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Fire Island’s Longest Running News Source Since 1957 July 24, 2020

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com

THE NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 3

Volume 64 | Issue Two ®

Fire Island’s Longest Running News Source Since 1957 July 24, 2020

IN THIS ISSUE IN EVERY ISSUE 7 INTERVIEW: 21 ADULT COLORING VANOY HARRIS PAGE Emma Boskovski Lauren Stevens 8 FALLEN IDOLS OF FIRE 18 BOOK REVIEW ISLAND (PART 2) Rita Plush Emma Boskovski 12 DAY IN THE LIFE 10 OBITUARIES: OF FIRE ISLAND GRETCHEN STANG Contributed Photos Joey Macellaro 22 ENVIRONMENT LILLIAN BARBASH Karl Grossman Rebecca Hoey 17 POLICE BLOTTER 16 DESTROYING FI PINES Shoshanna McCollum MEDIA BACKLASH Laura Schmidt 19 FIFLIX: “LAST FERRY” ONLINE THIS Hugh O’Brien ISSUE 20 ISLAND MERMAID: www.fireisland-news.com REFLECTING UPON 30 YEARS > CORONAVIRUS AND Scott Hirsch THE FERRIES Mariana Dominguez > DINING REVIEW: COMMUNITY MATTHEW’S SEAFOOD HOUSE COLUMNS Shoshanna McCollum 9 SALTAIRE Hugh O’Brien > EYE ON FI Timothy Bolger 11 OCEAN BEACH AREA Joey Macellaro > HISTORY Thomas McGann 13 OCEAN BAY PARK Barbara Gaby Placilla > NYC THEATRE: IN MEMORIAM 15 CHERRY GROVE/ Leonard Feigenblatt FIRE ISLAND PINES Robert Levine

Fire Island’s Longest Running News Source since 1957

Cartoons by Eric Pedersen

PUBLISHER...... Craig Low EDITOR...... Shoshanna McCollum @finews MANAGING EDITOR...... Lorna Luniewski REPORTERS Emma Boskovski, Mariana Dominguez, Rebecca Hoey and Laura Schmidt DESIGN/PRODUCTION Pam Gurman for Fat Cat Graphics AD DESIGN...... Joey Macellaro DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR....Emma Boskovski SALES REPRESENTATIVE...... Beth Errico #fireislandnews ACCOUNTING...... Mariluz Valdez Founding publisher Jay Garfield Trien and the Official Paper of Record

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THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 5

EDITOR’S WINDOW by Shoshanna McCollum [email protected]

Fire Island Unmasked

WHEN ONE FIRE ISLAND community is in trouble, all of us are in trouble. So when things hit the fan in Fire Island Pines over Fourth of July Weekend, I knew that our publication had to respond – not with the shaming and exploitation that so many media outlets indulged in, but with compassion for the many residents who love where they live, and have done the right thing all along. I’ve witnessed similar incidents where I live on Fire Island this summer, and have friends in nearby communities who have the same laments. Fire Island Pines simply drew the short straw. However this summer such behavior is not only annoying, but also dangerous. We all must be more responsible neighbors, visitors and hosts. In this issue reporter Laura Schmidt examines what went wrong, and how things might be done better. On our website, Mariana Dominguez explores how the ferry companies that service Fire Island are contending with this subject – where are they getting it right, and where is there room for improvement? On the topic of things that are unmasked, Emma Boskovski strips away facades as she continues with her “Fallen Idols of Fire Island” series. Then there is Hugh O’Brien who briefly set aside his Saltaire columnist mask to bring us “FiFlix,” something new that we hope you will enjoy. Victor Hugo once famously wrote, “Virtue has a veil, vice a mask.” In some other context, this may be true. Yet under present circumstances everyday heroes really do wear masks.

ON THE COVER: Holden King skate- boarding in Seaview. Photo by Robert Sherman.

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 6

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 7

INTERVIEW >> by Emma Boskovski

Vanoy Harris, Gentleman Swimmer

Vanoy Harris, 58, has traveled from game … it makes you want to train just Kentucky to Fire Island since 2014, a little bit harder for the next year. I to embark on the five-mile journey have been pulled out of that water with that is the Maggie Fischer Memorial only half a mile left and worked hard- Cross Bay Swim. He will not be par- er the following year to work to finish. ticipating in the 2020 race because of restrictions to training and travel im- FIN: Why won’t you be competing posed by COVID-19. Harris, once a in in this year’s swim? federal air marshal and U.S. military VH: Because of COVID-19, I won’t serviceman, currently works as a fit- be able to participate in this year’s ness trainer. He described his life to swim. I wasn’t able to train as ear- the Fire Island News as a map that ly as I would have liked to in the pool has been navigated by his love of because it was closed. I didn’t want family and facing challenges. This is to put myself in a position where I his story. wasn’t able to train to the capacity I need to complete the race. I believe Fire Island News (FIN): How did that a lot of ritual swimmers were put you begin competing in the Cross in this position because of the restric- Bay Swim? Vanoy Harris receiving a Best Endurance award for the swim in 2019, presented tions to training that COVID-19 pre- Vanoy Harris (VH): When I was an by Bob Fischer and his granddaughter, Fiona Margaret Fischer. (Photo courtesy of sented. Yet, I wish every swimmer the Maggie Fischer Memorial Cross Bay Swim) air marshal, I was assigned to the New best of luck this year in completing the York office. So I have friends up there swim and hope that the organization in who intrigued me to par- believe in the organization and I thor- getting to cross that finish line after still thrives off of the community ener- ticipate in the swim. I did live in Bay oughly respect all of the hard work that working so hard to do so makes you gy despite the change in pace that the Shore at one point. I started off in 2013 the Fischer’s put in each year to host feel so bad, but that’s just part of the swim will have this year. as a kayaker for my friend Rick Ram- the event in memory of their daughter. sey, and he said to me, ‘Why don’t I have also had family members who you do it next year?’ That first year I have been under hospice care and the swam in 2014, I won the best endur- swim is something I gladly dedicate ance award. I have been participating my time to. I believe that the Cross ever since. Bay Swim stands out compared to oth- er athletic competitions. FIN: How does it feel that you have won the best endurance award? FIN: What aspect of the swim is VH: As an older gentleman, it caught most sentimental to you? me by surprise … you know, there is VH: I have two sons who kayak for a lot of talent out there. There is a lot me. My boys are the only ones who of young, middle aged and old talent. I could get me across the finish line. am not a natural swimmer. I was only There were two years where I finished familiar with water safety in the army officially in under four hours. With- and was never competitive. The Mag- out my boys to kayak, I don’t know if gie Fischer swim is unique because it I could have ever finished … they re- is competitive yet it’s a fundraiser … ally listened to me and knew how to full of people who all want to see one motivate me. It makes me feel proud another succeed. When I say competi- that I know they also feel proud to be tive, I don’t suggest that the swim is an out there with their dad, swimming unwelcoming event. The sentiment of across that large, large bay. It is pretty the swim is like no other. I knew that big when you live together, you know. I didn’t have the speed like everybody I love that we have all achieved some- else, but I also didn’t realize how long thing of such magnitude together. It I was in the water for. I was very sur- makes me so proud to have them with prised to gain the recognition and felt me … and that they provided me with so lucky. the power and the courage to complete the swim. FIN: Why do you travel all the way from Kentucky to participate in the FIN: In all of your experiences par- Cross Bay Swim? ticipating in the swim, what is the VH: I travel back and forth to be with largest challenge you faced? my friends and also challenge myself VH: I have formally crossed the fin- to compete in the swim each year. I ish line in under four hours twice. Not

