By Maddy Bruno, PG (Maine Licensed Professional Geologist); technical edit by Rod Pendleton, PG
Almost every single home on Islesboro relies on at least one private bedrock drinking water well. These wells all draw from the same bedrock aquifer. We do not have a community water system, and the cost and logistics of creating one, or of procuring freshwater from the mainland due to depletion or contamination, are staggering. Protecting both the quality and quantity of our shared groundwater resource is vital for the future of our community.
By Saskia Grisaru
On Islesboro, with September comes change. There’s an edge to the air that even the midday sun cannot temper, the light slants lower, the hardwood trees begin to trade in their green vestment for yellow, orange or red. The windows in many houses go dark. Like migratory birds that follow seasonal changes in the light, the people of Islesboro receive something akin to a biological signal: the season of
By Dan Tutor
It has been 23 years since the first case of Lyme disease was diagnosed on Islesboro, and the situation has only gotten worse. A lot worse. According to data from the MaineCDC, for the years 2016-2022, Islesboro (population 550) had the fourth most Lyme cases in the state, exceeded only by Portland (pop. 67,800), Windham (pop. 18,400) and Augusta (pop. 18,500). That makes the incidence rate on the island the highest in Maine, at roughly 4,300 cases per 100,000 people, nearly three times the next-highest rate on neighboring North Haven Island, 35 times the Maine average, and 100 times Portland’s rate.
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COMMUNITYBy Ted Pendleton
Thanks to everyone for an historic summary! IHS events were very well attended this year, and final evening program by Taury Smith, “The Glacial History of Islesboro”, was no exception. Our thanks also to our presenters, who put a good deal of effort into planning for and presenting these events, and our Museum volunteers who make it possible for everyone to see som
By Sam Wadsworth
As the leaves turn and Islesboro settles into fall, Islesboro Affordable Property (IAP) has two milestones to celebrate. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of this community, IAP has raised the funds needed to complete Phase II of the Town Center project – and the second duplex is rising fast, on track to deliver two more permanently affordable homes by January.
By Christina Noyes
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, we are reminded of how much the small moments mean at Boardman Cottage. This summer gave us many of them: warm sunshine on our faces, hands working side by side, stories shared beside the garden, and the quiet happiness of seeing something grow because we cared for it together.
By Ted Pendleton
The Historical Society has experienced well-attended events in July, including a standing-room-only Evening with Island Elders. Our thanks to all those who donated during the event to keep our programs going, and especially to the speakers – Linda Gillies, Sue Hatch, Donnie Durkee, and David Hathaway – who provided us with laughter and invaluable insights into what history can teach us. The Evening with Island Elders video is now on our website for your viewing, as is the Talent Show video. Go to News & Events on our website, select Calendar of Events, and scroll down to see this year’s videos.
By Melissa Olson
The money the Friends of the Library raise from the Book and Bake Sale pay for “extras” not included in the Library’s budget? For example, Cloud Library.
Cloud Library is the home of the Society Library's circulating e-book and audio collection, and enables members to browse, borrow, and read a collection of e-books and audio books. Users have access to over 700,000 copies. Thanks to the Friends, patrons of the ALP Library enjoy Pay per Use, which significantly decreases wait time.
By Sam Wadsworth
Over the past year, Islesboro Affordable Property (IAP) has built, paid for, and leased four new homes – the Schnur Cottages on Reeby Road and the first Town Center duplex – representing approximately $1.8 million in community investment. All four homes were tenanted promptly upon completion, a reminder of just how great the need for year-round affordable housing on Islesboro remains. Now IAP is building on that momentum: work on a second Town Center duplex has begun.
By Christina Noyes
The annual Evening by the Pond fundraiser for Boardman Cottage was a beautiful and supremely successful event, made possible by the generosity, kindness, and steady support of neighbors, friends, families, and community members who care deeply about the elders who call Boardman Cottage home.
By Katie Wuori
Hauling Day Friday, Aug 14 1:30 - 4:30pm. Come help us pack up the program. Meet at Mosley's Dock to help put away sails, gear and boats.
