Fifteen years ago on the first of July, Long Island seceded from the city of Portland and became its own independent town. The fifth and tenth anniversaries of the Town’s incorporation saw huge celebrations. This year, however, no celebrations are planned. “Long Island is always up for a party, but people are stretched thin,” said
An Island Golf Course for Everyman (or Woman)
On a summer day nearly 90 years ago, two old friends were out picking berries when they hatched the idea of starting a golf club on Great Chebeague Island in Casco Bay. Chebeague summer residents George Spaulding and B.R.T. Collins immediately set out to solicit support for the venture. Their friends and some island entrepreneurs
Golfing and Fishing
During June, the Stone Wharf on Chebeague Island bustles with activity as barges drop off cars and trucks, passengers come and go on the Chebeague Transportation Company’s ferry, Islander, and lobstermen rig traps and load them onto their boats. At this time of year, lobsterman Stephen Johnson can be found in the midst of all of
Lyme disease continues its spread in Maine
Summer is a great time to be roaming the fields and woods of Maine. Before venturing out though, it’s wise to take extra precaution against tick bites by tucking pant legs into socks or applying repellent. Deer ticks, correctly known to entomologists as black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
About Lyme Disease
People and animals usually contract Lyme disease between April and November when deer ticks are active. May through July is the highest risk period because tick nymphs are abundant and active. Most people contract Lyme disease from nymphs because they are about the size of a pin head and easily overlooked. Wear light clothing in
Chebeague holds its second town meeting
Sometimes, selectmen’s races have the potential to divide communities and leave bitterness among residents. That was not the case on Chebeague Island this year in an easygoing race that lacked campaign signs and contentiousness. The incumbent, Donna Damon, and the challenger, David Hill, were nominated by Michael Porter and Deborah Bowman respectively. A vote was
Fresh-caught fish reaches Midcoast restaurants
Earlier this month, the Island Institute’s Marine Programs Officer, Jennifer Litteral, and Port Clyde Marketing Cooperative Coordinator Laura Kramar climbed aboard the fishing boat SKIPPER for the first gear research trip of the Midcoast Fishermen’s Association (MFA). Not only was the day productive for the gear research work, but it was a day that also
Islanders Are Hearty Folk (Not)
With this issue of The Working Waterfront, we bid farewell to our founding editor, David Platt, who is not exactly sailing off into the sunset, but has retired from his fulltime duties as editor of the newspaper, Island Journal and publications director for the Island Institute. During the past 15 years that he manned the
Electric co-op finalizes its wind power proposal
As its annual meeting approaches, the board of the Fox Islands Electric Cooperative (FEIC) is looking for input from ratepayers about a proposal to build two wind turbines that could generate all the electricity needed annually to power North Haven and Vinalhaven. If the co-op decides to proceed, it would be the second largest commercial
Boys with Toys… and Vision
One of the great things about living in an island community is the length and breadth a group of friends will go to for a little diversion. Boat launchings, ice boating adventures, timber frame raisings, wind and tidal power generation, cutting and moving monolithic blocks of stone – lofty ideas hatched out around kitchen tables