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NANTUCKET
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WAS no hDc? GOING GREEN
leSlIe lInSley
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Nantucket Magazine July 2011
Chairman and Publisher Bruce A. Percelay Creative Director Nathan Coe Copy Editor Robert Cocuzzo Art Director Paulette Chevalier Operations Consultant Adrian Wilkins Contributors Susan Bartkowiak Amber Cantella Samantha Dutra Kristen Kellogg Orla Murphy-LaScola Marjan Shirzad Karli Stahl Tom Ryan Photographers Andrzej Bartkowiak Nathan Coe Fifi Greenberg Kris Kinsley Hancock Cary Hazlegrove Greg Hinson Jessica Jenkins Katie Kaizer Gene Mahon Steven Moore Kit Noble Advertising Director Fifi Greenberg Advertising Sales Audrey Wagner Publishers N. LLC Chairman: Bruce A. Percelay President: Thomas L. duPont
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Nantucket Times 17 North Beach Street Nantucket, MA 02554 508-228-1515
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duPont REGISTRY TM 3051 Tech Drive St. Petersburg, FL 33716 800-233-1731
ŠCopyright 2011 Nantucket Times. Nantucket Times (N Magazine) is published seven times annually from April through December. Reproduction of any part of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Editorial submissions may be sent to Editor, Nantucket Times, 17 North Beach Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. We are not responsible for unsolicited editorial or graphic material. Office (508) 228-1515 or fax (508) 228-8012. Signature Printing and Consulting 800 West Cummings Park Suite 3025 Woburn
home of theBrAve Bravery comes in many forms. It can be the fireman saving a family from a burning home. It can be the athlete testing his or her physical Publisher — Bruce A. Percelay
limits, or the diver testing the depths of the ocean. It can be the American soldier fighting a war in a far off land. Fourth of July is a celebration of American bravery no matter what form it takes. Our July cover feature captures what bravery means through the eyes of Sebastian Junger, the bestselling author who gained world acclaim with his book, The Perfect Storm, and now with his latest work, WAR. Junger put himself in harm’s way as an embedded reporter in Afghanistan with the goal of understanding the experience of soldiers in combat. He learned of the complex lives of American troops on the frontlines, and sometimes their more challenging lives on the home front after returning from combat. Quite poignantly, our interview came as Junger publically retired from combat reporting, a decision catalyzed by the death of his friend and colleague Tim Hetherington by mortar fire in Libya this past April. We also had the opportunity to photograph the members of the Nantucket Fire Department. While enjoying the bucolic setting of their job, local firefighters can face grave danger at any moment. Like soldiers, firefighters are a special breed, often putting the lives of others before their own. Lest we forget that today’s Nantucket is the byproduct of a different kind of bravery, that of whalers who set sail on unchartered waters to harvest the fuel of the island’s early economy. The courageous acts of Americans both past and present enable us to enjoy the wonderful life we have on Nantucket today. So on this Independence Day, we celebrate the American heroes that protect our peace and serenity, and who continue to shape our future. For that we need to take off our hats and salute America’s best on the Fourth of July. Best regards,
Bruce A. Percelay
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July 2011 24 FAther-DAughter DecorAtIng Duo
66 SmAll WonDerS
86 mIrAcle groW
29 SeBAStIAn Junger
72 crAFtSWomAn
96 up, up AnD AWAy
David and christina Wiggins return nantucket’s interiors back to the past
The Perfect Storm author speaks with n about his new book WAR and his experiences on the battlefield
n stumbles upon a local craftsman’s secret dream world
Author and home furnishing expert leslie linsley guides n through the art of decoupage
35 DoWn to eArth Women
Nantucket by Nature’s Kit noble captures natural beauty as island gardeners meet island fashion
41 pASSIng the BAr Bartenders compete for charity
44 nAntucKet moDern Island interior goes sleek and chic
48 In the FAce oF FIre A look into the lives of nantucket’s firefighters
54 teAchIng An olD home neW trIcKS
presenting the first leeD gold certified historic home on the island
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Nantucket
Magazine
July 2011
Massachusetts native and bestselling writer Sebastian Junger appears on this month’s cover. Photograph taken by Andrzej Bartkowiak.
60 gAtSBy on nAntucKet
A romantic photo shoot inspired by the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald
expert gardeners show how to make the most out of your green space Strap in for the island’s highest flying extreme sport
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July 2011 102 Inside Out 118 Into the Deep
Eric Savetsky swims with sharks, whales and other wonders of the marine kind.
124 American Ireland Fund
Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the American Ireland Fund’s summer event
127 Who you calling “grandma?!” The Salt Marsh Senior Center is teaching Nantucket seniors the ancient martial art of Tai Chi
129 What if there was no HDC? 79 Smart-sizing
A home in the Historic District proves in today’s times that bigger isn’t always better
Imagine a Taco Bell nestled next to the Whaling Museum, or Target at the top of Main. What would the island come to without the Historical District Commission?
137 A Tasteful Experience
Feast your eyes on a lavish dinner designed and catered by Kimberly Reed and her entire team at A Taste of Nantucket
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102 Inside Out
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When interior designer Karli Stahl goes to the beach, she means business
108 The New Side of Old
The fresh face of antiques
148 Nantucket’s Leading Role
Famed director Ric Burns and the NHA bring Nantucket to the big screen
’NSider
news l tidbits l items of interest
A Dream(land) of a gift For those who fall in love with Nantucket, there is something particularly rewarding about making a permanent contribution to the island. The new Dreamland Theater offers many ways to literally put your name on Nantucket. According to Wendy Schmidt, President of Dreamland’s board, “We have wonderful opportunities for naming gifts to help complete the Dreamland project, and we are relying heavily on all ranges of contributions to make this building a reality.” One of the easiest ways to immortalize yourself through the Dreamland is to buy a seat in the theater. Each of the 330 built-in theater seats will have a plaque naming the donor. Wendy Shmidt, Dreamland President
While $5,000 is a great deal of money, it can
Thanks to the hard work of the board and careful planning of the project, the Dreamland’s goal is to be virtually self-sustaining once the capital campaign is complete. Here’s your chance to play a role in a major production before the closing credits.
represent a birthday present or an anniversary
gift that will last indefinitely. Schmidt says, “Investing in the Dreamland is a way of expanding the appeal of Nantucket, not just for summer visitors but year-round residents.” She also noted that beyond theater seats, there are numerous larger scale opportunities for naming gifts at the Dreamland, and that these larger donations will be instrumental in fully funding the project.
South Wharf’s Big Cheese
Written by Fifi Greenberg
wine expert, Michael Fahey, sparking a career in wine and cheese that ultimately landed him enrolled at Lycee Viticole, a premier wine school in Beaune, France. After all their travels, the two brothers found their way back to this faraway island to open what is a truly delightful shop. Dupree & Company offers a selection of high-end, slightly esoteric cheeses from around the world. Although having a sweet spot for France, Ethan also recognizes the small creameries and dairies in Vermont and California that are experiencing a renaissance. He keeps a variety of saucissons on hand to pair with the cheeses. It’s a lovely setting There’s a new big cheese in town…well, actually, two
to sip wine while you make your purchases and admire the harbor view.
of them: Ethan and Jed Dupree of Dupree & Company, Nantucket’s newest artisanal cheese and charcuterie
“I love the art of the picnic, the art of creating a table spread,” says Ethan. “One of
boutique on Old South Wharf.
my favorite things to do is pack a bottle of wine, some cheese and a crusty baguette, hit the bicycle and set up shop.” We could all use some more of that joie de vivre.
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The Duprees’ story starts like most on Nantucket: their family spent summers here and the two fell in love with
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Meanwhile, Ethan came under the tutelage of Nantucket
the island. From there the brothers’ tale gets interesting. Jed became a competitive fencer, ultimately sending him to the Athens Olympics where his team finished fourth.
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pAIntIng pASt preSent the
in the
For over twenty years, David and Christina Wiggins have turned the interiors of some of Nantucket’s most beautiful historic homes into stunning masterpieces.
Written by rOBErT COCuzzO
Photography by NATHAN COE
T
he father-daughter decorating duo work as itinerate artists, traveling around the country and often staying in the homes that serve as their canvases. Here on Nantucket, their dazzling murals and period paintings revive the true appearance of early American interiors.
When speaking of his work, David is driven to action. He jumps to his feet, and starts waving an imaginary brush through the air. His eyes glaze a bit as he envisions a room: “When I am painting a mural, I don’t think that I am doing an illustration. I don’t think that I am doing a picture, or a canvas painting.” His voice flutters with excitement: “The mural is about the color, the rhythm, and the atmosphere it makes in the room… I want the mural to look like it grew there.” It’s in these impassioned moments of David gliding around an imaginary canvas that one begins to appreciate what he is doing: he is leaving a piece of himself on the walls. Artistically, Christina is the yin to David’s yang. Where David might throw down a strong, masculine stroke, Christina moves in and softens it with her feminine touch. Where David strikes a free flowing, gestural line, Christina counters with a precise rendering. Over the course of the production, the two piggyback seamlessly. Their collaboration has been years in the making, starting when Christina was fourteen years old, painting closets for her father.
