Working Waterfront

Maine native battles Trump on climate resilience

When you are young and you’ve done something that has you pumped, it’s often your parents’ reaction that sobers you up. This is true, scientist Joel Clement found out, even when you’re middle-aged. Clement, the former director of the U.S. Interior Department’s Office of Policy Analysis, took on the Trump… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

How we support the island’s gay, lesbian,and trans teens

A few years ago, in the service of our podcast “12 Knots,” my husband and I had a chance to sit down with lesbian, gay, and transgender islanders and have a conversation. The five people we interviewed grew up on the island, came out as lesbian, gay, or transgender in… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Wild Miss Islesford comes to Islesboro

Wild Miss Islesford, Barb Fernald’s now-famous and well-traveled sourdough, came to Islesboro last August, when Barb, who lives in Islesford, gave some to me and Courtney Naliboff of North Haven. We all had gathered in Rockland for a panel presentation at the Island Institute and Barb arrived with plastic containers… SEE MORE

Bicycles in a rack on Chebeague Island's Stone Pier.

Working Waterfront

Chebeague Island urges changes to keep bicyclists safe

Riding a bicycle along a quiet, island road on a summer day is a near idyllic experience. Except when it’s not. Late last year and through the new year, community leaders on Chebeague Island worked to craft a set of recommendations for changes that are aimed at keeping bicyclists safe,… SEE MORE

The Murphy house at its current location.

Working Waterfront

Saving a fisherman’s humble home

Ninety-three years ago, fisherman John Murphy and his wife, Pearl, moved into their new 12-foot by 15-foot house in the village of Sebasco in Phippsburg near present-day Anna’s Water’s Edge Restaurant. This year, after 16 years of fundraising and restoration, the town of Phippsburg hopes the Murphy home gets a… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

No car ferry dramatically changes the nature of unloading

Picture an average day, doing errands. Maybe you have a dentist appointment and will receive that complimentary little bag with a toothbrush, paste, and floss inside. You might then head over to the drug store for a few health and beauty aids, toss that bag in the car and move… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Seth Macy goes public with his love, hate relationship with Maine

It’s a glorious time to be a satirist. The Onion’s headlines feel painfully truthful, people seem abundantly willing to share “news” stories on social media without verifying their accuracy, and every day a new “you can’t make this up” story breaks. Maine, in all its quaint and quirky glory, was… SEE MORE

Richard Howard examining his photos of Vinalhaven residents.

Working Waterfront

‘Heartfelt’ portrait project to feature islanders

Photographer Richard Howard has travelled all over the U.S. and the world photographing people and places for publications such as Smithsonian and National Geographic. Now the long-time Vinalhaven summer visitor wants to use his 45 years of experience to document the island community. Howard plans to spend two years making… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The road trip, part III

I will remind the reader that in early 2017 Elaine found just what we were looking for right next door, in New Hampshire. It was a 2003 white VW Eurovan Camper, in perfect condition, having been loved and cared for during 14 years by only two devoted owners. It was… SEE MORE

Boats rigged for scallop dragging moored in Lubec.

Working Waterfront

Washington County business imports new scallop drag

It’s the difference between a snowplow and a rake. The traditional way of harvesting scallops, the high-value seafood now in season, uses a dredge, or drag. Heavy chains or steel hardware scrape across the bottom, tossing the scallop shells upward, where they are caught in a bag. Inevitably, some of… SEE MORE