During a long and recent period of historic preservation, a trend we are grateful for, much discussion has been evolving and has now emerged about whether a strict adherence to the characteristics of the original is always the best approach toward restoring or otherwise affecting the salvation of an historic building. A popular and sensible
Beachfront septic and ‘badass’ monkfish
North Carolina’s Outer Banks Voice reports on a state ruling that will make it easier for the owners of beachfront houses whose septic systems were destroyed in storms to rebuild, “as long as they are 50 feet from the water at low tide.” State rules generally prevent owners from rebuilding if 50 percent or more
Oceans whisper in weathermen’s ears
The ocean provides not just food and inspiration, but real information that helps us get through our daily routines. For example, much of the weather we experience on a daily basis is driven by the ocean. In the Gulf of Maine region, oceanographers, meteorologists, and hydrographers are working with universities and other partners to feed
Today’s pirates are no Jack Sparrow
Much as it makes me feel as though I’m telling a small child the truth about Santa Claus, piracy in today’s merchant service is no gang of grizzly Geoffery Rush types eating apples and running about with daggers between their teeth. The romantic notion of piracy that Disney and others have built into our minds
York prepares to protect Cliff Walk with legal action
YORK — Residents have sent a strong message to a pair of landowners who have blocked access to a historic seaside trail, voting 2,314-722 in May to establish a $50,000 legal fund to protect the town’s access to the Cliff Walk, a picturesque beach-to-beach trail that traverses the land of 44 waterfront property owners. In
Black and white raker blues
The Raker’s Progress: Photographs by David Brooks Stess The lives of Mainers have inspired some of the finest documentary photographers America has produced. A short list would include Berenice Abbott, Kosti Ruohomaa, Madeleine de Sinéty and Susan Meiselas. The work of these and other photographers has been marked by an earned authenticity: they lived among
Fools and fooling around, island style
With April Fool’s Day just around the corner I’ve been thinking about some of the hijinks that are part of Islesford’s oral history. In the 1940s, when Irving Spurling used a horse and wagon to deliver ice and coal around the island, a group of pranksters took his wagon apart and reassembled it on
Chebeague students join effort to track cottontails
CHEBEAGUE ISLAND — Brambles are often a nuisance to be avoided, but a handful of Chebeague Island students braved the densest thicket this winter to find evidence of New England’s answer to Br’er Rabbit. Shortly after a fresh snow, the students and a few intrepid adults sifted through the brambles on Greater Chebeague Island to
‘Topless’ shrimp nets reduce bycatch
A few years ago, regional scientists with New Hampshire Sea Grant created some innovative trawling gear designed to reduce groundfish bycatch. Studying the differences in swimming behavior of both fish and shrimp, they created a “topless” shrimp trawl that allows fish to escape easily. In shallow waters, the design works great, reports David Goethel, a
Insider, outsider a matter of intent
We Island Fellow are asked to submit monthly reports to the Island Institute. Largely, the purpose of these reports is to give updates on current projects and to relay stories about life on an island. One question we are asked to address each month assesses our integration into the community. It is presumed that, as