By Theresa and Patrick MacriThere was a lot happening over the July 4th weekend, most notably the annual Children’s Parade and the OBFD Picnic on the ball field. Over 80 floats were entered in this year’s event and the town parade route was packed with smiling supporters. Our good friends from the Bay Shore Fire Department marching band led the parade and were joined by members from our very own Ocean Beach Fire and Police Departments, the Ocean Bay Park Fire Department and several of our elected officials. After the parade was over, many attended the annual OBFD picnic at the ball field where families, friends and new comers mingled and reminisced over hot dogs and refreshments.As stated earlier, now that summer is in full swing, there are plenty of friendly events and activities we wanted to bring to your attention. We encourage you to get involved in these diverse activities and enjoy all that this great village has to offer.First, if you are reading this on Friday, July 17, it’s not too late to attend the Warrior Appreciation Night. There will be a cocktail party on the Ocean Beach ferry dock from 5-9 p.m., with beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are on sale for $50 through the Village of Ocean Beach.We wish to welcome Reverend Joe Macellaro, the new worship director at the Free Union Church of Ocean Beach, located at Ocean Breeze and Midway. Rev. Macellaro wanted us to know that they are an interdenominational Christian church open to all, with Sunday morning services held at 10:45 a.m., through Sept. 13. In addition, on Saturday, July 18, they will be presenting a free showing of the movie “Big Hero 6,” at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, Aug. 1, the church will be hosting a free concert, featuring bluegrass band He Bird, She Bird, at 7 p.m. Finally they will be holding a book sale on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations of books are always accepted in the bin on their front porch.If you like live music, we wanted to give a plug to two noteworthy events. The Ocean Beach Community Fund’s Saturday Night Music on the Dock concerts will be featuring Reggae with Winston Ire, on July 25. Located next to the Police Station and in front of The Landing, Winston will be performing two sets, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and 9:30-10:30 p.m.On Friday, July 31, you can enjoy some more great live music. Maguire’s Bayfront Restaurant is pleased to present New Orleans’s R&B/Soul artist, Eric Lindell. Ticket prices are $60 with a portion of the proceeds to be donated to support the Ocean Beach Community Fund and their efforts to restore Windswept. Stop by Maguire’s or call 631- 583-8800 for more details.Speaking of Windswept, this is so important that we wanted to give it another push. On Saturday, Aug. 1, the Ocean Beach Community Fund will host its Gala Event of the 2015 season. The Ocean Beach Community Fund, the Ocean Beach Homeowners Association, the Ocean Beach Youth Group, and all the families who will benefit are dreaming of the party that is going to raise Windswept. There will be dancing and celebrating under the moon and stars for this united cause. Unlimited food, cocktails, dancing, silent auction, gifts and FUN! So buy your tickets and raise your glasses with the hope to raise Windswept, home of youth group activities for generations, and elevate the quality of life in our community. Dreaming of Windswept is this year’s theme, so come on out to support a great cause in your most comfortable sleep attire – dressing is fine, but pajamas are divine! Tickets are available at Rene’s Lighthouse, the OB Liquor Store, the OB Historical Society, from OB Community Fund members, and at the door.Finally, you may have noticed that many of the bars display a symbol of a game that has been around for nearly two centuries – a dartboard. The game of darts is a game of skill, free for use to the casual player, except on Monday, from 11 p.m. to the wee hours of the morning. As the officially designated Dart Night, this time period is reserved for the Fire Island Liberation Army Dart League. We spoke with the “commissioner” of the league, Peter Fazio of Bocce Beach, to get a little more insight. Peter tells us that the teams are mostly comprised of the staff and friends from each of the following eight OB restaurants: Matthew’s, Bocce Beach, Houser’s, Island Mermaid, CJ’s, Castaway, Albatross and Maguire’s and The Schooner Inn in Ocean Bay Park. Each season, these teams compete until the end when all the points are tallied up and a winner is crowned. What’s at stake? “The Gio Cup and bragging rights – pure and simple.” So if you are ever up late on Monday night, check out this activity and root your favorite team on to victory!As a special alert to our readers, we would like to close with a safety warning. A by-product of this great weather trend is the earlier than normal arrival of jellyfish in the water, most alarmingly, the presence of a rare but dangerous species known as the Portuguese man o’ war. The PMOW jellyfish is a colony of organisms with long tentacles that can deliver a very painful sting. All are urged to stay away and not touch them, but to report any sightings to the lifeguards. Please note that when sightings do occur, the lifeguards will be raising purple flags along the beach to warn all swimmers of this dangerous organism. For additional information on these sightings and proper disposal procedures, please contact the Suffolk County Board of Health at 631-852-5760.Well folks, that’s all for now, so until next time, enjoy the sun, surf and camaraderie and remember to BE KIND and leave Only Footprints.Email Theresa and Patrick with your events and Ocean Beach news tips at oceanbeach@fireisland-news.com.
