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Maine’s scenic Vinalhaven Island by ferry and bike

By WTOP Staff

BETH J. HARPAZ
Associated Press

VINALHAVEN ISLAND, Maine (AP) — Take a ferry to picturesque Vinalhaven Island in Penobscot Bay off the Maine coast for great biking, good food, beautiful coastal scenery and a few surprises: the eye-catching home of a famous artist, a connection to the beloved children’s book “Goodnight Moon” and old granite quarries now used as quiet swimming spots.

FAMOUS FOLKS AND ISLAND HISTORY

The scenic ferry ride from Rockland on the mainland takes 75 minutes and drops you off on Vinalhaven, about a 10-minute walk from the downtown area. Walking along Main Street, you can’t help but notice a large Victorian home with gabled, arched windows and four massive American flags with undulating stripes painted on the exterior. This is the home of renowned pop artist Robert Indiana.

But he’s not Vinalhaven’s only claim to fame. Margaret Wise Brown, author of “Goodnight Moon,” ”The Runaway Bunny” and other children’s classics, had a summer home on Vinalhaven that she called “The Only House” because at night, she couldn’t see any other lights. There was no plumbing, no electricity and no road in; she brought guests to the house in a rowboat and kept white wine chilling in a well.

Brown died in 1952 and “The Only House” property is not open to the public, but the Vinalhaven Historical Society maintains a small exhibit about her. And if you ask at the desk, the staff generously offers additional articles about Brown’s life and times here. The Historical Society, at 41 High St., is walking distance from the ferry and houses many other artifacts and displays about island history. The society opens June 16 for the season, Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free admission, donations welcome, http://www.vinalhavenhistoricalsociety.org .

THE GRANITE LEGACY

Vinalhaven was named for an attorney, John Vinal, who represented land claims for island settlers in the late 1700s. A large granite industry developed on the island in the early 19th century and for 100 years provided high-quality stone for monuments, bridges, buildings and city streets around the country, including for Civil War forts, the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Washington Monument and New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

The industry died out as granite was replaced by steel and concrete, but don’t miss the fantastic granite urns and other carved, polished stones adorning gravesites at John Carver Cemetery overlooking Carver’s Pond, a short distance from the historical society.

Touring the island by bike or motorcycle is a nice way to experience the magic that captivated Margaret Wise Brown. You’ll find quiet coves framed by evergreens and rocky shores for beachcombing. The ocean water is chilly, but plan a dip in one of the old granite quarries, which now serve as irresistible freshwater swimming spots.

Vinalhaven was in the news a few years ago when three tall windmills were installed to provide low-cost electricity; some locals complained about the whoosh-whoosh sound disturbing the island’s peace and quiet. You can glimpse the turbines from the ferry but you won’t see or hear them from Main Street; they’re about 5 miles (8 kilometers) away.

GETTING THERE, GETTING AROUND AND GETTING FED

Ferries for the 15-mile (24-kilometer) trip between Rockland and Vinalhaven depart six times daily from either side between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ($17.50 round-trip), http://www.maine.gov/mdot/msfs/vinalhaven.htm . Each ferry carries 16 cars but getting a spot for a vehicle is complicated — details at http://www.vinalhaven.org/getting-here . If you’re not bringing your car onboard, you must park it in Rockland; don’t panic if the main lot appears full as there are other reasonably priced options nearby.

Day trips to the island are doable if you take an early ferry over and the last one back, but overnights are better — especially if you want to try some of the island’s good food. For a spectacular dinner, try The Haven on Main Street, where menu standouts have included sweet potato soup with mango, a smoked fish plate, salmon with beet dressing and blackberry crisp. For a hearty breakfast with a great view of the harbor, try Surfside.

If you don’t have a bike to bring on the boat, you can rent one at Sidecountry Sports in Rockland. Or rent one on Vinalhaven at the Tidewater Motel, which offers bikes free to guests. The Tidewater also rents kayaks, canoes and cars.

Rooms at the Tidewater are $175-$199 through Labor Day; http://tidewatermotel.com/. You’ll get excellent advice at the motel about everything on Vinalhaven, from where to bike to where to eat. And though the bikes lying around the motel’s yard are a bit beat up, they’ll get you to the quarry for a swim.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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