Working Waterfront

A theory about those who visit islands

If you want to meet islanders, go to an island. Now before you send a letter to the editor complaining about the dumbest sentence you’ve ever read in your life, let me explain. I had that admittedly room-temperature insight recently, on the barnacle-crusted shore of West Gosling, one of a… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The best place for a bad time

First, some news. On April 23, my 45th birthday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The thumbnail sketch is that my prognosis is great, it hasn't spread anywhere, and I'm on a curative treatment plan that starts with chemo, then surgery, then maybe radiation, then immunotherapy. I found the tumors… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Staying focused on the climate crisis

There’s nothing like a near-record heat wave to make you feel like garbage. That’s my first thought as I write this during the sweltering days before July 4, sitting in my un-cooled home office, with a slight headache and sweat forming on my brow before 10 a.m. But stifling as… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Powering work boats with electric engines

The last time I drove Island Institute’s boat, a 25-footer with an outboard motor, I used about 16 gallons of gas per hour. That’s the standard measure of a boat’s fuel consumption, and being out on the water for much of the day, it added up to 74 gallons—enough gas… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

When innovation crashes the party

With summer here, many people are returning to familiar places with deep generational roots, surrounded by memories and family heirlooms. Summer traditions are in full swing: children jumping into the ocean from heights that terrify older eyes, community concerts and plays, good books, tidal pools, croquet, and lobster bakes. These… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Storytelling’s role in ecological stewardship and community planning

Reflections is written by Island Institute Fellows, recent grads of college and master’s programs who do community service work on Maine islands and in coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. Phippsburg is a slim place of mudflat, deep coves, strong currents, and diverse fishing histories. A few days ago, during… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Making food in the time of AI

AI isn’t going to peel your carrots for you. It’ll explain how and why to do it or not, or, most appealing to modern people, what’s the fastest way. In fact, here is what AI advises: “The fastest way to peel carrots is to use a swivel peeler to make… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Nothing more expensive than a free boat

Last summer I finally succumbed to sailboat ownership after decades of heroic resistance. I’ve sailed my whole life, but always on boats owned by other people, which is the best kind of boat. I had just returned to the island after months hiking the Appalachian Trail in the claustrophobically forested… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Finding comfort in fictional competence

When the world’s a mess, as it often feels these days, I turn to “competency porn.” This brand of fiction depicts hyper-talented people solving difficult problems, and of course, it could describe many classic works. Odysseus makes it home. Poirot finds the killer. Furiosa frees the Citadel. But I only… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Creating a bigger table

I’ve been thinking about tables lately. My father passed away in February after living his 96 years fully and generously. Creating a big table was his superpower. Everyone was welcome, and his table seemed to grow larger as he grew older. At 90, he reluctantly agreed to let us host what he insisted… SEE MORE