In the Middle

In the middle of its life, our fish house landed in the middle of the woods. Forty acres of woods. In a big mess of spruce blowdowns, crisscrossed over each other, littered with boulders right to our doorstep. Quite a change from our last front yard on the shore. Well, I guess we’ve got plenty

Continue reading...


Biodiesel: The Basics

WHAT IS BIODIESEL? Biodiesel is an alternative to petroleum diesel or “petrodiesel.” It is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil that can be blended with petrodiesel and used to heat homes or to operate any diesel-powered engine. Biodiesel manufacturers adhere to quality standards, and many engine manufacturers will warranty use of biodiesel up to

Continue reading...


Improper

To the editor, This letter is a strong protest against your article fronting the June issue of Working Waterfront (the Island Institute) on the subject of “child abuse.” This article is an exaggeration citing individual incidents with the implication that they are nearly the norm. It is in line with the “media feeding frenzy” on

Continue reading...


A passion for “mats”

“Everywhere I look I see a rug,” says Carol Petillo of Vinalhaven, “I am obsessed.” Her obsession is evident in her small house that has been overrun by piles of wool fabric in every corner, waiting to be cut and hooked. Petillo began hooking rugs five years ago after retiring from a 25-year teaching career

Continue reading...


Dire Situation

To the editor, At last WWF [June 2007] acknowledges the twinned crises of climate change and the end of Maine’s fisheries (“Houston, We Have a Problem”) with a twinge of optimism. I share the buoyant hope that we can solve these crises. But the “we” who can are clearly not the folks in charge. Even

Continue reading...