www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 8

Fallen Idols of Fire Island (Part 2) By Emma Boskovski

LIKE ROBERT MOSES, an additional sea of online the Treaty of Paris, the Floyd’s returned to his estate, petitions and protests have crashed on the shores of which was ravaged but still standing. , surrounding what many residents be- After the Revolutionary War, the National Parks lieve to be another heavily celebrated figure worth Service states that Floyd continued to tinker in pol- discussing – . itics while managing his plantation. He served as a The sole Suffolk County signer of the Declara- state senator and two-time presidential elector until tion of Independence is currently being scrutinized his passing at the age of 86 in 1821, when the Old online through a harsher lens. A petition presented to Mastic House was passed down to his son. Follow- the Town of Brookhaven on June 5 advocates to “re- ing his death, generations of decedents managed the move, relocate, contextualize, or cover” the monu- estate that evolved from slave ownership to active ment of William Floyd because the statue stands for military service in the Union army during the Amer- “subliminal, institutionalized racism.” This petition ican Civil War, according to the New York Almanac. now has close to 3,500 signatures. Today direct scions of William Floyd include singer/ Other tributes to Floyd include his namesake songwriter David Crosby; and former Massachusetts town in Upstate New York; William Floyd Park- Governor Bill Weld, who recently made a unsuccess- way; William Floyd School District; and the William ful bid for U.S. President. Floyd Estate in Mastic Beach, which is under juris- The vast estate once visited by Thomas Jeffer- diction of Fire Island National Seashore. son, James Madison and Marquis de Lafayette has a “This statue is in the center of our community,” wooden path that leads to the Floyd family cemetery. says Desiree Magee, a 27-year-old Shirley resident The adjacent slave plot is only a few feet away. In who started the petition. “It was only brought here a contrast to some very ornate headstones, the simple few years ago and I feel that in a community of color, white cross markers state the first names of these in- as close to a Native American reservation as we are, dividuals where they rest. Curiously, William is one we should not celebrate a man like William Floyd.” of the few Floyd’s not buried in the family cemetery; Born in 1734, Floyd was the first delegate from he is buried in upstate New York where he spent the New York that signed the Declaration of Indepen- last decades of his life. dence, according to the William Floyd School Dis- On Long Island, his memory stands tall with a trict website. Long Island Press further adds that 7-foot bronze statute, situated at the top of the coun- the Floyd family is written into history as one of the ty-owned intersection of William Floyd Parkway first families to embrace the practice of slavery in and . Italian-born Artist Santo The embattled statue of William Floyd sculpted by the Town of Brookhaven. In the Federal Census of Santo Matarazzo stands at the intersection of Montauk Matarazzo donated the statue in 2004. It stood at the 1790, records indicate that the Floyd household en- Highway and his namesake parkway, and has become Mastic-Moriches-Shirley Community Library for a slaved 14 people and five free people of color. controversial since being placed there in 2013. (Pho- few years until Suffolk County moved the statue to An article written by the Fire Island News in 2019, to Mastics and Shirley Chamber of Commerce website) its current location in 2013. divulges the history of the William Floyd estate, es- Beth Wahl, president of the William Floyd Com- tablishing that William’s grandfather, Richard Floyd, munity Summit, was unable to be sought for com- purchased the 4,400 acres of Mastic Beach from the years, eventually annexed to the Fire Island National ment for this article. She said in an interview with Smith’s of the Manor of St. George in 1718. One of Seashore by an act of Congress in 1965. It mentions Patch that the grassroots organization’s beautifica- four siblings, William inherited the estate at the age that the family grew more affluent from the farm’s tion committee was once chaired by Pat Matthews, of 20, subsequent to his father Nicoll’s early death. success, demonstrated by receipts from New York a woman who dreamed of having a statue of Wil- Only two miles from the William Floyd Estate stores as the years passed. liam Floyd erected to commemorate Suffolk Coun- lies one of the two Native American reservations in Also written into history, William’s sisters, Ruth ty’s founding father. Suffolk County, the Poospatuck Reservation, home and Charity, married Generals Nathaniel Woodhull “Our schools…our highways… an estate…a mu- to the Unkechaug tribe. and Ezra L’Hommedieu. Through these extended seum…are all already named after this man,” Magee It is noted in an ethnographic overview and as- family relations, Floyd had ties to the both the Culp- said. “I do think there is a better place for it than in sessment of the Fire Island Seashore that many er Spy Ring and the largest slave plantation north of the center of our community.” Native Americans were subjected to indentured ser- the Mason Dixie Line, the Sylvester Manor on Shel- A subsequent petition was created in response to vitude for the Floyd family. According to informa- ter Island, according to the Long Island Press. Magee’s, advocating that the statue should stay in tion published by Columbia University, Unkechaug Before the American Revolution, Floyd served place. The petition creator, Vincent Viola, could not peoples married free and enslaved African Ameri- as a Town of Brookhaven trustee and colonel in the be reached for comment. He represents a group of cans, and their descendants remain in the area. Suffolk militia. He was then chosen to represent proponents that Floyd is “not a symbol of racism” Prior to the abolishment of slavery in 1827, the New York in the First Continental Congress of 1774, and claims rather that he “represented the people of plantation’s vast crop and livestock holdings were and would remain speaking on behalf of the state Long Island and New York at a time when the people maintained by the labor of slaves, indentured ser- until 1776. The comfort of the estate would evade had to step up and change the systemic way they were vants and free laborers dating back to William’s the Floyd’s for several years, after his signing of the governed.” The petition has close to 4,000 signatures. grandfather. There is not much historical informa- Declaration of Independence labeled him a traitor to Meanwhile, on the eve of Bastille Day, the board tion to describe the relationship between the Floyd’s King George of England. of Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport entered into and these workers, but doctor and shoemaker’s bills In August of 1776, New York was lost in bat- discussions as whether to have a portrait of William suggest that the family cared for them, according to tle to British control and would remain under their Floyd that hangs above the circulation desk removed. the Fire Island News article. reign until the conclusion of the Revolutionary War. The library, chartered in 1907, was not named after This same article continues to elaborate on the William and his family fled to Connecticut where he William Floyd, but one of his grandchildren, David family who called the estate home for more than 250 continued to serve the nation in Congress. Following Gelston Floyd.

