Women document their visit to the Cranberry Isles.

Working Waterfront

Early numbers show tourism generally up statewide

By Laurie Schreiber To date, 2018 has been a generally strong tourist year, up from 2017 and continuing a positive trend of the past decade. “In a recent survey of our members, 86 percent said it was better than last year or at least as good, and last year was… SEE MORE

Business

Working Waterfront

Energy policy question draws contrast in gubernatorial forum

By Tom Groening Pundits have characterized Maine’s four-way gubernatorial campaign as low-key, and the nature of an Oct. 4 candidate forum in Rockland bore out that observation. Independents Alan Caron and Terry Hayes were joined by Democrat Janet Mills and Republican Shawn Moody on the stage of The Strand… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Swan’s Island looks to diversified ocean economy

DALE JOYCE/HARBORVIEW STUDIO Jason and Jamie Matthews. By Jennifer Helman Ask a financial expert for the key to a successful portfolio and the response will be “diversification.” Having a wide range of products in your portfolio helps hedge against downturns in specific markets. The same is true for the… SEE MORE

Photovoltaic panels in a yard on Islesboro.

Working Waterfront

Islesboro recharges for energy independence

Technological innovations like electric cars, photovoltaic panels, air-source heat pumps, and micro-grids can stir up a lively discussion at a gathering like the fourth annual Islesboro Energy Conference, hosted on the island on Sept. 8 by the community’s energy team. But organizer Toby Martin was more interested in the practical.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Herring, once king on coast, now worries regulators

The old labels tell a story. A lion leaps across Mansfield Packing Co.’s Golden Lion branded can of French-style sardines. A devil with spiked tail and, oddly, tie and lapels spreads arms over Wm. Underwood & Co.’s sardines in tomato sauce. A schooner sails by a pennant boasting of Three… SEE MORE

Seas break over the main road on Islesboro in the area known as the Narrows.

Working Waterfront

Innovative infrastructure in face of sea-level rise

By Susie Arnold, Kate Tagai, and Allison Carmen Rising ocean levels and increasing storm frequency and intensity are already having an impact along the Maine coast. How we choose to adapt and improve our coastal infrastructure will determine how our communities succeed. Traditional approaches to improving built infrastructure include increasing the diameter… SEE MORE

Channing Boswell at the dock off Thompson Wharf in Belfast

Working Waterfront

Rolling on the river aboard electric-powered whale boat

Whether it’s aboard a restored schooner or a retrofit lobster boat, there are plenty of opportunities for visitors and locals to enjoy the sublime experience of being on the saltwater in Maine. It may be for a few hours or a few days, but businesses abound offering such outings. Channing… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

New family revives Abel’s in Somesville

By Laurie Schreiber LAURIE SCHREIBER Carmen Sanford shows off a pie she had baked. On a sunny June noon at a food truck called Ted’s Take-Out, Shae Stanley was taking an order for a chicken wrap from a frequent customer while her husband, Ted Stanley Jr., prepared the… SEE MORE

John Pearsall poses in the Portland offices of Elite Airways with a model of one of the aircraft his company flies.

Working Waterfront

Portland-based Elite Airways finds sports niche

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, 2.5 million people fly in and out of U.S. airports each day. Though the airline industry is dominated by large companies, a clever entrepreneur can find a niche to serve within that volume of passengers. John Pearsall is that clever entrepreneur. Pearsall owns and… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Trapped on film in ‘Trap to Table’ promotion

“Trap to Table” is a four-part web-based video series by the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative to promote new ideas for new shell lobster. My husband, Bruce Fernald, was one of four fishermen paired with a chef for a day of fishing, cooking, and eating. You can see the video on… SEE MORE