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I was energized by the curiosity, empathy and sense of community that I found among readers, fellow authors and volunteers at the Nantucket Book Festival. I left Nantucket with a renewed faith in the power that storytelling has to bring people together and strengthen literacy. – Charmaine Wilkerson
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EDITOR’S NOTE I’m often asked what month of the year on Nantucket is my favorite. The answer? Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the height of early autumn, when the weather is still warm enough to go to the beach for a quick dip or catch a radiant sunset, yet cool breezes make for perfect sleeping weather with the windows open. The pace of life slows, too, not quite to the somnolent rhythms of winter, when our island wears its quiet year-round cloak, but just enough to truly enjoy what’s been bringing visitors to our shores for generations. The bulk of our restaurants and shops are still open, if not all week but at least Thursday to Sunday, and there are enough visitors – many here for destination weddings that seem to occupy every weekend in September and October – and seasonal home owners around to make life interesting before the real cold weather sets in. There’s live music at The Chicken Box, and the deck of the Faregrounds will stay open at least through Columbus Day if we’re lucky, weather-permitting. In this issue we celebrate a handful of islanders who keep things interesting – and do necessary work – once official summer has come to an end. While she’s busiest in the height of the season, the changing of the calendar doesn’t keep Lynne Heyer from fishing. Carrying on a legacy of angling and artistry passed down from her parents, she personifies an islander’s life on the water. Check out Cam Gammill’s profile on page 14. Bonnie Roseman found Nantucket more than three decades ago and fell in love. The fashion designer and woman-abouttown does not live here full-time, but stays well into the fall. Many of us have seen here around – she’s hard to miss – but get to know the real Bonnie Roseman in Quinn Frankel’s piece on page 24. The job of looking out for and often rescuing Nantucket wildlife and sea creatures is not a seasonal or part-time one. The dedicated volunteers of Nantucket Animal Rescue and Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket are ready at a moment’s notice to head out regardless of the conditions to assist a bird with a broken wing, a stranded seal or a cold-stunned turtle. Kaie Quigley takes a closer look at their work on page 34. New on the Nantucket arts scene is Flowers After Dark, a pop-up, traveling road show of visual and performing artists and the brainchild of island newcomer Taylon Breeden. She plans to keep its alcohol-free gatherings going strong right through the quiet season. Nantucket Poetry Festival founder and frequent Inquirer and Mirror and Nantucket Today contributor Anna Popnikolova brings us inside on page 66. Make the most of my favorite time of the year on the island. The damp chill of winter will be here soon enough.
4 Nantucket Today
Joshua H. Balling Editor
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• For Over FIF T Y YEARS •
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CONTENTS: FALL 2025 FEATURES
IN EVERY ISSUE
14 THE ART OF ANGLING
4 9 68 71
Nantucket’s waters have long been defined by fishing, artistry and tradition, and few embody that connection as fully as Lynne Burchell Heyer. by Cam Gammill
22 WOMAN ABOUT TOWN
EDITOR’S NOTE CONTRIBUTORS WHO’S WHO IN REAL ESTATE LAST LOOK
You may have seen her dancing to the hottest DJs on the roof deck of the Dreamland Theater, or you may be familiar with her fashion designs sold from New York to Palm Beach. She’s been visiting Nantucket for years. But who is Bonnie Roseman? by Quinn Frankel
34 BY LAND AND SEA,
SAVING NANTUCKET’S WILDLIFE Calls about birds, turtles, rabbits or deer that need help often went to the Nantucket Police Department, which didn’t always have the time to help. Nantucket Animal Rescue and Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket do. by Kaie Quigley
44 WHERE HAVE ALL THE MONARCHS GONE? Once upon a time, Nantucket was treated to a reliable late-summer spectacle of migrating monarch butterflies. But something changed. by Ginger Andrews
54 ART WITH AN EDGE
Flowers After Dark is the newest addition to Nantucket’s visual and performing arts scene. by Anna Popnikolova
Nantucket TODAY
Autumn on the Island
FALL 2025 Complimentary www.nantucketmag.com
COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF
LYNNE HEYER
6 Nantucket Today
44 www.nantucketmag.com
A Thriving Nantucket Begins with Us. If you care about this Island and want to make a positive impact on the quality of life for young people in the community, donate to The Nantucket Fund — The Community Foundation’s permanent grant making fund that provides financial support to the Island’s most critical needs and initiatives. Our goal is to raise $3M in 2025 to ensure funding in vital areas like childcare and support local organizations who are providing teacher retention programs, impactful youth activities, mentorship and post high school scholarships.
The Nantucket Fund Grant Recipients from left; Nantucket Boys and Girls Club, Rising Tide Preschool, Our House, St. Mary’s Parrish
Photographer: Kit Noble
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Nantucket TODAY
The Inquirer and Mirror Inc.
Published by
1 Old South Road Nantucket, MA 02554 508 228-0001 nantucketmag.com ________________________________________________ Robert Saurer rsaurer@inkym.com
Publisher
________________________________________________ Joshua H. Balling
Editor
jballing@inkym.com
________________________________________________ Production & Design
Peter Halik plhalik@inkym.com
________________________________________________ Advertising Director
Mary Cowell-Sharpe msharpe@inkym.com
Advertising Sales
Alexandro Sforza asforza@inkym.com
________________________________________________ Circulation
Karen Orlando korlando@inkym.com
________________________________________________ Contributing Writers & Photographers
Virginia Andrews Neil Dougherty Quinn Frankel
Cam Gammill Kris Kinsley Hancock Anna Popnikolova
Kaie Quigley
_____________________________________________
Contact Us: Nantucket Today, P.O. Box 1198, Nantucket, MA 02554. Phone 508 228-0001. Fax 508 325-5089. Advertising and subscription rates online at www.nantucketmag.com © Nantucket Media Group. 2025 All rights reserved. Nantucket Today is published six times a year by The Inquirer and Mirror Inc. Subscription information: Annual subscriptions are available in the US for $49. For customer service regarding subscriptions, call 508 228-0001, ext. 10. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any way is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the USA. Send address changes to: P.O. Box 1198, Nantucket, MA 02554.
8 Nantucket Today
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CONTRIBUTORS These are just some of the people who bring their talents to the pages of this magazine, and allow Nantucket Today to reflect genuine island life.
Anna Popnikolova
won the Nantucket Book Festival’s young writers award four years in a row and founder of the Nantucket Poetry Festival. She is a first-generation American of Bulgarian roots and currently studying at Harvard.
Quinn Frankel
is a Nantucket-based freelance writer originally from Los Angeles, Calif. She received her bachelor’s degree in art history from Brown University in 2020 and recently completed her master’s degree in cultural sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is an avid surfer and musician who loves to be in the ocean and play music in her spare time.
Virginia Andrews
comes by her love of birds through her late mother, ornithologist Edith Andrews. Ginger gives bird walks and does barn owl research for the Maria Mitchell Association, and writes the weekly “Island Bird Sightings” column for The Inquirer and Mirror.
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FALL 2025 9
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The art of angling : Lynne Heyer STORY BY CAM GAMMILL
14 Nantucket Today
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Nantucket’s waters have long been defined by fishing, artistry and tradition, and few embody that connection as fully as Lynne Burchell Heyer. Heyer
A
respected fishing guide and stone-carver, Heyer’s life reflects the interwoven culture of the island, where maritime skill and artistic heritage are inseparable. Today, she stands not only as one of the island’s most accomplished anglers, but also as a bridge between the past and the present. I see Lynne as both a pioneer and a steward. We have very few women in the charter fleet, but Lynne has been running boats for more than 25 years and has always been one of the best. She has set a path that I hope more women will follow. Especial- Lynne Heyer with her father Gibby Burchell. ly as a father of three girls, I see no reason why women shouldn’t be running most of the charter fleet as we continue to evolve. It takes a strong upbringing, though, to engage these young women to find a passion for the water and other historically male-dominated pastimes. Lynne is the proud beneficiary of incredible roots and family tradition. Her fishing roots stretch back generations. Her great-great-grandfather was James Chase, the captain of multiple whaleships and his love of the water permeated through generations. More directly, her father Gibby and mother Phyllis Burchell had the biggest influence on Lynne. Phyllis herself was a pioneer, celebrated as a skilled and fearless offshore angler at a time when women in the sport were rare. What set Phyllis apart was her vision. She could see fish that most of her peers couldn’t. At a time when fishing for marlin and swordfish was done exclusively by sight, her eyes proved to be a valuable commodity. Phyllis carved out a place in our offshore fishery at a time when the annual billfish tournament was the talk of the town and she passed that passion on to her daughter. It was aboard their boat the Island Philly that the family carved out their place at the pinnacle of the Nantucket fishing community. Before buying their own boat, they were coveted people to have aboard during those tournaments, but once they put the dream team together on one boat, they were a force to be reckoned with. In fact, Lynne won the billfish tournament in 1988 with 20 white marlin, and 14 in one day. Phyllis didn’t want to be outdone and won it the next year, all with Gibby at the helm. It is from this strong foundation that Lynne built her own career, earning respect in the demanding world of fly and light-tackle guiding. For over five decades, Heyer has been on the water, refining her knowledge of the island’s flats, rips and offshore grounds.