As Big Tree Boating celebrates its 30th summer on the water, this season has been filled with both reflection and excitement. On July 30, a small gathering of board members, volunteers, and supporters came together to dedicate the new Big Tree Boating boathouse. The ceremony included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque (pictured), recognizing the many individuals whose vision, generosity, and hard work have helped Big Tree Boating grow over the past three decades. The gathering also provided an opportunity to thank and bid farewell to several long-serving board members whose contributions have been highlighted in previous editions of the Islesboro Island News.
By Colleen Dove, Recreation Director
The Summer is flying by… The sweet sounds of basketballs hitting the new metal rims of the court and tennis balls being whacked against rackets can be heard throughout Maddy Dodge Park, the joyful cries of adventure campers will continue through August 21st, and our annual Half- Marathon/5K fundraiser is right around the corner!
By Pastor Trish Goodspeed
This year marks the 235th since the founding of Second Baptist Church. We honored this special occasion with a Founder’s Day Worship Service on June 28th. Reverend Dr. Al Fletcher, Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of Maine, attended and gave the sermon. Former pastor Reverend James Weathersby gave the Benediction. Reverend Dr. Ed Bacon, also a former pastor of Second Baptist Church, led a responsive reading. The sanctuary was filled with friends and neighbors to celebrate this meaningful event in the faith of our church.
TOWNBy Christine Robb
Vix was born in New Hampshire and moved around a lot as a child due to parental job transfers, but always loved the ocean and was a swim team member and lifeguard. Vix attended the University of New Hampshire, initially intending to pursue a career in athletic training, but moved to a final degree in outdoor education, which enabled them to study abroad with Sea Education Association. Vix spent a semester at sea on the SSV Corwith Cramer and, appreciating the team dynamics aboard the ship, later returned to this program as crew on their west coast ship that sailed from New Zealand to Hawaii. The program in athletic training and these long sea experiences, which required EMT and EMT wilderness training, sparked Vix’s desire for more medical knowledge.
By Christine Robb
Krysti is an Islesboro native and graduated from the Islesboro Central School in 2007. She attended the University of Southern Maine for 2 years, then returned to the island to work at the school and at the community center in administrative positions. Eight years ago Krysti began working at the Boardman Cottage, achieving certification as a Certified Residential Medical Aide and as a Personal Support Specialist. Over the course of the past 2 years she has been studying to master prerequisites in pharmacology, psychology, and pathophysiology, and is starting a formal RN program at Eastern Maine Community College. She has had training at the Islesboro Health Center in phlebotomy and EKG. She has ambitions to continue her nursing education for a BSN degree.
By Lauren Bruce
The Up-Island Public Safety Garage is fully insulated, and much of the plumbing and 95% of the electrical are complete. The furnace installer has had some delays, but once the furnace is installed they will complete all the hookups.
The electric doors and other “plug-ins” are ready to go. Everything is ordered, i.e., the trim package, doors, etc., so once they are in, the contractor will come out and complete work.
The contractor, Northport Builders, is shooting to be done by Thanksgiving.
By Kate Legere
Although the building is somewhat quiet over the summer, preparation for the new academic year is well underway. The school has successfully filled all of the open teaching positions and we look forward to welcoming the new faculty members. The principal search continues. Dr. Brown and the hiring committee are taking the time needed to find the best possible candidate to lead ICS into the future, recognizing the importance of finding the right fit for our special and unique school and community. I am serving as interim principal for the time being.
The first student day is Thursday, September 3rd.
By Dr. Cornelia Brown
There’s been a considerable amount of discussion regarding the change(s) made to Maine’s Essential Programs and Services (EPS) model that funds public schools. LD 2226, An Act to Amend the Essential Programs and Services School Funding Formula was passed into Law, now Title 20-A, Chapter 737. Among the changes made to the EPS School Funding Formula are items including the Regional Index Adjustment, the Local Required Contribution Mil Rate, and the State Subsidy Transition Period. The Timeline for Implementation of the changes will be School Year 2027-2028.
