil Dawson to develop detailed public-safe-ty plans long before the Festival.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer, or learn about streetclosures, can go online to www.lincolnmaine.org for furtherinformation.

Here are a few reminders for the 2011 festival.EEmmeerrggeennccyy--rreessppoonnssee tteeaammss consisting of EMS person-

nel and firefighters will be at Veterans Memorial Square,Clay Funeral Home, and Rite-Aid. They’ll be equippedwith side-by-side ATVs provided by Richard’s Sport Shopto quickly respond to medical emergencies. These ERTs arestaffed by Penobscot Valley Hospital. Additional support

will be provided by the towns of Mattawamkeag and Lee.BBaarrrriiccaaddeess.. During the Saturday parades, all streets inter-

secting the Main Street-West Broadway parade routes willbe closed with barricades or police officers and firefighters.There will be no parking allowed on Main Street.

TTrraavveelliinngg?? If you’re traveling through Lincoln on July 23,please plan ahead.

PPaarraaddee ssaaffeettyy.. For your safety and that of the parade par-ticipants, please stay behind the designated pedestrian areasalong the parade route. The parade is expected to last about90 minutes.

CCoommee pprreeppaarreedd.. You should pack bottled water and anumbrella for shade.

RRaaddiiooss.. Emergency-response personnel and volunteerswill use radios donated by Whitten’s 2-Way Service.

IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn.. The town will set up an informationaltrailer in Veterans Memorial Square. All festival workers willwear yellow organizer shirts designating them as someonewho may possibly help with information.

Lincoln Homecoming Festival - Bangor Daily News, Friday | July 15, 2011, 3

Serving 11 communities and representing 117 area busi-nesses, the Lincoln Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce sup-ports the Lincoln Homecoming Festival — just as its membershave for years.

“We are excited about participating in the Lincoln Home-coming Festival,” Russell said. “The event is a huge boost to thelocal and regional economy and creates a sense of purpose andpride as the community comes together for this annual event.”

Based at the log cabin next to Wal-Mart on West Broad-way, the Chamber supports and promotes the businesscommunity of the Lincoln Lakes Region. “We are a newboard with new energy and a renewed commitment to ourmembers, a healthy business environment, and a thrivingregional economy,” said Russell.

There’s plenty going on with the Chamber. For more infor-mation, visit www.lincolnmechamber.org regularly.

Going to the Festival? Keep public safety clearly in your mind

After a popular reception in 2009 and2010, the Roaming Railroad will return toLincoln from Suffield, Conn. to shuttle

passengers for free between variousFestival destinations on Friday andSaturday, July 22-23. And owner DanDeCosmo is looking forward to the

return.“We’ve had a lot of fun — it’s

really a neat event, and it’s real-ly nice to come up to Mainewhere people are just reallynice,” DeCosmo said. “It’s a

different way of life. It’s a nice

change from the hustle and bustle that’sdown this way.”

The Roaming Railroad began years ago,when DeCosmo’s son loved trains, andDeCosmo wanted to find a big one they couldride. “We went looking for one and nobodyhad one,” he recalled. “So we built one.”

The first incarnation was wood andmetal, but has evolved over the years. Today,the Roaming Railroad consists of a JohnDeere diesel-powered engine and two ormore covered passenger cars. It will cover a

All aboard! Festival fave The RoamingRailroad chugs back into town

Chamber supports Homecoming Festival

See RAILROAD, next page

The First Congregational Church willagain sponsor the annual River Drivers’Supper, hosted by the Pilgrim Daughtersand the Congo Men’s Club. Proceedssupport the church and other communi-ty needs.

The first River Drivers’ beanholebean supper was held at Ludden’sField in 1947, and has been every yearsince. During springtime log drives onthe upper Penobscot River, river driv-ers would set up tents and camp atLudden’s Field for several nights.Camp cooks would prepare beanholebeans and use reflector ovens to bakebiscuits.

