Articles
Fellows depart, with thanks
At an Aug. 17 dinner, the Island Institute honored several departing Island Fellows, who had completed their service on Vinalhaven, Peaks, Swan’s and Great Cranberry Islands. From left: advisers Art Astarita, Barbara Hoppin and Chris Hoppin, all of Peaks Island; Island Institute Fellow Michele Tranes; adviser Don Stein and Chris Wolff, Fellows Program Officer at
In memory of Peg Hook
Peg Hook, a volunteer at the Island Institute since July1988, died July 5, 2005. She worked in the Membership Department on a wide variety of projects including letters to over 4,000 members, filing, and verifying address information. “Every Friday afternoon that Peg was in town, we could depend on her arriving in rain, snow or
Fund offers affordable housing grants
The Islands Challenge Fund, a collaborative effort of the Genesis Community Loan Fund, the Island Institute, Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Seacoast Mission and several island residents, will make challenge and matching grants from $5,000 to $25,000 for affordable housing and community facility projects. Chebeague island resident Pommy Hatfield, member of its advisory committee, commented
Long Island celebrates library completion
Long Island celebrated the completion of its new Library and Learning Center on July 16. The event recognized and celebrated the time, effort and funding given by islanders and friends as the Long Island community realized a dream years in the making. Frank Oliva, architect, and Nancy Jordan, chairperson of the Library/School Expansion Committee, cut
Scholarship Recipients Announced
Recently the Island Institute awarded over $38,000 to 51 island residents attending post-secondary institutions through the Maine Island Higher Education Scholarship. Awards ranged from $100 to $2,500. This scholarship is available to residents of unbridged islands who are attending post-secondary education at a two- or four-year college, university, or vocational/technical institution. Award decisions were made
New Museum Opens
The Islesboro Historical Society’s new museum building, built in 1894, has been a town office and meeting hall, and then a high school through 1954. In 1971 a society member requested the Town sell the building to the Society. One dollar sealed the deal, and the land and building were transferred to IHS. On June
Frenchboro plans August 13 lobster dinner
Frenchboro will host its 43rd Annual Lobster Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 13. The menu includes Maine lobster, chicken salad, hot dogs, cole slaw, homemade pie, potato chips and soda. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will take place rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the 116-year-old Outer Long Island Congregational Church.
Closing military facilities
Military spending can do great things for communities. It brings jobs, stimulates the housing market and injects lots of cash into local economies. This year’s hand-wringing over threats to close facilities in Brunswick, Limestone and Kittery is evidence of the obvious: the departure of the military from those communities would be a wrenching experience for
Long Island student wins $5,000 scholarship
The first-ever Maine Island Partners Scholarship — a $5,000 award — has been presented to Zachary (Buoy) Whitener of Long Island in recognition of his exemplary record of achievement in academic studies, community service and leadership. Whitener is a graduating senior at Portland High School, and will attend Brown University in the fall. To receive
LNG Returns
The surprise, divided vote by the Passamaquoddy Tribal Council in mid-May in favor of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on tribal land near Eastport is a development with deep implications for Maine’s coast and working waterfronts. Anyone who recalls the Pittston Company’s hard-fought battle to build an oil refinery 20 years ago in the