KISMET

By Amanda BarbaraHappy Memorial Day Weekend… finally! I’m Amanda Barbara and I will be reporting this summer’s Kismet happenings. For those who don’t know me, I have had a beach house on the island for most of my life, have three younger sisters who look identical to me running around East Lighthouse with no shoes, and I am the proud new owner of a boat that will spend most of its life in the Kismet Inn Marina. I am happy to call this place home, and the people on these walks family.There have been so many great things happening this winter/spring that I want to fill you in on.It has been a celebratory year for some of our students who have made it past their last bit of finals and snagged their diplomas from college. Big congratulations to Mallory Wood on her graduation from Wake Forest, Daniel Rosenblum on his graduation from University of Vermont Athletic Training program and receiving his certification in ATC, Samantha Whitney on her graduation from Bridgewater State U and also receiving an ATC certification, and Owen Cole on his graduation from University of Virginia.Let’s also tip our hats to our two resident dock masters on their accomplishments this year. As Ben Cherveny graduated from SUNY Maritime this May, we waved goodbye to Tom Mennella – at least for the beginning of summer. Tom has enrolled in the Summer Sea Term at SUNY Maritime. This program allows students to learn first-hand experience about the ship industry and receive college credit. Our marina customers will be in good hands this summer season with these two professional yachtsmen.Our resident Fire Department has had some changes while we were away. Harry Guntis is now First Assistant Chief to Department Chief Dominic Bertucci and Assistant Chief Cody Baker. The KFD along with the Kismet Community Association will be hosting an Open House for all Kismet Homeowners and their immediate families. Stop by on Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Kismet Fire House. They will have free hot dogs, popcorn and beverages while they educate the community on fire prevention.For those who enjoy participating in the Kismet Community Association Meetings, mark your calendar. The first Spring General Membership meeting is on Sunday, June 4, at 10 a.m. at the Kismet Fire House. While on Oak Walk, take a stroll and check out our new handicap ramp to the beach. This was completed over the winter and rumor is they also will be expanding the steps on the other Kismet walks as well. Exciting stuff!With a new season comes some new additions to the island. A big welcome to our new Kismet Homeowner Families: The Kern’s, Shoen’s, Feltkamp’s, Richards and Puls’. If you are brand new to the island, you will have a lot to learn but don’t stress. Grab yourself a Surf’s Out Event Calendar or a beer at the Inn and learn all there is to do. If you have been around our streets before, enjoy your first summer as a resident. I can imagine there will be some amount of tears on your last ferry home this fall.Let’s not forget about some smaller additions to the community as well. A big welcome to baby Ronald Enzo Navarro, Jr., but many of you will know him as Enzo. Mama Bryana Romanzi Navarro brought this bundle of joy into the world on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. Joey P had the great honor to wed her and her husband in March in Central Park. Congratulations to the happy couple!Also a very special shout out to my sister, Kristina Barbara Fisher, who made me an aunt to baby Leighton Jae Fisher on Feb. 15, 2017. Baby Enzo, watch out because she is already a total babe. My dad and Surf’s Out Owner, Matthew Barbara, not only became a grandpa this winter but will also be tying the knot this September. Congrats you two crazy kids.With young life comes the passing of those who have walked our little town for decades. Alice Shultz, Jerry Ofren, Brian Crawford, and Pete Kaufman will be incredibly missed by those who loved them but remembered for summers to come.A big congratulations to Larry Cole, Sr. who was honored at the 12^th Annual Long Island Maritime Museum Trustees Recognition Dinner earlier this month. Larry has been working on the island since 1958 when he was just 17 years old. With the help of his dedicated family and friendly staff, he operates the oldest establishment on Fire Island, The Kismet Inn.Memorial Day Weekend brings live music to the island. The Dirty Vice Band will be returning to the Kismet Marina on Saturday, May 27, from 2-6 p.m. The Kismet Inn will have The Reckoning on Saturday starting at 10 p.m., and The Surf’s Out will have No Request Band Saturday and Tradewinds on Sunday, both starting at 6 p.m.If you are on the island for the summer, make sure you put these events on your calendar:Saturday, June 24: Rich Mahogany at Surf’s OutSunday, June 25: Kick Off of Ship Wrecked Sunday’s at Surf’s OutSunday, July 2: Annual KFD Fourth of July ParadeTuesday, Aug. 1: Third Annual Pirate FestSince I am new to the job and the deadline came very quickly, I will apologize in advance if there is anything amazing that I left out. But the good news is that I am here all summer and would love (need) to hear from you. Please send me an email with any updates that you have about Kismet and our community at kismet@fireisland-news.com.Until next time, enjoy Memorial Day Weekend. Be safe and have a Zippy for/with me.EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was prepared before the unfortunate news of Joyce Cole’s recent passing. Our prayers and condolences to the Cole family.