By Leslie Linsley

Author of “Nantucket Island Living” (Stewart, Tabori & Chang)

August 2026

About a year ago I found an old tin clock face at a yard sale. It was about 14-inches in diameter and had no hands. It was the perfect shape to decoupage under a glass plate once it had been slightly reduced in size and printed on paper. I asked my graphic designer partner to create the missing hands. We agonized over what time they should be set at. We finally decided the design should represent vacation time on Nantucket with no hands indicating time.  The best part about a vacation is that time is suspended and nowhere can one do it better than on Nantucket where there is so much less to remind us of things related to time in the “real world.” So, Jon created the words ”Nantucket Time” across the center of the printed clock face where the hands would normally be found. It was a perfect reminder of a Nantucket vacation.

August always feels a little bittersweet. It’s a month to be savored. Squeeze every bit of enjoyment from the sunny beach days ahead. The hydrangeas are still glorious, tomatoes are at their peak, and the sunsets lingers just a bit longer. It’s time to savor the last beach days and suspend thoughts of the “real world”. It's the month for one more cook out, one more gathering on the deck, one more evening when friends wander over with a bottle of rosé and stay until the stars appear. August get-togethers are about sharing the intangible qualities that make Nantucket magical.

The tone is comfortable, and intimate, reflecting the understated sophistication that defines Nantucket style. Hydrangeas clipped from the yard, beach grasses tucked into a white pitcher, Queen Anne's lace or pink Rosa Rugose picked from a beach walk, herbs like rosemary, basil, mint and parsley in small mason jars all feel authentic, not contrived. . On Nantucket, social gatherings are casual, low key, and elegantly simple. There is no rush, no over-thinking, no sense of performance. Entertaining here is less about impressing and more about welcoming. It’s about gathering the people you love and letting the moment unfold naturally, preferably with candles lit before guests even notice it's getting dark. Add lanterns around your patio or deck. Tuck battery candles (Housewares) along porch steps, light the fire pit to extend the evening. 

Before the month is over,  take note of everything that needs refurbishing or repairing for next year. Perhaps your outdoor wrought iron table needs a coat or two of spray paint before you put it away for the winter. Check out the deck to see if it needs repairs or power washing. A new coat of Minwax Stain might be in order. Before putting away outdoor furniture, take advantage of what remains of summer. Eat earlier so you can still plan meals out on the deck or patio. And while the garden may be waning you can still have a summer arrangement of hydrangeas as their colors begin to fade.

Bring elegance to a picnic on the deck with all your best tableware from indoors. (Tip: My friends and I love an easy summer supper of Turkey Terrific sandwiches from Provisions). Elevate a picnic with real silverware, (not plastic utensils and paper plates), linen napkins and placemats and add a centerpiece of just greens; a basket of green apples,large glass vase filled with fresh parsley and mint, a glass compote piled with green grapes or limes for a quick and easy green centerpiece. Think Pink! Right between dramatic red and classic white waltzes in lovable pink found in the Rosa Ragosa growing near beaches. Before September's ferry lines grow shorter and sweaters replace sundresses, gather your favorite people one more time. Set the table outside, pour something cold, watch the sunset, and let the conversation drift as easily as the evening breeze. That's the kind of entertaining no one forgets—and the very definition of a perfect summer evening to remember the summer of 2026.

End-of-Summer Home Repair & Prep Tips:

Check Windows and Doors
Inspect caulking and weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors. Replacing worn seals now can improve comfort and reduce heating costs later.

Freshen Exterior Paint
Touch up peeling paint before small problems become expensive repairs.

 Service Outdoor Faucets and Hoses
Inspect hoses for leaks, replace worn washers, and make sure outdoor faucets aren't dripping. It's one less thing to worry about when it's time to winterize.

Give the Grill Some TLC
Clean burners, check gas connections, and scrub cooking grates. 

 Organize the Garage or Shed
Store beach gear, rinse and dry umbrellas, organize gardening tools, and make room for snow shovels and winter supplies. Clean or replace garbage cans

Replace Air Filters
If your HVAC has been working overtime all summer, install a fresh filter to keep the system running efficiently into the heating season.