Her father Gibby and mother Phyllis Burchell had the biggest influence on Lynne. Phyllis herself was a pioneer, celebrated as a skilled and fearless offshore angler at a time when women in the sport were rare.
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FALL 2025 15
Top: Lynne Heyer on the water. Bottom: Lynne’s mother Phyllis Burchell.
16 Nantucket Today
Alongside her husband Jeff, she now operates boats that take anglers from the shallows to the deep, offering experiences that combine technical skill, conservation awareness and a deep love of Nantucket’s marine environment. Jeff and Lynne’s place in the fishing community was cemented when they opened Cross Rip Outfitters in 1995. While there were a few fly shops around the country in premium destinations, this was one of the first of its kind in the Northeast. They provided all of the rods, reels, flies and accessories a light-tackle angler could need and the knowledge to go with it. With the shop as a natural feeder, their guiding business continued to get busier and busier. While Lynne has the ability to guide clients to an incredible day on the water, her pure skill as an angler can’t be overlooked. In fact, she holds the world record on 16-pound tippet for a bluefin tuna, which she landed on her fly rod in 2005. Not many people have landed tuna on the fly, but to own the world record, wow, what an accomplishment. This just shows this remarkable woman’s skills. My favorite stories come in the spring before Jeff and Lynne get busy in the charter world, when they love to just fish on their own. They often kill a day on the flats guiding each other around, and always have stories to tell. While Lynne deserves the credit, Jeff is no slouch and many days, as a guide, should deserve a lot of credit for his anglers’ success. These two are an incredible team, on and off the water.
Lynne’s identity is not bound to the water alone. Like her mother, she is deeply tied to Nantucket’s arts community. While Phyllis etched scrimshaw and her aunt, Nancy Chase, was among the best ivory carvers this island has ever know, Lynne carried forward the family’s maritime artistry through stone carving. Her work echoes the island’s heritage – simple, tactile and timeless – while also giving her a creative outlet beyond fishing. This dual devotion to both artistry and angling is emblematic of Nantucket itself, where creative expression often grows directly from life on the sea. While Lynne is one of the most accomplished anglers I know, our relationship is much deeper. Lynne has always opened her home to myself and my girls. She is caring and open and has a tremendous zest for life. She always asks about your day before telling you about hers and loves sharing. I’ll never forget the day when she shared her carving collection with my girls and they were in awe. My hope is to get them on the water with her one day soon, so they can see all that they can accomplish in a male-dominated pastime. Together, the stories of Lynne and Phyllis Burchell tell a larger narrative about Nantucket: an island where fishing is not merely work, but a calling, and where art is not separate from daily life, but born of it. From scrimshaw to stone-carving, from white marlin to striped bass, the Burchell-Heyer legacy continues to enrich the island’s cultural and maritime fabric. In Lynne’s steady hands – whether holding a chisel or a fly rod – Nantucket’s heritage is both preserved and carried forward as the legacy of strong women continues to flourish on our small island. Cam Gammill is the co-owner of Bill Fisher Tackle. He writes the seasonal “Fish Finder” column for The Inquirer and Mirror, Nantucket’s newspaper since 1821, and is a regular contributor to Nantucket Today.
www.nantucketmag.com
Lynne Heyer holds the world record on 16-pound tippet for a bluefin tuna, tuna which she landed on her fly rod in 2005 2005. Not many people have landed tuna on the fly, but to own the world record, wow, what an accomplishment.
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FALL 2025 17
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THE QUIET LUXURY OF THE NANTUC KET INN Mornings at the Nantucket Inn often begin quietly. A soft breeze drifts in from the South Shore, carrying the salty scent of the sea, while early risers slip outside for a stroll before the day unfolds. Some head straight for a swim — The Nantucket Inn is, after all, the only hotel on the island with an indoor and ourdoor pool—while others linger over coffee at the Nobadeer Cafe, unhurried, knowing the island will still be waiting when they’re ready. Since opening its doors in 1986, The Nantucket Inn has perfected a rare balance: the comforts of a full-service resort paired with the warmth of a traditional inn. Newly renovated in 2023, it’s this combination that keeps guests returning year after year. Families appreciate the ease of a complimentary shuttle into downtown or out to Surfside Beach. Couples find themselves tucked away with cocktails at NobaBar after a day of exploring.
Tucked into the heart of the Inn, the NobaBar offers just the right pause in your day. Stop in for a crafted cocktail to toast the evening or a quiet nightcap before bed, it’s a relaxed corner where refreshments and light bites meet convenience and comfort. The Nobadeer Cafe is a charming addition to the Inn — welcoming guests from morning through afternoon. Start your day with a fresh-brewed coffee, linger over a leisurely lunch, or treat yourself to something sweet. With its inviting atmosphere and thoughtful menu, the cafe is as much a place to gather as it is to indulge.
And for many, it’s the small details — the hartru tennis courts ready for a friendly match, the fitness room that welcomes you back into routine, the indoor and outdoor pools that promise a refreshing dip no matter the weather—that make The Nantucket Inn feel like a destination in itself.
The Nantucket Inn isn’t only for vacations. Its more than 8,000 square feet of event space has set the stage for countless gatherings, from weddings beneath twinkling lights to retreats where ideas flow as easily as the ocean tide. The walls have heard toasts, laughter, vows, and the kinds of conversations that shape memories long after the suitcases are unpacked. To stay here is to experience a different rhythm of Nantucket — one that values both relaxation and connection, both tradition and modern ease. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, The Nantucket Inn offers not just a place to stay, but a way to truly settle into the island. 20 Nantucket Today
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FALL 2025 21
WOMAN ABOUT TOWN, Fashion Icon, Innovator STORY BY QUINN FRANKEL | PHOTOS BY KRIS KINSLEY HANCOCK
22 Nantucket Today
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You may have seen her dancing to the hottest DJs on the roof deck of the Dreamland Theater, or you may be familiar with her fashion designs sold from New York to Palm Beach. She’s been visiting Nantucket for years.
But who is Bonnie Roseman?
A
n innovator in the art, fashion and design space, Roseman has spent the majority of her four decade-career finding different ways to imbue people’s lives with color and
creativity. Many Nantucketers may know Roseman from her cameos playing tambourine with Cranberry Alarm Clock, her philanthropic involvement or the fashion and design services she has long brought to island homes. What many do not know about Roseman, though, is the depth and breadth of her career in fashion, art and design, a career which led her to places far from her hometown of Philadelphia, brought her into the orbit of icons and celebrities like Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Eydie Gourmé, Barbara Streisand and Melanie Griffith, and even landed her a spot as the spokeswoman for Polaroid. Roseman’s career in fashion and design began in Los Angeles in the 1970s, where, after completing her graduate studies at Cal State Long Beach, she got a job selling Savin copy machines to businesses in the city. In her self-directed and self-produced documentary “Days of My Life” that appeared at the Nantucket Shorts Festival just after the COVID-19 pandemic, Roseman recalls her job at Savin as illuminating to her the value of prioritizing the client in the sales experience. Her job at Savin eventually served as inspiration for her traveling boutique, a business which later became a nationwide success.
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“
Right off the bat, from a very early age, I realized I wasn’t going to be like them, and that I’d have to create my own path. I never was a part of a clique. I’ve really done things to the beat of my own drum.
