Working Waterfront

What you hear about lobsters, and what’s true

There are oft-told stories that long ago lobsters were food fit only for the poor, that the prisoners at the Maine State Penitentiary (and apprentices in Boston) refused to eat them more than twice a week, and that they were so plentiful and poorly regarded that farmers used them for… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

North Haven library, community center host Elizabeth Bishop symposium

NORTH HAVEN — To commemorate the release of its publication Elizabeth Bishop: The North Haven Journal 1974-1979, the North Haven Library will host a symposium on the poet’s life and work at Waterman’s Community Center Aug. 14-15. The symposium offers the opportunity to learn more about Elizabeth Bishop: poet laureate, Pulitzer Prize winner,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Lobster coops use strength in numbers

Editor's note: This story was first posted on May 20, 2014. By Tom Groening VINALHAVEN — At the end of a typical summer day, an 18-wheeler will roll onto the mainland-bound ferry loaded with 300-400 crates of live lobster packed in seaweed. The lobster—40,000 pounds of it, provided by the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Ship becomes launch pad for naval target practice

By Benjamin Stevens On board the USNS Washington Chambers, a merchant marine ship designed to carry cargo, four of us stood on the flying bridge, waiting with our eyes to the sky. The Pacific sun beat down on us, but we didn’t care. We were waiting for a fly-by from… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Fishing community’s students put on a play

Ian Watkins is an Island Fellow, a participant in a two-year service program operated by AmeriCorps and the Island Institute, doing community development work on islands and remote coastal communities. Watkins works on Deer Isle and the Downeast coast with high school students. By Ian Watkins Just the other week,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Islesboro approves special deer hunt

By Tom Groening At a special town meeting on June 11, voters approved a plan that would allow hunters who live or own land on the island to take an unlimited number of deer from mid-December to the end of February. The plan, which carried in a 45-27 vote, is… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Parallel parking at sea means thinking two steps ahead

By Benjamin Stevens Growing up in a fishing community, I got to see countless lobster boats make their tight turns and sudden stops at the Islesford coop dock. Boaters love to show off, and there is no feeling like executing a slick maneuver in front of a crowd of tourists.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Racism, radical politics: Breaking family expectations resolves in new book

Note: An earlier version of this story contained an error, misidentifying presidential candidate Henry Wallace. It's been a life marked by following his heart, even when that meant being spurned by his family. In an era when it was not fashionable, and maybe even dangerous to do, North Haven native… SEE MORE

Some of the 2015 island students who received college scholarships through the Island Institute.

Working Waterfront

Island identity an important strand

Editor's note: Davis Boardman of Islesboro was the featured speaker at the Island Institute's annual Scholars Luncheon on May 30 at Point Lookout in Northport at which 68 students were awarded scholarships totaling $150,300 through the nonprofit's Island Education Fund. These are her remarks. I started at Barnard College feeling… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Birds on the brain, birds at my window

By Barbara Fernald As I sat at my kitchen table attempting to pull something out of my overloaded-by-too-much-to-do brain for this column, I gazed out through the window, taking in the lilac bush where the blossoms were just opening. Birds were flying back and forth between the bush and the… SEE MORE