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 9

SALTAIRE SALTAIRE SUMMERY by Hugh O’Brien

TAKING A CUE FROM James T. Kirk, the Saltaire approval and showered applause, and Volunteer Fire Company boldly went where it had the expanded route was a hit that might never gone before, except in response to sub-strand be tried again once normality (admit- distress calls. Pandemics cast to the wind, the SVFC tedly a term not generally associated determined to show the flag, literally, especially with Saltaire) returns. given the contraction of events this summer. So, I erred last time saying the SCA had on Salt Date 1807.20, the department departed for bounced all its outdoor activities this deportment from a depot in a part of town, which no summer. Quite the contrary: on July defile had ever defiled through, the East End of rumor 8 it held its first ocean clean-up, resi- and fable. For the first time ever (or as far back as dents bagging a ton of trash secreted in anyone can remember, which is about three years), the sands; a second round squares off the annual parade passed past every street from East Aug. 16 – volunteers appreciated! (SCA to West walks, 18 blocks as the crow flies and the will email info.) Meantime, the sand crowd flees. Then rights on West, Bay and Broadway castle contest will be held Aug. 7 (rain and straight on to quarters. Almost tipped two trucks date Aug. 8), with socially-distanced off West, but our star fleet personnel know how to The proudest members in the SVFC’s Eastern Parade. exhibits subject to the socially-distant cling on a walk and veered away from an embar- (Photo by Mary Posillico.) judging commencing at 1 p.m. rassing calamity. What’s nice about all this is that it We’d never before staged the start of a parade kids on bikes, food, music, other departments and shows the commitment of so many from anywhere but the firehouse, so logistically this the public gathering were dispensed with, though Saltairians to so many other Saltairians, even in times involved getting people and vehicles to the jump- hand sanitizer was just plain dispensed. But we had of Impatience and Stress. (Good law firm, by the way.) ing-off point before we could even begin – which flags, banners, patriotic songs taped for the- occa Softball’s coming too, July 25, players protected by provided an extra treat for residents stuck behind or sion, a Board of Trustees rented for the occasion, pre-game corona measures and rewarded by post- on the sidelines of the motorcade, allowing them to and drivers who, on the theory that everyone needs a game measures of Corona, so things are improving. watch the proceedings proceed twice, prior to and jolt now and then, couldn’t resist pressing the “wail” Just remember this year’s communal slogan: Behind post-U-turn. Covid constraints curtailed inclusion of siren each time they drove by a hitherto sedate every mask is a person who cares. Or is about to rob traditional accompaniments, meaning hats, the band, group of citizens. Nevertheless, spectators showed the ATM. But with care! THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 10

OBITUARIES >>

Ocean Beach EMS Captain Gretchen Stang (1959-2020) By Joey Macellaro

AN ACCOMPLISHED COMPETITIVE sailor, The Stangs were warm serve last year. In this capacity, Gretchen served her first responder, and beloved fixture in the Ocean and welcoming to family, neighbors bravely and was a respected member of Beach community, Gretchen Stang died last friends, and members of the department. month at the age of 61 after a long illness. the community, and their Gretchen volunteered her time with the Seaview A native of Babylon, Gretchen loved her fami- home was a happy, laugh- Sailing Yacht Club as race committee chairperson ly, and she loved to sail. As a young girl, she spent ter-filled place. Gretch- and junior sailing chairperson, and served as the countless hours boating on the bay with her sis- en had affinity for local sailing program coordinator at the Bay Shore Yacht ter, Melodie; and her parents, Dianne and Glenn wildlife, and kept the lo- Club. She and Mark were also longtime members Schmidt. Gretchen grew to become an accom- cal creatures well fed of the Free Union Church of Ocean Beach, which plished skipper in her own right, winning her first throughout the year. As is grateful for their years of service to the congrega- trophy with the Great South Bay Yacht Racing year-round residents in tion, and were involved in the Sayville United Meth- Association as a member of the Bay Shore Yacht Photo: Mark Stang/Facebook. Ocean Beach, they were odist Church. Club in 1982. More than a dozen more wins fol- ever present at communi- The Stangs worked together to manage Stang lowed, and Gretchen and her mother eventually took ty fundraisers and events. In spite of a cancer diagno- Carting, handling cross-bay freight transportation over management of the club’s racing program. sis earlier in 2019, friends were glad to see Gretchen and carting services on the beach. Gretchen earned Worlds collided in 1996 when Gretchen married singing carols around the tree at last year’s holiday a bachelor’s degree in gerontology and a master’s Mark Stang, also a Bay Shore Yacht Club member, lighting ceremony as she had many times before. degree in elementary education, both from Dowl- and one of the most accomplished yacht racers on the Always community-minded, Gretchen began ing College. Great South Bay. It was a match made in heaven as working as an EMT for Bay Shore-Brightwaters Gretchen loved to travel the world and often did the couple began to sail together, and Mark worked Rescue Ambulance and Exchange Ambulance of the so with Mark and his children, Rebecca and Jus- with father-in-law Glenn on building the family’s Islips in 2007, moving to the Ocean Beach Fire De- tin. In addition to Mark, she is survived by her fa- boats of choice, Narrasketuck sloops. Gretchen set- partment in 2010. She earned the title of EMS cap- ther and her sister- and brother-in-law, Melodie and tled with Mark into their longtime Ocean Beach tain in Ocean Beach, stepping down from the life Bob Linekin. She was predeceased by her mother in home in 1998. of EMS rescue only once she was no longer able to 2019. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Island as a young couple was after getting the Lillian Barbash: idea from seeing the play, ‘Season in the Sun.’ The first time they visited, they stayed at Hous- South Shore er’s Hotel.” As the Barbash’s love for each other grew, Long Island so did their love for Fire Island. Shortly after their first daughter, Cathy, was born, they rent- ed their first home on Ocean Beach. Philanthropist Then in 1958, Maurice, along with business partner Irwin Chess, developed the Dunewood (1927-2020) Community, and it became the place the family By Rebecca Hoey would spend their summers together. The Barbash family featured in a Dunewood community While Maurice and Lillian’s brother, Ir- promotional photo from the 1960s, with Lillian in the center. ving Like, are remembered for being part of LILLIAN BARBASH PEACEFULLY passed away the driving force behind the Citizen’s Committee for School to see Broadway shows, including “Having in her sleep at age 92 on July 4, 2020, in her Bright- a Fire Island National Seashore (they lobbied Con- Our Say” in 1995, and then “Hamilton” in 2016. Ul- waters home, after battling congestive heart failure. gress relentlessly to establish this protection), Lillian timately the Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund She will be remembered for touching lives as she forged accomplishments in her own right. was created at her behest. made larger than life things happen in the world of She founded the Islip Arts Council, which she led Alongside her husband, Lillian co-founded en- the arts. for 31 years; and with a meager budget and no pay- deavors that include the Lillian and Maurice Barbash Born Lillian Like in Bronx, New York, she mar- check, she brought the New York Philharmonic free J.S. Bach Competition at Stony Brook Universi- ried her high school sweetheart, Maurice Barbash, open-air park concerts to the South Shore of Long Is- ty, as well as the Long Island Philharmonic. (While in 1947. They had three children together: Cathy, land on an annual basis. the Long Island Philharmonic discontinued in 2016, Susan and Shepard. Grandchildren would follow: When she handed over the baton of running the what is now Orchestra Long Island, led by Da- Emma, Ani, Jonah, Lydia, Samuel and Eddie; and Arts Council to current Director Lynda Moran, she vid Stewart Wiley, is on a mission to carry out it’s great-grandchildren, Max and Eliza. maintained ties to the organization and a friendship legacy.) Being a hands-on mom came naturally to Bar- with Lynda. “I led in one way you’ll lead in anoth- In honor of Lillian, her grandson, Eddie, an ac- bash. “She pretty much raised her children first, be- er,” Moran reminisced. “She always made it crystal complished professional jazz saxophonist, live- fore dedicating herself to the arts,” said her daughter clear to me that she was in my corner. She was an in- streamed Islip Arts Council’s website performance Susan. While her children were in school Barbash credibly gentle and kind woman. It always amazed of Bach’s “A Musical Offering,” with pianist Evan became president of the PTA, and became increas- me how this one person could make such a huge dif- Shinners, on July 7, from the back deck of Lil- ingly involved with the community. ference. She left a legacy filled with class and love.” lian’s Dunewood home. The podcast version can Much of the family’s time was spent on Fire Is- Lillian also organized massive school trips for the be viewed and enjoyed for a limited time at www. land. “The first time my parents came out to Fire entire junior and senior classes of Bay Shore High twitch.tv/wtf_bach.