By the early 1950s, the River Drivers’

Supper became a public event, and hasdone very well. The Pilgrim Daughterswill bake brownies and cookies and helpserve supper, and approximately 100men will assist with the meal. It will fea-ture beanhole beans, potato salad, coleslaw, hot dogs, baked biscuits, coffee,punch, and sweets (including doughnutsand cakes). Visitors can even buy beansand biscuits to take home.

The nondenominational CongoMen’s Club was formed in 1942 with amission to support the church, includingthe annual supper. Member HarleySproul has made the beans since 1970,and at 79 says it’s time for others to learnthe recipe. “I have been telling the club

that we need to think about the futureand realize that some of the youngermembers need to consider stepping up

and assume some of the responsibility

Ongoing history: Beanhole beans at the 64th Annual River Drivers’ Supper

See BEANS, Page 8


Last year, 60 to 78 units were expect-ed in the Grand Parade. But, surprise —there were about 125. “Last year, ourparade was by far the largest we’d everhad,” said Town Clerk Shelly Crosby.

The same are expected with thisyear’s “Dancing thru the Decades”theme, which pays tribute to the variousmusical genres throughout Lincoln resi-dents’ lifetimes. The entrants have lots offun with the parade theme every year, sofestival-goers should prepare to be daz-zled and entertained.

For one, the Anah Temple Shrinerswill return to the parade, bringing theirever-popular Highlanders and LobsterBoats to entertain the crowds. Manybusinesses and organizations will partic-ipate, but often entrants aren’t solidifieduntil the morning of the parade.

The parade has three starting points:Mattanawcook Academy for the floats,and Libby Street and Ballard Hill Com-munity Center for walking units. Theparade begins at the high school, andother units merge into it along the way;last year, it stretched from the highschool to Hannaford, a distance of 1.5miles, for a full 15 minutes.

The Children’s Parade runs first, fea-turing several dozen young children who

will decorate their bikes and wagons.Parents will accompany them, and primethe audience for the Grand Parade.

Crosby said that organizing the 15-20parade volunteers, and the 8-10 Chil-dren’s Parade volunteers, and mergingeverything together is made possible by16 two-way radios generously donatedby Whitten’s 2-Way Service.

Crosby credits calm and methodicalparade organizer Joni Smith with thereason the parades go off so smoothly.“Joni is an outstanding organizer andshe is someone who is very well known

in the community — whether it is busi-ness or personal,” she said.

Smith has organized the parade since2003 after taking the torch from PaulThornton. She has regular parade volun-teers know what needs to be done; all shehas to do is give orders on the radio, andthey make it happen. All the public seesare great, entertaining parades, and notthe huge amount of work that goes intomaking them happen.

This year, Smith expects the sameturnout and maybe more. If last year isany indication, all should go well. “All in

all, everybody had a really good time,”she said.

The Grand Marshal, who will lead theparade this year, is renowned citizenHervey Clay, owner of Clay FuneralHome. As with the Grand Marshal everyyear, Clay was selected based on the cri-teria of “the Spirit of Volunteerism.” Clayhas served with Lincoln’s Call FireDepartment since 1968, from firefighterto deputy chief. He’s served on manytown committees and boards, andboards of directors for many local andstatewide organizations.

At the 2010 Maine Municipal Associ-ation convention in Augusta last Octo-ber, Clay was presented with the 2010Ethel N. Kelley Memorial Award for hismore than 40 years of service to Lincolnand Maine.

“He has never been recognized for allthat he has done for the town of Lin-coln,” said Town Manager Lisa Goodwin,who nominated Clay for the award, atthe convention.“According to their crite-ria for the award, he more than fits thequalifications. It was a great way for us tohonor him.”

circuit from Veterans Memorial Squareto Prince Thomas Park and Cobb Field.And you’ll be in good hands with Engi-neer DeCosmo, who’s known to tell afew jokes and sing a few train songsalong the way.

