The month of June began with Taste of Ocean Beach, a fantastic event presented by the Ocean Beach Community Fund. Almost two dozen restaurants and stores offered food and drink samples, ranging from Fire Island classics like the Zippy and Rocket Fuel to Cuban sandwiches and a variety of fish tacos. The weather was perfect as groups of friends circulated through town. The Community Fund’s next event is Top Toque on June 22, where local culinary professionals and homeowners will compete “Top Chef Style.” All proceeds benefit the playground restoration project! The playground will soon have more seating, easier access, and new play structures.
The tennis court construction is almost complete, and the new courts should be ready by the time you are reading this. Pickleball is available behind Woodhull School after 3 p.m. daily. Basketball players of all ages are welcome at the Woodhull courts on Fridays at 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9:00 am. Softball games at the ball field start at 10 a.m. and they are looking for players for their end-of-the-year tournament.
Congratulations to OBFD Captain Donnie Livoti and his wife Melissa on the birth of their first child, Christopher Francis! Get ready for lots of hand-me-downs that have cycled through the many boys on the west end of town.
Happy birthday to Gerry Weinger, who celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends! Jerry has lived in Ocean Beach since 1965 and owns the liquor store, where you can see generations of his family serving patrons.
Guests at Shannon Garvin and Justin Seltzer’s engagement party on June 8 were delighted when Shannon and Justin revealed that it was actually a surprise wedding! Congratulations to the sweet couple.
Laurie and Bob Bachner traveled to the Norman Rockwell Museum in the Berkshires for a exhibition, “What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine.” Laurie’s father, Mort Drucker, was a cartoonist for MAD Magazine for over 50 years.
You may have seen safety vest-clad teenagers and adults cleaning the beach, scrubbing sidewalks, and scraping up gum in town. This is a continuation of the local community service program that began last summer for low-level offenders. Diane Montes is doing an excellent job running the program and ensuring it is not a pleasant day at the beach for participants. “If you make the mess, you clean it up!”
If you would like to help keep our beach clean without the hassle of getting arrested and appearing in court, trash buckets are available at the Bayberry and Cottage stairs for anyone to grab to pick up litter as they stroll the beach.
If you have anything you would like me to share, please email me at OceanBeachKelly@gmail.com or say hi when you see me in town!
