Thomas McGann, Fire Island News Columnist (1939-2024)

Thomas McGann

Thomas McGann passed away on October 19 at his adopted home in Dunedin, Florida. He was 85 years old. Tom had a distinguished career with the U.S. Coast Guard, taking pride in his service during the Vietnam War. He was also one of the original “Maguire boys,” part of a trio that purchased Maguire’s restaurant […]

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Craftsman Michael Braceland Smith Sees Wonders in Wood

Photo 3 Michael Smith Ganesha-3 IMG_5142

Michael Braceland Smith’s world is occupied in an 18-by-75-foot studio located in an East Patchogue strip mall. Gorgeous frame samples hang on a wall, then warrens stuffed with an art gallery, equipment, paint cans, brushes, and creations in progress spill out from every twist and turn, separated by hanging plastic panels to keep the dust […]

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Just koitz

koitz_photo by Dmitry Potapov

The master photographer koitz (spelled with a lower-case “k”) is well-known on Fire Island as the author of Gay Fire Island. He also collaborated with documentarian Parker Sargent on the production of In the Meat Rack, which has earned acclaim at multiple LGBTQ+ film festivals. Upon sight of him in New York City, with a […]

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Warren Boyd Wexler, Cherry Grove Photographer (1944-2024)

Warren Boyd Wexler

Warren Boyd Wexler was “the postcard guy.” Every Fire Island community had at least one store or gift shop that stocked its shelves with his engaging images of white-tailed deer and other wildlife found on Fire Island. His work did not go unnoticed by me; the first time I made contact with him was strictly […]

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Cherry Grove Homecoming

Panzi

A gala evening was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Homecoming Queen. Panzi was officially crowned Homecoming Queen 2025, as she was in 1976 and 1977. Ginger Snap and Donna Piranha served as MCs. 17 former Homecoming Queens were also present. There was laughter, fun, and a sense of camp throughout the evening. […]

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