Working Waterfront

‘What’s goin’ on?’ is how ‘we’ solve problems

By Tom Groening We’ve seen, and maybe experienced first-hand, the conflict that comes when people have different ideas about safe public conduct in light of COVID-19. Recently, the issue was put before Judith Martin, aka columnist “Miss Manners,” on NPR, and I thought her response was enlightening well beyond the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

High school seniors undaunted by virus-tinged graduation

By Tom Groening Across the state, high school ended this spring with a whimper. Students graduated at the peak, or perhaps post-peak, of an unprecedented pandemic. And with graduation, they move into an uncertain and unknown future. But for three graduates in coastal communities—Peaks Island, Islesboro, and Eastport—the new normal… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Second, larger cruise ship bound for Eastport

By Tom Walsh A second massive cruise ship—the 11-deck Norwegian Sun—may soon tie up within the Bay of Fundy at a temporary berth being offered by the Eastport Port Authority. On June 14, the 785-foot cruise ship Oceana Riviera arrived from Miami without passengers, staffed by 131 crew members who… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

‘Plague! Plague! Cholera! Go back!’

By Tom Walsh Like moths drawn to flame, artists of all stripes—painters, writers, sculptors—have been swarming coastal Maine for more than 100 years. Among painters, think Winslow Homer at Prout’s Neck, John Marin at Small Point, Andrew Wyeth at Cushing, and son Jamie on Monhegan Island. Among Jamie Wyeth’s fellow… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Yearning for a place that’s not quite the same

Reflections is written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. By Ellie Mason For years now, I have been turning the term “solastalgia” over in my mind. Coined by the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Economy should focus on entrepreneurs

By Tom Groening If you had to describe Maine’s economy to someone who had never visited, what would you say? The caveat, of course, is the answer should reflect the state of the economy on, say, Jan. 1, not today. Another question, admittedly nearly impossible to answer, is: What will… SEE MORE

The 785-foot-long cruise ship Ocean Rivieria arrived at Eastport's breakwater on Sunday

Working Waterfront

Oceania Riviera dwarfs tiny Eastport

Note: This story was updated June 16. By Tom Walsh//Photos by Leslie Bowman The June 14 arrival of the 785-foot cruise ship Oceania Riviera at its temporary berth on Eastport's downtown breakwater more than quadrupled the size of the Washington County city’s tallest buildings. "There are 131 souls aboard," said Chris Gardner, executive… SEE MORE

This file image shows Bar Harbor's town landing

Working Waterfront

Governor’s order would kill Bar Harbor businesses, say owners

By Jacqueline Weaver Editor's note: Since this story was published in the June edition, Gov. Janet Mills has offered an alternative plan to the 14-day quarantine for out-of-state visitors. Bar Harbor business owners, from restaurants and shops to hotels and vacation rentals, are reeling from an executive order by Gov.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine can vote to close the digital divide

Seventeen houses. I don’t feel our list of “needs” was unusual for first-time homebuyers. Yet, in March and April of last year, my husband and I trudged through the snow and mud in 17 dooryards to finally find the home that would become ours. It ticked the top priority boxes—right… SEE MORE

A Maine Department of Transportation dump truck pulls off of the Downeast Sunrise Trail

Working Waterfront

Machias confronts frequent tidal floods

By Sarah Craighead Dedmon State snowplows descended on Machias the morning after an April storm, but they weren’t there to remove spring snow. Instead, they plowed debris from the Machias River, deposited during a violent storm and spring tide. It was the second time in four months plows removed seaweed… SEE MORE