Shirley Cohen, Diane Wolfe, Edith Charlton, and Debbie Alter, friends for 60 years, at Edith’s 90th birthday party.
By Joey Macellaro
A festive and well attended surprise party was held at the Landing on June 11 in celebration of Edith Charlton’s 90th birthday. Edith is a former president of the Ocean Beach Association and a friend to many in our community. Among the guests were Debbie Alter, Shirley Cohen, and Diane Wolfe, all of whom have been friends for over 60 years.
“We’re a hearty group,” said Edith of the women. The party was hosted by the Charlton children and grandchildren.
Our community is celebrating the accomplishments of many graduates. Woodhull School sixth-graders Olivia Asaro-Apsley and Angelo La Rosa are moving on to middle school. Fire Island School District students graduating high school this year include Casey Cole, Caitrin Crawson, Toby Heslin, and Brooke Lambie. Due to a canceled pre-kindergarten program last year and modified graduation ceremonies the last two years, kindergarten and first-grade students who moved up over the last couple of years were given special recognition along with other graduates at a ceremony held on June 14.
Ryan Walker, sailing director for the Ocean Beach Youth Group, graduated from Iona College in New Rochelle on May 21. He has been involved with the organization for the last six seasons. His sister Ashley graduated from Suffolk Community College on May 19. Their sister Alysha, assistant director of the Youth Group, was recently engaged in Paris to Matt Cannon. The Walkers, including parents Gail and Gene, spend their winters in West Islip.
Jack Reierson of Ocean Beach graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 22. Wallace F. Pickard IV, also of Ocean Beach, graduated from Seneca High School in Burlington County, New Jersey, on June 17 and will be attending Susquehanna University in the fall. He plans to spend his summer working at the Island Mermaid.
Also, Jeanette of Fire Island Plumbing Co. and Beach Propane Inc. celebrated the graduation of her daughter from West Point!
Ocean Beach loves to celebrate the Fourth of July, and we look forward to a beautiful three-day holiday weekend this year. The annual baby parade will kick off from the firehouse at 11 a.m., making its way to a reviewing stand at the Albatross. This year’s parade, organized by the Ocean Beach Community Fund, will be dedicated to the memory of John Schaffner, who served as master of ceremonies for the parade for over 50 years until his recent death. The Community Fund is currently collecting donations in John’s honor to complete a special community project, the nature of which is to be announced.
Birthday girl Edith Charlton has many fond memories of her decades in Ocean Beach and wonders who else remembers Toodles Peterson giving out free homemade clam chowder to everyone who wanted some each Fourth of July.
A few reminders for readers: Suffolk County will be spraying for mosquitoes every Tuesday evening through the summer. Next Friday, July 1, will be the last day of building construction within the Village of Ocean Beach.
In spite of the challenges we may face, we have much to celebrate. Until next time, please keep in touch.
