Town of Lincoln Homecoming Festival 2011

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

Welcome to the 2011 Lincoln Homecoming Festival!

Our Grand Parade on Saturday, July 23, with over 60 entries, is sure to bring a smile to your face. This year we will have a “Dancing thru the Decades” theme to cover all genres, so put on those dancing shoes and join us on Main Street for a swinging time! Make sure you stick around until later in the evening and head on over to Cobb Field; our Pre-Fireworks show will keep your toes tapping.

“The Boys Are Back in Town”: All three acts on Saturday evening are hometown boys! Frank McLaughlin & Family, Lenny & The MysFitz, and national recording artist The Sean Chambers Band will keep us moving with great hits — from Irish/American folk to blues to Southern rock!

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

check out the food and craft vendors.

There is always a little something for everyone. How about a funnel cake, a doughboy, or even an Italian sausage?

Sounds good right now, huh?

We certainly hope that you enjoy reading this supplement and will pack up the family and join us. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the majority of our festival activities remain free.

Come see for yourself why people come from as far away as Alaska and Florida to participate. This is a great week to visit Lincoln and spend some time here. We’ll welcome you as a friend, and treat you like family.

Parade and Fireworks Map to Ludden s Field

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The 2011 Lincoln Homecoming Festival will be here before we know it! This year is sure to please all ages, from the beanhole beans at the Annual River Drivers’ Supper to the Grand Fireworks on the water. We have great activities for all; three-on-three basketball tournaments, children’s beach games, and many, many more.

I like to think of Homecoming as a time to share a laugh, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate our community. It gives us all a chance to join together, to catch up on old memories, and to make some new ones.

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

The one thing that has always been strong and keeps the Festival alive are our local businesses and volunteers; their time and support are very humbling.

Each year the goal is to keep Homecoming new and exciting with acts and activities for everyone. Another concern is the safety for all. Keep a lookout for the ATVs supplied by Richard Sport Shop, the EMTs, and numerous publicsafety personnel roaming among the spectators to ensure that safety and a good time is had by all.

Back by popular demand is the Roaming Railroad. It will be on tour giving rides to all — what a way to view all events and the beautiful scenery that Lincoln has to offer! Thanks to the generosity of Katahdin Cellular, an authorized agent of U.S. Cellular, for making this happen again this year.

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HOMECOMING FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Grand Parade Theme: “Dancing thru the Decades” PA R

Saturday, July 16 Location:

9 a.m.

Noon

15th edition Lincoln Wiffleball tournament Customer Appreciation Day

Mattanawcook Academy Practice Field Thornton Brothers

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Lincoln Regional Airport

Mill Pond

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Parade route

Thursday, July 21 Penobscot Valley Hospital Yard Sale Book Sale Town of Lincoln Annual Yard Sale Craft Fair Open House at Little Red Schoolhouse/ Corro House Craft, Food Vendors & children’s games Photo Pet Show 64th Annual River Driver’s Supper M.U.S.I.C Gospel Concert Teen Street Dance With DJ Chuck Foster

West Broadway, next McDonald’s Lincoln Memorial Library Ballard Hill Hannaford West Broadway West Broadway Veteran’s Memorial Square Lincoln Memorial Library Ludden’s Field, Route 2 First United Methodist Church Veteran’s Memorial Square

Friday July 22 Time:

Event:

Location:

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

11 a.m.

9 a.m. - Noon 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Noon - 3 p.m.

5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

6 p.m.

8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Open House at Little Red Schoolhouse/ Corro House Craft, Food Vendors & children’s games Mainely Rent To Own Yard Sale Roaming Railroad Train Rides Children’s Beach Events The Wildwoods Band The Crooker Family Mr. Hyde Band

West Broadway Veteran’s Memorial Square West Broadway Downtown Lincoln Prince Thomas Park Veteran’s Memorial Square Gazebo Veteran’s Memorial Square

Saturday, July 23 Time:

Event:

Location:

6 a.m. - 9 a.m.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

10:15 a.m.

