This was to be my first Figawi weekend on Nantucket — boat sailing at its best, or at least for fun and fund raising. Old-timers told me to stay away from town on Saturday because it would be crammed and crazy…but it was on Friday that I got my first taste of the excitement Figawi brings to Nantucket.

Some of my Nashaquisset renters had trouble getting a cab because of the throngs disembarking from ferries, so I drove into town to pick them up. I could hardly believe the difference in activity between 11:00 that morning when I’d last been in town, and now at 4:00 — ay, carumba! People swarmed the streets, pulling suitcases and coolers behind them. This wasn’t just a ‘youngsters’ event, either — whether it was for Figawi itself or the Memorial Day weekend, Nantucket sprung to life with all shapes, colors, and ages — the energy was palpable!

So the summer has officially started. Figawi was another rousing success. The first of our renters joined us at Nashaquisset. The fog lifted each day in time to enjoy Cisco, Madaket, Surfside Beaches. I left the “Figawi partying” to those much more qualified than I and enjoyed a glass of wine with my Nashquisset neighbors.

What a wonderful weekend — hope you’ll join us next year!

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Looking for something delicious … and healthy … to take to your favorite Nantucket beaches this summer? Rich in protein and low in fat, this is fantastic in emergencies and reason enough to stock canned beans in your pantry. Serve with breadsticks, pita or other bread, raw vegetables – or MY favorite: crunchy, old-fashioned kettle cooked potato chips. (Everything in moderation!)

Creamy White Bean Dip
1 -15 oz can white cannellini beans
1 -15oz can artichoke hearts, water or marinated
2 cloves garlic, roasted
2Tbs dried parsley + more for garnish
¼ c pine nuts, optional
2-5 drops Tabasco sauce
salt & pepper to taste
paprika for garnish

1. Drain and rinse beans and artichokes.
2. Combine all ingredients, except paprika, in a food processor and puree until very smooth.
3. Garnish with paprika and serve.

For the record: this is also delicious served with wine – Nantucket’s Wine Festival takes place this week: May 18-22. http://www.nantucketwinefestival.com/ – let me know how you like it with your next glass of Moscato or Sangiovese!

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It’s time to wrap things up here in the Cambridge office and move down to Nantucket for the season…but I’ve got a small car and many things to bring. Of course I can ship cartons of paperwork and binders and all those sorts of things – and I’ve ordered soap bars, toilet paper, and welcome bags online with instructions to ship directly to the Tashama Farmhouse.

The bike goes on its rack on the back of the car…the jewelry that I make and sell will fit in the trunk. New this season is my Malibu Pilates Pro Chair with Adjustable Spring System – the one that Susan Lucci promotes on HSN. She did a great selling job: I ordered it after watching the actress cheerfully run through the exercises, making them look a breeze – she didn’t even sweat. Heck, I thought, as I contracted for three easy payments…I’ll soon be looking lithe and slim, I’ll be flexible and toned. Heck: the chair is still folded neatly (albeit out of the carton, at least), unused three months after its arrival.

My story (and I’m sticking to it) is that I will fit it in the car, somehow, for the trip to Nashaquisset. I will throw the bags of frozen shrimp (Costco: $8.99/lb for HUGE shrimp) and containers of mixed nuts and bags of clothes (more options for squeezing things into the car than suitcases) and cartons of tennis balls (there were NO tennis balls to be found on the island last Fourth of July weekend – and ice was hard to come by, but I’m not bringing ice) on top of it. The plan is to initiate Malibu Pilates Pro Chair with Adjustable Spring System in the privacy of my living room and hope I don’t get hurt.

Heck…I might even start to look like Erica Kane on All My Children (or at least, Susan Lucci!). You just never know.

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Some of you know that I moved from Wyoming last year to work at Nashaquisset…so I was very excited to learn that a documentary about my friend, Buck Brannaman, will be shown at this year’s Nantucket Film Festival.

Buck is an extraordinary man — the original ‘horse whisperer’ (in fact, he coached Robert Redford during the filming of the movie). The film follows Buck from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses: he teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity – not punishment.

The LA Times believes that “if ever a documentary had everyman potential, it’s ‘Buck’ – a film with a sensibility like “The Blind Side” that some might underestimate for its plainspoken power.”

Here’s a link to more information about “Buck”, the documentary: http://www.buckthefilm.com/

Can’t wait to see it — I’m sure it’ll make me homesick, but what a treat to watch Buck in action and take in the beauty of Wyoming again!

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A good friend of mine just informed me of a program that is offered by SeaPony Farm here on Nantucket. Open to the community of Nantucket, it services both children and adults with disabilities — and the general public is able to access the facility to enjoy the various farm animals and equestrian based activities by appointment.

