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.
Please join us to support this important nonprofit journalism.
- Community
- People
- Opinion
- Environment
- Marine
- Inter-island News
- Business
- Columns
- Arts
- Education
- Book Review
- Climate Change
- Cranberry Report
- Journal of an Island Kitchen
- Salt Water Cure
- Op Ed
- Reflections
- Observer
- Fathoming
- Field Notes
- Rockbound
- Essay
- Energy
- Editorial
- Letters to the Editor
- In Plain Sight
- Wrack Line
- From The Sea Up
- Dispatches from World Ocean Observatory
July 19
The passport marathon
Four years in, this marathon keeps Lubec and Campobello residents on their feet
Four years ago, having just moved to my new home in Lubec, I went to work immediately on a vision I had nurtured for some time: Let’s stage a marathon here. Not just a modest marathon. An international marathon that would be spectacular. One that connects the adjoining communities of Lubec and Campobello Island, New Brunswick. A marathon with two…
July 19
The triumph of the unpredictable
Colin Woodard’s American Character sets stage for current cliamte
American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good By Colin Woodard New York: Viking, 2016 A humorous New Yorker magazine cover from mid-2015 depicts…
July 19
Tomalley and other lobster conundrums
Traditions on cooking, consuming lobster vary by family
Picture an illustrated paper placemat in any restaurant along the coast. The red and white directions for eating a steamed lobster are what pop into my mind. I’m pretty sure…
July 19
Town government: confidence or apathy?
Island selectman wonders, worries about citizen engagement
The town of Vinalhaven’s administrative assistant, Barbara Philbrook, gave notice several months ago that she would be retiring this month. Until it was revealed that she’d only been working here…
July 19
Why the Island Institute offers 12-week paid parental leave
New policy confers benefits to employees, organization and society
Nonprofit organizations like the Island Institute are not exempt from the pressures of the bottom line. In fact, we are just as mindful of budgets as for-profit businesses because we…
July 19
Wrack Line: Herring shortage, L.L. Bean donates to Island Explorer
Deer Isle enacts fireworks ban, Wells seawall restored
It’s high summer on the coast of Maine, and the state’s newspapers are reflecting the splendor of the season. But it’s not all pretty pictures and fun; the news marches…
July 18
A renewed river benefits people and wildlife
Penobscot River Restoration Project brings back fish from the sea
As if on cue, a tagged Atlantic salmon was detected swimming above the Howland dam. Soon, people from throughout the state and beyond would gather where the Piscataquis and Penobscot…
July 18
Imagination, creativity kindled in fairy houses
Magic of island tradition unites students of all ages
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…
July 18
Islesboro’s lead on broadband is model for success
Engaging public and having technical explanations were key
If Maine followed Islesboro’s example, we would soon be the most connected state in the nation. On June 18, Islesboro voted to join a very limited number of towns across…
July 18
Lifetime of cultural immersion prepared MacWilliam for island school
New Isle au Haut teacher brings broad experience
Rita MacWilliam came to the tiny one-room, K-8 schoolhouse on Isle au Haut from a life of immersion in new cultural experiences that included working in other tiny schools in…
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.
SIGN UP FOR OUR
E-WEEKLY
Get the latest articles from the Working Waterfront delivered to your inbox every week.
SIGN UP NOWTHE WORKING WATERFRONT
LATEST ISSUE
A nonprofit publication of the Island Institute which has been published for over 20 years.
LEARN MORE