N MAGAZINE July 2023

EXQUISITE CUSTOM, COMPLETELY RENOVATED HOME

An additional 14,781 sq. ft. lot is available for $3,500,000 CISCO | $11,985,000

5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Bathrooms

SWEEPING OCEAN VIEWS MADAKET | $4,550,000

4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

PRIVACY AND CONVENIENCE MADAKET | $2,995,000

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms

EXCLUSIVELY SHOWCASED BY

Founded in 1945, Allied Marine is one of the largest yacht brokerage and yacht charter companies in the world. Exclusive dealer for new Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Riva and Itama and authorized dealer for CRN and Custom Line yachts. Allied Marine is a global leader in both preowned and new yacht sales. FY860

Composing a melody in which the notes of each individual instrument are beautifully orchestrated, Ferretti Yachts gears up to bring a new symphony to life: Ferretti Yachts 860. The flybridge yacht created by the Cattolica-based Shipyard features cutting-edge design and technology solutions, where the stylistic and architectural elements work together in harmony right down to the tiniest detail.

Worldwide Awards & Recognition

Our reputation as a leader in luxury is unrivaled. Global industry experts at Luxury Lifestyle Awards have named William Raveis among the elite Top 100 Real Estate Brokers and Developers of the World for 2022. Everywhere, from Nice to Naples, Greenwich to Greece, people recognize our luxury brand and luxury personal service from agents who deliver best-in-class experiences.

Voted #1 Luxury Broker by Luxury Portfolio International®, our global reach connects us to the widest audience of high-net-worth buyers across the world. Our partnership with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® gives agents access to an international network of nearly 140,000 real estate professionals and over 550 luxury brokerages across 70 countries.

Please call for a confidential consultation. We’d love to talk with you.

photo by Mike Ledford

THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO FLY.

It is flying that is an extension of what you value not an interruption of it. Less harrowing than flying commercial. More intimate than flying private. IT’S FLYING PERSONAL. And once you’ve done it, you’ll never want to fly any other way.

SCHEDULED SERVICE TO NANTUCKET FROM THE NEW YORK AREA.

Craft your dream

10 Tarpon Isle, Palm Beach

Once in a lifetime Legacy Estate – One-of-a-Kind Private Island with 360 degrees of water views and privacy. This spectacular estate is the Only Private Island on all of Palm Beach. Stunning brand new estate with reimagined spa and guest house. Developed by Todd Michael Glaser. With 28,618 total square feet, this estate is situated on a 2.2+ acre Private Island. Highlights include 11BR/15.7BA, 5 car garage, 98’ south facing pool with spa and cold plunge. Fantastic indoor spa with massage room, hair salon, steam room, and sauna. Clay tennis court features viewing pavilion. Exclusive Offering | www.10Tarpon.com

C 561.629.3015

T 561.659.6551

E cjangle@anglerealestate.com

www.AngleRealEstate.com

179 Bradley Place, Palm Beach, Florida 33480

INTERIORS

Gresham's collegiate studies coupled with her on-the-go lifestyle directly inspire her own jewelry collections today. After ten years of learning and studying jewelry design, materials, techniques and trends Gresham is debuting her first bespoke jewelry line featuring pieces brought to life from her sketchbook and directly inspired by her Italian studies and travels. Look closely and you’ll see ornamental details in each design that reflect artistic and architectural themes born in the Italian Renaissance.

"Our Perla Studs embody the heart of this collection - elegant design with every day wearability comprised of classic materials: gold & pearls"

"Color irrevocably enveloped all of Italian Renaissance art and craft. From stained glass windows and tempura paintings to lavish fabrics and royal ornaments bejeweled with exotic gemstones, color was a primary factor of expression and beauty"

We’re celebrating our 22nd anniversary. Let us reintroduce ourselves.

We are locally owned with two offices, both on the island.

We are consistently a leader in the Nantucket real estate market. Over $894 million in sales in the last two years. In 2022, we sold 27% of all listings on the island.

We have a proven track record of success that spans more than two decades. Our commitment to our clients has made us one of the top referral-led businesses.

We donate our money and our time. We are youth sports coaches, board members, treasurers, teachers, and protectors of 4legged creatures.

We offer accountability and personal service second to none.

Most importantly, our team of 31 agents call Nantucket home. We look forward to helping you Find Your Nantucket.

CONTRIBUTORS

Meet the talented group of writers and photographers who helped make this issue possible.

NUMBERS

A numerical snapshot of Nantucket this summer.

NTOPTEN

All the places you need to be this July.

NGREDIENTS

Susan Simon pulls a recipe from her latest cookbook just in time for your summer cookout.

Beauty and the Beach

NECESSITIES

Put these items on your summer wish list.

KID’N AROUND

How to keep your kiddos entertained this July.

NEAT STUFF

Fairwinds has strengthened the community’s mental health safety net.

HEALTH N WELLNESS

Jesse Cale brings sound therapy to the newly opened health and wellness space MAST Nantucket.

NTERIORS

A look inside another island paradise.

NBUZZ

All the news, tidbits and scuttlebutt that’s fit to print courtesy of the Nantucket Current

HIM

SHIRT AND PANTS: 120% LINO

HER

SET: BEAU AND RO

EARRINGS: BEAU AND RO

CLUTCH: MURRAY'S TOGGERY SHOP

BRACELETS (shown left): 120% LINO

NECKLACE WORN

AS BRACELET (shown right): ICARUS & CO.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Bruce A. Percelay

EDITOR

Robert Cocuzzo

ART DIRECTOR

Paulette Chevalier

MANAGING EDITOR

Emme Duncan

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kit Noble

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

Brian Sager

SENIOR WRITER

Jason Graziadei

CONTRIBUTORS

Tim Ehrenberg

Mary Bergman

Josh Gray

Larry Lindner

Wendy Rouillard

PHOTOGRAPHER

Rob Cardillo

Mark Crosby

Bill Hoenk

Sumner Howells

David McIntyre

Michaela Pramuka

Mallory Renee DIRECTOR

Emme Duncan

VOTE A for SUMMER

There is no escaping the world of politics on Nantucket as many candidates realize that the island is fertile ground for fundraising. Now begins the early stage of presidential campaign season, which will start to draw hopefuls to the island and will be in full force next year.

Featured on the cover of our July issue is Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who became the first woman elected to the state’s top office when she was sworn in this January. Governor Healey has won early praise for her practical approach to governing. Since she is newly elected and does not have to worry about mounting a campaign, Healey is able to focus on matters of the day, including those that impact Nantucket.

In another feature covering the political world, N Magazine interviewed Phil Mattingly who just this month was elevated from CNN’s chief White House correspondent to anchor of the network’s morning show. Mattingly gives us his observations about President Biden, whom he has covered directly, as well as his insights into the deep partisan divide in the country. Mattingly’s family has a summer home on the island, and he finds himself a part of the large media contingent on Nantucket.

Seeing Nantucket from a different perspective is the theme of our story about internationally renowned photographer Stephen Wilkes , whose striking images of the island, specifically a limited edition print of Brant Point, have become highly sought-after works of art. Wilkes’ painstaking method of capturing all the events of a single day in a single image reveal Nantucket’s most iconic landmark like you’ve

never seen it before.

Speaking of a different perspective on the island, there is more to Nantucket than meets the eye, quite literally. N Magazine digs deeply into a growing trend of homeowners going down under to expand their homes. As real estate values have risen on the island, people are beginning to discover the value of creating extraordinary spaces underground, which we have depicted in our story about subterranean residential amenities. Going above ground, N Magazine features a horticultural rock star named Wambui Ippolito, whose clients range from Martha Stewart to David Letterman. For an island obsessed with gardens and landscapes, Ippolito’s words of wisdom and her upcoming appearance at the Nantucket Historical Association’s Nantucket by Design should blossom with interest.

BRUCE A. PERCELAY Publisher

In these divided times, the Fourth of July should serve as an important reminder as to the gifts of our democracy and how fragile it truly is. We need to cherish our freedoms but not take them for granted. Enjoy a wonderful Independence Day and a great month on the island.

Publisher

Mary BERGMAN

Mary Bergman is a writer and historian living on Nantucket. Her work has appeared in Literary Hub , The Common and Provincetown Arts . She is a regular contributor to WCAI’s A Cape Cod Notebook , a place-based radio essay program. Originally from Provincetown, Massachusetts, Mary is dedicated to documenting the unique people and places of the Cape and Islands in her work. She is working on an essay collection and novel informed by her growing up at the tip of Cape Cod. Currently, she serves as the executive director of the Nantucket Preservation Trust.

Larry Lindner is a New York Times bestselling writer who also penned a nationally syndicated column for The Washington Post for several years. His work has appeared in publications ranging from The Los Angeles Times to The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler and O, the Oprah Magazine. Currently, he serves as executive editor of Your Dog and Catnip, monthlies put out by Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

David MCINTYRE

David McIntyre is a Scottish-born photographer, filmmaker and artist residing in upstate New York. He began his career as a photojournalist and has since worked extensively in portraiture and fashion photography. His photographs have been featured in some of the world’s most prestigious publications, including Teen Vogue, Vogue Pelle, Elle, Marie Claire, The Guardian and The Sunday Observer. McIntyre’ s portfolio includes portraits of a diverse range of musicians, such as Björk, U2 and Biggie Smalls. He is also the founder and publisher of the two-time Webby award-winning magazine ZOOZOOM. McIntyre’ s photographs have been exhibited in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, and featured in books including U2 by U2, As Seen in BLITZ: Fashioning ’80s Style, and The Colour of Fashion. He also published a children’s book, The Cyber Claus, in 2013.

N UMBERS

$300

1,224

Teams participated in the fourth annual Nantucket Litter Derby this spring. 30

47

Years the Languedoc Bistro has been in business.

26.8 Million $

Sale price of a property on Nonantum Avenue this spring, thought to be the largest ever on the South Shore.

Turbines are slated to be built 14 miles southeast of Nantucket by Vineyard Wind.

Boats sailed in this year’s 52nd Figawi race.

New keeper limit for stripers enacted by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries in an emergency recreational regulation.

Votes Allen Reinhard received in landslide reelection bid to Land Bank Commission.

Year Libby Gibson’s contract has been extended to as town manager.

Price asked by a shoplifter who tried to sell a Louis Vuitton wallet back to The Rainbow Fleet—the thrift store she stole it from.

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4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths | Garage

Newly renovated four-bedroom, three and one-half bath home with deeded access to a beautiful harbor beach. The open floor plan includes the living room with gas fireplace, dining room, beautifully designed kitchen, sunroom, half bath, and primary suite with large walk-in closet. Three additional second floor guest bedrooms. The third-floor office or sitting area provides easy access to the widows walk. A separate one-car garage and space for a future studio.

OCEAN VIEWS | 5 OSPREY WAY | CISCO | $3,650,000

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths

Beach houses are among the most coveted in the world, especially on Nantucket. Cisco is a highly sought after beach location that provides convenience to popular surf beaches, 167 Fish Market, Bartlett Farm, Miacomet Golf Course, bike paths and endless walking trails. This ideal summer getaway, with welcoming outdoor spaces, offers three bedrooms, two full baths, two detached sheds and potential for expansion.

kathy@maurypeople.com

c 508.560.0078

CHADWICK COURT | POLPIS | $4,995,000

Kathy Gallaher, BroKer

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NANTUCKET DANCE FESTIVAL

JULY 6-9

Immerse yourself in the beauty of dance at the Nantucket Dance Festival. This renowned event showcases captivating performances, workshops and educational initiatives by world-class dancers from renowned ballet companies. Support the Nantucket Dance Theater as it inspires a passion for movement and dance on the island. For more information and to make a donation, visit nantucketdancefestival.org.

BASH IN THE BOG IS BACK

JULY 8

The highly anticipated Bash in the Bog returns! Join the community for a fun-filled summer event supporting the Nantucket Conservation Foundation. Funds raised contribute to land upkeep, trail maintenance and scientific research. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the celebration and support conservation efforts. For more information, visit nantucketconservation.org/bash-in-the-bog.

NANTUCKET COMEDY FESTIVAL

JULY 13-15

Founded by Kevin Flynn in 2007, the Nantucket Comedy Festival brings top comedic talent to the island every summer. It serves as a major fundraiser for Stand Up & Learn, an island-based comedy education program benefiting Nantucket’s children. Experience laughter, community spirit and support for the island’s youth at this unforgettable festival, envisioning Nantucket as a community connected through the power of comedy. For more information and to sponsor a kid today, visit nantucketcomedy.com.

5 5

A SAFE PLACE EVENING WITH JACKSON KATZ

JULY 13 — 5-7:30 PM

Explore the crucial topics of domestic violence and gender issues at A Safe Place Evening with Jackson Katz. The esteemed author and educator will provide insights and expertise, fostering dialogue and raising awareness. Join this event to be part of the conversation that promotes understanding and positive change in our community. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit asafeplacenantucket.org/get-involved/fundraising/inspiring-change-anevening-with-jackson-katz.

A SUMMER GALA HONORING JOHN CARRUTHERS

JULY 15 — 5:30 PM

Great Harbor Yacht Club

The Artists Association of Nantucket Gala is an elegant affair celebrating the island’s artistic community and this year honors master printmaker John Carruthers. The event gathers artists, art enthusiasts and supporters to raise funds for the association’s initiatives. Expect a night of glamour, exquisite artwork and delightful conversation. For more information, visit nantucketarts.org/events/gala.

7 8

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA NANTUCKET

JULY 22

Jetties Beach

Experience the annual Swim Across America

Nantucket Open Water Swim! Dive into the beautiful waters of Jetties Beach to support cancer treatment and patient care on Nantucket. Since 2013, over $4.1 million has been raised for Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket and Mass General Cancer Center. Be part of this impactful event and make waves in the fight against cancer. For more information and to register or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR?fr_id=6474&pg=entry.

NANTUCKET GARDEN FESTIVAL

JULY 11-13

Discover the beauty and significance of sustainable gardening at the Nantucket Garden Festival. This annual event showcases the island’s unique garden ecosystems and promotes conservation and gardening ethics. Enjoy creative lectures, exquisite garden tours, workshops and children’s activities. Celebrate and support the long-term health of Nantucket’s gardens at this inspiring festival. For more information and registration, visit ackgardenfestival.org. 10

DISCOVER NANTUCKET’S MARITIME HERITAGE

JULY 14 — 5-7 PM

Explore Nantucket’s rich seafaring history at the Egan Maritime Institute’s A Night at the Museum. Engage with captivating exhibits, participate in maritime-themed activities and gain insights into the island’s past. Enjoy special museum tours, Pusser’s Rum tastings, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and exciting surprises. Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating Nantucket’s maritime heritage. To learn more, visit eganmaritime.org/news/save-the-date-anight-at-the-museum-july-14-2023.

