SAVOR THE END OF YOUR SUMMER
Labor Day weekend marks the end of the season. Make the most of it with a few ideas from island residents
By Marli Guzzetta • Independent Arts Editor
The best laid plans of Labradors and men sometimes do not come to fruition here in the summer time. Maybe you made it to the Pops, maybe you didn't. Maybe you learned to surf and maybe you didn't.

But we here at the Independent believe that nary a moment of summertime should be taken for granted, and so we've prepared for you - on this last traditional weekend of the summer season - a small list of some of the late, great things to see and do here in the long weekend that remains.

Cross land and sea

During the summer time, plenty of us plan to spend more time traversing the landscape by bike, foot or boat, but end up in the car trap.

But there's still time and more than enough opportunity to have a moment of quiet reflection with the ocean breeze tickling your hair.

For a little less than $30, you can rent a bike for a ride on what many people consider to be the most scenic (and safe for families) bike ride, the Madaket Bike Path.

If you prefer to travel by foot, Nantucket Independent news reporter Peter Brace wrote the book ("Walking Nantucket") on this very subject; it's available at Mitchell's Book Corner, Nantucket Bookworks, Nina Hellman Antiques, the NHA Museum gift shop and the Airport giftshop. Given his high-aptitude for outdoor activities, Peter offered this itinerary for his idea of the perfect paddle, swim and hike:

"Given just two days to do something other than swilling beer and barbequing pieces of cow and pig whilst reflecting on the brevity of summer days, I would spend a day paddling my kayak up into Coskata Pond and swimming in the ocean on the other side of its eastern dunes. I'd first get a ham-and-Swiss on Portuguese at Something Natural or a Turkey Terrific at Provisions, load up on ice water, mangos and Clif bars and get out to Polpis Harbor. From there, I would paddle out into the main harbor, northeast around Pocomo Point and head for the pond, hopefully coming in on a rising tide. At the end of the pond I would beach my boat, pull it well into the beach grass and hike over the dunes to the ocean beach, spread out my towel and collapse on the sand to dream about parking spots on Main Street and no line at the Juice Bar. Aahhh, post- Labor Day nirvana!"

For those who'd prefer a more relaxed ocean tour, Shearwater Excursions is offering a seal cruise and a whale watching cruise Sept. 2 and 3. For more information, contact the Shearwater Excursions, 228- 7037.

Feed a starving artist

Okay, the island artists are hardly starving. A talented and well studied group, they actually do quite well for themselves. So this suggestion is less about them and more about you. If you want a Nantucket souvenir that resonates authentically on historic and artistic grounds, you have some excellent opportunities to buy from a local artisan this weekend. In celebrating its tenth anniversary, Old Spouter Gallery (118 Orange St.) is currently exhibiting a piece from every artist (all local) in its roster from the last decade. For those who aren't intimately familiar with the local arts scene, this is a great opportunity to learn some of the big names. Another local gallery that is similarly inclined toward local artists is South Wharf Gallery, at 3 India Street. For over two decades now, owner Mary Beth Splaine has made a habit of selling the works of some of the best artists to come through the island, often by way of the Artists' Association of Nantucket, whose gallery is also open and exhibiting a group show at 19 Washington St. this weekend.

Another great opportunity to see tons of talented local artists (and jewelry makers and designers) in one place is happening this weekend at the Nantucket AIDS Network silent auction (held at Preservation Institute: Nantucket, upstairs at 11 Centre St.). Organizer Sandy Walsh describes the collection of wares as "one stop shopping" for anyone who is interested in taking home a piece created in the long tradition of visual arts and handcrafts, which resurrected the island economy between its whaling downturn and its tourism boom.

Surprise yourself

This is pretty much the gist of this story: Many people come to Nantucket with their favorites already intact. And while Nantucket is nothing if not reverential of old habits and customs, it's also a remarkably diverse and interesting place.

For as small as this island is, there is bound to be something even the most veteran islander has yet to uncover.

N Magazine editor Bill Ferrall suggests Altar Rock or Sesachacha Pond.

"Or go the lighthouse, if you've never been to the lighthouse," he said. "Last night, I went to this place I've never been, and it was incredible, feeling like I could see Nantucket with new eyes all over again."

Even something as small as visiting the new Sustainable Nantucket Farmer's Market at the New School on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon can serve as a reminder of all that is beautiful and nourishing about these sandy

soils on which we live or visit. I Make your dream beach picnic

We know it's in you to make that buccolic basket stuffed with every one of your favorite Nantucket noshes - maybe a Turkey Terrific from Provisions coupled with some blue chips and Annye's homemade guacamole. Nantucket designers Cheryl Fudge and Hays Westbrook have a summer tradition of sushi dinners on their favorite beach, and we encourage you to do likewise. Whatever your gluttonous pleasure, pack it up for a sunset picnic with someone you love, then march off (with a garbage bag and a blanket) for one last meal by the sea.