Insurance companies’ refusal to write new policies for island property could put the brakes on real estate deals. George Wheelwright, of Jaret & Cohn real estate in Camden, said denial of insurance isn’t just occurring on islands, but the remoteness of offshore properties exacerbates the problem. A broker for 22 years, Wheelwright said he is
Closure of Newfoundland’s cod fishery brings angry response
The decision by Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Robert Thibault to close what was left of the Newfoundland cod fishery has left provincial officials questioning their future relationship with the federal government. Thibault’s action in late April also left hundreds of fishermen and fish plant workers wondering how they’re going to put food on
A cautionary tale for U.S. fishermen
Like Canada, the United States has tried to move towards fishing effort restrictions with the aim of rebuilding the fish stocks. Georges Bank was open to the world until 1977, when the U.S. took action to extend its jurisdiction out to 200 nautical miles. Vessels of many flags worked the waters, making huge hauls in
Journal of an Island Kitchen Grub and democracy at town meeting time
You wouldn’t think food would have much to do with democracy until you go to town meeting. Last year we didn’t even take a break at lunchtime, though some towns do a whole ham and baked bean spread. Still, there was food all over the place, all day long. Our town meeting comes in April,
On the Water: Discovering America in a Rowboat
On the Water: Discovering America in a Rowboat By Nathaniel Stone Broadway Books, 2002 Reviewed by Linda Beyus Traveling by boat from New York to New Orleans, then northward to Maine might not sound like such a great feat, but once you learn that Nathaniel Stone did this two-legged journey in a rowboat, you stand
Whore’s Child and Other Stories
Whore’s Child and Other Stories By Richard Russo Vintage Books, 2003 Reviewed by Tina Cohen This first collection of short stories by novelist Richard Russo (2002 Pulitzer Prize winner for Empire Falls), appeared last year and will be released in paperback this July. Russo currently lives in Camden. The stories focus on folks sharing common
87 Boat Designs: A Catalog of Small Boat Plans from Mystic Seaport
87 Boat Designs: A Catalog of Small Boat Plans from Mystic Seaport By Benjamin A.G. Fuller 2002: Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. Reviewed by David D. Platt In 1983, Ben Fuller and a crew from Mystic Seaport were invited to inspect and measure a collection of wooden boats sitting in a boathouse on McGee Island off
The Long View Perserverance furthers
On one of the days with an early taste of spring last month, Nate Michaud, Mike Felton and I met the NATHANIEL ZACHARY in Bass Harbor for a trip to Frenchboro. With Zach Lunt at the helm we boarded the family lobster boat at the Morris Yacht dock and made a rolly crossing through the
No-see-ums
Unlikely though it may seem, Vinalhaven, an island no less, is home to a band of car thieves who strike with impunity. Impunity is that characteristic which, in the face of what passes for police protection but is in fact only the Knox County Sheriff, so typifies both our mischief-makers (like ATV riders) and our
Wrapping up the budget
Annually, town report covers bring out a degree of creativity across Maine. Island communities are no exception, as these examples from Swan’s Island, Cranberry Isles, North Haven and Isle au Haut suggest. Each year in the fall, the Maine Municipal Association holds a contest to determine what town’s report is the best designed. Results are