The Town of Swans Island has received a $7,500 matching grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for preservation planning at the Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station. The station consists of four buildings (light tower, keeper’s house, fuel house and bell house). It is owned by the town. The product of the grant will
Communities and Cathedrals: Islanders, experts take on affordable housing
Nearly 100 individuals gathered at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast on April 28-29 to discuss one of the most important issues affecting the island communities of Maine: affordable housing. The event provided an opportunity for islanders and professionals involved in community development and affordable housing to network, share information and discuss the unique challenges of
“You’re out there by yourself”
“More than a quarter-century at sea” — sounds like the beginning of an epic novel. Instead, it’s the Coast Guard career of Chief Warrant Officer Paul Dilger of Rockland. With 26 years at sea, Dilger arguably has the most sea time of any active Guard member. He says it wasn’t planned. “It just kind of
Vote nears on Peaks secession
Just three months after Chebeague Island won its independence in the State Legislature, Peaks Island will decide if it wants to pursue secession. On June 13 Peaks will vote on seceding from the City of Portland. As on Chebeague, Peaks Island secession proponents believe that going it alone is the only way Peaks can preserve
Cranberry Report: Sowing Seeds, with the Help of Subtle Bodies
Mild weather prevailed for the latter part of April and into May, bringing more signs of spring. Bruce Fernald reported that barnacles were starting to show up on his lobster buoys as early as the 20th of April; almost a month sooner than last year. Fishermen are seeing geese, shags and coots on their way
Senate, House pass Eastport Boat School bill
The fight to keep the Eastport Boat School alive and in Eastport received a shot in the arm when in late April the state Senate and House approved L.D. 1948, “An Act to Save the Marine Technology Center and Strengthen Maine’s Boatbuilding Workforce.” In enacting the measure, the Senate rejected an Appropriations Committee recommendation of
Weather fails to dampen Long Island’s town meeting
On May 13 the Town of Long Island gathered at the community center for its 14th annual town meeting. Despite torrential rain and wind the meeting drew an excellent turnout, with 104 registered voters as well as many guests including Donna Damon, a Chebeague island resident and candidate for State Representative; John Simpson, a candidate
Conkling Honored as “Distinguished Alumnus”
The Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES) has presented Island Institute founder and president Philip W. Conkling with its Distinguished Alumnus Award for his role as the Institute’s founder and as a leader in efforts to sustain Maine’s island and coastal communities. Conkling received the award at a luncheon in New Haven, Connecticut,
Weather, ocean conditions blamed for last year’s red tide outbreak
A “perfect storm” of weather and ocean conditions probably led to the severe red tide in New England in 2005, according to scientists at an April 18 symposium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While no one predicted a repeat in 2006, no one ruled it out either. During the spring and summer of 2005,
ADVICE ALERT: Don’t Listen to What the So-called Experts Tell You!
Regular readers of my column, “Tina’s Tantalizing Travel Tips,” know that I am always looking out for you, my valued readership. Your tenacious advisor not only tackles all kinds of situations on your behalf, but also reads insatiably what other self-described travel experts have to say in their effort to be “helpful.” This month I