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 11

OCEAN BEACH AREA by Joey Macellaro

AFTER SOME UNCERTAINTY, softball has re- high school studies at the Loyola School turned to our community’s ball fields, albeit with in and is enrolled in the new coronavirus-related safety precautions – and a University of Miami’s honors nursing few displaced players. program with a fall start date. “It’s been nice to have an influx of new talent,” Former Woodhull School student said Alex Friedman, commissioner of the Ocean Skyler Robinson graduated from Flagler Beach Softball Tournament. With this year’s bas- College in St. Augustine, Florida. The ketball season canceled, a number of locals have Robinsons are normally year-round joined the softball program for the first time, replac- Ocean Beach residents but are staying ing some of the regulars who have decided to stay in Point O’ Woods this summer. Valen- off the field. Saturday and Sunday games resumed tina Scotto Zangri earned a bachelor’s on July 4, and five teams of nine will be competing Socially distant softball in Seaview. (Photo courtesy of Warren Rosen) degree in behavioral neuroscience from in the annual tournament starting Aug. 8, instead of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn- the usual six. this year,” said Rosen. “For a while we weren’t sure sylvania, and Sabrina Victoria Morici graduated from Until Ocean Beach got clearance to play, some this would even be possible.” SUNY Cortland with a bachelor of arts and science members temporarily joined the Seaview men’s soft- Celebrations were subdued this year for our lo- degree. Rachel Blau of Seaview completed her stud- ball program, which opened Memorial Day week- cal high school and college seniors, but the pandemic ies at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. end. Seaview Ballfield Committee Co-Chairs Warren could not diminish their accomplishments. Ben Luc- Now that school is out for the summer, bicyclists Rosen and Peter Knobler have followed precedents kow of Ocean Beach graduated from Sachem High will be out en force in our community, and as of July set by national leagues in implementing a unique set School East as student government president and re- 17, we can ride anytime we choose in Ocean Beach. of rules that allow players to distance themselves ceived early acceptance into the Cornell University The village passed a resolution allowing summertime from others, including having separate bases for run- College of Engineering. Sophia Calabria of Ocean bike riding on the weekends for the first time in recent ners and basemen spaced 6 feet apart. Like Ocean Beach graduated with honors from Eastport-South memory, with riding prohibited on Bay Walk as usual. Beach, the Seaview group is requiring protective Manor High School and will be attending the Smeal Diane Montes organized a new Little Free Li- gloves and face masks for all players. School of Business at Pennsylvania State University brary this summer at the Palms Hotel, which is fully “We’re very thankful to Seaview Association in the fall. Katie Flynn, a resident of Ocean Bay Park stocked. A little beach time with a good book and a President Tom Ruskin for allowing us to play safely who spends time here in Ocean Beach, completed good newspaper sounds outstanding. Happy reading! THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 12 For the ♥ of Fire Island Lighthouse Reader Contributed Photographs

Shuttered for months, but still standing tall. Every day no two views are ever quite the same.

Full cold moon rises over Fire Island Lighthouse in December by Robert Burke.

Daybreak over Fire Island Lighthouse A deer passing our dear lighthouse by James Hardy. by Tom Coll.

A lighthouse built of shadows The lighthouse in a reflective mood Sea fog cloaking the lighthouse by Sean Fitzthum. by James Hardy. by Lauren Chenault.

Interested in having your photo published in A Day in the Life of Fire Island? Email us at [email protected] and we will consider it. Please limit submission to six images per news cycle, in jpeg format. NOTE: Any submitted drone images must comply with FAA regulations concerning their use within national park jurisdiction, while posing no risk to pedestrians, wildlife, or property in taking said image. Fire Island News reserves the right not to publish any photograph we suspect is in violation of these rules – and always be respectful of nature and the local wildlife when taking nature pictures outdoors. Thank you!

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 13

OCEAN BAY PARK by Barbara Gaby Placilla

DID YOU KNOW THAT July 24, the date of this MOMs still meet there every morning seven days issue of the Fire Island News, is also International a week. Go to any small town in America and you Self Care Day? Neither did I until I Googled July will always find a group of a certain age who meet 24, 2019, in search of inspiration. It’s hard to believe each morning for breakfast to discuss and solve the that only a year has passed since then. Time takes on problems of the world. Oh did I mention the MOMs, a different dimension during a pandemic. Looking or Meeting of the Minds as we have nicknamed back to July 24, 2019, there were so many events them, are all MEN? and so much activity in Ocean Bay Park to report on. I’ve noticed that families are flocking to OBP – This year, not so much, as most people are definitely day trippers, weekly renters and of course guests. staying close to home and within their trusted circle My niece, Christine Paul, along with her husband, of friends and family. Mike, and their children, Christian and Julia, came We are all adapting as best we can to the new for their annual visit albeit a month early. And for normal, the summer meeting of the Ocean Bay Park the third year in a row Mike lost a pair of sunglasses Association was once again “Zoomed.” Reports and in the ocean. Pat and Mike Supple hosted her niece, updates regarding the completed FIMI project and the Bernadette McCulloch Kelly, and her three children, planting of dune grass to occur this fall were given. Thomas, Rowan and John. Steven and Lisa Jaffe This year, due to COVID-19, we will not be able to were visited by his sister, Moira, along with husband, have a traditional Community Fair at Schooner’s. Steve, and son, Jack. Jeff and Janet Lewis with their Along with my co-chairs, Dawn Cloutier and Lisa entire clan were spotted on the beach. Ralph and Jaffe, we have developed a new, multi-phased fund Elise Pleasec stayed with KK, Kenny Klein and DD, raising approach. The first phase, OBP tote bags, has Diane Sweeney, and while they are not relatives been very successful. We still have some available; they are family. Just goes to show that even though details on how to get one are on the OBPA website. Meet the Kellys – Thomas, Rowan and John. COVID has wreaked havoc, the comfort of family On Aug. 15, at the community bay beach park, we and friends still remains. will still have the annual raffle and 50-50 and a much The more things change the more they stay the In the spirit of International Self Care Day look scaled down “grab and go” gourmet food offering. same. So Tastee has changed hands and is now called out for yourself, your family, and your friends – and More details will follow. Dino’s on the Bay. What hasn’t changed is that the wear a mask.

THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 15

CHERRY GROVE / FIRE ISLAND PINES ROSE’S VIEW by Robert Levine

INVASION 45 for July 4, with no masks and no social dis- Grove Pizza, who knows how to do 2020, was officially cancelled tancing. Who organized these it right. The local post offices in the due to the coronavirus. Howev- parties? Don’t they know there Pines and Grove also are doing a fan- er Nurse Panzi kept the tradi- is a global pandemic going on in tastic job handling the increase of tion going by inviting a special this world? packages and will need more space to group of 25 veterans, includ- Fire Island Pines is a private, handle the extra demand. ing Pines resident Hal Hayes, exclusive community where peo- Visitors to “Roseland” recently in- to join Homecoming Queen ple really do live, work, and en- cluded Joe Barros, who has directed Ikea for a small skirmish. We joy the beauty of Fire Island. Bad and choreographed many shows in the all wore masks and social dis- Essential Service: Cherry Grove Fire Department press went as viral as the pan- Pines and on Broadway, with his part- tanced. We rode the “Monitor” officials were on hand to celebrate the opening of demic itself, creating an embar- ner Hector Flores Jr. They are both on ferry to the Pines, where Luis our new sub-station. rassment for the Grove, Pines and COVID leave from Broadway. Joe is Villabon, who sang the Nation- Fire Island as a whole. Respect- also the artistic director of New York al Anthem, greeted us. Robin Byrd, PJ Carolina. Unfortunately everyone else ed community organizations like FIP- Theatre Barn, which is now streaming McAteer, Jay Pagano and a few oth- has passed on. POA and FIPAP, CGCAI and APCG their events. er loyal fans welcomed us with a rose “Dining With the Divas” opened had nothing to do with these events. Cherry Grove Fire Department built and a drink. their season with Ginger Snap, Victo- Suffolk County police monitors a new sub-station on Duryea Walk to Awards were bestowed to Panzi for ria Falls and Davita Jones. Thanks to the situation by helicopters, as well as house their second fire truck. This will being The Spirit of the Invasion, Rose Jacque Piazza for a great evening. on foot, and broke up the parties. One make a faster response for the east end Levine received the first ever Terri Unfortunately over Fourth of July young man within the group shared a of the Grove. A small ceremony for the Warren Legacy Award, and the love- Weekend, bad energy started gener- rant on Instagram saying, “I hope all official opening was held. ly Lavonia Jenkins was honored with ating in the Pines. A large group of of you get f---ing covid.” He seemed Pines Party 2020: “Through The the Bottom of the Bay Award. Pan- young, gay party people arrived on the happy to spread it around. We don’t Looking Glass” has been cancelled. zi and Rose Levine are still living in holiday weekend to attend house par- need people who come to exploit our However Broadway Cares Dancers Re- the Grove, and are two of the original ties and a Meat Rack Party. They too hospitality. It’s not happening. sponding to Aids was enjoyed virtually 15 members who attended the first In- invaded the Pines to participate in large Social distancing is possible, and on July 17 and 18, to keep the tradition vasion. Lyn Hutton now lives in North gatherings to dance, drink, and smoke we had a great night dining at Cherry going strong. Until next time everyone!

Cartoon by Eric Pedersen www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 16

Destroying Fire Island Pines Media Backlash By Laura Schmidt

NEGATIVE PRESS GENERATED from unsafe parties at the Pines Fourth of July weekend has prompted community leaders, official and unofficial, to do more to enforce CDC guidelines and ensure residents’ safety. Fire Island Pines made national news a few short weeks ago after photos and videos of large beach parties with no social distancing or masks circulated on social media. Town of Brookhaven Councilman Neil Foley, Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association (FIPPOA) and the Marine Bureau of Dworld’s promotional video still of the Covid the Suffolk County Police have been working to Destroyers. (Instinct Magazine) navigate this crisis and address resident concerns. “We’re in the midst of a pandemic, and even though New York has done a wonderful job of lulling raised funds for participants and partnered with our numbers and we’re in a good situation, as you Governor Cuomo’s office, who shipped 1,000 masks can see, nationally, things can change very quickly,” and 1,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to Nardicio and Foley said. his Dworld crew to distribute to residents and visitors Foley believed it was an isolated incident caused getting off the ferry. by a “perfect storm” of events – a holiday weekend, Their mission is to encourage mask-wearing and beautiful weather and people wanting to return to social distancing through providing supplies and normal after months of quarantine. education while still having fun. Multiple concerned residents called the SCPD “It’s very much taking the approach that we took Marine Bureau to break up the events of Fourth of in the 80s and 90s to HIV, which obviously had a July weekend. The number of personnel patrolling great effect,” Nardicio said. popular areas has doubled since, according to Foley. Nardicio said the group “fell together really Police will look to disperse large gatherings verbally quickly” and with his current position in nightlife and at first. For those who do not comply, summonses already-established Dworld team consisting of drag will be issued and if they still do not adhere to CDC , go-go boys, burlesque dancers and others, it guidelines, arrests will be made. was a seamless and enthusiastic collaboration. There FIPPOA President Jay Pagano felt “a little has already been a flood of positive messages from horrified” at the sight of the parties and compared appreciative residents and the Covid Destroyers the images to that of the crowded beaches in initiative. Jacksonville, Florida, at the start of the pandemic, Nardicio decided to create Covid Destroyers after a state that now has more than 300,000 confirmed seeing the deeply negative response to the young COVID-19 cases. man who went viral on social media for touting Numerous studies have been conducted since coronavirus symptoms days leading up to the Fourth March to prove the efficacy of masks and social of July. distancing. A recent study published in Health “I’ve always been of the opinion that shaming Affairs, a leading journal of health policy thought doesn’t work,” Nardicio said. “That doesn’t seem and research, compared the COVID-19 growth rate like the healthiest choice for one of our own. before and after mask mandates in 15 states and Maybe bringing him into the fold and helping him the District of Columbia and after five days, found to understand and working with him might be a a reduction in growth of 0.9 percentage points. healthier choice but that’s just me.” After three weeks, the daily growth rate slowed Nardicio praised FIPPOA for their efforts thus far significantly by 2 percentage points. but doesn’t necessarily agree with increasing police “We are taking every measure available to assure personnel. that people visiting the community and residents “I don’t think Fire Island needs more police. conform to the Governor’s guidelines and we will I think Fire Island needs more understanding,” not permit a recurrence of what occurred on the Nardicio said. “Police are great at certain points but Fourth of July weekend,” Pagano said. I don’t think the police are necessarily the end-all- Despite efforts made by community officials to be-all right now.” place more police officers on the island, some Fire Covid Destroyers is likely to continue efforts Island residents have taken the situation into their throughout summer Nardicio said. “Are we going own hands, with the Fire Island Covid Destroyers to change a lot of people’s lives? Are we going to coming into the picture. make people wear masks? Are we going to end up Established in collaboration with nightlife sanitizing a ton of hands? Hopefully,” Nardicio said. promoter Daniel Nardicio, New York City political “But at the very least, you give people a little bit of and nightlife organizer Taylor Shubert, and Gay hope. And who doesn’t want to be greeted by a drag Men’s Health Crisis, Covid Destroyers has already queen when you get off the ferry?”