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RAISING FUNDS FOR MENTAL HEALTH ON NANTUCKET

JULY 22 — 5:30-8 PM

Great Harbor Yacht Club

The annual fundraiser Dragonfly is dedicated to supporting mental health initiatives through NAMI CC&I and Fairwinds – Nantucket’s Counseling Center. Make a difference in the lives of those battling mental illness by attending this impactful event. To purchase a ticket, make a donation or preview the auction, visit namicapecod.org/Dragonfly-on-Nantucket.

The Stargazer Gala, organized by the Maria Mitchell Association, is an enchanting evening celebrating science, education and exploration. Experience a captivating evening, where guests will enjoy delightful food, dance to the melodies of Fleetwood Macked and stargaze with professional astronomers. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mariamitchell.org/the-stargazer-gala.

Think Big

Discover Artists Association of Nantucket’s newest gallery on Straight Wharf

photo: Barbara Clarke Photography

Susan Simon pulls a recipe from her latest book just in time for your Fourth of July cookout

WATERMELON SALAD, PICKLED CHERRY TOMATOES, FETA, BLACK OLIVES

Watermelon salads are frequent summertime salad options. This one gives a nod to the Eastern European custom of pickling melo n by pickling the tomatoes instead. I use mint instead of the usu al dill and add feta for saltiness, as well as Moroccan black oliv es, as a way of highlighting the other ingredients. For my salad, a ki nd of Pantone color chart of reds, I scoop out melon balls to imitate the cherry tomato shape.

TOMATOES

•

1 cup apple cider vinegar

•

SALAD

•

1 cup water

1 tablespoon flaky sea salt

1 tablespoon sugar

Peeled strips of zest from 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS

Combine the vinegar, water, salt, sugar, lemon zest, mint leaves and Aleppo pepper flakes in a large jar with a lid. Shake to incorporate the ingredients.

Use a toothpick to prick a few holes in each of the cherry tomatoes, then add them to the pickling liquid. Let the tomatoes stand for at least 2 days in a cool, dark place. Make the salad: Place the watermelon balls in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, olives, feta and drained cherry tomatoes. Toss to combine.

Serve right away or later. The salad will keep for up to 2 days, refrigerated, in a covered bowl.

•

•

2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish (optional)

Pinch of Aleppo pepper flakes

•

•

3 pounds seedless watermelon scooped into 1-inch balls or cut into chunks (3 to 4 cups)

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

¼ cup coarsely chopped cured Moroccan olives

• Serves 6

½ cup crumbled feta

I’ve been fascinated by pickled watermelons since my first food shopping trip out to Brighton Beach, situated alongside the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, in New York City’s borough of Brooklyn. Brighton Beach has a famously Russian Jewish population with more than a few markets—including a couple of huge supermarkets—that sell everything an Eastern European immigrant would desire. Most of the markets keep big barrels of pickled watermelon —whole pieces, not just the rinds, for sale.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID MCINTYRE

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GRAIN DE CAFÉ RING

Inspired by a coffee bean, Cartier’s latest jewelry collection is a testament to the Maison’s ethos of finding beauty in unexpected places. Influenced by pieces from the archives, the glamorous days on the French Riviera in the 1950s, and the iconic princess who originally wore it, the collection is absolute elegance with a modern twist.

CARTIER @cartier • cartier.com

WILDERTON’S BITTERSWEET APERITIVO

Spritz season is upon us and this better-for-you, zero-alcohol botanical spirit from Oregon-based distillery Wilderton is made for more mindful golden hour lounging. Blending grapefruit, orange blossom and aromatic herbs, it’s just what you need to create a delicious, booze-free cocktail this summer!

WILDERTON @wilderton_free wildertonfree.com

CABANA CHAIR IN CERULEAN STRIPE

Recalling the glamour of a Slim Aarons photograph while offering the ease of your favorite beach chair, every Nantucket home could use a couple of these beauties by its pool. And with 75+ fabrics to choose from, it’s never been easier to customize for your own style!

THE INSIDE BY HAVENLY @theinside theinside.com

DRIVING LOAFER

A classic driving loafer in a beautifully soft Italian suede and handmade in Portugal—we can’t think of a more perfect men’s shoe for those warm summer days behind the wheel or evenings spent al fresco.

INKERMAN @inkerman_nyc inkermannyc.com

NANTUCKET PRINT PAJAMAS

Made exclusively for Peachtree Kids by beloved children’s brand Sammy + Nat, these pjs are a must-have for all tiny island-lovers. And with sizes for baby, child and mom, family matching never looked better!

SAMMY + NAT FOR PEACHTREE KIDS

@peachtreekidsnantucket • peachtreekidsnantucket.com

HOT

ITEMS

FOR HIGH

SUMMER

NANTUCKET NELLY & THE RAINBOW BOAT RACE

Follow spunky Nelly and her puppy sidekick, Beau, in endless adventures around the beautiful island of Nantucket. There is never a dull moment as they explore, make friends, get into mischief and learn valuable life lessons along the way!

ALISON BARONE & ANNABELLE MESZYNSKI @nantucketnellybooks nantucketnellybooks.com

THE NETTIE SET

Pickleball is sweeping the country and Nettie makes it easy to jump on the bandwagon this summer! Designed for pickleball players of all ages and abilities, this set comes with four USA Pickleball Association approved paddles, four pickleballs and four sweatbands to really tie together your whole look.

NETTIE • @playnettie • playnettie.com

Kid' N AROUND

SUMMERTIME AT MARIA MITCHELL

One of the island’s must-do activities for families is visiting the Maria Mitchell Association’s Aquarium! It is located downtown at 28 Washington Street. Children of all ages can enjoy learning about Nantucket’s biodiversity and various marine ecosystems, and delight in seeing live animal ambassadors. The aquarium also hosts a Feeding Frenzy Program, in which children can help feed the different animals, as well as other regular programs such as Beach Biology and Marine Ecology Field Trips. These offerings run daily, Monday through Saturday. The association’s Loines Observatory, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum and Historic Mitchell House are also open to the public. View their calendar of events and admissions information at mariamitchell.org. Also follow them @maria_mitchell_association.

EXPLORE THIS SUMMER AT THE LINDA LORING NATURE FOUNDATION

Looking for an adventure? Head out to the Linda Loring Nature Foundation! The foundation offers guided Family Walks throughout the summer where you’ll have the chance to explore Nantucket’s rare habitats. You’ll hike along gently rolling trails and stop to discover insects, birds and plants along the way. These guided walks meet at 110 Eel Point Road and are free and open to all. Be sure to stop by anytime to enjoy Story Walk. A new children’s book is posted each month along the trails so children can enjoy reading as they hike! For a full lineup of this summer’s programs or to register for the Family Walk, please visit llnf.org and follow @loringnatureack.

BY WENDY ROUILLARD

PEACHTREE KIDS

Peachtree Kids has been a favorite one-stop children’s shop since 2004, carrying timeless classics and on-trend clothing, shoes and accessories for infants and children through size 12. New brands in store include Sammy + Nat, Nantucket, Petit Peony and Joy Street Kids, and the shop continues to carry favorites such as Piping Prints, Barnaby Bear, Hatley, Busy Bees and Bailey Boys. July highlights include a trunk show for Love & Grow Clothing Co. on July 1-2 and a celebration of Joy Street Kids Pajamas on Saturday, July 8, at 11 a.m. with founder and illustrator Eliza Ferel. Visit Peachtree Kids online at peachtreekidsnantucket.com or in the shop, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to follow @peachtreekidsnantucket.

SUMMER WITH THE DREAMLAND

The Dreamland is the perfect place to have fun, learn and grow this summer. Dreamland always has a lineup of numerous musicals, blockbuster films and much more. Registration is open for Dreamland Stage Company’s popular camps and performances. Budding performers will love the Dreamland Kids weekly camps as they rehearse, build props and perform adaptations of popular stories; sessions run through August 11.  Dreamland Youth, the most rigorous program, is designed for kids ages eight to eighteen who possess a strong interest in the performing arts. Working with Dreamland’s team of directors and choreographers, young actors will hone their skills in a professional rehearsal setting and bring a fully staged and produced musical to the main stage. Three-week sessions begin July 20 for Legally Blonde (July 20-23) and SpongeBob (August 10-13). Visit  dreamlandstagecompany.org for registration information and tickets.

SUMMER FUN WITH BARNABY’S TOY & ART SHACK

Barnaby’s is in full swing this summer with more than 100 art classes for children ages two to thirteen. Kids can also drop in and create all day, every day! All Barnaby’s classes are taught by professional artists and educators who will guide each child’s technique and processes in an inspirational space in downtown Nantucket. Barnaby’s also has a variety of toys and art kits to go that have been hand-selected and designed for all ages. For the program calendar or more information, please visit barnabysnantucket.com, call 508-680-1553 or email at barnabyack@gmail.com.

Barnaby’s is also excited to announce the opening of its new store, Barnaby’s Beacon Hill Boston, coming this September! Be sure to follow @barnabystoyartshack.

SUMMER ADVENTURES WITH THE NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Join the NHA this July for its Summer Site Series every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m! This free and familyfriendly offering invites visitors to Nantucket’s historic sites for craft activities, demonstrations and talks that bring the island’s unique history to life! The NHA’s historic sites include the Old Mill (July 6), the Oldest House (July 13), the Old Jail (July 20) and the Greater Light (July 27). Join in on the fun and immerse the entire family in Nantucket’s history. This program is generously supported by the ReMain Nantucket Fund. For more information and to view the full calendar of program offerings, please visit nha.org. Follow all of the NHA’s properties @ackhistory.

WRITTEN

One of the most confounding aspects of caring for mental health is not knowing who to call in the midst of a crisis. Whether it be for a family member, friend, co-worker or one’s own self, taking action when someone is exhibiting warning signs of mental or emotional distress can feel paralyzing. To alleviate this on Nantucket, Fairwinds has launched a Mental Health Crisis Response Team that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and will respond anywhere on the island.

LIFE LINE

WRITTEN BY ROBERT COCUZZO

How Fairwinds has strengthened the community’s mental health safety net

“If you’re feeling sad, anxious or depressed, call us,” says Jason Bridges, Fairwinds’ executive director. “We need to break through the misnomer that one has to be in a terrible mental health crisis before they call a crisis hotline.” If your child is having an anxiety attack, or a co-worker appears to be

struggling, or if you yourself are grappling with depression or addiction, Fairwinds can swoop into action at a moment’s notice. “This service is insurance blind and is available to everyone regardless of their ability to pay,” Bridges explains. “We don’t care if you have good insurance or no insurance.

We don’t care if you’re a Nantucket native or if you just stepped off the boat. We’re a nonprofit and our mission is for all of our community to have access to these very important services.”

Once on-site, the Fairwinds Crisis Response Team will provide a 100 percent confidential mental health evaluation, treatment plan and stabilization support, and offer options for next steps in coordination with future care needs. When needed, a medication management intake can be conducted by either a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner who can then prescribe medication as one part of services. “We are coming at this from all angles,” Bridges says. “We’re going to get to people quicker, and over time, we’ll get back the mental health of our community.”

Fairwinds’ Mental Health Crisis Response Hotline is 508-221-3315. The Fairwinds Crisis Response Team responds to anyone, anywhere in our community 24/7, 365.

The Fairwinds Crisis Response Team is proud to collaborate with the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket Police and Fire Departments, Nantucket Public Schools and many other stakeholders to communicate effective mental health and substance misuse services.

Sound Mind

INTERVIEW BY ROBERT COCUZZO PHOTOGRAPHY BY MALLORY RENEE & SUMNER HOWELLS

Sound therapist Jesse Cale shares tips from his practice at MAST, a new wellness space on Nantucket

What exactly is sound bathing?

Sound bathing is a poetic way of saying “lying in a field of sound vibrations.” It’s a relaxing, immersive meditation experience that meets at this gorgeous intersection of multidimensional healing using sound waves as both the anchor and the tool for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. It’s a place and time for reflection, relaxation and release.

How frequently should one sound bathe?

As long as you get your laundry done, as often as you want.

What are the surprising health benefits of sound therapy?

This is where the multidimensional aspect comes in. Sound therapy benefits the mind, body, nervous system and beyond. Sound therapy induces a deep state of relaxation, reduces stress, lowers cortisol levels and creates an anchor for your meditation. There is so much to say about the potential of sound therapy to benefit your well-being.

Jesse Cale

What’s the most miraculous outcome you’ve seen with sound therapy?

It reaches from emotional breakthroughs to encounters with things beyond. I’ve seen sound therapy aid in grief and release. I’ve seen sound therapy provide courage. I’ve seen it get rid of sleep disorders and headaches as well as connect people to things greater than themselves. A lot is possible with an open heart and mind.

Who is an ideal candidate for sound therapy?

The open-hearted and curious humans. People who will try anything once, people who want a deeper relationship with themselves or the world around them, and people who need a moment to catch their breath. If it fits your story, it’s for you.

How will MAST be a unique place for your practice?

My practice at MAST will be as unique as every single individual arriving to participate in the reception of what is there for them at that moment in their story. If a dozen people arrive, it will be unique in a dozen different ways.

Based primarily in Ohio, Jesse Cale is a sound therapist at MAST Nantucket, the newly opened meditation and wellness space on 49 Fairgrounds Road (the former location of the Yoga Room). Cale’s practice is a unique and immersive sound bath experience that uses a wide range of acoustic instruments and atmospheric sound synthesis tuned together at 432 hertz to create a melodically and harmonically tranquil soundscape. Learn more about MAST and its other practitioners at mastnantucket.com.

ISLAND HOPPING

A LOOK INSIDE ANOTHER ISLAND PARADISE

Welcome to John’s Island. This sunny, cherished haven has been enjoyed by generations who were pulled by the undeniable allure of life by the sea. With 1,650 pristine acres, miles of private beaches and a thriving community, this is ocean to river living at its finest. The community offers gorgeous architectural details, tranquil living areas and lush grounds—all a stone’s throw from the ocean, river and golf courses. Every home takes advantage of the prime location with access to an array of amenities for members of the exclusive, by-invitation-only John’s Island Club. Indulge in a life of bliss at the legendary John’s Island.

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A vaulted ceiling made of rare and custom-pickled pecky cypress adds a unique coastal flair, while remaining airy and giving a voluminous feel to the room.

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A television custom-recessed in a mirror with vanishing entertainment glass allows for comfortable viewing in times of relaxation but maintains a sophisticated and elegant appeal.

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Wide-plank European white oak wood flooring that has been wire-brushed and oiled can be found throughout.

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A gas fireplace with a custom honed silver travertine hearth and herringbone back detail adds visual interest.

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Sliding pocket doors open to a private courtyard pool with a waterfall feature, allowing for incredible indoor-outdoor living.

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Pops of color from pillows - including purple ones custom made from vintage Pucci scarvesadd a vibrant and playful twist on tradition.

