The Island Institute's press conference on the Cranberry Isles getting a USDA grant.

Working Waterfront

Cranberry Isles wins $1.3 million for internet upgrade

The Cranberry Isles learned this month it has won a $1.3 million USDA grant to pay for the construction of its broadband network. The work is complete on Islesford (Little Cranberry Island), one of three islands in the five-island Hancock municipality that will have access to the network. At a… SEE MORE

Bicycles in a rack on Chebeague Island's Stone Pier.

Working Waterfront

Chebeague Island urges changes to keep bicyclists safe

Riding a bicycle along a quiet, island road on a summer day is a near idyllic experience. Except when it’s not. Late last year and through the new year, community leaders on Chebeague Island worked to craft a set of recommendations for changes that are aimed at keeping bicyclists safe,… SEE MORE

The Murphy house at its current location.

Working Waterfront

Saving a fisherman’s humble home

Ninety-three years ago, fisherman John Murphy and his wife, Pearl, moved into their new 12-foot by 15-foot house in the village of Sebasco in Phippsburg near present-day Anna’s Water’s Edge Restaurant. This year, after 16 years of fundraising and restoration, the town of Phippsburg hopes the Murphy home gets a… SEE MORE

Passengers disembark from the Islesboro ferry.

Working Waterfront

Ferry service impacted with rising emergency trips

The state ferry service is concerned about a recent trend in which more emergency boat trips are made from the islands to the mainland, disrupting scheduled trips. At its March 1 meeting in Rockland, the ferry advisory board learned from ferry service manager Mark Higgins that statistics from the last… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Seth Macy goes public with his love, hate relationship with Maine

It’s a glorious time to be a satirist. The Onion’s headlines feel painfully truthful, people seem abundantly willing to share “news” stories on social media without verifying their accuracy, and every day a new “you can’t make this up” story breaks. Maine, in all its quaint and quirky glory, was… SEE MORE

Richard Howard examining his photos of Vinalhaven residents.

Working Waterfront

‘Heartfelt’ portrait project to feature islanders

Photographer Richard Howard has travelled all over the U.S. and the world photographing people and places for publications such as Smithsonian and National Geographic. Now the long-time Vinalhaven summer visitor wants to use his 45 years of experience to document the island community. Howard plans to spend two years making… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The road trip, part III

I will remind the reader that in early 2017 Elaine found just what we were looking for right next door, in New Hampshire. It was a 2003 white VW Eurovan Camper, in perfect condition, having been loved and cared for during 14 years by only two devoted owners. It was… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The power of storytelling, past and present

Reflections is a monthly column written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in remote coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. The snow is piling up outside, a fire is crackling the fireplace, a cup of tea is… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Expanding economy forces the question: Who do we want to be?

In September, we’ll mark the ten-year anniversary of a frightening moment in our country’s history. Just weeks before the presidential election that saw Barack Obama defeat John McCain, George W. Bush’s treasury secretary reported that the U.S. banking system was on the brink of collapse. A bail-out was approved by… SEE MORE

A house donated to Island Housing Trust is moved to a new property in Somesville to provide affordable housing.

Working Waterfront

MDI’s affordable housing shortage squeezes labor force

On an overcast February day, with the help of contractors donating their services, Island Housing Trust had a small house trucked a couple of miles along wooded roads from one Somesville neighborhood to another. Given the narrow rural roads, the effort took the better part of a day, as the… SEE MORE