Working Waterfront

Finding community in the strangest of places

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 Maddy Bruno I recently attended a workshop with a stellar group of 8th grade students in which the following question… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Every picture tells a story… when it’s digitized

By Tom Groening In a corner of a windowless brick building on the Penobscot Marine Museum’s Searsport campus, centuries are colliding. It’s where Kevin Johnson, the museum’s photo archivist, works to ensure that images made in the early 20th century right up through the 1980s are turned into digital files, catalogued,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

On the record with… Jay Carroll, new marine patrol chief

By Laurie Schreiber On April 1, Jay Carroll of Southwest Harbor stepped into his new role as chief of the Maine Marine Patrol. He replaced Col. Jon Cornish, a 34-year veteran of the service, including four as colonel. Carroll is a 23-year veteran of the service, serving as a field… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine employers confront seasonal hiring crunch

By William Hall As Maine is poised to record another month of historically low unemployment, many of the state’s businesses are preparing for the season when their demand for workers reaches historic highs. The dilemma brought nearly 100 people to Portland in April for a business forum sponsored by the Portland… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A father’s values shine light over decades

By Phil Crossman We used to live in, renting, a little Cape down by the old ballfield. It was called “The Bucket,” short for “The Bucket of Blood,” something about an ancient murder or suicide, a sobering but constant and compelling reflection for a 12-year-old at any rate. The house… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Ferry fare rationale challenged at hearing

By Tom Groening A blast from the past provided some drama late into a two-hour long public hearing on proposed ferry rate changes. Bill Kelly of Islesboro, who serves as vice-chairman of the island school board, had researched the genesis of the Department of Transportation statutory commitment to funding the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The power of saying something nice

By Courtney Naliboff Indulge me in a moment of “get off my lawn.” These days, it’s far too easy to complain. Where in the not-too-distant past someone in a snit might write a letter to the editor, or stand up at a board meeting during public comments, or motivate a… SEE MORE

Warning sign on Islesboro at Broad Point Preserve.

Working Waterfront

The Lyme threat, and how islands are responding

By Jack Sullivan The threat of Lyme disease presents complications that leave many of us flummoxed, but thankfully, Mainers—especially islanders—are problem solvers by necessity. Many of the challenges mainland communities face are exacerbated when faced by an island. Some of this is obvious. Of course it’s harder to get a… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Rising seas and the power of laughter

By Kate Tagai A few months ago, I had one of those "I can't believe I get to do this" moments. Pages of my cartoons were spread on one of the conference tables in front of Andy and Hanji, the duo that make up O'Chang Studios in Lincolnville. We on… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

When appliances fail on islands

By Barbara Fernald Just before we were to leave for a family trip to Baltimore, the cooling fan broke in our oven. A call to Brown’s Appliance in Ellsworth confirmed that the whole back of the stove would have to come off to replace the broken part; not a DIY… SEE MORE