For generations, islanders have resisted having law enforcement officials in their midst. Not because residents are outlaws, but because island life is different. As island constable David Ames put it, “we kind of like to be left alone.” But islanders pay for county law enforcement anyway. Matinicus pays $16,690 in county taxes this year. That
Swan’s, the musical island
“Music teacher wanted for island off the coast of Maine,” said the job listing, adding just enough additional detail to prompt Dunham and her husband, Ben, to respond, arrange an interview, accept the job, pack their lives and their two children into a couple of old cars, leave central Ohio and head out for something
Vinalhaven students to build timber frame for their new shop
This is the first time students in Maine have been included in a state-funded school building project. Jackson, who has been a member of the Building Committee for the new school for the past two years, put the idea to have students build the timber frame to the committee and Superintendent George Joseph. Together they
Science, enthusiasm combine in North Haven’s electric car project
The mission of the car is far greater than a single science class, however: students plan on using the vehicle as an on island shuttle for both visitors and small classes. There are also plans to compete in next year’s Tour de Sol, a festival of solar, electric and “green” vehicles. Dietter hopes the vehicle
Loose caulking, trash fish, flying planks: Oral history project collects and preserves fish stories
Alison Bishop, from Birch Harbor, who was born into a fishing family, went out lobster fishing with his father, became a stern man and started on his own after serving in World War II, remembers the days when people hauled freight across the ice in Frenchmen’s Bay. “In those days, lobstermen would have to fight
Down and dirty: Maine works to clean up its dredge permitting process
The expense of the permitting process – in money, time and mental anguish – has frustrated commercial harbor development interests for years. That Portland’s harbor dredge committee took just five years to secure permits to remove one million cubic yards of bottom is considered a resounding success. Even smaller harbors with small commercial and recreational
“Islands” takes Manhattan, Portland by storm
Though the scale was minuscule compared to so many other lives and events, the tragedies of Sept. 11 placed a huge blockade in front of our plans. Our New York date was Sept. 29; we were due to leave on the 28th. It seemed so soon after the raw wound, and some students and parents
New exhibit highlights link between fishermen and scientists
The Island Institute introduced its Lobster Kiosk to the public on October 15, with a new lobby exhibit entitled “The Lobster and the Mouse: Tradition and Technology in Maine Fisheries.” By means of a touch-screen monitor and dynamic content, the kiosk depicts the collaborative relationship between fishermen and scientists, fishing and technology. The project utilizes
New lobster cooperative thrives on Islesboro
A recent graduate of the University of Maine, Conover started selling lobsters door-to-door on Islesboro at the age of 11, to finance the expansion of his baseball card collection. For this energetic entrepreneur, who hauled his first traps from his friend Abe’s canoe, founding the Spruce Island Lobster Cooperative this year was a logical progression.
Polyculture in the Bagaduce
Moran has made this trip in his 19-foot skiff hundreds of times during the four years he has cultivated seaweed and oysters in the plot near Negro Island, but since he tends the farm from mid-April through December, the weather has not always been benign. To be here on this day, it is easy to