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A framed vintage Hermès scarf adds a burst of color and uniquely utilizes textiles in an unexpected way.

nbuzz

REPORTED BY THE NANTUCKET CURRENT

A large property along Nantucket’s South Shore was sold last month for a whopping $26.8 million in the largest residential home sale on the island so far in 2023. The listing broker, Gary Winn, said he believes it is the largest ever on Nantucket’s South Shore. The sale included three lots totaling 4.5 acres on Nonantum Avenue, located between Surfside and Nobadeer beaches. One two-acre lot features a four-bedroom main house and garage/studio, and

there are two adjoining undeveloped lots totaling two-plus acres, one of which also is a beachfront property. The buyer was Nonantum 25, a limited liability company registered to Julie A. Christopher of Westmont, Illinois. Christopher is the daughter Doris Christopher, the founder of The Pampered Chef, a multinational marketing company that offers a line of kitchen tools, food products and cookbooks. The Pampered Chef was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2002.

GOOD NEIGHBOR

The Nantucket Dreamland will present a new award at its DreamBIG Event July 23rd. The Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award will recognize the outstanding contributions of an individual who has gone above and beyond in their efforts to make Nantucket a better place through their time, talents and dedication to the community. “This award reflects our commitment to supporting and celebrating those who make a positive impact on our island,” said Alicia L. Carney, executive director of the Nantucket Dreamland. “For generations of people, the late Fred Rogers exemplified what it meant to be a good neighbor. With the blessing of his family, this namesake award will honor individuals in our community who are keeping Mister Rogers’ legacy of kindness, humility and generosity alive on Nantucket.” The Dreamland’s annual DreamBIG Event raises funds to support the theater’s live event programming, films, Dreamland Stage Company, educational programming and community partnerships and initiatives. “We are excited to launch this new award and look forward to honoring a deserving member of the Nantucket community during a fun and celebratory evening, while raising critical funds to support the Dreamland,” said Carney.

TICKED

MEGA SALE MAKES SPLASH ON SURFSIDE OFF

An invasive species of tick from the Far East was discovered on Nantucket for the first time this spring. The Asian longhorned tick, which was first detected in the United States in 2017, has made its way to the island. The discovery was made by Dr. Sam Telford, a professor with Tufts University’s Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health. The bad news? The Asian longhorned tick can quickly establish itself once it is introduced to an area as female ticks are able to lay eggs and reproduce without mating. The good news? The Asian longhorned tick is less attracted to human skin than other ticks and is not likely to contribute to the spread of Lyme disease. Telford said Asian longhorned ticks pose far less risk to the island’s human population than the more common deer tick or the lone star tick, which was also recently detected on Nantucket. While the discovery is interesting, Telford emphasized that he was far less concerned with Asian longhorned ticks than Nantucket’s existing population of deer ticks that transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens. “It’s another tick, another part of our fauna,” Telford said. “It doesn’t mean you need to be afraid to go outside. Enjoy Nantucket, just take precautions.”

Floating 14 miles off Nantucket, its nearly 300-foot-tall cranes visible to the naked eye from the South Shore, the heavy lift vessel Orion began work on installing the first monopiles of the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm. According to the company behind the first-of-its-kind project in U.S. waters, 62 of the foundation monopiles will be installed this summer, each spaced one nautical mile apart. When complete, the GE Haliade-X turbines

ON THE HORIZON MANAGING UP

that will be attached to the monopiles will reach 837 feet in the air, each nearly as tall as the Eiffel Tower. The project will provide enough energy to power 400,000 homes in the state, according to Vineyard Wind. To any beachgoers familiar with the fishing trawlers that frequent the waters just three miles off Nantucket’s south coast this time of year, the cranes of the Orion appear only slightly smaller despite being 11 miles farther offshore.

Town Manager Libby Gibson received a contract extension and a significant pay raise following an executive session vote of the Select Board earlier this spring. The contract amendment, which was unanimously endorsed by the board, extends Gibson’s employment as town manager through September 30, 2025, adding one year and six months to the existing contract, which had been set to expire in April 2024. The amendment will immediately boost Gibson’s salary to $226,000 retroactive to January 1, 2023, a $31,000 annual increase, or 16 percent bump, from her current annual salary of $195,000. The deal will ultimately pay her $250,000 in the final nine months of the contract. It also requires Gibson to give the town at least one year’s notice of her retirement from the town.

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has enacted emergency recreational regulations to reduce the maximum length limit for keeping striped bass from 35 to 31 inches in response to a dramatic increase in the recreational harvest in 2022.

Cam Gammill, who captains chartered fishing trips during the summer and is one of the

owners of Bill Fisher Tackle, said that he supported the regulations, though he didn’t feel that Nantucket had seen the same increase in harvest as the rest of the state. “I would say that there’s not a big kill component to our fishery, and I would say our anglers are really educated around protecting these fish…I don’t think it really applies to us.”

Tim Ehrenberg from “Tim Talks Books” dishes on the hottest reads for summer.

All books can be purchased at your two island independent bookstores, Mitchell’s Book Corner and Nantucket Bookworks, or online at nantucketbookpartners.com. For more book recommendations, follow @timtalksbooks on Instagram or visit timtalksbooks.com.

THE RACHEL INCIDENT BY CAROLINE O’DONOGHUE

Reading this novel felt like traveling in a time machine and being whisked back to my college days. Can you picture that time? That era of life when you are technically an adult, but there is still such an innocence to you. These characters and their dialogue and humor resonated in my every memory. Rachel and James meet while working together at a bookstore, become roommates and begin an all-consuming friendship navigating life, lovers, school, jobs, their present and their future. I never reread books and I immediately started rereading this one. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason, but a book just hits you so perfectly and feels like it was made for you. Perfect for fans of Salley Rooney, and I hope everyone and their best friend from college reads this book. I know I called mine immediately to tell them about it.

THE FIVE-STAR WEEKEND BY ELIN

HILDERBRAND

Five stars all the way for the unequivocal “Queen of the Beach Reads” and my podcast co-host Elin Hilderbrand. This is a concept novel, in which a woman invites four friends from each phase of her life— her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties and midlife—to Nantucket for a “Five-Star Weekend.” From this setup comes such a rich and drama-filled saga of friendship, contemporary issues, Nantucket living and locations, delicious recipes and everything fans have come to expect and cherish from an Elin Hilderbrand novel. I can’t wait to see visitors recreate their own fivestar weekends this summer.

Join Elin and Tim at The Nantucket Hotel on Thursday, August 3, for a “Five-Star” evening to benefit the Nantucket Book Foundation as they bring Elin’s 30th book to life with a “Read the Runway” fashion show, live auction, conversation, cocktails and dancing. Get tickets at nantucketbookfestival.org.

THE LIBRARIANIST BY

PATRICK DEWITT

Much like Patrick deWitt’s last book, French Exit, his latest novel, The Librarianist, delivers plenty of snappy and witty happenings as well as memorable and quirky characters. Say hello to Bob Comet, a retired librarian, and settle in for a “coming of age” in reverse. Reminiscent of a Charles Dickens classic, Bob’s experiences and those people that pop in and out of his life celebrate “the extraordinary in the so-called ordinary life.” It’s the perfect book for introverts, bibliophiles or anyone who just loves a good story well told.

THE ART THIEF: A TRUE STORY OF LOVE, CRIME, AND A DANGEROUS OBSESSION

BY MICHAEL FINKEL

The Stranger in the Woods was one of my favorite pieces of nonfiction from 2017, and bestselling writer Michael Finkel returns to our bookshelves with The Art Thief, the suspenseful and fascinating tale of the world’s most prolific art thief, Stéphane Breitwieser. This audacious genius carried out more than two hundred brazen heists over eight years beginning in 1995 and into the new millennium. How did he do it? Why did he do it? Finkel brings us into Breitwieser’s world and his extraordinary criminal mind, illuminating a character who stole for the insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.

KRISTY

THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS BY

WOODSON HARVEY

If you’re a fan of Elin Hilderbrand’s novels and looking to find a new author to add to your summer reading list, check out The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey. In beach bags July 11th, this novel is for anyone who experienced the joys of summer camp and made friendships that changed their lives. Thirty years ago, four friends met at Camp Holly Springs and from that day became inseparable. Now they need to come together to save the camp as well as juggle adulthood, heartbreak and secrets. It’s a love letter to your younger self as well as to those friendships that make us who we are.

Join Kristy Woodson Harvey in conversation with Elin Hilderbrand on Tuesday, July 11, at 6 p.m. at the Nantucket Atheneum to celebrate the book’s publication day. The event is free to the public and seating is first come, first served.

MAGIC EYES BY

LAUREN FORNES

AND ILLUSTRATED BY

MEREDITH HANSON

This book is pure magic and a must for any Nantucket-loving family. The watercolor illustrations by Meredith Hanson bring Nantucket alive with the most stunning details and with an expert eye on what makes our island special. Each page is a true piece of art worthy of hanging on the wall, and I found myself discovering something new each time I paged through the book. The story, written in rhymes by Lauren Fornes, is inspired by her son Brick, who is epileptic, blind and a wheelchair user, but whose imagination and love of the world around him is powerful. Discover Nantucket Island along with Brick, Lauren’s verses and Meredith’s art for an island adventure for the whole family!

All profits from the sale of this book benefit the Perkins School for the Blind.

HELPING EVERYONE FIND THEIR PLACE IN THE WORLD.

TASTEFULLY REDONE

WRITTEN BY JOSH GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT NOBLE

Black-Eyed Susan’s gets a new lease on life

The winds of substantive transformation have been blowing through Nantucket’s neighborhoods for decades now, altering the fabric of our idyllic, small community. And though change is inevitable in all times and all places, it’s nice when the cherished and familiar finds a way to remain. Black-Eyed Susan’s, a much beloved island eatery, had seemingly welcomed its last visitor when it closed its doors in the fall of 2021, but thanks to the collaboration and energies of some longtime restaurateurs, this tiny India Street gem will continue as a testament to preserving what makes Nantucket special while embracing an ever-evolving culinary scene.

Owned and operated for more than thirty years by Susan Handy and Jeff Worster, the restaurant—an island favorite to many—closed without much fanfare, and the proprietors quietly began letting people know the business was up for sale. After Handy and Worster spent more

than a year of talking to and negotiating with a variety of potential buyers with not much to show for it, they received interest from another set of local restaurant proprietors, appropriately enough the owners of The Proprietors Bar and Table just a few doors down on India Street.

The ownership team at Proprietors that includes Orla and Michael LaScola and Anna Worgess did not, however, want to take on this new venture without the partnership of Todd Edwards, the longtime executive chef of Black-Eyed Susan’s. After relocating to Austin, Texas, in November 2021 with the hopes of exploring restaurant opportunities there, Edwards found the COVID-19 pandemic had left its mark on the industry, as corporate owners seized the opportunity to acquire struggling restaurants in the southern city known for its food culture. Edwards’ hopes for a time seemed thwarted until he received an unexpected call that would ultimately reunite him with old friends,

Nantucket and the beloved restaurant he helmed for years.

“I’ve been friends with Mike and Orla for a long time, and Anna and I go back more than fifteen years,” said Edwards, adding that the prospect of collaborating with his trusted friends seemed like a natural fit.

“I’d let Susan know over the years that if and when she decided to move on that we’d be interested,” added Orla LaScola. “This is really one of my favorite neighborhoods

housing. More than doubling that workforce at such short notice was simply not feasible for this year, said Michael LaScola. Thus, they made the decision to temporarily forgo breakfast in 2023, with plans to revisit the topic at the end of the season.

on the island, and though it has been evolving, we were excited by the opportunity to preserve the essence of what Nantucket has always been while embracing the future potential. And we’re just really excited that Susan and Jeff have handed us over such

an already great product.”

As things came together at a late hour not long before the summer season, a deal materialized, leaving little time for opening preparations. While excited to take over the spot that has traditionally served both breakfast and dinner, the new team faced daunting challenges of trying to figure out managing breakfast and dinner without adequate staff

On May 25th, Black-Eyed Susan’s opened its doors to the island once again. With forty-nine seats, including outdoor seating that will remain in place, the restaurant offers a familiar and comfortable setting for locals and visitors alike. The new owners are keen on preserving what made the original restaurant special, keeping core items like the beloved tuna tartare and a variety of fish and pastas, along with their well-known Caesar salad. But Edwards and Worgess were also eager to inject some fresh ideas and flavors in the menu, drawing inspiration from Edwards’ travels, particularly Southeast Asian cuisines.

“One of the hallmarks of Black-Eyed Susan’s has always been its eclectic appeal,”

said Edwards. “It attracts both adventurous diners seeking exciting culinary experiences and those who prefer more traditional fare as well. I enjoy encouraging guests to step out of their comfort zones and try something new by fostering an environment that celebrates culinary exploration, and creating memorable experiences for all who come in.”

While the LaScolas and Worgess may not be physically present every night of the week due to their responsibilities at Proprietors down the street, they were quick to add that they will definitely be involved in the day-to-day operations. “Being present at the door for me is cru-

cial to understanding how the restaurant is running and ensuring guests receive the best possible experience,” said Worgess, adding that guests will be seeing some other familiar faces from the Nantucket culinary scene over the years, ensuring a seamless transition and providing a sense of continuity for their diners. She also said the long tradition of Black-Eyed Susan’s being a BYOB establishment will continue at least for the first year, before they consider applying for the appropriate licenses to serve liquor in the future.

As Black-Eyed Susan’s embarks on this new chapter, the owners expressed their gratitude for the incredible support they have received from their team and the community thus far, as well as their dedication to preserving the essence of Nantucket’s culinary charm and offering a cherished gathering place for years to come. “I think ‘familiarity’ is a good word to use,” said Michael LaScola. “We’re not trying to fix something that’s not broken, and it will remain that comfortable and casual neighborhood joint that everyone remembers and loves.”

“One of the hallmarks of Black-Eyed Susan’s has always been its eclectic appeal. It attracts both adventurous diners seeking exciting culinary experiences and those who prefer more traditional fare as well.”

— Chef Todd Edwards

Chef Todd Edwards

Some of Black-Eyed Susan’s signature dishes

Away With Words

WRITTEN BY MARY BERGMAN

Remembering an island original, the late Tharon Dunn

Whether it was teaching English to Nantucket’s increasingly global population, helping to shape a festival that brings in world-class authors, or sourcing goods for her iconic shop, Tharon Dunn’s life and work connected the faraway island to the wider world. Tharon’s recent passing on May 17, at the age of seventy-two after a nearly three-decade-long battle with cancer, leaves the many who mourn her at a loss for words.

Tharon Dunn reached Nantucket during the heady decade of the 1970s. She was originally from North Carolina and studied literature at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she met her husband, Lee, on campus. The Dunns began married life on Nantucket in 1972. The late sixties and early seventies were a turning point for the island, as historic preservation and land conservation emerged as twin efforts needed to preserve Nantucket’s unique way of life for the future. This ethos is part of what drew the Dunns to these sandy shores. In turn, Tharon invested in the island community, giving of her time and talents to make Nantucket a better place.

