Working Waterfront

Family launches Chebeague-based water taxi

Kevin Wentworth is not an island native, but his take on life there probably rings true with those who are life-long islanders. “Living on an island is a privilege, but sometimes it’s a struggle,” he said. To ease at least part of the struggle—and to fill a business niche—Wentworth and… SEE MORE

Megan and Keaton Scarponi in front of their soon-to-be-completed new house in Washington.

Working Waterfront

Boomers, millennials like smaller, energy-efficient houses

One couple is moving into their new empty-nest house. The other, into their first home. The houses are nearly identical, which isn’t surprising, given that they were designed by the same architects. But they have more in common than an architectural firm. The two couples are separated by 25 years… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Urchin harvest begins Downeast

The sea urchin harvest season began Oct. 1 and continues through March 3. Kasey Nicholas Smith, a student at the University of Maine at Machias, was aboard the Pandalus of Eastport, captained by George "Butch" Harris, to photograph the work. The boat's crew includes Clifton Smith Jr. and Frederick Moore IV.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Long-time merchant mariner reflects on sea lessons

By Isabel Reddy The ship, a 100,000-ton, 750-foot-long cargo transport, was in heavy weather. The anchor was banging away against the bow. Weighing around 1,600 pounds, it could do considerable damage. The captain, Mike Flanagan, responded to the emergency by telling a crew member, “Secure the anchor.” The crew member… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

North Haven siblings, friend launch brewery

Ben Lovell didn't plan to return to North Haven and open a brewery after graduating from Bowdoin College, but after spending time in New York, he returned to his island home to work as a stern man on a lobster boat. "It was the off season and we had nothing… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine’s internet stuck in slow lane, but local innovation helps

Nearly 20 years ago, the phrase “information superhighway” was used—and probably over-used—to explain the internet and what it offered. In 2016, the analogy remains in use, though it has become more nuanced. Representatives from internet providers and island and remote coastal communities speaking at the Oct. 26 Island Broadband Conference… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

How to understand Maine’s ‘High North’ opportunities

By Dan Bookham Since 2013 when the Icelandic steamship line Eimskip established operations in Portland, there has been growing buzz around Maine’s ocean-driven connections to our north. Ship calls to Portland’s International Marine Terminal have steadily increased, more and more Maine officials, economic developers and business people have made the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

In politics, it’s location, location, location

It’s a day in early May, and the TV weatherman on the midday report is practically giddy about the bright sun and unseasonably warm temperatures. But you’ve just ascended the Tableland on Mt. Katahdin, and Portland’s 70 degrees and light winds are irrelevant for you and your hiking party, as… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Marine trades sector thriving by blending tradition, innovation

This is the first in a three-part series about the role boatbuilders and boatyards play in Maine’s coastal and island economy. In the early 1990s, Ed Gray was walking across the beach at Spurling Cove on Great Cranberry Island, and came across Jarvis Newman trying to jack up an old… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Adventures in eating out

A new restaurant that opened up a while back had itself a maitre d’ and its own bartender and everything. They had a lot of live music and as a result the place was quite a draw some nights. They tapped the locals as waitresses and waiters and these folks,… SEE MORE