2007 A Look Back
Top Stories of the Year

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent file

SIASCONSET BEACH PRESERVATION FUND

Hoping to rebuild the beach stretching from just north of Sankaty Head Lighthouse down to Codfish Park, the Siasconset Beach Preservation Fund gained soggy ground early last year.

In January, SBPF secured its certificate of Final Environmental Impact Review from the state's Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, giving this private group, composed largely of Baxter Road residents, the green light to apply for 11 permits from local, state and federal agencies. SBPF began with Nantucket's Conservation Commission, filing a notice of intent for a ConCom order of conditions.

However, realizing the difficult chore ahead in securing the permits to dredge 2.6 million cubic yards of sand from the ocean bottom three miles off Sankaty to build a beach 16 feet high and 213 feet wide, SBPF put its rather ambitious plan to start work in the fall of 2007 aside until some time in 2008. Instead, it focused on presenting its plan to the ConCom in April.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent file

Twelve highly contentious meetings followed, at which islanders, environmental groups and fishermen voiced strong opposition to the project. Destruction of a portion of 105 acres of dense ocean bottom cobble areas that are rich in striped bass food sources became the flash point.

During October, after four meetings in September, SBPF regrouped, returning to a new round of meetings in November and December with its project scaled down to 1.9 million cubic yards of sand. The new plan also includes dune building for Codfish Park and the sewer beds at the first renourishment three years after the project is done and a one-year pilot mitigation study.

Nearly done with its presentation, SBPF returns to the commission in early February for ConCom deliberations.

- Peter B Brace

CONGDON'S PHARMACY CLOSES AFTER 147 YEARS

To say the demise of a longstanding business or institution constitutes the "end of an era" may be a cliche, but it could not be more true than with the shuttering of Congdon's Pharmacy at 47 Main St. on September 30 after opening in 1860 and sharing a unique side-by-side space and cooperative business relationship with Nantucket Pharmacy for over 60 years.

Some people today say, "Well, there is still a pharmacy on Main Street," but that is missing the point. The twin drugstores, both with stool seating at lunch and soda fountain counters, were unusual and were a tourist attraction, not to mention the subtle but distinct differences in stock and ambiance that islanders enjoyed.

John Bertolami, owner of Congdon's Pharmacy, said he needed to reduce his business obligations so he can continue to run Boston Pharmacy Management with a contract for out-patient pharmacies at Boston Medical Center. He sold the pharmacy business to Alan Bell, owner of Nantucket Pharmacy, and the building to the partners of Seaman Schepps, with jewelry stores in New York City and Palm Beach, Fla.

Before Christmas Stroll decorations went up, the old pharmacy was nearly stripped of all that was familiar to customers for so many years. Seaman Schepps owners Jay Bauer and Anthony Hopenhajm intend to use the winter months to renovate the building's interior in preparation for a grand opening in the historic location next spring. They have said they do not intend to alter the appearance of the building's exterior.

- Mary Lancaster