'Sconset Garden Tour

I love looking around old homes and if it is a nice day and the garden is open it makes it even better, put this all on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic & I'm in heaven!

In August the Nantucket Garden Club conducts its annual fund raising event that is anticipated each year by everyone on the island. For more than 50 years, the Annual House and Garden Tour has become the venue to have a glimpse of many historic and new homes and gardens on the island. Each year a different neighborhood is selected...from 'Sconset to Monomoy to Brant Point. The Garden Club members provide exquisite flower arrangements to compliment the rooms in the homes. The event is held on a Wednesday afternoon in August and is well attended. The revenue from this major event supports the local community in conservation projects local scholarships and provides club educational programs and conference expenses.

58th Annual House & Garden Tour
Presented by The Nantucket Garden Club, Inc.

Member of the Garden Club of America
Wednesday, August 8, 2012, 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
A Walking Tour of Houses and Gardens on Baxter Road, Siasconset.
Tickets $50.00 (cash or check)In early August, tickets will be available on Main Street and on tour day at each house.Also Boutique, Unique Boutique and Plant sale, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Ticket Information & Advanced Ticket Sales: Contact Merrielou Symes (508-228-6654)

Down on Main Street

Bacon on Main Street in Nantucket.  Not sure who's holding him.

Photo credit: GM

Members' Collection House Tour

July 7 - "Members' Collection House Tour" 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Several museum members have opened their homes for guests to view their extensive lightship basket collections. Learn about what has attracted these collectors and how they continue to search for special treasures to add to their collection.  Tickets available for $40 and include a reception at the last house on the tour.

Buy tix here

Around the Town

Post # 3 of 3 "Around the Town" Here are a few pix from around the town of Nantucket over Memorial Day Weekend.

This is a great store, actually it is two stores, antiques on the top & maps in the basement. The sign over the basement window says "Scrimshaw".




Antique Store & Map Store

 

 There is an interesting story about the name Petticoat Row. 





Petticoat Row Bakery

 



The window boxes are shaped like boats.



Outside the Jared Coffin House




First Congregational Church





"Secret Garden" on West Chester St.





American Seasons



American Seasons



SECRET TIP:  This sign is on West Chester Street just up the block from Centre St. If you take a right here and walk up the hill, you will find the Oldest House.  It has a huge front yard and a garden in the back.  If you continue straight on, through the front yard, you'll see the house & the garden on your left.  Keep going straight ahead, you see an opening in the back fence.  This is the entrance to Coffin Park.  Follow the path and you'll see some picnic tables.  You've ended up at Something Natural! Treat yourself to a sandwich, cookie, Matt Fee Tea or all 3!

 Corner of Centre & West Chester Streets



Sunset at Galley Beach



Photos: ABG

Where the FIGAWI?

Post # 2 of 3 - "Where the FIGAWI?" We were on Nantucket for the Holiday Weekend.  It was also the 40th Figawi Race weekend (Hyannis-Nantucket-Hyannis.)




Photo credit



Here are some of sights:

Photos: ABG

How did you spending your long weekend?

Wacky Alpaci!

I was on Nantucket for Memorial Day Weekend.  I snapped a few fun photos which I am going to post as three separate "themed" posts. Post #1 "Wacky Alpaci!"

Initially I thought that these were GIANT Llamas then someone (a small child, truth be told) informed me they were actually Alpacas (or is it Alpaci?)

CLICK PIX TO ENLARGE

3 of 5 Alpacas (alpaci?)
The MSPCA (on Crooked Ln.)  is in the background.

The other 2. I like how the brown one is peeking out from behind the white one.
Their barn is in the background on the left (wht. bldg.) the MSPCA is on the rt. (grey/brn/shingled bldg.)

 

Photos: ABG

Daffy Daze

Last weekend was the Daffodil Festival on Nantucket. It is always a good time.  After a long Winter everyone is more than ready for Spring and it is reflected in the amount of prep (as in preparation, but I guess in this instance it could mean Preppy-ness too) put into the event.  People put a lot of effort into their cars, hats, outfits, dog costumes, bike/wagon decoration & tailgate parties which is what makes it such a special weekend & so much fun! 

The first event (I think) was the judging of the Window Decorating Contest in the stores around town on Friday.  Winners:
Most Traditional-1st: Nantucket Pharmacy 2nd: Cold Noses 3rd: Young’s Bicycle Shop
HM: Johnston’s Cashmere.
Most Creative -- 1st: Vis-à-vis 2nd: J. McLaughlin 3rd: Nantucket Gourmet
HM: Sweet Inspirations.

The next, around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, was the Children's Parade, kids decorated their bikes, wagons & scooters, etc, with daffodils and anything else the could think of. Then at 10:45 a.m., the Hat Pagent kicked off, both of these took place down at Children's Beach. After that the Antique Car Parade began at Noon on Main Street.  Then came the Dog Parade at 12:30 p.m. This is a free event but I think they should have a suggested donation of $1 (those who can't afford it don't have to pay, those who can afford it would gladly give more) the proceeds of which would go to the MSPCA.  My dog, Bacon (pictured), always shakes off his costume so we never win. I took the half of his costume that ended up on the cobblestones and pinned it to my head like a fascinator a la a royal wedding guest, it did not help our chances.




Photo: Amanda Morgan

 
By far, the main events are the Antique Car Parade & following Tailgate Picnic.  The cars are decorated with varying degrees of daffodils and many have a theme (e.g., "The Nantucket Hillbillies".) Awards are given to the Best Decorated, Oldest, Most Creative, etc. Then the cars all drive out to 'Sconset on the Eastern most part of the island (7 miles away.) There they have a giant tailgate picnic where more prizes are awarded for the best fare & various themes.  We ran into our friend George at the tailgate picnic, he'd restored an old Jeep that he'd found on Craigslist. They only made a few of this model so it was very unique. 





There was also a flower show at Barlett's Farm and a book sale at the Antheneum (very dangerous, as you end up with 20 pounds of books that you have to cart around/get off the island.)

This year from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. there was a party at the Cisco Brewery (dogs welcome!) with a band.  At 6:30 p.m. the "Spring Down the House" dinner dance at the Yacht Club kicked off to benefit The Small Friends of Nantucket.  At 7:30 p.m., the "Daffodil Swing Dance" started a few blocks away at 11 Centre St., to benefit the alzheimer's group, Rythym Brake Cares.  They offered dancing lessons at the begining of the event which I thought was a very good/fun idea.

A number of bars & resturants opened for the weekend after being closed all winter.  A few new bars & restaurants opened up too. Some places offered special drinks & tasting menus.  At Dune, the bartender had what looked like a floral arrangement of irises on the bar but she told us she was preparing the flowers to use in a drink!

There were numerous art shows, gallery openings (free wine!) and lots of other events too.

Some of the best pictures are on the Inky Mirror & Mahon About Town sites.


Plan ahead for next year! "Daffy" is usually the third weekend in April but it was pushed back by one week this year due to a late Easter.  All the info is on the Chamber of Commerce site.