The train can carry adults and chil-dren (and children under age 7 shouldbe accompanied by adults), and DeCos-mo blows the train whistle at the stopsalong his route.

The train is a lot of fun, but it alsoreduces traffic and people’s stress levels.It will run on Friday, July 22 from 11:30a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, July 23

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Lin-coln except during the parade.

Katahdin Cellular, a U.S. Cellular

Agent, is sponsoring the Roaming Rail-road’s appearance during the Homecom-ing Festival for the third year in a row.

RailroadContinued from Page 3

The free Roaming Railroad cruises past the Monster Energy booth atthe 2010 Lincoln Homecoming Festival. The Roaming Railroad was a hit

at the 2009 and 2010 festivals, and is expected to be so this year.

‘Dancing thru the Decades’ parade theme sure to entertain all

Scenes from last year’s Grand Parade. From left: Shriner Keystone Kops chase down jailbreakers; young people ride a float; and a performer fromthe Rise Above Extreme BMX/Skateboarding Pro Show pull off some fancy stunts in last year’s parade.

www.mardens.com · 28 Main Street, LincolnOPEN: M-Th 9-6, FRI 9-8, SAT 9-5, SUN 10-5

REMEMBER OUR 30 DAY NO FUSS MONEY BACK GUARANTEE with RECEIPT


So what does it take to put on a majorfestival for 13,000 people? According toTown Clerk Shelly Crosby, about 200-250 volunteers, most of whom we don’tthink about amidst all the fun, and whobegin long before the festival, work for ayear to prepare for it.

“How we solicit volunteers is by tak-ing an interest in our community andgetting out and networking,” Crosbysaid. “We started the Chuck Foster dancein 2008, which really appealed to theteenage group and the young-adultgroup.”

In fact, reaching out to the youngerset has been vital recently. Last year, thetown secured Monster Energy as a spon-sor, and teenagers volunteered at theMonster booth. That group alone raisednearly $4,000 towards the Festival fund,and the booth will return this year.

“We have volunteers that start at avery young age — as young as 8 years old— all the way up to people in their 70s,”Crosby said. “You can be a volunteer justby picking up the trash that’s in front ofyou when you’re at the festival.”

To put it into perspective, the Festivalfeatures two street dances which pull in

anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 people.Typically, the place is quite littered, butat the end of the night, Crosby thanksthe volunteers and asks everyone presentto pick up the area. In just 10 minutes,it’s spotless.

But Crosby’s favorite volunteer storyis from the first year the Festival hit6,000 attendees at Cobb Field. There wasplenty of trash to pick up after the Sat-urday-night events, so she arranged forher cemetery crew to clean the field thenext morning.

“When we got there at 7:30 thatmorning, it was completely clean —there was not a single scrap or piece ofpaper,” she recalled. “And there was onewoman walking around that field. She’dbeen there since 5:30 that morning —she’d cleaned that entire field withoutanyone asking her. She said she knewhow hard we’d all worked, and she want-ed to do her part for the Festival.”

That’s the kind of dedication thetown sees in its volunteers, and Crosbysays there’s always room for more. “Ifyou’ve got a caring heart and are willing,we can use you, so please stop by and seeus,” Crosby said.

If you can help out withthe Festival, visit www.lin-colnmaine.org and down-load a Citizen Participa-tion Form.

Central Maine Pyrotechnics will onceagain light up the skies over Lincoln

Central Maine Pyrotechnics will once again provide a daz-zling and unique fireworks display Saturday, July 23 at 9:15p.m.

The show, lasting 23-25 minutes and using only biodegrad-able products, will feature “water cakes” fired into Mattanaw-cook Lake; these cakes will then launch into the sky, explodingabout 75 feet up and again at 125 to 150 feet for a multicolored,multitiered display.

Lincoln safety officials and Central Maine Pyrotechnics willestablish a 350-foot safety zone around the fireworks’ launchsite. No boats will be allowed within this zone during the fire-works.

