group of young adults in early 2000s clothing

Island Journal

Two Decades of Fellows Changes Communities

It’s a beautiful coincidence that 2020 is the 20th year of the Island Fellows program at the Island Institute. Twenty years ago, the designers of this program may not have known the level of reach it would have. Fellows came from states thousands of miles away, their projects have touched every layer of an island… Read more » SEE MORE

Solution Example

Work with an incumbent provider

Rural communities in Maine often have very small populations and sometimes have a hard time getting attention from incumbent service providers. The communities of Frenchboro, Matinicus, Isle Au Haut, and Swan’s Island came together as a group with the Island Institute to coordinate shared goals and meet with their incumbent service provider, TDS Telecom. With… Read more » SEE MORE

Community Infrastructure

Island Journal

How We Get Here: A History of the Ferry Service

The allure of living on an island includes isolation from the rest of the world. The downside of living on an island includes isolation from the rest of the world. Especially when you need something on the mainland. That’s what ferries are for. “We are the roads to the islands. We want to get everyone… Read more » SEE MORE

History

Solution Example

Outer Islands Teaching & Learning Collaborative

Isolated schools are vital, innovative, collaborative centers of teaching and learning that prepare students to thrive in the 21st century. The Outer Islands Teaching & Learning Collaborative, or TLC, is a 12-year-old, teacher-created and teacher-led group that provides a virtual community for the smallest island schools where students and teachers can access a rich and… Read more » SEE MORE

Local Capacity & Leadership

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, 15 miles out to sea,… Read more » SEE MORE

Communities

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 and the mountains to the… Read more » 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 and inspiration to many of… Read more » SEE MORE

Island Journal

‘Halfway to Where Somebody’s in Trouble’

‘Halfway to Where Somebody’s in Trouble’ Cell phones proliferate, but radios are the go-to communication tool on islands. By Stephanie Bouchard It is practically a cliché to call Matinicus Island isolated, but it is. The closest mainland city (and U.S. Coast Guard station) is in Rockland at about 23 miles distant. In the heart of… Read more » SEE MORE

Communities

Working Waterfront

Strained relations with the ferry service

On a late spring morning in 1920, the steamboat Governor Bodwell was docked at Tillson’s Wharf in Rockland and preparing to depart for Vinalhaven. Shoveling coal below decks was my grandfather, Edwin Maddox. His eleventh great grandparents, William and Mary Brewster, had arrived on the Mayflower 300 years earlier. Unbeknownst to him, he was close to meeting the… Read more » SEE MORE

Island Journal

Cornering the Island Fuel Market

Cornering the Island Fuel Market Pete Pellerin took on fuel delivery for Casco Bay islands, and consumers won. By Jennifer Van Allen Photos by Gabe Souza When Pete Pellerin moved to Chebeague Island in 2009, he expected some basic necessities to cost more. But he wasn’t prepared for the expense of propane to power his… Read more » SEE MORE

Business