Potential participants are children or adults living with physical difficulties (orthopedic, neurological, or medical) or emotional difficulties, as well as children living with developmental disorders and learning disabilities. Other potential participants are “at-risk” youth and able-bodied children or adults who wish to participate either in mounted or non-mounted equine-assisted activities as volunteers.

Participants in the therapeutic programs offering equine-assisted activities are assessed and screened by staff members and the individuals’ medical team to determine their eligibility for the program and to ensure the activities are safe and appropriate for the participant.

Once accepted to the program, all participants have certain goals to accomplish in each semester session that will be documented. Mounted activities may include developing basic riding skills, exercises, games, trail riding and participating in the safe trail obstacle course. All participants may not be able to ride so SeaPony Farm will attempt to offer other activities with the horses and farm animal population.

SeaPony Farm also offers non-mounted equine-assisted activities through its instructors and trained volunteers including horse care and usage, horsemanship, equine health, and barn upkeep.

For more information about this special farm, visit seaponyfarm.com!

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We say it all the time…but let me tell you exactly why Nashaquisset is Nantucket’s best rental value!

1. Wonderful 2-5 bedroom homes and cottages — distinctive island architecture with modern interiors.

2. Convenient location — an easy walk to town and a quick bike ride to Surfside Beach.

3. Swimming pool and Har-Tru tennis courts — considered by many to be the best on the island!

4. Lush island landscaping — fragrant flowers and trees abound!

5. Quiet streets and shell paths — perfect for walking and biking.

6. Tuesday night cookouts at the pool during July and August — come, be our guest!

7. On-site rental management to help ensure a hassle-free vacation — only at Nashaquisset can you rent a private home on Nantucket that offers this service.

8. Rents include weekly cleaning — other Nantucket rentals charge you extra!

9. The Nantucket shuttle stop is moments from your front door — travel all across the island without a car!

10. Every house rental includes wireless internet and flat panel televisions — and many of our homes now have air conditioning.

We say it all the time…there’s nothing on Nantucket like Nashaquisset!

Ambience, amenities, activity: there’s nothing like Nashaquisset! Our August availability is limited, and July rentals are filling up quickly. Let me help you find the Nashaquisset home that’s perfect for your family; visit www.nashaquisset.com

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I’ve long wanted to go to Muskeget Island (the low sandy island to the west of Tuckernuck Island and Nantucket), but little did I know that Muskeget is the largest colony of pupping grey seals in the United States!

It turns out that Nantucket has a year-round population of up to 3000 grey seals — their habitat includes dry sand bars and uninhabited stretches of beach; the seals also can be seen resting on rock piles, ledges, sand bars, and jetties exposed during low tides. Once endangered, the grey seal population is increasing, largely in part because of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and other agencies dedicated to the protection and safety of marine mammals.

Look for me on one of the seal-watching tours offered on Nantucket this Spring…I’m eager to see these large and fascinating animals up close. (I won’t be feeding them, though: under the Marine Mammal Protection act, feeding seals is considered harassment and is punishable by up to a $10,000 fine!)

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The birds are setting up shop at Nashaquisset…you hear them everywhere, and it’s a wonderful sound indeed! Before I arrived last summer, I had no idea that birds that are rare in other parts of New England flock to Nantucket — our moors, meadows, and marshes…a lack of predators…and the abundance of wide open, undeveloped space are a welcome environment for avian diversity.

Set up your spotting scope near the salt marsh at Eel Point any time of year, and you’re bound to see shorebirds feeding—low tide is the best time. Endangered piping plovers and least terns nest on the ocean side in spring. Folger’s Marsh (about 3 mi east of town) and the Harbor Flats at the end of Washington Street on the eastern edge of town are also good shorebird-watching sites. Inland, a walk through Sanford Farm from Madaket Road to the south shore (covering upland, forest, heath, and shore habitats) will bring you in range of Savannah sparrows, yellow warblers, osprey, and red-tailed hawks, the island’s most common raptor. Check out the trails through for woodland species, and be on the lookout for protected Northern Harrier!

For more information on birding on Nantucket, check out:

Strong Wings (9 Nobadeer Farm Rd. 508/228-1769. www.strongwings.org) customizes environmentally savvy birding tours based on interest and group size and, depending on your preferred degree of difficulty, can include a hike, a bike ride, or a casual stroll.

The Maria Mitchell Association (MMA, 4 Vestal St. 508/228-0898. www.mmo.org) leads marine-ecology field trips and nature and bird walks weekly in spring and early summer and three times a week from June through Labor Day.

