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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September 8
Honoring Maine’s immovable beacons
Lighthouse stories highlight important history
Lighthouse keeper Willie Corbett knew Velma Johnson was the woman for him when she arrived for a visit in a bosun’s chair strung between a ship’s mast and the island holding Saddleback Ledge Light. “He thought, ‘If she can handle this, she can handle anything,’” laughs his granddaughter, Delia Mae Farris, retelling the story. “He called that station ‘nothing but…
September 6
Washington County atlas revived
Crosen’s version of 1881 edition adds photos, facts
If you enjoy exploring old maps, photos, and other pathways of Downeast history, you’ll find inspiration in artist-editor Jane Crosen’s new Coastwise edition of Colby’s 1881 Atlas of Washington County.…
September 6
Almer Dinsmore honored with ferry name
Retired mariner served on Swan's Island run
Living on an unbridged island like Swan’s Island, I knew about the tradition of naming ferries in honor of previous, long-serving captains like our very own Henry Lee and others…
September 5
Inventorying a Downeast home
Author, photographer explores Schoodic region
More Than Meets the Eye: Exploring Nature and Loss on the Coast of Maine By Margie Patlak, Down East Books (2021) Wild and Wondrous: Nature’s Artistry on the Coast of…
September 5
The joys and spills of medical care
Nurses bring the human connection
What a ridiculous garment a hospital johnny is. A few months ago, I was found to have cancer of the liver. I was sent to the Pen Bay Emergency Room…
August 29
On the record with… Cliff Island lobsterman Teddy Reiner
A lot more hands-on work in the 1970s
A chance encounter on Cliff Island, six miles off Portland in Casco Bay, led to a conversation that yielded rich history about lobstering in the 1970s. It started while I…
August 29
Buying a house is still your best investment
Real estate association highlights wealth gains
The path to homeownership can be bumpy. Buyers must withstand bidding wars, contingencies, complex tax laws, and an array of market factors beyond most anyone’s control. Still, buying a house…
August 29
Deer Isle’s bounty impresses this Iowan
Connecting locals to local food has been rewarding
Reflections is written by Island Institute Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working…
August 29
Architecture for the way we live
Design should consider aesthetics and lifestyle
Our recent vacation trip to Wellfleet on Cape Cod offered many pleasant diversions—ocean swimming, long walks on sandy beaches on both the ocean and bay sides, and enjoying the quiet…
August 29
Feds provide Maine with broadband funds
The Maine Connectivity Authority was awarded $30 million in federal funding from the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure grant. This investment is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will support…
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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