OCEAN BEACH – On Island TimeBy Samantha Sigelakis-MinskiHello friends, and welcome to mid-season! We have survived yet another year of Fourth of July. This Independence Day was one for the books, with our Baby Parade reaching around 90 wagons, each more beautifully decorated than the next. Some of our new homeowners had the honor of judging the floats. I’m sure they chose wisely, but every float is a winner in Ocean Beach! Three fellow fire departments, both neighboring and mainland joined our own to participate in the festivities, as well as Ocean Beach’s finest police officers.
After the parade, OBFD hosted yet another successful picnic at the ball field where families, friends, and firefighters gathered to eat hotdogs and burgers. Throughout the residential area, houses were dressed to the nines, anxiously awaiting judgment for the OBA’s “Best Dressed House” competition. Congratulations to first place winner 465 Dehnhoff Walk, as well as 31 and 142 Ocean Road as second and third place runner-ups respectively. The rain was cooperative and did not start until later on Monday night, making for a perfect weekend overall.Of course with the festivities and beautiful weather came those that partied a little too hard, keeping the fire department busy not just with cooking for the masses, but also with saving lives. The long weekend brought in more than twenty fire and medical emergencies, a record-breaker for OBFD. These calls included false fire alarms, exposure to both heat and the cold of the ocean, and drinking. As a result, the chiefs would like to remind everyone to stay hydrated, watch your consumption, and don’t smoke cigarettes in small restaurants. Let us keep this summer fun and safe with no more bumps.Some reminders for those with children as the season progresses: Please make sure that they wear their helmets while riding bicycles. While none of us like helmets in the summer, what with the sweat and the itchy straps, we should still protect our kids who aren’t the best riders just yet. Also reference our village laws for biking here at https://www.villageofoceanbeach.org/pdfs/2016/bike-rules.pdf so that you and your children can be law-abiding citizens.Longtime OB resident Martha Mason also asks that you call her for tutoring services this summer to keep their minds active as well. She does remedial and advancement, ACT and SAT, and city exam prep. Call 917-846-4082 for more information.Here are some events that you might wish include in your social schedule:
- Ocean Beach Historical Society debuts its Fire Island Artists display featuring Warren Boyd Wexler and Ann Gabriele. There will be a wine and cheese reception on Saturday, July 16 at 7 p.m. to kick off this exhibit, so come hungry (but not too hungry).
- The second dock concert of the season, featuring “Patchen & Roberts” Acoustic Bass Guitar Duo will also be Saturday, July 16 with 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. showtimes.
- Warrior Appreciation will be Friday evening on July 22, hosted by the OBFD and various solider organizations. Come support our troops who have come home with a full day of good food, good company, and of course good beer. Tickets are on sale throughout town, including the Village Office.
- Per the OB Community Fund: “See the sun set and dance under the moon shine! Come and raise your spirits on Saturday, August 6, and support this year’s magical Community Fund Gala Benefit Concert & Dance! For a $75 donation to the OBCF, Eric Lindell’s Summer Musical Caravan will bring you his joyous blend of New Orleans style music at our Bourbon Street venue, with jazzy style dance music. To open our Speakeasy event there will be a fantastic warm-up acoustic power duo starting at 8 p.m. Wear concert clothes to dance the night away, drink post-prohibition alcohol at our Open Bar, and enjoy the finger food delicacies donated by local restaurants. Included will be a bourbon tasting station, clam bar, and fabulous fun!”
- Of course, you must attend Les Lieber’s “Chill Out” jazz night on August 12, this year at the Community House from 6-9 p.m. This is also celebrating Les Lieber’s 104th birthday, so come out for some good wishes!
- The weekend August 13 is another one for the books: The OB Arts Council craft fair is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday / 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sunday. Saturday night, August 13 is also the opening of the Ocean Beach Historical Society’s new exhibit “I Was A Kid In the 60’s & 70’s” inspired by the Facebook page of the same name. Come drink some wine, eat some cheese, at the opening reception at 7 p.m. and see collages of photos from Rachel King and others.
- The following weekend is the children’s Eastside Kid’s Art Show, Saturday, August 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Applications are still available at Rene’s Lighthouse Propane office. Go forth and make things, children of Ocean Beach.
- Lastly, a book talk at the OB Historical Society by Christopher Bascom Rawlins, author of “Fire Island Modernist: Horace Gifford and the Architect of Seduction” will be held Sunday morning, August 28 at 11 a.m. Coffee and bagels will be served, so bring your appetite for breakfast along with your appetite for learning.
- Also for the children, there are some things to note as summer continues. Post-camp soccer league is from August 22 to September 2 to keep the kids active.
Samantha can be emailed at oceanbeach@fireisland-news.com with your Ocean Beach news and happenings.
