Islander launched in turbulent times
But thanks to an entrepreneurial leap of faith a decade earlier, Mount Desert Island still had a newspaper that has continued to thrive and is now entering into its third decade.
Articles by: Earl Brechlin
Earl Brechlin
Editor at Mount Desert Islander
Former Islander editor Earl Brechlin first discovered Mount Desert Island 35 years ago and never left. The author of seven guide and casual history books, he is a Registered Maine Guide and has served as president of the Maine and New England Press Associations. He and his wife live in Bar Harbor.
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Toboggan Run: A holiday story to read to your children
By Earl Brechlin Illustration by Nadine Gilliland Easton tugged hard on the rope as he wrestled to get his toboggan to the top of Molehill Mountain. The snow was hard and icy. It had been packed down by dozens of kids, all rushing to get in a few more rides before dark. At the top he laid flat on the thin pad and gave a mighty push. Bouncing and skidding down …
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For Love And An Old John Deere
A Christmas Story to Read to Your Children By Earl Brechlin Poking around in the back of Wilmot Dow’s slightly tilting barn at Neverdun Farm, little Suzie stopped when she saw something, something big, something she hadn’t noticed before, way in the back, behind stacks and stacks of hay bales. She stopped as she let …
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The spirit of snowshoes past: A Christmas story to read to children
Shuffling along the lane, her fancy new snowshoes leaving a distinctive pattern in the new-fallen snow, Lucy headed towards the warm yellow glow coming from the window in her grandfather’s ramshackle workshop at the edge of the harbor. Surrounded by stacks of fishing gear, and an old set of wooden oars half buried in snowdrifts, …
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The wisdom of Ookpik: A Christmas story to read to your children
Ookpik glided silently over the quiet fishing village, unblinking eyes drawn to the warm glow streaming from windows in the tiny buildings far below. A thick, white coat of feathers, freckled with hints of brown, held back a night so cold that even the brightest stars refused to twinkle. The Milky Way arced across the …
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Cruise season hits high gear
BAR HARBOR — This year’s cruise ship season may be more than half over as far as the calendar is concerned. But it really is just getting started. A total of 92 visits are still scheduled between now and Nov. 1 out of the 171 originally scheduled. That compares to last year when 120 visits …
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All the ‘Worlds’ race for IOD championship
MOUNT DESERT — Sailors from International One Design (IOD) sailboat fleets from around the world have assembled on Mount Desert Island this week for the World Championships hosted by the Northeast Harbor Fleet. The World Championships got underway Sunday afternoon with a practice race and welcome reception. Races were held on Monday and Tuesday, and …
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Historic, high-end houses hit market
MOUNT DESERT — Several of the most desirable ocean-front, luxury properties on Mount Desert Island have been placed on the market in the last month or so. Ranging in price from $6.2 to $19 million, some, if sold for the asking prices, will set new records for the most expensive residences in Maine. At the …
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Cruise ship moratorium finds favor
TREMONT — Moving to preempt the cruise ship industry from bringing passengers ashore at Bass Harbor, Tremont selectmen Monday voted unanimously to call a special town meeting to consider a moratorium on such maritime uses. Several members of the public addressed the board, urging the town to take action in the wake of a similar …
