Chris Wolff joined the Island Institute’s Programs Staff in January as the new coordinator of the Island Fellows program. “We’re thrilled to have Chris on board,” said Nathan Michaud, Programs Manager at the Institute. “The Fellows program has become absolutely central to our work, and Chris definitely has the skills and experience to make sure
Seafood Processors Face New Labeling Rules
If nothing changes between now and Sept. 30, the seafood industry will be required to label nearly all its products to identify the country where the fish or shellfish originated, even though all other food products were allowed an extra two years to comply with a new law. Seafood producers that import raw material from
In Lobstering, Not All the Hazards Are at Sea
In the winter, even when the traps are out of the water and the boat is in the yard, a lobsterman’s work continues. Trap repair, buoy painting and line cleaning and splicing occupy much of a fisherman’s winter hours, and much of this work is conducted in the close confines of small workshops. Such places
Runway Dispute Affects North Haven Air Service
Any day now, Telford Air hopes to sell Maine Atlantic Aviation, its island commuter service, to a willing buyer. Telford president Bob Ziegelaar confirmed that in late February a letter of intent was being drafted for an “interested” party. Telford’s bigger hope, however, is that someone will figure out a way to lengthen the North
Scaling Up the Schools: On Islands, Bigger Doesn’t Mean Cheaper
Citing anticipated declining student populations and high per-pupil costs, Maine Gov. John Baldacci recommended the consolidation of school districts and unions in his Jan. 20 State of the State speech. The governor has cited eight school administrative districts with fewer than 250 students as ideal areas for consolidation. Four of these districts – North Haven,
Island Artist-Author Wins Book Award
Ashley Bryan, author, artist, and illustrator, has been awarded the 2004 Coretta Scott King Award for his new book, Beautiful Blackbird. This colorful book is an adaptation of a Zambian folktale, in which Blackbird teaches the lesson that beauty is not external. The illustrations are deceptively simple cutouts that combine with the playful verses in
Cranberry Report: One Captain Leaves, A New One Returns
Our community lost a beloved friend and a wonderful source of island history, when Ted Spurling died on January 27 after battling a long illness. With his Cranberry Report, he kept us up to date with weather observations, community happenings, and memories of years gone by. From a few islanders with whom I spoke, he
Islesboro Fish Tales Rich in Island Lore: Fish Stories, True and Otherwise
Each year, Islesboro Central School’s Creative Writing Contest is organized around a central theme, to be explored in the prose and poetry submitted by students. After this year’s theme – “truth” – had been announced, I searched for examples to make this abstract concept more real to students. They asked whether stretching or embellishing the
Teaching With Music: Kindermusik Imparts Skills to the Very Young
Music is said to be the universal language. Though people differ widely on the types of music they enjoy, it would be difficult to find a person who does not listen to some kind of music. Despite this, most children have to wait until they are five years old, when they enter kindergarten, before they
Small Libraries Serve Maine’s Peninsulas and Islands
On a frigid January morning, Michele Moran, librarian at Totman Memorial Library in Phippsburg, and Inga Cesh, a library volunteer, gather their materials for the weekly children’s story and craft hour, which begins at 10. Despite the challenging weather, five mothers arrive with children ages 2 to 5, as well as Charlie and Marilyn Stevens,