The Twin Villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle, Maine

The North Side of the Bridge

"It is hard to find a prettier village in Maine than Damariscotta," said NECN, and I would not argue.  Damariscotta ("a place of many alewives") and its twin village of Newcastle (named for the Duke of Newcastle) attract me as few other places do. 

This area has a deep history of shipbuilding, and was a hub in the 1800s.  And today, even though the year round population is shy of 4,000,  the two villages (separated by the Damariscotta River) have the bustling feel and vitality of a much larger community.

The South Side of the Bridge - The River Leads to Casco Bay and Muscongus Bay

It doesn't get more "Maine" than Reny's and Irving.

Waltz's Pharmacy has been in business since 1948.

A family friend commissioned a nearby artist to do this watercolor for me of downtown Damariscotta,  being sure to include Renys Underground.

Even the parking lot behind town has a lovely water view.

The Chapman-Hall house, the first house built in Damariscotta (1754) recently had it’s chimney (which services four fireplaces)  redone.   240 years old bricks were used, and it was done the old way, using lime and sand.

One landmark of the villiages is the Baptist Church.  Just last year, after three years, it got its steeple back, after raising over $500,00.00 (with a final $35,000.00 gift from a 92 year old town resident - :) !).

Old Church, New Steeple

A second landmark is Miles Memorial Hospital.  Miles, which has the rare combination of having top medical talent but also providing that incredibly personal care so hard to find in larger arenas.   This is in no small part to intense community support.

And of course, it has a water view.

And we recently experienced the emergency services when my mother’s hip had a bit of a hiccup.  They fixed her up in no time and I wish to send a thank you to Drs. Li and Moran, Jim, Debby and Carrie for such marvelous care.   We also send our gratitude out to the volunteers from Bristol Fire and Rescue and Central Lincoln County Ambulance Association for their swift and expert response and wish to thank Toby and Jeri and the crew.

Heading back over the bridge into Newcastle...

 

...past Newcastle Square...

And this was my kind of Friday night and my kind of fundraiser.   It was a public fish chowder supper at the Newcastle Firehouse to raise money to help with home-heating bills.

...and down River Road to the Newcastle Firehouse...

...which was hosting their Fish Chowder Public Supper.

Of course, all of the fish chowder was homemade....

...(the firefighters turned their meeting room into a dining room, where it was hard not to admire the Kelly Green sweater),...

...as were all of the desserts....

...and all at the cost of $2.50 per person.

We got there early and sure enough within fifteen minutes the line was out the door.

A third (cultural and intellectual) landmark is The Lincoln Country News.  The twin villages produce the best local newspaper I have ever read.  Each week the LCN is bursting with original articles, photography, local columns, and community announcements.  And it is still full-sized. 

Each week, I turn first to the Round Pond column. 

I was delighted to see that Candy Congdon included me in this week’s column.

One reason for the newspapers' success is the presence of writing and other creative talent.  Not only does Damariscotta have a great bookstore - The Maine Coast Book Shop - as well as the very active Skidompha Library, but it is home to many significant authors.  And it certainly has been the subject of quite few books itself.

Damariscotta and New Castle, and their rich history in shipping, are the subjects of many books including this one...

...written by the author of Merchant of the Medomak (who also happened to be my husband's lower school Latin teacher, and whose skills are used by Bath's Maine Maritime Museum).

There are many lovely places in Coastal New England. But one of my favorites will always be the twin villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle.