This Saturday, July 26, island resident Natalie Thompson will put on her familiar Swim Across America – Nantucket swim cap and dive off Jetties Beach into Nantucket Sound for a four-mile open-water course, all to make waves to fight cancer. Thompson has been a participant of the Swim Across America – Nantucket swim every year since the swim started in 2013. She has worked every job at the swim: setup crew, safety kayaker, “angel” swimmer, and, for the past five events, she has been a four-mile swimmer. This year’s swim is different though, and Natalie’s strokes will carry a deeper weight. This year Natalie swims in memory of her father, who passed away from stage 4 renal cancer in June 2024. She also swims in gratitude for the health of her wife Cassie, who also battled cancer with a diagnosis of ocular melanoma in 2019.
Author: Taryn McBryde
August Is for Blues
Heather Unruh has won a lot of awards over the years. Four Emmy awards for her journalism and the Clarion Award for women in communication. How about the Gracie Allen Award from the group American Women in Radio and Television? Yup, she won that as well. But which award is displayed prominently in the family room of her Nantucket home, you ask? Of course it’s her first place framed August Blues—Nantucket Champion print that she won last year.
Pioneers Species You Don’t Want Colonizing
In our society we tend to idealize and idolize pioneers. Think of those intrepid travelers who went west in the mid-1800s. Or those who explored somewhere for the first time. It takes a certain character to be the first to do something: not only spunk, but grit and determination. If you’re the first to settle in a new area, you have to figure out space, resources, safety. How are you going to survive? We admire these qualities in people who start from scratch, find new territory, put a flag on the moon.
Free Workshop with Printmaker Bee Shay
Stitching in the company of others is relaxing, and the process becomes a natural meditation, contributing to one’s well-being. The Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) is hosting free workshops on Stitching a Meditation Journal with Bee Shay for adults. Drop-in classes are held at AAN’s Visual Arts Center at 24 […]
Full Circle: Respoke Founder Uncovers Island Ancestral Ties
When Chris Bartick first sailed into Nantucket, it felt like more than just a trip—it felt like fate. The artist and founder of luxury fashion brand Respoke was drawn to the island by a feeling he couldn’t explain. “It was like the island was calling me before I understood why,” […]
Heart of Community & Culture on-Island
Nestled in the heart of downtown Nantucket, the Nantucket Atheneum has been a beacon of learning, connection, and community spirit for nearly two centuries, providing access to knowledge in a close-knit island setting. Founded in 1834, our island’s public library has evolved into much more—it’s a vibrant hub that nurtures minds, supports well-being, and fosters a sense of belonging for residents and visitors.
July on Nantucket Is a Forager’s Paradise
I am spoiled this time of year, lucky to be working out on the Linda Loring Nature Foundation landscape or going out for walks with my dog on one of the various conservation trails around the island. This time of year, mid- to late-July is when the berries are at their peak, and I can easily find a snack while out in the hot summer sun. It’s a fun time to start foraging for your snacks.
Healing with Fishing
Island people are meant to stay on islands. Them’s the rules. But every now and again, things happen and rules must be broken. This is the tale of a wayward island kid and his recent encounters in a slice of the real world.
Empowering Women with Wellness
In 2017 a trio of dynamic women on Nantucket—Meryl Bralower, Melanie Sablehaus, and Jeanine Borthwick—spearheaded an effort with Nantucket Cottage Hospital to empower island women to take charge of their healthcare. “Our goal is to empower women to make the right decisions…[we want them] to know what to ask for […]