11 a.m.

11 a.m.

11 a.m.

1 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

9:15 p.m.-ish

Annual Mason’s Homecoming Breakfast Open House at Little Red Schoolhouse/ Corro House Roaming Railroad Train Rides Children’s Parade Craft, Food Vendors & children’s games Dancing thru the Decades Annual Parade Chicken BBQ 13th Annual Historical Society Auction 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney Annual Alumni Dinner Pre- Fireworks Music Show Frank McLaughlin & Family Lennie & The Mysfitz National Recording Artist The Sean Chambers Band Spectacular Fireworks Show

Masonic Lodge West Broadway Downtown Lincoln Main Street Veteran’s Memorial Square Main Street Cole-Whitney Ford Parking Lot Veteran’s Memorial Square Prince Thomas Park Mattanawcook Academy Cobb Field Cobb Field Cobb Field Cobb Field Cobb Field

Event: PVH & Sprint for Life 5k Wellness Road Race Marine Corps League Golf Tourney 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney The Stewarts in Concert

Location: Veteran’s Memorial Square Jato Golf Course Prince Thomas Park Full Gospel Tabernacle

Sunday July 24 Time: 8 a.m.

9 a.m.

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

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8 a.m.

8 a.m.

9 a.m.

9 a.m.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

11 a.m.

2 p.m.

4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

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Prince Thomas Park Mattanawcook Lake

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Cobb Field Veteran Memorial Square

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

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BANGOR DAILY NEWS MAP BY ERIC ZELZ

2011 Festival Sponsors Access 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 • Golden Jade • Hannaford of Lincoln • High Street Market • Jato Highlands Golf Course • John MacLeod • Katahdin Cellular-U.S. Cellular • Larry Ham Construction • Lincoln Color Center • Lincoln House of Pizza • Lincoln Motor Company • Lincoln News/Gateway Press • Maine Distributors • Mainely Rent to Own • Mike’s Auto Repair • Pat’s Pizza • Penobscot Developers • Penobscot Valley Hospital • Possibilities • Richard’s Sport Shop • Roger’s Small Engine Repair • Sears • Select Embroidery • Shooter’s Billiards Bar & Grill • Smokes for Less • SOB Oil Company/95er • Springfield Fair Assoc. • Steaks N’ Stuff • Thornton Brothers Inc. • Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop • Timber House Restaurant • Transition Hair & Tanning • TreeLine Service Center • Weatherbee Appraisal Services • Whitten’s 2-Way Service • Wing Wah • Worcester Brothers / DOC Oil • Yogi’s Doughboys & More This supplement is a custom publication of the

Editor/Layout: David M. Fitzpatrick Writers: 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 supplement, or if you’re interested in your own custom publication, contact Jeff Orcutt at (207) 990-8036 or jorcutt@bangordailynews.com.

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

Going to the Festival? Keep public safety clearly in your mind With at least 13,000 people expected to descend on Lincoln for the 2011 Festival, Lincoln’s public-safety departments go the extra mile to make sure everyone is safe while having a great time. Police coverage will be enhanced to cover both normal and Festival needs with available manpower provided by the regional safety agencies. Festival organizers have met with Police Chief William Lawrence and Fire Chief Phil Dawson to develop detailed public-safety plans long before the Festival.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer, or learn about street closures, can go online to www.lincolnmaine.org for further information.

Here are a few reminders for the 2011 festival.

Emergency-response teams consisting of EMS personnel and firefighters will be at Veterans Memorial Square, Clay Funeral Home, and Rite-Aid. They’ll be equipped with side-by-side ATVs provided by Richard’s Sport Shop to quickly respond to medical emergencies. These ERTs are staffed by Penobscot Valley Hospital. Additional support

will be provided by the towns of Mattawamkeag and Lee. Barricades. During the Saturday parades, all streets intersecting the Main Street-West Broadway parade routes will be closed with barricades or police officers and firefighters.

There will be no parking allowed on Main Street.

