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The community stagnates without the impulse of the individual. |
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Cliff Island |
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In the northeast corner of the US lies an area of islands with small communities. These quiet places have recently been discovered, however, and they are no longer the quiet havens they once were. Throngs of tourists, willing to brave warm weather and a vacation day or two, abscond upon the otherwise tranquil domains until nothing remains but a distaste for the newcomers. Cliff Island is one of those places but the year round people, along with the summer families that have been coming here for generations, are the heart that creates the pulse of the community. Without them, this place would soon become a mirror image of the places tourists seek to escape. In a world where change is a guaranteed constant this steadfast community clings to tradition and values, as it cautiously embraces the changes it must accept, to ensure that the island will remain much as it has always been for its future generations.
Cliff Island is not a resort. There are no hotels or B&Bs. There are no gift shops. There are no public restrooms. All land, including the beaches, is privately owned with the exception of the schoolyard and firebarn, in the middle of the island, and the dirt roads. Grass roads are private. There is a small, year round grocery store, which also supplies the island's fuel, and a sandwich shop open during the summer only. The island boasts a full service Post Office, one residents labored long and hard, with and against the USPS, to retain when the previous postmaster retired and the building was no longer available to be used as such. The islanders raised enough money to renovate the ground level cellar of The Cliff Island Association Hall (see picture below) to meet the required specs. Then they successfully petitioned the USPS to provide a postmaster, rather than a postal clerk. This effort was no small feat given the history of closings of smaller post offices across the US. If you'd like to help out an island Post Office, buy your stamps from one - either in person or by mail.
One of fourteen Maine islands with year round communities, Cliff has one of the last remaining one room schools in the country. Cliff Island School Enrollment is low compared to a mainland school. One teacher is responsible for the basic curriculum for all grades, K-5, every day. After grade 5, the students commute by ferry to the mainland for middle and high school. The ferry leaves the island at 6:15 a.m. and most students get home by 4:00 p.m. Those that stay late at school ride the next boat with the islanders who work on the mainland. This boat arrives at the island shortly after 7:00 p.m. It's a long day - and there are only four boats a day in the winter. In the summer there are five.
There is a volunteer fire and rescue service, which works under the aegis of the Portland Fire Department. It has 3 fire trucks, one ambulance, one pickup truck, and one Mule. The pickup and Mule carry portable pumps. The island also has a field large enough for a Life Flight helicopter to land if such an emergency ever arose. Transports are usually handled by the Portland Fire Boat or the Rescue boat.
Those that work on the island are predominantly employed (often self) as fishermen and carpenters/plumbers/builders. Business opportunities are limited, but the small scale of things prevents the island from becoming overly populated and built up. Conservation easements are quite popular here, ensuring that many undeveloped tracts of land will remain in their natural state in perpetuity.
While there are some cars and trucks on the island, more and more people favor the golfcart which is smaller, quieter, and more fuel efficient. Their use on the roads of Peaks Island, Great Diamond Island, and Cliff Island was made legal by a special law a number of years ago. Islanders who cannot be here year round can keep up with current events by checking Bob's website www.cliffisland.com which is the official Cliff Island website. They can also sign up to be on the e-mail list for the latest news. The website has been in existence for a number of years, long before most people even knew what the Internet was, and Bob has maintained it on his own out of the great community spirit that places like this are heir to.
A few things to keep in mind if you do visit the island... Cliff Island has a leash law. If you must bring your dog you are expected to keep it leashed and clean up after it. There are no public restrooms, nor any receptacles for soiled disposable diapers. Fire is always a danger, but especially so this year after the lack of rain. No open fires are allowed on the island without a written permit from the fire chief. And if you absolutely insist on smoking, please be sure that all butts and ashes are fully extinguished. No littering. Cliff Island prides itself on being virtually litter free, due to the efforts of caring, considerate people. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. All land is privately owned, including the beaches, with the exception of the dirt (not grass) roads and schoolyard. Please respect all PRIVATE signs. Some beach owners do not mind if you walk or sit on their beach(es), provided you do not cross their lawns to access them. And please, do NOT picnic in people's yards. We don't mean to sound uninviting but the island is important to us. Enjoy it, with courtesy, but please leave it as you found it. Thanks!
Maquoit II photo copyright ©
2000 by Betti Rich Jump photo copyright © 1998 by
John Hoagland Bluff photo copyright © 1999 by
Peter Schenk All other photos copyright ©
1998, 1999, 2000 by Shane Pitkin Barden
Background tune: Hero's Dream - Jim Brickman
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website design and written material © 1997-2004 by Shane Pitkin Barden |
