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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January 28
Southern Maine real estate market heating up
Rising interest rates, smaller inventory driving prices
By Wanda Curtis Escalating listing prices, bidding wars, and low inventory characterized Maine’s coastal real estate market in 2018. This year, predicts Pete Harrington, president of the Maine Real Estate Association, listing prices and sales volume will begin to level off. One of the most active coastal towns last year was York. The average listing price was $344,000, a 10 percent…
January 28
The ‘City Island Fellow’ finds new roots (and garlic)
Despite proximity to Portland, Peaks Island has distinctive quality
Reflections is written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in remote coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront.…
January 28
Travel is a vital complement to island life
Christmas in Montreal just the ticket for a getaway
By Courtney Naliboff On Christmas Day, Bill, Penrose, and I found ourselves swimming in a warm pool in a cold city. Rather than visit family in San Diego, which we…
January 28
Vessel Services: Where fishing boats go to shop
For nearly 40 years, business filled niche on Portland waterfront
By William Hall Despite its three-story ice-making plant at the seaward end of the Portland Fish Pier, Vessel Services Inc. is almost invisible to passers-by at the other end, along…
January 24
‘Keep the Coast Maine’ campaign nearing finish line
Maine Coast Heritage Trust hopes to protect access, prepare for climate change
By Jacqueline Weaver The nonprofit land conservation organization Maine Coast Heritage Trust is well on its way to raising $125 million in its “Keep the Coast Maine” campaign, aiming to…
January 24
And there are cruise ships, too, in Eastport
By Tom Walsh Cruise ship traffic can be both a blessing and a curse for Maine ports. Visitors who come ashore—at times thousands of passengers and crew—represent millions of dollars…
January 24
Blue Hill grows a second downtown
Commercial district west of village raises definition questions
PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN An aerial view of the South Street commercial district, just west of Blue Hill village. By Laurie Schreiber The Blue Hill Co-op is on track to move…
January 24
Energy leaders urge new governor to focus on transportation
December conference marked by optimism
TOM GROENING Participants at a December energy conference discuss issues during a break-out session. By Tom Groening Even before newly elected Gov. Janet Mills stepped into the room, participants in…
January 24
Putting the 'port' back in Eastport
Deep water, access to wood fiber, and potential northern route are assets
By Tom Walsh Maine’s Downeast coastline is so far north and so far east that northern Europe seems just over the horizon. Which it is. Washington County’s Port of Eastport…
January 24
The last fisherman?
Fishing, tourism co-exist uneasily on Maine’s working waterfronts
Analysis by Edgar Allen Beem When it comes to the working waterfront, there always seems to be someone with a big idea that doesn’t quite fit with existing ordinances and…
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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