David first came to Nantucket at the end of the 1980s when antique dealer Wayne Pratt hired him to paint an interior in his home. Living in Pratt’s attic, David painted a magnificent mural that quickly won him clients. He soon became enamored with the island, and bought a home on York Street where he moved his family. During his early years on the island, David collaborated with artist Kevin Paulsen. Today, the 68 year-old decorative artist is credited for returning many of Nantucket’s interiors to their true historic appearance. Before David’s arrival, island homes were decorated in a “slick,” “beachy” style that scarcely resembled those of Melville’s Nantucket. David and Christina employ more than just paint to transport a room back to nineteenth-century America. Their team also consists of carpenters and craftsmen who furbish authentic cabinets and furniture from old-growth white pine and recycled timber. When given full control over a room, David says, “We can make a complete environment...the whole room becomes a work of art.” One only has to enter one of these rooms to realize how right he is. Each achieves a regal aesthetic that elevates the space to something more than just another room in a home. It is as if David and Christina’s brush strokes were directed by the subtle murmurs of the walls, drawing out the soul of the space.
A
t a time when modern style is beginning to edge its way into the Nantucket decorating vernacular, David and Christina Wiggins bring back the past in ways both timeless and timely.
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Photo by Kit Noble
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Wiggins Art work, Nantucket Looms
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SeBAStIAn
Junger Giving voice to American heroism from land to sea
Few places celebrate Independence Day quite like Nantucket; from the water fight downtown to the fireworks over the harbor, there is no shortage of patriotism come Fourth of July. Yet so often forgotten amidst the beach barbeques and cocktail parties are the many young men and women actively fighting to preserve this way of life for us. On a day when we enjoy all the fruits of being American, it is important to pause and remember those who make our freedoms possible. It was in this spirit that N sat down with Sebastian Junger. Starting in 2007, the Massachusetts native—famous for his 1997 international bestseller The Perfect Storm—spent fifteen months following an American platoon in one of the most violent regions of Afghanistan, the Korengal Valley. His New York Times bestseller WAR and Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo reveal the lives of soldiers and the impact of combat. During Junger’s last visit to Nantucket, he spoke at the Atheneum about the heroism of a group of Gloucester fisherman. Thirteen years later, the
Written by rOBErT COCuzzO & SuSAN BArTKOWIAK
Photo by ANDrzEJ BArTKOWIAK
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characters have changed, but the theme remains powerfully the same.
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t
he veteran war correspondent
be surrounded by people you know are loyal
lives up to his tough guy
to you and in exchange, you will agree to be
mystique. He possesses a quiet
loyal to them. You know exactly what your job
intensity. Yet behind his rugged exterior is not
is, and if you do it well, you earn everyone’s
machismo, but a deep level of reflection.
respect…you can completely define how you are seen by your peers. By God, that’s a good
“No one is born with bravery. You cannot buy
deal for a 20-year-old.”
bravery,” he says in a gravelly voice. “It’s a decision, and everyone has access to that
Beyond daily firefights, Junger witnessed the
decision, but not everyone takes it. The ones that
horrors of war firsthand. While riding in a Humvee
do wind up in platoons like the one I was in.”
on patrol, he and his troop were hit by a roadside bomb. Had the IED been detonated a
Junger was embedded with Battle Company, an
split second later, they would have been killed.
American platoon stationed at a remote outpost on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Named
When asked if he wears the same emotional
OP restrepo after the platoon’s fallen medic,
and psychological scars as the soldiers, Junger
the crude encampment had no running water,
says that the soldiers bear much heavier
minimal electricity, and came under fire daily.
burdens. “The most painful part about combat
Junger ventured out to this no man’s land not
for soldiers in terms of [Post Traumatic Stress
to report on the war, but to observe American
Disorder]— and there are a few different
soldiers.
components— but one is losing their friends,” he explains solemnly. “They’re just high school
“I wanted to understand these young American
kids. They got body armor, but they don’t have
men. And particularly, why when these young
emotional body armor.” He continues, “The
men come home, why do they miss [the
other terrible, terrible thing is killing civilians
battlefield]?” he explains. “If we understand
by accident…it tears these guys up.”
what they miss, then maybe we can be more successful at making a place for them
“The final thing is the sense of uselessness
at home.”
when they come back. Out there, you are very useful. You know exactly what you’re supposed
In exploring this question over the deployment,
to do. Your identity is rock solid because it’s a
Junger discovered a side of war far different
function of your purpose in the group…nothing
than that traditionally held by society: yes,
matters except that you be a good soldier…and
war can be hell—but it can also be fulfilling.
then they go back to society and suddenly you’re
“It’s all the things you want in life, except it’s
judged for your looks, how much money your
on a battlefield,” he begins. “You want to feel
dad has got, the whole thing. You come back
necessary. You want to be loved. You want to
from war and you have no purpose.”
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Photo by TIM HETHErINGTON
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No one is born with bravery. “ you cannot buy bravery. It’s a decision, and everyone has access to that decision,
”
but not everyone takes it...
— Sebastian Junger
Photo by ANDrzEJ BArTKOWIAK
Junger contends that supporting the troops must become more than just
Here on Nantucket, Junger’s words draw stark contrast between the turmoil
a bumper sticker; society must embrace returning soldiers on a human
of the battlefield and the peace of the island. Yet when asked what he
level, not simply on a rhetorical one. “Give them a hug. Literally give
would say to someone relaxing on a porch watching a sunset while others
them a hug,” he says. “Give them a job. One of the hardest things is
are worlds away fighting for that right to peace, he neither preaches nor
coming back to a sense of uselessness. Because they’re 20-year-olds in
condemns. “I live a pretty comfortable life too. I don’t think there is
the recession, they can’t get work. Give them a job. If there is one thing
anything morally wrong with a life of peace and comfort. The good
you could do, it would be that.”
people of Nantucket aren’t hurting anybody,” he begins. “You’re sitting on your porch on Nantucket, enjoy your porch, enjoy the sunset. But
Junger has been a war journalist for almost 20 years, covering conflicts
really think about how this country, which is such a wonderful country in
in Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East. This past month, he
so many ways… think about how we’ve dealt with the world in the
formally retired from on-the-ground combat reporting. The decision
past hundred years.”
was precipitated by the loss of his good friend and colleague, Tim Hetherington, who was killed in a mortar attack in Libya. Hetherington
Many come to Nantucket to get away
co-directed Restrepo with Junger—the two spent months together
from it all and leave the world behind.
embedded in Afghanistan.
Sebastian Junger reminds us that
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while enjoying this picturesque
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“Anyone who goes to a war has made some peace in their mind that
setting, we must also reflect on our
they can be killed…but what you don’t realize is that nobody else in
country both past and present.
your life has made peace with that idea,” he explains. “So with Tim,
On an island where the fruits of
I am suddenly experiencing the effects of his decision to go the
the American Dream are so ripe,
Misrata, to go to Tripoli Street, and get himself killed. I’ve been
contemplating our country and
grieving for a month…I started to think what would happen to my wife,
honoring those who protect it
what would happen to my parents, my friends? Time to leave the poker
are essential in celebrating
table. So, yeah I’m out. I’m done.”
our independence.
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GarDEners Island gardeners meet island fashion
ON CELESTE
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White one-piece bathing suit from Force 5 Silver cuff bracelet from Vis-a-Vis Sun hat from Peter Beaton DVF Wedges from ADDISON CRAIG
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OF Eden
Photography by Kit Noble Stylist & Make-up Artist Joanne Keane Photographer’s Assiastant Amy Zielinski
ON JOSH Sun hat from Peter Beaton Shirt and jeans, model’s own
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ON LINDSAY
Black dress by Corson from Nalu Pearl rope bracelet from Letarte White fur vintage, model’s own
ON JOSH
Shirt by O’Neill from Force 5
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ON MARIE
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Purple dress by Argenti from Murray’s
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ON Snezanna Swim top by Beach House from Murray’s Jean shorts by O’Neill from Force 5
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Mixing The Grey Lady Mixology Competition lets bar patrons vote with their palates.