”
24 Nantucket Today
“My success was not just in selling the product, but in bringing it out to the customer and making it convenient for them to shop,” Roseman said. “Working at Savin, I realized you really can be more successful if you bring the product to the customer. So, I started my boutique by bringing it to people’s doorsteps and not having a store. This was a great way to do it, and before big department stores started paying personal shoppers to do house calls. I didn’t have the money for a store, and I also thought how revealing it might be if I could go to clients’ homes and see what they have around them: what kind of clothes and shoes they’re wearing, and then select items for them that would enhance the wardrobe they already had.” While her experience at Savin inspired an innovative entrepreneurial spirit that would inform her career in fashion, art and design for decades to come, Roseman’s love of the creative arts began much earlier, as a teenager, when, in her wealthy suburban Philadelphia hometown, she became acutely aware of the ways in which clothing could be used as a tool for self-expression and individuality. “I came from a very affluent neighborhood, and everybody had much more money than my father and wore all the designer clothes. Between Nantucket, my Philadelphia hometown and my winter residence in West Palm Beach, I’ve been consistently surrounded by people who define themselves through wearing labels,” Roseman said. “I didn’t come from this place, because my parents weren’t in that position. My parents used to take me and my siblings to the outlet stores where they sold items for less because they had something a little irregular about them. So, I always used to be a little self-conscious about the fact that my clothes had stamps that said ‘irregular’ or had a mis-stitch, while the other girls’ clothes always looked perfect.” “Right off the bat, from a very early age, I realized I wasn’t going to be like them, and that I’d have to create my own path. I never was a part of a clique. I’ve really done things to the beat of my own drum.” Roseman discovered her particular love of styling as a child, when she’d often spend time shopping with her mother and helping her put outfits together. “I’ve always really loved clothes, and my mother really would never go shopping without me. I was the second youngest child of four, and both my parents were always very stylish. My mother loved pretty things, but I would always be the one who was putting her outfits together,” Roseman said.
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“Even though we didn’t have as much money as the other families around us, everybody in my family always loved to look nice and put together.” While living in Los Angeles, Roseman became a woman about town steeped in the Hollywood scene, acquainting herself with entertainers, musicians, designers, artists and artisans, all of whom discovered a sense of home and community in the streets, bars and nightclubs of West Hollywood. The culture of artists and creative types she found in Los Angeles compelled her to pursue turning her passion for art, fashion and design into a career. “In Los Angeles, I came across an artist’s studio on a little side street. There was a woman sitting inside weaving these satin corded belts. After chatting for a while, she offered me the opportunity to sell her belts. I then decided to work out of my apartment representing fine artists, as well as wearable artists,” Roseman said. “I quickly found that what sold more easily were the items that women could wear. I still didn’t know how to make the business grow, and I didn’t have enough money for a storefront, but I didn’t want to give up.” On her husband’s suggestion, the couple began traveling across the country with the collection of art, clothing and jewelry she acquired from the artists, artisans and designers she represented. Roseman’s particular eye for style and choosing unique pieces put her and her traveling boutique on the map as a one-stop shop for clients to expand the aesthetic temperaments of their wardrobes and homes with one-of-a-kind pieces. “The work it took to start the Traveling Boutique was unbelievable at the beginning. My husband would be driving the car – we had the first cell phone which weighed a hundred pounds, and I’d be making calls while he was driving – there was no GPS,” Roseman said. “We would drive across the country, and it would take four months. We didn’t have kids, we had someone watching the cats. We were constantly bringing things in and out of the car, and all of this was entirely through word of mouth and referrals. I never advertised or anything.” After years of building her client list and traveling around the country selling art and unique designer clothing, Roseman’s Traveling Boutique gained media traction. At a party in Palm Beach, she rubbed shoulders with a local reporter who featured the Traveling Boutique in the Palm Beach Daily News in a piece that highlighted her
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I quickly found that what sold more easily were the items that women could wear. I still didn’t know how to make the business grow, and I didn’t have enough money for a storefront, but I didn’t want to give up.
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travels and the novelty of her approach to styling. More recognition quickly followed: NBC’s “Today Show” produced a nine-and-a-half-minute segment on Roseman’s business, and Jane Pauley introduced viewers to her work as she visited clients across the country. Roseman’s reputation grew, attracting high-profile clients from Broadway, Hollywood and beyond, including Barbara Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Farrah Fawcett, Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno. Costume designers from television shows like “Dallas” and “Knots Landing” also came calling. Roseman’s Traveling Boutique eventually led her to Nantucket, after a friend in San Francisco who fell in love with her collection insisted that she pay a visit to style her mother who lived on the island. “My friend’s mom gave me the name of a cute bed and breakfast on Hussey Street downtown. When I arrived on-island, I met her, and she introduced me to all her friends. They all loved my collection, and I fell in love with the island. Since then, I’ve come back every summer. It’s been 30 years,” Roseman said. Over the course of the 1980s, Roseman’s recognition as a fashion, art and design consultant grew, and she expanded her business internationally. In the 1990s, Roseman went on to collaborate with the Home Shopping Network to design and mass-produce a clothing line that attained a sleek, couture look at an 26 Nantucket Today
affordable price point. The network expanded her collection to Home Shopping Europe, prompting Roseman’s year-long stint in Munich in the mid-1990s. At the Home Shopping Network, Roseman called her attainable couture line ‘BLT.’ “Up until then I’d only called my collection the Bonnie Roseman Collection but when I started to create and design my own line with the Home Shopping Network and their sister channel in Germany, I decided to call it the Bonnie Roseman BLT Collection, which stood for ‘Bonnie Loves Travel and Bonnie Loves Treasures, but also which stood for my three golden rules of dressing: Build your basic framework for a great wardrobe with a great dress and a versatile jacket; Liven those basics with fun, novelty items including unique jewelry, scarves and belts; and Tweak your closet with touches of color to keep your wardrobe expressive, current and exciting,” Roseman said. Alongside international media outlets, large corporations also began to recognize Roseman’s work and clamored to collaborate with her creatively. “Eventually, Polaroid Corporation heard that I was using a Polaroid camera to take pictures of clients trying on fourpiece sets and accessories that they would buy from me,” Roseman said. “They didn’t always know how to mix and match all the sets, and so I would have them try on different comwww.nantucketmag.com
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They didn’t always know how to mix and match all the sets, and so I would have them try on different combinations and take pictures of them all so clients could see themselves from all angles. Polaroid came to me and asked me to be their national spokesperson. binations and take pictures of them all so clients could see themselves from all angles. Polaroid came to me and asked me to be their national spokesperson. They flew me around first-class and featured me on all these ‘Good Morning’ shows in different cities across the country as their spokesperson. I would say the word Polaroid about six or eight times. I was, like, the original influencer before influencers existed as they do now.” After the success of her Traveling Boutique and attainable couture lines, Roseman opened up a storefront on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach called BLT, where her three golden rules served as her business’ tagline. BLT flourished for 10 years before closing. Now in her 70s, Roseman’s career has shown no signs of slowing down, and both her creative impulse and her desire to imbue people’s lives with beautiful things continues to endure. She was recently certified as an auctioneer and signed on with international auction powerhouse Lion and Unicorn, which operates out of Hollywood, Fla., specializing in art, design and luxury accessories. While on-island summers, Roseman continues to make house calls as a personal stylist, and helps out at the Robert Foster Fine Art gallery downtown, where she exhibits her www.ACK.net
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own collection of wearable art upstairs. After 30 years, Roseman’s connection to Nantucket continues to grow. “I feel a soulful connection to this island. I’m drawn to Nantucket and particularly, to its female presence, its feminine energy, which really resonates with me. When you look at the history of the island, you see that this is where Maria Mitchell grew up and discovered a comet, you see the abolitionist movement expanded on the island through the revolutionary efforts of Lucretia Mott, you see how women turned the dilapidated homes of whaling captains into beautiful structures, which then served as the basis for Nantucket’s blossoming as a summer resort destination,” she said. On an island where stylistic similitude often reigns, Roseman’s commitment to self-expression and individuality – as well as her enduring success as a female entrepreneur – may serve as inspiration for future generations of young women hoping to pursue their dreams and turn their passion into fruitful careers. Quinn Frankel is a Nantucket-based freelance writer originally from Los Angeles, Calif. She received her bachelor’s degree in art history from Brown University in 2020 and recently completed her master’s degree in cultural sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is an avid surfer and musician who loves to be in the ocean and play music in her spare time.