Tharon could be found behind the counter at numerous jobs in those first years on the island, including the Camera Shop, the Emporium and the flower shop. Eventually, she became the manager of Upstairs, Downstairs, an Irish import store. After a decade working in Nantucket’s fine shops, Tharon opened her own in 1983, Bramhall & Dunn, showcasing handcrafted items from around the globe. A sister shop, also called Bramhall & Dunn, opened in Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard

(Above) Tharon riding her bike was a common sight on the island; (right page, top) Tharon with writer Mary Bergman; (right page, bottom) Tharon with Nantucket Book Festival luminary Malcolm Mitchell

Photo by Mary Haft

that same year. Décor and home goods handpicked by Tharon can still be found in many homes on- and off-island.

In the mid-1990s, Tharon combined her business acumen with her passion for land conservation, serving as secretary and treasurer of the Nantucket Green Fund, an effort by island businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to raise money for the purchase of open space. Understanding that the value of open space was key to what made Nantucket a unique place to live and visit, this coalition of island real estate professionals, merchants, guest houses owners,

the Nantucket Atheneum (LVA) in December 2005. She taught English as a second language at the Community School for ten years. The demand for such a service in a diverse community like Nantucket, with thousands of J-1 exchange visa student workers arriving every summer, was huge. When the LVA celebrated its first fifteen years in 2020, students reflected on how their lives had been changed by the ability to learn conversational English in a free setting.

local community was always front of mind in Tharon’s planning. This year’s Nantucket Book Festival, which she was working on when she died, was dedicated to her memory. From humble beginnings, the festival now attracts national attention.

Perhaps it is only fitting when remembering the life of a person so de-

tradespeople, restaurateurs and other business owners contributed a portion of their profits to island conservation groups for acquiring property that would be accessible to the public.

After Tharon sold her business in the early 2000s, she committed her retirement to literacy and literature. Splitting time between Nantucket and Key West, Tharon volunteered for the Literacy Volunteers of the Keys and co-founded the Literacy Volunteers of

A longtime attendee of the Key West Literary Seminar, Tharon found herself on a crusade to create a similar event thirty miles out to sea. “It was a huge awakening to me, how much more you could get out of books,” she said in 2022. “Sitting in a literary seminar and hearing authors speak opened up an entirely different world.” She knew that Nantucket could benefit from the kind of alchemy that happens when readers and writers are brought together.

The first Nantucket Book Festival was held in 2011. Tharon’s work as chair of the Literary Committee, the group tasked with creating the roster of writers, pushed her to read an ever-changing variety of emerging and established writers.

What most excited Tharon were the authors who expressed a mission or a message she hadn’t heard before or didn’t know much about. Engagement with the

voted to the power of language to turn to a book. When the Nantucket Book Festival asked for her favorite literary quote, Tharon pointed to this passage in Walker Percy’s The Moviegoer:

“What is the nature of the search? you ask. Really it is very simple, at least for a fellow like me; so simple that it is easily overlooked. The search is what anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in the everydayness of his own life. This morning, for example, I felt as if I had come to myself on a strange island. And what does such a cast away do? Why he pokes around the neighborhood and he doesn’t miss a trick. To become aware of the search is to be onto something. Not to be onto something is to be in despair.”

Words to live by.

Smarter luggage, British made.

THE SUIT CARRIER HOLDALL by BENNETT WINCH

The challenge we set ourselves was to create a piece of luggage that could keep a suit crease free, whilst having the storage capability of a weekend bag. The solution remains the Bennett Winch Suit Carrier Holdall; a bag tailored to the tailored. Whatever the adventure, carry yourself well.

Waterproof bonded canvas outer Solid brass hardware

Tuscan leather trim

Detachable garment bag

Magnetic connectors

Military grade cotton parachute webbing

CHIPS OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Woodcut artist John Carruthers will be honored at the annual gala of the Artists Association of Nantucket

There’s the quintessential Nantucket artwork—soothing pastel scenes of a lone dory in calm water, sea-meets-sky horizons, a rose-covered Sconset Cottage. And then there are the works of John Carruthers—energetic, color-saturated depictions of everyday island life filled with people and movement. “I’m not looking to soothe,” says Carruthers, a woodcut artist who creates one-of-a-kind prints from his carvings. “I really want the viewer to be excited.”

The viewer is. “The colors he uses—they light me up,” says Fair Street resident Maria Roach. One of his pieces that she acquired illustrates the Fourth of July Main Street water fight with the fire engine. “All the kids running, the boldness of the red truck and the children laughing—he captures the joy of the island.”

Summer visitor Darlene LaCroix, who purchased a Carruthers “Race Week” print she saw exhibited at Nantucket Airport, appreciates that his works are “folksy, exaggerated and expressionistic.” LaCroix, who used to work in the curatorial department of the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire, adds, “He reminds me a lot of Thomas Hart Benton. [Benton] was a

regionalistic artist whose images were of folk in the areas that he knew. I find a lot of that in John’s works. His pieces are of everyday people just enjoying the island. I’m really struck by them.”

Reactions like that no doubt played into Carruthers being chosen as this year’s honoree at the annual gala of the Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN), to be held Saturday, July 15th, at the Great Harbor Yacht Club. He is “totally dumbfounded” by the distinction, he says. “I’m a little off center as far as island artists go.” Indeed, words used to describe his pieces by people interviewed for this article include “edgy,” “intriguingly off kilter,” and “chaotic”; some mention the swirling gusts of wind that you can actually see.

WRITTEN BY LARRY LINDNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAELA “MIKA” PRAMUKA

But AAN has embraced him ever since he started washing ashore each summer in 2004. The one-time lead singer for the band Alter Boys, he says that “I was going through your classic midlife crisis. I quit everything I had and wanted to be a teacher.” He placed a call to AAN’s Arts Program director at the time, Liz Hunt O’Brien, who liked what she heard. “I hired him on the spot,” she says, “over the phone, without meeting him, without seeing any of his work. He seemed so genuinely nice and honest. And humble.”

Her hunch paid off. Today, Carruthers is beloved by his students of all ages, young children, teenagers and adults alike—not only at AAN but also at The Storm King School in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, where he chairs the Visual Arts Department and serves as artist in residence between summer stays on island.

The teaching has paid it forward for him in return. “You always need to be reminded of the foundations,” he says. “Space, color, line, value, shape. That constant teaching is showing me. Then I go back to my studio and do it myself.”

What he carves is not what he draws—a jeep with surfboards coming out the back, the Buck-A-Shuck Guys at the Sand Bar—but everything that is not the drawing. From there he uses different-size rollers to paint various colors onto what is left of the wood’s surface—the drawing on top after the rest has been carved down. Then he puts rice paper over the painted wood and rubs it with a spoon to make sure the ink is transferred to the paper. “It can’t go through a press,” he says. “You won’t get that density of color.” In fact, he says, “when I say it’s a print, people think I run it through a press, and here are twenty of them. But each print is an individual, handmade item. Once I wash the paint off the wood, I’ll change colors or do something different with color for the next print. I may put in a sky—or not.”

AAN’s artistic director, Bobby Frazier, says that “the craft of woodcutting is unique because what you’re doing is carving a three-dimensional sculpture on a board and then using it to print a two-dimensional print on a piece of paper. He has to do it thinking of white space and dark space.”

Do what, exactly? Carruthers starts by drawing a scene on a piece of wood and then carving. The wood might be pine he bought at a big-box store or perhaps some mahogany or cherry wood that he upcycles. “I’ll go to a junkyard and find old bookshelves, old wood that’s dried out,” he says. “I’ve taken apart chests of drawers, chairs.”

Adds Kathleen Knight, who exhibits Carruthers’ work at the Gallery 4 India, “He’s got a lot of engineering going on in his brain while he’s carving those scenes.”

People say they can see what they like about him in his works. “He’s a very kind and compassionate guy, and I think that reverberates…There’s a warmth in the work besides the bright, punchy colors,” says Peter Greenhalgh, who runs AAN’s Cecelia Joyce and Seward Johnson Gallery on Washington Street, where Carruthers is also exhibited. Knight puts it this way: “I think he celebrates in his work. He’s got a very positive outlook, and he has a very happy outlook in his artwork. He shows the good times in Nantucket, like the

— John Carruthers

“I’m a little off center as far as island artists go.”

Cisco Brewery or the action on Main Street.” She also likes that he works on wood. “There are not many artists left that work the way he does,” she says. “John is really the only one working in this medium on Nantucket.” The singularity of Carruthers’ pieces and the warmth and downto-earth charisma that come through them also resonated with Kit Manigan’s father, now passed. “My dad purchased one

of John’s works more than ten years ago,” she says, “but then he started taking his classes. He really was just mesmerized by John and his approach.”

Manigan, who with her husband, Mark, is serving as this year’s gala chair, is taken herself. She says that “he can do beautiful landscapes”—last year her mother bought what she says is a “very pretty and serene scene of blue hydrangeas at Steps Beach.” But “a lot of his stuff is action-packed, a snapshot of everyday life—the

cars or trucks coming off the ferry,” for instance.

For this year’s gala, which will raise funds for emerging artists and help sponsor classes at AAN, Carruthers created a triptych that will be the highlighted piece in a live auction. One part is Sankaty Light, something of a departure from the kinds of things he usually focuses on. The second image, he says, “is guys in one of those lifesaving rowboats kind

of pushing out into the surf in the middle of a storm. And the last is two kids on Jetties Beach reading books, with the Lynx just offshore. The girl is reading Moby-Dick and the boy, a book on pirates. “I go to Nantucket, and that’s what I see,” he says, “references to humanity. That’s what I’m interested in.”

To watch John Carruthers give a demonstration and see his work, along with that of many other talented island artists whose works will also be available at auction, attend the Artists Association of Nantucket annual gala at the Great Harbor Yacht Club on July 15. Tickets are available at nantucketarts.org.

— Kathleen Knight

“There are not many artists left that work the way he does. John is really the only one working in this medium on Nantucket.”

BEAU & RO NEW THIS SUMMER

4 FEDERAL ST, NANTUCKET

Charleston’s favorite boutique, Beau & Ro, is now open at 4 Federal Street in downtown Nantucket. A jewel box destination for upbeat and effortless dressing, Beau & Ro features apparel and accessories. The boutique showcases Beau & Ro’s apparel alongside a curated mix of brands from around the world including Coco Shop, Daydress, Eddy, Ephemera, Odile, Sue Sartor, HART, Lorna Murray, Lack of Color, Le Specs, and many more. Visit beauandro.com or @beauandro on Instagram to learn more.

LIFE SAVERS

A new nonprofit sets out to protect the island’s at-risk youth

WRITTEN BY LARRY LINDNER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT NOBLE

Remy Stressenger lost her father to suicide when she was seven, and the fallout has reverberated in more ways than one. “My son is bipolar, and my dad was bipolar,” she says, “so there’s always that worry in your head.” But it wasn’t until a friend’s son took his own life, and then her best friend’s nineteen-year-old son chose to end his life, that Stressenger, owner of the women’s clothing store REMY on Old South Wharf, founded Launch2Life.

The nascent nonprofit’s initial goal is straightforward but lofty: Get every adult who works with children and teens certified in mental health first aid, which addresses both crisis and non-crisis situations. The seven-hour certification course—all online and broken into as many as three sessions—answers the question: “What would you do in this situation?”

Launch2Life has begun its quest with the Nantucket New School, raising the funds to pay for the certification of virtually every teacher and administrative staff member—31 people altogether. “Nantucket is such a tight community,” Stressenger says, “but it’s such a small community, and the fact that it’s isolated by water makes it much more difficult to get services and help. I started with the New School as sort of a great test market to see if our ideas can work somewhere.” She adds, “Nantucket has such a large reach, so that when all the summer people come and then go back across the country, maybe they’ll spread the word.”

— Remy Stressenger

“Nantucket is such a tight community, but it’s such a small community, and the fact that it’s isolated by water makes it much more difficult to get services and help.”

Sarah Sylvia, whose thirteenyear-old daughter, Lily, attends the New School, was thrilled for the training the staff underwent. “Lily was ten years old when she first started having thoughts about suicide,” says Sylvia, whose daughter was unwavering in her desire to be named in this article to help erase the stigma associated with emotional struggles. Today, Lily is doing much better. “We went from a time where I didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone—scariest time of my life…” her mother says, trailing off.

But, Sylvia points out, she and her husband had the wherewithal to get Lily professional help. They were also very lucky that their daughter communicated with them. “It very easily could have gone the other way for her if she didn’t feel comfortable talking to us about it,” Sylvia says. “She would have just raced into a really dark place.” Not all parents have children who open up or the resources to take action, which is why Sylvia is so glad for Launch2Life and the opportunities for certification it provides. “So many parents are working all the time,” she says. “They’re just not really aware of how much kids struggle. It’s very hard to be a kid right now.”

The New School’s head of school, Todd Eveleth, is also glad for the training his staff received. Every person at the school has to know CPR, he says, “but we’re probably more likely to have a child in crisis than in cardiac arrest. I think at every school I’ve ever worked at, there have been situa-

Photo by Kit Noble

tions that involved students considering self-harm. Even before the pandemic, the anxiety that our kids were facing was overwhelming. These are complicated days. Whatever it is—suicidal ideation, cutting—we need to be there.”

Eveleth explains that “it’s not just a moment of suicide” that adults need to watch for. “It’s looking for signs that lead up to that—recognizing those and knowing how to respond when a child really is spiraling. We have an obligation to keep an eye on these kids,” he adds, “whether it’s tough situations that are going on outside of school, or managing friendships inside of school, and having the skill set to watch proactively before a kid is at their lowest point.”

The certification course—two hours online at your own pace and five hours of instructor-led training via Zoom that can be broken into two sessions—helps meet those needs by teaching the nuts and bolts of the acronym ALGEE, which can be applied to everything from depression and anxiety to substance use, bullying and eating disorders:

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm.

• Listen nonjudgmentally.

• Give reassurance and information.

• Encourage appropriate professional help.

• Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

For the first E, Nantucket has Fairwinds, Nantucket’s Counseling Center, designated earlier this year as the island’s Community Behavioral Health Center by the commonwealth. That means “it has taken over crisis for the island 24/7 with the goal of really trying to meet people in the moment,” says Amanda Wright, Fairwinds’ clinical director.

One of the things Wright really likes about Launch2Life’s efforts to provide mental health first aid training is that it teaches people how to broach subjects they might not feel comfortable broaching. “People are afraid they’re going to put the idea [of suicide] in someone’s head,” she says. “But they’re already thinking that. It’s almost a relief that someone asks them a direct question and they can say, ‘Yes, I need help.’”

Wright also concurs with young Lily Sylvia about the need to be open. “We have to lower the stigma,” she says. “It’s OK to ask for help. If you had a diagnosis like diabetes, you would do what the doctor asked you to do. It’s the same with mental health—you need to get support.”

