Freeport and Kittery may be well known as outlet shopping destinations, but residents of these coastal communities rarely think of themselves that way—and they know it’s important that everyone else come around to their way of thinking. Outlet stores began proliferating in these coastal communities in the 1980s. Over the years, the relationship between residents and the outlets has sometimes…

Two Maine organizations dedicated to preserving the past have collaborated to present documentary films in a festival this fall. The International Maritime Film Festival, set for Sept. 30-Oct. 2, is…

Reflections is a monthly column 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…

By Dora Thompson When Kristen Kelley got offered a housesitting job on Islesboro, she thought she’d have a brief island adventure with her two daughters, whom she was homeschooling in…

You won’t hear too many Mainers complain about this summer’s weather. It’s been hot, sunny and dry. Gardeners have had to work to keep their flowers and vegetables watered, but…

Speaking at the July 16 “Aging on Islands” conference on North Haven, keynote speaker Bill Thomas confessed to breaking New York state law governing eldercare facilities. He did not seem…

Over the course of three days in April 2007, a storm dumped 8.5 inches of rain over Southern Maine, causing massive flooding, especially where the floodwaters met the sea. The…

With Maine in the middle of a drought by early August, municipalities vulnerable to water shortages were keeping an eye on their water supplies. For coastal and island towns, concerns…

Town Manager Andrew Dorr said John Bubier, a retired municipal manager who lives in Yarmouth, will work for the town for 20 to 25 hours per week. He is expected…

By Aimee Beal Church With some relatives in town this summer, my family and I swam at Echo Lake in Acadia National Park almost every day for a week. On…