Central Maine Pyrotechnics owner Steven Marson person-ally travels to China every year to check out the newest designs.Instead of five or six of the same patterns, he’ll launch fire-works with 56 different patterns sure to inspire awe in all.

Marson loves the setup at Mattanawcook Lake. “They’ve gota nice area to work with,” he said, noting that, with the darklake and lack of big-city lights, the display looks even better —right down to the reflection of the colorful bursts in the water.

“We’re trying to choreograph a whole different type of fire-works,” Marson said. “In the olds days, you’d see... the same sixor seven different patterns… We’re really trying to make everyshow different, so people don’t get bored.”

The new and varied shell patterns will make their mark. “Itreally excites the show,” Marson said. “When it’s over, peoplewill say, ‘Man, what a show — better than last year.’”

Marson’s business has grown in 40 years. Four years ago, he

did 100 shows in a year. Last year, he did 220. So far this year,he’s already booked 200 as of this interview in late June. “It’sexciting for me, and it’s exciting to be able to bring new prod-uct to our customers every year,” he said.

Luckily, everyone at the Lincoln Homecoming Festival willget to experience the wonder of his show firsthand.

Without volunteers, theLHF wouldn’t happen

ctacular show!Get ready for a spectacular show!

These four teenshelped man the Mon-ster Energy booth,which raised nearly$4,000 towards theFestival.

Local band Lenny & The MysFitzwill return to the Festival for a fourthyear, entertaining crowds during thePre-Fireworks Music Show at 5:30 p.m.Saturday, July 23 at Cobb Field.

Lead vocalist Lenny Fitzgerald wassurprised when his band was asked toreturn to the Festival in 2010. “I said,gee, we’ve been playing this gig forthree or four years... are you sure youwant us back?”

Of course, they did. And this year, itgets even more exciting, as the group

will open for The Sean ChambersBand, and “I thought that was awe-some,” Fitzgerald said of the opportu-nity to open for a nationally renownedblues group — not to mention thatthat band’s drummer is also from Lin-coln. And so is Frank McLaughlin, RodCarr from Wildwoods, and Dick Curtisand others with Mr. Hyde, all appear-ing at the festival. “I like that it’s allpretty much local area people fromLincoln, which is pretty neat,” he said.

Fitzgerald will appear with Gary

Leighton (lead guitar and vocals), JohnGresser (bass and vocals), Mark Boy-ington (rhythm guitar), and RandyCurrier (drums and vocals), withTimmy Cooper and Mike LaFountainas backup drummers.

The group plays mostly classic rock,covering such bands as CreedenceClearwater Revival and Bob Seger andthe Silver Bullet Band. They also per-form original work, such as “Leave MyHeart” and “Working Blues.” The groupdoes private parties and benefits andfestivals six or seven times a year.

Lenny & The MysFitz has a creed itlives by that is right in tune with itsLincoln roots: family first, jobs second,and band third. As such, they don’ttour or play out as much as some of theothers, but that makes the gig all themore exciting.

Fitzgerald gave a nod to Shelly Cros-by, who he said has been a strong leaderin organizing the Festival since 2007.And he offers his tip of the hat toAmanda Beaulieu, who took over thejob this year, wishing her the best.“She’s got some big shoes to fill,” hesaid. “I’m real pleased with what’sgoing on.”

His biggest concern? MotherNature. “I’m just hoping the Lord looksdown on us and gives us the weather,”he said.


Frank McLaughlin brings his brand of Irish folk music tothe festival, backing it with a lifetime of musical exposure andperformance.

McLaughlin and his family moved to Lincoln from Dan-forth in 1956, when he was 3. The family would later grow to10 children, and along the way McLaughlin was always a musiclover — Elvis, the Beatles, Dylan, and folk acts such as Peter,Paul and Mary and The Brothers Four.

“My parents could not afford the luxury of musical instru-ments,” he recalled. “Our music was from an old hi-fi recordplayer, and we had about six records that were played until thegrooves were gone.”