The Bartender lineup: Andre Cassagne
Jim Garrels
Recipe: Grey Goose
Recipe: muddled
L’Orange, Disaronno,
mint and dash agave,
Bailey’s & Gran Marnier,
Grey Goose Original,
up, flamed orange twist
peach nectar, Disaronno,
Non-profit: Nantucket
shake, top Prosecco,
Food Pantry
highball
Pi Pizza
Ships Inn
Non-profit: A Safe Place
Anna Worgess Dune
Recipe: Grey Goose L’Orange, smoked peach infused Disaronno, fresh peach juice and a splash of rhubarb bitters, up Non-profit: Nantucket STAR Program
John Burdock N magazine
Lola 41
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Recipe: Grey Goose L’Orange, Disaronno, house-made sour mix, soda water, highball, orange garnish Non-profit: The Boys & Girls Club
it up
for charity
N
Magazine is fishing for Nantucket’s official
liqueur—Disaronno. Vote early and
drink of the summer—The Grey Lady
often for your favorite mixologists’ crea-
cocktail. Beginning July 1, islanders are
tions—there’s a $5000 donation at stake
invited to cast their votes for the best tasting
for the winning bartender’s chosen char-
Grey Lady cocktail, constructed, of course,
ity! Log on to N Magazine’s brand new
with the World’s Best Tasting Vodka—
website ACKmag.com to vote.
Grey Goose and the original Italian Amaretto
Here’s to a tasty summer!
Allie Furnari
Josh Quintana
Recipe: Grey Goose Original,
Recipe: Grey Goose L’Orange,
Disaronno, fresh citrus,
Earl Grey Infused Disaronno,
fresh pineapple, Peychauds
dash simple syrup & house-made
bitters, up
sour, rocks with orange wheel
Non-profit: Big Brothers -
Non-profit: Nantucket Atheneum,
Big Sisters Of Nantucket
Weezie Library For Children
Alyssa Billings
Lonell Rodgers
Recipe: Grey Goose Original,
Recipe: Grey Goose L’Orange,
Disaronno, cherry liqueur,
Disaronno, tangerine juice,
black pepper simple syrup,
fresh lime, splash Sprite, up
splash ginger ale, up
Non-profit: Culinary Program
Non-profit: Nantucket
at Nantucket Public School
Fifty-Six Union
American Seasons
Galley Beach
12 Degrees East
Atheneum, Weezie Library For Children
Starr Rivard
Genevieve Ryan
Recipe: muddled orange slices,
Recipe: Grey Goose L’Orange,
Grey Goose L’Orange, Disaronno,
ginger beer, Disaronno,
fresh lemon juice, topped with
highball, orange garnish
Prosecco, up, cherry garnish
Non-profit: Nantucket
Non-profit: Nantucket
Atheneum, Weezie Library
STAR Program
For Children
Pazzo
Jetties
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Nantucket
Modern Written by Tom Ryan
Rarely is “modern� an adjective employed in describing a Nantucket home. Most folks build their summer getaway reflecting the traditional coastal cottage style. From the curb, this home on Cliff Road seems to fit the mold, but the inside reveals a style anything but traditional.
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Images courtesy of Workshop/apd
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lean, simple and elegant, the architecture and interior design by Andrew Kotchen and Matthew
Berman of Workshop/apd melds industrial with natural, achieving a contemporary living space in harmony with Nantucket’s bucolic surroundings. While poured concrete and a cold rolled steel chimney speak
to modern design, thoughtfully placed antiques impart old fashion charm on this room. Solid maple treads soften the steel single-beam staircase, further accentuating the balance between old and new.
Awash with natural light, the spacious kitchen and living room draw upon subdued earth tones to achieve a warm beach feel. The room is tied together with uninterrupted lines that flow over recessed lighting and around hanging fixtures. Kitchen components—stove, refrigerator, even cabinets—are neatly tucked away, maintaining the room’s geometry. Open and inviting, the kitchen and living room are perfect for entertaining guests on lazy summer days.
Asian-inspired courtyard. In the spirit of bringing the outside in, Kotchen and his team decided to leave the studs and rafters exposed, making the pavilion reminiscent of an early 20th century seaside cottage.
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This open-air lounge looks out upon an
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Nantucket
Written by Robert Cocuzzo
Photography by CARY Hazlegrove
FIREFIGHTERS hundreds of Nantucketers homeless, jobless, and utterly devastated. A hundred and sixtyfive years later, the Great Fire of 1846 still lingers in the island’s collective memory. For Nantucket firefighters, the history serves as a standing reminder of their vital role.
N magazine N magazine
On the night of July 13, 1846, a massive fire tore through the town of Nantucket. The blaze started on Main Street and then spread down to the wharves where warehouses full of whale oil ignited. The fire burned out of control, consuming a third of the town and leaving
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antucket firefighters do not just fight fires. They respond to everything from bicycle injuries to heart attacks, car accidents to hazardous waste spills. They run educational programs on fire prevention, and monitor the island’s municipal alarm systems. Every ambulance dispatched
on the island comes from the fire station, driven and operated by firefighters and EMTs. Over the course of a summer day, they may respond to 20 to 30 calls, averaging between 3,200 and 4,000 calls a year. All this with a crew of only 18 full-time firefighters. “We just don’t have enough personnel,” says Captain Tom Holden, a 27-year veteran of the Nantucket Fire Department. “We run with a three-man shift, that’s our minimum. That allows me to put one piece of apparatus out at a time. So the next time I get a call, they have to [call in firefighters to the station.] They put out a tone, and ask firefighters [who are off duty]…to come back to the station, get apparatus, and take care of the call.” As a result, days off are few; at the height of summer, they’re non-existent. Work is always just a phone call away. More than a job, more than a career, firefighting is a way of life, or as Captain Holden says, “it’s something that gets into your blood.” Being on an island, Nantucket Fire Department needs to be largely self-sufficient, sometimes requesting the help of other public and private resources. “Within a big enough incident we use the police, we use the DPW, we use the airport and their apparatus,” says Fire Chief Mark McDougall. “There are a lot of people that are willing to help out, which is what makes some of the things that we can accomplish actually doable.” Yet unlike towns on the mainland, Nantucket does not have any immediate firefighter reinforcements, what is known as mutual aid. NFD may call upon off-island departments in the event of a particularly ferocious fire, but even at their speediest, that engine will not arrive for at least two hours, and as firefighter Nate Barber says, “Two hours in a fire is a lifetime.” “Say we’re on the Cape,” Barber begins. “They strike an alarm for a fire, you’ll have a couple engine companies, a couple ladder companies, one or two rescue companies, ambulances, a couple chiefs units and maybe some people to replenish gear and firefighters. [On Nantucket] if we strike an alarm for a fire, the only thing we really know that’s going to show up are two guys on an engine.” N magazine
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The two men arrive at the scene and
The firefighters combat the flames in 10 to 20 minute bursts, depending
assess the situation, first determining whether
on how quickly they go through their tanks of compressed air. Over
there are any occupants in the building. They
the course of a fire, each firefighter may breath through five to six
will then take a command position and wait
tanks. “You sweat like you’ve never sweat before,” says Barber.
for support. In addition to full-time firefighters,
“You’re leaking by the time you get out of there.” Often, immediately
call firefighters and EMTs will come to their
after extinguishing the blaze, a firefighter will drop his gear and then
aid. Yet even if the whole department were
transport victims to the hospital by ambulance.
to respond, each man will likely be doing the jobs of two or three.
The rigors placed on the department’s small crew have produced what Barber describes as “complete firefighters.” Captain Holden echoes this
The firefighters depend on one another completely; it’s a level of trust
sentiment with pride, “The guys that work for me are great. I’ll stack
impossible to fathom in the civilian sphere. “A lot of times, I have to
them against any firefighter anywhere, Boston, New York. They know
ask the guys that work for me to risk their lives,” says Captain Holden.
what they’re doing, and they do it well.”
“And they need to trust me that no matter what, I will not let them get hurt…trust like you don’t understand. If I go down in a building, I know my
Nobody is at fault for short-staffing the department; it is a consequence
guys are going to get me out. And if they go in a building, I’m either going
of a small community operating in stringent financial times. Just as local
to go in with them, or they are going to come out with me.”
teachers or doctors need to make due, so too do Nantucket’s firefighters.
However, Captain Holden’s hopes for the future seem modest relative to the great losses they may prevent. He would like to go from a three-man shift to a five- or seven-man. This would allow for more than one crew to be sent out, putting more firefighters on the scene immediately. He would also like to have all his personnel become certified paramedics, a measure that would significantly improve onsite care. Of course, all this costs money. “It just comes down to finances,” says Captain Holden. “I’ve worked for this town for 27 years and for 27 years they’ve worked very hard at trying to create a safe atmosphere for their firefighters and good equipment for their firefighters. They’re well aware of the fact that we could substantially use some more manpower. But I have faith in my town…we will get there.” Firefighters have come to represent the resolve of a nation. The image of three firemen raising the American flag amidst the rubble of Ground Zero is imprinted on the deep fabric of our national consciousness. The Nantucket Fire Department epitomizes the valor and heroism that we as a country hold so sacred. Their service is courageous, selfless, and inspiring. N magazine
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Written by KrISTEN KELLOGG
for
F
N magazine
Photography by STEVEN MOOrE
green
rom wind turbines to solar panels, the green movement is popping up everywhere you turn‌even in historic homes.
