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

Scallops and me

I have a short and complicated history with scallops. Growing up in Maryland, my fondness for seafood mostly extended to the basics: canned tuna; flaky white fish; some crab, shrimp, and shellfish; occasional lobster and salmon. I don’t remember starting to eat scallops until a decade ago, and they quickly… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Looking for hope in a stormy season

In hindsight, I wonder if the name I chose for this column was too wishful. I took the phrase “Sweetest in the Gale” from Emily Dickinson’s poem, “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers,” in which a bird stands for hope in dark times. “And sweetest - in the Gale -… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Earning a community’s trust

I’m not from Maine, but I’ve talked to many people since I got here. There are other ways I could open this piece, to introduce myself as the new editor of The Working Waterfront and Island Journal. But as I try to fill the big boots left by outgoing editor… SEE MORE