OCEAN BEACH – On Island Time

OCEAN BEACH – On Island TimeBy Samantha Sigelakis-Minskioceanbeach@fireisland-news.comHello all, and welcome to (almost) August! We have survived one of the most hectic Julys we have had in a while, nationally record-breaking heat and droughts; though, you wouldn’t be able to tell from the oppressive humidity that we have faced on the island. What can we do but sit in the AC, jump in the ocean, and pray for rain? With the crazy weather has come some hefty Fire and EMS emergencies; there have been over 50 calls in July alone, and the month is not quite over. Let’s hope August does not knock July out of the park.If you are reading this, you probably went to last Friday’s Warrior Appreciation Night, held on the ferry dock and at the Fire Hall. The day could not have turned out more perfectly for this amazing event. The streets were lined with our firefighters in their uniforms and antique truck on display; Bay Shore Fire Department’s band and Color Guard were in attendance; and bagpipers played for the soldiers, leading them in procession to the end of the dock. The warriors received an escort from various agencies lending support as Fire Island Ferries brought them to our town in celebration and recognition. It was quite the turnout! Thank you to everyone who attended and donated, and thank you especially to the warriors for your service. We hope our small token of gratitude showed the depths of our appreciation.The summer is not over, and your calendar is still looking busy. There is still time to buy tickets to the Ocean Beach Community Fund’s Bourbon Street Concert, happening next Saturday at 8 p.m. As always, bring your dancing shoes, appetite, and checkbooks.The next Fire Island Association meeting is tomorrow, July 30 at the Community House, and is definitely one worth attending. The guest speaker will be Colonel Donald Caldwell, commander of the New York branch of the Army Corps of Engineers, in regards to the sFire Island to Montauk Point Reformulation Study (FIMP). The is a great time to learn more about the current storm impacts on Fire Island, a well as plans on mitigating the “final disaster” that we have come to dread in all eventuality. Bring your questions and concerns, and above all, be courteous.There is also still time to sign up for the Adult Art Fair on August 13 and 14, Email Rita Silver at Ritacraze@aol.com for more information. For the rest of us, we will just be shopping (what else is new?) The Children’s Craft Fair follows on August 20 for all of the children who have not made enough money painting shells.For those few and far between times that your schedule isn’t jam-packed, come to the Ocean Beach Library for your light summer reading. The library is located in Woodhull School on Surf Road and Midway, and hours are Mondays 4-7 p.m. and Tuesdays-Fridays 11-3 p.m. Take a break and stay a while, or check out the new Nicholas Sparks and pack it in your beach bag for the day.For those that need a little more movement in their lives than just beach to house and back, there are Zumba and Barre classes being offered at the Community House on Sunday mornings with Ocean Beach’s own Annie Niland. Come and sweat before your afternoon beach stroll!As a PSA, the Quality of Life committee has provided a comprehensive guide to getting your mail and packages while stuck on our little barrier island. When you can, try and use the Post Office, which is conveniently located on Cottage Walk by the bay. They have free post office boxes for residents, and will accept general delivery mail provided you give them a heads up. Don’t forget to buy funky stamps when you come to pick up your packages! We support our local businesses here, even when they are federally owned.If your shipment cannot be delivered by the post office, it will be delivered via Fire Island Ferries freight. As everyone knows, there is no more freight office in Ocean Beach. If you call or email the Bay Shore office, they will make sure your delivery comes to Ocean Beach and is left at the ferry dock for you to pick up. For more information, you can visit the Fire Island Ferries freight page at https://www.fireislandferries.com/info/freight-info/.Ocean Beach has lost two beloved longtime members of its community. This year, we had to say goodbye to Richard “Ric” Globus, fifty-year resident of Corneille Estates, who passed on March 3. Ric was best known for helping invent the servo-scan camera, which aided in his abstract art that is one of a kind. He leaves behind his family including brother Ron and twin brother Steven of the Globus Trio fame. We also say goodbye to Joan Demarrais Marvin, actress and long time resident of Ocean Beach, who passed away on June 26, 2016 at the Television and Motion Picture Home in California. She leaves behind two children, Laura Marvin Smith and David Marvin, and six grandchildren. May she rest in peace with her beloved husband Ira Marvin.