25th-Anniversary Open House a Real Crowd-Pleaser

 

By all accounts, the Island Institute's 25th anniversary open house on Friday and Saturday, August 8th and 9th was a real crowd-pleaser.  More than 500 visitors toured the historic headquarters buildling on Main Street in Rockland.  They enjoyed live music by local bluegrass and jazz groups,  the "vertical gallery" of Peter Ralston photographs and their chats with Institute staff about the many programs and resources available to island and working-waterfront communities.  Many headed up to the fourth floor for a delicious array of refreshments, including a "birthday" cake, and a spectacular view of Rockland's working harbor, the breakwater lighthouse and the islands in the distance. 

Archipelago, the Island Institute store, drew attention with trunk shows and demonstrations by three Maine artists. Kathleen Colton, Matinicus, velvet accessories;  Charlotte Leavitt, Westbrook, nautical chart jewelry; Towanda Brown, Long Island, basket maker.

Many thanks to the Island Institute members who stopped by to offer their congratulations, and to our new members - more than 50! - who are now among those who wholeheartedly believe that Maine's islands and working waterfronts should remain vibrant places to live and work.