Chris Perry Column: Nantucket Is That Guy

With only 24 hours to go, I think I am in pretty good shape.

For someone who typically starts Christmas shopping around the 23rd of December, I made a good faith effort to get an early start with a few laps around town during Stroll.

But like most of you, I still have one more present to go because I need to buy something for that one guy who has everything.

That got me thinking…

Nantucket is kind of like “that guy’ so what might Santa deliver to a community that thinks it has everything?

Over Stroll weekend, I had a chance to ask Santa that question. We compared notes, and after much debate, we cut it down to eight community-wide Christmas wishes and stocking stuffers, knowing that Nantucket has been both naughty and nice.

THE DOWNYFLAKE: It’s time to make the donuts because Nantucket needs the ‘Flake back.

With all due respect to Island Kitchen, the airport and others who have tried to pick up the slack, Nantucket needs The Downyflake like Rudolf needs his red nose.

It’s not as if Ron Oldham and Pate’ Kennedy haven’t been trying, but nothing has materialized.

“We are committed to operating the business the same way as it used to be. Pate’ and I are anxious to get back one day again soon,” said Ron.

Let’s hope so because nothing would warm my heart more or fill my stomach better than memories of Evelyn “Evie” Sylvia and a plate of blueberry pancakes with a sugar donut on the side.

GAS PRICES: To Island Energy Services, Santa wants to know what’s taking so long?

With three states under $2 a gallon and another 35 states with gas under $3 a gallon, Nantucket’s gas prices should be a Christmas present and not stubbornly high like Christmas past.

More than anyone, Saint Nick understands the logistics and financial impact associated with transportation costs, freight, insurance, and the fickleness of an unpredictable market. Nevertheless, what would make sugar plums dance in Santa’s head is gas under $4 per gallon.

POST OFFICE: The island deserves better mail service, and since Santa has not yet received one Christmas letter from Nantucket this season, something has to give.

Complaining about the post office has become too commonplace. But when you start wishing for the return of Tita, whose husband was a popular crossing guard at N.E.S., and Vilma, who relocated to North Carolina, you know you are in trouble.

Maryellen Anderson and Melanie Smith understand that. Recently, the two USPS recruitment liaisons were on-island during Stroll weekend and they know it is an uphill battle.

“Right now, we need at least six more carriers and two more administrators on Nantucket. We recognize the issue of housing and a relatively low starting wage, but we are trying to think outside the box when it comes to recruitment,” offered Anderson.

SANKATY HEAD GOLF CLUB: The holidays are about tradition, and wouldn’t it be nice if Sankaty Head Golf Club reintroduced the tradition of a winter golf membership?

Back in the 1980s, some of Sankaty’s most colorful members, such as Sam Sylvia, Buddy Blair, Jack McElderry, Bud Lockley, and Charlie Cahoon, helped introduce the tradition of a winter golf membership. It wasn’t about cash flow. It was about paying forward and giving something back to the Nantucket community.

Eventually, Sankaty’s membership conveniently found excuses to eliminate the winter tradition in Scrooge-like fashion. This decision further isolated the private golf club from the Nantucket community while Miacomet Golf and Nantucket Golf looked to spread holiday cheer.

Santa loves to play golf. He knows the greens are better at Miacomet and acknowledges the fact that it’s tough to keep up with the Nantucket Golf Club, but it wouldn’t take much for the Sankaty Golf Club to gift wrap an old tradition, allowing locals the opportunity to play 18 holes of golf at Sankaty in the winter.

THE BARNACLE: Since the boot isn’t available and a $35 ticket just isn’t enough of a penalty to slow down the parking scofflaws around town, it’s time to re-emphasize the Barnacle.

First introduced to Nantucket in 2019 and made more readily available in 2023, the Barnacle is a commercial-grade suction cup that latches onto the front windshield of a vehicle. It is not often used on Nantucket, and traditionally, it is directed towards offenders with more than $250 in unpaid fines.

Santa thinks it’s time to lower that threshold and give each summer community service officer a new Barnacle in their stocking for next summer.

With the ability to pinpoint habitual offenders who are well known around the downtown core district, it wouldn’t take long before Nantucket’s worst parking offenders would be forced to truly pay up and relocate their Range Rovers.

TURF FIELD & A SYNTHETIC TRACK: For a moment, Santa and I thought we were watching true democracy in action. After renovation plans had been percolating for years, the School Committee voted unanimously in September to support a grass field for the Vito Capizzo stadium.

However, this debate was not over.

Over 300 students weighed in, along with an overwhelming majority of the general public who had a stake in the game, and persuaded the School Committee to reconsider.

To their credit, they did. And this time, the public’s persistence, passion, and pertinacious approach resulted in a 4-1 vote in favor of a turf field and synthetic track, sending the project to the Capital Program Committee and FinCom, all but guaranteeing the debate will be part of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

Democracy in action.

That was until the Grinch stepped in, soiling the process.

Scare tactics may have worked once, and I’ll grant you, Santa’s reindeer do prefer dining on grass. But I’ll bet you in the end that the vocal minority who opted to play insider baseball by getting the Board of Health to wander way out of their lane will regret playing that card when ultimately Vito and the Nantucket community finally get the turf field they logically deserve.

PICKLEBALL: Santa could use some exercise after the holidays and the resurfaced Jetties tennis courts, completed in under one offseason by the town of Nantucket with money left over, is an attractive option that deserves a gold star.

Another option could be the decapitated swath of land off Hinsdale Road owned by the Land Bank and earmarked for four additional pickleball courts. Those courts will be available to the public, but the project has been wallowing in the mud for almost four years.

LOCAL SUPPORT: This afternoon’s red ticket drawing is more than opportunity to win a $1000 prize and mingle with family and friends on Main Street. Inside the numbers, you will find a shrinking number of local merchants and restaurant owners who have made a commitment to the community to stay open year round.

These merchants and restaurateurs such as Jewel in the Sea and The Brotherhood have made sacrifices to stay open and they deserve our loyalty.

The next time you go shopping or decide to go out to dinner, join Santa and spread the wealth and good cheer by supporting our neighbors and friends who are local merchants and restaurant owners committed to staying open year-round.

PEACE: And finally, to the entire Nantucket community, especially the Ferguson family who summer on Hulbert but call Nantucket their home: peace, prayer, and love.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.