Articles
Institute seeks proposals, applications for island fellowships
The Island Institute is seeking applicants for its island fellows program for 2008-2009. The program is currently seeking proposals from communities or organizations interested in hosting a fellow, as well as applications from individuals interested in serving. Communities interested in hosting a fellow must submit a proposal describing the anticipated project or projects, designating a
Chebeague Island Fellow brings patience and knowledge to a new town
Thea Youngs, the James and Joanne Cooney GIS Fellow with the newly incorporated Town of Chebeague Island, has adjusted to the practical jokes of the public works department and the snug office that she shares with the clerks, code enforcement officer, town administrator, harbormaster and visiting children and dogs. But while adept at technological troubleshooting
“Stage combat” comes to Isle au Haut
For Morgan Witham, Isle au Haut was always “just on the horizon.” Growing up on Little Deer Isle, she says, “Isle au Haut was just always there. Whenever we were going home to Deer Isle, I’d look out over Caterpillar Hill, see Isle au Haut and think, `we should visit there.’ But we never actually
North Haven moves ahead on affordable housing
Only three years ago, an all-volunteer group on North Haven decided to tackle the lack of affordable-housing on the island, and approached the Genesis Community Housing Fund in Damariscotta for assistance in becoming an incorporated nonprofit organization. Today, a new, energy-efficient home is housing a local teacher and her husband and the North Haven Sustainable
Rain fails to dampen CREST career fair
On Nov. 16, nearly 90 students and teachers gathered at the University of Maine, Orono, for a career fair focusing upon educational and career opportunities in Maine that use Information Technology (IT) and science, engineering, technology and mathematics skills. This is the second career fair organized as part of CREST, a National Science Foundation-funded program
Great Cranberry community development coordinators hired
Alyson Mayo and Lauren Simmons have been hired by the Island Institute to assist in a collaboration to revitalize Great Cranberry Island, working with other island, municipal and regional organizations. The collaboration involves the Island Institute, Great Cranberry citizens and community organizations, and will focus on sustainability questions including transportation, broadband connectivity, employment and the
Island teachers conference tackles school challenges
Nearly 100 teachers, administrators and educational experts gathered Oct. 18-19 in Belfast to attend the biennial Island Teachers Conference (ITC). Representing schools from every Maine island community with a school, attendees had the opportunity to network, discuss common challenges and learn about new resources, strategies and tools. The event opened with dinner and a keynote
CREST gets two-year boost
The Island Institute announced a new award of almost $800,000 from the National Science Foundation for a two-year extension of its Community for Rural Education, Stewardship & Technology (CREST) program. Launched in 2005, CREST currently provides hands-on Information Technology (IT) education and IT career-awareness opportunities to nearly 100 teachers and students from 11 middle and
Revealing the Tension in Landscape
On Oct. 19, Archipelago Fine Arts unveiled a new show that highlights the work of North Haven artist Eric Hopkins. “Water / Color: An Exploration of Atmospheric Light” features watercolor paintings and glasswork that deconstruct and then reconfigure our notions of “watercolor.” Works in the show examine the common qualities and close relationship between color
Matinicus fellow becomes a “sternman” – on land
Last January was a little nerve-wracking: The Island Fellows Program had just placed its first-ever fellow on Matinicus, the most remote Maine island, with an assignment to work with the new teacher and the school board and develop curriculum and standard procedures for the school. Usually, fellowships are filled by the preceding July, with on-island