Working Waterfront

Swan’s, Frenchboro ratepayers approve move toward merger

Ratepayers in the Swan's Island Electric Cooperative voted to authorize the coop's board to further investigate merging with or being acquired by Emera Maine, the utility that provides electricity for much of eastern and northern Maine. Ratepayers on Swan's Island, and nearby Frenchboro, whose electric customers are linked to Swan's… SEE MORE

Brown's Head Light on Vinalhaven overlooks the Fox Islands Thoroughfare.

Working Waterfront

Vinalhaven transfers lighthouse to foundation

VINALHAVEN — Citing the burden of maintenance costs, the town has decided to transfer its ownership of Browns Head Lighthouse to a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve the historic beacons. An attorney for the island town is in the process of drafting a quit-claim deed through which ownership… SEE MORE

A photo of Bishop that appeared in a 1994 New York Times review of One Art: Letters

Working Waterfront

‘Master’ poet Elizabeth Bishop had North Haven connection

By Carl Little —To have no personal moods at all, to have only the same moods that the weather has here on North Haven Island—that would be the (perfect) temperament, for the rest of life the rest of life…. When the poet Elizabeth Bishop’s letters were published in 1994,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Busy town agenda coincides with busy island life

By Phil Crossman Vinalhaven is usually governed by a five-member board of selectmen, but this year—this month, anyway—we only have four. There were no candidates for the two vacancies in the May election and so the top two write-ins were invited to take office. I had 20-something write-in votes because,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Muffins, doughnuts and the little blue house

By Barbara Fernald Forty years ago I had a college roommate who amazed her friends by making English muffins from scratch. She baked them in a covered skillet sprinkled with cornmeal to keep them from sticking. She passed the recipe along to those of us who were interested. A few… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Poor Internet speeds hampering island economies

By Tom Groening Fast Internet is more than a matter of convenience. Economic and community vitality hinge on download and upload speeds, local and state policy makers have realized. And the status quo is not cutting it, they say. One survey puts the U.S. at 17th among developed nations for… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Stonington Fishermen’s Wives hosts event

The Island Fishermen's Wives Association will the 26th Annual Fishermen's Day on Sunday, July 19 on the Stonington Fish Pier from 10 a. m. to 4 p.m. The event is planned as a fun-filled day honoring the community's fishing heritage. Features include a pet show, wacky row boat races, trap hauling demonstration, cod fish relay,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

North Haven library, community center host Elizabeth Bishop symposium

NORTH HAVEN — To commemorate the release of its publication Elizabeth Bishop: The North Haven Journal 1974-1979, the North Haven Library will host a symposium on the poet’s life and work at Waterman’s Community Center Aug. 14-15. The symposium offers the opportunity to learn more about Elizabeth Bishop: poet laureate, Pulitzer Prize winner,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Lyman-Morse buys Wayfarer Marine

By Tom Groening Thomaston-based Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding has purchased Wayfarer Marine in Camden. Lyman-Morse announced the purchase on July 1. The terms of the purchase were not disclosed. Both boatyards have deep ties to their communities. Lyman-Morse's history dates back nearly 100 years, while boatbuilding at the Wayfarer site began in… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Fishing community’s students put on a play

Ian Watkins is an Island Fellow, a participant in a two-year service program operated by AmeriCorps and the Island Institute, doing community development work on islands and remote coastal communities. Watkins works on Deer Isle and the Downeast coast with high school students. By Ian Watkins Just the other week,… SEE MORE