Working Waterfront

The play’s the thing

One of the purposes for which I was hired to come teach on North Haven, nigh on 12 years ago, was to direct plays. The theater program, formalized by the school's relationship with John Wulp, had achieved some renown through original programming and attention paid to contemporary classics by Brecht… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

This shop crafts beautiful boats and beautiful lives

By Meghan Vigeant On a typical day at the Carpenter’s Boat Shop in Pemaquid, you might find apprentices restoring an old rowboat or sanding the hull of a Mohegan skiff. You might also find them doing things like roofing the barn, baking a mac and cheese casserole, digging beets in… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

This shop crafts beautiful boats and beautiful lives

By Meghan Vigeant On a typical day at the Carpenter’s Boat Shop in Pemaquid, you might find apprentices restoring an old rowboat or sanding the hull of a Mohegan skiff. You might also find them doing things like roofing the barn, baking a mac and cheese casserole, digging beets in… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Peter Ralston’s ‘Pentecost’ named Maine’s ‘most iconic’ image

You know the image. Prints have been sold on every continent but Antarctica. And you know it because it tells a story, a story that resonates both with those visiting our state and those who have lived here for generations. “Pentecost,” as Peter Ralston called the photograph he shot that… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

On offshore wind, Island Institute weighs community costs, benefits

Renewable energy is critical for all of us as a response to climate-driven changes that are already impacting our fisheries and coastal infrastructure. It is important that we continue to move toward clean energy while also considering the costs inherent to energy generation. Leaders of island communities not connected to… SEE MORE

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

Leah Kruger and Jonathan Tetro take a "selfie" at the marina.

Working Waterfront

Living below deck, year-round

In the summer, marinas along Maine’s coast are like bustling cities filled to bursting with sojourners. But come late fall, the marinas that don’t shut down for winter transform into tight-knit small towns when a singular breed of tenant takes up residence: winter “liveaboards.” Unlike in more temperate parts of… SEE MORE

Muggsy Britts and her dog prepare to start her ATV. Britts is a member of the Acadia Area ATV club.

Working Waterfront

Sunrise Trail marks completion of Ellsworth leg

The theme that emerged from among several speakers at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 2 marking the linking of the Down East Sunrise Trail with High Street in Ellsworth was “sharing.” The trail, which follows a former railroad bed from Ellsworth to Pembroke, and eventually to Calais, will be enjoyed… 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

Boats in a cove on Long Island in Casco Bay

Working Waterfront

Learning the meaning of ‘neighbor’ informs my work

Reflections is a monthly column written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in remote coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. Angelique Williams is working with the town of Long Island in Casco Bay on telemedicine and aging… SEE MORE