By Lindsey Govoni, Executive Director, Islesboro Preschool
As another wonderful summer unfolds, Islesboro Preschool is thrilled to share that our program continues to thrive. Our students have been enjoying hands-on experiences that celebrate everything our island has to offer, from visits with farm animals and blueberry picking to nature walks, science experiments, and plenty of outdoor adventures. We are looking forward to continuing the fun as we bounce into Bubble Week and the exciting themes still to come this summer.
SCHOOL NEWSHarbor Haiku
Water water ev-
ry where, Not a drop for sale
Oh, I saw a whale
-Dylan Purington
On Bottom Paint
The buoyant hull in aspect broad
Her visible form is found
To rest upon her waterline
A boundary profound
Consider this perimeter
Which nature circumscribes
Above the realm of varnish
Below of biocides
…
By Charlie Friedman
Adventure Camp campers recently stepped back nearly 3,000 years in time as they explored the exciting world of Greek mythology through a Latin Literacy lesson led by a local high school student. Designed to introduce younger students to the ancient world, the class combined history, storytelling, art, and interactive games to make mythology both educational and fun.
10b is an artist-run project space in Dark Harbor
10b is hosting a series of exhibitions ranging from in-progress projects, immersive installation and participatory performances, to failed experiments. The value in this space is in providing opportunity for experimentation with community witness and participation. 10b is establishing space for conversation, non-traditional exhibitions, and performances where 'artists' can experiment, play, fail, and connect.
10b projects 10bprojectsmail@gmail.com 509b Pendleton Point Road Islesboro, ME 04848
By Hillary Clark
By Hillary Clark
Having led a number of workshops on the island which, like most poetry workshops, helped poets revise their finished drafts, this seemed as good a time as any to introduce the wider community to some other benefits of writing poetry. Over the next several issues I’ll share some of the ways writing and revising poetry can offer a counterbalance to the AI slop and doom-scrolling that swallows so much of our time and attention.
ARTSCOLUMNSBy Elizabeth Dyer, Island Institute Fellow 2026-2027
On the afternoon of Thursday, July 16th, a brief but strong thunderstorm passed over Islesboro. I happened to be at the Town Office when the storm picked up. We all peered out the window in awe as the wind rustled the tree branches and sheets of rain showered the cars in the parking lot, crossing our fingers that we’d remembered to roll up our windows!
By Janis Petzel
As I listened to her family’s loving memorial for their mother at Pat Mitchel’s funeral, it amazed me how one petite woman could do so much in her lifetime. Pat was a quiet, stalwart powerhouse of a person, with a flirty twitch of her hips when she did Zumba. In her eighties.
Our island is full of people like Pat, people who volunteer, learn new skills, adapt during tricky times. Who look at what needs to be done and find a way to do it. People who help their neighbors, who start GoFundMe’s after fires; who drive fire trucks and ambulances; who pick up trash along our roadsides, serve on committees, and bring food for celebrations and funerals.
By Catherine Demchur-Merry
Are you annoyed by how much time you spend being frustrated by technology in your daily life? Promises of simpler, faster, and more-convenient user experiences have not been realized and instead have resulted in an economy where companies infringe on our time and attention, charge fees, collect data, change our behavior, and monetize our time. This is called the annoyance economy.
By Dylan Purington
“That’s a lot of fish, boys!” Conover’s voice has a way of emanating from his core and is unmistakable. More so when he is excited. He sounded excited. I think he loves doing a good job and people appreciate that. I blinked groggily and peered through the trees. I am somewhere unusual for me in this early AM, around 5:30, dog-sitting for some summer folk and letting the elderly dog out for a morning ‘waz.’
By Amy Mulnix
Your dinner guests have headed home, and you are staring down a kitchen that looks like a nor’easter passed through. But before you begin any clean-up, I officially grant you a scientific hall pass. Put down the sponge, go to bed, and wash your brain instead.
For over 150 years, science assumed the brain cleared its waste passively, letting it leak into the bloodstream. But about 15 years ago, researchers discovered a plumbing network called the glymphatic system, which relies on specialized cells working in conjunction with pulsating blood vessels to actively pump out the metabolic gunk that accumulates during the day. This is the difference between letting your dishes soak overnight and running them through the dishwasher. A recent flurry of research publications demonstrates the role that glymph plays in cognitive health, including in cases of Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury, depression, and chemo brain.
