USS Nantucket Cmdr. Kari Yakubisin joins the MMA for Daffodil Weekend Programs and Events

• April 26, 2023

NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces a special visit and Daffodil Weekend programming in collaboration with USS Nantucket Cmdr. Kari Yakubisin and her Pre-commissioning unit (PCU Nantucket). 


On Friday, April 28 from 12-1PM, the MMA will host Cmdr. Yakubisin for a special edition “Nature Story Hour” at the Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk Street. Designed for the young explorer, during this session Cmdr. Yakubisin will read a themed book, assist in introducing you to one of the MMA’s educational animal ambassadors, and co-facilitate an aligned activity. Pre-registration is required with details on the MMA’s website. 


On Saturday, April 29, Cmdr. Yakubisin will be riding in the Nantucket Daffodil Festival Car Parade in a 1967 Jeep Jeepster owned by Andrea and Neil Planzer and sponsored by the MMA. The Jeep’s theme is saluting female leaders and honoring the connections between Maria Mitchell and the US Coast Survey, US Nautical Almanac, and US Navy. Mitchell was one of the first women, if not the first, to work for the US federal government.

“It’s an honor to host the Commander and to highlight the role Maria Mitchell played in the early years of the US Coast Survey and its ties to navigation, the US Navy, and the US Naval Observatory,” shared Joanna Roche, MMA Executive Director. “In its early years, Maria Mitchell worked alongside her father, William, as he worked for the Coast Survey taking astronomical and meteorological data that was then used to create tide maps – a critical tool needed for the US Navy and all mariners. She would later work for the Coast Survey on her own as well. In 1849, Mitchell was appointed as the first female computer for the US Nautical Almanac Office, which was attached to the US Navy. Her role involved performing complex mathematical calculations that were used to determine the ephemeris of Venus. This helped ships use the data collected for celestial navigation to determine the position of their ship while at sea.”


Cmdr. Yakubisin and PCU Nantucket will also be visiting Cyrus Peirce Middle School and Nantucket High School in an effort to reach local students and island residents, while sharing the mission of the USS Nantucket (LCS 27) to the broader community.

 

Cmdr. Yakubisin was commissioned in May 2005 via NROTC at Vanderbilt University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She completed Nuclear Power School and Prototype in Charleston, South Carolina in April of 2008. She earned her Master’s Degree in Engineering Management via Old Dominion University in 2013. 


Cmdr. Yakubisin has received numerous accolades and awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards). She joined USS Milwaukee as Executive Officer in June of 2020 and became Commander of the USS Nantucket.

 

A Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) is a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship designed to support focused surface warfare, mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare. LCS integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals.


Follow USS Nantucket at: USS Nantucket LCS 27 | Facebook


The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.


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For Immediate Release

April 26, 2023

Contact: Logan Gomes, Director of Advancement

lgomes@mariamitchell.org

At Long Last!

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • June 9, 2025
After several yes’s and then several no’s, not going to have time, we have indeed received the final layer of asphalt on Vestal Street. This goes back to last March and April when we finally had our sewer and waterlines replaced. While I am all about preservation, 1903 piping is a bit old and tired and filled with tree roots to make the passage of sewer sludge quick and easy. While we still await some fixes to curbing – we have our original concrete curbs from 1946/1947 when Vestal Street was first paved – it was dirt until then! – some of them have been buried by time and just need some suavity to pull them up and get them back where they go. Thank you to the Town, N&M, and Victor Braden for completing the work thus far. But, with the paving completed, we may possible begin the replacement of some of our picket fencing and we have permission to restore our fences to what originally existed along the street in the 1920s and earlier – the rail was a rolled, thick top – and we are excited to use some grant funding to make that happen. Stay tuned! JNLF

Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Welcomes Darren Humphreys of Travel Sommelier for June Science Speaker Series

June 6, 2025
NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces that it will host Darren Humphreys, founder and CEO of Travel Sommelier , for an inspiring conversation about the science of transformative travel. Discover how his award-winning boutique travel company crafts seamless, one-of-a-kind itineraries to some of the world’s most captivating destinations—each experience tailored with precision, passion, and purpose. After a successful career on Wall Street, Humphreys followed his true calling and founded Travel Sommelier, fueled by a deep-rooted wanderlust and a desire to share the power of meaningful travel. He takes pride in curating journeys that do more than check boxes—they change lives. Humphreys strongly believes in having fun along the way and finds gratitude in finding close friendships among his trusted partners and curious clients. Having explored over ninety countries across every continent, Humphreys continues to find magic in every destination—immersing himself in new cultures, complex histories, and unforgettable culinary and wine experiences. From introducing travelers to his native South Africa to uncovering hidden gems around the globe, he invites you to see the world through a richer, more personal lens. Join him and his team as they reveal the thoughtful process behind Travel Sommelier’s approach—and prepare to be inspired. When Humphreys is not traveling, he resides in Duxbury, a seaside town in Massachusetts with his wife Caitlin, his two energetic boys, and his sweet black lab. This presentation is free and held on Zoom. Pre-registration is required. Pre-registration is required. To register for this event, please follow the link below: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZodpUFoVT-2uqVG4U_TqjQ#/registration About the Maria Mitchell Association: The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ###

A Graceful Lady

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • June 3, 2025
We have finally gotten out of significant drought status into mild drought. I would say we had nothing to do with it, but with climate change, we do. However, I appreciate Mother Nature’s recent gifts though these days they come hard, fast, and extreme. I always say that the May rains create a “whoomph factor.” With each rain, it seems the leaves grow over night to a new stage, of the underbrush does, of the plants in your garden. Its several “whoomphs” over the month as it rains. One “whoomph” brought about the Pink Lady Slippers. They seem a bit early this year – I usually look for them in early June – but on a walk the other morning at 6AM with our Siberian Husky, I decided to look at two places – one along the street behind where an old pine tree, now dead and gone, was located, and along our driveway in the scrub oak. And low and behold, they were there – one at the pine tree stump and two in our driveway. These are endangered in many places, including here on island. These are all plants that Maria Mitchell would have found in abundance depending on where she was walking on the island. Unfortunately with overdevelopment and someone thinking, “Oh what a lovely flower, I will take it home,” and over mowing along roads, these are quickly disappearing along with other plants like the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, Pearly Everlasting, Sea Lavender – the list goes on and its depressing. So please, make yourself aware, and try and find ways to avoid mowing or digging these up. Mow AROUND them instead. Leave their areas undisturbed. They are not just lovely to look at; they are important parts of our ecosystem.  JNLF
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