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

Parade safety. For your safety and that of the parade participants, please stay behind the designated pedestrian areas along the parade route. The parade is expected to last about 90 minutes.

Come prepared. You should pack bottled water and an umbrella for shade.

Radios. Emergency-response personnel and volunteers will use radios donated by Whitten’s 2-Way Service.

Information. The town will set up an informational trailer in Veterans Memorial Square. All festival workers will wear yellow organizer shirts designating them as someone who may possibly help with information.

Ongoing history: Beanhole beans at the 64th Annual River Drivers’ Supper The First Congregational Church will again sponsor the annual River Drivers’ Supper, hosted by the Pilgrim Daughters and the Congo Men’s Club. Proceeds support the church and other community needs.

The first River Drivers’ beanhole bean supper was held at Ludden’s Field in 1947, and has been every year since. During springtime log drives on the upper Penobscot River, river drivers would set up tents and camp at Ludden’s Field for several nights.

Camp cooks would prepare beanhole beans and use reflector ovens to bake biscuits.

By the early 1950s, the River Drivers’

Supper became a public event, and has done very well. The Pilgrim Daughters will bake brownies and cookies and help serve supper, and approximately 100 men will assist with the meal. It will feature beanhole beans, potato salad, cole slaw, hot dogs, baked biscuits, coffee, punch, and sweets (including doughnuts and cakes). Visitors can even buy beans and biscuits to take home.

The nondenominational Congo Men’s Club was formed in 1942 with a mission to support the church, including the annual supper. Member Harley Sproul has made the beans since 1970, and at 79 says it’s time for others to learn the recipe. “I have been telling the club

All aboard! Festival fave The Roaming Railroad chugs back into town After a popular reception in 2009 and 2010, the Roaming Railroad will return to Lincoln from Suffield, Conn. to shuttle passengers for free between various Festival destinations on Friday and Saturday, July 22-23. And owner Dan DeCosmo is looking forward to the return.

“We’ve had a lot of fun — it’s really a neat event, and it’s really nice to come up to Maine where people are just really nice,” DeCosmo said. “It’s a different way of life. It’s a nice

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

The Roaming Railroad began years ago, when DeCosmo’s son loved trains, and DeCosmo wanted to find a big one they could ride. “We went looking for one and nobody had one,” he recalled. “So we built one.”

The first incarnation was wood and metal, but has evolved over the years. Today, the Roaming Railroad consists of a John Deere diesel-powered engine and two or more covered passenger cars. It will cover a

See RAILROAD, next page

Chamber supports Homecoming Festival Serving 11 communities and representing 117 area businesses, the Lincoln Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce supports the Lincoln Homecoming Festival — just as its members have for years.

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

Based at the log cabin next to Wal-Mart on West Broadway, the Chamber supports and promotes the business community of the Lincoln Lakes Region. “We are a new board with new energy and a renewed commitment to our members, a healthy business environment, and a thriving regional economy,” said Russell.

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

that we need to think about the future and realize that some of the younger members need to consider stepping up

and assume some of the responsibility

See BEANS, Page 8

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

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

Last year, 60 to 78 units were expected in the Grand Parade. But, surprise — there were about 125. “Last year, our parade was by far the largest we’d ever had,” said Town Clerk Shelly Crosby.

The same are expected with this year’s “Dancing thru the Decades” theme, which pays tribute to the various musical genres throughout Lincoln residents’ lifetimes. The entrants have lots of fun with the parade theme every year, so festival-goers should prepare to be dazzled and entertained.

For one, the Anah Temple Shriners will return to the parade, bringing their ever-popular Highlanders and Lobster Boats to entertain the crowds. Many businesses and organizations will participate, but often entrants aren’t solidified until the morning of the parade.

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

The Children’s Parade runs first, featuring several dozen young children who

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

Parents will accompany them, and prime the audience for the Grand Parade.

Crosby said that organizing the 15-20 parade volunteers, and the 8-10 Children’s Parade volunteers, and merging everything together is made possible by 16 two-way radios generously donated

by Whitten’s 2-Way Service.

