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May 21
Where Civil War veterans once gathered, their service is preserved
Fifth Maine Museum on Peaks Island offers multi-faceted history
The artifacts are varied and evocative. There is a piece of hardtack, a food staple for soldiers; relics from the battle at Gettysburg; hand-colored “lantern slides,” which were projected onto screens; and shackles that had been used on a slave.
May 21
Tariffs would pinch lobster markets
Cross-border trade is fluid for lobster
In 2024, Maine exported goods to 168 countries, with Canada the top export destination, by far, she said, with 40% of Maine exported goods arriving there. Canada also is the place where most of Maine’s imports—70%—originate.
May 21
Of books and boats—Brooklin library to host maritime research center
WoodenBoat archives will stay local, thanks to Jon Wilson
Serendipitous timing and a simple request have combined to keep a large collection of nautical publications in Brooklin, preserving the library’s local roots. Last June, Jon Wilson gave visitors a…
May 16
Alcohol and fishing don’t have to be partners
The stress, worry, and physical toll can all lead to abuse
Fishermen have long been stereotyped as heavy drinkers, a perception reinforced in media, pop culture, and even within their own communities. This assumption creates a damaging cycle. When people expect fishermen to drink, it normalizes excessive alcohol use...
May 16
Smart housing: focus on density and character
Island challenges highlight creative approach
The state faces a decision—how can we maintain the character of non-urban life while encouraging the building necessary to house the working- and middle-class people struggling to find consistent housing?
May 15
A home for all
Island Institute building out housing work
I had the opportunity recently to join a 20th anniversary celebration of North Haven Sustainable Housing (NHSH), one of the leading models of housing solutions along the coast. Since 2005,…
May 15
Finally, a plan to remediate Penobscot River mercury
Trust can tap $187 million and more for clean-up efforts
Some tiny bottom-dwelling organisms may have to be sacrificed for the health of a Penobscot River cove. But because these critters play an important role in the ecosystem, scientists hope…
May 15
Coast Guard in the fog over buoys
Mariners complain about navigational aid removal
In an apparent effort to demonstrate that it takes the Trump administration’s war on “fraud, waste, and abuse” seriously, the U.S. Coast Guard plans to discontinue—remove—more than 150 buoys and…
May 14
More testing in the works for on-demand lobster gear
Data, different technologies are advancing
As temperatures warm, the Maine lobster season is beginning in earnest. The fishery, one of the strongest remaining owner-operator in the world, known for its adaptability and heritage, has seen…
Island Postcards
EPISODE 10: Keep the Light Shining
Two ambitious young women swam around the entire Island of Isle au Haut during the summer of 2019 to raise money for crucial renovations to the lighthouse.
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