Years ago, when Adam Campbell first moved to North Haven, he heard stories about folks like John Emerson and Foy Brown, who went down to the Damariscotta River to get alewives and brought them back across Penobscot Bay to try to jump-start a population of the anadromous or “sea-run” fish on the island. While those
Four generations of Harbor Gawkers on Vinalhaven
When John and Barbara Morton opened the Harbor Gawker restaurant on Vinalhaven in 1975, it was a small take-out window occupying the former Bodwell Granite Company’s pay station. These days the restaurant occupies a much larger building with plenty of seating, and the menu is bigger than one might imagine possible on a small island.
Long View: Cheap energy is our birthright
As the sickening tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico plays out inexorably day after day, shutting down working waterfronts, encircling and choking island communities and poisoning fish, shellfish and wildlife across four states sharing that Gulf; it is worth taking a moment to reflect on what this national disaster means for the Gulf of Maine
Bomb squad
“Well, you just missed the bomb squad…” “Now what? Did Nellie turn up another old hand grenade in the back of a desk drawer?” “No,” I replied. “This time, we had to blow up one of Suzanne’s best Historical Society artifacts.” Emily sighed. “How many times are my parents going to have to call the
Chebeague moves forward with affordable housing project
For residents on Chebeague Island who rent, finding year-round housing is a challenge. As is the case on islands in many coastal communities, summer homes dominate the rental market “Anybody can get a place to live for nine or ten months, and then they get kicked out,” said John Wilson, a member of the affordable
Community impacts of the Gulf Coast BP oil spill
I visited the Gulf as a life-long environmental activist, having started several marine and coastal protection organizations and worked on a number of other oil spills. In the first few weeks of this spill, while still in Maine, I had worked with other oil spill-experienced water keepers to support the work of our five newer
Cranberry Report: What are the chances?
Susan White, a good friend from Great Cranberry Island, who I met through a similar coincidence, keeps a journal of “small world” experiences pertaining to people from her island. I know her book is full, so I’ll abandon the Islesford exclusivity and give this turn of events a new name. A “Cranberry connection” typically occurs
Field Notes: Fishing for community
I had the opportunity to observe a fisherman and an economist volley back and forth for a few rounds over the definition of the community this past week. The fisherman was the only non-NGO, academic, or government person at the table. It was the end of the day and the fisherman was frustrated at questions
Field Notes: Fishing for community
A fisherman and an economist walk into the bar, sit down and… actually it was a swanky meeting room, but at least you are still reading. I had the opportunity to observe a fisherman and an economist volley back and forth for a few rounds over the definition of the community this past week. The
Cranberry Report: What are the chances?
39 years ago, when I was a college freshman, I was out on the town with my new friends. A few guys from Dartmouth came along and we chatted about the recent summer and where we had been. I said “Maine” to which one of the guys replied, “Where in Maine?” “Oh, Little Cranberry Island.