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From early April to mid-May, daffodils of every color, shape and size bloom on Nantucket…nearly three million blossoms in shades of yellow, orange, white, and even pale pink bloom along Nantucket’s roadsides and in its gardens!

Daffodils bloom for nearly five weeks, and Springtime on Nantucket brings wonderful weather for all sorts of activities: bicycling, hiking, fishing, photography, bird watching…so many opportunities to enjoy Nantucket’s beauty!

Here are some highlights of this year’s annual Daffodil Weekend, April 29 – May 1, courtesy of Nantucket’s Chamber of Commerce:

Annual Window Decorating Contest: Judging begins at 12 PM on Friday, April 29. Merchants are encouraged to beautify their store windows with an original Daffodil Festival theme. Ribbons for Most Creative & Most Traditional are awarded at 4 PM. Stop by the Chamber office at Zero Main Street, for a list of participants and winners!

Annual Antique Car Parade: The grand event, held on Saturday, April 30, features over 100 daffodil bedecked antique cars (pre-registration necessary for participation). The decorated cars are staged on Main Street beginning at 9:30 AM, where they are judged in various categories including Most Authentic, Most Traditional Decorating, Most Creative Decorating and People’s Choice. New in 2011 – Antique Motorcycles! They will be staged on the corner of Federal & Main Sts. The parade begins at 12 PM by taking a right onto Centre Street, down Broad Street, a right onto So. Water Street & back up Main Street before taking a left on Orange Street, through the Rotary, out Milestone Road to ‘Sconset. Important Reminder: Main Street will be closed to traffic from 6 AM – 1:30 PM. Cars will be towed at owner’s expense.

Annual Daffodil Children’s Parade: This event, beginning at 10 AM (10:15 start) on Saturday, April 30 at Children’s Beach, is fun for children of all ages & their families. Decorate your bicycle, wagon, skateboard, baby carriage or other self-propelled wheeled conveyance with a Daffodil theme. Cookies, lemonade & ribbons for all! Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult & all children on bicycles must wear a helmet.

Annual Daffy Hat Pageant: Beginning at 10:45 AM, Saturday, April 30 at Children’s Beach Bandstand is the Annual Daffy Hat Pageant! Show off your creativity! Festively decorate a daffodil-themed hat – from elegant to goofy – & come join the pageant! Open to men, women & children! Ribbons awarded in Adult & Children’s categories.

Annual Daffy Dog Parade: Is your dog in the daffodil spirit? Enter your decorated pup in this fun pageant on Main Street following the Antique Car Parade on Saturday, April 30 at 12:30 PM. Prizes and ribbons will be awarded to the Best Daffodil-themed dogs in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. All dogs must be leashed and play well with others. Pre-registration required on the corner of Federal and Main sts the morning of April 30 from 10 AM – 12 PM.

Annual Daffodil Tailgate Picnic: Bring along your picnics & blankets from 1 – 3 PM on Saturday, April 30 and check out the antique cars on Main Street in ‘Sconset! Those attending are encourged to bike or carpool. The public may picnic on the north side of Main Street only. For the first time in many years, non-antique car Daffodil Festival picnic attendees will be given an opportunity to enter the picnic contest. The contest is open to AMATEURS ONLY (no professional chefs or catered food). For information on how to enter, please call the Chamber at 508-228-1700. Important Reminder: The public is reminded that the Tailgate Picnic in Sconset is held on public property and that, by law, open containers and consumption of alcohol is prohibited on a public way. Due to emergency vehicle concerns, parking will only be allowed on one designated side of certain streets and will be strictly enforced. Main Street ‘Sconset will be closed to traffic from 7 AM – 3 PM on Saturday, April 30.

37th Annual Daffodil Flower Show: Free admission! Enjoy show entries in horticulture, arrangement & photography at a new location – Bartlett’s Oceanview Farm on Saturday from 2 – 5 PM and Sunday from 10 AM – 4:30 PM (Shuttle service from town on Saturday only.) Sponsored and organized by the Nantucket Garden Club & American Daffodil Society.

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Everyone loves Nantucket in the summer — especially so in August, it seems! But there are many reasons to enjoy our unbeatable island charm in June and July:

1. Beautiful weather
2. Crowds have yet to arrive
3. Easy restaurant reservations
4. Fourth of July fireworks!
5. Beaches practically to yourself
6. Shorter wait at the Downyflake
7. Bike paths easy to navigate
8. Offshore fishing in full swing
9. Golf tee times easy to book
10. Film and Comedy Festivals

And of course there are many more reasons to enjoy Nantucket in June and July — here’s a calendar of events and activities, courtesy of Yesterday’s Island.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

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