Working Waterfront

Keeping islanders busy through COVID and winter

I am a sucker for a pretty view. If you were to scroll through the pictures on my phone, you would see an abundance of sunsets over beaches, waves crashing against boats in the bay, evergreen trees swaying in the wind, the lamplight breaking through the thick fog on the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A 50-year journey through the mind

On October 9, 2009, although not despondent, I stood on the Dyer Island Bridge, staring into the modest abyss below and torn between stepping off or returning home. After a while I did; I stepped off. Vinalhaven is the largest island in Maine’s Penobscot Bay, surrounded by bits of ledge… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A star is born on North Haven

It was Amanda’s idea. She had seen the star on Mount Battie and thought North Haven should have one, too. North Haven is going all out decorating the island to cheer everybody up in this long time of COVID fatigue, she thought. Wouldn’t it be great to have a bright… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

When winter gets tough, we bake cookies

Ahhhhh. November and December in the Cranberry Isles. I really don’t mind these darker months. I know the light comes back pretty quickly in January and February and there’s something very special about the pre-solstice sunsets seen from a ride home on the mailboat. Hello wool socks and old sweater friends.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

How I outwitted a dead turkey

Early on Thanksgiving morning I came downstairs to put the turkey in the oven. Elaine had asked me to do this, she having spent most of the previous day getting things ready, making pies and so forth. On the counter was a note: “Pre-heat the oven to 350. Rinse the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

From crisis response to community resiliency

As the COVID storm continues to roil our coast, my thoughts return to the image of Monhegan’s Matt Weber easing his lobster boat against a large tanker, both vessels in motion, as a Penobscot Bay pilot leaps from the smaller boat to a ladder hanging from the ship, where he… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A serving of nostalgia for the holidays

When we hang our stockings this year, I’ll fill them with nostalgia. Is it because I am older now that some of my childhood memories seem in sharper focus? (I’ve heard that while oldsters can’t recall where they put their car keys, some details of earlier times come more clearly… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Getting outside is critical, and never easier

As I write this, COVID 19 has arrived on North Haven. Today, the town office announced that we had 11 positive cases, and that testing and contact-tracing continues. The store is closed for in-store shopping, we’re remote schooling at least through the end of November, and emotions are high as… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Chebeague Island has new town administrator

Chebeague Island town administrator, Marjorie Stratton, who has served the island community for the past five years, is stepping down. [caption id="attachment_22775" align="aligncenter" width="250"] Justin Poirer[/caption] According to long-time select board member Donna Damon, Stratton has left the town with a stable workforce and in a sound financial position. Stratton… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Minke whale skeleton finds second life

Photos by William Trevaskis Students, staff, and visitors to North Haven Community School are greeted by a new, impressive sight when they enter the school grounds: a 26-foot minke whale skeleton, mounted in a spruce timber frame. The display is the culmination of a years-long project, begun in 2016 when… SEE MORE