On Aug. 12 Vinalhaven made the news in an article in the New York Times titled, “When Conflict Washes Up On A Quiet Maine Island.” Conflict has surfaced here before, of course, as it does in any community. Maybe because of its small island setting, familiarity can breed both contempt and comfort. But to the
Benefits of Wind Power
To the editor: Wind turbines (WWF May 2007) are especially appropriate for most islands — both because of the consistent wind presence and because of the cost of delivering electricity to islands, either by undersea cable or on-island generator. No doubt wind turbines will in the future be as common and picturesque a sight as
The Cranberry Report: More Wind, Less Daylight
After a surplus of gorgeous weather in September and October, November has a different kind of beauty. The angle of the sun is noticeably lower, infusing afternoon light with the glow of brushed pewter. It is the kind of sky that gives bare trees a crisp outline and predicts approaching snow and colder weather. Next
The JOHN W. BROWN
The John W. Brown, built in Baltimore, named for a labor leader in Bath and now berthed in Baltimore, paid a visit to the Maine State Pier recently, where she was open to visitors. The Brown is one of two original “Liberty Ships” still afloat, the other being the Maine-built Jeremiah O’Brien now based on
The Long View: A Disturbing View of New England’s Power (Elite)
As at least four Maine island communities are actively discussing the costs and benefits of siting “community wind” farms to supply electric power to Vinalhaven, North Haven, Swan’s and Frenchboro, it is useful to reflect what happened when a much larger project was proposed offshore of two island communities in Massachusetts. By now most people
From the Deck: Boatbuilders Festival
In East Boothbay on July 28, to music by bagpipes and bands, was held the annual Boatbuilders’ Festival. Here was gathered a diverse assembly of small boats, several large boats afloat, and many instructive exhibits. The display of so much design talent and craftsmanship was overwhelming. For example, there was a 14-foot skiff, shining in
Fighting over Territory
“The playing field is not level,” stated Harlan Billings, of Stonington, referring to an off-island lobster buyer who has parked his truck on the town’s Commercial Fish Pier and has been buying lobster from fishermen since July 4, paying 50 cents per lb. more than the co-op. “He sits there all day monopolizing a shaded
Islesboro debates the Northeast Point subdivision
Leucadia National Corporation’s proposed subdivision on the former Pendleton Stevens property in late 2005 confronted the town of Islesboro with the reality that its ordinances left it vulnerable to dense development. Northeast Point LLC originally offered a preliminary application for a 21-lot subdivision but quickly withdrew it when it generated a strong protest from many
College student goes lobstering, extends a family tradition
A breeze rippled the shimmering sea; a seal poked his head through gold and silver waves and Erica Davis headed out to haul her traps. “I love seals,” she announced, grinning as she gunned her outboard runabout until it planed. It’s sunny and warm enough this particular afternoon that Erica’s father, Scott, is shirtless and
Runners trot around Great Cranberry for hours and hours
Why would otherwise normal-seeming human beings spend up to ten hours running 50 miles, in four-mile laps, on an island several miles out in the Atlantic Ocean? Because they can. At least that is the reason given by Gary Allen, the organizer of July’s Great Cranberry Island Ultramarathon. “We do these races for the same