Working Waterfront

How we support the island’s gay, lesbian,and trans teens

A few years ago, in the service of our podcast “12 Knots,” my husband and I had a chance to sit down with lesbian, gay, and transgender islanders and have a conversation. The five people we interviewed grew up on the island, came out as lesbian, gay, or transgender in… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Wild Miss Islesford comes to Islesboro

Wild Miss Islesford, Barb Fernald’s now-famous and well-traveled sourdough, came to Islesboro last August, when Barb, who lives in Islesford, gave some to me and Courtney Naliboff of North Haven. We all had gathered in Rockland for a panel presentation at the Island Institute and Barb arrived with plastic containers… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

No car ferry dramatically changes the nature of unloading

Picture an average day, doing errands. Maybe you have a dentist appointment and will receive that complimentary little bag with a toothbrush, paste, and floss inside. You might then head over to the drug store for a few health and beauty aids, toss that bag in the car and move… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A painful relationship with Maine

Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches By John Hodgman (2017, Viking) You may know John Hodgman from guest appearances as the Resident Expert and Deranged Millionaire when Jon Stewart hosted The Daily Show. You may remember he was the hapless PC up against the mighty Mac in Apple computer ads.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The road trip, part III

I will remind the reader that in early 2017 Elaine found just what we were looking for right next door, in New Hampshire. It was a 2003 white VW Eurovan Camper, in perfect condition, having been loved and cared for during 14 years by only two devoted owners. It was… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The power of storytelling, past and present

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. The snow is piling up outside, a fire is crackling the fireplace, a cup of tea is… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

No benefits to Maine for allowing offshore drilling

By Kristin Jackson It’s no secret that Mainers rely on the ocean. Whether it’s our lobstermen hauling traps, our seaside inns welcoming guests, or our families visiting the shore, our legendary coastline and clean and healthy ocean drive our economy and way of life. No wonder Mainers from all walks… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Expanding economy forces the question: Who do we want to be?

In September, we’ll mark the ten-year anniversary of a frightening moment in our country’s history. Just weeks before the presidential election that saw Barack Obama defeat John McCain, George W. Bush’s treasury secretary reported that the U.S. banking system was on the brink of collapse. A bail-out was approved by… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Islands I like, others that are navigational hazards

Obviously, I like islands. I live on one and find that I like to vacation on them—Cyprus, England, the Orkneys off Scotland’s north coast, Hawaii, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, Newfoundland, Key West, St. John in the Virgin Islands, and I aspire to visit Iceland. I just don’t like islands… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Yielding to winter weather a wise response

This winter started off with a bang. As we spent our Christmas holidays with family in Baltimore, we watched the weather reports from home, seeing ice, high winds, and lots of snow forecast for Christmas day. Our electrician had just completed installation of a generator that would turn on the… SEE MORE