One of those was an Irish recording of the Paddy NoonanBand, and McLaughlin credits the song “The Irish Soldier Boy”to putting him on the musical path he still treads today. Whenhe sang that song to his grandmother, who had lost her sonMaurice in World War II, she cried. “The power of music sunkinto me and has never left,” he said.

He took up drumming when a friend paid a debt with adrum kit, and in the 1980s learned guitar. His music was oftensidetracked due to his work, being married, raising three chil-dren, and divorcing. But later he found himself in Buffalo, N.Y.,and was a hit there with Irish songs nobody had heard before;many were songs that had been passed down in the familyfrom his grandfather.

He remarried and settled in Oswego, N.Y. in 1999, and hismusic idled for nearly 10 years until he did a show in Lee,Maine in 2009. He focused back on his music, but has becomevery selective about the venues he plays. “[I] refuse to go backto pub work,” he said. “The drunken characters are not listen-ing to the music.”

He does some comedy on stage as well — no surprise for theman who, in high school, was voted class clown. But the music

is the centerpiece. “I play traditional folk music — Irish Amer-icana, and my songs … engulf the working class,” he said. “Imake an effort to involve the audience, get them singing andclapping along. If I manage that, it’s a good show in my mind.”

In Maine, McLaughlin often involves his sons, Joshua andJacob, and his daughter, Sarah. He tries to get back to Lincolnas often as he can, since most of his family is still there. Thisyear is his first show at the Homecoming Festival. “I think it isa good thing playing for the folks up there — there is a hungerfor Irish and folk music, especially with the older folks,” hesaid.

Chuck Foster’s popular Teen DanceParty returns to the Lincoln Homecom-ing Festival on Thursday, July 21.

Producer of local-TV favorite All HitVideos, Foster emcees a monthly TeenDance Party at Mattanawcook Academy,with gigs there currently slated throughJune 2012. Sponsored by the Town ofLincoln Homecoming Committee, thesechem-free dances blend a sound-and-light show with the latest hit music andvideos projected on a 10-foot screen.

“Last year was the first at the festival,and I’m told the crowd was record

breaking,” said Foster. “The key is play-ing what the crowd wants. People get todance and mingle, but most of all tohave a good time.”

Foster will bring the show to VeteransMemorial Square from 7-10 p.m., July21. The event is free to all. The focus willbe dance music and, although aimed atthe younger set, that won’t stop everyonefrom finding their groove and moving tothe beat.

“If the ‘older’ folks can keep up, theycan join in, too,” said Foster. “A few didlast year.”

Frank McLaughlin comes homeLocal man brings Irish folk music to his hometown

Local band Lenny & The MysFitz return to play the Festival

Chuck Foster brings TeenDance Party back to LHF

Young people dance it up at an earlier Chuck Foster Teen Dance Party.Foster’s dances have been popular for area youths at Mattanawcook

Academy, and was a hit last year at the Festival.

Lenny & The MysFitz perform at the 2009 Lincoln Homecoming Festi-val. The MysFitz will join an exciting lineup composed of, or featuring,local folks. From left: Gary Leighton (lead guitar, vocals), Randy Currier(drums, vocals), John Gresser (bass, vocals), Lenny Fitzgerald (vocals,rhythm guitar), and Mark Boyington (electric guitar),

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379 Kirkland Rd., Old Town827-5115

110 River Rd., Lincoln794-2200

Paul Broderick graduated from Mat-tanawcook Academy in 1978, and musicwas in his blood. He played with localgroups including the Richard TuckerBand, playing such Bangor spots as theShow Ring and Benjamin’s before relo-cating to Florida, where he and his bandhoped to bring their brand of Southernrock.

But music tastes changed then, withheavy metal and grunge rock takingover. Luckily, that’s when Broderick dis-covered the blues. And when he saw SeanChambers perform in 1993, “I wanted tobe in that band,” he recalled.

