Kismet

By Amanda BarbaraIt seems like we blinked and summer was gone. I can’t believe this is my last Kismet column for the season. Where did the time go? I am happy I was asked to write this column because it truly gave me a great appreciation of our little town. There is so much that goes on during a summer in Kismet and it is great to see how all the homeowners come together to support those in need. It may sound cliché but it is nice to have a place where everyone knows your name. The bay breeze reminds you it’s a place of peace and escape from the weekly grind.Patty Lyon shared with me details of the Sunday, Aug. 13, Duck Races. For over a decade now, these races have been an event that helps Kismet quickly raise funds. The Kismet Fire Department hosted the event while Sam Wood and Cody Baker created the infamous Duck ‘run’ where the competition took place.Frank Boulton, MC of the morning, gave a play by play to the crowd as the rubber ducks raced to the finish line. Frank and his family donated prizes to reward the players for their support and donations. Prizes included duck quackers, bobbleheads, and the mega prizes of Long Island Ducks tickets, and the Luxury Suite evening at Duck Stadium.The adult final race was won by the big guy, Mr. Paul Barbara. He was also the lucky winner of the 50/50 and graciously donated his winnings back to the KFD. The children’s races were a mixed bag of winners with a visiting little one, 4-year-old Madison O’Connor, winning both 1st and 3rd in one race.A big thank you to Karen Spollen, Emma Carew, Caitrin Crawson, Brooke Lambie, Teagan Baker, Casey Cole, Casey Licari, Grace Wood, and Rudy Gerlich for their constant support of this event and helping to promote it to our homeowners and weekend guests. One hour and seven races later, the Duck Races raised just over $2,500. A great success of a morning.Surf’s Out hosted the Fourth Annual Drag Queen Show on Monday, Aug. 14. There wasn’t a seat left in the courtyard as the evening was sold out. Miss Fire Island made her way west down the beach to show the Kismet community a night of fun, laughter, and strutting.East Lighthouse Walk hosted their Second Annual Beach Luau. DJ BK, Brian Kelley, brought the night to life as he added music to the beach. The party kicked off as the sun went down. The beach gathering had a potluck style feel as residents made food to share with their neighbors.Rose Liotta told me a story about how a few Saturdays ago she was in town enjoying the evening with her husband, Vic. She later was ready to head home and noticed that her bike was no longer where she parked it. The next morning, they searched from Dunewood to Kismet to try and find the missing bike but had no luck. The bike was later discovered back in the same spot with a note from this anonymous bar goer apologizing. They were very happy to get the bike back, but want to remind homeowners to use your lock as the sun sets.Labor Day Weekend Events: Saturday, Sept. 2Barry’s Dead, 4 p.m. at Kismet MarinaRich Mahogany, 6 p.m. at Surf’s OutCrucial Experiment, 10 p.m. at Kismet InnSunday, Sept. 3Shockwave, 6 p.m. at Surf’s OutMonday, Sept. 4Last Breakfast at Kismet InnThe Kismet Market will be closing their doors for the season on Sunday, Sept. 10. Watching the shelves slowly empty has me already longing for summer mornings with an iced coffee.Kismet Inn will remain open seven days a week through September. Don’t miss their 23rd Annual Fishing Tournament on October 21. This year the Inn expects about 40 boats and will be giving cash prizes to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners for blue fish and striped bass. Their annual Halloween party will be on Saturday, Oct. 28, kicking off around 7:30 p.m. Doors will close for the season on Sunday, Nov. 5 as we turn the back the clocks.Surf’s Out will be open on weekends through Sunday, Oct. 8. One last hurrah on Thursday, Sept. 14, as they host Thirsty Thursday. Stop by any time from noon to 9 p.m. for half price drinks and one last frozen cocktail.Well, that’s a wrap. Thank you for letting me contribute the news this summer. Hope everyone has a happy and safe winter and are already counting down the days until Memorial Day 2018.