Stressenger, too, says that notions of stigma only get in the way, which is why she is glad that her son’s condition is “something he and I have had

conversations about since he was diagnosed. He is proud to know there’s an explanation for what goes on in his brain. I believe the openness and shared knowledge help in suicide prevention.”

Stressenger’s son, Walker, who is now twenty-four and was good friends with the nineteen-year-old who ended his life, is devoted enough to the cause that he serves on Launch2Life’s Youth Advisory Board, along with his sister and seven others. All have their reasons for joining. Ryan Bordeau, a senior at the Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, wanted to become involved, he says, after one of his best friends delivered his senior speech, during which he said that the previous winter he had been very depressed, battled mentally and had a really hard time. “None of us, even his closest friends, knew about it,” Bordeau explains. “Even though they’re so close to you they still don’t tell you.”

His friend is “now playing lacrosse in college and doing really well,” Bordeau says. “He’s happy.” But not all have had the chance to be recognized, to talk and to launch toward adulthood. Someone commits suicide every eleven minutes in the United States; 14 percent are children. There is literally not a moment to lose.

A $100 donation to Launch2Life will pay for one adult’s certification in mental health first aid. Go to launch2life.org or hover your phone over the Flowcode. More information on mental health first aid can be found at the website of Aim Youth Mental Health (aimymh.org), which has partnered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. For immediate help any time of the day or night on-island, call the Fairwinds Crisis Line at 508-221-3315. Someone will come and meet you wherever you are; you can also call if you are a concerned loved one. The national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988.

— Amanda Wright, Fairwinds’ clinical director

“We have to lower the stigma. It’s OK to ask for help.”

— Sarah Sylvia

“So many parents are working all the time. They’re just not really aware of how much kids struggle. It’s very hard to be a kid right now.”

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ROAD LONG BACK

WRITTEN BY ROBERT COCUZZO PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT NOBLE

Caren Öberg demonstrates the healing power of positivity

For as long as Caren Öberg could remember, her life was defined by movement—big, bold, daring movement. She snowboarded off of cliffs into deep powder snow, paddled her surfboard into hurricane swells and climbed hair-raising peaks. “I didn’t have a lot of fear in me,” she says. “The bigger the better.” On Nantucket, she worked all day tending gardens, surfed in the afternoon, ran or rollerbladed in the evening and then danced into the early morning hours. A mother of two, Caren asked a lot of her body. She broke bones going off ski jumps, ragdolled in crashing waves, contorted herself in challenging yoga poses and pounded her joints running, jumping, leaping and living an extremely happy life.

That is the other defining element of Caren Öberg: her positivity. Perhaps even more than her

athleticism, she is known in the Nantucket community for her palpable optimism and warmth. It comes off her in waves, fueling her professionally and personally, and lifting up those around her. More recently, Caren’s positivity has served as her saving grace as she’s faced some of the greatest challenges of her life.

In 2019, Caren’s life came to a screeching halt. All the action had worn out the disks in her spine and they were pressing down on her nerves. Gripped by intense pain, she went to a Boston hospital where doctors told her she needed immediate surgery to fuse her spine. She underwent a laminectomy in which surgeons entered through her stomach and removed parts of her vertebrae and installed hardware. They then turned her over and entered through her back to fuse her spine.

After the surgery, Caren was optimistic. Her doctors told her she could start skateboarding shortly after the operation, so she did. They said she could surf six months later, so she did—paddling into hurricane swells that September. A year later, following her doctor’s orders, she was snowboarding again. But it all felt wildly different. The activities she loved required much more effort than before. Each movement was met with discomfort that gradually turned to pain. “I thought it would get better,” Caren says. “But the pain only got worse and I started to decline.”

One of her legs stopped working. Her posture began to slouch. The hardware keeping her spine together began to protrude under her skin, altering the curve of her spine in unnatural directions. When a friend, a former rock-climbing partner from Colorado, came to visit Caren on Nantucket, he was brought to tears by her deteriorated condition. Something wasn’t right, he said. She should go to the orthopedic experts at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. Caren agreed.

When she walked into Steadman, what is widely considered the most advanced orthopedic hospital in the country, Caren was struck by all the jerseys and photos of professional athletes hanging on the walls alongside notes thanking the clinic for getting them

back on the field. She felt like she was in good hands. The doctors X-rayed Caren’s back and were horrified by what they found. “The hardware was much too large for my body—two times bigger,” Caren says. “They said it was made for a linebacker, not my little body.” As a result of the oversized hardware, everything above and below Caren’s spine had been compacted. There was no more space between her vertebrae.

Caren was going to need another major surgery, what the doctors warned her was the most challenging procedure they offered at Steadman. Using a robotic arm, surgeons went in and removed the original hardware, which was complicated by the fact that it had fused with her bone, and then replaced it with smaller hardware. Three sections of her vertebrae were then fused, this time with a natural curve placed in her spine. The surgery was a success, but not without incident. The invasive procedure revealed underlying disease. Caren had dangerously low blood pressure, and

— Caren Öberg

“I thought it would get better, but the pain only got worse and I started to decline.”

she developed a blood clot in her lung. Doctors ultimately diagnosed her with vasovagal orthostatic hypotension.

Returning to Nantucket earlier this spring after five weeks in the hospital, Caren was rendered nearly immobile. Walking required canes or ski poles, but even then, she struggled with each step. She had already been forced to give up the majority of her gardening clients, but now she was physically incapable of working at all. Her daughter Emmae took over her remaining three accounts, while her mother and son served as her chief caregivers. A dear friend set up a GoFundMe page, which the Nantucket community instantly supported. Those funds serve as her lifeline today, but they are beginning to dwindle and will likely only support her through the end of July unless more people donate.

While trying to recuperate from her back surgery, the dangers of her blood pressure became acute. She had frequent fainting spells, sending her to four different hospitals. One of the falls resulted in cracking her head open. Due to the blood thinners she was taking, the wound gushed uncontrollably and she needed to have her scalp stapled shut at the emergency room. The pain was so excruciating that every discomfort before or since has paled in comparison.

And yet despite it all, Caren talks about her health saga without a hint of self-pity. With movement taken away from her, she is relying on her other superpower: positivity. Caren glows with an infectious appreciation for life, that, even now, despite withering pain and the loss

of the activities she loves most, appears fully intact. “The world is even more beautiful than I thought because I can see it more clearly now…I’m not going so fast in it,” she says. “I’m slowing down to just watch nature. At this slower place, the world is more beautiful; it’s brighter.”

Indeed, Caren’s optimistic lens on life has only become more enhanced in the shadow of the enormous journey she’s been on. “Being in the hospital for five weeks after the surgery and not being able to get out of bed and not knowing if I was going to make it another day really has me so grateful to be alive,” she says.

“To see my children’s faces. To see this beautiful island. The ocean. This community. Downtown. Everything is

just so beautiful. I used to get up and just want to go, go, go all day long, but now I’m just grateful to be in my room and to hear my children’s voices.”

While her doctors cannot be sure what level of mobility she will ever regain, Caren is holding on to hope and her own capacity to heal. “I have this power within me,” she says. “When I used to surf, I used to paddle out in these huge hurricane swells and it was hard to get out, but I wouldn’t stop until I got out. So I’m using that same power now to get up the stairs, to get myself dressed, and to get myself out of bed in the morning so hopefully I can surf again someday.”

“The world is even more beautiful than I thought because I can see it more clearly now… I’m not going so fast in it.”

— Caren Öberg

Scan the Flowcode here to donate to Caren Öberg’s GoFundMe page, which is supporting her while she continues to heal and get back on her feet.

Photo by Sam Hill

Thomas Macy House, Jethro Coffin House, Hadwen House, Henry Coffin House, Maria Mitchell

The back of the bracelet is engraved with the names of the first owners of these historic homes and the dates they were built. The toggles depict two versions of Great Point Lighthouse belly to belly and an architectural detail from the North Church on Centre Street.

A PICTURE

Worth a Thousand Hours

World-famous photographer Stephen Wilkes reveals Nantucket like you’ve never seen it before

Brant Point is undoubtedly the most photographed landmark on Nantucket. And yet of the millions of images taken of the stout lighthouse guarding the entrance to the harbor, one photo has never been captured— until now. This July, world-famous photographer Stephen Wilkes is unveiling his signature Day to Night edition of Brant Point, a single image that has taken the better part of two years to produce.

WRITTEN BY ROBERT COCUZZO

Brant Point, Day to Night ™ (photo courtesy of Stephen Wilkes).

Grizzly Bears, Chilko Lake, British Columbia, Canada, Day to Night ™ (photo courtesy of Stephen Wilkes)

Lesser Flamingos, Lake Bogoria, Kenya, Day to Night ™ (photo courtesy of Stephen Wilkes)

Renowned for his editorial, commercial and fine art work, Wilkes began his Day to Night technique in 2009 when photographing The Highline in New York City. Fixing a camera on a tripod, Wilkes takes more than a thousand images over the course of a twenty-four to thirty-six-hour period. Each of these images captures a distinct moment in time that Wilkes then painstakingly photoshops together to depict the happenings of a single day in a single frame. Since that first image, Wilkes has photographed some of the most iconic locations in the country, from Yosemite National Park to Times Square to Wrigley Field. Now Nantucket joins his select catalog.

Wilkes became interested in photographing Nantucket after a friend and collector suggested the idea to him two years ago. He worked with island photographer and gallery owner Nathan Coe in scouting locations, until selecting Brant Point, which, along with its significance to the island, could also accommodate the elaborate logistical requirements needed to fix his 4x5 digital camera in place for twenty-four to thirty-six hours. Accompanied by three assistants, Wilkes mounted his tripod to the widow’s walk of a nearby private property with his lens fixed on the lighthouse. Shooting virtually around the clock for the next day and a half, Wilkes captured boats, birds, bathers and the comings and goings around Brant Point as the sun rose, arched and fell across the sky.

Brooklyn Bridge, Day to Night ™ (photo courtesy of Stephen Wilkes)

Iloved photographing the Brant Point Lighthouse, a timeless beacon that embraces every visitor as they embark upon the harbor of Nantucket,” Wilkes said. “The lighthouse is an enduring symbol of this island paradise, steeped in rich history and maritime lore.”

Returning to his studio in Westport, Connecticut, with those thousands of images, Wilkes spent the next four months culling his selection down to the best fifty images, which he then methodically stitched together in Photoshop to create a seamless image that isn’t so much a time-lapse as a rendering of a single day condensed in a single frame. “What I’m doing is essentially visualizing the space and time continuum to a certain degree,” Wilkes has said of his work. “Albert Einstein described time like a fabric that gets bent and warped over time based on a gravitational field, kind of like a trampoline. The idea of fabric really hit me. I take that fabric and I flatten it into a two-dimensional plane. Amazing things start to happen when I meld time and the rotation of light and the color change of light.”

On top of the mind-bending beauty of the images, Wilkes is also trying to communicate messages through his photography. In recent years, he’s photographed locations such as the melting icecaps in Greenland and endangered species in the Serengeti to convey the inherent fragility of nature. “I feel like there’s an opportunity for me to tell stories that can inform people and inspire them to see the world the way I see it and the way I capture change over time,” Wilkes has said. “I saw it firsthand when I was photographing over the span of twenty-six hours in the Serengeti. All of these different species of animals were sharing a watering hole and never once grunted at each other. Water is the thing that we’re supposed to have wars over, but this experience was very transformative for me because I realized that animals communicate at a level that we don’t really understand, and the act of sharing is part of their language.”

Less than a hundred prints of Wilkes’ Day to Night edition of Nantucket were produced, ranging in size from 24 by 38 inches to 60 by 95 inches. Fetching upward of $100,000 per print, the series is extremely limited and represents one of only four images Wilkes releases each year. “Photographing the Brant Point Lighthouse was more than just capturing a picturesque scene,” Wilkes said. “It was an exploration of history and timelessness, of a beacon that has witnessed countless stories unfold.”

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Day to Night ™

(photo courtesy of Stephen Wilkes)

As part of his show “From Africa to Nantucket,” Stephen Wilkes will be showing his exclusive Day to Night edition of Brant Point at Coe and Co. Gallery on 30 Main Street on Nantucket. The show will open on July 6 from 5-7 p.m.

INSIDE MAN

IINTERVIEW BY ROBERT COCUZZO

A conversation with CNN This Morning anchor Phil Mattingly

Phil Mattingly describes himself as a “straight news guy.” No commentary, no punditry—just the facts. Before being elevated to CNN chief White House correspondent covering the Biden White House, Mattingly wielded his fast-talking, typewriter-like reporting in the halls of Congress and more recently on the campaign trail. A witness to history, he was in the Capitol during the January 6th insurrection and saw firsthand just how fragile American democracy can be. Most recently, Mattingly was promoted to anchor of CNN This Morning alongside Poppy Harlow, marking a major development for this once print journalist who never dreamed of being on television.

Off the air, Mattingly is part of a growing contingent of CNN personalities and Washington insiders who spend their summers on Nantucket where the family of Mattingly’s wife Chelsea has owned a home for many years. The morning after the Senate passed the budget deal to raise the debt ceiling, Mattingly shared his thoughts about working in the White House, covering President Biden, and the upcoming election.

Tell us a little bit about your Nantucket connection.

I didn’t really know much or anything about Nantucket. I was an Army brat and then went to high school and college in Ohio. When I started dating my now-wife, she and her family had been going up there for years. She always spoke incredibly highly about the both literally and figuratively rarefied air of the place. So I went up probably the first year of us dating and, to be completely candid, was very intimidated. I didn’t go to cool places for vacation. We went to lakes and then cabins without electricity. When we arrived, I just fell in love with the place. From the moment you land, especially in the metabolism with which we work on a daily basis, you feel like the weight comes off as you walk off the plane. It’s just become a refuge for us.

Did you know how many CNN personalities are on Nantucket?

I had no idea of the scale of not just CNN but the Washington presence up there. One of my first times up there, I saw Chris Matthews just sitting on the street. And I was like, “Holy cow, that’s Chris Matthews.” Then my mother-in-law told me the whole story of Tim Russert, and Luke is a buddy of mine, and all the stuff that their family has done for the island. My theory has long been—and this could be totally inaccurate—that Tim’s presence and reverence for the place was what drove a lot of people to realize how wonderful it was.

What are some of the big stories you’re looking out for this summer as they relate to the White House?

The election. You can see what’s happening in Iowa and New Hampshire. Obviously, the Republican primary is fully underway, and they’re already throwing haymakers. The president has launched his reelection campaign, intentionally rolled it out slow, and will build over the course of this year before they really hit the gas early next year. But getting an understanding of the dynamics of that, how that’s going to play out, is really going to be a pretty central focus.

Image courtesy of CNN

You had extraordinary access to the White House, given your position. Is there something that would surprise most Americans about how this particular White House operates?