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co-friendly design is becoming the bedrock of building, raising the question: how do
builders balance 21st century green with 18th century charm? Enter Michele Kolb and Eric Rosenberg, owners of the first
LEED Gold certified historic home on Nantucket. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the highest certification for green building—LEED Gold is the Holy Grail for eco-friendly builders. The married couple, who also own Kolb Rosenberg Architects and a home furnishing store on Candle Street called Belongings, are both LEED accredited professionals, helping them pull off this tremendous accomplishment.
Built in 1747, the Quaker style home at 67 Union Street focuses on function rather than form. The home is a modern twist on traditional Nantucket, balancing historical with contemporary. Construction took place over five months, completely reconfiguring the house’s interior with a 260 square foot addition. The reconstruction revealed the post and beam structure, reflecting the simplicity of its Quaker architecture. Upon entering the home, your feet move across reclaimed French oak N magazine
floorboards. American clay, a natural plaster, covers the walls. All
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appliances are energy efficient, including the water-saving washer, Toto toilet, LED light bulbs, and an eco-friendly dryer and refrigerator. Amidst the contemporary appliances, a functioning old-fashioned wood burning fireplace stakes its claim in the family room.
Ascending the stairs, there are three bedrooms containing all-organic bedding and natural mattresses. Adornments from Michele and Eric’s store are thoughtfully placed. The attic was removed, opening the rooms up with cathedral ceilings. True to form, the original roof timbers were recycled and used in framing other areas of the home. Michele Kolb and Eric Rosenberg’s home proves that there is room on Nantucket for both green and historic—putting them under one roof is the real challenge.
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GATsby Glamour Reliving the glory days
Photography by Nathan CoE
“
L
ate in July, Gatsby’s gorgeous car lurched up the rocky drive to my door and gave out a burst of melody from its three noted horn
”
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees—just as things grow fast in movies—I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.
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”
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“In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.”
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“
white and their dresses
They were both in
were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house.
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�
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Words by F. Scott Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, F. Scott, and Matthew J. Bruccoli. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 1996. Print.
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A Small
Island
Secret Written by Susan Bartkowiak Photography by Andrzej Bartkowiak
Nantucket is a land of hidden gems, complete with streets tucked away so narrowly you can pass them unknowingly for years and houses hidden behind overgrown landscape like secret getaways. Yet imagine stumbling upon an area of the island left undiscovered for decades‌ as I did recently. Walking just past the forest, down a swampy path and across a pond, I found Nantucket’s smallest secret.
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O
n the cusp of the ocean, an old brick building stands abandoned. While soot covered bricks, broken windows and splintered doors surround the factory, it is a reminder of times past when whale
oil was unloaded and transformed into
the lifeblood of Nantucket.
I follow the faint aromas of Rosa rugosa down a
cobblestone path that snakes between the beautiful pink blooms to find two long-forgotten stores. Their shades are half drawn but I can peek through their dusty windows. Archaic stoves sit collecting dust, perhaps unlit for decades. I come upon a magnificent station just as a train rolls in.
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The locomotive screeches to a stop, lets out a long sigh,
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and silence returns. Where in the world am I?
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This is the world of artist, builder, and mini model extraordinaire, Leon Lancaster. Creating log cabins out of twigs, trees out of pinecones, and landscape out of moss, Lancaster might be the “greenest” builder around—at least on a 1:87 scale! The detail of these delightful miniatures is astonishing, a result of Lancaster’s years as a builder and skill as a craftsman. “As soon as I stepped off the boat I thought, uh-oh, I’m in trouble. I really like this place,” Lancaster remembers of his first visit to Nantucket in 1969. “I didn’t have a job so I stayed at Flossie’s Flophouse—she charged $15 a week. Before long, I knew everyone and jobs were offered. I’ve had a wonderful life here.” After a day working on largescale construction, Lancaster relaxes by building his models. “Aging them is my favorite part of the process,” he notes. “You would be surprised at how India ink, rubbing alcohol and a steel wool pad can make something new look decades old.” “Nantucket is full of multi-talented people,” Lancaster continues as he casually shows me a shingled replica of a friend’s home. “But I’m not sure anyone else is making models in this small scale.” Part artist, part model maker, and part romantic, Leon Lancaster brings us back to the past in
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ways both large and small.
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Crafting Your Nantucket Home with Leslie Linsley
“A handmade item adds character to any Nantucket home,� says Nantucket designer Leslie Linsley. The lifelong island resident is the author of Nantucket Island Living (Stewart, Tabori & Chang) and owner of Leslie Linsley Nantucket, an island shop specializing in all things handcrafted for the home. Recently, N asked Linsley to offer some tips on one of her signature crafts, decoupage. N magazine
Written & photographed by Nathan coe
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Decoupage is a French word that means “applied
hoW cAn the plAteS Be uSeD For DecorAtIng?
cutouts.” You can apply the cutout designs to any
The possibilities are endless. For example if you
surface such as wood, metal or glass. They are useful
have a very narrow wall area, hang three or four
and offer a terrific way to decorate with a motif that
small plates in a vertical row to create interest.
works with any décor.
Plates come in all sizes and shapes so you might
WhAt IS DecoupAge?
WhAt IS the proceSS? Beginning with a printed paper design, cut away all surrounding excess paper to make a pleasing design
your area.
the underside of the plate so the design is protected under the glass. The cutout is sealed with my special
Yes, because the work is done on the underside of
finish and then backed with handmade paper. I
clear glass and is sealed with a waterproof finish it
protect the paper with several coats of the sealer
can be used safely and washed by hand.
and finally finish the rim with gold leafing.
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coffee table in colors and patterns that work with
cAn you Serve FooD on A DecoupAge plAte?
to fit on a plate. These paper elements are applied to
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combine a small plate with two other objects on a
“Many people who come into my shop are curious about the craft of decoupage, and really anyone can learn how to do it,” says Linsley. “My work is based on nature and each of my plates is designed with early 18th and 19th century botanicals. Many of the flowers I use are found in Nantucket gardens and there is no better inspiration than the natural beauty of the island.”
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Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
STEP 6
Here is a step-by-step guide to one of Leslie Linsley’s favorite custom designed plates created with a wedding invitation. STEP 1: Begin with a copy
STEP 2: Using small nail scissors
STEP 3: Arrange the flowers
of the original wedding invitation, a
to cut out the flower print.
around the edges of the wedding invitation
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botanical print and a clear glass plate.
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in a pleasing way.
STEP 4: Apply the clear sealer
STEP 5: Cover the back of the
STEP 6: Finished plate on
to the back of the plate and place over the
plate with handmade paper to match the
a display stand.
invitation surrounded by the flowers.
background color of the invitation and coat with sealer.
Leslie Linsley is the author of over 60 books, including Nantucket Island Living and A Nantucket Christmas. She was the contributing craft editor of Family Circle Magazine for over 15 years, and has appeared on such television programs as the Oprah Winfrey Show. She has lived year round on Nantucket for 30 years.
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FoggySheet N magazine
nantucket
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Kevin Welby, Kerri Monihan, Tim uhran, Sarah & Scott Hickey — Sylvia Pro-Am Charity Auction Photo by Katie Kaizer
Cheryl Fudge & John Sylvia — Sylvia Pro-Am Charity Auction Photo by Katie Kaizer
Jack & Ashley Leroy — Sylvia Pro-Am Charity Auction Photo by Katie Kaizer
Michael Holgate, Sam Parsons & rob Morgenstern — Sylvia Pro-Am Charity Auction Photo by Katie Kaizer
Katie & ryan Grant — Sylvia Pro-Am Charity Auction Photo by Katie Kaizer
Darcy Creech & Candice Kelly — Petticoat row
Erin Brady, Tracy Hutson & Audrey Sterk — Petticoat Row
Melissa Wing, Liliana Dougan & Susan Chambers — Petticoat Row
Jenny Paradis & Carolyn Walsh — Petticoat Row
Pam Willis, Jilly Eagy — Petticoat Row
Cara Deheart, Janet Schulte & Katy Deheart — Petticoat Row
Russell Simpson, Luann Burton, Courtney & Greg Mckechnie — Petticoat Row Photos by Kris Kinsley Hancock
Living Small Written by Tom Ryan
Over the past fifteen years, Nantucket’s housing has been supersized. Like half-pound burgers with half-gallon soft drinks, the size and scale of new housing on the island has continued to grow. But with the national recession, spikes in energy costs, and great awareness of the environment, small is “in.”
N
estled in the heart of the Historic District, a humble home sits amongst multimillion-dollar properties. Unremarkable in character,
vaguely Greek Revival in style, the 1200-square-foot two-bedroom most likely belonged to a ship hand rather than a captain. New owners, Tina
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and Bob Miklos, could have doubled the size of the home, but in a move
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counter to the “bigger is better” mentality, opted to reduce the property by 200 square feet. They stripped the house back to its original mid-1800s form, recovering the elegance of its Greek Revival proportions.
