Working Waterfront

Hooping on the island is a neighborly affair

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. There are certain times on Swan’s Island when there are no cars on the road. When a… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Cranberry Isles approves deal to establish broadband

Another Maine island community moved to secure a high-speed internet future when Cranberry Isles voters supported a plan to borrow up to $1.2 million to establish a broadband network at their March 11 annual town meeting. The vote paves the way for the town to contract with the internet provider… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Sellam Circus School coming to Vinalhaven, coast, this summer

A circus arts school recently formed in Biddeford will bring classes to the coast this summer. The Sellam Circus School, founded by Sellam El Ouahabi and Amity Stoddard, will offer its first-ever summer circus arts day camp on Vinalhaven Island in July, part of its Maine Coast Summer Circus Arts… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The trouble with March

I hate March. Someone described February as the two-month period between the end of January and the beginning of March, a completely unfair accusation. February is downright charming compared with March. February has the decency, usually, to provide at least a little snow, and a lot more if we are… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Launchpad program will help small business owners

The Island Institute’s economic development programming focuses on the idea that interlinked, strong and diverse businesses will make island and remote coastal communities not only sustainable, but help them thrive. We know that helping individual entrepreneurs succeed is a key way we can help enhance a strong coastal economy. With… SEE MORE

The Vinalhaven Vikings girls basketball team celebrates its Class D state championship in Bangor on Friday

Working Waterfront

The team within the team also deserves praise

The Vinalhaven Lady Vikings, having won this year’s State Class D girls basketball championship in Bangor, brought the cherished Gold Ball trophy home to Vinalhaven. Coach Sandy Nelson and Assistant Coach Sam Bickford, both island natives, are a rare and cohesive team themselves, so passionate about and focused on the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Bryan’s ‘Freedom Over Me’ earns Newberry honor

Islesford’s Ashley Bryan, the author and artist whose books, illustrations and paintings have reached world-wide audiences, was honored this month for his latest children’s book Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life. The book won a Newbery Honor Award, a runner-up to the Newbery Medal.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Oped: Wind energy project bad fit for Monhegan

By Travis Dow Island Institute President Rob Snyder recently wrote a generally supportive piece about offshore wind (The Working Waterfront, February/March issue: “On offshore wind, we weigh community costs, benefits”), including the Maine Aqua Ventus (MAV) project proposed for just off Monhegan. In it, he wrote: “The Island Institute supports… SEE MORE

Newman & Gray on Great Cranberry Island.

Working Waterfront

Passing the torch—Helping next generation of boatyard owners protects jobs, access

This is the second in a three-part series about the role boat builders and boatyards play in Maine’s coastal and island economy. Boatyards, marinas and boat builders represent a large part of the state’s island and coastal economies, accounting for more than 2,200 jobs. But these businesses, often run by… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Vinalhaven participates in women’s march

The Women’s March on Washington, a concept begun by one woman and a handful of friends just after Election Day, far exceeded their expectations. Two months later, it had become the distinctly inclusive voice of an astonishing five million people from every continent and from every state in this union.… SEE MORE