What took me a while to fully grasp is just how small the president’s inner circle is. There are really five or six people, longtime Biden World folks who have been by his side for decades. And they are everything. They have a supremely talented policy team. Obviously, the agencies as well. The talent in government is often underappreciated, as we all take the perspective of “Washington is terrible.” But the decision-makers and the people around him are a very small universe, and they are not people who like to talk to us. They are extraordinarily loyal. One of the most frustrating things, particularly for folks who covered the last administration, is they just don’t leak. They don’t talk out of turn; they don’t dime each other out. They’re not around knifing one another on a consistent basis. And which you could make the argument, and they do, that that’s probably good for the functioning of government. It’s less so for reporters covering them. But I find it to be totally fascinating and I think underappreciated as you try and work your way into that.

Do you think that inner circle, and the administration writ large, is intentional about buffering President Biden from the press and limiting his press conference moments?

The short candid answer is yes. And it’s a great frustration. It’s funny; I covered the president for a year on Capitol Hill before he became vice president. Anytime you wanted to talk to him, you could pull him aside and talk to him. Honestly, you would have to end the conversation most of the times. He was very similar as vice president as well. It is clear when he is engaging with you, when he is taking questions, that he is fully ca-

pable as somebody who’s been in this town for fifty years and has seen every policy, every political angle that you could possibly imagine. I find that when he engages with us, I have such a better understanding of what and how he’s thinking about things.

So why do they prevent him from taking questions?

I don’t necessarily want to pose this as a defense, but at least in terms of trying to understand why they do what they do, is they did this and he was elected president. They did this and his first two years were the most successful from a purely legislative agenda perspective, with the narrowest majorities in memory in probably five or six decades. And I think there is an element of if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. I think that they feel like they can get around us. They use all sorts of different ways to get their message out and don’t feel like they need to necessarily work to address media concerns in a way that a traditional White House would in the past.

You’ve also traveled with the president abroad. What have you witnessed in terms of his ability to interact on that world stage that perhaps the cameras don’t catch?

His level of animation in world stage moments is just very different than it is from the regular day-to-day. He was chairman of [the] Senate Foreign Relations [Committee]; he has traveled the world for decades. He knows all of these people. Oftentimes, you can look past or you forget the scale of his experience, particularly in that space. And I think it’s very reflective when we go on trips. The trips are hard, and they’re grinding with any president. You can only imagine what that must be like for an eighty-year-old president. And I’m cognizant of that fact. I think sometimes the schedule probably reflects that to some degree. But I also think that the counter to that is, particularly when you look through the lens of Ukraine, his ability on the world stage to marshal what have been the kind of pillars of Western democracy or society over the course of the last seven decades in terms of NATO,

in terms of G7, those results. And I think that that is very much a reflection of his understanding of the places that he’s going and the leaders and their domestic political dynamics oftentimes that he’s talking to. I love the trips. I loathe the lack of sleep on them, but I love them, because you just get to watch him in his element, which you don’t necessarily get to see every day in the West Wing.

How do you think he has dealt with the extreme polarity in the country, and particularly in an effort of bipartisanship?

[President Biden] made a comment during the campaign that he thought that things would start to cool. There would be a break from the former president if he won, and he would drive the temperature down a little bit. You could make the argument that that hasn’t been borne out. In large part, it’s because the former president hasn’t done what former presidents usually do, which is fade away. Obviously, he’s the leading Republican contender. The way Republicans have maintained their allegiance to the former president, particularly after January 6th, has genuinely flummoxed him. He has said that in some form or fashion. That said, one of the probably most overlooked things of his first two years in terms of those legislative accomplishments is infrastructure was bipartisan. The elements, the core pieces of that sweeping legislative agenda that he was able to enact 50 to 60 percent—the CHIPS law, which is huge, the bipartisan infrastructure law, which is huge—were all bipartisan. The spending agreements that they were able to get in those first two years, all bipartisan. And so it’s a weird, almost paradoxical context to some degree, where he’s done the things he said he was going to do on a bipartisan basis legislatively. The country has not in any way followed the path that he thought it would in terms of cooling down a little bit.

Mattingly with his family on Nantucket (photo courtesy of Phil Mattingly)

Many Democrats were split over whether Biden should run for reelection. Did you see that division on the ground level in the White House? And if so, was there an effort to whip people in line?

I heard about it from many people on Capitol Hill, especially national Democrats, state-level Democrats, too. What I think was most fascinating about it is you very rarely saw their names in print. They were very happy to give background quotes. They were terrified of putting their names in print, which is interesting to me, because Biden’s [operation] is not known as a knife-wielding, put-the-hammer-down operation. They wield their clout when they need to, but they aren’t known as making a list of everyone who says something bad and then cutting them out of everything. His team was always unequivocal. Once they had the sense that he was good with it, they were all in no matter what. That never changed. The complete lack of challengers with actual juice or people stepping out—whether big-time blue state governors or senators, or anybody with a national profile or a burgeoning national profile, everyone fell in line.

What do you think President Biden’s biggest vulnerability is in his reelection bid?

The economy probably, which again is one of those fascinating split screens of the speed of the economic recovery post-COVID, which has no precedent. I think the jobs report today again was another blowout, 300-plus thousand jobs. And unemployment’s at 3.7 percent and created 12 million jobs. All the talking points that they roll out, justifiably so, on a regular basis. And yet people feel a sense of malaise. Poll after poll after poll, people feel like the economy’s bad and that the country’s going in the wrong direction. They have grappled with this issue for years now, trying to figure out what the disconnect is, and they clearly haven’t figured it out yet. That’s just a huge issue, the general perception. The vibe of the country right now is not great.

“What took me a while to fully grasp is just how small the president’s inner circle is. There’s really five or six people, longtime Biden World folks who have been by his side for decades... One of the most frustrating things, particularly for folks who covered the last administration, is they just don’t leak.”

— Phil Mattingly

With respect to the president, what are his vulnerabilities?

They don’t like to talk about it, but you can’t overlook the fact that he’s the oldest president in American history. And he’ll be the oldest president in American history tomorrow and the day after that. And while his folks are very insistent that it never is an issue that polls in the top three in

terms of what people are making decisions on, and that maybe the actual salience of the issue itself will start to recede when he has a single Republican opponent and it becomes a contrast issue, not a one-person perception issue, he’s eighty years old and they’re still trying to figure out how navigate that reality. You cannot avoid it; you can’t walk away from it. I don’t know if it will ever be the overarching issue, but it’s unavoidable.

you’ve seen his campaign team actually do this. He has a much more professional operation. His team is much more buttoned down. His events are very different. The way he’s campaigning right now is very different than he did in ’16 or ’20.

You were in the Capitol on January 6th. What are your recollections from that day?

I was in the Capitol, watching the electoral count process. Our cameras were in the Senate office buildings, which are directly across

“The only thing I could compare it to is that reveal scene in a sci-fi movie where the massive alien spaceship just shows up and people are like, ‘Oh my God, what is going on right now?’ You’re watching thousands of people literally breaking into the Chambers on the steps.”

— Phil Mattingly

Looking on the other side of the aisle, former President Trump has his own hurdles. What would you say is the most problematic for him in terms of his reelection?

There isn’t actually that much that has shifted from 2020, except you add on the January 6th element. His base will always be his base. It sounds very cliche at this point, but it has the benefit of being accurate. He’s got 35 percent of the country locked in no matter what. He could do anything he wants and he’ll have 35 percent. Some days that reaches 38 to 39 percent. When you talk to Republicans who are not of the die-hard, never-waver set, people are just tired. They feel like there are good candidates out there in their primary. They would like a lot of the stuff on the policy side of things that the former president did, but just not him or his Twitter account. If he becomes the nominee, I don’t know that a majority of people will look back at the four years prior, or particularly the final couple of weeks of his administration, and think, “Yes, absolutely, that’s where I want to go back to.” I think his hurdle is overcoming that perception, and

the street. I got a text from a producer saying, “You need to get to the camaras. There’s some stuff going on right now.” So I walked out of the Senate Chamber to go to the camera across the street. There are underground tunnels that we use so you wouldn’t have to go through security again. I hit the elevator to go down to the first floor, and a Capitol police officer grabbed me and said, “Absolutely not. Go down to the basement.” Which is how you got over to the subway. I said, “Look, man, I’ve worked here for ten years. Don’t grab me.” Because I was apparently an idiot in the moment and had no concept of what was going on. It turned out that that was right around the time that the people had gotten into the first floor of the Senate, where the famous picture of the Capitol police officer holding them up was.

When did you discover there was an insurrection in progress?

I went down to the basement and walked over to our live cam. The camera overlooks the front of the Capitol. I walked out and

opened the door. The only thing I could compare it to is that reveal scene in a sci-fi movie where the massive alien spaceship just shows up and people are like, “Oh my God, what is going on right now?” You’re watching thousands of people literally breaking into the chambers on the steps. Having covered the place and the building for so long, I would always tell my wife, “I’m in the safest place in the world.” It was just completely unfathomable and surreal. I stayed at that camera for the rest of the day, and we did live shots and reporting with technical lawmakers, many of whom had been evacuated at that point, or leadership staffers who had obviously been taken off campus to their secret offsite [location]. I stayed there until 4 a.m., when they reconvened, finished the process, and Vice President Pence announced that Biden had the electoral votes he needed.

Can you talk about the pressure of being on live television when the slightest misstep could be grounds for cancellation?

It’s an interesting question, and I say that because I don’t actually think about it all that much. I’m very cognizant of word choice. Particularly on sensitive issues, political or cultural, I’m very cognizant of how I’m going to say something and why I’m going to say it that way. At the same time, and maybe I’m wrong about this, but my view is I don’t usually wander into territory that gets people in trouble or gets people lit up on Twitter on a regular basis. I stick to what I know based on my reporting and based on the policy that I’m covering. Anything outside of that is just not relevant to why people are watching a White House live shot. It’s not relevant to what I’m saying on a panel. If other people want to get into that space, that’s great. But I have the wonderful reality of saying, “Man, I’m just a straight news guy.” And I don’t want anything beyond that.

where meets

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THE LEAD

INTERVIEW BY BRUCE A. PERCELAY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT NOBLE

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the state

Maura Healey is the first elected female governor of Massachusetts having won with almost 64 percent of the vote. In a state historically dominated by male Republican governors, Healey has broken the mold yet sees herself as a moderate who supports business growth and, at the same time, traditional Democratic Party positions. We sat down with Governor Healey for a broad-ranging discussion about issues facing Nantucket and the state as a whole.

Could you share with us your thoughts about Nantucket and your personal experiences on the island?

Nantucket has always been special to me and I’ve loved visiting here. I think the best part about Nantucket is just the light. The beaches are phenomenal, from Surfside to Cisco, and getting out to Siasconset is so beautiful. The history of the island is incredible, and the melding of so many different histories on the island is really special.

You are following the single most popular governor in America who managed to effectively navigate a state that is largely Democratic. What would you take out of Charlie Baker’s playbook as it relates to your governorship?

Charlie Baker and I had an excellent working relationship for so many years when I was attorney general. He governed with a very open style, open to dialogue, open to communication and listening and not being afraid to make adjustments as things moved forward as the circumstances warranted, even if that meant changing his view or position on certain things. And I respect that.

As bucolic as Nantucket seems from a distance, it shares many of the same challenges that Massachusetts does as a whole. Let’s start with housing. It is probably the number one issue on Nantucket. Any thoughts on how to address the housing crisis on the island?

Acknowledging that it’s a crisis is the first thing, and it really is. And that’s why one of the first things I did as governor was establish a housing secretary, a person and a department that was going to be solely, exclusively focused on driving housing production around the state.

When I think about Nantucket, I think about the fact that there are so many people who are needed for the island—firefighters, police, teachers, people who work in the hospital, people who make the island work. That creates the vibrancy of that island that so

Do you have any specific thoughts on how to deal with Nantucket, given that our problems are quite different from every other community in the Bay State?

We want Nantucket to flourish, but it’s not going to happen unless we have people who are able to live there. And so I think it’s a matter of looking at what’s available right now in terms of development, what the state can contribute in terms of helping incent development, helping with some of the financing and workforce development credits. And I think we really need partnering with the local community to match what their needs are. We’ve got to work together with the state on this one.

On the subject of other challenges, the fentanyl problem that is being seen now across the state has also surfaced on Nantucket. What are your thoughts on how to deal with a drug problem that is potentially more serious than anything we’ve seen?

This is an area that I know a lot about. As attorney general, I was the first to sue the Sackler family and hold them accountable for all they did to create so much of the market for opioids in this country, which then led to what we’re seeing with fentanyl, and it’s plaguing communities around the state. We know that the Cape and Islands have also been hit.

many flock to by the hundreds of thousands each year to enjoy. That’s not going to exist unless we figure out a way to house people. It’s an issue around the state. Rents are rising, housing prices are rising, people can’t even afford to downsize in some instances. And then COVID had a real effect in terms of driving up the housing market in certain places, I’d say, particularly in the Cape and Islands.

We’ve got to drive production, and I am committed to working alongside Lieutenant Governor Driscoll in driving production around the state. What does that mean? It means using the levers of the state government to incent development, working directly with developers, working with communities, dealing with some of the zoning issues. We’ve got to find a way to create more housing and livable communities for people on Nantucket and around the state.

What I’m doing is looking to invest in more treatment for substance use disorder, for recovery, for prevention. Housing is also important, supportive housing, because you’ve got to give people a longer pathway to do the work to get themselves free from this incredibly serious addiction. We need mental health and substance use disorder facilities around the state in much greater capacity than we have right now. It’s absolutely true when it comes to the Cape and Islands, where it’s not as easy for folks to always get around and to get to places for help.

We’ve got to deal with making therapy more available, making medication-assisted therapy more available, making housing and supportive housing more available. And we’ve got to continue the work, of course, around prevention. I’m very focused on harm reduction as well because this is about meeting people where they are. And as it was a top priority for me as attorney general, I’m going to do everything I can as governor to address this issue.

“We want Nantucket to flourish, but it’s not going to happen unless we have people who are able to live there.”

— Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

We are all in search of renewable energy sources, and over time there have been various efforts to put wind farms in Nantucket Sound. The Vineyard Wind project that is now advancing has generated concern about its potential impact on mammal life in Nantucket Sound, particularly the endangered right whale. Have you given any thought to this project and where you draw the line between the need for renewables and protecting a resource that is precious to the island? Both are important, and it is absolutely essential right now that we as a state, a region, a country do all that we can to move from fossil fuels to renewables. That’s why I support a diverse portfolio. Wind is certainly part of that, but we have hydro, we have energy efficiency, we have solar and other things we need to look at including storage. So, it’s really important that we do this as a state.

As a team, I made a commitment. I appointed the country’s first climate chief in any administration who’s really driving a strong climate agenda across all fronts— housing, transportation, which, of course, is key because so many of the fossil fuel emissions and greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. So, we’ve got to look at this broadly and make sure that we are building out an infrastructure that will support a diverse renewables portfolio as we move away from fossil fuels.

