Articles
College ‘cottage’ saved in nick of time
BAR HARBOR — The major renovation of The Turrets—a summer “cottage” built in 1895 and repurposed in the 1970s as the centerpiece of College of the Atlantic—is nearly complete. The renovation of the massive granite structure came not a moment too soon. “It was getting to the point that it was dangerous—slate falling from the
Wizard of Oz ‘witch’ loved her Maine island
CAPE ISLAND — Tour boat operators sometimes entertained their passengers by referring to Cape Island as “Witch’s Island.” That’s because the primary resident there, during summers from 1961 to 1985, was Margaret Hamilton, the actor who played the Wicked Witch of the West and Elmira Gulch in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Contrary
Maine’s vital role in Civil War highlighted in linked exhibits
PEAKS ISLAND — Although Maine was far from the Civil War’s devastating battlegrounds of Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Antietum, the state played a vital part for the Union. Maine sent about 70,000 men—more per capita than any other state in the Union—plus an uncounted number of women who served as nurses, relief workers, spies and soldiers.
Flood insurance changes hit home in Maine
AUGUSTA — In part because Maine has one of the oldest housing stocks in the nation, the cost of flood insurance is rising. Subsidies that kept policies at affordable levels over the past 40-plus years are gone, and the adoption of new federal flood insurance rate maps could mean more bad news for coastal and
Frenchboro harbor ordinance survives challenge
FRENCHBORO — A proposal to repeal the new Frenchboro Town Dock, Float, and Harbor Ordinance was soundly rejected by a vote of 12-1. The vote came at a special town meeting on Nov. 11, held at the request of David Lunt. Lunt has consistently registered his disapproval of the ordinance adopted Aug. 26 after a
Rockers like 13-year-old’s radio show
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — Two years after Miles Schuman started an internet-radio program in a playroom at his mother’s home, “The Shoe” is en route to syndication on FM airwaves and is attracting attention from sponsors. A poised 13-year-old, Schuman has developed deep connections with world-class rockers. Just a few of his guests—many of them now
Hancock residents seek to preserve marine services yard
HANCOCK—A coalition of residents has come together to save Hancock Marine Service, a 30-year-old boatyard with an interesting backstory in the town’s history. Located down a long and winding country road on shorefront overlooking Sullivan Harbor, the yard provides important working waterfront access to fishermen and yachters alike, advocates of saving it say. Phil Johnson,
Photo trove illuminates coastal community history
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — An extensive collection of images, snapped in Southwest Harbor by resident photographer Willis Humphreys Ballard from 1934 to 1977, has opened a window on the area’s life and times. Ballard’s 3,500 prints and negatives are a major part of the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s overall holdings of around 10,000 historic photographs dating
Machias train station restoration on track
MACHIAS — The restoration of a venerable train depot here, known as Station 98 and listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, is steaming down the track and into the heart of the community. The Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is spearheading the effort to restore a depot that is in “the most
Fishing on land: Saltwater fish could tap high-value market
FRANKLIN — The first black sea bass and California yellowtail to come from a trial land-based culture method have earned excellent reviews from chefs and consumers. That’s the word from Ed Robinson, co-owner and director of Harpswell-based RAS Corporation. Now plans are in the works to expand RAS’s limited trial run of 1,000 each of