KISMET: Across the Bay with MJ

KISMET: Across the Bay with MJBy Marijane VoltzWelcome back to Kismet to all of my neighbors and friends. As we embark on the summer of 2016, there is much to cover that has happened over the winter months. So without further ado, here we go.The Cole/Penu family members have much to celebrate this year, as Mugsy and Jennifer Cole prepare for the arrival of their second child. Jen, who is due to have her baby on June 7, looks radiant and is feeling great. As of March, she joined Ramsey Realtors and couldn’t be happier.Erin Penu, Jen’s sister, recently got engaged to Kevin Powers from Islip. After secretly being set up by Derina Wilson, Kismet’s favorite yoga instructor, Erin and Kevin have been inseparable. With a wedding date set for September 10, 2016, they will say “I Do” on the beach in Kismet as their friend Joe Pat officiates their nuptials. Erin is a dear friend to Kismet and the news of her engagement is pure joy!Big congratulations are in order for Eileen Rafferty of “Paddy Shack”, who completed her journey in the Police Unity Tour, a 3-day, 300-mile bicycle ride. Eileen began her journey in NYC at the Freedom Tower and ended her ride in Washington DC at the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial. The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty and to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum.Ms. Rafferty is a Survivor of the Shield and rode her bike in memory of her husband, Det. Patrick Rafferty who died in the line of duty on September 10, 2004. Eileen is now the President of the Metro New York Chapter of the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). She is a true survivor in every sense of the word and we couldn’t be more proud of our neighbor and friend.Kisminytes will be overjoyed when they make their first trip of the season to the beach…we finally have new dunes!!!! On December 5 the dredging project got underway. Sand was pumped through an ocean pipeline heading east to west, then married up with a lateral pipeline, which pumps sand through Kismet and as far up as the Lighthouse.The beach is now spacious and the dunes beautiful, the only thing we need now are our five “walk overs”, to give us access to our ocean. Hopefully they will be constructed in time for Memorial Day weekend… we will know after press time.Paul Whitney, “The Chief” longtime resident and owner of the Kismet Market, passed away on November 10, 2015. Paul took over the market from Arnie Russo in 1968. His first year as owner, he commuted everyday from the mainland. Finding it would be more feasible to have his family reside in Kismet, he up and moved his wife and three children here every summer, and the market became a family affair.Andy Whitney, Paul’s son, has been the person in charge of the market for the past several years, but claims that his father is still “Chief.” The market opened early this year on April 23. Andy exclaimed, “I wanted to open earlier this year so I could feel closer to my dad. There isn’t an inch in this store that doesn’t hold a memory of him.”His loving wife of 56 years, Rosalyn, his three children, Lori, Linda and Andy, and ten grandchildren survive Paul. His yearly visits back to Kismet will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.As for the Kismet establishments and their summer schedules, the Inn, which had a jam-packed Kentucky Derby party on May 7, started running their summer hours on May 20. Steven Brophy, who was visiting from Westhampton and graced the Inn with his presence, walked away the big winner of the day. Congrats ‘ole friend!Surf’s Out, which had a successful 2016 opening celebration with their annual pig roast, will start their summer schedule beginning Memorial Day Weekend. Some of the entertainment lined up is as follows: May 28 at 6 p.m., the No Request Band, May 29 at 4 p.m., Tradewinds Band and June 24 at 6 p.m., Rich Mahogany.Some dates to keep in mind for the future are the Maggie Fischer Memorial Great South Bay Cross Bay Swim, which will take place on July 22 at 7 a.m. The swimmers will begin at the Fire Island Lighthouse and make their journey over to Gilbert Park in Brightwaters. Come one and come all to support both swimmers and kayakers and raise money for Hospice Care’s Bereavement and the Maggie Fischer Scholarship fund.Kismet’s Pirate Festival will take place on August 2 from 12 to 5 p.m. For the young scallywags, there will be a children’s carnival, costume party, balloon raffle, caricaturist, treasure hunt and so much more. For the teenage pirates, there will be volleyball and Kan-Jam tournaments along with relay races, drills, speedball, tug-o-war and yoga.Older pirates will have their own games, such as a wine cork raffle, pirate bead raffle, rum runners competition, Chinese auction, live auction, and deejay entertainment, with tons of fun to be had. Please contact Kaitlin Brownyard at 631-968-3478 for your sponsor packages. Dock slips sell out fast, so register early to secure your spot.Here’s to a fabulous summer of 2016…welcome back everyone!!!Email your Kismet news to MJ at kismet@fireisland-news.com