Working Waterfront

Winter’s highs and lows

“What is winter like on the island?” We’re back at that time of year that summer visitors ask about the most. My standard answer is, “Pretty quiet. We often get rain when the mainland is getting snow. It can get pretty windy, causing boat cancelations and power outages.” I don’t… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The recipe is just part of the story

It’s a terrible job writing recipes. I know this because during the past 40 or so years, I’ve written around 1,400 of the little stinkers. The biggest chunk of those were recruited from friends, neighbors, and readers which I tried out, reworked a little, and published for a weekly column… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Life prepares for spring

Last year, I got myself a Chanukah present, a little thank-you for making it through the year. It was a vertical grow light array, two shelves and four lights. It's next to my desk as I write this column, and on the top shelf I have a tray of just-sprouted… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Beware of explaining islands to islanders

A central conflict of the novel is Mari’s desire to farm a few acres of Harry’s family's land, something his lawyer sister dismisses as not right for the island. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Digging deep into Maine’s recipe pantry

Both books feature Oliver’s homespun stories about recipes, contributors, and history, and offer real insight into authentic Downeast cooking, from both the past and the present. And you don’t need to feel you’ve embarked on scholarly research while perusing recipes here SEE MORE

An older view of the former hospital on Great Diamond Island.

Working Waterfront

Former island hospital back on market

Built in 1903, the two-and-a-half story, brick hospital has been empty for nearly 80 years. “We would like to see it brought back to what it was. It’s really a beautiful building,” said Greg Watson. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A call to a new generation of coastal champions

As we plan for a new year at Island Institute, I am reminded of the important role that this newspaper plays in our mission. Through our columnists, contributors, and expert staff, we provide accurate and inspiring information about the issues you care about, connecting readers from all over the globe… SEE MORE

The Fox Islands Thorofare in winter. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

A community recovers by realignment

I’m thinking about how communities cultivate collective endurance for longer-term issues like the risk of saltwater intrusion, aging infrastructure in low-lying areas, and supporting livelihoods affected by climate. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Giving Vinalhaven’s downtown its due

Historic Downstreet, a registered nonprofit on Vinalhaven, began in 2011 when a dozen concerned citizens embarked on an effort to save an archaeological historic Main Street structure on Vinalhaven from being lost at auction. The former Knights of Pythius Hall at 30 Main Street had been foreclosed upon by a… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Food for the finicky feline

In the kitchen, on the floor next to the cookstove, Yandro finds his food. Before this pale orange, furry little being came here to live, he sat on a stool at a dining table, on which he was allowed to put his front paws, and only his front paws, to… SEE MORE