STONINGTON — One way in, one way out. That’s how town and business leaders describe transportation on the Blue Hill Peninsula. And when that way—state highway Route 15—is in rough shape, it affects commerce, health and quality of life. In response, town officials have joined forces to persuade the state Department of Transportation to devote
When group dynamics and loyalty lead to disaster
Capt. Robin Walbridge assembled his crew of 15 sailors on the deck of the Bounty—a tall ship built for the 1962 movie Mutiny on the Bounty with Marlon Brando. It was Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 and Walbridge knew the crew was hearing reports of an approaching hurricane named Sandy. He called the crew together for
Breaking up is hard to do
I recently had the very surreal experience of interviewing three candidates for Isle au Haut’s new Island Institute Fellow position. My two-year fellowship in community planning is coming to a close. In September a new fellow will be coming in and working with the town government and the historical society. At first, I didn’t think
A fine day for boating… in Winthrop, Mass.
Launch day!
Students from Searsport District High School launched the shellback dinghies they built at the town landing on Wednesday, June 4. The school’s four-year-old boatbuilding program, which relies on volunteer instructors, moved to a downtown location this year.
High-stakes gardening
Another installment from Anneli Carter-Sundqvist’s collection of blog entries, A Homesteader’s Year on Deer Isle. There are as many books on gardening as anyone could ever want; still, I have yet to read one on how to deal with a gardener’s weak nerves. There’s no hiding it anymore—I’m a nervous-souled gardener. Some days I even
The real island life is found in its people
I’ll admit it—when I was asked to write this column, I let out a big groan. I write research papers; I don’t write creative “reflections.” I observe, research and analyze. So when I was asked to add color and give a taste of island life, I was less than enthusiastic. What is “island life”? Island
‘Visit with Ashley Bryan’ opens at Islesford center
ISLESFORD — Established in 2013, the Ashley Bryan Center is dedicated to preserving, celebrating and sharing the work of the world-renowned island artist and author and “his joy of discovery, invention, learning, cultural understanding and community.” As part of its outreach, this summer the center is offering “A Visit with Ashley Bryan” at the Islesford
Rockland ’boutique’ hotel will fill need, developer says
ROCKLAND — For Cabot Lyman, it was a simple calculation. The city’s summer festivals, which bring lobster, boating and blues enthusiasts, collectively draw about 100,000. Yet the number of hotel beds in town is about 400. So after buying a small building just off Route 1 in late 2010, Lyman decided to develop a hotel
Vacationland: a tense summer on Penobscot Bay
BOOK REVIEW The native vs. newcomer conflict that was the common dynamic in our public debates for years in the Midcoast seems to be history these days. The détente may be the result of non-natives now being the majority of residents, at least in the towns that touch salt water. And that may mean the