Author: Taryn McBryde

Exploring Nantucket, Island Science

The Mystery of Eels on Nantucket

As spring weather finally begins to grace us here on Nantucket, we begin to look for our favorite signs of spring; cherry blossoms, daffodil blooms, spring peeper chorus, osprey returning, and…eels! That’s right, the annual spring migration of young eels is upon us, heralding the start of spring for the island.

Featured Articles

Never Just about Fishing

In March of 2011, country singer Trace Adkins released a song called, “She Thinks We’re Just Fishing,” a song written by Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell, and Ed Hill. The song ended up being a top 10 hit for Adkins. More importantly, it welded an immediate bond with so many fathers who related instantly to the song’s video of Adkins fishing with his daughter Trinity, who appeared to be about six years old at the time. My daughters were 14- and 11-years-old when that this song was released. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that the song played loudly in my head every time my girls and I hit the ponds or the beaches. A quick YouTube search for this song results in an endless collection of heartwarming father- child fishing videos. It’s a beautiful rabbit hole to fall into, unless you’re trying to complete an article on deadline day. And here we are…

Nantucket Essays, Nantucket Voices

Where Legends Are Born

I bet you all remember where you were the evening of Sunday, February 5, 2017. Our beloved New England Patriots were once again playing in the Super Bowl, this time facing a juggernaut Atlanta Falcons team. And the Patriots were getting worked—down 28 to 3 in the fourth quarter. Everyone on the Atlanta team box was ready to pop the champagne corks. Everyone except for one guy, that is: Scott Pioli (now a Nantucket resident) was the Assistant General Manager of the Falcons at that time. He had been a significant cog in the development of the New England Patriots dynasty, serving in the player personnel department from 2000-2008. Thus, he knew all about a guy named Tom Brady. Pioli was quoted by Mike Kadlick of WEEI – Boston as he remembered that game: “All the folks I’m working with, they’re high-fiving. It’s, you know, out of control. But I was a mess. I felt this nervousness.”

Nantucket Events

Holiday Magic

More than 50 years ago, the originators of the first Nantucket Christmas Stroll were trying to encourage island residents to do their holiday shopping locally instead of traveling across Nantucket Sound to shop at malls on Cape Cod. That first year—1973—island merchants kept their shops open late the first Friday […]

Cold Turkey Plunge
Nantucket Events

A Cold Tradition for Turkey Day

More than two decades ago, the Nantucket Atheneum was chosen as beneficiary of a fundraising effort that has become such beloved island tradition. Even during the pandemic, participants continued to do it from homes around the world. This November 28, more than 1,000 people will again gather on Children’s Beach, […]

Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Street
Nantucket Arts, Nantucket Events

A Play to Warm Your Heart

On Tuesday, November 26, the curtain goes up on the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket’s encore presentation of the stage adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Street series. Back by popular demand, this heartwarming production by TWN’s Justin Cerne is faithful to Hilderbrand’s vision and writing. “Justin has done a brilliant job […]

Island Science

Worrisome Invaders

Ornamental grasses are a popular part of many Nantucket landscape designs. They add movement and provide drama, all while giving a naturalized look to the landscape. However, many of these ornamental grasses are now being seen as weedy, if not invasive on the island—we need to do all we can to prevent spread into our natural areas and value our native grasslands.