OCEAN BEACH AREA: Only Footprints
By Theresa and Patrick MacriThere was a lot happening over the July 4th weekend, most notably the annual Children’s Parade and the OBFD Picnic on the ball field. Over 80 floats were entered in this year’s event and the town parade route was packed with smiling supporters. Our good friends from the Bay Shore Fire Department marching band led the parade and were joined by members from our very own Ocean Beach Fire and Police Departments, the Ocean Bay Park Fire Department and several of our elected officials. After the parade was over, many attended the annual OBFD picnic at the ball field where families, friends and new comers mingled and reminisced over hot dogs and refreshments.As stated earlier, now that summer is in full swing, there are plenty of friendly events and activities we wanted to bring to your attention. We encourage you to get involved in these diverse activities and enjoy all that this great village has to offer.First, if you are reading this on Friday, July 17, it’s not too late to attend the Warrior Appreciation Night. There will be a cocktail party on the Ocean Beach ferry dock from 5-9 p.m., with beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are on sale for $50 through the Village of Ocean Beach.We wish to welcome Reverend Joe Macellaro, the new worship director at the Free Union Church of Ocean Beach, located at Ocean Breeze and Midway. Rev. Macellaro wanted us to know that they are an interdenominational Christian church open to all, with Sunday morning services held at 10:45 a.m., through Sept. 13. In addition, on Saturday, July 18, they will be presenting a free showing of the movie “Big Hero 6,” at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, Aug. 1, the church will be hosting a free concert, featuring bluegrass band He Bird, She Bird, at 7 p.m. Finally they will be holding a book sale on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations of books are always accepted in the bin on their front porch.If you like live music, we wanted to give a plug to two noteworthy events. The Ocean Beach Community Fund’s Saturday Night Music on the Dock concerts will be featuring Reggae with Winston Ire, on July 25. Located next to the Police Station and in front of The Landing, Winston will be performing two sets, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and 9:30-10:30 p.m.On Friday, July 31, you can enjoy some more great live music. Maguire’s Bayfront Restaurant is pleased to present New Orleans’s R&B/Soul artist, Eric Lindell. Ticket prices are $60 with a portion of the proceeds to be donated to support the Ocean Beach Community Fund and their efforts to restore Windswept. Stop by Maguire’s or call 631- 583-8800 for more details.Speaking of Windswept, this is so important that we wanted to give it another push. On Saturday, Aug. 1, the Ocean Beach Community Fund will host its Gala Event of the 2015 season. The Ocean Beach Community Fund, the Ocean Beach Homeowners Association, the Ocean Beach Youth Group, and all the families who will benefit are dreaming of the party that is going to raise Windswept. There will be dancing and celebrating under the moon and stars for this united cause. Unlimited food, cocktails, dancing, silent auction, gifts and FUN! So buy your tickets and raise your glasses with the hope to raise Windswept, home of youth group activities for generations, and elevate the quality of life in our community. Dreaming of Windswept is this year’s theme, so come on out to support a great cause in your most comfortable sleep attire – dressing is fine, but pajamas are divine! Tickets are available at Rene’s Lighthouse, the OB Liquor Store, the OB Historical Society, from OB Community Fund members, and at the door.Finally, you may have noticed that many of the bars display a symbol of a game that has been around for nearly two centuries – a dartboard. The game of darts is a game of skill, free for use to the casual player, except on Monday, from 11 p.m. to the wee hours of the morning. As the officially designated Dart Night, this time period is reserved for the Fire Island Liberation Army Dart League. We spoke with the “commissioner” of the league, Peter Fazio of Bocce Beach, to get a little more insight. Peter tells us that the teams are mostly comprised of the staff and friends from each of the following eight OB restaurants: Matthew’s, Bocce Beach, Houser’s, Island Mermaid, CJ’s, Castaway, Albatross and Maguire’s and The Schooner Inn in Ocean Bay Park. Each season, these teams compete until the end when all the points are tallied up and a winner is crowned. What’s at stake? “The Gio Cup and bragging rights – pure and simple.” So if you are ever up late on Monday night, check out this activity and root your favorite team on to victory!As a special alert to our readers, we would like to close with a safety warning. A by-product of this great weather trend is the earlier than normal arrival of jellyfish in the water, most alarmingly, the presence of a rare but dangerous species known as the Portuguese man o’ war. The PMOW jellyfish is a colony of organisms with long tentacles that can deliver a very painful sting. All are urged to stay away and not touch them, but to report any sightings to the lifeguards. Please note that when sightings do occur, the lifeguards will be raising purple flags along the beach to warn all swimmers of this dangerous organism. For additional information on these sightings and proper disposal procedures, please contact the Suffolk County Board of Health at 631-852-5760.Well folks, that’s all for now, so until next time, enjoy the sun, surf and camaraderie and remember to BE KIND and leave Only Footprints.Email Theresa and Patrick with your events and Ocean Beach news tips at oceanbeach@fireisland-news.com.
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