Ploughing up Vinalhaven Late one calm August afternoon, my wife and I in our Friendship sloop Eastward anchored in Carvers Harbor, generally known as Vinalhaven. We felt secure on a quiet night in a good harbor lying to a 35-pound CQR plough anchor, 3 fathoms of chain and a stout rode. We enjoyed the lovely
The Long View: Sustainable island living
Soren Hermansen, Samso Island Denmark’s renewable energy ambassador to the world, was in Maine last month as a guest of the Island Institute. He visited islanders on Chebeague and Long, spoke to a crowd of 200 in Portland, met with 50-60 Vinalhaven and North Haven residents and students before appearing as the keynote speaker at
The Pingrees: North Haven’s mother-daughter political team
When North Haven’s Chellie Pingree first ran for the State Senate in 1992, her oldest daughter, Hannah, helped out. Mother and daughter went to Knox County Town Meetings together as Chellie introduced herself to mainland voters. “I came over to Rockland and knocked on doors with her,” said Hannah, who was in high school at
Danish energy expert to islanders: wind is an export
Soren Hermansen, of Denmark, may be an international expert on renewable energy, who travels the world to talk about wind, solar and biomass power. But his instant connection with the 30 residents of Chebeague Island whom he spoke to at the Chebeague Island Boatyard on Nov. 6, emphasized that Hermansen, despite his international fame, remains
Duncan’s voyage as chronicler of the coast continues onward
Author, historian, yachtsman, crew oarsman, coxswain, and coach, and retired teacher Roger F. Duncan may move slowly and wear a hearing aid, but his mind remains swift and clear as does his wry, impish sense of humor. In response to a, “Good for you!” at hearing he’d reached 92, he replied, “I’m not so sure.”
Vinalhaven student raises funds for school defibrillator
How old must one be before becoming a contributing member of society? At what age should one begin giving back? For Vinalhaven High School senior Olivia Chilles, the magic number is 17. With the support of her parents and key community leaders, Chilles made it her personal project over the last several months to obtain
Mount Desert, Swan’s island students take part in a community read
Since the Seattle Public Library’s Washington Center for the Book launched its citywide book club in 1996, inviting everyone to read and discuss Russell Banks’ The Sweet Hereafter, the “one book, one community” concept has spread across the country. This fall, the community read came to Mount Desert Island (MDI). In a remarkable partnership, the
New mussel company emerges in wake of Great Eastern closure
Carter Newall says several mussel growers who joined together in April to form Pemaquid Mussel Farms, an owner-operated business that focuses on selling its mussels locally, like to call themselves “the survivors.” He is alluding to the demise of New Harbor-based Great Eastern Mussel Farms, which closed its doors in June after almost 30 years
Lobster problem rooted in global economic crisis
Much has been reported over the past couple of months about the dire circumstances surrounding the Maine lobster industry. Boats prices are at record lows, the demand for both live and processed lobster is soft, and expenses relative to the harvesting and transportation of product are up. While the state’s action to acknowledge the current
Journal of an Island Kitchen
Home and land security Even as lots of my fellow Americans, Mainers, and islanders felt an uptick in hopeful optimism back in early November, our wobbly economy reminded us that our stool might have only two legs and most people know that the world still contains hostile and dangerous people, including possibly some of our