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LOCATION & LIFESTYLE
FISHERS LANDING
An ideal combination of location, space and lifestyle. This 4-plus bedroom, 3-bathroom home is nestled on an oversized, fabulously landscaped lot abutting Miacomet Golf Course. Easy access to the Land Bank walking trails around Miacomet Pond to the ocean and only minutes to the south shore beaches and local highlights: Cisco Brewers, Bartlett’s Farm, 167 Fish Market/Lunch Truck and miles of bike paths that wind through the island. 2,500 square feet of quality construction and interior space with a first-floor bedroom adding flexibility for guests. The full basement provides bonus space. Relax on the back deck or private patio and enjoy the 3 + seasons of color and textures in the gardens.
Fishers Landing is a charming neighborhood, offering a blend of natural beauty and recreational amenities. Residents can enjoy a scenic path through conservation moors, leading to a serene beach along Nantucket Sound with gentle surf. The community features a common area with a tennis and pickleball court, as well as a space for storing small boats. Surrounded by extensive conservation land, Fishers Landing is an ideal retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath home is located on 1/4 acre, and is offered furnished. The abutting .23-acre lot at 36 Ridge Lane can be purchased with the house for an additional $1,495,000.
$2,695,000 | Heidi Drew
$3,895,000 | Linda Bellevue
10 SEA STREET
DREAM RETREAT IN DIONIS
BITTERSWEET LANE
Rare and conforming flat lot located in the Residential Old Historic District with plans by Normand Residential Design for a 5 bedroom, 5+ bath home. Potential harbor views from the second floor. Excellent central location in the heart of Nantucket Town.
Nestled amidst serene conservation land, this exclusive property offers breathtaking views of Long Pond and Nantucket Sound. Enjoy private, deeded beach access with your own set of stairs leading to the sand. Experience the tranquility of nature, the beauty of panoramic water views, and unforgettable sunsets from the comfort of your own home. This is coastal living at its finest – your perfect escape awaits!
Pastoral privacy on these vacant lots, each of over 20,000 square feet. Located a short hop from downtown, these lots have Town water and sewer and can have a primary and secondary dwelling. Rare offering.
$2,950,000 | Penny Dey
$6,395,000 | Linda Bellevue
$1,600,000/each | Penny Dey
82 Easton Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 28 Nantucket Today
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508-228-7707
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EXQUISITE RENOVATION IN TOWN
HEART OF TOWN
No detail has been overlooked in the stunning renovation of this historic house, ideally located in the heart of Nantucket Town. With thoughtful design and the highest standards of construction, this property is poised to endure for the next century and beyond. Spanning over 5,000 square feet across three beautifully finished levels, it boasts multiple living areas, six ensuite bedrooms, exquisite custom cabinetry, paneling, and newly built fireplaces throughout. Enjoy easy access to the roof walk, where you can take in panoramic views of Nantucket Harbor and Coatue. Offered fully furnished.
Centrally located antique home with Five bedrooms and 3.5 baths. Historic details intact, including six fireplaces, raised paneling, original doors and wide pine floors throughout. Patio, off-street parking, and garden area. Large, attached accessory structure and spacious third floor offer expansion opportunities. Excellent location, close to all that Town has to offer. New cedar roof, interior and exterior painting and oil tank. Offered furnished and ready for occupancy.
$11,995,000 | Penny Dey
$3,495,000 | Penny Dey
TOM NEVERS EAST
CREATE SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY
This Tom Never’s East private 3-bedroom 2.5 bath home is on a beautiful 1.3 acre lot. The high elevation offers a peek of the ocean. Lush landscaping and beautifully maintained gardens overlook a wonderful entertaining area with in-ground pool and multiple patio and deck spaces. $2,975,000 | Linda Bellevue
Over 4300 sf of spacious interior, 5 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, 2 car garage, plus a 2 bedroom cottage and significant outdoor space that invites imagination for landscaping and a pool.
Penny Dey, Principal Broker, GRI, ABRM Linda Bellevue, GRI, CBR Heidi Drew, ABR, RSPS, SRS Peter DuPont
Angel Conrad Frazier Angel Conrad Frazier Mary D. Malavase, GRI, ABR, SRS, RSPS Mary D. Malavase, GRI, ABR, SRS, RSPS Jane B. Miller, ABR, RSPS Jane B. Miller, ABR, RSPS
82 Easton Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 www.ACK.net
$3,995,000 | Heidi Drew Meg Ruley, ABR, RSPS Lisa Sherburne, ABR, RSPS Melinda Vallett Geri Walker, RSPS, SFR
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Mary O’Donnell, Office Manager Mary O’Donnell, Office Manager Erikka Perkins, Admin. of Business Operations Erikka Perkins, Admin. of Business Operations Yesenia Valer, Office Assistant Yesenia Valer, Office Assistant
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FALL 2025 31
S ALES & REN TAL S
OF F I CE S I N S CO N S E T & T O W N
QUIDNET · 3 BEACON LANE · $22,995,000 Private waterfront estate fronting Sesachacha Pond.
NAUSHOP · 6 DOVEKIE COURT · $2,695,000 Spacious and sun-filled five-bedroom home on a quiet cul de sac.
MID-ISLAND · 16A BOYNTON LANE · $995,000 Two-bedroom condo across three levels of living space.
CLIFF · 13 CLIFF ROAD · $5,995,000 Quiet seven-bedroom retreat perched above Brant Point.
CLIFF · 60 CLIFF ROAD · $7,000,000 Six-bedroom home with an attached studio and garage.
MADAKET · 37 STARBUCK ROAD · $2,695,000 Two-bedroom oceanfront home surrounded by conservation land.
1 NO RTH B EA CH ST RE ET NA NTUCKET, MA 0 2 5 5 4 508.228.2266
32 Nantucket Today
6 MAIN ST RE ET SIASC O NSE T, MA 02 56 4 508.257.6335
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SALE S & REN TA L S
OF F ICE S IN S C O N S E T & T O W N
CLIFF · 12 DERRYMORE ROAD · $10,995,000 Six-bedroom main house, two-bedroom cottage, and a pool.
TOWN · 9 PLEASANT STRETT · $11,995,000 Proper antique fully restored offering four floors of living space.
SURFSIDE · 20 EVERGREEN WAY · $3,400,000 Private three-bedroom main house and one-bedroom cottage.
POLPIS · 256 POLPIS ROAD · $33,000,000 Iconic 15,000 sq. ft. waterfront estate on 6.42 acres.
TOWN · 34 PINE STREET · $2,899,000 Charming antique moments from Main Street.
SOUTH OF TOWN · 19 VESPER LANE · $2,995,000 Four-bedroom home abutting conservation land.
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FALL 2025 33
Nantucket Animal Rescue’s Blair Perkins with an injured owl. 34 Nantucket Today
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By Land and Sea Volunteers Save Nantucket Wildlife BY KAIE QUIGLEY
Sitting on their houseboat Selkie, a modest 42-foot 1980 Bristol trawler, Rain Harbison and Blair Perkins receive yet another call about an animal in distress. It’s the fourth, sixth, maybe 10th of the day. It’s hard to keep track.
