The last time Google Earth flew over my house and took a picture, I had laundry hanging out to dry. The clothesline is strung between the ell of the house and the barn, and the sheets and other white wash I hung out that day create a bright and noticeable line. I can even see
Fight over Penobscot River polluter continues
Maine People’s Alliance (MPA) returns to U.S. District Court on June 3 to fight the next crucial round in a 14-year legal battle against global health care giant Covidien and its subsidiary Mallinckrodt Corp. for their extensive mercury pollution of the Penobscot River ecosystem and fisheries. More than 26 years ago, the MPA identified the
Passamaquoddy craftsman maintains tribe’s traditions
BAR HARBOR — Master craftsman David Moses Bridges, an award-winning artist receiving national attention for his skill, works with birch bark to make shelters, canoes, traditional containers and adornments as a means of artistic expression and a way to continue the traditions of his Passamaquoddy culture. Originally from the Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation, also known
Big losers: Diabetes prevention becomes way of life for islanders
SWAN’S ISLAND — Lobster fisherman Chris Sawyer and his wife Emmie had their fourth child recently. The next day, Sawyer, 38, contacted Swan’s Island health provider Donna Wiegle. He wanted to join the type 2 diabetes prevention program to improve his health. “I said, ‘If I don’t do something, I’m not going to be around
Record set straight–Richard Alley gets Bronze Star
ISLESFORD — Students from the Ashley Bryan School usually go to the Bar Harbor YMCA on Friday afternoons for their swimming lessons. But on Friday, May 2, they changed their schedule so they could return to Islesford on the 11 a.m. boat. Morning talk among island lobster fishermen on the VHF radio was also about
A little store, a big deal for Swan’s Island community
SWAN’S ISLAND — In a matter of weeks, Kathy and Brian Krafjack sold their house in Stonington, Conn., moved into their new home on Swan’s Island, and re-opened the former Carrying Place Market as The Island Market & Supply. At mid-morning on a recent Thursday, Kathy was settled in behind the cash register, ringing up
Making It Here: Alison Thibault left banking for jewelry business
VINALHAVEN — Alison Thibeau holds a piece of dichroic glass at waist level, tilting it slightly, its rich purple hues looking like the iridescence on a mussel shell. Then she lifts the glass toward the light in the window, and it’s now the color of sun-dappled ferns. That’s the “di” in the dichroic glass; both
Small MDI airport sees big upgrades
TRENTON — It’s a good bet that passengers will find the newly expanded waiting area at the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport a lot more comfortable than it once was. The Federal Aviation Administration has put more than $2.5 million toward the passenger terminal’s expansion and renovation. The FAA also committed $68,553 to repaint markings, used
Lobster coops offer price, market connection
VINALHAVEN — At the end 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 island’s lobster coop—is then trucked to a dealer who will sort and distribute the product to restaurants, processors and others.
Beal’s Lobster Pier, a waterfront institution, sees a bright future
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — On a fine early May day, Aaron Bernstein, operations manager at Beal’s Lobster Pier, directed employees on deployment of the additional docks needed to gear up for another busy summer. Inside the processing plant, long-time staffer Erica Harper picked lobster. In the restaurant, which serves seafood coming over those docks, a new