etcetera
1. A number of unspecified additional things; 2. pl. additional items, odds and ends

PETER A. SUTTERS JR./The Independent The spokes and gears of the Old Mill are again going to be turning this summer, grinding corn to allow visitors a peek into the past, when getting something to eat was a bit more difficult than just running to the store.

GETTING THEIR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) has its "nose to the grindstone" this summer.

After taking last year off, the Old Mill will be grinding corn once again this summer and tour guides will explain how the saying came to be.

"You use all four senses to tell if things are OK," explained Michael Varbalow, NHA interpreters, standing beneath the bottom stone for grinding corn, which weighs 3,500 pounds.

Built in 1746, the Old Mill is the oldest functioning mill in the country.

Varbralow said the NHA interpreters will calibrate the mill and watch the wheel to make sure it is moving at the correct speed; feel the apparatus connected to the wheel to make sure everything "feels" correct; listen for screeching sounds to ensure the stones are not rubbing together and they will sniff the air inside the mill to make sure the corn is not burning, because of the friction created by the stones being too close together, while griding. "That's what they meant when they said, 'putting your nose to the grindstone," said Varbalow.

The Nantucket Historical Association installed the sails and cloths of the Old Mill on Prospect Street last week, with plans to grind corn when the proper conditions allow. Varbalow stressed using the proper nomenclature for the parts of the sail. The wooden framing on the spokes of the mill are the sails, which are covered by the cloths.

LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOLERS CONTRIBUTE It is not all scholarship and grades at the Lighthouse School, which will hold its graduation ceremonies on Tuesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. Students are also required to perform community service.

This year's 5th grade class, which marks the first to graduate from the newly built schoolhouse, has raised money for the Nantucket Sports and Therapeutic Accessible Recreation program, volunteered at the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, organized beach clean-ups and collected fund, soccer balls and shoes for those in need.

Sandy Mitchell, a 5th grade teacher at Lighthouse School, values the graduation project because it requires students to reflect upon how they have developed as students and as members of the community.

"While the 'self report' portion of the graduation project asks each child to reflect upon his or her growth as a learner, the 'heart' portion of the graduation project requires them to give of themselves, thinking beyond their own lives to the needs of others, and how they can respond to those needs," said Mitchell. "Assessing themselves as learners helps them to create an awareness of their unique capabilities, which in turn gives them a sense of what they can contribute as individuals."

COAST GUARD HOST OPEN HOUSE, BOATING SAFETY DAY The United States Coast Guard at Station Brant Point is hosting an open house this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where they will be giving tours of the station and rescue boats as well as the Brant Point Lighthouse.

To get ready for the 2008 boating season, Station Brant Point will also be providing information and hands on demonstrations on boating safety related topics. Topics to be covered in the boating safety demonstrations include recreational boating safety, kayak safety with in water demonstrations, sailing safety, commercial fishing vessel safety, hypothermia and heat stress prevention and a general boating question and answer session.

The day will also include an opportunity for children to take part in hands on activities like how to tie knots, proper use of life jackets and arts and crafts. The children's program is presented in conjunction with the Nantucket Shipwreck

and Lifesaving Museum. For more information, please call 508-228-6018. I