Exterior
on
Nantucket Photography by Nathan Coe
Living Room N magazine
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E
ntering the home, the original layout was a rabbit warren of small rooms, dark and encumbered. With strategic edits, Bob (who is the founder of design/LAB, Boston) and Tina made the interior more spacious, opening each room to natural light, ventilation, and
a view. The stair was rebuilt to allow for normal risers and headroom clearance beyond the original five feet. The kitchen was moved from the wing to the front parlor in the center of the house, serving both the living room and newly built study. By combining the entry hall and three smaller rooms, the new living room achieves a spacious proportion. Bob and Tina brought in Karen Fisher of Coastal Vintage Home and Garden on South Beach Street in styling the interior. Using vintage industrial furnishings and accessories, Fisher gave this old home a touch of modern. Today, the house efficiently and economically serves all the living needs of the Miklos family of four, and can comfortably accommodate up to eight in the event of visitors. It takes Bob and Tina a little over an hour to clean the entire house at the end of a weekend, and a tiny furnace keeps the house heated for less than $150 a month. While compact, the house is uncompromised in its detail and elegance. The renovation of that forgotten little house on the corner of Mill Street and Prospect was a labor of love for Bob and Tina. The property has since been praised by the HDC as “one of the few houses recently done that is ‘contributing’ in the Historic District.” The Miklos house goes to
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show that size does matter…in this case smaller is better.
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FoggySheet art
John Carruthers — Artists Association
Jan Purdy Metcalf — Artists Association
Chris Bourbeau — Artists Association
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Greg Hinson — Artists Association
Gay Held — Artists Association
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Barbara Capizzo — Artists Association
Mike Wodynski — Artists Association
Pam Willis, Jilly Eagy — Petticoat Row Julija Mostykanova — Artists Association
John F. Lochtefeld — Artists Association
Miki Lovett — Artists Association
Loretta Yodes — Artists Association
Ariel Swartley — Artists Association
Penny Scheerer — Artists Association
Photos by Kris Kinsley Hancock
Ann Warren — Artists Association
Vince Calarico — Artists Association Photos by Nathan Coe
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Gardening tips Written by Orla Murphy-LaScola
Photography by Jessica Jenkins
Is your yard summer-ready? Need an area for the kids to play? Or maybe an organic vegetable garden? What about some potted plants on your patio? No problem! In these early days of summer, you may step off your deck and into the dead crunchy space that a year ago was green and lush. If the whole idea of putting it all back together seems insurmountable, do not despair—it is still possible to have a beautiful home garden this summer. To show us how, N turned to some of the greenest thumbs around, Sean O’Callaghan and Jenne Verney, to share some tricks of the trade. N magazine
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lAWn & lAnDScApIng View the lawn or grass area as the living room. This is where the dogs run around and the children play. Do you need wide open floor space or smaller areas that are linked together? Perhaps you need a little nook for some chairs and a fire pit. “A lawn is an exterior playroom,” says Sean O’Callaghan of Sean O’Callaghan Landscaping. Here are some tips from Sean on how to keep your lawn healthy:
1 Irrigation is essential. 2 Keep the blades of your mower 3 Monitor. Monitor. Monitor. The lawn should be
sharp. A chef does not use
A lawn can be temperamental.
watered according to
a blunt knife to cut a tomato,
You have to treat it
the weather.
and nor should you when cutting
differently week-to-week,
your grass. If the blades aren’t
day-to-day.
sharp, they will bruise the grass.
BeFore:
AFter:
Shade made this space barren
1 Cut the hedge back and open up the space
3 Place mulch
and under-utilized.
2 Edge it out and create a bed area
4 Set steppingstones
DecK & pAtIo A deck or patio is an extension of your kitchen and dining room. The overall design needs to compliment the room that uses it as a vista. The flowers and plants chosen should be purchased with the internal space in mind. “Potted plants are an easy, inexpensive way to dress up your deck or patio,” says Jenne Verney of Grey Lady Gardens. “You can move them around, and switch them out seasonally.” Growing herbs in pots offers both visual ascetics for your porch and culinary benefits for your grill. Jenne shares some easy steps to potting your own herbs:
1 Put holes in the bottom 2 Fill the container with
3 Buy herbs such as
4 Constantly pinch
5 Water them when they
of your container to
half potting mix and
basil, mint, dill,
back your herbs; do
wilt, but do not
allow for drainage.
half rich organic
cilantro, oregano,
not allow them to
over-water.
compost. Soil prep is
rosemary or thyme
bloom or go to seed.
key to growing
from the nursery.
Once the herb blooms,
everything from
You could grow them
their taste deteriorates.
flowers to veggies.
all in the same pot if
and enjoy!
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you like.
6 Give them a lot of sun
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rgAnIc gArDen The final space in the yard is for the actual organic producing plots, perhaps viewed best as the pantry. raised herb beds are flanked by a secluded area for the tomato plants. Sean and Jenne break down the best way to grow tomatoes:
1 use rich, organic compost. Manure-based compost is best for vegetables.
2 Water depending on the weather, and do not irrigate overhead. Pouring water onto tomato plants can burn their leaves and promote fungus problems.
3 Try to plant tomatoes on south facing plots, which receive the most amount of sun.
4 Pick when ripe. While a beautiful, functional yard can seem difficult to achieve, the right advice is half the battle. All that is left is to roll up your sleeves, don your favorite gardening gloves and get to work. Once you pick your first tomato of the season, you’ll know the juice was worth the squeeze. Of course, if you’re like me, you
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can always hire Sean and Jenne to do the heavy lifting.
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Thanks to Sean O’Callaghan, Jenne Verney & Kelly Bull
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Cushing Donelan, Joe Donelan, Scott Osif, Tripp Donelan, Tyler Thomas & David Silva — Galley Wine Lunch hosted by Donelan Family Wines
Kyle zachery, Sissy Biggers, Celebrity Food Host & Dominique Demarville — Wine Festival
Mike Trujillo, (Sequoia Grove Vineyards), Sarah Powers, Beth English, Piero Incisa (Bodegas Chacra), Christopher Silva, (St francis) and Marybeth Bentwood — Wine Festival
The Pasta Goddess, Liliana Dougan Wine Festival
David Lambert, Douglas Smith, Lindsay Hovanesian, richard Kertzman, Linda Metivier & Scott Dufresne — First republic Sponsored Wine Lunch
Paulette Chevalier & Mayor Fifi Greenberg — Wine Festival
Marixa Pena — Wine Festival
John Kolasa — First Republic Wine Event
Peggy & Bill Tramposch — Wine Festival
Clarke Distributors, Mike Fotiades & Tom Clarke — Wine Festival
Colby MacDowell, David Richter, Winston Bragg — Wine Festival Photos by Nathan Coe
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hIgh on Nantucket Written by roBert cocuzzo
It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s a…surfer being pulled 60 feet in the air by a parachute.
The wind is gusting between 15 and 20 knots, kicking up white caps throughout Nantucket Sound. Most boaters wouldn’t even leave the dock in these conditions. Suddenly, Davey Blair rips by. He skims across the surface, hitting the chop with his board in small explosions of spray. High overhead, a kite billows in the wind as Blair guides it through the gusts. Then in one swift motion, he digs the heel of his board into the trough of a wave and opens up the kite. TAKEOFF.
Photography by nAthAn coe
I
n the watery world of kiteboarding, Davey Blair is a big fish. The pro-kiter from Charleston, South Carolina dominates magazine covers, movie reels,
competitions, and even a detox drink called rebootizer. recently, Blair and local semi-pro Stephen Bartram hit the harbor
to shoot the breeze. To the chagrin of every local kiteboarder this side of the Sound, it must be stated: kiteboarding is one of Nantucket’s best-kept secrets. From Madaket to ‘Sconset, Nantucket wind is to kiteboarders what powder snow is to skiers. Nantucket is the utopia of kiteboarding. Yet before you drop a few thousand dollars on the gear, beware: it ain’t easy. The sport requires the balance of surfing, the control of paragliding, and the moxie of any number of extreme sports. Perhaps that’s why the waters of Nantucket have been patrolled by a talented handful since the sport
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found this faraway rock.
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Kiteboarders like Blair and Bartram are progressing the sport to new heights—literally. A cross between Blue Angels and Evel Knievel, the two put on a gripping show. Bartram whips along the shoreline then shoots into the air and over the beach. Just as it looks like he is about to plummet to a sandy injury, he redirects his kite, and glides back out for a water landing. Meanwhile, Blair is showcasing his pro status. His aerials are a mash up of twists, grabs, and inversions. No matter what the maneuver, his expression remains the same: cool, calm and comfortable.Yet most striking is how high he is getting. Each time he shoots into the air, it’s nearly impossible to keep him and the horizon in the same camera frame—most pictures make him out to look like a trapeze performer hanging precariously in space. Then it happens: Blair catches a monster air, catapulting him dangerously high above the surface. The seconds of airtime tick by like minutes. Blair hits the water like a piano from a three-story window. A broken rib later, he emerges from the spray and sweeps back around for another tack as if it was nothing. Kiteboarding is a high that most of us will only experience from the shore—but for Davey Blair and
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Stephen Bartram, it’s just another day at the beach.
