The people of this island never cease to amaze me with their creative ability to gather people together for the soul purpose of engaging in good clean fun. This past Saturday night the Nantucket Historical Association outdid itself in the fun department when it hosted the Second Annual History Quiz Bowl. My husband and I, along with our friends, were in the “standing room only” audience as 15 teams competed for the coveted title of Quiz Bowl Champions.
Team Spirit was alive and well as some of the teams arrived in matching t-shirts and a couple even showed up with props (the Bellringers donned mini dinner bells and the Marshians sported bobbing antenna headbands). The audience enthusiasm was contagious as young and old whooped and applauded each winning answer. All of the participating teams wowed us with their local knowledge, trivia, history and a few fun facts. But in the end, it was the answer to the question ‘What was the name of the parrot in Hardy’s Hardware store?’ that left the door open for the team Proprietors Descendants to reign supreme.
I must admit, I was a little intimidated to attend this popular event…even as an audience member. I may have been a homeowner here for 18 years, but this island is so rich with history and folklore that I haven’t even begun to skim the surface of her complexities. I’ve read Nat Philbrick’s book Away Offshore and been enlightened by a few hundred Nantucket Nectar bottle tops, but there is so much more to learn and discover about this place we all love.
One of my favorite things to do at a Nantucket dinner party is find someone at the table who is a long-time (maybe even multi-generational!) resident and play “remember when?” We did just that around our dining room table the other night. Friends shared stories about Saturday nights gone by at the Opera House, retail days at The Country Store and local tales from over the years about the railroad system that used to run from Surfside to downtown Nantucket. I was like a little sponge…I wanted to soak up all their local knowledge and stories.
Although I haven’t lived here long enough to compete with the Quiz Bowl champs, I do have a small collection of “remember when” stories. I remember when my kids were small and the best place to buy toys and a gallon of paint was at Hardy’s Hardware on Water Street (yes, I met that parrot!). Anyone recall those frosting coated cinnamon twists at the Espresso Café? How about movies at the Dreamland or the Gaslight Theater before it was the Starlight? Who can forget the flourless chocolate cake at the India House or the award winning fried zucchini sticks at the Atlantic Café?
How about you – what are your favorite Nantucket “remember when” stories? Maybe you’d like to organize a team and come join the Quiz Bowl mania next year. If you’re intimidated like me, perhaps you could plan a fun weekend next March to come sit in the audience and cheer along as the local “whiz kids” go head to head. Be sure to stop by the Museum Shop or visit the NHA website to learn more about the rich history of the island and the many activities they have for young and old alike…and if you’re lucky enough to be around a dinner table with Nantucket locals any time soon, by all means invite them to play “remember when” and prepare to be delighted.
By the way….BINGO was his name-o!
Shellie Dunlap
