What was the Vice-President of the United States doing as a cook at Fort McClary in Kittery, Maine in the summer of 1864? The short answer is that Hannibal Hamlin’s Coast Guard Unit had been called up for duty and, as a member of Company A, he felt obliged to report. Hamlin had enlisted when
New Era Gallery celebrates 10 years
When Elaine Crossman opened her New Era Gallery on Vinalhaven in 2001, part of her goal was to create a gathering place for artists on Main Street and to bring art to the fore of Main Street goings-on. Ten years later, that goal has been achieved, expansion has occurred, and an economic downturn has been
Island Institute(s)?: Part 3 of 3
On a recent weekday in Rockland the fourth floor of the Island Institute was buzzing, filled with electricians from 14 islands and coastal towns. They attended a one-day workshop hosted by the Island Institute to learn about how to install energy monitors in the homes and schools participating in Energy for ME, a National Science
Foraging for Summer Fun
Fiddleheads are not the only wild edible found in Maine. Maine’s coastline and tidal waters are home to many edible plants. Wild edibles can be found from June through August, and like garden varieties, they will depend on the weather for ripeness. The four pictured plants are very easy to identify and all can be
ARCafé Relocates, Expands Offerings
Just two short years after opening on Harbor Hill, Vinalhaven’s ARCafé has relocated to 50B Main Street. The new facility, officially named ARCafé Community Learning Center and Local Foods Market, opened quietly on Memorial Day weekend and will feature a larger menu as well as a local farmer’s market. Thirty-one adult and eight student volunteers
Community effort brings new fire station to Arrowsic
Driving past the old Arrowsic Fire Station, it’s easy to understand why the entire volunteer fire department resigned in disgust after town selectmen refused to approve funds for a new station in 2000. Arrowsic, however, recently held an open house in a brand-new station, because Fire Chief Chris Cummings, who took on the job in
Too Few or Too Many Sharks in the Gulf of Maine?
It’s not uncommon for fishermen and scientists to have opposing viewpoints about stock assessments of ocean species, but rarely is the difference in viewpoint as pronounced as the debate over the status of two sharks in the Gulf of Maine. Portland-area fishermen have gone on record to say that porbeagle sharks are becoming a nuisance
Island Vehicles
In the summer, when people go whizzing by in their golf carts, I watch them with envy. The carts are quiet, they take up less room when parked at the dock, they don’t use much gas (none at all if they’re electric), and they look like so much fun to drive. When our island car
Knitting as an Art Form
Knitting for pleasure is often associated with the production of sweaters and blankets for babies. It is a hobby for women. For Katharine Cobey, an artist who resides in Cushing, knitting is an art form, a means of creating pieces that speak to everyone’s hearts and minds. Cobey’s blue eyes pierce the fog’s gloom as
Little Miss Vinalhaven
When it comes to Fourth of July on Vinalhaven, there are certain traditions: The parade, a fog bank, and the Little Miss Vinalhaven pageant. This holiday weekend, seven island girls sang, sashayed and smiled their hardest for a chance to be crowned Little Miss Vinalhaven 2011 at the fifth annual competition, held July 1 at