STONINGTON — One way in, one way out. That’s how town and business leaders describe transportation on the Blue Hill Peninsula. And when that way—state highway Route 15—is in rough shape, it affects commerce, health and quality of life. In response, town officials have joined forces to persuade the state Department of Transportation to devote
When group dynamics and loyalty lead to disaster
Capt. Robin Walbridge assembled his crew of 15 sailors on the deck of the Bounty—a tall ship built for the 1962 movie Mutiny on the Bounty with Marlon Brando. It was Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 and Walbridge knew the crew was hearing reports of an approaching hurricane named Sandy. He called the crew together for
Breaking up is hard to do
I recently had the very surreal experience of interviewing three candidates for Isle au Haut’s new Island Institute Fellow position. My two-year fellowship in community planning is coming to a close. In September a new fellow will be coming in and working with the town government and the historical society. At first, I didn’t think
A fine day for boating… in Winthrop, Mass.
High-stakes gardening
Another installment from Anneli Carter-Sundqvist’s collection of blog entries, A Homesteader’s Year on Deer Isle. There are as many books on gardening as anyone could ever want; still, I have yet to read one on how to deal with a gardener’s weak nerves. There’s no hiding it anymore—I’m a nervous-souled gardener. Some days I even
Launch day!
Students from Searsport District High School launched the shellback dinghies they built at the town landing on Wednesday, June 4. The school’s four-year-old boatbuilding program, which relies on volunteer instructors, moved to a downtown location this year.
‘Visit with Ashley Bryan’ opens at Islesford center
ISLESFORD — Established in 2013, the Ashley Bryan Center is dedicated to preserving, celebrating and sharing the work of the world-renowned island artist and author and “his joy of discovery, invention, learning, cultural understanding and community.” As part of its outreach, this summer the center is offering “A Visit with Ashley Bryan” at the Islesford
The real island life is found in its people
I’ll admit it—when I was asked to write this column, I let out a big groan. I write research papers; I don’t write creative “reflections.” I observe, research and analyze. So when I was asked to add color and give a taste of island life, I was less than enthusiastic. What is “island life”? Island
Designing and building gardens for North Haven a growing business
NORTH HAVEN — Down a long dirt driveway on North Haven’s South Shore road, flanked by Mullen’s Head Park, hides Islandscape, an established garden design and plant retail business owned by Eileen O’Connor. “I had been, in graduate school, unhappy. I worked with this great British landscaper Claire Ackroyd for a year and she said
The college years offer ‘redefining’ experience
NORTHPORT — Erica Papkee, like many of her generation, looked to Google for help. A resident of Long Island in Casco Bay who will be a junior at Boston College in the fall, Papkee was awarded the $10,000 S. Parkman Shaw Scholarship in a ceremony at Point Lookout on Saturday, May 31. She joined 59