Working Waterfront

Tourism is a fragile pillar of island economy

It turns out that the Maine coast and Bali have something major in common. We each depend on tourism as a primary source of income, and economically the pandemic has hurt both of us badly. In the U.S., Maine is first in its economic losses, with Vermont and Nevada as… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Little island leaps lead to bigger steps

From wharf to boat, boat to wharf, rinse, recycle, and repeat. Each island trip requires this momentary leap of faith. Trusting in that short span of wood, metal, or (occasionally) air serving as conduit between wharf and boat, trusting in the boat captain to get you where you’re going safely,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Pontificating on the wonders of punctuation

One criterion, revealed to me during an adult writing class, that must be present to justify the use of the semicolon is the need for a complete thought on either side of the punctuation. Webster’s dictionary defines the semicolon as “a punctuation; used chiefly in a coordinating function between sentence elements.”… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Marital tension, island-style

Kate Hotchkiss of North Haven has a novel just out, coming at an opportune time when coronavirus has complicated travel and minimized social activities. Reading On Harbor’s Edge: Book One, 1912-1913 could be a relaxing, self-isolated way to enjoy the Maine coast, whether in person or vicariously. Set on islands with fictional… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A love scene that inspired poetry

I was reminded of this encounter the other night when, at dinner with the object of my own affection, I was enjoying a profoundly delicious shrimp scampi. This memory is never far away and when I’m enjoying scampi it’s as fresh and delicious as dinner. Returning from a solo “down… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

North Haven’s Dave Macy an unlikely spiritual anchor

Shakespeare must have been thinking about small-town life when he observed, “All the world’s a stage.” Though the Bard didn’t say so, it does seem some people are better suited to their roles than others. Dave Macy, 67, has been trodding the boards as pastor of North Haven Baptist Church… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Considering summer raises questions

After two months of having all of our lives turned upside down from COVID-19, we are peering at summer just over the horizon. No one can quite imagine what it will look like. No matter where we live, we are experiencing the angst of trying to find some semblance of normal.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Peaks Island house a winner for its occupants

As far as Judy Walsh is concerned, the house she and her husband Paul Stenzel share on Peaks Island was a winner the day they moved in. But there was an added accolade—Fine Homebuilding magazine named it the “Best New Home of the Year.” The house is open, airy, full of… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Bringing it all back home

It sure is a different summer in the Cranberry Isles. Some people have chosen not to come to the islands this summer, considering the risk factors of traveling long distances during a pandemic. I missed one summer on Islesford, when I was 20, and I still remember what it felt like.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Not the same, but also good

When it became clear this spring that we weren’t going to kick this pandemic with two weeks of shutdown, the big question for many on (and off) North Haven became “what about summer?” Would summer residents be able to spend time here? What would things look like for restaurants? What… SEE MORE