Working Waterfront

Remembering a star of the glory days of newspapers

We’ve dropped the editorial in this month’s issue in favor of a personal column remembering a life well-lived, and a colleague whose example continues to shine bright. One of the benefits we enjoy on the Maine coast is that prominent and accomplished people visit or retire here, and often, we… SEE MORE

Sitting on Great Cranberry Island's back shore

Working Waterfront

Savoring summer evokes childhood memories

On one of the last days of June, I met up with my friend and neighbor, Cindy Thomas, at the Sand Beach on Islesford. We get together all year long for a brief monthly dip from this beach, but on this particular day we were gathering for a more seasonal… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Connecting our communities more critical than ever

This column first appeared in the 2017 Island Journal, which is now available for purchase at TheArchipelago.net. Maine touts its allure for visitors and prospective transplants by asserting that we provide qualities summed up as “the way life should be.” The phrase suggests purity, simplicity, a pace more in tune… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Beverly Ross Johnson is Chebeague’s volunteer extraordinaire

There is an old saying that you can’t keep a secret on an island, but that was disproven at Chebeague Island’s town meeting on June 10, when Beverly Ross Johnson was presented a legislative sentiment by Rep. Janice Cooper. The sentiment recognized Johnson’ s 53 years contributing her time and… SEE MORE

Galen Koch at work on the Airstream trailer that will serve as her mobile recording studio.

Working Waterfront

‘First Coast’ project aims to tell our stories

Bureaucrats, academics, and advocates develop talking points, position papers, and policies to address the problems of our coast. Galen Koch has chosen a different approach. The 28-year-old Stonington native and Skidmore College grad has dedicated her professional life to storytelling. Or, more accurately, letting others tell their stories. Her newest… SEE MORE

This map depicts the Wabanaki homeland in the 19th century.

Working Waterfront

For the Wabanaki, home has no walls

In August 1857, Penobscot Indian Joseph Polis paddled down the Penobscot River with Henry David Thoreau. Polis had been helping Thoreau visit the Maine woods during the previous two weeks. Now coming into sight of Old Town Island, or present-day Indian Island, the seat of the Penobscot tribal government, Thoreau… SEE MORE

Community

Lindsey Beverage has been hired to oversee North Haven’s eldercare facility.

Working Waterfront

North Haven’s eldercare vision coming to fruition

On eight acres of meadow overlooking Southern Harbor, North Haven’s eldercare facility is coming into focus. As the walls come down in the original structure, donated by Mary White, and six bedrooms, community spaces, kitchen and dining room take form, Southern Harbor Eldercare Services, the facility’s governing body, has taken… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

New Islesboro pre-school facility opens this summer

The reasons for providing daycare and preschool services on an island are many, and they are compelling. But the new Islesboro Pre-School facility came to fruition because island leaders asked for help and got it. First, the reasons. Bruce Claflin, who led the fundraising efforts for the facility, says the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Remembering that first day on Frenchboro

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. I can’t believe two years have already passed since beginning my fellowship on Frenchboro. I remember leaving… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Homing in on Dave Morrison

New York City just didn't agree with Dave Morrison. The music scene was a clutter of competition and costs he hadn't encountered playing nightclub circuits in New England. Living arrangements were expensive. Waiting tables at the Hard Rock Café was less than satisfying. Transportation was awkward, especially lugging around guitars… SEE MORE