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Written and Styled by Karli Stahl
Photography by Nathan Coe
DESIGN A well designed home should never feel trendy or overly decorated. The best-achieved design usually evolves over time and travels, picking up things along the way that are important to us. With that said, collecting things from our own local environment gives a space meaning and character.
Au Naturel
Nature never goes out of style—it is constantly providing us with a unique palette of color and texture.
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Previous page
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Bathroom
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Vanity from The Water Closet Faucet from The Water Closet Mirror from Nantucket Lightshop Natural stone counter from The Tile Room Natural stone tile from The Tile Room Hanging fixture from Nantucket Light Shop Accessories from KMS Designs
Sitting room Chair from belongings Pillow from trillium Chest from Andersons Lamp from nantucket lightshop Curtains from marine Home Center Accessories from KMS Designs
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Dining room
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Table from coastal Chairs from coastal Place settings from trillium Pillows from KMS Designs Curtains from Marine Accessories from KMS Designs
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olD IS neW AgAIn The Nantucket Historical Association’s August Antiques Show
With today’s growing taste for chic modern design, antiques can seem, well, a bit stale. Yet more and more, top designers are marrying old with new: contemporary couches punctuated by a Chippendale table, colorful art over classic mantels. The goal is to have all the items in the room “talk” to each other, woven together with a common thread.
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Sarah Boyce, NHA Antique Chair
F
or those looking to dabble in this decorative style, the Nantucket Historical Association’s 34th Annual August Antiques
Show is a must. running between August 5th and 7th, the show has earned national acclaim, offering a wide range of
investment grade antiques in one location. The Antiques Council coordinates forty dealers coast to coast, including modern dealers designed to appeal to younger collectors. And if you are just getting into the game of styling antique with
contemporary, the show presents a lecture from top designers on this often-mystifying art.
Antique show chair, Sarah Boyce, and co-chair, Anne Marie Bratton, are helping infuse a new spirit into the August show. “Anyone
of any age and any budget can start an antique collection,” says Boyce. “Collections can have any theme in any décor, and the merger of the old with the new can create stunning results.” Olivia Charney, an interior designer and co-chair of the Young Collectors Committee, echoes this excitement for the new old: “What better way to celebrate the rich history of Nantucket than incorporating old treasures into a modern lifestyle. It is the perfect bridge between the past and the present.” The show will offer a wealth of opportunities to learn from such design all-stars as Victoria Hagan, an icon in the Interior Design Hall of Fame and author of Interior Portraits. Hagan is the show’s honorary chair, and will participate in design panels. There will
Clearly, this is not your father’s antiques show, providing a refreshing new approach to one of America’s oldest pastimes.
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also be guided “Ask an Expert” tours at the show and at intimate gatherings in the homes of some of the island’s top collectors.
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FoggySheet nantucket
roger & Lynne Bolton, Marti & Caroline Schram — TWN Luna Fest
Jen Cohen & Melissa Murphy — TWN Luna Fest Greg Nichols, Marianne Kelley & Michael Lynch — TWN Luna Fest
Art Gallery
Clay Twombly & Kate Coe — Sunny DailyPosh — TWN Party Luna Fest
Sharlene rudd & Yvonne Gorman — TWN Luna Fest
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Catherine &Leah Hull — TWN Luna Fest
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Santjes Oomen, Denise Olsen & Wendy Schmidt — TWN Luna Fest
Suzie Kraft, Lori Corry & Carrie Thornewill — TWN Luna Fest Photos by Kris Kinsley Hancock
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OLD NEWS H Nantucket’s fascinating newspaper past
Written by SuSAn BArtKoWIAK
ere ye! Here ye! read all about it! Nantucket Bank
robbed of $22,000 in gold and silver! Four crewmen die on the Whaleship Jean. Mad dog killed on Main Street. It’s all here in the Nantucket Gazette.
Old newspapers are like one-dimensional time machines. They can instantly transport us to another age and time, providing a vivid feel of reality perhaps better than any history book. The island’s first newspaper was the Nantucket Gazette, published weekly starting in 1816. The Gazette reported on island news as well as accounts from whaleships, providing Nantucketers with information
and Prince Leopold. The Gazette was indeed the internet of the day. In total, Nantucket had fifteen major newspapers and 26 smaller publications printed over the past 195 years. Some of our papers had intriguing titles such as The Madaket Free Press, The Town Crier, The Cobble, The Harpoon and The ‘Sconset Pump. From anti-slavery to opposing the paving of Main Street, they covered the island’s history from different points of view. No one on the island better appreciates the mystique of old newspapers than Lee rand, who in 1987 was enlisted by former Atheneum president Bob Mooney to sort through 24,000 newspapers that were stored randomly in piles and bundles tied with fishing line. utilizing a federally
from around the
funded program, rand
globe. The paper is
facilitated the transfer
an extraordinary window
of many of the island’s
into the triumphs and
endangered newspapers to
tragedies of the world
microfilm, securing their
almost two centuries ago.
safety for posterity.
The accounts from Nantucket were fascinating.
The Atheneum recently
A doctor was convicted
received funding to
of stealing a horse in
digitalize part of the
town and was sentenced
collection and it will
to fourteen years of
eventually be online. Lee
hard labor. Mutiny was
rand hopes all the papers
reported on the ship
will someday be made
Potomac after members of the crew demanded rum which the first mate refused to give them. A cure was offered for cholera which turns out to be a recipe for chicken soup. There was even a personal ad for a woman looking for a man at least five foot ten who could escort her to balls, theater and “usual highfalutin times.”
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The paper also provided islanders with news from around the world.
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Stories ranged from reports of a doomed ship exploring the unknown zaire river to the royal wedding of Great Britain’s Princess Charlotte
available online: “Our island has always had different beliefs, we are one island but we are not one voice. Nantucket’s citizens have worked laboriously to have the right voices heard through the years, in different papers and publications.” Keeping rand’s efforts alive, N Magazine will be resurrecting the Nantucket Gazette this month. For the first time in nearly two centuries, islanders and visitors alike will be able to explore the lives of past Nantucketers. From the whaling captains to criminals to gilded lovers, their stories will now be reprinted for all inquiring minds to read.
Introducing nantucket’s newest old newspaper Available free on newstands around the island on July 15th.
17 northe Beach Street
.
508.228.1515
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nantucket gazette .
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Swimming with the
sharks Written by Susan Bartkowiak
Few people can claim to have swum with the biggest shark in the ocean — but Eric Savestky is one of them. With one foot on the shore and the other in the sea, Eric Savetsky leads an amphibious life. His day job as executive director of the Nantucket Land Bank is based squarely on terra firma, but let him loose and he is off to the watery depths of the ocean on a curious and often dangerous pursuit. Savetsky catches sharks and even whales not with hook and line, but with snorkel and camera. With its proximity to the Continental Shelf and Gulf Stream, Nantucket is the perfect starting point for oceanic exploration. Cold water to the north, warm to the south, Savestky’s options truly span the compass: “We see just incredible stuff, whether it’s out to the east of Nantucket with humpback whales and dolphins, or to the south with fin whales, sperm whales, swordfish, and hammer heads. The bubbles from normal scuba gear are loud and discourages animals, so I prefer to snorkel.”
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Images Courtesy of Eric Savetsky
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any dives under his belt, Savetsky has developed some advice for swimming with large predators: “Try to maintain visual contact with them, don’t let them come up behind you…keep your skin covered so you don’t have a fleshy look. Yellow seems to be a bad color with sharks. We’re chumming to attract sharks, and they are in a bit of a state, so don’t have your hands flapping out or you might be mistaken for a piece of fish.”
Commercial spotter pilot, Wayne Davis, helps guide Savetsky’s boat from the air. Last summer, Davis radioed Savetsky with coordinates for one of the ocean’s true wonders: a whale shark. Growing up to 41 feet long and weighing up to 79,000 pounds, a whale shark is the biggest fish in the sea. Savetsky made haste to witness this rare species located three miles to the east of Atlantis Canyon. The shark turned out to be a big baby — 18 feet long! Shortly after the anchor was set, Savetsky was in the water.
“It swam up to me and its nose was a foot away. I was thinking what’s it going to do? I had to inch back to let it go by!” he remembers. “I swam in real tight alongside and filmed looking up its back, and it just kept doing a big circle, and coming back to me again. Those are the most exciting experiences, when the animal is curious and interacting.” Other encounters were not so tranquil, as a friend of Savetsky learned one day. “We had been chumming, and I persuaded [my buddy] to get in the water with blue sharks all around,” he begins. “This one blue shark was like a dog, all over him, coming right at him. He was putting his hand out to stop it, pushing it away. It circled me then headed straight towards him again.”
