It's Bill, 3/2/25: Community

4 days ago2 min read

From Yonkers to Bolton: A Childhood in Connecticut

I grew up in Bolton, CT, during the '50s and '60s. We had moved from urban Yonkers to this farming town of 800, 30 miles east of Hartford. Instead of walking to school, my bus stop was in the cemetery driveway across from our new home.

My bus mates were my sister, my neighbor (her father was an undertaker), and her neighbor (her uncle dug graves with a long shovel). We all became friends and played in the cemetery.

The Heart of the Community: Bolton’s Gathering Places

Three buildings in Bolton made up my social world: the grade school, the Congregational Church, and the Community Hall. School was school, and the church was the church. But the Community Hall was everything!

Sunday school, Boy (and Girl) Scouts, dancing lessons, strawberry suppers, and more happened there. The Town Hall was attached to the Community Hall, where elections and town meetings were held. The Community Hall had a stage and a basic kitchen for music and plays.

Discovering Lubec: A Place That Felt Like Home

It was love at first sight when I came across the bridge from Campobello in 1996. I discovered The Narrows, the waterfront, Water St, the village, and the church on the hill. Immediately, I went into the Post Office and started asking questions. The Post Office always knows everything.

I was hooked. Lubec reminded me of my Bolton roots—and still does.

The Spirit of Lubec: A Community That Cares

Lubec is a special community that shares my old-fashioned values. We take care of our friends and each other—naturally, with spontaneity. Everyone’s privacy is appreciated while personal values are respected. And we do it with a smile and a bit of chatter.

We stop and chat, sometimes even stopping in the middle of the road in our vehicles. And we wave to everyone, whether we know them or not.

Giving Back: The Lubec Woman’s Club

Our community has several organizations that make a difference. My favorite is The Lubec Woman’s Club, a group of 40 women who raise money to help the Lubec community.

This Valentine’s Day, they gave hand-knitted washcloths with basic toiletries to senior citizens in our village. They have been doing this every Valentine’s Day. West Quoddy Station happily donated the bar soap. Basic. Simple. Good.