Young Kismet and Fire Island friends celebrating.
By Bradlee White
Hooray! It’s summer and Kismet is humming! The blustery spring winds are a fading memory. The breeze is soft, warm but not yet hot– a great time for a morning bike ride and an afternoon at the beach.
The sunny Saturday 11:30 a.m. ferry dock was a happy frenzy with long-time Kismetians greeting visiting friends and relatives as others found their packages sorted into individual piles by the tireless freight boat crew. In a few weeks day trippers and weekly renters will be added to the mixture. Among the visitors were Wendy and Jeff’s daughter, Julie; son-in-law, Ron; and beautiful boy, Dylan (11 months old). Dylan made his debut at the Inn happy hour Friday, nonplussed to be the center of attention and eating up the love. Lou R. joked he could easily become a regular like grandson Enzo, devoted to the pinball and games. They may even want their own accounts. A not-so-huge crowd gathered for the Derby and the Ranger game Saturday. Also gathering at an outside table were 10 young Kismet and Fire Island women friends celebrating a delayed Christmas present exchange as well as the continuance of Casey L.’s baby shower, which was celebrated earlier at the Dive with mothers, friends and relatives. Everyone is looking forward to baby girl Purna’s debut around the end of July.
Sunday was gray and glowering for the semi-annual Kismet Community Association meeting. At least no one was missing a beach day. The long agenda included guests State Senator Phil Boyle (soon retiring), Fire Island Association President Suzy Goldhirsch and Year Round Residents Association President Dawn Lippert. There was a moment of silence in memory of Jillian Metcalf and a promise of a memorial scholarship/foundation to be announced in the fall. Laura McLaughlin has donated a speed camera in memory of her father, Stuart, respected attorney known here for countless Kismet property closings. New homeowners included “Sunset House” Tom, Rita, Andrea and Steve. There was ongoing discussion of garbage, speeding bikes and Islip’s financial obligations to our community. Barbara L. later brought Senator Boyle to see the forever and apparently unfixable sidewalk lake at Seabay and Burma. Work on the online community directory is underway. Access will be though the Community Association website. The Community Association Board and Kismet Fire Department officials are in discussion with the Seashore about the possibility of an emergency heliport at the site of the old firehouse. This relatively remote site would allow safer access than the busy Saltaire ball field, provided the road can be maintained. Complaints about the rutted transit path to Saltaire and beyond appear to have been addressed within days after the meeting. Summer brings unauthorized bike “borrowings.” Bikes can be registered at Red Wagon Emporium to help with tracing and identification. Sadly, we learned of an imminent ferry rate increase with possible additional fuel adjustments as necessary.
Upcoming events include the now traditional fun-filled Sand Castle Building Contest on the beach near Pine Walk, Saturday, July 2, with prizes for both adult and child entries. Registration is at 10 a.m. on the beach. Sculptures can begin any time but must be completed by 3 p.m. The Bake Sale, another tradition revived this year, also will be held July 2, at the Firehouse community room from 8 a.m. to noon. Baked contributions will be accepted Friday, July 1, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call Pat, 917-848-0627..
Sunday, July 3, is the date for the fully-restored July 4 parade and Kismet Fire Department (KFD) barbecue. There will be raffles for a basket of goodies from the Fire Department Auxiliary (KFDA) and a new bicycle from Kismet League for Animal Welfare (KLAW). The parade, open to all, is primarily a children’s event. Kismet parents have been costuming their children and building colorful wagon floats for over 50 years. The procession, usually accompanied by Bay Shore and Islip Fire Department bands, wends its way from Burma (aka Cedar Court), down West Lighthouse, east on Maple Avenue and down to the bay on Pine Walk, with good vantage points along the way. Prizes are awarded around such themes as Most Beautiful, Most Historic, Most Patriotic, and Most Topical. There is word of a Murder Mystery event July 20, with more information to follow.