Crosby credits calm and methodical parade organizer Joni Smith with the reason the parades go off so smoothly.

“Joni is an outstanding organizer and she is someone who is very well known

in the community — whether it is business or personal,” she said.

Smith has organized the parade since 2003 after taking the torch from Paul Thornton. She has regular parade volunteers know what needs to be done; all she has to do is give orders on the radio, and they make it happen. All the public sees are great, entertaining parades, and not the huge amount of work that goes into making them happen.

This year, Smith expects the same turnout and maybe more. If last year is any indication, all should go well. “All in

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

The Grand Marshal, who will lead the parade this year, is renowned citizen Hervey Clay, owner of Clay Funeral Home. As with the Grand Marshal every year, Clay was selected based on the criteria of “the Spirit of Volunteerism.” Clay has served with Lincoln’s Call Fire Department since 1968, from firefighter to deputy chief. He’s served on many town committees and boards, and boards of directors for many local and statewide organizations.

At the 2010 Maine Municipal Association convention in Augusta last October, Clay was presented with the 2010 Ethel N. Kelley Memorial Award for his more than 40 years of service to Lincoln and Maine.

“He has never been recognized for all that he has done for the town of Lincoln,” said Town Manager Lisa Goodwin, who nominated Clay for the award, at the convention. “According to their criteria for the award, he more than fits the qualifications. It was a great way for us to honor him.”

Railroad Continued from Page 3 circuit from Veterans Memorial Square to Prince Thomas Park and Cobb Field.

And you’ll be in good hands with Engineer DeCosmo, who’s known to tell a few jokes and sing a few train songs along the way.

The train can carry adults and children (and children under age 7 should be accompanied by adults), and DeCosmo blows the train whistle at the stops along his route.

The train is a lot of fun, but it also reduces traffic and people’s stress levels.

It will run on Friday, July 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, July 23

The free Roaming Railroad cruises past the Monster Energy booth at the 2010 Lincoln Homecoming Festival. The Roaming Railroad was a hit at the 2009 and 2010 festivals, and is expected to be so this year. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Lincoln except during the parade.

Katahdin Cellular, a U.S. Cellular

Agent, is sponsoring the Roaming Railroad’s appearance during the Homecoming Festival for the third year in a row.

www.mardens.com · 28 Main Street, Lincoln OPEN: M-Th 9-6, FRI 9-8, SAT 9-5, SUN 10-5 REMEMBER OUR 30 DAY NO FUSS MONEY BACK GUARANTEE with RECEIPT

Lincoln Homecoming Festival - Bangor Daily News, Friday | July 15, 2011, 5

Without volunteers, the Get ready for a spectacular ctacular show!

Maine Pyrotechnics will once LHF wouldn’t happen Central again light up the skies over Lincoln So what does it take to put on a major festival for 13,000 people? According to Town Clerk Shelly Crosby, about 200250 volunteers, most of whom we don’t think about amidst all the fun, and who begin long before the festival, work for a year to prepare for it.

“How we solicit volunteers is by taking an interest in our community and getting out and networking,” Crosby said. “We started the Chuck Foster dance in 2008, which really appealed to the teenage group and the young-adult group.”

In fact, reaching out to the younger set has been vital recently. Last year, the town secured Monster Energy as a sponsor, and teenagers volunteered at the Monster booth. That group alone raised nearly $4,000 towards the Festival fund, and the booth will return this year.

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

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

anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 people.

Typically, the place is quite littered, but at the end of the night, Crosby thanks the volunteers and asks everyone present to pick up the area. In just 10 minutes, it’s spotless.

But Crosby’s favorite volunteer story is from the first year the Festival hit 6,000 attendees at Cobb Field. There was plenty of trash to pick up after the Saturday-night events, so she arranged for her cemetery crew to clean the field the next morning.

“When we got there at 7:30 that morning, it was completely clean — there was not a single scrap or piece of paper,” she recalled. “And there was one woman walking around that field. She’d been there since 5:30 that morning — she’d cleaned that entire field without anyone asking her. She said she knew how hard we’d all worked, and she wanted to do her part for the Festival.”

