The CREST Project is targeting the misconception that few high-tech jobs exist in Maine by pairing students with Midcoast professionals who use information technology (IT) skills and applications on a daily basis. On March 21, Midcoast Career Exploration Day will enable participants to “shadow” workers at diverse Midcoast businesses including Lyman-Morse boatyards, Penobscot Bay Medical
Full Partners: Fishermen’s Wives
“I hear people in the city think it’s a big deal to have an office with a window,” said Deer Isle lobsterman Julie Eaton; “I have five windows (her boat’s windshield has four separate panes and one big pane on the side), and the view always changes.” Deer Isle sternman Kelly Ann Trundy feels the
Islesboro firefighter produces fire blankets
Several years ago one of Islesboro’s feistier elders started a fire on her stove top, and tried to extinguish it by slapping at it with a potholder, and inadvertently set a second blaze when she dropped the flaming pot holder. She called the fire company who came and took care of the whole mess, but
CREST orients new teachers
On Feb. 8 the Island Institute CREST team traveled to Bar Harbor to hold an orientation for teachers and administrators of a new group of schools that is joining in the CREST project. Launched in 2005, Community for Rural Education, Stewardship and Technology (CREST) is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project that provides hands-on Information
Ocean Gateway Complete; Mega-berth Yet to Come
After nearly a decade in the works, the first phase of Portland’s Ocean Gateway passenger terminal is finally complete and scheduled to begin operations on May 2. The project’s second phase, a mega-berth able to accommodate huge cruise ships, remains on hold until the city and developers agree on a plan to redevelop the Maine
Monhegan rescue service calls it quits
For 20 years, Monhegan Island residents had their own licensed rescue service, bringing emergency care to the sick and injured and even saving lives. Now the service itself has died, a victim of rising costs, training requirements and a lack of volunteers. Last April the Monhegan Emergency Rescue Service “breathed its last,” as director Susan
Islesboro group summarizes vision for school
Recognition that the Islesboro Central School’s existence is “essential to the life of the community” was a major theme in a new “Vision Statement” for the school. ICS “supports the broader efforts of island residents to plan and maintain a vibrant, year-round, sustainable community,” declared the final version, assembled by a committee with the help
New Island Fellow promotes “living well” on Vinalhaven
“Never say the word `needle.’ ” An atypical response for an Island Fellow, but Peter Levandoski insists that this is the most important thing that he has learned as a public-health outreach coordinator with the Island Community Medical Services (ICMS) on Vinalhaven. The first Island Fellow primarily dedicated to island health care, Levandoski is working
Island school superintendents: cost savings can be elusive
Geographic isolation, pre-existing savings, and new or about-to-be renovated school buildings defined how three Penobscot Bay island schools responded to the state’s requirement for cutting education costs to taxpayers. Responding to state calls for school district consolidation to save money, island superintendents prepared plans to show cost cutting or containment measures in administration, transportation, facilities
Cranberry Report: Winter survival is a highly-honed island art
Twenty-five years ago in February, my husband and I were learning to be parents of 1 month old twin boys. There was little sleep to be had in our house, but we knew there was a couple in Lincoln, Maine who had just given birth to triplets. Many times we got through an overwhelming moment