This is the second of a three-part series recollecting the look and feel of Portland in the 1960s, '70s and '80s by a Maine writer who spent his youth there.

In the 1970s, Portland grew up.

Out of my sight on the west side of the island, truly heroic efforts by dozens of area firemen, the Coast Guard and state forest rangers had achieved what had seemed impossible.

"One of the challenges we have is upper floor occupation, second and third floors of some of the larger buildings."
–Gordon Page

A hard-shell lobster cooked in this manner is just as dry and chewy as it sounds.

Four years ago, having just moved to my new home in Lubec, I went to work immediately on a vision I had nurtured for some time: Let’s stage a marathon here.

If Maine is to grow its economy and provide opportunity for innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly for those under the age of 40, we must understand Portland beyond definitions of city and geography...

Maybe it is a Maine thing, or an island thing, or just not a Connecticut thing, because I was definitely deprived of this creative outlet as a child.

Margaret Wise Brown, author of such children's classics as Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny and The Little Island, had a deep love for Vinalhaven.

Broadband could help attract new families that might be able to start new businesses or telework from the island.