Did you know the scourge of mosquitoes, blackflies, horseflies and any still lingering brown-tailed moths plaguing Islesboro come from the mainland United States? That’s right, none of these horrid creatures belong on Our Pristine Island!
It is way past time to take a stand and send these aliens back to where they came from!
Many of you may have heard whispered rumors that an astounding game-changing cutting-edge project regarding these aliens may be afoot, and we are here to tell you the truth: is it true! Once-secret plans are already being put into action to build a massive-beautiful-300-foot-tall wind turbine at the tip of Turtle Head to blow this scourge of alien insects back to where they came from!
By Eva Murray
On my island, which you can maybe see if you stand on a ladder, and where there are fifteen or twenty neighbors most of the winter, we have this ridiculous habit of trying to shoehorn a whole year’s social activity into two months. Perhaps you do that as well. We are just about squarely in the middle of the season, as I write, and I’m not sure I have the energy for another half a summer.
By Sandy Oliver
Abnormally Dry:
Our drought condition has improved from ‘moderate drought’ to ‘abnormally dry’, even though at this house there are large patches of brown grass and clusters of blackberries that are still green and very tiny. I water little veg transplants steadily until they take hold and are able to endure a day of sun without wilting. Now one soaker hose winds through the corn patch and another supplies tomatoes in the hoop house.
Normal rainfall is about three to four inches per month this time of year, and we are apparently about two to three inches below that.
Postcard from Another Island
- Janis Petzel
I’m on a working trip to the Greek island of Lesbos – I know, poor me! – at a writing retreat in the seaside town of Skala Errosos. There are ferries that arrive to this island’s main city, Mitilini, from Turkey and mainland Greece, and two commercial airlines make limited morning and evening flights. Then it’s a two-hour drive to this beach town.
-Maggy Willcox
That was THE BEST article I have read about Islesboro Town Meeting; better by far than the sixteen I wrote myself. I haven’t gone back to look at Agatha’s and Brenda’s yet, but if my opinion changes, I’ll let you know…
-Sue Hatch
Waving
Time was that the only people who didn’t wave to each other as they passed, in cars or on foot, were ones who were put out with each other, for real or imagined reasons. Of course, there are always the missed waves, when one dropped their smoke in their lap, or the cell phone that they shouldn’t be on while driving!
Thank you for all the overwhelmingly positive feedback I have received on the last issue. I’m glad it was so appreciated. Many people have asked who created the masthead artwork. The short answer: ChatGPT. One keen-eyed reader pointed out that “that’s not our lighthouse”, and indeed, there are some differences if you look close enough. Ideally an actual human will work on it.
A big thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue. I was worried it would be hard to fill another 40 page issue in back-to-back months, but I was very wrong. Enjoy the summer, see you in August.
- Dan Tutor
LETTERSBy Doug Welldon
“We’re coming up a little short in the articles department this issue,” he said, not realizing it’s risky to start an Official Island Elder (OIE) thinking. The Islesboro Historical Society actually determined I was an OIE a couple of years ago at an Official evening event that has become the stuff of legend. Mostly because Apple received the coveted OIE recognition too, and brought down the house.
By Helen “Sunny” Ladd
The term “community” refers to a local setting in which individuals interact with other on a routine and substantive basis and where, over time, such interactions increase awareness of local issues and problems. Such interactions often lead to the development of focused actions to promote local well-being. That is, they lead to the building of community.
By Harry Tower
My mother, Francie Train, passed away earlier this year in her cozy farmhouse just above the fork on Main Road. If you happened to have read her obituary in the Island News, you’d know that she was just shy of 100 years old, and drifted off peacefully on a sunny February afternoon, her faithful dog at her side. By all accounts she had a good run: living a full life, traveling the world, but perhaps even more special to her, living out 99 summers (and a few winters) on this beloved island.
ISLAND VOICESContact Us
Questions? Comments? Letters to the Editor? We would love to hear from you. Drop us a line and we will get back to you in a day or two.
Sincerely,
Daniel Hatch Tutor
Editor/Publisher Islesboro Island News