Editorial: Dog Days of Summer
Welcome to that time of year that has long been characterized as the dog days of summer.
After being dogged so much by late spring rains and cold, we’re all basking in the improved weather and arrival of the season’s best waterfront activities including Nantucket Race Week and Opera House Cup in early August.
Throughout this issue, we showcase and celebrate the beauty that’s so prevalent on Nantucket at this time of year, whether it’s faces of seasonal visitors, those who live here, beautiful handcrafted boats or our breathtaking natural landscapes.
Outdoors is certainly where it’s at on Nantucket in the summer. For the many fans of golf, we give you a look at the private spaces of two small-sized but professional level courses on Nantucket estates. If you’re an avid sailor, you’ll appreciate our showcase of Cape Cod boat companies Pease Boat Works and Marine Railway and Howard Boats, both where craftsmen are creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind seagoing vessels that are sure to be heirlooms.
Of course, the beauty of Nantucket’s natural landscape has long been precious to most of us who love the island. Peter Brace, the author of numerous articles and books on exploring the natural world of Nantucket, gives us an overview of increasing local offerings in ecotourism. Beautiful Nantucket landscape portraits by Daniel Sutherland underscore the report.
We’re sure that the thousands of descendants of the first English settlers on Nantucket have enjoyed many of the above since they arrived on Nantucket 350 years ago. This year, the Macy Clan in particular returned home for a huge family reunion and a rededication of the Founders Cemetery at Maxcy’s Pond, where many of those early settlers are buried. Writer Sharon Lorenzo and photographer Terry Pommett tell us about their gathering.
Nature is also front and center in our two dining features for this issue. Down at Great Harbor Yacht Club, opened officially this summer after seven years in development, the beauty of Nantucket’s inner harbor is on display. Over at the new Dune restaurant on Broad Street, owner Michael Getter has recreated a pleasing eco-friendly environment.
None of this beauty ends with the passing of Labor Day. Here at N Magazine we’ll pause until November to enjoy the beauty of fall on Nantucket. This issue will be redistributed in mid-September, just in time to remind readers again of the fantastic Nantucket Restaurant Week, which we started four years ago. With the help of Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce and many other island groups, the event has grown stronger each year and this year added a spring session. Join us on Sunday, September 27 at Great Harbor Yacht Club for our kick-off Gala to provide several scholarships to graduates of Nantucket High School Culinary Arts Program. Meanwhile, to see this fall’s exciting lineup from Monday, September 28 through Sunday, October 4 visit www.nantucketrestaurantweek.com.
Bon appetit! We’ll see you during Restaurant Week and in November for Nantucket’s glorious holiday period.
William Ferrall
Editor-in-Chief
