Year: 2018

Swan's Island fire department and residents

Island Journal

Responding First, Fifteen Miles Out

Responding First, Fifteen Miles Out Islanders want to do their neighborly duty, but time and regulations add to challenges. By Gideon Davidson   Eva Murray moved to Matinicus in 1987 to take a position as the school teacher. Matinicus then was similar to Matinicus now: a small island fishing town,… SEE MORE
Harpswell fishermen sitting around woodstove at Watson's General Store

Island Journal

Harpswell, ‘A Town of Superlatives’

Harpswell, ‘A Town of Superlatives’ Cumberland County town has longest coastline in state, oldest population. BY CALLIE FERGUSON PHOTOS BY MICHELE STAPLETON   There’s a long-running joke in Harpswell that it’s really three towns in one. The town has the longest coastline of any in Maine—216 miles of long, jagged… SEE MORE
old men seated at a dinner table

Island Journal

Men, Books, Food, and Drink

Men, Books, Food, and Drink Vinalhaven’s men’s book club is a community institution. By Phil Crossman Photos by Sheri Romer-Day   In 2008, Vinalhaven native and lifelong fisherman Steve Rosen was chatting with Ellen Chandler, a seasonal resident of many years, who told him of her book discussion group in… SEE MORE
An icebreaker works toward Beaver Island.

Island Journal

Great Lakes islands choose people-focused strategy

Great Lakes Islands Choose People-Focused Strategy BY ABIGAIL CURTIS PHOTOS BY FRANK SOLLE   Let other people flock to Beaver Island’s white sand beaches, secluded forests, and scenic lighthouses in the summer, the busiest season for the tourist-friendly spot 32 miles off the coast in northeastern Lake Michigan. Pam Grassmick,… SEE MORE
A view down Bucksport's Main Street, with the paper mill's smokestacks in view.

Island Journal

Bucksport: Life After the Mill

Bucksport: Life After the Mill Town at top of Penobscot Bay searches for its (new) heart and soul. By Jim Baumer Photos by Linda Coan O’Kresik Maine has endured a litany of paper mill closures in recent years. These have been devastating to the communities that leaned heavily on the… SEE MORE
Newfoundland landscape with water and mountains

Island Journal

The Collector of Islands

The Collector of Islands Their magical allure has carried through a lifetime By Melissa Waterman   To get to the Lofoten Islands in Norway, you must take the ferry. But to get to the ferry you must journey by train. The train from Oslo takes 20 hours, travelling through Trondheim… SEE MORE
illustration of man in waders looking away

Island Journal

Folio: On the Water

On the Water ABE GOODALE Abe Goodale spent the past dozen years working internationally as an artist and wilderness guide. He recently returned home to Maine to focus on work connected to the local waters he grew up on. Following in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather Charles Dana Gibson, Goodale… SEE MORE
mixed media image of fishing boat in rough ocean

Island Journal

Folio: Altered Realities

Altered Realities JEFFREY C. BECTON Working year-round from his Deer Isle studio, Jeffery Becton draws from a vast collection of photography of his natural surroundings, local homes, and personal imagery to create his striking compositions. His images, which he describes as digital montage, exist somewhere between photography, collage, and painting.… SEE MORE
Luke Holden, left, and Ben Conniff photographed in front of restaurant

Island Journal

Luke Holden’s ‘Vertical Lobster’ Adventure

Luke Holden’s ‘Vertical Lobster’ Adventure Luke’s Lobster chain of restaurants is reinventing the fishing business BY STEPHANIE BOUCHARD   You hear a lot of horror stories associated with Craigslist ads, but this is not one of them. You could say it’s a business success story that has big implications, maybe… SEE MORE
N.C. Wyeth painting of Black Rock, Monhegan Island, Maine

Island Journal

Maine Islands: Paintings From the Farnsworth Collection

Maine Islands Paintings From the Farnsworth Collection The Farnsworth Art Museum’s collection of approximately 15,000 works focuses on American art from the 18th century to the present, with a special emphasis on artists who have lived or worked in Maine.  Since the mid-nineteenth century, the state has been both host… SEE MORE