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

If you can help out with the Festival, visit www.lincolnmaine.org and download a Citizen Participation Form.

These four teens helped man the Monster Energy booth, which raised nearly $4,000 towards the Festival.

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

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

Lincoln safety officials and Central Maine Pyrotechnics will establish a 350-foot safety zone around the fireworks’ launch site. No boats will be allowed within this zone during the fireworks.

Central Maine Pyrotechnics owner Steven Marson personally travels to China every year to check out the newest designs.

Instead of five or six of the same patterns, he’ll launch fireworks with 56 different patterns sure to inspire awe in all.

Marson loves the setup at Mattanawcook Lake. “They’ve got a nice area to work with,” he said, noting that, with the dark lake 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 fireworks,” Marson said. “In the olds days, you’d see... the same six or seven different patterns… We’re really trying to make every show different, so people don’t get bored.”

The new and varied shell patterns will make their mark. “It really excites the show,” Marson said. “When it’s over, people will 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’s exciting for me, and it’s exciting to be able to bring new product to our customers every year,” he said.

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

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

Frank McLaughlin comes home

Chuck Foster brings Teen Dance Party back to LHF

Local man brings Irish folk music to his hometown is the centerpiece. “I play traditional folk music — Irish Americana, and my songs … engulf the working class,” he said. “I make an effort to involve the audience, get them singing and clapping along. If I manage that, it’s a good show in my mind.”

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

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.

PHOTO BY JANE SCANLON

Frank McLaughlin brings his brand of Irish folk music to the festival, backing it with a lifetime of musical exposure and performance.

McLaughlin and his family moved to Lincoln from Danforth in 1956, when he was 3. The family would later grow to 10 children, and along the way McLaughlin was always a music lover — 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 instruments,” he recalled. “Our music was from an old hi-fi record player, and we had about six records that were played until the grooves were gone.”

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

He took up drumming when a friend paid a debt with a drum kit, and in the 1980s learned guitar. His music was often sidetracked due to his work, being married, raising three children, 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 family from his grandfather.

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

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

Chuck Foster’s popular Teen Dance Party returns to the Lincoln Homecoming Festival on Thursday, July 21.

Producer of local-TV favorite All Hit Videos, Foster emcees a monthly Teen Dance Party at Mattanawcook Academy, with gigs there currently slated through June 2012. Sponsored by the Town of Lincoln Homecoming Committee, these chem-free dances blend a sound-andlight show with the latest hit music and videos 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 playing what the crowd wants. People get to dance and mingle, but most of all to have a good time.”

Foster will bring the show to Veterans Memorial Square from 7-10 p.m., July 21. The event is free to all. The focus will be dance music and, although aimed at the younger set, that won’t stop everyone from finding their groove and moving to the beat.

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

Local band Lenny & The MysFitz return to play the Festival Local band Lenny & The MysFitz will return to the Festival for a fourth year, entertaining crowds during the Pre-Fireworks Music Show at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 23 at Cobb Field.

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

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

will open for The Sean Chambers Band, and “I thought that was awesome,” Fitzgerald said of the opportunity to open for a nationally renowned blues group — not to mention that that band’s drummer is also from Lincoln. And so is Frank McLaughlin, Rod Carr from Wildwoods, and Dick Curtis and others with Mr. Hyde, all appearing at the festival. “I like that it’s all pretty much local area people from Lincoln, which is pretty neat,” he said.

Fitzgerald will appear with Gary

Lenny & The MysFitz perform at the 2009 Lincoln Homecoming Festival. 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),

Leighton (lead guitar and vocals), John Gresser (bass and vocals), Mark Boyington (rhythm guitar), and Randy Currier (drums and vocals), with Timmy Cooper and Mike LaFountain as backup drummers.

The group plays mostly classic rock, covering such bands as Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. They also perform original work, such as “Leave My Heart” and “Working Blues.” The group does private parties and benefits and festivals six or seven times a year.

