The Congregational Church of Matinicus has a few traditions. Among them are holding services in the evening, feasting together at Christmas Eve dinner, and the interminable singing of “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning.” Soon to be a tradition of the past, however, is running a garden hose from the neighbor’s house every time anybody
What Passes for Discussion
State officials have to stick their heads in the lion’s mouth from time to time; it goes with their jobs. This month we report on two such times, both involving the Department of Transportation. One is an effort by the DOT to plan the future of coastal Route 1 in hopes of avoiding community dust-ups
Peaks takes first steps toward secession
Peaks Island has become the second Casco Bay island in eight months to vote for secession. On June 13 Peaks Island residents voted in favor of secession, 393 votes to 290. The advisory referendum question asked whether residents favored secession from Portland. As a percentage of votes cast, 58 percent were in favor and 42
Intertwined with the Internet Highspeed access becomes a reality on some islands, remains a problem elsewhere
In the 1980s, Frenchboro residents gained the ability to make off-island phone calls. Today, they’re looking into wireless Internet. New technology has made Internet access quicker and more affordable for Maine islanders to use. In turn, faster Internet service often makes year-round living more feasible for new island residents. Frenchboro’s New Net Families On Frenchboro,
State, coastal towns ponder Route 1’s future
Screaming matches, protests, people chaining themselves to trees — it wasn’t a pretty picture when the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) came to Warren to widen a stretch of Route 1 two years ago. The conflict left deep scars on both sides and garnered national press coverage. It’s not a situation either MDOT or coastal
Despite mistrust Sears Island planning begins
Public discourse over the fate of Sears Island intensified in recent months, as a state-run planning initiative began and a group of organizations released a new report outlining several economic development scenarios. Conservationists and transportation interests clashed anew at the first open meeting of the state-led Sears Island Planning Initiative on May 30 at the
North Haven graduate wins $5,000 scholarship
The winner of the $5,000 2006 Maine Island Partners Scholarship is Benjamin Lovell of North Haven. He is a senior at North Haven Community School. The scholarship is awarded to an individual who combines civic leadership, community involvement and academic achievement. Lovell is an outstanding scholar who has taken a lead role in North Haven’s
Canadian legislator proposes new ferry to ease border crossing
Except during summer months the only way Campobello residents can travel to the rest of Canada is through the United States. After 911, such travel became difficult at best. With heightened American border security concerns, it has become even more difficult. From the end of June to roughly Labor Day, direct travel from Campobello to
Parallel 44: The Search for Maine’s Oldest Home
I’d always heard that the oldest house in Maine was that place on the Smuttynose Beer labels, the Samuel Haley House on the Isle of Shoals. Turns out it was built about 1800, not good enough to be the oldest house in Ohio. So that got me wondering: what is the oldest house in the
Chebeague students discover the Middle East
Fourth and fifth graders at the Chebeague Island School have spent a semester discovering the Middle East. Last week they celebrated their achievements with a Middle East banquet they cooked for themselves, the younger students and their families. The Chebeague Island School cook, Annie Long, helped them prepare Israeli and Arab dishes. Matzohs and hummus