No home renovation is safe from the brutal judgment of the internet. Not even Martha Stewart, whose Maine summer home apparently did not pass muster with Instagram commenters, is immune.

On July 2, Stewart posted to Instagram with photos from her newly rearranged living room, writing, “We switched the living room from grey blue upholstery to a creamy pale buttery yellow ( all the yellow came from lily pond lane which I sold two years ago!) the library is much more comfortable now and the faux Bois table is now the card table I love the rustic yet elegant charm of this lovely 1925 house.”

But I guess her social media followers were not that charmed.

Comments from unimpressed Instagram users included, “Looks old and stuffy,” and, “Going to be honest…you could hire a better decorator,” and, “Doesn’t look homey and inviting,” and, “Yuck. It looks like a Marriott suite living room in 1987.”

But if you were expecting Martha Stewart not to respond to all this criticism, you’d be deeply mistaken.

“I rarely read all the comments that come in after I post but because I was so happy at the transformation of my Maine living room I did go through many of the comments and was surprised at the harsh judgment so many displayed,” she wrote in a follow-up post on July 4. She continued that it took her and her helpers three hours to replace all of the furniture, and that they were pleased with how well everything fit, adding that it was not a professional installation from a decorator, just a quick facelift. “Making a house a home, or a room a beautiful livable space takes a lot more than three hours. Of course there will be color, plants, mirrors, a new rug or two and other art and objects Stay tuned!!!!”

“Summer is an interesting time in Maine,” Rev. Jeffery Logan, executive director and a co-pastor at Grace-Street Ministry, told a small crowd gathered in Portland’s Old Port [last week].

“Because the rest of the year is such a meteorological maelstrom, the summer often feels like time out of time. A period during which we can forget pretty much everything except barbecues, beach days, and time off from whatever job it is we do.”

Logan, who goes by Pastor Jeff, and others were gathered for the Longest Day of Homelessness sit-out, an annual event organized by Homeless Voices for Justice, to remind the public of the “tragedy and injustice of homelessness,” even in the summer months. 

Pastor Jeff shared how donations, which often take the form of Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards, fall off in the summer months. “The unhoused don’t get a summer vacation,” he said.

“Yes, people living outside do not currently have to worry about freezing to death or about losing fingers and toes, and that is a blessing,” he said. “But when it’s 90 degrees one day and 60 degrees and raining the next, it’s still a challenge and physical danger to be outside.”

The sit-out, which was planned to coincide with one of the longest days of the year, was held on a toasty, humid afternoon, and was preceded by a series of record-hot days across Maine. 

Some of the speakers, who were formerly or currently unhoused, talked about friends who froze to death. Pastor Jeff and others described the challenge of protecting one’s belongings from the elements—or from a front loader commissioned by the city of Portland.

Many of those who passed by the event were likely tourists, or taking the day off. 

The reality of living in Vacationland, for many Mainers, is working while others are not. In fact, many in service and related industries make the bulk of their income during these months. And when they get a day off, even if it’s rare, they want to check out, unplug, hit the beach or the lake.

Listening to Pastor Jeff made me wonder what else are people on vacation — or seeking a vacation — from? 

More and more I hear that people are tired — of bad news, of economic woes, of politics — and want a break. And who can blame them? It’s been a long few years. 

In addition to the urgent needs of people who are unhoused, there are other encroaching threats: the changing climate, the loss of bodily autonomy, the erosion of democracy, etc. It’s an overwhelming list and I fear that many with the privilege to ignore the maelstrom and retreat to a climate-controlled cocoon may never come back out.

But, as Pastor Jeff noted, not everyone has the luxury of being able to unsubscribe from it all. Our work is not done, he said. Our work cannot take the summer off. 

Whether feeding people who don’t have homes, or providing for the elderly or sick, there are many care workers and service providers who continue to carry the weight of humanity, regardless of the day or season.

The silver lining is that, while we can’t disconnect from the challenges that surround us, being part of something bigger than oneself, helping someone in need, and building community can be deeply rejuvenating, too. 

Ending with a quote from Frederick Douglass, Pastor Jeff said, “I prayed for 20 years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.”

“So let’s keep on walking,” he added. “We’ve got miles to go before we sleep.”

CLINTON — Children scooped up candy, fire trucks blared their sirens and horses decked out in red, white and blue trotted down the road.

It was the Fourth of July in Clinton, Maine.

Touted as the largest Independence Day event in the region, the Central Maine 4th of July celebration returned Wednesday and Thursday to the Kennebec County town, drawing thousands of families and revelers to many events.

“It’s about bringing the community together and supporting the men and women who have given us our freedoms, to be able to call ourselves Americans and be able to celebrate this nation’s birthday,” Kevin Douglass, chairman of the group that organizes the annual festival, said. “I’ll tell you what: The community definitely comes together here.”

The celebration, which began in 1990, was expected to draw more than 25,000 people over the two days, according to Douglass, a Fairfield resident.

Thursday morning was highlighted by a parade that organizers said featured 72 vehicles and 268 people. After the parade, Douglass said it was the biggest he had seen in recent years.

Beginning at 10 a.m. outside the Tradewinds Market Plus at 153 Hinckley Road, the route took the line of cars, trucks and floats into the center of town and onto Main Street, then to the Clinton Fairgrounds. The procession lasted about an hour and 15 minutes.

Participants included local churches, businesses and other organizations, along with police officers and elected officials. The motorcade included deafening sirens and horns from fire trucks from Clinton, Winslow, Pittsfield, Burnham, Fairfield, Benton and Albion.

Michaela Rizza, 28, of Clinton took in the parade from the corner of Main and Railroad streets, along with her 7-year-old son, Gunnar Graves, and baby, Violet Leclair.

Kristin Downer tells Sasha Gooldrup, who is atop an ambulance, where to place decorations for the Central Maine 4th of July parade in Clinton. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

“They throw a lot of candy,” Rizza, who planned to spend the rest of the day with her family, said. “That’s why we come to the parade.”

Lisa Covey of Winslow and Jeanine Deas of Waterville walked the parade route in the center of town and offered free books to children. Covey, who Deas called the “Winslow book lady,” said the two handed out about 200 books Thursday morning.

“It’s a feel-good, fun thing to do,” Deas, who is a children’s book author, said.

Maeve Brown, 4, of Winslow points to a parade float Thursday during the Central Maine 4th of July parade in Clinton. Organizers say the parade included 72 vehicles. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

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The parade wrapped up at the Clinton Fairgrounds at 1450 Bangor Road, where food vendors, carnival games and other activities were set up for the afternoon.

On Wednesday night, the fairgrounds also hosted country music singer Darryl Worley.

Worley’s tour bus had mechanical problems on the way to Clinton, which delayed his concert by about two hours, Douglass said. The show began at about 10:15 p.m.

“There was people that stuck in there,” Douglass said. “They got one heck of a show.”

A fireworks display — reportedly the largest in central Maine, based on the number of shells launched, Douglass said — was scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Thursday. As of Thursday afternoon, the weather forecast called for partly cloudy skies, with no rain expected.

Douglass, the event’s chairman, said the annual celebration is possible due to the efforts and collaboration of many people.

“The town is phenomenal; the businesses are phenomenal,” he said. “Everybody comes right together to make sure that it comes together, and it’s just amazing to see. It is all part of the Fourth to be united.”

Max, an 8-year old golden retriever, looks out from a vehicle Thursday during the Central Maine 4th of July parade in Clinton. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

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