Lenny & The MysFitz has a creed it lives by that is right in tune with its Lincoln roots: family first, jobs second, and band third. As such, they don’t tour or play out as much as some of the others, but that makes the gig all the more exciting.

Fitzgerald gave a nod to Shelly Crosby, who he said has been a strong leader in organizing the Festival since 2007.

And he offers his tip of the hat to Amanda Beaulieu, who took over the job this year, wishing her the best.

“She’s got some big shoes to fill,” he said. “I’m real pleased with what’s going on.”

His biggest concern? Mother Nature. “I’m just hoping the Lord looks down on us and gives us the weather,” he said.

Lincoln Homecoming Festival - Bangor Daily News, Friday | July 15, 2011, 7

Nationally renowned Sean Chambers Band to play Festival Blues great Chambers comes to town with drummer, Lincoln native Paul Broderick Paul Broderick graduated from Mattanawcook Academy in 1978, and music was in his blood. He played with local groups including the Richard Tucker Band, playing such Bangor spots as the Show Ring and Benjamin’s before relocating to Florida, where he and his band hoped to bring their brand of Southern rock.

But music tastes changed then, with heavy metal and grunge rock taking over. Luckily, that’s when Broderick discovered the blues. And when he saw Sean Chambers perform in 1993, “I wanted to be in that band,” he recalled.

It took several more years before that happened, but he hooked up with Chambers around 2002. Since then, the band has toured everywhere, and Broderick has rarely found the time to come home — just four times in the past 20 years. He came as close as Rockland, playing at the Time Out pub there, but

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

When Broderick heard about the Homecoming Festival, he contacted his best friend’s sister, Lisa Goodwin, Lincoln’s town manager. The band worked out a deal, and festival-goers will benefit from it by enjoying the magic of one of the premier touring blues bands in the country.

“We’re on tour anyway — we could come through that area with no problem,” he said. “It all worked out perfect.

I’m really looking forward to it — I can’t wait. I don’t get nervous much, but to play in your home town for the first time in 25 years in front of all your friends is [unnerving].”

The blues band is led by Sean Chambers, who has played with the best, including touring with legendary bluesman Hubert Sumlin as his guitarist and band leader from 1998 to 2003. He’s

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

“I’m really looking forward to Lincoln, I can tell you that,” Broderick said, and he’s excited to bring the blues to his hometown. “Blues is so real… It’s not about samples, it’s not about what you look like — it’s just about a sound and a feel. It’s from the soul.”

The band consists of Tim Blair on bass, Broderick on drums, and Chambers on guitar and vocals. A new studio album is due out in February 2012, and a live album recorded on Long Island will be released this August.

Sean Chambers performing a show. Drummer Paul Broderick, visible at left, is a Lincoln native, and will perform there for the first time in 20 years. The band is on tour in this neck of the woods, enabling them to put in 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 will grace the stage On Friday, July 22 at 5:30 p.m., gear up for the sounds of The Wildwoods Band, featuring Rod Carr from Lincoln, Cathy Severance from Carroll, Rich Nye from Old Town, Ron Rines from Glenburn, and Doug Danforth from Brewer at Veterans Memorial Square.

“We have lead guitar, rhythm guitar,

bass guitar, pedal steel guitar, and drums,” said Carr. “Our music is traditional country music and 50’s and 60’s rock and roll.”

Carr was born and raised in Dexter.

In 1967, he graduated from the Maine State Police Academy and was assigned to the Lincoln area, where he still lives.

The Wildwoods Band played at Homecoming last year, and they introduced Birdie Googins, “The Marden’s Lady.”

“We look forward to participating again in 2011,” said Carr. “We will play a mix of upbeat and slow songs that incorporate two-part and three-part harmony.”

The Wildwoods playing a gig.

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

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

Mr. Hyde will appear Friday, July 22, at 8 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Square. 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’s Designs Web site, and you’ll see “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” edited to say “The League of Middle-Aged Musicians.”

So just what can Festival-goers expect?

“We do a mix of basically everything from the 60’s right on up until today, a mix of rock,” said frontman Dick Curtis. “We kind of put our own sound to it, but it works. People like it. It seems to work for us.”

Mostly, it’s classic rock, but the band ranges from Creedence Clearwater Revival to AC/DC to Aerosmith to Johnny Cash. In fact, Mr. Hyde first played Cash’s “Ring of Fire” after a request at a concert, putting a rock-music twist on it,

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

Curtis, a 1991 Mattanawcook Academy graduate, was born and raised in Lincoln, and the rest of the band migrated to the area, so he’s excited to play at the Festival.

“Homecoming’s a big deal for us,” he said of Lincolnites. “It’s amazing to me how many people actually come back. They fly in from all over the place.”

The band formed in 2007 when Curtis left a previous band, Dr. Jekyll. He was trying to come up with a name when his daughter suggested the obvious — Mr. Hyde.

Curtis gets involved with the audience, taking a wireless microphone out through the crowd and standing on tables. He has a lot of fun, and works to make sure the crowd does, too.

“We try to keep it interesting, and of course the big trick is to add showmanship with talent,” Curtis said.“If you can do that, the crowd’s going to have a great time.”

379 Kirkland Rd., Old Town 827-5115

110 River Rd., Lincoln 794-2200

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

Wiffleball Tournament has become the traditional early kickoff for the Festival

Beans

It’s five innings, with two outs per inning. The games last 45 minutes to an hour. And the annual tournament has become the unofficial kickoff to the Lincoln Homecoming Festival.

This year marks the 15th annual Lincoln Wiffleball Tournament, featuring 20 teams competing in a daylong extravaganza Saturday, July 16, starting at 9 a.m. Each team will play at least three games, and the final two teams will face off at the Mattanawcook Academy Practice Field.

“We’re chasing the sun at the end of the day at times,” said Mark McCafferty, who organizes the tournament with Jason Clay and has played wiffleball since he was a kid: It was a lot easier to get a few kids together for a wiffleball game than 18 kids for two baseball teams.

It began in July 1997 when 13 wiffleball teams first competed in Lincoln. In 2005, the renamed Lincoln Wiffleball Tournament took place the Saturday before the Festival, a tradition observed since then.

Teams, which can be co-gender, often travel far to compete, sometimes heading north from southern Maine or Massachusetts, with many teams returning year after year. Some kids who began playing in middle school now return as adults, and even sees teams comprised of three generations competing every year.

McCafferty said the Internet has done a lot for wiffleball’s popularity, with groups sharing ideas and resources. “People saw what other people were doing... and put together their own tournaments and leagues,” he said.

Many groups sponsor charities, and McCafferty’s group is no different.

The registration fees help support the Lincoln Recreation Department.

Originally, the tournament was held on homecoming Saturday, but the all-day tournament competed with the parade and other events, so moving to the week before has proven a perfect introduction to Homecoming Week.

“I think it’s a nice way to ease the schedule and provide more opportunities for people to participate in Homecoming events,” McCafferty said.

He can’t say enough about the town and the Rec Department working with him to make the tournament a success. “I’ve been really happy with the community support,” he said. “That’s been a positive relationship for us.”

— mine included,” he said.

Sproul has overseen the beans since 1970, using what he calls a “high-tech system.”

The system uses welded truck tire rims set into a long, dug trench, packed with crushed stone to create a heat sink, and then covered by planted grass. The beans start cooking at night; the cooks use 230 pounds dry weight of yellow eye and pea beans.

Last, year, 776 people enjoyed the supper. And in all its years, the event has only been rained out once (it relocated inside the church). This year, it’s just $8 per person or $4 for children under 12.

Love wiffleball? Never played before?

Register your team at www.lincolnwiffle.us and join the Lincoln Wiffleball Tournament. The money goes to a great cause, and you’ll have a lot of fun.

Pitching the wiffleball to a batter. Wiffleball is easier than baseball and only 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 to participate in this fun tournament.

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