KISMET: Across the Bay with MJ
By Marijane VoltzMay 29th was the perfect evening for a sail as passengers boarded the “Moon Chaser” at Captree Island. Everyone was there to listen to the sounds of the Dirty Vice Band (DVB), which is made up of nine members, including Kismet staples, Barry Pittman and brothers, Michael and Jim Phelan. Lead vocalist, Razor Lazor, had a cool eclectic Lenny Kravitz sound, as his counterpart Lizzie Bannor, undoubtedly had the smooth tones of a young Carole King. DVB is a great band with high energy. Their next stop is the Kismet Inn, on July 11, at 8 p.m. Don’t miss it!The Kismet Community Association (KCA) meeting took place on May 31, and it went off without a hitch. Marsha Hunter, the KCA president called the meeting to order. Joe Vietri, Kismet resident and chief planning/strategy director for coastal and storm risk management, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was kind enough to give the community an update on the Army Corps FIMI and Membership report. Vietri explained what happens to an island during a storm and how it shifts and moves, changing the alignment of the island’s shoreline. When this happens over time, the shoreline needs to be repaired.As the community waits on a few oceanfront owners to donate or accept an offer for an easement in front of their homes, the construction project that is to begin in Kismet and move easterly down the beach, is at a standstill. Vietri reminded us that we are here on borrowed time and that it is our responsibility to take care of the island for generations to come.The next order of business was the community maintenance report from Sam Wood. Sam shared how pleased he was to see such clean streets after Memorial Day Weekend. He added how nice it was to see that people were respecting our town and keeping it clean. Sam suggested using plastic bags we get from the market and placing them in the recyclable dog walking boxes. So far the idea is working like a charm.Kismet will be celebrating the 50th year of the Fourth of July parade, which was founded by Sam’s mother in 1965. In honor of this Golden Anniversary, there will be a celebration on the evening of July 3, with a movie stream of pictures from every year dating back to the very first parade. If anyone has pictures from 1965-1975, please contact Sam at 631-583-9500.Dominic Bertucci was the next to address the community and the importance of checking fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. The brutal temperatures of the winter months may have compromised the detector’s batteries or the extinguishers gauges, so double check. The Kismet Fire Department has items readily available for the same amount you would purchase them for at Home Depot.Before Bertucci summed up his portion of the meeting, Commissioner Weinstein commended him for running the Fire Department better than it has ever been run before and stated, “The performance of the Fire House is above and beyond what it has ever been because of their chief.”As the community applauded, Dominic’s face turned 50 shades of red. It’s nice to be recognized for your work. Great job, Dominic!June 5 was the night of the Kismet Auction, which has finally been reincarnated after nine long years, thanks to Bobbi Baker and Amy Wood. It was a perfect night under a white tent with chandeliers hanging throughout. Tables were dressed with white linen, while large standing heaters kept everyone warm.Silent auction items such as a digital photo frame, a red seahorse tray, and a framed Christy Edwards print were placed on the north end of the tent, while a delicious buffet was set up on the south. John Altieri was our auctioneer, dressed in a sharp, red velvet blazer and bowtie. He had all the wit and humor an auction host should have in order to help one forget that what they were spending was real. Artie Schiller would have been proud!With Sam Wood by John’s side, modeling items from bicycles to Waterford crystal, the two made a perfect duo, drawing in a net worth of $19,520. Larry Cole’s bid for the Giants bench was accepted at $300. The bench was donated by Jane Mooney, who had little trouble watching it go, seeing as she is a Boston native. Tim Mooney on the other hand, would have liked to have seen it stay. Congrats to Larry Cole!Marsha Hunter won the Waterford crystal decanter and glasses, set in a Colleen pattern, for $500. May she and Art Weinstein have much to celebrate over the years toasting with their new crystal.The big-ticket item of the night was the Manhattan boat cruise for 10, donated by Paul Barber. Arms flew up in the air and the bidding war got underway, it was anyone’s game. As numbers flew back and forth between close friends and neighbors, a voice called out from the back of the room, “$3, 000,” and a hush came over the crowd. It was no other than Tom DeCillis, homeowner at the Bulkhead condos, who had been waiting for his opportunity to bid and destroy. Seeing potential in what was occurring on the bidding floor, Barber approached the auctioneer and proposed that they add another cruise, donated by Matt Barber, as long as both parties came in at $3,000. Both parties agreed and DeCillis and Carmine Padavano won a cruise. Congrats to you both and thank you for all of the excitement.Finally, after 37 years, a Triple Crown has been won! As the town of Kismet prepared for the Belmont, there was a sense of excitement and hope in the air. Over at the Bulkhead condos, residents traditionally prepare for their annual progressive Belmont cocktail party. Every condo prepares a delicious dish or drink as partygoers move from one unit to the next, with 20-minute visits at each stop. The progressive is timed perfectly, so that when the actual Belmont race begins, everyone congregates in Bobbi and Jackie Baker’s unit to feast on delicious clams and place their bets.Over at the Inn, it was standing room only. With the Kismet boat basin full, you knew that everyone had come to cheer on American Pharoah. As the race took off, spectators were on their feet to observe this beautiful horse move around the track and cross the finish line with ease. At that moment hearts were filled with joy and eyes with tears; what a wonderful feeling to watch history being made.It was announced at the KCA meeting that the Kismet Movies will start up at the Fire House on Sundays, at 8 p.m., beginning July 12, with “Gone Girl,” starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.Please keep Tuesday, Aug. 4, open for Kismet’s 1st Annual Pirate Festival, sponsored by North Shore/LIJ Southside Hospital. For more information or to become a sponsor, please call Kaitie Wojnar at 631-968-3478.Kismet news tips you want to share with MJ? Email her at kismet@fireisland-news.com.
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