“The best case scenario,” says George Nardi of his Atlantic cod aquaculture venture in Frenchman Bay, “is pretty simple: We’ll be able to grow, harvest and sell fish for more money than it costs us.” That, he adds, would lay the groundwork for expanding this experimental project into a full-fledged industry. The only other cod
Monhegan Island residents updated on wind power project
Monhegan residents discussed the possible construction of one wind turbine at a special town meeting convened by the Monhegan Plantation Power District (MPPD) on May 28. Around 90 islanders filled the Noveltoo café and heard Dr. George Hart, Jr., chief technical officer of the Ocean Energy Institute, Dr. George Baker, vice-president of Community Wind at
The spiny dogfish: a fish for the recession
Every late June/early July, Maine’s coast is just the right temperature for the spiny dogfish. These long, flat sharks, with their pointed snouts and white bellies, cruise the ocean’s sandy, muddy floor, feasting on young ground fish. While all the young cod, halibut, haddock and flounder (to name a few) try to grow; it’s this
A year after fire, new Matinicus Island Post Office opens
The postal customer crosses the tiny lawn past the blue steel mailbox (which would be out on the sidewalk if we had sidewalks) and the carved wooden sign reading “Matinicus, Maine 04851” and enters a traditional white clapboard house. A small bouquet of lilacs sits on the mantelpiece in what looks like an old-fashioned front
Island Institute announces Four-Season Island Agriculture Fund awards
The Island Institute is pleased to announce those who have received awards through the Four-Season Island Agriculture Fund. The fund was launched in May 2009, so this was the first year of grants. Awards have been made to support 12 island farming and gardening programs, for a total of $10,000. The fund seeks to support
Community celebrates Fox Islands wind power groundbreaking
It has been an extraordinary year for the Fox Islands wind project. On July 28 2008, the Fox Islands Electric Cooperative approved the project by a vote of 383 to 5 on July 28. Just 11 months later, over 120 islanders, officials and project workers gathered on June 29 to celebrate the project’s official groundbreaking.
New affordable housing bond can help coast, islands
A major affordable housing bond that will have a huge impact on housing in the state also has the flexibility to help island and coastal residents. The bond was part of a larger energy bill designed to reduce statewide heating oil consumption by 20 percent by 2020. The bill was passed as emergency legislation, so
Linda Greenlaw: “It’s been a real ordeal”
I’m really happy to have this behind me; it’s been a real ordeal,” said fisherman and author Linda Greenlaw from her home on Isle au Haut on June 11. She was referring to the period which began in September 2008, when-charged with illegally entering and fishing in Canadian waters-she was led into a St. John’s,
A passion for cooking leads to island bakery
Postmaster, preschool treasurer, school board chair, library trustee, coordinator of grocery deliveries and telemedicine services, wife, mother of two; it would seem Marissa Rozenski of Frenchboro has enough job titles. But she added “bakery owner” to her list of duties when she opened up the Frenchboro Bakery and Island Candy Shop, a mostly online purveyor
New Mainers: Portraits of Our Immigrant Neighbors
Tilbury House, 2009 Paperback, $20 For immigrants, a rebirth in Maine Echoing Hippocrates and Aretaeus (ancient Greek physicians) about the importance of a positive environment on one’s thoughts, emotions and actions, Winifred Gallagher, in her provocative book, The Power of Place, writes: “Burdened with increasingly complex social roles, we need places that support rather than