Despite his friend’s terror, Savetsky couldn’t help but laugh: “I’m with the shark filming as my buddy is backing up and away, and I’m laughing. I’m sure it was his thumping heart rate. They sense that panicked electrical activity.” There truly are a lot of fish in the sea for Eric Savetsky. Amongst other species, his long-term goal is to swim with a sperm whale. While most of us are a fish-out-of-water with mighty mammals of the ocean, Savetsky
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dives in feet first.
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FoggySheet art
Sharon Woods — Artist Association
Karol Lindquist — Artist Association
Kathleen Van Lieu — Artist Association
Sharon robinson — Artist Association
Susan Briskman — Artist Association
William Welch — Artist Association
Laura Carter — Artist Association
Photos by Nathan Coe
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when Irish eyes
are smiling The American Ireland Fund, Nantucket
At a time when sectarian violence was rife in Ireland, Dan Rooney— the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and current U.S. Ambassador to Ireland—and prominent Irish businessman Anthony O’Reilly established The American Ireland Fund.
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Steve Greeley, Executive Director of The American Ireland Fund
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T
he goal of the fund was to promote peace, culture, and charity in Ireland through
American support, especially from those of Irish descent.
Thirty-five years later, the fund has grown to include eleven chapters across the U.S. and in twelve countries around the world. Fifteen years ago, the fund found its way to Nantucket. Island residents Lesley King and Jack Dunfey moved the AIF summer event to Nantucket, and so it has been ever since. Each year, the event honors standout members of the Irish-American community and beyond. Past honorees have included Tim Russert, Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Hume, and Chris Matthews. On July 30th, local Nantucketers Tommy and Leslie Bresette will be recognized for their outstanding service with The Nantucket Golf Club Foundation. Tommy is the executive director of the NGCF, and Leslie chairs the review committees: Nantucket Scholar, Grant Review, and Excellence in Teaching Award. The Bresettes credit the generosity of club members for all the success in helping enrich the lives of Nantucket children.
Leslie and Tommy Bresette
The Worldwide Ireland Funds have assisted over 1,200 worthy organizations, raising over $350 million for this vital work. In this fundraising effort, Nantucket members contribute generously, sending their local dollars to greener shores around the world. “We live in what is indeed a small world,” says Steve Greeley, the executive director of The American Ireland Fund. “The remarkable success in ending the sectarian violence in Ireland has direct applicability to other conflicts throughout the world.” With help from Nantucketers like Tommy and Leslie Bresette, the American Ireland N magazine
Fund looks to continue its mission to encourage education, empowerment and peace
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everywhere from Nantucket Island to the Emerald Island. For further information call Steve Greeley at 617-574-0720 Anne Finucane and Leslie King
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The Ageless of
Art defense Tai Chi masters as old as eighty have bested opponents twice their size and a quarter their age. Here on Nantucket, this ancient martial art is helping seniors stay young and fit.
On Thursday mornings, Salt Marsh Senior Center transforms into a
Adal Wendelken is the Bruce Lee of the Salt Marsh dojo. She’s been
dojo. Ladies like Adal Wendelken kick off their shoes and throw aside
attending the classes since ‘98, when her grandson Kris Feeney started
their canes for an hour of Tai Chi with instructor Doug Baier.
the course. Since then she has suffered a stroke and has lost much of her vision, but still comes every week to work out her Chi. “I made up
After a brief warm up, Baier leads the ladies through a series of
my mind that I wasn’t going to give up,” says the 84-year-old. “You do
postures, calling each out: “Part the wild horse’s mane…tiger washes
your best—that’s the attitude.” Baier looks on to his student with visible
face…brush knee twist step…repulse monkey.” The group moves like
pride, “Adal has gone through a number of changes physically, but she
synchronized, slow motion dancers, throwing kicks and punches with
has stuck out the Tai Chi…to us it’s amazing.”
purposeful grace. The senior center on Washington Street offers everything from bridge “There are different styles of Tai Chi,” says Baier. “It is first and
and quilting to yoga and aerobics, proving that fun and games are not
foremost a martial art, but it’s not an art that deals with force against
just for the young and the restless.
force…I’ve modified it a bit and teach it for people’s balance.”
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Adal Wendelken
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WhAt IF there WAS
no hDc? Written by BruCE A. PErCELAY
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The initials HDC often hit Nantucketers as warmly as the acronym IRS. Architects, builders and homeowners can view Nantucket’s Historical District Commission with the same trepidation as going to the dentist. But at the end of the day, certain necessities of life are ultimately good for us‌even though they may not seem so at the time.
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Digital Manipulation by GREG HINSON
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T
he HDC protects homeowners and developers from themselves by rigorously maintaining an appropriate look and feel for structures on the island. The sevenmember board of elected arbiters of good taste keeps Nantucket’s design in check. Guided by a document produced in 1995 titled Building with Nantucket in Mind, the HDC is the last word on how building exteriors are designed, renovated, expanded and painted.
For those new to the island with illusions of building palatial monuments, a trip to the HDC can become a humbling experience when people realize that they are playing in somebody else’s sandbox. Many a corporate titan has been reduced to mere mortal status when realizing that the HDC drives the train. For those who feel Nantucket would be better off without this architectural watchdog, be careful what you wish for. Without the Historical District Commission, Nantucket could become a very
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different place. Just imagine what life would be like if there were no rules.
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GKFO, LLC was founded as a private family office and asset management firm by Christopher Geczy, Ph.D., Stephen Kitching and a team of skilled professionals trained in multi-generational wealth management. Along with his work at GKFO, Dr. Geczy is Academic Director of the Wharton Wealth Management Institute and Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance at The Wharton School. If it is time for you to take money management to a higher level, contact us for references and
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a description of our services.
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FoggySheet nantucket
Susan Bonner, Charlotte Lastner, Jacob Hallett & Bobby Pavia — TWN Seafarer Opening Party
Jacquie Colgan, Francis Farrell & Marybeth Splaine — TWN Seafarer Opening Party
Gabrielle Gould & Gennifer Costanzo — TWN Seafarer Opening Party
Liz Skokan, Maryann Bartlett & Nellie Morley — TWN Seafarer Opening Party
Marybeth Splaine, Jacquie Colgon & Jack Weinhold — TWN Seafarer Opening Party
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Lynne Bolton & Lizzie Barth — TWN Seafarer Opening Party
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Ciaran Byrne, John Shea & Melissa Macleod — TWN Seafarer Opening Party
Lisa Frey, & Chuck Campbell — TWN Seafarer Opening Party Photos by Kris Kinsley Hancock
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A Delicious
Taste
Written by Amber Cantella
of Nantucket
Photography by Nathan Coe
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“I feel very strongly about providing the best and incorporating all aspects of a dining experience,” declares Kimberly Reed, owner of the catering company A Taste of Nantucket, which she started 15 years ago. “I do not compromise.”
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“Taste”
is the culmination of Reed’s talents, sourcing all things tasty and all things tasteful. This evening, Reed entertains an intimate group with a luxurious 4th of July feast, offering not only unforgettable flavors, but a visually stunning spread as well.
T
Kimberly Reed, A Taste of Nantucket
his season, Reed hired the acclaimed chef of
21 Federal, Russell Jaehnig, adding his masterful cuisine to the company’s repertoire. Jaehnig joins Reed’s chef of five years, Tommy Cunningham.
“We have an impeccable team and we love what we do,” says Reed. “We now have hundreds of hors d’oeuvres to offer our clients.” N magazine
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W
hile food is at the forefront of any event, the location, the decor, the ambiance,
the service and particularly Reed’s attention to detail are what make her events truly
extraordinary. Her inspiration comes from the beauty of the islands, having expanded
her business to service her clients in the winter months in Saint Barthélemy.
This evening is the sum of all parts. Mother Nature provides an unbeatable backdrop for the waterfront venue, Harborview Place. The exquisite floral designs are the creations of Jean Cawley, and the elegant tableware is from Jennifer Sheperd’s Placesetters. Add in a table full of grateful diners and you have the recipe for a perfect dinner party on Nantucket.