It took several more years before thathappened, but he hooked up withChambers around 2002. Since then, theband has toured everywhere, and Brod-erick has rarely found the time to comehome — just four times in the past 20years. He came as close as Rockland,playing at the Time Out pub there, but

this will mark his return to Lincoln. Andhe’s excited at the opportunity.

When Broderick heard about theHomecoming Festival, he contacted hisbest friend’s sister, Lisa Goodwin, Lin-coln’s town manager. The band workedout a deal, and festival-goers will benefitfrom it by enjoying the magic of one ofthe premier touring blues bands in thecountry.

“We’re on tour anyway — we couldcome through that area with no prob-lem,” he said. “It all worked out perfect.I’m really looking forward to it — I can’twait. I don’t get nervous much, but toplay in your home town for the first timein 25 years in front of all your friends is[unnerving].”

The blues band is led by Sean Cham-bers, who has played with the best,including touring with legendary blues-man Hubert Sumlin as his guitarist andband leader from 1998 to 2003. He’s

shared the stage with the likes of B.B.King, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Greg Allman, theStone Temple Pilots, Bo Diddley, and fartoo many to list.

“I’m really looking forward to Lin-coln, I can tell you that,” Broderick said,and he’s excited to bring the blues to hishometown. “Blues is so real… It’s notabout samples, it’s not about what youlook like — it’s just about a sound and afeel. It’s from the soul.”

The band consists of Tim Blair on bass,Broderick on drums, and Chambers onguitar and vocals. A new studio albumis due out in February 2012, and a livealbum recorded on Long Island will bereleased this August.

Mr. Hyde will appear Friday, July22, at 8 p.m. in Veterans MemorialSquare. But just what is Mr. Hyde?

According to its Facebook page,its musical genre is “Everything.”

And the band’s hometown?“Backwoods.”

Visit Doug Robinson’s Doug’sDesigns Web site, and you’ll see“The League of Extraordinary Gen-tlemen” edited to say “The Leagueof Middle-Aged Musicians.”

So just what can Festival-goersexpect?

“We do a mix of basically every-thing from the 60’s right on upuntil today, a mix of rock,” saidfrontman Dick Curtis. “We kind ofput our own sound to it, but itworks. People like it. It seems towork for us.”

Mostly, it’s classic rock, but theband ranges from Creedence Clear-water Revival to AC/DC to Aero-smith to Johnny Cash. In fact, Mr.Hyde first played Cash’s “Ring ofFire” after a request at a concert,putting a rock-music twist on it,

and it’s become one of the band’ssignature songs.

Curtis, a 1991 MattanawcookAcademy graduate, was born andraised in Lincoln, and the rest of theband migrated to the area, so he’sexcited to play at the Festival.“Homecoming’s a big deal for us,”he said of Lincolnites. “It’s amazingto me how many people actuallycome back. They fly in from all overthe place.”

The band formed in 2007 whenCurtis left a previous band, Dr.Jekyll. He was trying to come upwith a name when his daughtersuggested the obvious — Mr. Hyde.

Curtis gets involved with theaudience, taking a wireless micro-phone out through the crowd andstanding on tables. He has a lot offun, and works to make sure thecrowd does, too.

“We try to keep it interesting,and of course the big trick is to addshowmanship with talent,” Curtissaid.“If you can do that, the crowd’sgoing to have a great time.”

On Friday, July 22 at 5:30 p.m., gearup for the sounds of The WildwoodsBand, featuring Rod Carr from Lin-coln, Cathy Severance from Carroll,Rich Nye from Old Town, Ron Rinesfrom Glenburn, and Doug Danforthfrom Brewer at Veterans MemorialSquare.

“We have lead guitar, rhythm guitar,

bass guitar, pedal steel guitar, anddrums,” said Carr. “Our music is tradi-tional country music and 50’s and 60’srock and roll.”

Carr was born and raised in Dexter.In 1967, he graduated from the MaineState Police Academy and wasassigned to the Lincoln area, where hestill lives.

