August began on Sunday, the 2nd at the Triple Eight “White Party” at the Summer House Pool. Cocktails, lawn chairs and beautiful people in all white completed the ultimate setting. That might have been enough for the perfect August Sunday afternoon, but we threw in a fashion show on the lawn by currentVintage and Cheryl Fudge and it became stellar.

Beautiful People

The White Party

molly & deb 888 White Party

Cheryl Fudge & co at 888 White Party

Elisabeth of currentVintage at Triple Eight White Party

O'Neill at the White Party

The Triple Eight White Party

Chad Pierre

currentVintage Fashion Show for A Safe Place

Having just attended or hosted or participated in or donated to 20 or so non-profits in the last month, I think I could be diagnosed with the debilitating condition we shall call “benefit burnout”.

Symptons are emotional and physical and include, but are not limited to:

*Confusion over what day it is
*Large drycleaning bills
*A drawer full of gift certificates for random services purchased under duress at silent auctions
*Alcohol poisoning
*Empty checking account

Seriously, I bet Nantucket is rivaled only by New York and Palm Beach in its volume of fundraising and charities, and I say this in the most complimentary way.  It is amazing how many non-profits are supported by this tiny island and its year-round and summer communities.  And a community it is, in no small part due to to the prevalent non-profits!

In the last few weeks, there have been benefits small and large for literally dozens of cultural, health and service organizations. The Nantucket AIDS Network celebrated its 20th Anniversary in Roaring 20s Style.  The Nantucket Artist’s Association hosted a “Surreal” Evening.  The Maria Mitchell Association held “An Evening with the Stars” at their observatory.
And on and on…One fete is more lavish and inventive than the next.

currentVintage is presently involved with THREE non-profit events in 8 days!  The “Flora & Fashion”  Show we did in the garden at Marilyn Whitney’s last Friday was a lovely evening;  instead of just another cocktail party, there was the added pageantry of a fashion show of summer looks on the lawn—everyone there was completely enchanted—something different and a wonderful way to raise funds for A Safe Place!

This week, we’re throwing a party for the Nantucket Tree Fund!
In memory of Martha Walters, a Boston and Nantucket legend and tireless tree advocate, we are staging a rock-n-roll fashion show with Cheryl Fudge and Blu.  There will be hearty apps & beverages and live music—at the beach! How do you beat that for $85?

My vote for the most creative goes to the Nantucket Arts Council.  They’re hosting a “Blind Wine Tasting” in a private home this Saturday, 07/25, and the winner wins a case of wine—6 bottles from the tasting and 6 collectible bottles from currentVintage.  The 50 people who get to participate will have an amazing experience and the NAC will raise $5000 in a few hours.

I am sympathetic of Benefit-Burnout, but that’s no excuse!  These organizations depend on summer fundraisers for a huge chunk (if not all) of their budget.  Only through generosity will the non-profits continue to provide their various services.  When you think about Nantucket without its gorgeous Elm trees, behavioral services or flourishing arts, it looks like a very different place.  I for one, don’t want to go there, so buy tix, show up, have fun and  SUPPORT LOCAL NON-PROFITS!!!

Last night (bratty as it sounds), I tweeted that I was forced to choose between a sunset cruise on a Hinckley picnic boat and a catered moonlit dinner on our deck.

As it turned out, I didn’t get to do either, but I did drop by a friend’s boat on Old South Wharf and have a glass of Ferrari Carano chardonnay before heading back to work.  Plan C was not half bad; in fact, it was great!  It’s a charmed life on Nantucket.
Just looking back at my calendar the last week or so makes me smile with wonder and exhaustion…
Attended Kathie Lee and Frank’s Spiritual Heritage luncheon at the Sconset Casino and met them after at the Chanticleer…dinner at 21 and American Seasons…photo shoot singing at the Club Car piano…filmed a currentVintage wine tasting with the Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown at Cheryl Fudge…a Burgundy dinner with summer friends on Old North Wharf…watched the 4th of July fireworks from the gorgeous yacht “Snowgoose”…

Elisabeth & Mark on Old North Wharf

Of course, this scenario of a life of leisure belies the fact that I also worked 80 hours in 8 days, hosted two in-store wine tastings, restyled the store three times for events and trunk shows, and rang up wine and dresses like mad during what can only be described as “the first-four-consecutive-days-of-summer-sun-4th-of-July frenzy”.  Not that I’m complaining…How wonderful to have a deluge of $ instead of the deluge of raindrops!