The Menu
During Cocktail Hour: KIMBERLY’S ZESTY GUACAMOLE WITH BLUE & WHITE CRISPY TORTILLAS WHALE ISLAND LITTLENECK CLAMS AND WELLFLEET OYSTERS
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HERBED
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PARMESAN FRITES
Buffet Dinner:
FRESH TUCKERNUCK LOBSTER TAILS, CLARIFIED DEMI SEL BEURRE, GRILLED TENDERLOIN OF BEEF, TRIO OF SAUCES, LOCAL GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES, MOORS END FARM CHARRED CORN SALAD, ROASTED RED BLISS POTATO, HARICOT VERT AND FENNEL SAUSAGE SALAD, BARTLETT FARM CAPRESE SALAD, BASIL EMULSION, BARREL AGED BALSAMIC, FIRECRACKER COLESLAW, CHEDDAR CORNBREAD
Dessert: TAHITIAN VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM & SHORTBREAD LOBSTER COOKIES
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MARCIA’S FRESH FRUIT COBBLER,
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The Libations:
2010 Domaine de L’ile Porquerolles Rose’ (Côtes de Provence) exclusively from Épernay Wine Shop, Watermelon Margaritas
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& Cisco Brewery Ales
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casual elegant comforftable chic
Fior D’ Sol San Juan
Nantucket
Vi s - A - Vi s - N a n t u c k e t . R i t z C a r l t o n - S a n J u a n St. Regis - Bahia Beach . Damia Boutique - Tortola
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FoggySheet nantucket
Pete Kaizer — Wine Festival
rocky Fox & Joel Finn
Frank Neer, Caren Stanley & Ken Stanley — Wine Festival
Susan Burns & Marilyn Burns — Wine Festival
Gail Osona, Denis Toner & rafael Osona — Wine Festival
Bettina Landt, robert Sarkisian & Susan Handy — Wine Festival Photos by Gene Mahon
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Audrey Wagner & Jenny Whitlock — Wine Festival
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NANTUCKET The Movie Written by Marjan Shirzad
J
ust in time for summer, the Nantucket Historical Association unveils Nantucket, a groundbreaking documentary by Emmy Award-winning director Ric Burns. Set to run at the Whaling Museum throughout the season, Nantucket chronicles the island’s rich history from the Wampanoags to the whalers, Quakers to summer vacationers. The film teems with breathtaking vistas, interviews with the island’s foremost historians and scholars, and brings to life distant eras through photographs and film from NHA archives.
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antucket will soon have an experience that captures, in
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“The story of Nantucket resonates far and wide,” says Burns. “It is so
a transformative way, its historic essence,” says NHA
much more than a summer playground, and my goal with this film is to
executive director, William Tramposch. “ric Burns
offer every island visitor an opportunity to truly understand the global role
weaves the story of this ‘elbow of sand’ so those legions
that the island has played throughout history.” The Burns crew visited
“
who will see it at the Whaling Museum will know that this is not just
the island during every festive season, capturing footage from Daffodil to
another sandbar in the sea, that this place has international historic
Stroll. The result is a rare glimpse into the past, present and future of this
ramifications. The film will catapult viewers into our town armed with a
special spit of sand.
greater sense of why this entire island is now a National Historic Landmark.” Kick-starting the Nantucket Film Festival, the NHA and NFF hosted To bring this film to fruition, the NHA called upon one of the world’s best
a special preview gala and screening of Nantucket on June 21st at the
behind the camera, ric Burns. The veteran filmmaker is famous for his
Whaling Museum. Guests enjoyed cocktails on the rooftop observation
1999 critically acclaimed series New York: A Documentary Film. He has
deck, followed by a sneak preview of the film and a Q&A panel with
been writing, directing and producing historical documentaries for over 20
ric Burns, Nathaniel Philbrick and other scholars who appear in the film.
years, beginning with one of the most celebrated PBS documentary series of all time, The Civil War, which he collaborated on with his brother Ken.
On July 1st, Nantucket premiered for the Nantucket community at a
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once-in-a-lifetime special event on Children’s Beach. Nantucketers of
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The NHA’s collaboration with Burns began in 2007 when NHA staff
all ages enjoyed an evening of live music, arts and crafts, games, photo
assisted him in researching and filming Into the Deep, a PBS documentary
booths, face painting and more! The world premiere of Nantucket
tracing the history of the American whaling industry from its early roots on
showed on a large outdoor screen under the stars. For those that missed it,
Nantucket. While Burns was shooting, the NHA began to entertain a shorter
not to worry—Nantucket will show twice a day at the Whaling Museum
film, one devoted to the island’s unique history and beauty. Through hard
all summer long and beyond.
work and the generosity of NHA supporters, the dream of producing Nantucket soon became a reality.
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N Magazine’s wedding of the month, celebrating Nantucket weddings in all their glory.
Fe at u r ed Wed d i n g B & G: Sarah Baumgartner and Dan Gault Where: St Mary’s Church and Wade Cottages, ‘Sconset Flowers: Flowers on Chestnut Hair: Darya Salon Dress: Carafina Gown from Dresses by Yvonne Cake: Don Polvere at Petticoat Row Bakery Photographer: A Shared Vision Photography
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N Magazine ADVERTISING DIRECTORY A-1 Taxi A-1 Transport Accessible Dental ACK Experience ACK Eye
146 Nantucket Comedy Festival 54 Nantucket Garden Festival 120 Nantucket Health Club 75 Nantucket Historical Assoc. 124 Nantucket House Antiques
4 151
94 Nantucket Ice
146
Addison Craig
88 Nantucket Insurance
108
American Ireland Fund
151 Nantucket Land Council
144
Angel Frazier
144 Nantucket Lawn & Garden
124
75 Nantucket Learning Group
58
Atlantic Landscaping
143 Nantucket Lightscapes
122
Bartlett’s Farm
144 Nantucket Lightship Basket
146
Barton & Gray
48 Museum
Belongings
148 Nantucket Marine
Bien Ecrit
120 Nantucket Parcel Plus
102 59
Blue Star Construction
95 Nantucket Preservation Trust 102
Boarding House
113 Nantucket Wine & Spirits
Brant Point Grill Brooke Boothe Design Brown Brothers Harriman Cape Air Cape Cod Five
17 Nina McLemore 144 Nobby Shop 11 NPR Cape & Islands 154 Ocean Wings Air Charter 15 Oceanside Pools
151 129 146 154 101 102 44
Carol Cole
121 Pageo
Carolyn Thayer Interiors
117 Peter Beaton
96
Cavalier Galleries
118 Peter England
94
Champoux Landscape
124 Pioneer Cleaning
135
Chanticleer
65 Polar Beverages
148
Christopher’s
12 Posh
121
120 Powers Landscaping
137
Clee Pilates
88 Pumpkin Pond Farm
148
Coldwell Banker
14 Quidley & Co.
135
Colony Rug Co.
21 Rafael Osona Auctions
127
Congdon & Coleman RE
59 Ric Burns Nantucket movie
116
Corazon del Mar
113 Santos Rubbish
59
Corcoran Group RE
23 Serenella
54
Critter Cruise
Clay Art Studio
137 Shreve, Crump & Low
9
Current Vintage
75 Skinner Construction
129
Dan’s Pharmacy
94 Skirtin Around
59
Dreamland
65 Stark Gallery
77
Dune Egan Maritime Institute
107 Stephen Swift Furnituremaker 28 44, 107 Store No. 2
8 129
Emeritus Development
96 Susan Lister Locke Jeweler
Epernay
121 Susan Warner Catering
88
Ethan McMorrow Designs
59 The Cellar
94
Fior d’Sol First Republic Bank
145 The Clarendon 7 The Gallery at 35 Main St.
Freedman’s of Nantucket
60 The Gallery at Four India St.
Gallery Blue/Judith Brust
92 The Grill at Miacomet
Geronimo’s GFKO Glyn’s Marine Grey Goose Haulover Heidi Weddendorf
41 The Islander 134 The Pearl 93 The Top of Nantucket 3 Thirty Acre Wood 65 Todd Burns 41 Tonkin of Nantucket
19 44 96 135 93 113 144 16 108 66
Henley & Sloan
127 Topper’s by Water
24
Heron Capital
145 Tradewind Aviation
17, 88
Hill’s of Nantucket
41 Triple Eight Distillery
Hostetler Gallery
96 Twig Perkins
71 117 66
Hy-Line Cruises
123 Victoria Greenhood
Illya Kagan
143 Vineyard Vines
156
Ireland Galleries
129 Viola Associates
146
Island Airlines
101 Water Jewels
Island Flagpole
124 White Glove Services
Island Properties
10 Windmill Auto
Island Properties/Robert Sarkisian 48 Zero Main J. McLaughlin J. Pepper Frazier Co.
113 44
Jewel of the Isle
144
Johnston’s Cashmere
113
Jordan Real Estate
35
Kathleen Hay Designs
5
Kit Noble Photography
29
KMS Designs Larabee Photography Lee Real Estate Leslie Linsley Letarte Swimwear Liberty Hotel Lola Burger Lyman Perry Hutker Assoc.
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65 122
Acktive Cleaning
Antiques Depot
153
122
72 107 60, 118 88 92 108 94 35
Madaket Marine
108
Marina Clothing Menswear
107
Maury People/Brian Sullivan
13
Maury People/Craig Hawkins
155
Maury People/Gary Winn
2, 6
Meghan Trainor
122
Milly & Grace
135
Nancy Nelson Card Readings
122
Nantucket Airlines
154
Nantucket Architectural Group
95
Nantucket Beach Chair
127
Nantucket Boating Club
151
Nantucket Clambake
88
16 113 48 93