The Wildwoods Band played at Home-coming last year, and they introducedBirdie Googins, “The Marden’s Lady.”

“We look forward to participatingagain in 2011,” said Carr. “We will play amix of upbeat and slow songs that incor-porate two-part and three-part harmony.”

Nationally renowned Sean Chambers Band to play FestivalBlues great Chambers comes to town with drummer, Lincoln native Paul Broderick

Mr. Hyde to play classic rock and other rock-adapted music

Mr. Hyde frontman Dick Curtis belts out atune at last year’s Festival.

The Wildwoods will grace the stage

Sean Chambers performing a show. Drummer Paul Broderick, visible at left, is a Lincoln native, and will per-form there for the first time in 20 years. The band is on tour in this neck of the woods, enabling them to putin an appearance in Lincoln. Chambers has an impressive resume, having played with the likes of B.B. King,

Bo Diddley, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stone Temple Pilots, and many more.

The Wildwoods playing a gig.

— mine included,” he said.Sproul has overseen the

beans since 1970, using whathe calls a “high-tech system.”The system uses weldedtruck tire rims set into along, dug trench, packedwith crushed stone to createa heat sink, and then coveredby planted grass. The beansstart cooking at night; thecooks use 230 pounds dryweight of yellow eye and peabeans.

Last, year, 776 peopleenjoyed the supper. And inall its years, the event hasonly been rained out once(it relocated inside thechurch). This year, it’s just$8 per person or $4 for chil-dren under 12.


It’s five innings, with two outs perinning. The games last 45 minutes toan hour. And the annual tournamenthas become the unofficial kickoff tothe Lincoln Homecoming Festival.

This year marks the 15th annualLincoln Wiffleball Tournament, fea-turing 20 teams competing in a day-long extravaganza Saturday, July 16,starting at 9 a.m. Each team will playat least three games, and the final twoteams will face off at the Mattanaw-cook Academy Practice Field.

“We’re chasing the sun at the end ofthe day at times,” said Mark McCaffer-ty, who organizes the tournament withJason Clay and has played wiffleballsince he was a kid: It was a lot easier toget a few kids together for a wiffleballgame than 18 kids for two baseballteams.

It began in July 1997 when 13 wif-fleball teams first competed in Lin-coln. In 2005, the renamed LincolnWiffleball Tournament took place theSaturday before the Festival, a tradi-tion observed since then.

Teams, which can be co-gender,often travel far to compete, some-times heading north from southernMaine or Massachusetts, with manyteams returning year after year. Somekids who began playing in middleschool now return as adults, and evensees teams comprised of three genera-tions competing every year.

McCafferty said the Internet hasdone a lot for wiffleball’s popularity,with groups sharing ideas andresources. “People saw what otherpeople were doing... and put togethertheir own tournaments and leagues,”he said.

Many groups sponsor charities, andMcCafferty’s group is no different.The registration fees help support theLincoln Recreation Department.

Originally, the tournament washeld on homecoming Saturday, butthe all-day tournament competedwith the parade and other events, somoving to the week before hasproven a perfect introduction toHomecoming Week.

“I think it’s a nice way to ease theschedule and provide more opportu-nities for people to participate inHomecoming events,” McCaffertysaid.

He can’t say enough about the townand the Rec Department working withhim to make the tournament a suc-cess. “I’ve been really happy with thecommunity support,” he said. “That’sbeen a positive relationship for us.”

Love wiffleball? Never played before?Register your team at www.lincolnwif-fle.us and join the Lincoln WiffleballTournament. The money goes to agreat cause, and you’ll have a lot offun.

BeansContinued from Page 3

Wiffleball Tournament has become thetraditional early kickoff for the Festival

Pitching the wiffleball to a batter. Wiffleball is easier than baseball andonly requires two people on a team, although there can be as many as

six. Teams from all over Maine and New England will come to Lincoln toparticipate in this fun tournament.

Town of Lincoln Homecoming Festival 2011

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