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n a matter of minutes, they’ll climb out of the cozy teak interior, don Nantucket Animal Rescue baseball caps, boots if they can’t get away with staying barefoot and step onto their tender, Nacho, to get ashore. It’s a routine they’re accustomed to these days, having done so probably 3,000 times in the last 20 months or so, Harbison said. “It’s incredible, and it’s overwhelming,” she said. The couple founded the nonprofit Nantucket Animal Rescue at the start of last year with the goal of saving as many animals as they could, and filling a gap in the community they had seen for years. Calls about birds, turtles, rabbits or deer that needed help were often going to the Nantucket Police Department, Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals or Offshore Animal Hospital. None of those places necessarily had the resources or time to field the calls consistently or effectively. “These animals had no care whatsoever,” Harbison said. “Unless some homeowner or good citizen picked up a bird or animal and physically took it to Offshore. And they would most likely euthanize it.” Now they’re the ones taking the calls, sometimes even from the police or Coast Guard. In August, they received a call from members of Station Brant Point about a blackback gull that had swallowed a fishing hook. Harbison and Perkins were allowed to run Selkie into the restricted waters off the Coast Guard station and assist the crew. “You’re not allowed to go anywhere near the Coast Guard station, especially via boat. And we’re cruising in. They’re helping us in, they’re tying us off. I’m running around in my bare feet in the middle of the night,” Harbison said. “That was pretty cool to have
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FALL 2025 35
the Coast Guard call us for help.” Perkins was able to pry the hook out of the gull’s throat, and it was set free. In the case an animal is in worse shape, they often arrange for it to be cared for off-island. They have a working relationship with the Hy-Line, which lets them send injured animals across Nantucket Sound free of charge on the fast ferry. “We have this really great relationship with a couple of rehab centers off-island. They all know who we are. They answer the phone when they see it’s us, and they’re like, we will get a volunteer down to the Hy-Line to pick it up,” Harbison said. Since starting on their own almost two years ago, they’ve brought on about 20 volunteers who can be of assistance in a pinch. But 80 or 90 percent of the time, it’s still Perkins and Harbison making the trip out. “The volunteers are still in training. They have 1,000 things to learn,” Harbison said. “Every situation is different,” Perkins said. “Like many people have said in the past, you can move the world with the right lever. A lot of people just don’t know how to figure out the logistics. So that’s part of the training, too. How you handle the animal once you get 36 Nantucket Today
it. Even just getting the animal.” It’s a matter of turning animal-lovers into animal-rescuers, they said. In a perfect world they could hire full- or part-time staff members, but that’s not something that’s in the cards right now. They have enough trouble covering costs as it is, whether it’s to pay veterinary bills or everyday expenses like fuel. “I’ll go through $1,000 a month. You know how that is at your local gas station,” Perkins said of the gasoline prices on-island, which can reach upwards of $5 a gallon at times. “I’ll drain a tank doing a rescue in Madaket and then patrolling for sea turtles on Coatue on the outside beach. Which we do daily,” he said. “Then there’s the boat fuel, because we do boat rescues. There was a heron we had to relocate, and the gull,” Harbison said. They rely on community support to fund their mission, but often have to dip into personal funds to keep things going. “We give so much back to the animals,” Harbison said. www.nantucketmag.com
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Every situation is different. Like many people have said in the past, you can move the world with the right lever. A lot of people just don’t know how to figure out the logistics. How you handle the animal once you get it. Even just getting the animal. – Blair Perkins, Nantucket Animal Rescue On the water Perkins and Harbison get their feet wet in the event an animal is in the shallows, like a stranded sea-turtle during cold-stun season or a beached sunfish. As former members of the Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket stranding team, and Perkins living a lifetime off the island’s shores fishing for scallops and leading whale-watching eco-tours, they’re comfortable in that environment. But they aren’t certified to handle marine mammals. Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket, which also has more than 20 volunteers, is the only organization on-island allowed to aid marine animals like seals and dolphins, which are otherwise protected from human interaction through the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. They are one of 13 organizations along the East Coast with such privileges. That means during seal breeding season, usually www.ACK.net
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through the winter and into the spring, the stranding team is on high alert for pups that have been entangled in rope or fishing gear, or left on the beach by their mother. Such was the case this year. The stranding team was able to disentangle 21 seals by June, according to team coordinator Kim Schulam, a near record. “It’s sad that there are so many out there, but it’s always great when we can help an animal,” Schulam said. She recalled one day in May when the team saved three seals in a row near Great Point Lighthouse. After disentangling a pup just past the first marker on Coskata-Coatue, a team member said they saw another seal ahead. They drove their Jeep up the beach, saved the second one, and started heading off the refuge, when another one appeared. “We saw this lone seal on the beach. And I don’t know why, but we just had the Spidey senses that it had an entanglement. So we snuck up close to it, and FALL 2025 37
Several MMAN volunteers sprang into action as the sun was setting to save the dolphin after receiving multiple reports of its stranding starting around 5 p.m. Volunteers reached it by using a kayak and trudging through the mud, and eventually were able to wrangle it onto a stretcher. 38 Nantucket Today
sure enough, it had a piece of white twine around its neck,” Schulam said. “So we were able to capture that one and disentangle that one, too. That was an eventful day.” The number of seals they saved this year, while high, only represents a portion of the total number that are affected by entanglements. Twenty-one is the number they could get to, or had the ability to handle. “We see the bigger ones, like the bulls (males) that are 600 to 800 pounds, that are just too large for us to restrain. We can’t do anything for them. It’s heartbreaking,” Schulam said. “We’ve even spotted a big bull with a toilet seat around its neck. I can only hope that it was somehow able to swim out of it,” she said. They do all they can for those they can reach, however. In the event a seal needs medical attention, they help transport it off-island, most often collaborating with the National Marine Life Center in Bourne, Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Under less pressing circumstances they may try to treat wounds on-site, such as lacerations caused by whatever was entangling the animal. “They get into this stuff when they’re smaller, and they grow. It becomes tighter and tighter. It cuts through the skin, muscles and eventually, it could lacerate a trachea or sever an artery if it’s not removed. It’s bad stuff. But super-common,” Schulam said. Their treatment options in that case are minimal because the seal is often just seconds away from being released back into the wild. But occasionally they will wipe away necrotic (dead or dying) tissue and administer a topical antibiotic solution, Schulam said. “By and large, we just cut the material off and we explore the wound, make sure that we’ve got everything and then we’ll just release it,” she said. “Salt water alone is actually great to help it heal.” The stranding team also deployed for a dolphin save earlier this year.
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The number of seals they saved this year, while high, only represents a portion of the total number that are affected by entanglements. Twenty-one is the number they could get to, or had the ability to handle. In March, a dolphin found itself beached in the shallow waters and mud of the Creeks during low tide. They had rescued a pair of common dolphins from the same spot in summer 2023. “It’s a nasty area, and it’s easy to see why they can get stuck in the mud there,” Schulam said. “You can easily sink into it up to your thighs.” Several MMAN volunteers sprang into action as the sun was setting to save the dolphin after receiving multiple reports of its stranding starting around 5 p.m. Volunteers reached it by using a kayak and trudging through the mud, Schulam said, and eventually were able to wrangle it onto a stretcher. Once on solid ground, the animal’s health was assessed by MMAN’s veterinarian, who determined there was nothing obviously wrong. At that point they loaded the dolphin into the back of a pickup truck and transported it to an undisclosed south shore beach, where it was able to float on its own and swim away into deeper waters under the moonlight. Exactly the kind of happy ending they hope for. Donations can be made to Nantucket Animal Rescue on its website, nantucketanimalrescue.org, near the bottom of their home page. Donations can be made to Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket on its website, nantucketmman.org, under the How to Help section. Both nonprofits are always seeking dedicated volunteers. Kaie Quigley is a staff writer and digital content manager at The Inquirer and Mirror, Nantucket’s newspaper since 1821, and a regular contributor to Nantucket Today.
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Top: Cold-stunned sea turtles are shipped to the mainland in banana boxes. Bottom: Rain Harbison assists a pair of sea birds.
FALL 2025 39
Discover Your Nantucket
240 POLPIS ROAD · POLPIS 4 Bedrooms · 4.5 Baths · Waterfront · 260-foot Private Pier · 2-Car Garage Represented by Robert Sarkisian & Elizabeth Almodobar
6 Bedrooms ·
24 MACYS LANE · AIRPORT
5.5 Baths · Two Living Units · Spacious Garage & Unfinished Lower Level Represented by Robert Sarkisian
11 FIRST WAY MID ISLAND 3 Bedrooms · 4 Baths Privacy & Easy Access Town, Shopping, & Beach Represented by Elizabeth Almodobar
35A Old South Road, Nantucket, MA islandpropertiesre.com 40 Nantucket Today
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318 MILESTONE ROAD · SCONSET
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Expansion Potential · Represented by Elizabeth Almodobar
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158 MADAKET ROAD · LAND Represented by Robert Sarkisian
FALL 2025 41
42 Nantucket Today
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FALL 2025 43
Monarchs At Sea STORY BY GINGER ANDREWS
Where are the monarchs of yesteryear?
44 Nantucket Today
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Once upon a time, in the 1980s and 1990s, Nantucket was treated to a reliable late-summer spectacle of migrating monarch butterflies.
