This time of year, sea birds are appearing on coastal waters, having left their Arctic breeding grounds. Scoters and king eiders, buffleheads and goldeneyes travel great distances to spend the winter in warmer climates, often returning to the same harbor or river bend year after year. Animal migrations are some of the greatest stories on
Boat-building in Maine remains a viable niche
TROY—On Route 9 in this western Waldo County town, which you can miss whether you blink or not, a sign partly obscured by chokecherry bushes and apple trees announces: BOAT CARPENTRY. Up the driveway are a 19th-century Cape-style house, a boat shed, a bright green 1954 Willys pickup truck and a wood-heated workshop. This is
‘Tis the season to reflect and give thanks
On any given day, no matter my mood or the time of year, I can honestly say I have no trouble finding something for which to give thanks. It’s nice that there is a national holiday dedicated to the appreciation of bounty every year, but I think that most people are happy to extend their
My 2013 top ten kitchen list
We propel ourselves into the future, I notice, by counting down the last few seconds of the year and cheering at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31. We relegate the past year of our lives with lists of our favorite, best or worst, top ten events, people or things. Making lists is fun, perhaps
California couple chose life on Vinalhaven
VINALHAVEN —Bryan and Jenn Feezor are not natives of this or any other island. The 26-year-olds are truly “from away,” having been raised in California and Maryland, respectively. The pair met as students at the University of California at Santa Cruz. After graduate school—Bryan at UCSC and Jenn at Boston University—the couple knew they wanted
Three free workshops offered on fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
The Maine Sea Grant, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Lobster Institute and the Island Institute are sponsoring informative sessions on how commercial fishermen and aquaculturists can tap into the tourism industry—and vice versa — to diversify everyone’s sources of income. These workshops, free of charge, will feature guest speakers on the important legal issues
Program helps fishermen train for aquaculture ventures
Kelo Pinkham, a fisherman based in the Trevett part of Boothbay, has been considering starting an aquaculture project for some time. But he hadn’t taken the plunge. “I’ve been interested in aquaculture for a few years. Every kind of fishing I do is going downhill, so I’m looking for something else to do,” Pinkham said.
North Haven electrician grows his business
NORTH HAVEN—Keeping the lights working—and the furnace, water pump and cook stove—on an island means having a reliable electrician. This island has two: Tri-Digit Electric and Goodell Electric. Goodell Electric, which recently expanded to hire a full-time employee, was founded in 2005, when owner/electrician Trenor Goodell moved with his family from Peaks Island to North
An island of a different sort
There are a lot of things that I have learned in my first year as an Island Fellow, such as: if it’s cold enough, peppermint oil will not deter mice and that the noon boat rarely comes at 12 p.m. The most surprising lesson that I have learned, however, is that you don’t have to
Fishing ports bragging rights, dearth of oysters in Gulf
Farm-raised fish haven’t been able to earn organic status from the U.S. Department of Agriculture yet, and that marketing boost isn’t likely to come anytime soon, Politico.com reports. The National Organic Standards Board received 900-plus letters after seeking public comment on the use of synthetics by aquaculture operations. Of particular concern for many is the