Kathie Fiveash is so passionate about understanding and teaching others about the natural history of Isle au Haut that last year she became “The Island Naturalist.” Fiveash takes groups of up to four people on guided tours of the flora and fauna of the island. I think of nature as the teacher and myself as
Cliff island store: A pearl in Casco Bay
Over Memorial Day weekend, Pearls Seaside Market and Cafe on Cliff Island opened its doors for the summer. Cliff’s only store-front business is currently in its second season run by owners Steve and Johanna Corman. Two years ago, Johanna Corman was on vacation for a couple of weeks in July on Cliff Island with her
Maine Island Scholarship Program celebrates 20 years
Ask any islander what the Island Institute provides and they might say “Don’t they give kids college scholarships?” It’s true. The Island Institute has been awarding college scholarships for 20 years. The program began in 1990, with a total of $2,000 in scholarship awards. This year the program awarded more than $90,000 in scholarships to
Tensions run high over fate of Machias dike
Marshfield farmer Chris Sprague is dressed in colonial garb for the Margaretta Days Festival in Machias, an event that commemorates a naval battle that occurred in local waters in 1775. Sprague sits at a picnic table and quietly expounds on the threat of governmental intrusion on personal liberty and property. But Sprague isn’t channeling a
Schooner: Building a wooden boat on Martha’s Vineyard
I can’t say that I’ve ever hugged a book before, but when Schooner arrived on my doorstep, I unwrapped it, took a long look, and…well, it happened. Writer Tom Dunlop and photographer Alison Shaw, both Martha’s Vineyard residents, take on the unique project of following the building of a wooden boat from design to launch
So how many lobsters are out there?
Chebeague moves forward with affordable housing project
For residents on Chebeague Island who rent, finding year-round housing is a challenge. As is the case on islands in many coastal communities, summer homes dominate the rental market “Anybody can get a place to live for nine or ten months, and then they get kicked out,” said John Wilson, a member of the affordable
Bomb squad
“Well, you just missed the bomb squad…” “Now what? Did Nellie turn up another old hand grenade in the back of a desk drawer?” “No,” I replied. “This time, we had to blow up one of Suzanne’s best Historical Society artifacts.” Emily sighed. “How many times are my parents going to have to call the
Long View: Cheap energy is our birthright
As the sickening tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico plays out inexorably day after day, shutting down working waterfronts, encircling and choking island communities and poisoning fish, shellfish and wildlife across four states sharing that Gulf; it is worth taking a moment to reflect on what this national disaster means for the Gulf of Maine
Four generations of Harbor Gawkers on Vinalhaven
When John and Barbara Morton opened the Harbor Gawker restaurant on Vinalhaven in 1975, it was a small take-out window occupying the former Bodwell Granite Company’s pay station. These days the restaurant occupies a much larger building with plenty of seating, and the menu is bigger than one might imagine possible on a small island.