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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The cast of the revival of Islands.
November 1

Remembering, reviving the musical 'Islands'

North Haven community steps up to mount fresh version
Essay by Barney Hallowell//Photos by Amanda LaBell I wasn’t sure we could do it, or even should do it. Resurrecting Islands, the musical written by the late John Wulp of Vinalhaven and Cindy (now Cid) Bullens for its 20th anniversary had been on Waterman Community Center’s radar almost since its 15th was commemorated. A lot of ideas were tossed around,…
Barney Hallowell
Lobster landing in Vinalhaven. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING
November 1

Pay attention to women-owned businesses

Growth potential is huge, despite early barriers
I daydream about becoming a farmer. My vegetable garden last year would warn against it, and this year I didn’t even try to grow a tomato plant in a pot.…
Sue Bernier
Tammy McPhail serves some breakfast customers at the WaCo Diner.
October 28

Nothing wacky about this diner

Eastport's WaCo dates to 1923, and its name is no joke
Eastport's WaCo Diner claims to be the oldest in Maine.
Lura Jackson
Sunrise at Portland Head Light.
October 28

A better way to do tourism

Maine plan focuses on sustainability
Historically, the Office of Tourism focused its attention on advertising and marketing, enticing people to fill our hotels and enjoy everything Maine had to offer. This strategy has worked very…
Steve Lyons
From left, Curt Brown, Casco Bay lobsterman Steve Train, Sen. Angus King, Luke Holden of Luke’s Lobster, Gov. Janet Mills, and Department of Marine Resources Commission Patrick Keliher. PHOTO: SAM BELKNAP
October 27

Officials, industry respond to lobster red listing

Luke Holden calls decision ‘negligent’
Luke Holden, founder and CEO of Luke’s Lobster was joined by Sen. Angus King, Gov. Janet Mills, Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher, Casco Bay lobsterman Steve Train, and…
Staff
New and returning Island Fellows gathered for training recently in St. George. Front row, from left: Paige Atkinson, Hallie Lartius, Brianna Cunliffe, Melanie Nash, and Mia Colloredo-Mansfeld. Back row, from left: Kawai Marin, Katie Liberman, Olivia Lenfesty, Olivia Jolley, and Kaylin Wu. PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN
October 27

Island Fellows program welcomes new recruits

Program, begun in 1999, now includes coastal towns
Since 1999, the Island Institute’s Island Fellows program has placed 145 college graduates in Maine’s coastal and island communities for two-year fellowships. Fellows are placed at host sites, including schools,…
Staff
Maine Booch Brewing in Damariscotta
October 27

Fermented fun in Damariscotta

Hard kombucha brewery brings youthful vibe
Story and Photos by Kelli Park A hard kombucha brewery in Damariscotta has been doing more than serving drinks in its first year of business—Maine Booch Brewing has become a…
Kelli Park
Rock Bound
October 27

Will innovation save lobstering?

Bleak outlook on right whale rules are a driver
The concept of innovation tends to inspire images of bio-geneticists tinkering with DNA to create cancer-resistant cells. But sometimes, innovation comes in decidedly low-tech form. I attended the every-other-year Beaches…
Tom Groening
Bait bins sit on a pier in Cutler. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING
October 27

Report: Lobster remains a responsibly harvested species

GMRI analyzes whale rules, fishing industry
The harvesting of lobster in Maine and beyond “continue[s] to meet the criteria of our Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested program,” the Portland-based nonprofit Gulf of Maine Research Institute asserts…
Tom Groening
A worker at the Portland Fish Exchange sorts fish. PHOTO: MICHELE STAPLETON
October 27

Fishing for a solution

Portland Fish Exchange faces financial pressure
Scores of hard-plastic crates filled with ice-covered fresh fish sit on the floor of the Portland Fish Exchange, ready for inspection before the bounty is auctioned in lots to the…
Clarke Canfield

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.

WATCH ALL ISLAND POSTCARDS

 

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