We celebrate Mel Brooks, who turned 100 on June 28, 2026. Born in Brooklyn, New York, the legendary comedy filmmaker and EGOT winner, originally named Melvin Kaminsky, was raised in a modest, hardworking Jewish family. During his youth, he had an above-average sense of humor for a child and was known in his neighborhood for […]

On June 4, 2026, the Bay Shore community lost Deanna Watts, a local activist, historian, writer, beloved church elder, mother, and grandmother, who died surrounded by her family and loved ones. Her legacy will outlast any physical lifespan and endure as a lasting memory. Born on July 20, 1940, to Herman and Inez Neal of […]

Chris Bogia is a New York-based artist and co-founder of the Fire Island Artist Residency. On Saturday, July 11, his exhibition, “Walks,” a sister show to “Fire Island Sun” at Mrs. Gallery, which was on view in June, opened at Carrington Cottage. The exhibition, curated by Jesse Firestone, brings together mixed-media works, fictional house signs, […]

It is said that “rejection is merely a redirection of one’s destiny.” Over 50 years ago, Charles Modica embodied this mantra. In the book he recently authored with David Fisher, Docs on the Bay: The Dream that Became America’s Most Unlikely Medical School (Post Hill Press), Modica details his ‘60s-era anti-establishment spirit in creating a […]

Weekend of July 31 Pines Party 2026  The Pines Party returns to Fire Island Pines for a non-stop weekend of fun! The itinerary includes themed parties and spectacular performances as the community comes together to raise funds for the Pines Foundation, the Stonewall Community Foundation and the Fire Island Pines Seashore Defense Fund. One of the […]

Not even Mother Nature could stop this year’s Fire Island Dance Festival from shining. The weekend began Friday evening with the Leadership Event at Whyte Hall, an intimate gathering that served as the perfect opening to the festival. The evening featured an excerpt from A Little Old, A Little New, choreographed by Luke Hickey and […]

Did you know some of the world’s most recognizable songs were written by someone else? Beautiful: The Carole King Musical pulls back the curtain on the 1960s music industry, telling the remarkable story of legendary songwriter Carole King and the songs that defined a generation long before audiences knew her name. The production traces the […]

The William Floyd Estate in Mastic Beach will commemorate a lesser-known moment in Long Island history on Aug. 2 with a full day of free historical programs marking the 250th anniversary of William Floyd’s signing of the Declaration of Independence. While July 4 is widely recognized as the date of the Declaration of Independence, the […]

During the July 18 Ocean Beach Board of Trustees meeting at the Village Boathouse, garbage management remained a major topic of discussion. Throughout their reports, village officials addressed the community’s ongoing transition to operating its own sanitation department after ending its agreement with the private contractor, Brownie Carting, for waste disposal. In his report, Mayor […]

Cherry Grove, Fire Island, has been a symbol of the historic gay civil rights movement and the advancement of post-Stonewall LGBTQ rights. However, an overlooked advancement within the community is that the Grove’s volunteer fire department is the first in New York State to break down gender barriers.  Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, all New […]

The year 2026 marks the 115th anniversary of Tennessee Williams‘ birth. Known for his groundbreaking plays that combined symbolism, metaphor, and realism to create works such as The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Suddenly Last Summer, he left an undeniable mark on the craft. However, Williams’s success […]

This week’s edition of Fire Island News arrives as August begins, a time that often brings thoughts of fresh starts and reminds us of the moments and people who continue to shape our communities. From stories that reflect on the past to features celebrating those making an impact today and looking toward the future, this […]