Working Waterfront

Progress through personal connection

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. When my fellowship began a year ago, I’ll admit I was a bit lost. My host organization, the Downeast Institute… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

‘Steeped in grief’ as time in Maine ends

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. These are my last two months in Maine for a long time. I am nearing the end of my two… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

My Downeast adventure has a surprise ending

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. When my father and I crossed from Quebec into Maine, the border agent raised an eyebrow as he looked at our… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Finding a community’s stories, old and new

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. In discovering local history, each search is worth more than an answer. It’s summed up in the phrase, “It’s there, if… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Connection, as only music can provide it

Island winters are not for the faint of heart. My first winter on Islesboro was no exception. At the beginning of my fellowship, a wise islander gave me some sage advice: the only way to make it through winter on Islesboro is to have a really good hobby. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Keeping islanders busy through COVID and winter

I am a sucker for a pretty view. If you were to scroll through the pictures on my phone, you would see an abundance of sunsets over beaches, waves crashing against boats in the bay, evergreen trees swaying in the wind, the lamplight breaking through the thick fog on the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Success is a bit more than roll of the dice

The fighter is paralyzed, the mage unconscious. The rogue will be too, soon. And the undead monster is still attacking us! Desperate, the rogue seizes her herbalist’s kit. It’s not magic, but she can revive the mage. A few lucky dice rolls, the fighter is back in action and the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A new bridge, and new beginnings

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. “Why would a young woman like you want to come here?” This was one of the first things said to me… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Leaving town, and unfolding its many facets

As a kid, I was obsessed with origami, spending what felt like a whole summer learning to make frogs, boxes, cups, pinwheels, and most of all, cranes. The engineer in me almost enjoyed unfolding as much as folding, fascinated by the simple geometries of the paper, the way many of… 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