Articles
Vinalhaven school’s boatbuilding project forges ahead
For nearly a year now, the Vinalhaven High School marine technology classes have been refurbishing a 30-foot Al Mason-designed steel sloop. To help the classes stay on track for a May launching, teacher Mark Jackson enlisted the help of Island Institute Fellow Kurt Lynch. Lynch, who hails from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, was just finishing a
Performing arts camp succeeds despite low enrollment
A goal of the Island Institute’s fellows program is to provide self-sustaining programming with a positive impact on the community. Vinalhaven’s fellow in the performing arts, Karen Burns, took a giant step in that direction this summer as she headed up the island’s first Performing Arts Camp. In association with the Vinalhaven School Enrichment Committee,
Fame Comes Early
Many people spend the better part of their lives waiting for their 15 minutes of fame. Ian Dyer of Vinalhaven, age 6, appears to be enjoying his 15 minutes right now. Earlier this year Ian was identified by the Maine Lobster Promotion Council as the youngest licensed lobsterman in the state. As a result, Ian
Vinalhaven library plans ambitious expansion
Andrew Carnegie left quite a legacy in Maine: 18 libraries in towns that previously had none. Vinalhaven was one of those lucky communities, and now, nearly 100 years after it was built, the Vinalhaven Public Library is hoping for a makeover. On June 26, the Friends of the Library Centennial Committee unveiled plans for an
Vinalhaven dedicates its new performance space
Partners in Island Education (PIE) paid tribute to Vinalhaven’s long-standing performing tradition last month as it dedicated the new school auditorium, Smith Hokanson Memorial Hall. The auditorium is named for native island musicians Kilton Vinal Smith and Leonard Hokanson, as well as the island’s previous performance space, Memorial Hall (1895-1973.) Both Smith and Hokanson began
Arts festival draws students from four islands
June 4 brought a dramatic increase in the student population of Vinalhaven as the school hosted the first Inter-Island Arts Festival. Students and teachers from North Haven, Islesboro and Islesford joined Vinalhaven staff and students in a day of art exhibits, workshops and performances. Artwork by students from all four schools was exhibited throughout the
New galleries spice up island art scene
The midcoast art scene is booming. Galleries have sprung up everywhere, from downtown streets to unlikely outposts between towns. As more and more art seekers take a detour from Route 1 to visit the Fox Islands, island artists are benefiting. The tried-and-true galleries are experiencing increased foot traffic, and many new ones have opened as
Vinalhaven Dinner Theater Returns for a Second Season
On Feb. 28, the entire junior class of Vinalhaven High School participated in the first production of “Holy Cannoli!” written by class member Nate Wiley. A second showing was added after the first sold out. Last year’s play, “Oh Crepe!,” was Wiley’s first experience as a playwright. This is the second year in a row
Teaching With Music: Kindermusik Imparts Skills to the Very Young
Music is said to be the universal language. Though people differ widely on the types of music they enjoy, it would be difficult to find a person who does not listen to some kind of music. Despite this, most children have to wait until they are five years old, when they enter kindergarten, before they
Vinalhaven Students Rebuild a Blue Water Vessel
When Vinalhaven High School marine technology teacher Mark Jackson took his family sailing for a year in a 30-foot steel sloop back in 1982, he never thought he’d be offering up their former home for parts salvage. But that’s just what he is doing now as he leads his students in a complete rebuild of