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 17

POLICE BLOTTER >> by Shoshanna McCollum

Ding Dong Ditch and a Stolen Winch

Ocean Beach JULY 9 Suffolk County Amazon gift cards after stealing Police › A disturbance is reported at the Police Beach personal information from a Youth Group/Windswept building Lonelyville resident. The scammer posed as a representative of Apple, JULY 1 at 7:03 a.m. Activity › Officers respond to possible fight at claiming to need remote access to › An illegal construction summons is ferry terminal. JULY 2 fix a computer problem. issued in commercial district. › A golf cart is reported to be › Criminal mischief was reported › A possible break-in is investigated JULY 15 blocking free movement at Midway near the vicinity of Davis Park at 462 Dehnhoff Walk. › At approximately 8 a.m., a winch and Evergreen. Ferry Terminal in Patchogue › Lifeguards request police assistance was stolen from a vehicle parked › Teens reported as trespassing at 88 as a Ford Escape side door was to attend to an underage drinking in front of the Brookhaven Bungalow Walk. damaged at approximately 9 p.m. Harbormaster’s office in Patchogue. situation on the beach. › Complaint of teens playing “ding JULY 5 JULY 3 dong ditch” at 293 Cottage Walk. › A Fire Island Pines resident reported A criminal charge is an accusation, › A disturbance is reported at the JULY 10 cash stolen from a wallet left on a and defendants are presumed transient marina at 6:17 a.m. › An animal bite is reported at kitchen counter, when an unknown innocent unless proven guilty. › Assistance was required for a 1:43 p.m. subject entered the home through a bicycle whose key had broken › A water main break occurs at Surf rear sliding door at approximately inside their lock. Road at 10:54 p.m. 8 p.m., classified as petit larceny. › An animal complaint is received. › Trespassing is reported at JULY 12 JULY 6 Evergreen Walk. › A 18-year-old male is reported as › Cash was stolen from a drawer of › A disturbance report is received at missing. another Fire Island Pines home and the Sandbar. JULY 13 classified as grand larceny. JULY 4 › Found property is turned in, a JULY 10 › Rowdy people are reported on the purple Coach wristlet. › Identity theft took place when a beach near Cottage Walk at 4:05 p.m. › A summons is issued to an suspect withdrew cash to purchase Cartoon by Eric Pedersen › Summons issued to Thomas individual for driving a cart without Sweeney of East Islip for disorderly a permit. conduct at 7:32 p.m. › An aided case response takes place › People are reported on a roof at 597 at 290 Cottage at 6:50 p.m. Bayberry Walk. › An aided case takes place at Island › Multiple complaints of fireworks Mermaid at 9:50 p.m. are received near the vicinity of Dehnhoff and Midway at 10:35 p.m. Also reported over this period are › Piotr Wyrzkowski is issued a nine summonses issued for bicycle summons for illegal possession riding on the weekend*, 28 open and discharge of fireworks at 449 container violations, one loose dog, Dehnhoff Walk. four garbage summonses and/or › Brandon Croteau is issued a complaints, five littering summonses summons for public urination near and/or complaints, 25 noise the bay front at 11:45 p.m. complaints, one returned/recovered › Parties are arrested for starting a bike, two returned/recovered carts, fight near the Sandbar. three stolen bikes, seven summonses JULY 5 are issued for failure to wear a mask or social distance in public, and three › A suspicious person is reported additional disturbance complaints are behind Flair House at 2:15 a.m. received. › Patryk Oleslejuk of Medford is issued a summons for an illegal rental. * As of July 17, 2020, weekend › A long board is reported as stolen bicycle riding regulations were at 9:07 p.m. lifted by the Ocean Beach Board JULY 6 of Trustees, with the exception of › A structure fire at 567 Bayberry is riding on the Bay Walk commercial reported at 1:47 p.m. district, which remains prohibited JULY 7 through Sept. 8, 2020. All cycle riders must continue to use a proper › A man is witnessed climbing in the sounding device and a light after back of a fire truck at 9:45 p.m. sundown hours to remain › A complaint of youths trespassing in compliance. near 57 Bungalow Walk is received.

www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 18

BOOK REVIEW >> by Rita Plush

“Fire Island Saga: How Fire Island Got Its Name” By Warren C. McDowell Dusty Grant, Layout and Art Director Publisher: Review Graphics

WARREN C. MCDOWELL IS a historian and folk- lorist, one of the original board members of the Lighthouse Preservation Society, as well as founding publisher of the news publication Fire Island Tide. To say he knows something about Fire Island is to say there is sand on the beach. You want island legends? You want Vikings and native Indians? You want pirates? (McDowell says they didn’t exist.) You want the skinny on the “dead- ly ship trap?” Whaleboats on the bay? You’ll find them all, researched and documented by the author, in “Fire Island Saga: How Fire Island Got Its Name.” Maps and drawings, photos, engravings, paintings and lithographs – a little boy in a sailor suit and Bust- er Brown haircut – all manner of illustrations, curated by the author, are smartly laid out on page after glossy “West Island or West Fire Island ~ East Island or page by Dusty Grant for your viewing pleasure. East Fire Island,” are but two of the naming conun- Putting legend and folklore aside, McDowell drums McDowell sets his mind to clarify in his relies on maps, surveys and nautical diagrams (only book. Using a record of surveys and maps from “verifiable printed material”) to chart his course in 1614 through 1964, he traces how Fire Island’s name bringing to readers Fire Island’s rich nautical histo- evolved. One way it did not receive its appellation ry. No small task when you consider the hundreds was from the burning rash produced by the poi- of thousands of books and manuscripts that were son ivy plant that grows profusely on Long Island. destroyed in the New York State Library fire of 1911, He takes issue with the Fire Island National Sea- one of the greatest library disasters in modern times. shore and the Fire Island Lighthouse whose lectures Many of the sources there had contained information include this misinformation. “…nothing is further relevant to the author’s research. from the truth,” McDowell declares. But sleuth away McDowell did. Through a suc- If the cartography of the barrier beach is not your cession of maps, some found by combing through cup of salt water, there’s plenty here to interest and antique books and dusty file cabinets hidden away in entertain you. Divided into five chapters, the book the basements of old libraries, he strove to separate outlines the Dutch, English and American involve- fact from fiction. ment in Fire Island’s heritage starting with the 17th The first recognizable map of Long Island century to the present. appeared with “questionable outlines” that did not History buffs can make use of a list that cites arti- include the barrier beach. Understandable, when cles they can retrieve. Readers may recall the ship- you consider that in 1614 such maps were made in wrecked “Elizabeth,” on which Margaret Fuller, a Holland (Long Island was under Dutch jurisdiction 19th century feminist and writer sailed, which sank then) by illustrators who had never been to Ameri- on the shores of Fire Island in 1850. This tragedy ca and relied on the memories of seamen who had was a plot point in Angela Reich’s novel, “Ship- sailed here. wreck of Hope,” reviewed in this column last sum- One of the early descriptions of the barrier beach mer. There are also relief huts and lifesaving stations, that included a separate inset map of the barrier and the history of the Fire Island Lighthouse to learn island, came from the 1656 logs of the ship “Prince about. In their leisure, readers can peruse the illus- Maurits.” Marooned there and rescued by Native trated pages for turn-of-the-century docks, old-timey Americans in dugout canoes, the stranded colonists postcards, and 19th century fashion plates. learned “the place was called Secoutagh, Sichtewach More mission than undertaking, this book, with and Sighewagh.” its depth and detail, could only have been shoul- A pen and pencil drawing during the Revolu- dered by one who has a true love for his subject. tionary War, cited as “Major John André Spy Map McDowell has put together a book that he has just- 1781,” is one of the first maps to name Fire Island, ly titled “saga.” clearly written in lowercase script. And why spy map? My best guess is that André was a British spy “Fire Island Saga: How Fire Island Got Its Name” with connections to Benedict Arnold. The major was is available at grocery stores and gifts shops in com- blindfolded and hanged from a gallows in New York munities throughout Fire Island, as well as major State; a colorful image records the event. online book retailers.

