Dugal is president and CEO of the Maine Restaurant Association and the Maine Innkeepers Association. Tourism is undeniably one of the state’s largest industries. It’s $7.7 billion—yes, that’s billion, with a “b”— in direct and indirect economic impact, which puts it up there with health care and pulp, paper and wood products. Tourism is an
A modest proposal to help Stonington homeowners
I would like to propose a possible answer to “The mystery of coastal property no one wants—Stonington deals with properties seized for nonpayment of taxes [The Working Waterfront, May 2014]” by Craig Idlebrook. I love Stonington. If I could, I would move there—I love everything about it (except maybe the long, harsh winters, but even
Camden shop owner Susan Michaud on welcoming tourists
CAMDEN — From June to October, tourists swarm the village. They wander across Main and Elm streets, in and out of crosswalks. They clog up the sidewalks, staring at restaurant menus. They sit in the mini traffic jam, wondering where to park. And Susan Michaud loves them. Michaud, owner of Theo B. Camisole, a lingerie
From sea to garden–Coast of Maine produces compost from lobster shells
Coast of Maine Organic Products in Marion Township composts and blends over 13,000 cubic yards of what would be waste from the local fishing, blueberry and wood products industries, turning the mix into organic soil amendments. The product lines are mixed with additional ingredients such as peat, worm casings, composted manure and lime. The product
Idiosyncratic solutions? Meet state bureaucracy!
State Ferry Service Manager John Anders wisely backed away from a proposal to change the way cars line up at the Rockland ferry terminal. The proposal, born in January and kicked around by the Maine State Ferry Advisory Board for months, appeared bound for implementation in late May. But islanders, who argued that the changes
MMA expansion gives students ‘a path forward’
CASTINE — The recent installation of the “topping-off” beam on Maine Maritime Academy’s new American Bureau of Shipping Center for Engineering, Science and Research signals not just progress on a much-needed facility, but MMA’s essential place in the field of maritime education. “Right now, we have 200-plus students on our training ship, making its way
St. George residents support High Island purchase bid
ST. GEORGE — Town officials were split on spending $25,000 to help purchase and conserve an island, but residents had the final say, approving the spending at their annual town meeting earlier this spring. The group effort to purchase High Island, off Long Cove on the northeast side of the peninsula, was supported by the
Comfort and style take flight in Owl furniture
STONINGTON — The Owl stool has the kind of curves that beg to be caressed. But as pleasurable as sliding a hand across the sensuous cherry or walnut is, better still is the sensation of sitting in one. The success of the Owl furniture line, launched by Geoffrey Warner five years ago, has transformed him
Schoodic Peninsula–adventures on the offbeat track
Puttering along the edges of the Schoodic Peninsula and its various gnarly bulges, the sea breeze freshens, sights abound, and folks stop everything for a friendly hello. Vistas of fields undulating to the rocky shore alternate with dense wooded areas and surprising heaths—located just past the large osprey nest atop a telephone pole—all punctuated by
Island lodging: distinctive stays are the draw
The Maine islands offer a wide variety of unique and interesting lodgings, from the historic Island Inn on Monhegan and the Tidewater Motel on Vinalhaven, which straddles the changing tides, to the Keeper’s House Inn, a restored lighthouse station on Isle au Haut. Overnight visitors to the islands of Maine usually find more than just