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n fine August afternoons they flowed like a stream, an orange river, along south shore dunes. They glided, they fluttered in eccentric movement from one dense, leafy beach goldenrod to the next. The luscious yellow blooms are a source of nectar, fuel for migration. Perhaps they found salt, too. Sometimes one would appear, as if downed in the wrack line, only to flutter off when picked up. And when they were tired, they sometimes roosted in the mothball pines or at Jackson Point. But lately the river has gone nearly dry. As we now know, at the end of October, millions of monarchs cluster in certain fir trees in the mountains of central Mexico. They gather together for warmth and shelter. It is their dormant period, coinciding roughly with the Mexican Day of the Dead, our Halloween. The holiday’s origins are disputed. But the monarch butterfly is an apt symbol for the cyclical transformation of life. What could be more eloquent than metamorphosis? Looking at Halloween skulls and bones it is difficult to remember how far we have come from the rigid ideas of medieval Europe. The first stirrings of the scientific method in the mid-17th century were just beginning to excite what were then called “natural philosophers.”
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The catch is that milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides which are highly toxic. Most birds can’t eat them, most other insects won’t. Aristotle had said that insects formed spontaneously from mud. Caterpillars were called “worms.” Most people did not connect larval stages to adult insects. But with explorers bringing back every novel creature from the New World, suddenly there was so much more to understand. There was also a wealthy artisan class, not overburdened by Ovid or Aristotle. Practical people, they did things: painting, weaving, blowing glass, grinding lenses. They built telescopes and microscopes, engraved maps and printed books. They observed, and furthermore they experimented, watching what actually happened. Maria Sybilla Merian, daughter of publisher Matthaus Merian, made insects her life’s work. She strove to trace connections between caterpillar, pupa and adult. A talented artist and craftswoman, she delved first into the life-cycle of silk moths. She began by raising silk “worms,” including the plants they fed on. Eventually becoming an explorer herself, she spent a year in Suriname, studying everything. To 46 Nantucket Today
photo by Karen Quigley
investigate life in the canopy, she had a tree cut down. Her paintings and engravings were so richly colored, detailed and documented that Linnaeus, the ardent classifier, used her Suriname drawings to describe new species. She was really one of the first ecologists, even before the word was coined. But even with her example, the strange life of the monarch butterfly was not at once apparent. A New World species, it was named after Prince William of Orange, state-holder of Holland, and later king of England. Monarch life begins in the egg, formed inside the female butterfly, fertilized by the male. Eggs are laid on milkweeds, obligate food of the monarch caterpillar. The catch is that milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides which are highly toxic. Most birds can’t eat them, most other insects won’t. After hatching, the caterpillar, also called the larva, eats the eggshell, then munches milkweed leaves. Larvae go through five stages, called instars, getting bigger with each, splitting out of their skins www.nantucketmag.com
as they grow. Next, they form the pupa, or chrysalis. It’s sometimes described as looking like “a green glass house with gold nails” and is hidden under a leaf or branch. In time, the fully-formed adult shrugs its way out of the protective casing, unfolding and inflating its wings before flying away. The whole process takes between 25 and 34 days. Thanks to the tendency of humans to move plants around, monarchs have traveled via milkweed to such far-flung places as the Azores and Canary Islands, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. But their complex North American migration was not revealed until a Canadian zoologist, Fred Urquhart, with his wife Nora, began tagging them. In 1937 they experimented with various techniques. What ultimately worked was a tiny paper dot attached by price-tag adhesive to the hind-wing. A network of observers across North America reported back. A naturalist at an arboretum in Minnesota persuaded Urquhart to train him as an additional tagger. They tracked a number of routes, but somehow the trail disappeared in Texas in late fall. So, Urquhart www.ACK.net
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In February, surviving butterflies begin moving north. How do they navigate? These are still unanswered questions. We know that they have a sense of taste, chemoreceptors for molecules in air, enabling them to find mates and nectar. hired a couple to look in Mexico. At 10,000 feet, on a mountaintop in Michoacan, they found millions of monarchs on a winter-roost tree. Urquhart and his wife traveled to Mexico in 1975. One tag read: PS 397. It had been attached by a school group at the arboretum in Minnesota, four months and 4,000 miles away. Migration, it turns out, happens across a relay of as many as four or even five generations before looping back. Monarch Watch, founded in 1992, still provides tags and coordinates information with researchers. But given the microminiaturization craze, a new company, Project Monarch, recently teamed up with Cellular Tracking Technologies. They created a tag, weighing two milligrams, that talks to a cell phone app. People using the app can report monarchs wherever there is Bluetooth service. But will this help save them? Ultimately, monarchs are alone in their long journeys. It’s a hard life for a fragile, airborne insect. Storms, unfavorable winds, drought, cold, lack of nectar plants – not to mention predatory wasps, parasitoid tachinid flies, virus infections – the hazards are legion. Monarchs hatching in fall depend on finding the right trees in central Mexican mountains. They cluster in dense roosts, not unlike some bird species. There’s safety in numbers, shelter from cold, more scouts to seek out water. But there are predators in winter, too. Black-headed grosbeaks apparently developed a tolerance for monarch poison, as has one species of mouse, Peromyscus melanotis. In February, surviving butterflies begin moving north. How do they navigate? These are still unanswered questions. We
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know that they have a sense of taste, chemoreceptors for molecules in air, enabling them to find mates and nectar. Their compound eyes are particularly sensitive to light in the blue spectrum, down into ultraviolet, beyond our feeble abilities. They can hear ultrasound – very low frequencies – and see polarized light. They may be able to sense the Earth’s magnetic fields, as some birds do. They can correct for the angle of the sun. The eggs they lay along the way will start a new generation to move north and further north as each successive generation matures with the advance of spring in northern latitudes. Despite all this, today, monarchs are declining everywhere. In Mexico, vital winter roosts lave been lost to development, logging or thinned by storms. Measured in hectares, the monarch’s winter occupancy has shrunk from an all-time high of 18.19 hectares in the 1995-1996 season to only 0.67 in 2013-14, a notably stormy period. Last winter was up, however: from .90 hectares in 2023 to 1.75 in 2024-25. Drought, cold, late-spring weather, these affect each next generation. In prime northern habitats, where herbicide-tolerant corn and soybeans have taken over, hedgerows are gone. There are no places for common milkweed to spread its sweet-scented blooms. Neonicotinoid insecticides kill butterflies, too. The upper Midwest is crucial to monarch survival. This spring was challenging with storms and fires. With heavy rain, too few days were favorable for egg-laying. But as we have seen before, monarchs can also bounce back. We can help them, by planting milkweeds or leaving some so-called “waste” spaces where native plant meadows are allowed. We can reduce the ecological desert called “lawn.” As with so many beautiful creatures and places, monarch butterflies can be saved, if we choose to do it. Ginger Andrews writes the weekly “Island Bird Sightings” column for The Inquirer and Mirror, Nantucket’s newspaper since 1821, and is a regular contributor to Nantucket Today.
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Transform Your Nantucket Property: Why Local Expertise Makes All the Difference Nantucket homeowners are discovering that strategic landscaping investments significantly boost both curb appeal and property values. But with the island’s unique coastal environment, choosing the right partner is crucial. Beyond Basic Lawn Care Today’s homeowners want outdoor spaces that reflect their lifestyle— from entertaining to peaceful retreats. Ryan Conway Landscaping Inc understands this shift, having served the greater Nantucket region for over 15 years with comprehensive landscape design, garden installation, and lawn care services. “We cut grass, not corners,” explains the team, reflecting their commitment to quality that has earned loyal clients throughout the island. The Nantucket Challenge Nantucket’s sandy soil, salt air, and seasonal weather require specific expertise. The company has mastered these conditions, selecting plants that thrive in coastal environments while creating designs that withstand both summer entertaining and harsh winters. However, homeowners should know that proper landscaping requires patience—coastal plants need time to establish, and rushing often leads to costly replanting. Conway’s team offers complete solutions: landscape construction, professional garden design, and customizable lawn care including mowing, edging, aerating, hedge cutting, fertilizing, and weed control. Smart Investment Strategy Professional landscaping offers excellent returns when done right, but poor planning can escalate costs. Ryan Conway Landscaping Inc provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees and comprehensive consultations designed for long-term relationships. “They transformed our backyard into something we never imagined possible,” says longtime client Sarah Mitchell of Siasconset. “The team understood exactly what we needed while keeping maintenance realistic.” Your Next Step The best projects start with professional guidance. The company offers free consultations seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Conway’s team will assess your property, discuss your vision, and provide complete estimates for quality results. With over 15 years of local experience, you’re working with Nantucket’s trusted specialists who have built their reputation on superior service and honest pricing.
