Albert Lepage and Durrell Parish had their annual Memorial Day Weekend party at their luxurious beachfront home “Maison Mer” in the Pines. They had a staff of handsome and attentive bartenders, waiters and cooks serving delicious Brazilian-style food. The weather was perfect for an outdoor soirée.
Richard Pittelli and Geno Chiapparelli hosted a luncheon at their beautiful bayfront house as well. They had a barbecue with hamburgers and franks along with delicious homemade salads and other luncheon food.
The Fire Island Pines Fire Department (FIPFD) celebrated their 60th Anniversary on May 18, with an installation dinner held in Sayville. Neighboring communities such as Cherry Grove, Ocean Beach and Davis Park were represented by their fire chiefs and assistants. FIPFD Commissioner Frank Corradino was the MC for the evening. Former Chief Walter Boss has remained on active duty and is their longest member since 1978. Joe Geiman is the present chief and has been with the Department since 2004. A ferry returned everyone back to the island at midnight. It was a very special and memorable evening.
Ignacio Ceriani and Brian Ridley, the former owners of the gift shop Summer Solstice, recently rescued a terrier they named Tristan.
The Pines Care Center had their annual opening season welcome party on May 26, at Whyte Hall. President Stephen Hayes introduced and welcomed all to the party. A special thanks goes to all the fire department bartenders who donated all their tips.
Pride Month started in style with the new water taxi “Pride” making its maiden voyage from Bay Shore to be christened in the Pines. At the ceremony were Daniel Nardiccio, Jacque Piazza, Martha, Hal Hayes and the Mooney family, who owns Fire Island Ferries, Inc., as well as the water taxi. They arrived from Kismet with many friends from other parts of Fire Island. A champagne toast and lite food were served.
SAGE had their 27th Annual Pines Fundraiser as well. It was a big success with the largest attendance ever. The honorees were Nick Politis and Richard Desjardins and PJ McAteer. Crayton Robey welcomed everyone, followed by Ed Schulhafer, Scott Bromley, Judy Kingsman and CEO of SAGE Michael Adams. The drinks and food continued throughout the party. I was happy to see Laura and Mike Hartstein at this gala event, along with Roy and Peter, Chris Coad and Kevin Kowalski, Rita Horvath, Irene and Henry Mueller and many others.
Executive Producers Jerry Mitchell and Nick Kenkel brought “Broadway Bares” back to the Pines at Whyte Hall; directed by Michael Lee Scott with a talented, handsome and beautiful cast. Emmy nominated Michael Serapiglia was the production’s hair stylist. Michael and his partner, Doa, are always in the opening group number at the Invasion.
Mobility Cart service continues with Kent Dillon driving for his 11th year. Other drivers are Larry Tallamy, Jerry Goshen, Douglas Wolfe and Robert Gehlmeyer. See bulletin for info.
Upcoming Events:
• Linda Gottlieb will again host Women’s Pride in the Pines, on June 8. A fantastic event with an auction, it will be a busy and exciting day and evening with the three D’s (dancing, dining and drinks). Entertainment will include singer Joi Cardwell and comic Judy Gold. For ticket information, call 212-755-9678 or email lgottlieb@lgbtqfocus.org.
• Italian Party sponsored by CGACI, on June 15, from 4-7 p.m.
• I have been attending the “Broadway by The Year” series for the past 19 years at Town Hall in Manhattan. Many of the show’s performers live in the Pines or the Grove. There are people like Joe Conforte, Doug Jakubowski, Austin Chinn, Gil Neary, Bobby Michel and others who attend every performance. The next show will be June 20, at 8 p.m., at Town Hall, featuring shows from 1987 and 2015.
• The 40th Anniversary of the famed Beach Party will be celebrated on July 6, with a panel discussion at 3:30 p.m., at the Pavilion, hosted by Bobby Bonanno, president of the Pines Historical Preservation Society. Guests speakers will be Scott Bromley, Ron Martin, Walter Boss and Fran Jolie. Robbie Leslie once again will spin at Tea Dance to follow, where Fran Jolie will sing her hit song “Come To Me,” which she introduced in 1979, at the original party. This event began as a fundraiser for a new fire truck in the Pines, and eventually it developed and became the template for a major fundraiser to benefit people living with AIDS.
• Rose Levine in “I Gotta Be Me,” July 6, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Arts Project of Cherry Grove website, or at the theatre box office on weekends, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Cherry Grove Garden Tour, July 7. More info on all in the next column.
