It's A Wonderful Stroll

Every year during Christmas Stroll there are a few occurrences we can expect to find that remind us that Nantucket is not merely a tiny island lost at sea, but a wonderful little community.

Christmas Stroll is a time for merriment all around. Various organizations host theatrical performances in halls and churches and there are many activities and events to attend. With Main Street closed to vehicle traffic, the town feels more historic than ever. People walk and fill the streets shopping and enjoying live entertainment. Victorian carolers, bell ringers, and the Nantucket High School Accidentals and Naturals help to make the weekend festive. On Saturday, when Santa arrives by boat on Straight Wharf, the town crier and hundreds of children escort Mr. and Mrs. Claus up Main Street for an official Nantucket welcome at Pacific National Bank. I can't imagine Santa getting a more warm greeting anywhere in the world. There are a couple of events in particular that I look forward to every year. The annual Christmas Stroll Craft Show upstairs at Sherburne Hall at 11 Centre St. is a shopper's paradise with handmade pieces of art, jewelry, textiles and all sorts of holiday goodies. In addition to finding affordable gifts, the best part is that you can buy one-of-a-kind items directly from the person who created them. There is no better way to support the island economy and to celebrate the "shop local" initiative. The Stroll Craft Show is open on Friday, Dec. 4, from 1p.m.-7p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9a.m.-5p.m. Be sure to visit the Festival of Trees at the Nantucket's Historical Association Whaling Museum. The museum is transformed into a holiday wonderland with over 80 uniquely decorated Christmas Trees. Proceeds from this event help to make the NHA programs of the coming year even more special.

One of the delights of Stroll I have enjoyed year after year is visiting Nina Hellman Antiques at the corner of Centre and Broad streets, where Nina serves customers her traditional Stroll Soup, a thick and delicious squash soup topped with popcorn. The lure of hot soup on a chilly afternoon hooks me every year as I wander around discovering all the amazing items in her store. In addition to rare antiques, fine paintings and Nantucket memorabilia, Nina Hellman's store has many affordable gifts and ornaments with much of the merchandise on sale. Unfortunately, this is the last Stroll where we can indulge in Nina Hellman's Stroll Soup, as she is closing her downtown store to concentrate on her booming online business. For more information about Christmas Stroll events and activities, please pick up a copy of The Nantucket Independent's Caroler & Stroll Guide. I