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Transform Your Yard with Ryan Conway Landscaping Inc! Superior landscaping, gardening, and lawn care services in Nantucket at unbeatable rates. Our skilled team delivers top-notch results, from lawn mowing to garden design. Trust us to elevate your property’s appeal - reach out today for a complimentary consultation. Plus, enjoy a free mowing on your initial regular lawn cut with a 1-year commitment. Enhance your landscape with us now!
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Contact Information: Company: Ryan Conway Landscaping Inc Owner: Ryan Conway Address: 164 Hammock Pond Rd, Nantucket, MA 02554 Phone: 508-241-5051 Website: landscapingnantucketma.com WON BEST OF NANTUCKET Find us: Yelp • Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067931867643 • Google
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Flowers After Dark:
Art with an Edge STORY BY ANNA POPNIKOLOVA | PHOTOS BY KAIE QUIGLEY
The artists of Flowers after Dark receive very specific instructions from founder Taylon Breeden when the guest list is being put together:
T
he pop-up art performance and gallery series started this spring, and is gaining traction within the local artists’ community. For Breeden, the founder of Flowers after Dark and its companion, The Ouid Bar, the venture was born out of necessity. Hurricane Helene swept through Asheville, N.C. in September 2024, destroying homes, neighborhoods and businesses. One of those was an infusion cafe called The Pot Stirred, which Breeden co-owned with her partner at the time, Aislinn Dugan. “We were on the second floor, and we still had four feet of water. It wiped out the entire cafe. It washed us away,” Breeden said. Breeden and Dugan ran the cafe in the center of an artists’ complex called the Art Garden, which was home to 75 artists and their galleries. Breeden worked on making mushroom, cannabis and adaptogen extracts, while Dugan came up with infused drink and pastry recipes for the menu. “Everyone’s like, what’s an adaptogen? That was kind of our buzz word,” Breeden said. “It’s any kind of mushroom, plant or herb that helps your body adapt to stress. Everything we’re doing is ultimately trying to reduce inflammation and calm you down.” Like many other places in Asheville at the time, The Pot Stirred was an alcohol-free venue. Breeden’s goal was to show people how to have fun and be social without drinking, and bring
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Invite the richest person you know and the weirdest person you know. www.ACK.net
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together the artists in her community. “I have Crohn’s disease, and feel like I have been left out of certain spaces because I’m not consuming. I’ve felt how isolating that can feel, and being able to connect without being inebriated is really important. Alcohol can get sloppy. A lot of people that I know that are having troubles with their relationships, it’s due to alcohol. I think this is just showing people that there is the ability to have a lot of fun without being drunk,” she said. After the hurricane swept away their business and livelihood, Breeden and Dugan tried to pick up the pieces, like everyone else in Asheville. “We didn’t get any insurance money. FEMA gave us $750. All the artists had lost everything and a lot of them didn’t get anything back. We’ve all kind of made our way out in different ways. It was just sad. There was a lot of grief in losing this business that we had worked really hard on,” Breeden said. With the North Carolina economy so devastated by the hurricane, it would be nearly impossible to reopen successfully in Asheville for some time. The pair had already been coming to the island consistently, and Dugan had family here, so Nantucket felt like the natural next step. “Our pivot to the Ouid Bar was taking what we already
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knew how to do and doing a rebrand. We had just moved to Nantucket full-time, and we were like, ‘if we’re going to be on Nantucket, we want to do our own thing’,” Breeden said. The Ouid Bar launched earlier this year, when Breeden booked its first-ever gig at a Women in AI conference at MIT. “There were 200 business owners at MIT, and that was my first gig as The Ouid Bar. It was very exciting to get booked after we had just lost everything,” she said. Over a few months of bringing the bar all around the island to private parties, weddings and festivals, Breeden wanted somewhere a little more consistent to sell her drinks. Back in Asheville, the adaptogen cafe was not just a cafe, it was a hub for the arts. Breeden herself had been writing and performing spoken word poetry in Asheville, alongside other slam poets, and often hosted art events at the cafe. “We had poetry slams there and we had musical jams there, and the whole thing was just (about) connecting without alcohol and having a center for everyone to display their art,” she said. Once they moved to the island, Breeden was missing
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Three drinks that from the Ouid Bar Lovebomb Cherry limeade featuring aphrodisiac adaptogens Horny goat weed: increases blood flow, meant to improve sexual function Maca root: meant to increase fertility, libido and ease menopause symptoms “All things that get your blood pumping, meant for dancing.” Thirst Trap Juniper berry, rosemary, aloe vera hydration elixir Lion’s mane: improves focus, reduces inflammation Aloe vera: antioxidant, lowers blood sugar, improves digestive health Electrolytes and magnesium for hydration and mental clarity “It gets you very awake. It’s very refreshing. Even for people that are drinking, it’s a great drink to do in between.” Stargazer Ginger lemonade relaxer Blue lotus: sleep aid, anxiety relief, in small doses Cordyceps: antioxidant, can prevent some cancers Rhodiola: balances cortisol, anxiety and depression treatment
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the artist community she had lost in Asheville. “I really wanted to feature my own poetry. I couldn’t find anywhere that had a poetry night, or anywhere that people would come out for poetry. I just wanted a space where I could do my poetry and not feel like I’m unwanted in the space I’m doing poetry in,” she said. Flowers after Dark was the solution: a small, consistent, local arts pop-up, inspired by a listening group in Asheville called Golden Folk. “Flowers after Dark was really born from trying to find a place to keep popping up that people would be excited about. An art variety show, that was really from my Asheville days. Golden Folk was a listening-only session. They would feature five different artists, and it was pay what you wanted, but you really had to sit down and listen and pay attention,” she said. Flowers after Dark is her own variety show. Featuring performances by island photographers, poets, painters, tarot readers, musicians and others, Breeden seeks to bring a little
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something for everyone. “We had our first one, and it was wildly successful. It was all free and we had people show up and they were loving that they were having fun without alcohol. The mushrooms made a point that I think just gave people something to talk about. There’s a lot of buzz around it,” she said. “I think it’s just encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone and see how it feels, and the feedback is that people feel really good.” The most recent event, a larger event in collaboration with Charles McGowan’s Collective Shenanigans group, took place in mid-August at Pumpkin Pond Farm. With a lineup of pop-up vendors, performing artists and featured visual artists, Breeden was grinning as she said, “it’s ridiculous, it’s over the top.” The vision behind Flowers after Dark is to be a stable local group for artists that won’t end with the season and disappear when the seasons change. “I would like to create a community of artists that continue to connect throughout the wintertime,” she said. “That has always been the goal. I’ve been up here in the winters, I feel like I don’t see anybody, I feel very isolated, and I feel like it’s terrible for our mental health. So, being able to provide something that’s alcohol-free, very connecting and good for our mental health in the wintertime, is really the goal: creating a little artist community where we can all rely on each other.” “I feel like in the off-season it would be more focused (on) providing fun activities for people to come and enjoy. Maybe arrangement classes or painting events and things. The idea would be to create a community that provides sober spaces for people to enjoy each other’s company and have fun without needing to go to a bar, and to create a genuine and authentic connection within the community,” said McGowan, a featured artist in Flowers after Dark. Breeden is committed to continuing the programming after the season ends. Her hope is to bring something new to the community, to fill a niche in her life and the lives of others on this island that was filled for her back in Asheville: socializing between local artists. “The motto is, make it strange, make it real. It’s not your typical Nantucket, it’s not the white and blue hydrangea, we’re getting weird with it. It’s about being real and authentic and not hiding behind the mask of conformity that is the Nantucket summer vibe,” she said. Anna Popnikolova is a student at Harvard University, a former writer at The Inquirer and Mirror and a frequent contributor to Nantucket Today.
