Tag Archives: Stonington
In a small marine community in Maine, Lobsters Are Keeping Students in School
Three hours from Portland, Maine, and two hours from the state capital of Augusta, picturesque Deer Isle has two towns on it (Deer Isle and Stonington), a combined year-round population of about 2,500 people, and not a single fast-food chain—or any chain store for that matter. Those who live beyond the narrow, turquoise suspension bridge connecting Deer Isle to the mainland are called PFAs (“people from away”), even if they work or attend school on the island. At the southern end of the predominantly middle-class, overwhelmingly white island lies a small but bustling harbor. In 2015, Stonington port brought in $63.8 million worth of lobster, landing it the title of Maine’s no. 1 commercial fishing port. The influence of maritime culture is evident at every turn: The local convenience store opens at 3:30 a.m. in the summers to accommodate early-to-rise fishermen.,,But getting young people to stay in school is another story. At the island’s only high school, Deer Isle-Stonington High School (DISHS), there has been a sense among some students that school is just standing in the way of going off and making money, and some of their parents see school as basically a lousy babysitter. Read the story here 14:38
At annual Stonington blessing, fishermen add one more to ranks of those who have died at sea
When Peggy Krupinski used to attend the Blessing of the Fleet each year, her husband Walter was always with her. This year, she came alone. Helped on both sides on Sunday by the family members of men who lost their lives on fishing boats, Krupinski held an anchor-shaped wreath of red flowers over Stonington Harbor. Standing behind her on the fishing boat Neptune, The Most Rev. Michael Cote, bishop of Norwich, read a prayer. “O God, who alone know the depth of the oceans and the destiny of souls, we commit to your care those who never returned from the sea.” Krupinski let the wreath drop into the harbor. “Give them pardon and peace with you, and grant that we may see them again.” And with that, Walter Krupinski — known as “Wally” — was added to the list of Stonington fishermen who have died at sea. Read the rest here 11:06
Stonington: Bureaucracy claims another victim – After more than a century, Wilcox Marine closing down
STONINGTON — Jeff Wilcox can remember when there were 50 commercial fishing draggers in Stonington Harbor. Now there are only two, said the owner of Wilcox Marine Supply Inc. As the fishing industry has declined — due to overly stringent federal regulations, fishermen say — Wilcox’s customer base has shriveled. And now, he says he has to close the doors of his longtime family-owned business. more@westerlysun 19:15
