The Working Waterfront

11/21/2025

This story is told by tribal citizens in a report published by the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission, released in audio format at an event on Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

For thousands of years, Wabanaki people were sustained by “sea run” fish that moved between rivers and the ocean. Fish evolved this migratory strategy to

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

Update: NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement is on-island Wednesday afternoon to remove the beached s***m whale's jaw. This is being done to prevent any theft of its teeth, which are illegal to take and possess. The Environmental Police will take the jaw off-island.

Photo by Kit Noble Photography

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

A c.1918 photo shows workers at the Mugridge Sail-Loft on 12 Water Street. From 1890 to 1917, the well-known maker of sails, tents, and awnings operated at 475 Main Street. The business was founded by Samuel T. Mugridge, and the Water Street building later burned down in 1955.

11/19/2025

PASSAMAQUODDY TIDAL POWER PROJECT, 1936! Photo from our collections that shows a dam being constructed between Treat and Dudley islands as part of the Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Proejct. Photo was taken on July 6, 1936. Treat and Dudley islands lie between Lubec and Eastport, Maine. That's Campobello Island, New Brunswick in the background.

11/18/2025

11/18/2025

Cushing's clever—and patient—strategy for expanding waterfront access.

Longtime fisherman Danny Staples has his own wharf on Pleasant Point Gut in Cushing, where he and several others can access the water, land lobster and do

11/14/2025

The town is in the early stages of an ambitious plan to buy two waterfront parcels that would eventually become a public launch for commercial and recreational boaters.

Longtime fisherman Danny Staples has his own wharf on Pleasant Point Gut in Cushing, where he and several others can access the water, land lobster and do

11/03/2025

To help individuals and families who might need more assistance during the pause to SNAP benefits, Maine Seacoast Mission will offer a daily meal of soup and bread at its food pantry at 6 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield. The “Soup’s On!” initiative will run every Tuesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from Tuesday, November 4 until Friday, December 19 or until benefits begin again.

Roughly 40% of patrons visiting the Mission’s food pantry receive SNAP benefits. In addition to 1 in 5 people receiving SNAP in Washington County, 1 in 4 people above the SNAP income limit still face food insecurity. The Mission understands that many neighbors rely on SNAP and other benefits to meet their basic needs. Pantry visitors often speak of having to choose between necessities, bills, and food.

Mission President John Zavodny said, “We are closely following the news about the disruption of SNAP benefits and what it means for the communities we serve. Having a hot lunch with friends and neighbors is a way the Mission can build community and take the edge off acute hunger for a while.” Zavodny continued, “More importantly though, the Mission is committed to making sure that there is food on our food pantry shelves as the food security and economic challenges continue to mount.”

The pantry has seen an increase in patrons with 547 new households coming to the pantry last year. A monthly average of 300 people come to the pantry for support, and an additional increase in return monthly visits by existing households. Due to the pause in SNAP benefits in addition to other recent cuts to TEFAP programs, the Mission’s food pantry is serving more people with fewer resources.

If you would like to donate to the Mission’s food pantry, you can make monetary donations at https://seacoastmission.org/donate/ or donate foodstuffs in-person at 6 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield.

Rooted in a history of compassionate service and mutual trust, Maine Seacoast Mission seeks to strengthen coastal and island communities by educating youth, supporting families, and promoting good health. For more information, please visit https://seacoastmission.org/

Maine Seacoast Mission has been a trusted friend on Maine islands and along the Downeast coast for more than 100 years.