It's Bill, 7/12/26: Lubec's 250th 4th

I am privileged to be here in Lubec celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. I was brought up in a rural Connecticut cemetery dating to 1712, still active. The Nathan Hale Homestead was a few miles away in Coventry. I was President of the Coventry Historical Society when I was 25. I love the heritage of our country and the patriotic spirit that founded the United States of America. I have the greatest respect for George Washington, the Father of our Country.

Honoring Our Revolutionary Heroes

In May this year, we erected a 5-foot granite cenotaph in front of the office, now called Memorial Cottage. I am honoring four notable Revolutionary War heroes from our area, Easternmost Down East Maine: Captain Hopley Yeaton, Lubec; Col. John Allan, Lubec; Brig. Gen. John Crane, Whiting; and Col. John Smith, Machias. I will review the cenotaph honoring our Revolutionary War heroes in future blogs.

I was drawn to stay in Lubec by its extreme geography, unchanged environment, and strong, old-fashioned sense of community. Lubec had a full week of events to celebrate the Fourth. On Tuesday, June 30, I accompanied Patricia to donate and help set up the Lubec Woman's Club Annual Yard Sale. By 10 a.m., the school gym floor was almost filled to overflowing with clothes in one hallway and larger items and furniture in adjoining hallways.

The Lubec Woman's Club Annual Yard Sale is a community tradition, filling the school gym with treasures donated by neighbors, all supporting scholarships and local causes.

On Friday, July 3, the sale was from 8 a.m. to noon. I overfilled three large boxes with treasure and paid with a fine donation. None of the yard sale items are priced. Just find what you like and pay what you think it’s worth. It’s for Lubec. The Woman's Club is my favorite Lubec charity, generously donating scholarships and supporting good works for our Downeast community.

At 5 p.m. on Friday, Mulholland Gallery on Water Street held an opening of fine local artwork, complete with refreshments. It was difficult not to grab my wallet. We then walked up Water Street to Cohill’s, enjoyed drinks from Glenn, the best bartender, and shared a perfect hummus platter at the bar.

A Quiet Evening Before the Fourth

We returned to West Quoddy Station to wind down the Third. I gave Patricia a tour of the new plantings in our 14 gardens. As we strolled from building to building, we had fun planning future plants and gardens. No longer expanding our lodging, our investment will now be in improving the grounds. Last year, we started with the new three-flag, 40-foot flagpole. This year, we added the cenotaph, more gardens, and an emphasis on perennials for the future.

While we headed toward the Station House deck, which has the best view for Lubec’s fireworks at dusk, we talked with our guests along the way. Some guests asked if I was Bill, complimenting me on It's Bill!! and meeting Patricia. We waited for Lubec’s dusk fireworks but eventually retreated to The Lodge’s glassed-in observation tower to enjoy the fireworks show.

A Fourth of July Filled With Friends

On July 4, we watched Lubec’s 1 p.m. parade from Cohill’s deck with appropriate beverages. Then it was back to North Lubec for a light lunch, some reading, and a nap. At 4:15, we joined Patricia’s neighbors, Melinda and Andrew, for a perfectly presented picnic. Still in North Lubec, we went to Chuck’s for more friends, food, and laughter. We tired out before Eastport’s fireworks. Missing Deb’s on the beach, we simply went to bed. Another wonderful Fourth of July in Lubec.

Melinda and Andrew’s Fourth of July picnic brought friends together for good food, conversation, and another full afternoon of celebrating.