Jillian Weinstein is a longtime summer resident of Fire Island who began lifeguarding in 2007. This year, she was named the first female chief lifeguard in the 100-year history of Ocean Beach.
Fire Island National Seashore Names New Chief Ranger
After a lengthy interview process, Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) has announced that Erik Westpfahl has been named as new Chief of Visitor and Resource Protection. He will begin his new position in September. He brings more than 20 years of law enforcement, emergency services, and resource protection experience to Fire Island.
NY Comptroller Auditing Ocean Beach
A spokeswoman for the comptroller confirmed the audit is underway, but declined to discuss specifics and she could not say when the results would be released to the public. Village officials downplayed the significance of the state’s chief fiscal officer reviewing Ocean Beach’s finances.
Rose’s View ~ Cherry Grove & Fire Island Pines
An important election in Cherry Grove will be held this September. Diane Romano will be stepping down as president of Cherry Grove Community Association (CGCAI) after 12 years of dedicated service. Two candidates are running to fill the vacancy she will leave behind. A debate will be held on Aug. 15, moderated by Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association President Henry Robin in the Cherry Grove Community House, beginning at 10 a.m. All members of CGCAI are invited to meet the candidates. It will be very interesting to listen to the candidates’ thoughts concerning the destiny of Cherry Grove.
OCEAN BAY PARK COLUMN
The community lost one of its stalwarts with the passing of Joyce Peters Greenberger. Joyce spent more than six decades in Ocean Bay Park spanning the age of “Mad Men” when OBP was a magnet for the Madison Avenue advertising crowd to our current millennial generation. Joyce and her husband of almost 50 years, George, were world travelers. She was a master bridge player who spent the off season competing in bridge team events. Did I mention she had been a competitive ice skater or that she wrote a column for this newspaper at one time, too?
Kismet Kapers
As our ocean is growing warmer, large schools of little bunker fish are passing through attracting dolphins, sharks and even whales. Although Great White sharks have been reported in these northern waters, most of the ones that track along the Fire Island beaches – on an almost daily basis lately – are small and relatively harmless.
Jamesport Farmstead
Visiting a farm is not a usual assignment for a dining review. More unusual however, is how two Manhattan residents, who have had a home in Seaview for the past 15 years, ended up with a 55-acre farm in Jamesport on the North Fork of Long Island that now supplies produce to Seaview Market. Owners Kim Frank and Jeff Brown said I should let them know if I figure it out.
100 Years, 100 Dances
“We are truly excited to be able to come together again,” said Community Fund President Holly Etlin, “as the party is as much about community as it is a fundraiser.” Over 200 supporters sporting black and white attire were in attendance for the event, which had the theme 100 Years, 100 Dances, in celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Village of Ocean Beach.
Kevin Lowry: From Thief to Chief
Kevin Lowry, an Ocean Beach resident of 17 years, held a book signing at The Landing at Ocean Beach on Aug. 12, for his new book, “From Thief to Chief,” which was released on Dec. 24, 2020. The story takes readers through Lowry’s life journey, which had turbulent beginnings.
OP-ED: Keeping Our Kids Safe Online This Summer
There is a perception that our youngsters are “digital natives” and know more about how to navigate the world of social media than we do. That’s true but only up to a point. Our kids have grown up with phones and tablets in their hands since they could sit up so they know how to surf the web and make cute dance videos on TikTok but that doesn’t mean they understand how to spot misinformation.