It’s a charmed life in a charming place.
Granted, Nantucket is a very special island of cultural history and natural beauty and that is what attracts the visitors and the media, but what is so wonderful is how many interesting and talented people adopt Nantucket as home or second home.  I don’t really know the Giffords, but I do know they have given generously of their time and money to many local causes and community events, not the least of which was the spiritual weekend I attended.  It takes real devotion to wear your religion on your sleeve and I found them to be genuinely inspiring and not the least dogmatic.
And how wonderful it was that the Travel Channel chose to focus on Cheryl Fudge instead of the usual Topper’s, celebrities and Gulf Streams?  Cheryl is my friend and a designer who fashions one-of-a-kind pieces out of recycled fabrics.  Her ‘Fashion Camp” is an inspired idea that brings out the creative best in kids and grown-ups.  The Travel Channel was here for two days, filming Samantha Brown on various adventures, including a ‘Sconset bike tour with my darling, Mark Donato.  The Fashion Camp shoot involved Samantha designing her very own preppy Nantucket tank while enjoying a rosé wine tasting by currentVintage.  What a wonderful example of the talent and creativity Nantucket’s artist’s and merchants have to offer?

currentVintage Fashion Camp wine tasting for Travel Channel

4th of July Brant Point sunset

Of course, it’s not a walk in the park for everyone here, and with population growth and economic recession come a host of issues the island has not had to face in the past…but I prefer to accentuate the positive. Sorry to rub it in, but I have to say that I am just so blessed to live in such a beautiful place with such an amazing community. Na-nah, na-nah, naa-nah.

Travel Channel's Samantha Brown & Plum TV's Mark Donato

Meursault "Les Genevrieres" & friends on Old North Wharf

Andy Peay & Ehren Jordan at currentVintage Sinskey Wine Tasting

Thursday, we had Rob Sinskey, Napa legend, do a tasting at currentVintage.  The fact that Rob even does store tastings amazes me!  He has been established for 20+ years; he was organic before it was popular.  His wife, Maria, is a celebrated chef and cookbook author.  Yet, here they are, in my store, with their adorable daughters.  It’s all about passion and it’s contagious!  People turned out by the dozens; Rob talked to every single person about the wines, as he sampled them and signed the bottles of POV that are labeled with his own b&w photographs. All the while, his girls modeled angel-sleeve dresses and Candies.  Pinch me!

Thank God someone did, or I might not have snapped out of Sinskey-adoration mode and into my mauve ultrasuede maxi skirt adorned with felt grape bunch appliqués.  I quickly paired it with a Cheryl Fudge pink silk scarf halter and Lucite grapes necklace and moments later made my entrance to the NWF Gala, one of my favorite events of the year.  Within four minutes, I had lost my friend Robin and begun the 4 hour journey of international wine and food solo…ceviche and aligoté…duck confit and Alex Gambal Savigny les Beaune, Caymus and chocolate…

Nearly a week later, over all the flavors and voices and bottles that were swirling under that tent,  I most fondly remember Miner Family 07 Viognier  and John Arns 05 cab.  The viognier was remarkable, especially for the price (will be a mere $20 at currentVintage)—plump with honeysuckle, yet thoughtfully balanced.  Dangerous, really.  The Arns cab was sturdy, but lush, rich and velvety.  I was tentative in extending my glass—a big cab seemed like too much on a night of so many sips, but I was rewarded with a big smooch as soon as it hit my lips.

One would think that after the gala all would be sated and ready for bed, but not this crowd!  Ray Coursen (NWF Luminary of the Year) ordered several bottles of his Elyse Korte Ranch Zin, which is big and spicy and berry red, much like its charismatic maker.
And an hour later, there I was, belting out show tunes at the Club Car.  It was opening night, after all, and that only comes once a year☺

Elisabeth English & Maria Helm Sinskey at NWF Gala