Ocean Beach Area
By Joey Macellaro“To everything there is a season,” it says in Ecclesiastes. “And a time to every purpose under heaven.” A season may last three months, or a week, or a year, or a decade. Seasons may overlap, stop and start again, be filled with joy or pain: “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”After seeing and speaking with so many friends and enjoying dinner in our little village on the beach today, it occurred to me that, in spite of the laughing and the mourning and everything else, this has been a good season. Our lives are full here — or at least they can be, even though there is “a time to be born, and a time to die … a time to keep, and a time to cast away … a time to keep silent, and a time to speak.”As a writer, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak to you through the written word every couple of weeks. I am also deeply thankful to all the members of our community who make my job so enjoyable. The input and feedback I have received this summer season has been uplifting and invaluable.The actions of a few brave souls proved truly invaluable to the life of a 4-year-old boy who slipped between the dock and a Seaview-bound ferry in Bay Shore on July 4. (See article on page 9.)“We were so pleased to be able to recognize these quick-thinking dedicated employees of Fire Island Ferries who put the needs of others first,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter in a statement. Tom Ruskin, president of the Seaview Associaton of Fire Island, tells us his organization is planning a special ceremony of its own in September to thank those involved.Speaking of the ferry: The early fall schedule begins the day after Tumbleweed Tuesday, Sept. 5. Lumber will again be carried on Friday ferries beginning Sept. 7. If you wish to ship freight back to Bay Shore over Labor Day weekend, have returns on the Ocean Beach dock on Saturday, between noon and 1 p.m.; on Sunday, from 10:45 a.m. to noon; and Monday, 11 a.m. to noon. In Seaview, the times are 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on those respective days. The late fall schedule begins Oct. 9.In the interest of planning ahead, Ocean Beach voters who spend winter elsewhere should be reminded that in order to participate in local elections – including the current 2nd Congressional District race – they must be registered to vote here. The last day to register to vote or change registration information is Oct. 12. Information may be submitted by printing a form at www.elections.ny.gov and mailing it to the prescribed address. Absentee ballot applications must be postmarked by Oct. 30.The Village of Ocean Beach Environmental Commission is hosting its 12th annual Environmental Awareness Day at Windswept on Ocean Road on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. The pros and cons of offshore drilling will be discussed. Brian Langloss of Oceana, a non-profit focused solely on oceans, and Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming of East Hampton will be speaking, and light refreshments will be served. The event is being supported by the Ocean Beach Community Fund, which is hosting its last free dock concert of the summer this Saturday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.The Fire Island School is accepting evening adult education instructor proposals. Interested parties should send cover letters, résumés, any certifications, and a list of references to Shoshanna McCollum, Adult Education Coordinator, Fire Island UFSD, P.O. Box 428, Ocean Beach, NY 11770.Kenny Goodman of Ocean Beach opened up the Historical Society for an extra day last week and chatted with visitors about his art pieces on display – including “Early Man,” his first piece, carved out of a chopping block in Kismet in 1969. After nearly 50 years, “Early Man” was sold last weekend and will soon make his home elsewhere. I am glad I caught the artist with his art and snapped a photo.Joy Rideout, an Ocean Beach year-rounder, tells us she and other members of Islip High School’s class of 1961 recently held a reunion for a sixth year at Houser’s Bar and had a wonderful time.Although fall is setting in, our local establishments remain open to serve patrons. Maguire’s Bayfront Restaurant is currently featuring Sunday football specials in the bar, and CJ’s Restaurant will be hosting an Oktoberfest event in conjunction with the Palms Hotel on Sept. 28 and 29, as well as its annual Halloween party on Oct. 20.Please don’t forget the Ocean Beach Fire Department Labor Day Pancake Breakfast, always a good time. Be there Sept. 5, at the Ocean Beach Firehouse on Midway and Bayberry Walks from 9 a.m. to noon. The $10 per plate at the door benefits the OBFD.As this summer season comes to a close, we look forward to all that awaits us in 2019. By the time we celebrate Memorial Day, our new ferry terminal should be operational, complete with police department and community space. With temporary structures out of the way, the recreation area surrounding the terminal will begin to see changes and improvements, as recommended by the village’s Downtown Revitalization Committee.“I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and do good while they live,” continues Ecclesiastes. “That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in their toil – that is the gift of God.”May you enjoy health, happiness, peace, and prosperity in every season and in spite of everything else you may face. Keep the beach in your memory, and I will keep you in mine, until we meet again.
