Working Waterfront

George Mitchell: Much more than compromise

By Douglas Rooks When I began researching Statesman, my biography of Sen. George Mitchell, I thought I knew the man, at least in his public life. After all, we first met in the Kennebec Journal newsroom in Augusta some 30 years ago, and I followed him from there throughout his… SEE MORE

Zach Field wows the crowd as he juggles and rides a unicycle.

Working Waterfront

Swan’s Island marks fifth anniversary of library

PHOTO STORY BY CANDIS JOYCE On July 30, the Swan’s Island Library hosted its Annual Island Bazaar while celebrating the fifh anniversary of the new library building. Artists, crafts people, good food and an auction, along with music by island musicians, created a festive atmosphere. One of the highlights of… SEE MORE

Boathouses on Islesford catch the late-day sun.

Working Waterfront

Waiting to exhale while reflecting on finite spaces

Breathe in… Breathe out… Breathe in… Breathe out. If you are reading this while in the throes of a hectic island August, you might be thinking, “Yes, stay calm. Remember to breathe. Soon this pace of all good things will get slower and slower.” If you are reading after Labor… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Making lemonade not from lemons, but from love

Island legend, writer and historian Ivan Calderwood left his island home and land to the town of Vinalhaven for the purpose of providing a home for older islanders no longer able to adequately provide for themselves. The Ivan Calderwood Homestead is now Vinalhaven’s eldercare facility, home at any given time… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

New boat for Isle au Haut, Stonington run

The Otter has replaced the Mink. No, it’s not spy code language, but rather the big news on the Stonington and Isle au Haut waterfronts. The nonprofit Isle au Haut Boat Services put the new Otter into service in August, replacing the long-serving Mink, which will remain as the winter… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Letters to the editor: Family leave, Portland and kayaking

Congrats on family leave To the editor: The more I know of the Island Institute, the more I respect and appreciate your work. One small part of that work, The Working Waterfront, is by far my favorite publication. A wonderful variety of important issues, delightful columns, photos and more. What… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A dozen years of work on ocean acidification paid off

There’s something about the timeframe of 10 to 12 years. I’ve read that you can master something new in this amount of time—and ultimately, if you are brave enough, have four different careers in a lifetime. The field of sustainability studies has shown that system-level changes take an average of 10 to 12 years. At… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Bucksport to host maritime film festival

Two Maine organizations dedicated to preserving the past have collaborated to present documentary films in a festival this fall. The International Maritime Film Festival, set for Sept. 30-Oct. 2, is being hosted by Northeast Historic Film (NHF) and Brooklin-based WoodenBoat Publications. The festival will include short and feature length films,… SEE MORE

A fishing boat heads out at dawn in December from Eastport.

Working Waterfront

In the depths of grief, kindness shines through

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. Tarah Waters works in Eastport creating an arts-based internship program for local students. Tarah Waters It… SEE MORE

Dr. Bill Thomas answers questions at the Aging on Islands conference.

Working Waterfront

New vision for eldercare praised at island conference

Speaking at the July 16 “Aging on Islands” conference on North Haven, keynote speaker Bill Thomas confessed to breaking New York state law governing eldercare facilities. He did not seem repentant. Thomas said the law allowed one dog or cat in a nursing home. “We decided to bring in lots… SEE MORE