When it comes to wind and offshore wind in particular, I understand the concern that people have. I think the best way to work through this, and it’s certainly something I did as attorney general, is to have dialogue with the community and with the environmental community as well. I’m certainly sensitive to the concerns out there about the impact on marine life. We’re really depending on offshore wind in order to be able to meet our climate goals.

MIT has advanced nuclear technology to a point where the level of safety has advanced dramatically from years gone by. Have you considered nuclear as a way to generate electricity at a time when the government has mandated the end of the production of the internal combustion engine by 2035?

I’m aware of certain actions in Europe, for example, where there’s been a return to nuclear. I haven’t considered that for the state. And I think right now the focus is on how we support existing technologies—wind, solar, storage, hydro. There’s a lot more we can do regionally working with other states and the Canadian provinces around some of

“I made a commitment. I appointed the country’ s first climate chief in any administration who’s really driving a strong climate agenda across all fronts.”

— Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

this. So that’s really what my team and I are focused on right now. Let’s see where we get when we utilize effectively those resources that are going to take some time to build out. There’s a lot of work we’ve got to do around the grid and transmission and building up the infrastructure that is going to enable us to take advantage of those technologies.

Much of the technology that is going to be used to power our globe away from fossil fuels is actually being developed right here in Massachusetts. So, this is an opportunity for all sorts of green and blue jobs across the state and something that we will benefit from. We’re seeing unprecedented funding coming from the Biden administration for climate initiatives and infrastructure.

So I think the combination of those things bodes well for Massachusetts.

“It is absolutely essential right now that we as a state, a region, a country do all that we can to move from fossil fuels to renewables.”

— Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

Prior to being sworn in as governor, Maura Healey served as attorney general under Governor Charlie Baker.

You’ve walked into the governorship at a particularly challenging economic time. We’ve had a dramatic increase in interest rates, there is a looming recession and we enacted a millionaires tax before you were elected. What steps do you plan to take to position Massachusetts as pro-business to offset the headwinds impacting growth of the Bay State?

I think too many times people think of things as mutually xclusive, as a zero-sum game. I don’t see it that way. We can be a pro-business state and build healthy, livable communities. That’s what I’ve been about. One of the first things I did as governor was announce a proposed tax relief package. We need to make life more affordable for people in the state, drive down the cost of living.

We also need to make Massachusetts more competitive. It’s a competitive world out there, and I am playing for every business, every employer, every resident. I want people not only to stay in Massachusetts, grow families, grow businesses, but I want to attract more people to our great state. And we have work to do. So that’s why the tax reform package that I put forward is really important in making life more affordable and making us more competitive.

I also say that Massachusetts has so much going for us. There isn’t a state in the country that has the collection of human and intellectual capital that we have: research, our colleges and universities, our health and hospital systems, our history of innovation and entrepreneurship. And there is so much that is remarkable about this state, our educational quality and educational levels. We protect people’s civil rights. We protect access to health care. We protect reproductive justice and freedoms. This is important right now in this time for people to remember and part of the value proposition of our great state. But the work I have to do as governor is to work with the business community and with others across communities and government to make sure that we are making life affordable, competitive and equitable for folks and businesses in this state.

That said, the state as a whole and Boston in particular are experiencing population declines for the first time in a long time. We’re seeing migration to New Hampshire, to Florida, to the Carolinas. What do you do to stem that tide now?

I think being really clear that as governor, I’m going to do everything I can to keep you and your business here in Massachusetts, and that we are open for business in Massachusetts. That out migration started back in 2019. And I think we saw some of that accelerate during COVID as people had more opportunities to work remotely. I want to create the conditions in which people

can stay in Massachusetts and are attracted to come here. I don’t want to see people leave to go to New Hampshire or the Carolinas or Florida or Texas or elsewhere.

So for me, it’s been really important to work with the business community. I put forward a strong tax relief package, a tax reform package that will make us more competitive with other states, changing the estate tax, changing short-term capital gains, doing things that will make us more competitive from a business environment perspective. Also, we’re looking right now at how to speed permitting and regulatory action. If we’re going to meet my goals for housing production in this state, we need to move faster, we need to move more nimbly in order to get this done, to meet the urgency of this moment.

I think in Massachusetts, we are at somewhat of an inflection point. The decisions that we make right now are really going to determine the course of our future. And that’s why I’m focused on this drive to make us more affordable, to drive down housing costs through greater production, to reform our tax system so that we’re not giving employers or businesses or individuals a reason to leave our state. These are the things that we’ve got to see happen now.

Maura Healey during her days playing point guard for Harvard

Technology has always been one of the backbones of Massachusetts’ economy. We’ve led in the computer innovation, we led in software development, we’re now leading in the biotech world and life sciences. Are there new emerging technologies that you plan to target to try to create yet another economic engine for Massachusetts?

This is one of the reasons why Massachusetts is so great. We have so many industries and technologies that we can lean into. Massachusetts is the global epicenter for life sciences. I recently hosted the Bio-IT World Conference here in Massachusetts. I want us to remain the global epicenter for life sciences.

And you’re going to see renewed commitment to that through my administration. I also think there are other areas. Look at what’s happening with climate technology, AI, robotics. These are all spaces where Massachusetts is doing really terrific work. There is so much innovation, so much entrepreneurship coming from Massachusetts companies that it’s a very exciting time here. These are spaces that we can really lean into. It will help drive a great economic future for our state.

Every state at one point or another looks for funding from the federal government; the relationship with the White House is important. Massachusetts has had a history of being very effective in this regard. What is your relationship with the Biden administration and are you currently working on any initiatives that will bring resources back home?

We have an excellent working relationship with the Biden administration. I’ve visited and made trips to D.C. several times for purposes of engaging directly with

“I want to create the conditions, the environment in which people can stay in Massachusetts and are attracted to come to Massachusetts.”

— Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

the administration for funding opportunities. I appointed a person to head our effort to chase all those federal dollars that are out there. There are so many dollars out there right now coming through recent legislative acts. As a state, I want to play and compete for all of that funding, whether it’s the Inflation Reduction Act, whether it’s [the] CHIPS and Science [Act], whether it’s ARPA-H [Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health], which would be a boon to our life sciences efforts here.

You were a standout college basketball player at Harvard, and you went on to play basketball professionally. What are your takeaways from being an athlete and being a team leader, as it relates to your management style as governor?

When I played basketball, my position was point guard. When you’re point guard, you’re the quarterback of the floor and you’re used to kind of

tremendous talent. I’m really proud of the cabinet that we’ve built. These are super talented people who are out there in different realms, working hard for folks across the state.

Teamwork is how we get things done. And that’s probably the single greatest takeaway I have from my sports experience that I really see as transferable to the work that we need to do now. We need people working together at all levels of government— local, state and federal. We need people working together, government and outside of government, importantly, the business community, our NGO [nongovernmental organization] community, academia. Everybody rowing in the same direction.

We’ve had some disappointments in our local sports teams, particularly at the eleventh hour. We saw the Bruins have a shocking conclusion to their season. We saw the Celtics in the same vein. As an athlete, what advice would you give to our teams to bring back the winning ways that we’ve become so accustomed to?

that the currency of our professional sports teams have created for the state and for the region. I’m their biggest cheerleader.

Let’s imagine you’ve been in office for a number of terms. Looking back, what would you view as benchmarks for success?

Simply put: that life is a lot better for people here in the state as a result of the work that our administration has

running the show and getting people to play together. The greatest statistic for the point guard is not points scored, it’s actually the assist. And in many ways that’s how I like to govern. It’s very much a team approach. It’s supporting the team, surrounding myself with

We have become accustomed to those winning ways, and we’ll get back to that. And the fact that we had two of our four teams so far really in the running for championships is pretty cool. And that’s very significant, but obviously we came up short. So I think as with anything, it’s a matter of let’s regroup now in the summer and figure out what pieces aren’t in place and let’s get those pieces in place. But the talent is certainly there and it’s just about making sure that the right things are done to bring that home. Winning breeds winning, success breeds success. And I think over the years we’ve really benefited from the vibe

done. That’s the goal every day. How do we work every day to make life better for people across Massachusetts? How do we make Massachusetts a more vibrant place to live, to grow a business, to grow a family? How are we doing in terms of public health? How are we doing with our public transit system? What is the cost of housing? What is the cost of childcare? What is happening in all these spaces that determine whether or not somewhere is a great place to live? That’s what we’re really focused on every day. Making Massachusetts a place where everyone, no matter their circumstance, feels like they have a shot and an opportunity to be great and do great things.

“Teamwork is how we get things done... that’s probably the single greatest takeaway I have from my sports experience that I really see transferable to the work that we need to do now.”

— Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

“[My goal is] making Massachusetts a place where everyone, no matter their circumstance, feels like they have a shot and an opportunity to be great and do great things.”

— Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

Explore Nantucket, With Our Local Expertise

Beyond our transaction expertise, we share our island expertise. From our deep market knowledge and real-time analytics to knowing the best fishing, dining and on-island adventures firsthand, Fisher has you covered. We go beyond helping our clients buy and sell their homes. We help make their whole island experience a memorable one.

GARDENER

INTERVIEW BY ROBERT COCUZZO

Tips from famed garden designer and Nantucket by Design luminary Wambui Ippolito

Wambui Ippolito is not your grandmother’s gardener. The daughter of a Kenyan diplomat, Wambui grew up traveling around the world before landing in the United States where she blossomed into one of the most sought-after garden designers in the country. Martha Stewart and David Letterman are among some of the happy customers on her exclusive client list, which also includes sports stars, media moguls and musical titans. On August 4th, Wambui will be bringing her worldly gardening expertise to the island as a panelist at the Nantucket Historical Association’s Nantucket by Design. Before her arrival, she dug into some questions.

How can a Nantucket gardener utilize some of the traditional staples such as Rosa rugosa and hydrangeas to create an outdoor space that feels distinctly different from the rest of the island?

To create a distinctly different space in line with the Nantucket aesthetic, I’d recommend using uncommon hydrangea species like the dwarf ‘Miss Saori’ in a small, contained mass planting, with a lot of negative space around them. Because it’s a small shrub, one can do a massed planting that doesn’t overwhelm and isn’t too exuberant. That way, one can enjoy it in its simple beauty, enjoy the house lines, the surroundings and the sky. Less “froth” really is best. I also recommend Hydrangea ‘Pink Ball.’ Both cultivars have hot colors and will stand out from the blues, however pretty, of the other varieties. Rosa rugosa is my favorite rose species though it can get unsightly and common looking. I like to plant a white R. rugosa in a sunny spot under a vigorous climber like ‘The Generous Gardener.’ If you do this and prune the white R. rugosa nice and tight for more blooms and keep it under ‘The Generous Gardener,’ you’ll love the look!

Fertilizer usage is a hot topic on Nantucket due to its impact on our harbor and our water supply. What recommendations do you have in creating a thriving garden while also protecting the surrounding environment?

Don’t spray your lawn and please use the clippings and fallen leaves for compost. Everyone should have a compost barrel tumbler in the back of their garden or in a shed into which they can add their organic vegetable kitchen and lawn waste. Use this in your garden and die in peace knowing you didn’t kill the fish or sully the ocean.

From what you know about the island’s traditional gardens, what changes or additions would you make to add some more excitement?

I think it would be great to add heirloom dahlia planters on the island’s streets. Just beautiful dahlias. Imagine walking down the roads and coming upon planters filled with different varieties of lovely, rare dahlias? There are so many beautiful heirloom dahlias. ‘Café au Lait,’ ‘Fashion Monger’ and ‘Nepos’ are some of my favorites. It would bring a lot of interest to the island. People would come for the beautiful gardens and to see the new dahlia cultivars in planters on the public streets and roads. It could be a whole new chapter in Nantucket’s life!

What’s a common mistake or misconception that amateur gardeners make?

Doing too much all at once. Just because it looks nice in a book or in your sister-in-law’s garden doesn’t mean it’s for you and must be planted right away. Start small. If you section out the garden into a grid and then work on one grid, then move on to the next over time and seasons, you’re more likely to end up with a beautiful harmonious space and not a jumble of well-meant ideas that went astray. A garden is a lifetime affair.

Can vegetables and flowers be integrated in the same garden/bed? How would you execute that?

Well, you can incorporate unusual vegetables like Crambe maritima or Crambe cordifolia, again two of my favorites. They are both from the cabbage family and very attractive in the garden, especially in early spring when their beautiful flowers appear and late fall with their silver-gray foliage. One hundred percent

edible, uncommon in the garden, but vegetables nonetheless. Nasturtiums are also great and completely edible. I love to see them rambling all over the place in sunny “messier” gardens. Grow them over low walls or trellises and add them to your salads.

Do you have any surprising stories about working on David Letterman’s garden?

None whatsoever. It was a very calm, relaxed and happy time in my life. They were very nice to me there. The lead landscape architect designed a

beautiful space and I loved working on the property. I was really into trees at the time and spent all my lunches looking at the many tree species on the property. Just the nicest people and best time that I recall fondly.

Did you learn any lessons from Martha Stewart that you continue to employ today? What I loved about working in Bedford is that I was always learning something new. Martha is a bona fide horticulturist who knows her stuff through and through, and I recall that on my first morning, she walked in with about ten little containers of Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea) seeds that she’d soaked overnight in buttermilk. I asked her why she’d soaked them

and she said a friend had told her it was to loosen their seed coats. This I didn’t know. It was constant learning about plant care, different and exciting new cultivars, tons of new trees and so on. I’ve always been a learner and so it was great to work for a woman who herself is constantly learning and respects the same in others. When I saw her at the 2022 Perennial Plant Conference at Swarthmore College where we both lectured on different topics, we had a nice time laughing about the many Carpinus I planted when I first got to her property, and talking about the gardens and how they continue to mature under the great care of her gardeners. I really learned a lot working for her and I’ve never stopped. It was an excellent way to start my career and horticulture life.

— Wambui Ippolito

“I really learned a lot working for Martha Stewart and I’ve never stopped. It was an excellent way to start my career and horticulture life.”

What role should native species play in one’s garden and why are they important?

Clearly, we need to plant species that provide food for pollinators, but more importantly, we need to think about what a balanced, natural ecosystem means today. The Earth evolved over millennia to create ecosystems that function for the benefit of all living creatures, and humanity has done a lot in a short time to create much disarray. These days, I’m of the belief that we may just have to let nature solve the problem.

Sometimes I think that the overzealousness in some quarters to “fix” problems just ends up creating more. Leave nature to take over abandoned spaces; let her introduce the species (weeds) she feels need to grow there. Cities should ban the use of pesticides in parks and recreational areas and allow “forgotten plants” to grow because that is nature remedying the problems we’ve created. Like Voltaire said, we can cultivate our own little gardens and leave the wider word for nature to heal. I love Sophie Leguil’s work in the UK. Please read about what she does at morethanweeds.co.uk.

