Adopting Atlantic Standard Time during the summer would make those precious days an hour longer.

Have you ever lamented the fact that by the time we get to August in Maine, those lovely summer days are getting shorter and shorter?

Today, the sun set in Portland at 8:11 p.m.; by mid-August, it will be setting before 8. For those who love long summer evenings, ideal for all sorts of activities from boating to porch-sitting, the sun's relatively early departure is a problem. It just isn't "the way life should be."

There is a solution -- just go to Nova Scotia. My wife and I spent last week there. In Nova Scotia, the sun sets more than an hour later than in Maine because Nova Scotia is in a different time zone.

One night we had a lovely dinner on the outside patio of a restaurant, enjoying the light that was still strong as we left the restaurant about 10 o'clock.

NOVA SCOTIA: THE WAY MAINE WAS

Nova Scotia has a delightful coastline that is much like Maine's, with lots of small coves, bays and inlets. Much of the water is sheltered, as it is on our coast.

To be sure, the province's coastline has a starker look about it. It has spruce, but it doesn't seem to be as dense or to grow right to the granite ledge as it often does in Maine. The homes tend to be simpler and less adorned. Overall, the effect is a bit like Maine 60 years ago – but with more light at the end of the day.

The people are friendly and welcoming. They invariably say hello, and most are willing to provide information if asked.

We happen to be fans of Maine singer Dave Mallett. Dave's family is from a small town near Digby, Nova Scotia. At his concerts, Dave often tells the story of taking his father back to Digby after 50 years, walking into the town convenience store and having the clerk greet him by name.

We decided we would try to find that same convenience store. Even though Dave wrote the song more than 20 years ago, we found the convenience store without much difficulty. There was only one.

A nice young woman greeted us and listened to our tale of the veteran Maine folk singer with Digby roots. She called over an older lady, who beamed with recognition.

This lady knew the story of the fellow in Maine who made records and whose family was from Digby. In fact, she directed us to a house across the road where she said some of Dave's father's relatives lived.

My wife and I walked over somewhat tentatively. However, as we walked up the driveway, an older gentleman came out to greet us. Smiling warmly, he seemed to know why we were there. We suspected the lady from the store may have called.

This gentleman told us that he wasn't really related to the Malletts, but he certainly knew them and remembered Dave. We went on our way feeling good we had stopped.

BOOSTING THE TOURISM ECONOMY

We returned with a new appreciation for Nova Scotia and its people. Our experiences there got us thinking perhaps there was a way to bring Nova Scotia to Maine, so to speak. The answer is deceptively simple: Maine should adopt the Maritime Standard time zone during our peak summer months of June, July and August.

Adopting the same time zone as Nova Scotia would be welcomed by all who lament the fading light of August. It would be a boon to our state's summer tourism business. It would also be distinctive. Maine would be the only U.S. state with its own time zone for the summer. Obviously, we would call this "Maine Summer Time."

What could be holding us back? Surely not the issue of businesses being on a different time zone from the rest of the United States. Most businesses need to be able to deal with multiple time zones routinely.

Worried about morning light for schoolchildren? As long as we limit Maine Summer Time to June, July and August – no problem.

I feel certain this has the potential to be a hot issue in the fall elections. Be sure to ask candidates for the Legislature where they stand on Maine Summer Time. The only real problem I see in this proposal is that it may be tough on Nova Scotia's tourist business.