The Lost Legacy of Rudolph Valentino on Fire Island

Rudolph Valentino

Rudolph Valentino was part of the wave of early filmmaking on Long Island. “At the dawn of the 20th century, with the opening of one of the first film studios in the Bay Shore area, the South Shore became more than just a resort destination. The cool ocean breeze and the renowned resorts made these […]

Read more

Tim Mooney: The Fire Island Ferryman Who Exports Safety Worldwide

Tim Mooney

Fire Island Ferry Company President Tim Mooney makes waves beyond the Great South Bay. According to the United States Coast Guard’s most recent yearly data, there were 2126 injuries and 564 deaths from ferry and recreational boating accidents in 2023. Overall, these dire stats have been unchanged over the past 20 years. However, since its […]

Read more

Fire Island Dance Festival Founder, Denise Roberts Hurlin

Fire Island Dance Festival 2023.

As co-founder of Dancers Responding to AIDS (DRA), Denise Roberts Hurlin has been leading the Fire Island Dance Festival since its inception. A dancer herself, she was a founding member of Parsons Dance in 1987 and danced with the Paul Taylor Dance Company for six years. The year 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of […]

Read more

Great South Bay Beach Bag Reads Recommended by Jane Rosen

Young woman relaxing on beach towel reading book at the beach

As the days linger and the promise fills the air, Long Island book lovers are packing their beach bags and curating their reading lists. Whether you’re lounging by a backyard pool, heading to JFK for a far-off adventure, or savoring a quiet afternoon at Robert Moses State Park, the right book can turn a good […]

Read more

Ocean Beach Memoirs

Rachel’s 50th

This is my favorite weekend on the beach. I love the decorated houses, wild outfits, and especially the wagon parade. The best part is the grandstand announcer offering serious commentary on each unique wagon float, as the confused ferry arrivals exit into the chaos of tiny participants in wild costumes clutching their mini trophies and […]

Read more

Beers, Cheers & 100 Years in Ocean Bay Park

OBPFD

The Beermann family marked 100 years in Ocean Bay Park on Saturday, June 21, with a spirited block party. Neighbors gathered for burgers, brews, and beats as DJ Harry turned Seneca into a dance floor. The celebration honored generations past and present—cheers to the next century of OBP memories. Flynn’s Fire Island, the beloved waterfront […]

Read more

Cherry Grove Sweet Days

Michael Kors

Since we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Invasion, I am quoting the original column that I wrote on July 17, 1976: Cherry Grove–Invades the Pines Tea Dance-Sat at 6:30 p.m. With a “Drag-In,” 15 some very odd-of us from the Grove-all dressed in the early Grove style-took the water taxi and arrived at […]

Read more

Independence Day in Davis Park

Davis Park

It is always wonderful to see Jacki Smith and Dani return to the Green Dragon for some East Coast time. Welcome home! They do an outstanding job cheering on July 4 Parade marchers as they wind through the boardwalks on our most festive day. Thanks to everyone who comes out! Don’t forget that the lineup […]

Read more

Kismet’s Big Sweep

Gary l., Adrianne W. and Bicycle Bill at street cleaning

Happy Independence Day! Since Kismet will officially celebrate on Sunday, July 6, we have two, glorious days to hit the beach. For an added attraction, the annual Sand Sculpture Contest is scheduled for Saturday, July 5. There are great prizes in three categories: Adults, Children, and Adults with Children. Participants can sign up at a […]

Read more

Party in Fire Island Pines

Barn on Fire

We are very proud and fortunate to be in Fire Island Pines for this momentous occasion. Fifty years ago, we had our first Invasion to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride on Fire Island. Panzi and I were on the first Invasion, and now Panzi will take the lead once more as homecoming queen, welcoming throngs of people […]

Read more

Saltaire Summertime

Molly Davis

It’s officially summer, the solstice has solsticed, and – as we take evil pleasure in reminding everyone this time every year – the setting sun is slowly moving south from Babylon back toward the ocean, meaning each day grows shorter, befitting a year with the earliest possible Labor Day and, thus, an all-too-truncated season. But […]

Read more