Though you work primarily in New York and Pennsylvania, you’ve traveled extensively throughout your life, beginning with your childhood as the daughter of a Kenyan diplomat. If you were to put together an itinerary of the best places where one could see exquisite gardens, what would be your top three and why?

I’ve seen so many gardens and always go back to those that are owned by true horticulturists and plant lovers, whether they are billionaires or Buddhist monks. You can always tell when a garden is grown by someone who loves plants as opposed to it just being installed. One of the most beautiful sites I’ve seen was a small array of rusty cans filled with tropical hydrangeas and rambling nasturtiums in a Buddhist monastery in Bhutan. So simple, yet so beautiful. I think a tour of my friend Ximena Nazal’s home garden in Chile is a must, and the many gardens she has worked on there. I love Ximena dearly and always learn from her. She is a wonderful gardener and landscape engineer. Chile’s gardening culture is amazing.

I’m also curious about old gardens in Iran, Armenia and Turkey. Here in the United States, I’m still angling to see Anne Bass’ gardens in Kent, Connecticut. My friend and former schoolmate Emmanuel is the horticulture manager there, and I know he is continuing to keep the place as amazing as I’ve heard it is. Maybe one day he will convince the current owners to allow me in!

How would you distill your design philosophy?

Less is more. Soothing tones are healing. Design for humans, their pets and critter visitors. If it can grow without built-in irrigation, that’s even better.

What are you most excited to see or do during your visit to the island?

The buildings, museums and libraries. I’m a history buff and love learning. If I have down time, I’ll probably spend it learning about the island’s history.

— Wambui Ippolito

“The Earth evolved over millennia to create ecosystems that function for the benefit of all living creatures, and humanity has done a lot in a short time to create much disarray.”

MEET

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NANTUCKET

WRITTEN BY ROBERT COCUZZO

UNDERGROUND

A glimpse beneath the surface

Behind all the gray shingles and white trim, many homes on the island boast spectacular interior design and architecture that are redefining the Nantucket aesthetic. Yet for some homes, it is not what’s inside their walls that truly sets them apart—but rather what’s underneath them. We climbed down into some of the island’s most extravagant subterranean spaces to see what’s really happening below the surface.

Photo by Kit Noble

Billy Scannell never intended on installing a bowling alley beneath his property when he began building his home in Eel Point. But when builder Steve Cheney mentioned that he was completing one at another jobsite on island, the idea got rolling in Scannell’s brain. Within a month, his architect, Joe Paul, had drafted a proposal for a bowling alley and lounge that would run under Scannell’s property like a tunnel, connecting his main house with his guest house. After enlisting an engineer and getting the permits, heavy excavation machinery was brought in to dig a 125-foot-by-35-foot hole. “We were digging so deep that I worried we were going to hit water,” said Cheney, who recruited civil engineer Paul Santos to ensure that didn’t happen. “It had to be deeper than the house’s foundation because we were going to be putting dirt and grass on top of it.” A long concrete box was formed within the hole, which was capped with slabs of prestressed concrete panels. The entire assembly was waterproofed with the same materials used on tunnels for Boston’s Big Dig. Finally, in came QubicaAMF, an independent bowling alley company that installs lanes in residential properties—and within two weeks, the pins were set. Suffice it to say, Scannell now has one striking basement.

Photography by Matt Kissiday

hen we do home theaters our goal is to create an environment where the outside world goes away,” said Mike Alpert, the president of Nantucket Media Systems. “We get rid of all the distractions and have the sound and video be just right so that you get pulled into this alternate reality.” Few of Alpert’s projects have achieved this better than this home theater located in Tom Nevers, which Alpert designed alongside architect Chip Webster. The room is entirely sound isolated, meaning that no noise from the outside can be heard. Meanwhile on the inside, the walls have been expertly sound treated to ensure the best audio quality accompanying the films playing on the 150-inch screen. Along with a top-of-the-line projector, the theater is equipped with sophisticated automation technology that adjusts the screen to fit each film’s format and dims the lights when the movie is beginning. When the credits begin to roll at the movie’s conclusion, the lights come up and the music softens just like in a commercial theater. Enhancing the unique design of the room, onyx wood backlit by LED lights makes up a bar as well as columns running down the walls. The year this home theater opened, CE Pro magazine named it the best of its kind in the country. Indeed, this home theater truly is a blockbuster.

Photography by Jeff Allen

When Joe Kennedy purchased his island home on Surfside from Mark Lombardi, the property’s former owner had some parting words that Kennedy always remembered. “I designed this place to live out my dreams,” Lombardi told him. “I am blessed to have achieved them.” While the sprawling estate dazzles guests with its elaborate formal gardens and function barn, the main residence’s “coup de grâce,” as Kennedy refers to it, is hidden beneath the ground. Down a hall lined with movie posters (as seen in this story’s opening photo), which accents a state-of-the-art home theater, and down a massive stone stair entryway, there is a wine cellar that appears plucked straight from Tuscany. With a custompainted domed ceiling and reclaimed brick walls, the rustic tasting room hearkens to Old World Europe. When entertaining, Kennedy enjoys starting the evening in this wine cellar where guests can pull a bottle from one of the hundreds lining the walls and be transported to another world entirely.

Photo by Kit Noble

BEAUTY BEACH and the

HIM POLO: DUCK HEAD

SWIM TRUNKS AND SHOES: INKERMAN

HER TOP: BEAU AND RO

SHORTS: 120% LINO

SHOES: CURRENT VINTAGE

JEWELRY: FEDE

PHOTOGRAPHER: BRIAN SAGER

WARDROBE STYLIST: LEXY KAROLYI

MAKEUP STYLIST: JURGITA BUDAITE OF ISLAND GLOW

HAIR STYLIST: KATE DIGGIN OF RJ MILLER

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: RYLE FERGUSON

MALE MODEL: ALDEN BLEASE OF MAGGIE INC.

FEMALE MODEL: SYDNEY JENKINS OF MAGGIE INC.

HIM

TOP: MURRAY'S TOGGERY SHOP

SHORTS: FREE FLY APPAREL

SHOES: INKERMAN

HER

COVERUP AND BELT: 120% LINO

NECKLACE AND EARRINGS: THE VAULT

RINGS: ICARUS AND CO.

BRACELETS AND HAT: BEAU AND RO

BAG AND BLANKET: REMY

BATHING SUIT: VINEYARD VINES SWEATER: MURRAY'S TOGGERY SHOP NECKLACE: HEIDI WEDDENDORF NECKLACE worn as bracelet: ICARUS AND CO.

SHIRT, SWIM TRUNKS, SHOES: INKERMAN BIKE: CAKE

COVERUP: 120% LINO

HAT AND BRACELETS: BEAU AND RO

EARRINGS: ICARUS AND CO.

RING AND BAG: CURRENT VINTAGE

BATHING SUIT (worn as top):

MURRAY'S TOGGERY SHOP

PANTS: SARA CAMPBELL

SCARF: 120% LINO

NECKLACE: HEIDI WEDDENDORF

EARRINGS AND WRISTLET: BEAU AND RO

BRACELET: THE VAULT

RINGS: ICARUS AND CO.

HIM

POLO: VINEYARD VINES

SWIM TRUNKS: DUCK HEAD SHOES AND SWEATER: INKERMAN

HER

SET: CURRENT VINTAGE

NECKLACE: FEDE

EARRINGS: ICARUS AND CO.

SUNGLASSES: BEAU AND RO

BAG AND BRACELET: MURRAY'S TOGGERY SHOP

HIM

POLO: CURRENT VINTAGE SHORTS: MURRAY'S TOGGERY SHOP SHOES: INKERMAN

HER TOP AND PANTS: REMY EARRINGS: THE VAULT NECKLACE: HEIDI WEDDENDORF PURSE AND BRACELET: CURRENT VINTAGE

TOP: BEAU AND RO EARRINGS: FEDE NECKLACE (worn as bracelet): ICARUS AND CO.

FOGGY SHEET

The Nantucket Wine Festival was back in full force earlier this spring. With renowned winemakers from around the world, the Grand Tastings remained the weekend's biggest palate pleasers.

WINE FESTIVAL GRAND TASTING

Photography by Bill Hoenk of Nantucket About Town

FOGGY SHEET

Once again, the White Elephant played host to the NWF Grand Tastings where stunning wines were paired with the cuisines of top chefs from around the country and from right here on Nantucket. Add in some fun live music and there was a whole lot to raise your glass to over the weekend.

WINE FESTIVAL GRAND TASTING

Photography by Bill Hoenk of Nantucket About Town

FOGGY SHEET

The Theatre Workshop of Nantucket hosted a tea dance at The Chicken Box in association with Nantucket Pride as part of the island’s annual Pride Week celebrations, inspired by the tea dances originating in New York City’s gay community during the 1950s.

THEATRE WORKSHOP TEA DANCE 2023

Photography by Mark Crosby

Ashley Hicks & Martina Mondadori

Steele Marcoux

Thomas Jayne Wambui Ippolito India Hicks

Nicholas Varney

Introducing Nantucket’s Hottest Podcast

BOOKS, BEACH & BEYOND

#1 Bestselling Author Elin Hilderbrand and Tim Ehrenberg like you've never heard them before

Join Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 30 titles and the “Queen of the Beach Reads,” and Tim Ehrenberg, Nantucket’s most voracious reader and creator of the popular Tim Talks Books, as they hit the airwaves in an exclusive podcast produced by N Magazine

In what is poised to become one of the most listened to literary podcasts in the country, Books, Beach, & Beyond features special guests from bestselling and recognizable authors, to

publishing industry insiders, to local island legends who feature prominently in Hilderbrand’s prolific Nantucket stories. Discussing topics ranging from what it’s like to take a book to the screen, to the connection between a reader and a story’s characters, to the intricacies and intimate details of an author’s writing process, Hilderbrand and Ehrenberg bring books to life on the airwaves in a brand-new way!

featured wedding

Bride: Laura Hellwig • Groom: D. Andrew Rondeau • Venue: The Wauwinet • Photography: Brian Sager

Photography • Flowers: Dawn Kelly, Soiree Floral • Cake: Ana Parzych Cakes • Wedding Celebrant: Rosalie Kuyvenhoven, Fusion Weddings • Tent: Nantucket Tent • Lighting Design: Advanced Production

and Design • Bridal Hair: Michael Wilson • Bridal Makeup: Liz O’Malley • Bride’s Dress: Sareh Nouri

Groom’s Tux: Tom Ford • Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Daniel Faucher Couture • Band: Soul Sound Review

Invitation Suite: Albertine Press • Brant Point Commemorative Coin: Melissa Dudley Designs

READING BETWEEN

THE LINES

A QUICK CHAT WITH THE ATHENEUM’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HEAD LIBRARIAN ANN SCOTT

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?

You might not know how much I love my work. I find great overall meaning and purpose in catalyzing a community toward greater knowledge, creativity and wellness. Growing human connectedness through art, music, reading and stimulating conversations is deeply satisfying.

If you had to select three books that would serve as quintessential Nantucket reading, which would they be?

I need to know what genre, style and reading level floats your boat, but here’s a fun start: Away Off Shore: Nantucket Island and Its People, 1602-1890, by Nathaniel Philbrick; Daughters of Nantucket, by Julie Gerstenblatt; and Out of the Wild Night, by Blue Balliett.

Describe an experience that amplifies the unsung work of the Atheneum beyond being a library?

Do you mean “beyond being a book repository”? We register people to vote, we help folks gain citizenship, and we offer resources that would not otherwise be accessible to an average citizen. We combat censorship. We protect your freedom to read, your privacy, your free and fair access. We are the people’s university, using written and spoken word, as well as inspirational and artistic expression to democratize knowledge. This is the unsung work of public library workers across the country, and it is rooted in a deep and beautiful history. And unlike other public libraries, the Atheneum receives a required degree of funding from local government but works very hard to raise nearly 75 percent of its operating budget on an annual basis.

What is one part of the Atheneum that people would be surprised to learn about?

You may be surprised to know that you already have a free library card, waiting for you at our front desk. You might also be surprised to know that we deliver to the homebound and that we do not charge late fees.

What’s one misconception of librarians?

Depends on the librarian. Some of us are naturally quiet; some are boisterous. Some of us are readers. Others, not so much. Library workers come from all kinds of industries and have diverse backgrounds and talents. Librarians have further invested themselves with a master’s in library and information science. Our education can range from the history and ethics of library science to coding, archives, sociology, leadership, research skills and specialized fields.

How would you define your mission at the Atheneum?

The Atheneum is “Nantucket’s free public library and gathering place, transforming lives with resources and experiences that support lifelong learning for all.” My professional mission as executive director and head librarian is to actively nourish and leverage the considerable talent of our trustees and staff to deliver a library curriculum that is relevant and responsive to the cultural and educational needs of Nantucket.

What’s your favorite Nantucket tradition or pastime?

My favorite Nantucket tradition is the annual Cold Turkey Plunge held on Thanksgiving at Children’s Beach, which provides critical funding to our Weezie Library for Children, so that we may offer free year-round access to a multitude of materials and activities.

INTERVIEW BY ROBERT COCUZZO PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT NOBLE

Madaket

36 Tennessee Avenue | 3 BR 2 BA

$4,895,000 | Josh Lothian

Town

15 North Water Street | 7 BR 7.5 BA

$4,500,000 | John Arena

Mid Island

16 Teasdale Circle | 10 BR 7.5 BA

$2,895,000 | John Arena

Mid Island

15 Parker Lane | 0.22 Acre

$1,295,000 | Beth Jekanowski

Mid Island

61 Fairgrounds Road | 0.23 Acre

$1,235,000 | Beth Jekanowski

#1 Family-Owned Real Estate Company in Florida and the Northeast 145+ Offices | 4,500+ Sales Associates | 8 States - CT, FL, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT

Official Real Estate Company of the Boston Red Sox

RAVEISNANTUCKET.COM

Architecture

Christian Angle Real Estate

CMC Construction

Community Foundation for Nantucket

Compass

Compass - Cort Petrocelli Coopersmith Group

Compass - The Nantucket Advisory Group

Current Vintage

Douglas Elliman

Douglas Elliman - Lydia Sussek

Duck Head

Eleish Van Breems

Fisher Real Estate

Forme

Four Winds Painting

Free Fly

Glistn

Great Point Properties

Gresham

Gull Air

Heidi Weddendorf

Hinckley Yachts

Holdgate Partners

Icarus + Co.

Inkerman

Island Glow Nantucket

J. Graham Goldsmith Architects

J. Pepper Frazier Real Estate

James Robinson

Jordan Real Estate

Kathleen Hay Designs

Katherine Grover

Lauren Marttila Photography

Lavender Farm Wellness

Maury People - Bernadette Meyer

Maury People - Chandra

Maury People - Gary Winn