DISCOVERIES: I discovered Nantucket many years ago and was instantly enchanted by all the natural beauty, rolling oceans, miles of beach, big starry skies, sea air, cobbled streets and antique houses. Heaven on earth! I still revere these very same things. Over time, I have marveled as to the never ending new discoveries of this remarkable island. My most dramatic discovery to date has been Sconset. When I eventually bought a house in Nantucket in the early 90’s I was drawn to Town. Approximately seven years ago I decided to scale down to a true summer house. I found a cottage in Sconset I could not resist. I feared that Sconset was too quiet and remote, but decided to take the chance and left Town for Sconset.
After being in my new neighborhood for the past years I have discovered Sconset is the true “summer place” on this island. It has a real village of activity without the noisy crowds and frantic pace. The Sconset Market is a wonderful mecca for buying anything you need and social exchange. There are three special restaurants that are so inviting and even buying stamps at the post office seems intimate. When strolling about the village or on a moonlit night walking on Ocean Avenue people seem more inclined to exchange smiles and chatter unlike Town. In this magical setting you will typically see small children riding their bikes without their parents, off to tennis at the Casino and playing in the streets with friends. Residents, normally second and third generation, would not consider any other place to be on this island and love to talk about their history. People who rent in Sconset continue to return for the beautiful quiet seaside village atmosphere with relaxed sociability. I have become very comfortable “ensconced” in Sconset and believe that here and perhaps elsewhere on our island there are new discoveries for me.
-Ginger Ivey