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October 23
Another one from the road, this time with actual camping
Cooking, lounging, and avoiding alligators part of the experienc
By Phil Crossman The reader will recall that we, in our 2003 Eurovan VW Full Camper, had thus far avoided camping altogether for the first five nights of our great “camping” adventure. But on Day Seven we woke up in James Island, S.C. after having sought repose together in the 42-inches by 72-inches allotted for sleep, for the first time…
October 23
Drought and our estuaries
Dry conditions help some species, hurt others
By Catherine Schmitt According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about half of Maine is in abnormally dry conditions, with moderate to severe drought along the entire coastline, affecting approximately 1,089,000 people…
October 23
Gulf of Maine sees ‘marine heatwave’
The Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest-warming ocean ecosystems on the planet, according to scientists at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Over the last 30 years, it…
October 22
Ellsworth adds walkability to residential, commercial upgrades
Broadband corridor, center for innovation, improved park included in efforts
By Laurie Schreiber Ellsworth is experiencing a surge of development propelled both by the city and commercial interests. The Jackson Laboratory recently opened its new mouse production facility in a…
October 22
Free speech more than an idea for Swan’s Island’s David Shipler
Summer resident is retired New York Times reporter and author of seven books
By Tom Groening When the New York Times published a “name withheld” op-ed column from a purported senior White House official on Sept. 5, most everyone had an opinion about the newspaper’s…
October 22
Island intangibles marked first year on North Haven
Watching students grow in empathy for natural world a high point
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.…
October 22
Our oceans are worth a deeper dive
So much of the underwater part of our planet remains unexamined
By Tom Groening The rock musician Frank Zappa often chose bizarre, sometimes off-color, but usually witty titles for his instrumental songs. One from the late 1970s, “The Ocean is the…
October 22
The case for ranked choice voting in choosing our governor
New method in place for election of U.S. senator, representatives to Congress
By Phil Crossman Ranked choice voting is not a sinister effort to undermine our constitution and electoral process. It is, instead, a refinement that the authors of the U.S. Constitution…
October 22
The story of Bajupa is the story of lobstering and Matinicus
A smack with old-fashioned lines ages gracefully on the coastal runs
This story first appeared in Landings,the monthly publication of the Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance, and appears here with permission. By Melissa Waterman It’s rare to find a boat that nearly…
October 18
Dear islands: Thanks for showing us so much
Great Lakes island communities offer solutions, serve as model
Jon W. Allan is director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes, an organization the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront, has partnered with in recent years. By Jon…
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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