for the ARTS record
Zany Zerphy at the Great Hall Michael Zerphy will perform on Friday, September 14, at 7 p.m. in the Nantucket Atheneum Great Hall. Free tickets for limited seating are available in the Weezie Library and at the door.

Zerphy, with his zany style and participatory humor, has captivated audiences across the United States and Europe. "Zany Acts" is a show for general audiences - a family concert of clowning and fun for all. Michael creates a world that continually surprises the audience, a world in which the ordinary becomes magical and failure is turned into success. Music, juggling, a wide variety of props, and even the audience are included in this versatile show which is appropriate for all ages.

Recent appearances, in addition to schools and libraries, include the New York International Festival of Clown Theater, the New England Vaudeville Festival, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Boston's First Night.

Author James Claflin to speak James W. Claflin, author of the Historic Nantucket Series, including his latest book "Historic Nantucket: Surfside Life-Saving Station," will give two lectures on Thursday, Sept. 13 at The Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum, 49 Union Street, at 2p.m., and the Coffin School, 4 Winter Street, at 8 p.m.

Claflin will discuss Life on South Shoals Lightship at the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum. The South Shoals are notoriously dangerous areas along the New England coast where thousands of ships dared to cross the perilous waters. The South Shoals Lightship stood guard over these risky waters warning, aiding and saving fellow mariners.

At the Coffin School, Claflin will discuss Life at Surfside Life-Saving Station. The U.S. life-Saving Station at Surfside was originally built in 1874. The dedicated men stationed there rescued battered sailors whose ships had run aground off Nantucket's beaches and ever-changing shoals.

Claflin is a maritime historian and antique cognoscente, specializing in the Life-Saving Service, the U.S. Lighthouse Service and early Coast Guard artifacts. In addition to his business, Kenrick A. Claflin and Sons Nautical Antiques, Worcester, Mass., Claflin has authored "Lighthouses: Great Point," "Lighthouses: Sankaty Head", "Lighthouses: Brant Point," "Lightships: New South Shoal," and "Lighthouses and Life- Saving Along the Massachusetts Coast" and the "Historical Nantucket Series," which is dedicated to Nantucket's unique position within New England's maritime heritage.

A reception and booksigning will follow. The lecture is free of charge to Egan Maritime Foundation/Nantucket Life-Saving Museum members and Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum members. All others: $5.00

Maria Mitchell Association announces winners of seahorse naming contest Three winners have been chosen in the Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium's seahorse naming contest, which concluded on September 1. The winning entry in the category of "family name" for the group of seahorses is "Del Mar," which was submitted by Ronni Sarmanian of Nantucket and Pacific Grove, Calif.

Though Sarmanian is a regular Nantucket summer visitor, this was her first time to visit the MMA Aquarium. At her home in Pacific Grove, California, she lives within walking distance of the world-renowned Monterey Aquarium.

"I read about the seahorses at the Nantucket Aquarium and was fascinated," said Sarmanian. "I knew I had to go see them. They are such graceful creatures and are wonderful to watch. While I was there I entered the contest and am happy to have won."

The winning entry in the category of "individual seahorse names" was submitted by Allison (12) and Nicole (14) Woody of Hingham, Mass. The winning names, inspired by names of Nantucket's beaches, are Maddie, Jettie, Cissie, Winnie and Nobie.

The naming contest this summer was designed to help raise awareness about seahorses, their habitat and life cycle. The winners will be receiving MMA logo hats as their prizes. Located at 28 Washington Street where a former Nantucket Railroad station ticket office once operated, the Aquarium has been a popular Nantucket attraction for seasonal visitors since it opened in 2002. This summer's attendance at the Aquarium has been record-breaking, with over 7,000 visitors, exceeding the 6,000 figure announced earlier in the summer. The Aquarium closes for the season at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 8.

Tales from Nantucket's past The Nantucket Historical Association holds its first Hearthside History session on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. at the 1800 House, 4 Mill Street.

All are invited for an evening of storytelling and a first-person interpretive performance, featuring NHA senior interpreter Erik Ingmundson and longtime NHA interpreter Doug Burch.

Ingmundson will portray Nantucket Civil War veteran James Henry Barrett, an island native, who fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg and was stationed in Washington at the time of President Lincoln's assassination. Burch will spin the tales of old-time Nantucket whalers. These and other tales from the front will be portrayed through a monologue spoken in the first person. Seating is limited. Call to reserve a spot, 508-228-1894, ext 0

Free for NHA members, $5 general admission.

Here's some Food for Thought The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) presents Kathleen Meyers during its Food for Thought Series on Thursday, Sept. 13. Meyers will discuss "Everything You Wanted to Know About Lightship Baskets . . . But Are Afraid to Ask!" Talk will be at the Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street at Noon. Free admission; bring your lunch.

Meyers, a well-known island basketmaker and lightship basket historian, will discuss the progression, from antique to contemporary, of a great Nantucket icon: the Nantucket Lightship Basket. She will focus her discussion on current basketmakers, and the distinctive techniques they use in making what has become an island tradition.

On September 20, the Food for Thought Series will continue with the NHA's own Kim McCray, Manager of Interpretation and Education, who will discuss islands and individuality in her presentation "I am an Islander!"

Bring a sandwich to the Discovery Room, entering through the door to the right of the main museum entrance. Each talk begins at noon and is free to the public.

For additional information about the Brown-Bag Luncheon Series, please call 508-228-1894, ext. 0,

or visit www.nha.org to view the full schedule. I