Working Waterfront

The full Nelson

Nelson’s riff on the Cape Racer sled is equally memorable. The sound of it sliding prompts him to consider “a hidden extinction,” namely, “the lost sounds familiar in former times.” SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Meanwhile, down on the gentleman’s farm…

Barrette’s knowledge of garden vegetables, fruits, and flowers is not that of recently retired hobbyist. Though born in the U.S. in 1897, he was raised in England, and much of his understanding of farm life seems to have come from that upbringing. SEE MORE

The Deer Isle causeway, linking Deer Isle with Little Deer Isle and the bridge that leads to the mainland.PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN

Working Waterfront

Deer Isle causeway worries officials

A windshield view of the causeway during a storm, with waves lapping over the pavement. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

How to determine the degrees of ‘Away’

Away happens and it comes in many forms as does the process of making an accurate determination of whether one is from here, from here only to a degree, or from elsewhere. The means-testing that has emerged is quite sophisticated and, when applied carefully, reveals relative nativeness with uncanny accuracy.… SEE MORE

And aerial view of South Portland’s Cushing’s Point Shipyard which was in full production during World War II. PHOTO: MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM

Working Waterfront

A working waterfront transformed by war

Maine can claim a lot of superlatives in terms of national shipbuilding. With about 20,000 vessels under its belt, Maine surpassed the output of states with major industrialized metropolitan areas for most of its history. Many of the shipyards and boatyards today have been the site of active shipbuilding for decades, if not a century or more, with their own claims to fame in innovation, size, or speed. In contrast there are also builders of significance that lasted a surprisingly limited amount of time and had a huge impact, like the yard pictured here. SEE MORE

A boat underway powered by an electric outboard in Bristol, R.I. PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN

Working Waterfront

Fast-forward: Electric outboards are here

Aboard a rigid inflatable boat traveling upwards of 40 knots, experiencing acceleration I’d previously associated with drag racing, it was clear the electric motors at Flux Marine in Bristol, R.I. pack a punch. The goal of my visit was to shoot photos and videos of the outboard motors in action,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Hosting a lobster party for a cause

On July 8 I received an e-mail from the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) asking if Bruce and I knew someone who would be interested in hosting an informative fundraising cocktail party on Islesford in August. The federal government is threatening the Maine lobster fishing industry with escalating regulations that will… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Convenience may be the enemy of connection

Seeking convenience almost always sacrifices connection, something pointed out to me by my wise niece, Sarah. By that standard, I have a very connected kitchen. For instance, no dishwasher occupies space here. Sarah, and occasionally our young friend and occasional co-habitant Brynn and I wash dishes. I love being connected… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Growth, fear, and ferry line anxiety

By the time you read this, it’ll be pretty close to October, or as some people call it, spooky season. Fear and anxiety are part of my day-to-day life, so I tend to say “no thank you” to recreational fear. Those fears gave way to anxiety around air travel and… SEE MORE

A copy of "Monhegan Stories," courtesy Monhegan Museum of Art & History.

Working Waterfront

A Monhegan media montage, circa 1900

A story of romance. A list of plants. A mash-up of fact and fiction about Monhegan Island’s people and places circa 1900. These and more are what is within a handmade, leather-bound book that is now part of the Monhegan Museum of Art & History’s collection. The book of about… SEE MORE