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Quintessential Nantucket Retreat Enchanting 4-Bedroom Home with 2-Bedroom Cottage on expansive grounds in the prestigious Shimmo location. Shimmo Pond Road, where sandy paths wind beneath leafy canopies and Nantucket Harbor beckons, this idyllic estate evokes the timeless charm of a countryside residence. Set on an oversized and private parcel, the beautifully proportioned 4-bedroom main house is accompanied by a delightful 2-bedroom guest cottage, both enveloped by lush gardens and mature trees that create a sense of intimacy and seclusion. Perfectly suited for hosting family and friends or enjoying private retreat spaces, the property offers peace, comfort, and enduring character. Meandering garden paths, sunny terraces, and shady nooks lend a sense of magic, while the thoughtful layout allows for both quiet solitude and welcoming gatherings. Just a stone’s throw from the shimmering waters of Nantucket Harbor and a short drive from the cobblestone streets of Nantucket Town, this rare offering marries countryside calm with coastal refinement. With over 2,000 square feet of allowable ground cover, the possibilities for expansion are plentiful. A true jewel in the heart of one of Nantucket’s most serene and sought-after enclaves. $5,800,000
Sheila Carroll
Agent | Sales & Rentals Sheila@maurypeople.com 508.228.1881 x129 office 508.560.0488 cell Maury People Sotheby’s International Realty | 37 Main Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 | www.maurypeople.com 60 Nantucket Today
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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WINNER TOP LUXURY BROKERAGE
William Raveis is proud to be sele cte d as one of th e n ation al Finalists for Top Luxury Brokerage, Gold en I Clu b 2 025 by Inman, the voice of REALTORS® .
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Inky Santa is Nantucket’s answer to helping families who are struggling
during the holidays to provide Christmas gifts for their kids. Th rough donations from island businesses and seasonal and year-round residents, Inky Santa is able to make Christmas a little merrier for island families. First begun in 1985 by firefighter Tom Holden and his wife Betsy as a Toys for Tots program, it was joined the following year by The Inquirer and Mirror, when editor and publisher Marianne Stanton saw that using the reach of the newspaper could expand the message of need and increase donations. That partnership has endured ever since to the benefit of island children. Over the last 40 years, Inky Santa has worked to ensure that no island kids go without on Christmas morning. Please help us continue that tradition and donate this year.
YOU can Help Fulfill a Child’s Wish List this Holiday Season!
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MAKE A DONATION Show Your Support
Go to inkysanta.org to donate today
Your gifts are 100% tax-deductible. No goods or services will be received in exchange for your gift. Inky Santa's Toy Drive is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Contributions are deductible to the full extent of applicable tax regulations.
Inkv Santa bv the Numbers �
....
In 2024 Inky Santa Helped 500 island youth 250 families $100,000 annual budget $150 average spend per child
Make checks payable to Inky Santa's Toy Drive Send donations to: Inky Santa's Toy Drive PO Box2595 Nantucket, MA 02584 www.ACK.net
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Custom Woodworking That Honors Nantucket’s Character From Whaling Museum Signs to Bespoke Furniture. Dippiton Creates Pieces Built to Last. When you need custom woodworking on Nantucket - whether it’s bespoke furniture, interior finishes, or a special project that requires both artistry and island expertise - Dippiton brings something unique to every commission: deep understanding of our coastal environment and genuine appreciation for the craftsmanship that makes this island special. Built for Island Life What began as fence-building work during a summer visa has evolved into mastery of Nantucket’s unique demands. Here, every piece must withstand constant humidity, salt air, and coastal winds without losing the timeless aesthetic that defines our island homes. “I select woods and finishes that withstand that environment and apply techniques that guarantee durability,” Dippiton explains. This isn’t textbook knowledge - it’s expertise earned through years of watching how our environment tests every joint, finish, and detail. Recent Success: The Whaling Museum Project This expertise recently earned Dippiton the opportunity of creating signage in honor of Arie L. Kopelman for a gallery in the Nantucket Whaling Museum. The project combined artisanal precision with design that reflects our island’s maritime heritage - exactly the kind of work that requires both technical skill and deep appreciation for Nantucket’s story. “It was very special, not only because of the cultural significance of the site, but because it allowed me to combine artisanal precision with a design that reflects part of the island’s history,” he says. Seeing his work installed in such an iconic space represents the kind of collaboration and community connection that drives every project.
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Your Guide to Dining Out Check out these featured restaurants from the 2025 Nantucket Restaurant Guide, considered “The Bible of Where to Eat” on Nantucket by visitors and islanders alike. Published by The Inquirer and Mirror.
17 Old South Road • 508.228.4100 fusarosrestaurant.com
17¹/² Old South Road • 508.228.2797 • nantucketbakeshop.com 66 Nantucket Today
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USDA Prime Meats • Local Seafood • Cocktails 20 BROAD ST BILLIESNANTUCKET.COM (508) 228-5550
Ava i l a bl ea t3Loc a t i ons Ai r por tGa s St op&ShopMi dI s l a nd 159Or a ngeSt
www. r oa s t d. c om
130 Pleasant St sushisean1111.com 774-485-2078
Lunch • Dinner • Catering Lively Bar • Outdoor Dining
20 Straight Wharf 508.228.OBBQ ackbackyard.com www.ACK.net
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WHO’S WHO IN REAL ESTATE HEIDI DREW
MARY D. MALAVASE
BROKER/PRINCIPAL, ABR, RSPS, SRS Heidi@NantucketRealEstate.com M: 508-325-2121 O: 508-228-7707 x 212
BROKER, GRI, ABR, RSPS, SRS, SFR Mary@NantucketRealEstate.com M: 508-221-2093 O: 508-228-7707 x 219
LINDA BELLEVUE
ANGEL CONRAD FRAZIER
BROKER, GRI, CBR Linda@NantucketRealEstate.com M: 508-325-2700 O: 508-228-7707 x 235
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MICHAEL PASSARO M: 917.806.8213 O: 508.365.2822 michael.passaro@elliman.com www.michaelpassaro.com @michael.passaro 12 Oak Street, Suite B, Nantucket, MA 02554
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WHO’S WHO IN REAL ESTATE TRACY CULLINANE sales & rental broker
Shellie Dunlap, Broker & Rental Specialist cell: 508-901-9890 shellie@leerealestate.com
• 508.228.2266, ext. 121 • 5 0 8 . 9 6 5 . 8 6 5 6 tracy@greatpointproperties.com 1 North Beach Street, Nantucket, MA 02554
508-325-5800 l 10 South Beach Street l Nantucket, MA 02554 l leerealestate.com
OFFICES IN TOWN & SCONSET
Gary Winn Broker/Owner gary@maurypeople.com 508.330.3069
37 Main Street, Nantucket MA 02554 maurypeople.com
Morgan Winn
Lisa Winn Broker
Sales Associate
lisa@maurypeople.com
morgan@maurypeople.com
617.281.1500
508.332.9088
37 Main Street, Nantucket MA 02554
37 Main Street, Nantucket MA 02554
maurypeople.com
maurypeople.com
Susan Chambers Broker susan@maurypeople.com 508.228.1881 ext. 100 cell: 508.560.0671 @susanchambersnantucket www.susanchambersnantucket.com 37 Main Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 maurypeople.com
Mark Norris Sales Associate mark@maurypeople.com 508.228.1881 ext 185 Cell: 508.566.2013 37 Main Street, Nantucket MA 02554 maurypeople.com
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WHO’S WHO IN REAL ESTATE Barbara Jenkins
Sheila Carroll Agent | Sales and Rentals
Broker
Sheila@maurypeople.com 508.228.1881 ext. 129 cell: 508.560.0488 37 Main Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 maurypeople.com
barbara@maurypeople.com 508.246.3143
37 Main Street, Nantucket MA 02554 maurypeople.com
Marybeth Gibson
Jessica Newman
Sales Associate
Sales Associate
marybeth@maurypeople.com
jess@maurypeople.com
508.325.2897
978.979.0588 37 Main Street, Nantucket MA 02554 maurypeople.com
melanie gowen BUY, SELL, DESIGN
202.365.0240 melanie.gowen@raveis.com MelanieGowen.raveis.com 17 Main Street | Nantucket | MA 02554
Sarah S. Punnett SALES ASSOCIATE
OFFICE 508.228.9117 MOBILE 508.901.1226
NANTUCKET
Susan Renzulli BROKER ASSOCIATE
OFFICE 508.228.9117 MOBILE 508.332.0528 E-MAIL Susan.Renzulli@raveis.com
70 Nantucket Today
E-MAIL Sarah.Punnett@raveis.com
Robert Young
BROKER ASSOCIATE OFFICE 508.228.9117 MOBILE 508.325.1571 E-MAIL Robert.Young@raveis.com
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