BAR HARBOR — Tori Minutolo of Bar Harbor watched helplessly as scenes of devastation splashed across the media following Japan’s recent earthquake and tsunami. Frightening images of flooded cars and burning buildings originated in Rikuzentakata, the coastal home of Minutolo’s sister-in-law, Satomi Hamblen.

TRENTON — Concerned about the disappearance of some elementary school athletic teams, the Mount Desert Island Regional School System Board is discussing the possibility of an islandwide amalgamation of grammar-school athletic teams.

BAR HARBOR — Girls’ softball coach Jeff Chamberlain has led teams from both the Conners-Emerson school and the Acadian Little League to championships this year. Now, he hopes to be part of the formation of an islandwide softball dynasty.

BAR HARBOR — Nearly 80 lobsters are scheduled to race in the annual Mount Desert Island YMCA lobster races on Monday, July 4, at the Bar Harbor athletic field, immediately following the parade which begins at 10 a.m.

MARBLEHEAD, Mass. — Nineteen-year-old sailor Solomon Krevans of Bar Harbor became one of the youngest ever skippers (with the youngest ever crew) to compete in the renowned International One Design Worlds competition in Marblehead, Mass. June 11 through 17.

TREMONT — With the engines revved to the max, lobster boats emerged out of the mist early Sunday morning for the first annual Bass Harbor lobster boat races. As the fog burned off, the Charles Bradley, a large barge that served as the finish line, and a string of idling lobster boats packed full with people dangling their feet into the water, sitting on coolers and makeshift couches came into view.

MOUNT DESERT — Dodging scattered showers, Mount Desert Island’s top-flight golfers did their best to knock defending champion Brent Barker off his game on Sunday at the Northeast Harbor Golf Club. Attempts to dethrone Barker were unsuccessful however – he won the annual island championship by 10 strokes.

BAR HARBOR — Steadying herself, Else Bannerman raises her sister Ellie into the air atop a 1,400-pound, moving horse. They smile. Together, Else and Ellie look like they weigh less than one hoof of the gallivanting Babe, a draft horse who trotted in a circle during a recent practice of the Mount Desert Island vaulting team.

BAR HARBOR — Mount Desert Island’s best golfers strode onto the Kebo Valley Golf Course on June 18 for the second round of the three-day MDI Championship tournament. Defending champion Brent Barker is currently atop the leader board.

TREMONT — The launch of Bass Harbor’s first annual lobster boat race is set for Sunday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m. For the first time in 50 years, Mount Desert Island lobstermen will have a home court for their races. Wayne Rich, a lobsterman out of Bass Harbor, has decided to organize the event to coincide with Bass Harbor’s third annual blessing of the fleet.