Four Island Institute trustees who are year-round island residents have expressed the view that the proposed tax cap on this fall’s referendum ballot poses a direct threat to key island institutions, such as schools and libraries, that make up the fabric of a sustainable year round island community. The reasons behind the opposition vary from
Changing Maine, 1960-2010
Edited and with an Introduction by Richard E. Barringer, Illustrated by Jon Luoma Gardiner and Portland: Tilbury House, Publishers, and the Muskie School of Public Service, 2004 $20.00 Maine, Then and Now As a onetime editor of Maine Times I can claim a minority interest in this fascinating book: editor Dick Barringer dedicates it to
“A lot of traps lost” – PEI fishermen blame cruise ships for trap losses
Prince Edward Island lobster fishermen say they’re facing a new threat to their livelihoods – cruise ships in the Northumberland Strait. “They’re tearing up our gear,” says Keith Paugh, president of the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association and a fishermen who has lost gear himself. “But others have lost a lot more than I have,”
Holiday Shopping: One Woman’s Solutions
Around September of each year I begin to worry about holiday gifts for family and friends. Because I’ve written a number of stories for The Working Waterfront about coastal and island craftspeople who make interesting and unusual products, I thought I might do some research and write up some suggestions for marine-oriented presents. Below is
Island animals populate North Haven mural
In February of 2004, shortly after the new Waterman’s Community Center opened on North Haven, a group of community members came together in an after-school program to create a mural for the walls of the new center. Financial assistance came from the Island Institute’s Island Community Fund and Camden National bank. Large in-kind donations helped
Field Trip To Merryspring Nature Park
Islesboro Central School students in grades K-5 visited Merryspring Nature Park in Camden Oct. 13 for a day of cider making, nature photography, and a tree/shrub identification exploration.
Portland Fish Exchange – Fuel prices, lower volume hurt fishermen’s bottom line
The federal fishing regulations in force since last May 1 continue to challenge fishermen, fish markets and fish policy makers. Known as Amendment 13, the regulations severely restrict effort on groundfish stocks traditionally fished by New England fishermen. Hank Soule, manager of the Portland Fish Exchange, reports that fish prices since May 1 average out
Grand Manan islanders blast coastal protection proposal
The New Brunswick Environment Department has produced a province-wide coastal zone protection policy, but many Grand Manan residents are feeling more worried than protected. Among the complaints are the assertion that a “one-size-fits-all” approach won’t work, especially on Grand Manan; concern that the wording is so vague as to make consultations with local people meaningless;
Berries Out to Sea
Mainland berry growers experienced a poor harvest this year. Out on Vinalhaven, though, despite a cold winter and foggy, wet summer, the wild berries seemed plentiful whenever I went out with bowl in hand. Perhaps island berries are unfazed by weather. I do like to think that island berries are special. Berries out to sea
Chebeague pair craft environmentally friendly candles
Late at night, after reading bedtime stories and tucking in their three little sons (Ethan, Aaron and Cameron, ages four, three and almost-two, respectively), Jen Belesca and Vicki Todd slip baby monitors in their coats and head for Jen’s barn. This just-insulated building on Chebeague is now headquarters for Island Essentials, their new soy-wax-candle company.