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 19

FiFlix: “Last Ferry” Misses the Boat By Hugh O’Brien

FILMS SET ON FIRE ISLAND are Out of nowhere Rafael, Cameron’s few and far between, so when one of childhood chum, whom everyone those rara avises flaps its way onto thought had left on that (you should the big screen island residents will no pardon the expression) titular last doubt pay good money to see it, for ferry the day before, turns up. Rafa- its curiosity value if nothing else. But el, it develops, is hiding a dark se- cret. Can you guess what it is? Of course you can. I mean, a serial killer…eating cereal? To be fair, the film suddenly comes alive in its final 15 minutes, a sinister and terrifying turn of events that hints at what, in more skilled hands, should have unless you’re inveterately buy-cu- been seen in the preceding 71. Yet rious and don’t care what you pay even this nightmarish finale fizzles for, our advice is to skip “Last Fer- amid little suspense, much confusion ry,” a 2019 indie production whose and no resolution. sole distinguishing feature, if it even The film is the project of its star, amounts to that, is that it’s a murder Robert Torres, who plays Joseph; he mystery with a gay backdrop. also wrote, edited and co-produced. The film revolves around Joseph, On all counts, Torres towers not. His a sullen and unattached young at- writing is especially weak: the film’s torney who abruptly bolts his Man- dialog is boring, repetitive, and in- hattan office and heads to the Pines, sulting, lacking wit or understanding. apparently for no other reason than Loose ends and unresolved plot points he’s heard they have lots of parties. abound, all credibility tossed (from He has no luggage, no place to stay, the ferry, no doubt) overboard. The never been there – and, as we see on people are mostly one-dimensional his cellphone, it’s Friday, April 13. and unattractive: Joseph in particu- Friday the Thirteenth? O, the por- lar is tactless, clueless, a compulsive tents! Now if only he’d been named liar and a bit of an idiot, not qualities Jason instead of Joseph and brought looked for in a character with whom along a hockey mask, all our troubles the audience should sympathize. would’ve been over. Only Sheldon Best (Cameron) Anyway, Joseph’s told two things and Nyles Clohessy (Rafael) man- by helpful locals: the season hasn’t age fully-realized performances, in- started (a revelation that calls into se- habiting their characters and moving rious question his professional skills) them beyond Torres’s insipid stereo- and “Stay away from the meat rack,” types. The cinematography is poor the last from a denizen clearly more (no small achievement, considering interested in Joseph’s salad than his the scenery), the music fit for an el- safety. Naturally, Joseph loses no evator, the direction of Jaki Brad- time disregarding this cautionary ad- ley so flat, listless and unimaginative monition, in consequence of which that the film would be doomed even he’s drugged, mugged and left in the without its myriad other flaws. Nei- rack…and, through his wooziness, ther entertaining nor innovative, it’s hears and sees someone being mur- the work of people who’ve evident- dered and tossed in the bay. ly seen a number of suspense pictures Having allowed himself to be tak- but lack the talent required to pro- en in (in the con-artist sense) by one duce even the faintest imitation. stranger, Joseph, un-chastised by ex- Early on, Joseph says to Cameron, perience, allows himself to be taken “Thank you for everything,” to which in (in the Samaritan sense) by anoth- Cameron replies, “Oh my God, stop er stranger, Cameron, who gives Jo- saying that – it’s not the Oscars.” No, seph bed, board and more bed for the but it’s as close as this movie will weekend. But is all really benign? ever get to one.

www.fireisland-news.com www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 20

