Passengers disembark the Islesboro ferry in Lincolnville.

Working Waterfront

Ferry rate ‘fix’ is still not the right response

By Sen. Erin Herbig It’s time for ferry rates that work for everyone. In April 2018, the Maine State Ferry Service more than doubled the ferry rates to Islesboro, devastating not just island residents, but the state as a whole. Passenger tickets went from $5.50 to $11, vehicle tickets from… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Deer Isle, Stonington housing reaches crisis levels

By Laurie Schreiber A severe shortage of affordable workforce housing on Deer Isle and in Stonington has hit crisis proportions. Employers can’t attract new employees because of the cost of housing, causing some businesses to scale back, close, or relocate. The population of younger workers and young families has dropped… SEE MORE

Cliff Island residents gathered to celebrate establishing broadband service on the island

Working Waterfront

Cliff Island celebrates securing broadband

By Jack Sullivan More than two years ago, three Casco Bay islands began in earnest their pursuit of high-speed, reliable internet, otherwise known as broadband. One of the three, Cliff Island, just crossed the finish line, and the excitement for that achievement was evident at a community meeting on Aug.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Free end-of-summer food no simple transaction

By Barbara Fernald“Do you have any interest in this food from my refrigerator?” It’s a common question for those of us who live here, or haven’t left for the season yet. The answer to that depends. Most late season offerings are very usable and sometimes a real treat. There is always… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Why Islands? An important question for the world

By Rob Snyder Islands are the Island Institute’s North Star, and perhaps they should hold this place for all. Islands captured my heart and mind so much so that I’ve dedicated the past 16 years to island community sustainability. They give me hope because they are places where equity, tolerance,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Church and community have become intertwined

By Phil Crossman When I was a teenager, I lived in the Moses Webster House on Vinalhaven, a wonderfully impractical six-bedroom Victorian Mansard next door to another, equally beautiful Victorian structure. Impracticality aside, it was the first time that I and my three young brothers each had a bedroom of… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Quimby reveals plans for Schoodic campground

By Jacqueline Weaver When philanthropist Roxanne Quimby bought the 113-acre Ocean Wood Campground on Schoodic Peninsula three years ago for $2 million, her intent was to save the land and its 3,200-feet of bold ocean frontage from development. Now she has a clearer idea of the best possible use of… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The embrace of island life is like no other

Reflections is written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. By Stevie Kowalczyk Sometimes I hate living on Swan’s Island. Really hate it. The island can be nosey. Everyone knows everything… SEE MORE

One-room school teachers who participate in the Teaching and Learning Collaborative: from left

Working Waterfront

One- and two-room schools celebrate ten years of collaboration

By Yvonne Thomas What has allowed the Outer Islands Teaching and Learning Collaborative, or TLC, to survive and thrive? For 10 years, the one- and two-room schools on Cliff Island, the Cranberry Isles, Frenchboro, Isle au Haut, Matinicus, and Monhegan have banded together through this network, creating, according to its… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Swan’s Island institutions find mutual support

Story by Jennifer Helman//Photos by Dale Joyce A landmark building from the 1890s and a historical society in need of a new home found each other on Swan’s Island. The Swan’s Island Historical Society, established in 1972 as part of the Swan’s Island Educational Society, has had its ups and… SEE MORE