Working Waterfront

A journey to the ends of the Earth

The reader experiences, through Rush, the surprise and wonder of discovering how the scientists gather soil cores, how and why they collect animal bits from an island, their anxiety when they lose touch with an underwater remote vehicle... SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Tom Moore, unleashed

Moore also broaches intimations of mortality, at times tongue in cheek, at others, not so. In “Going Back: Getting Lost in Heaven” he moves from describing a house he built—“I cut studs and toe-nailed them”—to the “terrible signage” he finds in heaven. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Inside an islander’s mind

One of the shorter poems, “Modern Man Is Monstrous, Let’s Not Forget,” begins: “Seems like any time I have a minute/to relax here goes somebody all dressed up/on TV talking about the end of time.” These ideas are in themselves quirkily disconnected. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

History, fiction tell tale of escaping slavery

The plantation they bought was outside the city along the St. Johns River, part of an escape route for runaways. Dr. Mitchell had trouble building a medical practice as his opposition to slavery set him apart. He gained acceptance after helping locals fight off a Yellow Fever epidemic. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A librarian weaves a surprisingly tangled web

A book club would have a lot of fun with this, as it can be understood multiple ways. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

That New England spirit in literature

grandfather, Sanford “Dick” Lunt. Writing, producing, and selling Hauling by Hand was a crash course in publishing. Dean Lunt said, “We used that book to learn about book design, cover design, distribution, sales.” SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The complicated case of Melvin Fuller

In February 2022, a statue of Melville Fuller, the Augusta native who served as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1888-1910, was quietly removed from its spot on the grounds of the Kennebec County Courthouse where it had stood for nearly nine years. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Casting line, casting words

Tributaries: Essays from Woods and Waters By Ryan Brod; Islandport Press (2023) Years ago I had a friend who liked to fish. Actually, it went way beyond “liking.” He was obsessed with it. He hounded me to go with him. He recited dreams he had of plodding around in marshes… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Blue Butterfield’s paean to Maine

Maine, A Love Story Self-published, hardback, 192 pages Standing in line at a community lunch at the Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor back in February, I overheard two neighbors talking excitedly about Blue Butterfield’s book Maine, A Love Story. They spoke of the personal quality of the narrative and the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

In hot water, in a good way

Hot Springs: Photos and Stories of How the World Soaks, Swims, and Slows Down By Greta Rybus (Ten Speed Press, 2024) Greta Rybus, photographer and author of the new book Hot Springs, introduces readers to some stunning places that are dedicated to allowing people to enjoy the benefits of immersion… SEE MORE