Category: From The Helm

Working Waterfront

When innovation crashes the party

With summer here, many people are returning to familiar places with deep generational roots, surrounded by memories and family heirlooms. Summer traditions are in full swing: children jumping into the ocean from heights that terrify older eyes, community concerts and plays, good books, tidal pools, croquet, and lobster bakes. These… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Creating a bigger table

I’ve been thinking about tables lately. My father passed away in February after living his 96 years fully and generously. Creating a big table was his superpower. Everyone was welcome, and his table seemed to grow larger as he grew older. At 90, he reluctantly agreed to let us host what he insisted… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The power of a room of one’s own

When my parents purchased the home that I grew up in nearly 60 years ago, the $12,000 price tag was almost out of their reach. They managed to pull together a down payment, and that home has remained our family’s center of gravity for six decades. As homes go, ours was small. Two bedrooms, one bath, a tiny kitchen and living room, and an unfinished basement… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

From the ashes, a call to action

In my last “From the Helm” column, I wrote about the importance of Maine’s working waterfront—the people, the structures, the boats, and the businesses that sustain Maine’s marine economy. I asked you to imagine what it would look like if that critical connection between land and sea were to disappear.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine’s new jobs need a waterfront

I’m fascinated by working waterfronts—those extraordinary places along the Maine coast that link coastal communities to global trade, connect people to the ocean and good food to our tables, and provide a window onto our heritage and our future. These places also happen to be endangered. Here’s the problem: capturing… SEE MORE
From the Sea Up

Working Waterfront

A home for all

I had the opportunity recently to join a 20th anniversary celebration of North Haven Sustainable Housing (NHSH), one of the leading models of housing solutions along the coast. Since 2005, NHSH has demonstrated that the people who make island communities thrive can, in fact, have beautiful homes that are affordable… SEE MORE