'Tis The Season To Be Jolly
Chris Perry •
This season, I made a promise to myself: No coal.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of candidates.
Those who support NOAA’s proposed changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule certainly deserve a few chunks.
President Biden’s administration has earned more than a shovel full for its recent approval of SouthCoast Wind’s 141-turbine project off Nantucket.
Nevertheless, with Santa still basking in the glow of Nantucket’s sweet football victory over Martha’s Vineyard at Fenway Park last month, I am sticking to my promise knowing Santa will dodge a few drones and swerve around some turbines before touching down first in what’s left of Sheep’s Pond Road far too excited to be stuffing stockings with coal.
In fact, even the additional request of $2.54 million by Housing Nantucket for Wiggles Way - ultimately endorsed by Nantucket’s Select Board - can’t overshadow the gold, frankincense and myrrh that was recently spread throughout the community. With the Land Bank unanimously voting to increase the first-time homeowner’s exemption from $1 million to $1.2 million, coupled with the Nantucket Select Board voting to set the local, residential property tax exemption at 25 percent, I’d say it was a pretty good week heading into Christmas.
But, hey…let’s be honest, what’s $2.54 million among friends at the holidays.
Before announcing this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Christmas, I want to thank everyone who has clicked on and became part of the Current family. It is a privilege to write in this space and I do sincerely appreciate the support and constructive suggestions that ultimately come my way.
But Nantucket is far more than just erosion, wind farms and short-term rentals. We are a diverse community with a plethora of qualified individuals willing to step up and help drive Nantucket’s engine by taking a turn in addition to serving a term. And to those who shared some of their time and allowed me the opportunity to pen their story, I thank you.
In that spirit, I would like to pass along some updates on several of the individuals who appeared in my columns over the last year or so. Some are still here - some have come and gone - and some continue to fight the good fight by spreading holiday cheer.
For example, how about Mike Gormley and his fellow Nan Tuk Tuk captains who are on track to saddle up their pedicabs again around Daffodil Weekend?
“We had a great season. As time went by and people became more comfortable with us riding on the streets, we were better received by the public especially in the downtown area,” said the C.T.O. (Chief Tricycle Officer) who is resting his legs and working for the Nantucket Shellfish Association this winter.
“Right now, we are working on wedding packages and complimentary transportation for some of the hotels and inns. Instead of expanding, we simply want to do a better job next summer,” added Gormley.
Bartlett Farm’s Jack Casey is a senior at Bennington College and is presently working on translating Angeles Vincente’s work Zeze’ from Spanish to English with the hopes of “securing a contract to publish in the US.”
Things are quiet with his band, Aster, but Jack did confirm: “I’ll be back with Bartlett’s and on their farm truck again next summer…”
Stephenie Cunha, Stop & Shop’s external communications manager, reported back and said, “Kiosks were installed on Nantucket earlier this month allowing customers easier access to redeem their digital coupons.”
After reporting a few months ago on issues surrounding the frustrations felt by most island shoppers who were denied access to the advertised discounts, it appears a little friendly pressure and a promise by Cunha and Stop & Shop to “address the problem” has resulted in an early Christmas present for Nantucket shoppers especially those Gold Award members.
Wes Van Cott and Dr. Mindy Levin are presently in NY visiting family after spending the summer on Nantucket. They will be heading back down to the Bahamas again for their third winter of sail cruising with a community of boaters.
“We have sailed up and down the East Coast - community after community - and all it does is reconfirm that Nantucket remains a special place,” said Levin.
Dr. Levin continued, “Let me offer one piece of advice after making this complete lifestyle change three years ago: It’s hard to change your life, but it’s worth it. Take the leap of faith”.
Bill and Toni Struncis love Leyland, NC and the Brunswick Forest community. Just around the corner from Chad and Nicole Harnishfeger, Bill has made a smooth transition to the pickle courts, dominating the mixed club circuit with his neighbor and partner, Agnus Woodfield.
“I’m all about the pickle,” said a happy and retired Struncis who plans a quick visit back to Nantucket with Toni in mid-June.
“Any time Congdon or Brescher want to come down, I’m ready… but they better bring their ‘A’ game,” added the former member of the Axis of Evil.
Despite all rumors, one favorite island character who is not relocating off-island just yet is Juleanna Schultz - now Juleanna Garufi.
