The Working Waterfront newspaper reports on the people and forces that shape Maine’s coastal and island communities. As publisher, Island Institute’s premise is that the cultural, environmental, and community assets here are rare and valuable, and are worth fighting for.
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July 16
Bucksport’s not-so-overnight transformation
Becoming ‘something else’ after mill town took long-term planning
By Susan Lessard The path Bucksport took from “mill town” to something else—including becoming the planned home of a land-based salmon farm and an annex of Maine Maritime Academy—began more than 20 years ago. Local government leaders began setting aside funds for the possible “rainy day” that would come if the paper mill closed. In addition to planning for the…
July 16
Castine’s ‘Risky Business’ explores another side of town’s history
Exhibit by historical society highlights fishing, shipbuilding, trade
By Tom Groening Castine is as rich in history as any town on Maine’s coast. The island-like body of land jutting into east Penobscot Bay was occupied and fought over…
July 10
Champlain, an explorer who doesn’t inspire shame
Frenchman traveled New England, Maritimes, Quebec
By Tom Groening It was one of the more absurd exchanges the Jerry and George characters have on the TV show Seinfeld, which is saying something. The topic was explorers. Jerry extols…
July 10
Rocking the granite business
Freshwater Stone crafts millions of pounds of granite from its Orland site
By Laurie Schreiber The sprawling shops at Freshwater Stone—22,000 square feet on 20 acres in Orland—are filled with the sound of industrial machinery, including wire saws and multiple-axis bridge saws,…
July 10
Seasonable eating is intuitive
Some foods are unimaginable in winter
By Sandy Oliver The term “seasonable eating” means normal or appropriate to the time of year, as if the weather told us what was good to eat, and not magazines…
July 10
Swimming to, and for the light
Women plan lighthouse fundraising swim around Isle au Haut
The iconic Isle au Haut lighthouse, operating since 1907, is a treasured landmark. Perched beside the mouth of the Isle au Haut Thorofare, it is a beacon for boats and…
July 3
Acadia National Park managing for changing environment
Second Century Stewardship working to prepare for climate impacts
By Laurie Schreiber Climate change is changing Acadia National Park. Native species are disappearing. Non-native species are introducing themselves. Longer warm seasons are drawing more visitors. Infrastructure and roads are…
July 3
It’s time for a national islands act
Scotland has set an example for what we can do here
By Rob Snyder I couldn’t help but find the timing appropriate. Five years ago, the Island Institute added the banner “Strengthening Communities” to our website. And late last month, I…
June 26
Kittery Outlet Mall could offer affordable housing option
Town considers zoning changes to ease workforce housing crunch
By Wanda Curtis As real estate prices spike in Kittery, efforts to carve out a niche for affordable housing have intensified, and one possible step toward alleviating the crunch is…
June 25
COA’s new building will use 80 percent less energy
College of the Atlantic digs into first major construction since 1980s
From left, College of the Atlantic President Darron Collins, New York City architect Susan Rodriguez, Andrew Davis, who is the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund lead advisor, and Timothy…
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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