Island Mermaid: Reflecting Upon 30 Years on Fire Island By Scott Hirsch

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO SIMPLY reflect upon this After a long, nervous train ride into the city and year as the 30th Anniversary of Island Mermaid with my best young man suit and tie, the interview without chuckling about how it started 43 years ago lasted about 30 seconds, but walking into his build- on a rain soaked night as a 17-year-old East Islip ju- ing I saw Jackie Kennedy! nior. What a long, strange, great trip it’s been. Leo was like a foul mouthed Jewish Danny De- Having just moved to East Islip, I was invited Vito. He was a jingle writer by trade, who is said to one night to “sleep out in Fire Island” by my new have written the Alka Seltzer’s famous “Plop Plop high school buddies. After asking questions like Fizz Fizz,” and the Yellow Pages “Let Your Fin- “What’s Fire Island? and “Where will we sleep?”, I gers Do The Walking” jingles. With Central Park as found myself hours later on the beach and then under a backdrop, he asked me one question on that inter- a house in a place called Atlantique! Walking into view, “Why the f**k should I hire you?” Ocean Beach after the rain ended I met a guy named “Because Mr. Schumer some day I’m going Giovanni. For those who don’t know he was “the to own that place and gotta know what to do,” I man” and owned CJ’s. shot back. A glorious picture of him in his trademark hat “Your hired, now get the f**k out of here,” was and with his sidekick dog hangs on the wall of his his immediate raspy reply. namesake bar. (CJ’s is actually named after his son, And so my journey began. Christopher John Palermo.) Striking up a conversa- So I went to work for Leo, another absolute leg- tion with him on the steps of CJ’s, I will never for- end in OB. Sadly, after that year, Leo passed away. get his parting words, “Kid – you only got one thing His manager, Wally Picard, became the new owner. you take to your grave, and that’s your name, so don’t I worked continuously for Wally, a decorated WWII mess it up.” fighter pilot, for about six years and moved up the From there I wandered into what would become ranks. Eventually I became bar manager. my first ever job at a local pizza shop. I worked there Some wonderful local homeowners bought what for two wild, crazy summers at the very height of the was then known as the Ocean Beach Grill, along disco era, when Fire Island was an epicenter of tru- with its hotel. They asked me to come run the brand ly harmless, yet raucous fun and a lot of free love. new operation. We had incredible success. I had The next season, Mike The Greek (another legend been watching the NYC restaurant scene while at- who owned Mike The Greeks) asked me to open his tending NYU law school. That’s where I got the cra- pizza shop. zy idea that I could and should take a shot at having Almost immediately a local place called The Ap- my own place. As luck would have it, the Leo’s / ple Orchard caught my eye. Wally’s building came up for sale. Having cultivated a friendship with Arlene Jaffe, Thirty years at The Mermaid begins here. In the local grande dame of real estate, I asked her to 1990, at the age of 29, I found myself as the win- help me apply for a job at this hot spot. With her kind ing bidder for the building. The price was a stag- help I became what they call “the barback” or ice boy. gering million dollars, but with only $50,000 in If Fire Island was an epicenter of the disco era, my pocket, I rolled the dice and cut a deal with two places were the center of that universe, The the landlord to hold all the paper at a jaw dropping Grove and Ocean Beach – The Apple Orchard in 15 percent. particular. From this perch I got to interact with all With a mix of fear, passion and gritty determina- the raconteurs of that time and place. All the guys tion and never taking anything or anyone for grant- we now call “the bench boys” were the ones who ed, I kept going. My biggest joy has been keeping rolled in and turned heads. Don’t let them fool you my core promise that I would treat my staff and my – they played hard! By the end of the season I was guests with a whole new level of hospitality and re- promoted to help take the cover charge at the door... spect than had ever been the norm at the beach. The $10! This was 1979, so that’s like $50 now. That’s challenge is what makes it worth doing. how coveted a spot on the dance floor was. Celebrating 30 years by revamping the opera- Over that winter I lied to get my first college bar- tion to be able to handle serious take-out and de- tending job and honed some solid skills. Coming livery while hopefully maintaining vibrant service back to the beach, I landed a very sought after spot may not have been my plan, and I admit sometimes behind the “stick” at The Apple Orchard. I was now it felt daunting. However my team, led by veter- working the hot corner in the hottest bar at the beach! an staff G.M. Haily, Gmora, Joe Sileo and Execu- Working alongside guys like Andy Miller and Steve tive Chef Rago, has been so laser focused that we Cummings taught me more about life than bartend- continue to aim for new heights. Paradise has some ing. I am so grateful to them for putting up with my new rules, so let’s play safe and make the best of it. first bar trick – the whistle! So as we celebrate 30 this year, we remember Always looking for the next thing, I noticed that Gio, Sully, Goldie, Leo, Wally and Arlene as well as Arlene Jaffe was a friend of Leo Schumer (Leo’s was all the other legends that made it possible. the Mermaid at that time.) Arlene would bring Leo around for drinks at The Orchard. After I told her This season is dedicated to my friend and first I wanted to make the move to Leo’s, she set me up Island Mermaid J.B. Weinger, who lost his battle with an interview at Leo’s Fifth Avenue penthouse with COVID-19. His picture will permanently grace overlooking Central Park. our front door.

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 21

ADULT COLORING PAGE >> by Lauren Stevens Furry, Feathered and Scaly Friends of Fire Island

© Lauren Stevens

Fat Cat Graphics www.fatcatgraphics.com

FRESH IDEAS NOTHING CANNED THE FIRE ISLAND NEWSPAPER • July 24, 2020 • PAGE 22

ENVIRONMENT >> by Karl Grossman

Democratic Primaries in Suffolk County Show Gains for Women

NO WOMAN HAS EVER represented Suffolk the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant col- County in the U.S. House of Representatives. onel. In regard to Fire Island, he has promoted the This could now change with Nancy Goroff win- Army Corps of Engineers’ Fire Island to Montauk ning the Democratic nomination in New York’s First Point coastal project on which the Corps’ chief of Congressional District and Jack- engineers has just signed off. The ie Gordon winning in the Second more than five-decade-old plan District – both of which include will now be considered by Con- Fire Island in their jurisdictions. gress for authorization and fund- Gordon is also African-American ing. The cost is currently over and no black person has ever been $1 billion. elected into the House from Suf- Copiague resident Gordon, on folk County either. the other hand, won her Demo- First District includes the east- cratic primary race handily over ern portion of Fire Island – all attorney Patricia Maher of East communities east of the Brookha- Meadow, with a winning margin ven Town line, while Second Dis- of over 71 percent. Ms. Gordon trict embraces the Islip portion of was a lieutenant colonel in the Fire Island, which includes all of U.S. Army, and a combat veter- its communities west of Ocean an. Born in Jamaica, West Indies, Bay Park. she grew up in Hollis, Queens. Incumbent Lee Zeldin pres- Jackie Gordon, NY Second Con- She spent three decades working ently represents the First District, gressional District Democratic in New York City and Long Is- while Peter King, who has repre- Nominee. land public schools as a teacher sented the Second District for 17 and guidance counselor. She left two-year terms, announced his re- her seat on the Babylon Town tirement last November. Both are Board, which she held from 2007 Republicans. to early this year, to run for the Nancy Goroff of Stony Brook House seat. is a political unknown who never The Republican primary in the ran for or held elective office. She Second District provided no sur- achieved a breakthrough with a pri- prise. The winner was New York mary campaign strong on well-fi- State Assemblyman Andrew Gar- nanced advertising on TV and barino from Bayport, who is well social media. On leave as chair of connected in Suffolk County pol- the Chemistry Department at Stony itics. Garbarino is the son of Is- Brook University, she won narrow- lip Town Republican Chairman ly over East Hampton businessman William Garbarino. He has rep- Perry Gershon, who came within 4 resented the Seventh Assembly percentage points of defeating Zel- District, which includes Fire Is- din two years ago. Suffolk Legis- Nancy Goroff will face-off land, since 2013. Garbarino beat lator Bridget Fleming of Noyac, against Lee Zeldin for New York’s Mike LiPetri, also a state assem- an attorney and former Southamp- First Congressional District. blyman from Massapequa, for the ton Town Board and assistant Man- Republican ticket in the Second hattan DA, came in third although endorsed by District race by a margin of 65 percent. Peter King’s many leading Suffolk Democratic figures as well endorsement of Garbarino to replace him was most as unions. likely the magic touch. Goroff can be expected in the general election When I began as a journalist in Suffolk in campaign to emphasize Zeldin’s close personal and 1962, as a reporter for the Babylon Town Leader, political ties to President Donald Trump and her the county’s governing body was the Suffolk Board background as a scientist, as she did in the prima- of Supervisors, which consisted of the supervisors ry race. She has repeatedly declared that the House of each of Suffolk’s towns. All were white men. Be- needs scientists as members notably because of the cause of one-person-one-vote court rulings, Suffolk COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. County Legislature replaced the Board of Supervi- Zeldin, a resident of Shirley and an attorney, can sors in 1970, and over the decades this governmen- be expected to stress federal monies he has brought tal body has reflected more diversity. home to the district as well as his background in Change has come to Suffolk County.

Your Source for Summer News on the South Shore www.fireisland-news.com