The former ‘Sconset “Postmaster” was married in June to Nantucket’s most dominating tri-athlete and former Nantucket High School swimmer, Beau Garufi.
However, there are some changes coming. Juleanna’s last day at the helm of the ‘Sconset post office was in November and she is presently in Oklahoma City as a trainee to become an air traffic controller.
“Initially, I went through a lengthy application process over several months including aptitude testing, personality and physical testing and I survived those hurdles. I will be in Oklahoma City till early February, and if everything falls into place, I will be assigned to Nantucket as an air traffic controller working for the FAA soon after that,” summed up Juleanna.
“I loved my time in ‘Sconset and I will miss everyone, but I was looking for a new challenge”, said Garufi who has the potential to team up with another local air traffic controller, Bevin Bixby, who was in the Nantucket tower for the last two years when President Biden arrived for Thanksgiving.
I had to ask: “If you know Beau is on that Jet Blue flight coming back from some international triathlon, are you going to move that plane up to the front of the line”?
“No way…. I am sending him back around…” she said.
Despite accumulating weeks of vacation time, State Trooper Kevin Bates will be “on call “ on Christmas Day before visiting family after the holiday.
In whatever little free time Trooper Bates does have, you can find him honing his paddle tennis skills with Ben Moore, Jo Partida, Pete Parent and Rush Skakel among others on Hinsdale Road. But rest assured, and without going into much detail, “Bates” did mention that he is scoping out a new hiding spot on Milestone Road for speeders that he plans to unveil in 2025.
Nick Correia is in Tamp, FL training for his first season with the Houston Roughnecks of the U.F.L. which starts in March. Tipping the scales at 6’6” and 325 pounds, the Nantucket High School graduate “still has his eye on playing in the N.F.L.”
And finally, to those mentioned above and to everyone that I have had the pleasure of writing about from Father John M. Murray to Patrol Sergeant Brett Morneau and from Joel Gonzalez to the landfill’s "Last Line of Defense," it is clear to me that Nantucket is filled with Christmas Spirit throughout the year.
Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the gift of Spirit that I received this season.
It came from a total stranger.
It came from Gerry Gianutsos (“I’m Not A Guy Who Likes To Sit Around…”).
This will be Gerry’s first Christmas with his family in his renovated house in Mount Sinai, NY.
“We have been working on making it handicap accessible for me over the last couple of years until the money ran out,” said Gianutsos who promised to return to Nantucket this summer.
Touching base with Gerry always lifts my spirits and it puts things into perspective. Our recent conversation went back generations on Nantucket to a time when his grandfather would get hot water in the summer by running hoses back and forth in the hot sun on the roof of their cottage.
It went back to his days of working at Nantucket’s old Finest in the deli section and eventually as a cashier for $8 per hour while remembering he was offered $4.25 in NY.
It went back to his dream of playing baseball in the Cape Cod Summer League which makes him so appreciative of being able to watch his sons, John and Frankie, play travel baseball today.
“I have so much to be thankful for,” offered Gerry.
He continued, “I have been in and out of hospitals for about a year. There have been some especially tough moments but my body is stabilizing. And in my position, that’s a blessing…I try to keep my mind busy by doing mental exercises. I am working on a family tree, some coding and reviewing old family photos. Honestly, everyone has their own challenges… I am just tryin’ to meet mine.”
Eventually, our attention turned to the holidays and I was curious what he wanted for Christmas.
“This year, it should be especially meaningful knowing I can access the whole house and help put our children to bed on Christmas Eve. Frankly, I don’t want to be the priority. All I want is a nice drawing from my kids and I will be happy”.
In a short time, Gerry has left a lasting impression, and even though he does not realize it, that has been his gift to me.
Gerry’s determination to survive knowing what lies ahead is undeniable. His love of his family and their ties to Nantucket coupled with his spirit to see all the good surrounding him when the view from his chair can seem overwhelming is more than enough to make one pause and appreciate the fact that Gerry believes his stocking is full.
I often wonder: If I were in the same position, could I muster that same spirit?
I doubt it.
In time, I hope each of you are able to meet Gerry Gianutsos because he is a gift. Perhaps it will happen this summer; and if it does, you will know what I mean when I say:
Gerry Gianutsos is the Spirit of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all.