Ocean Beach News » Fire Island News & Great South Bay News

General Election Day is scheduled for November 4 this year, with early voting starting on October 25 and ending on November 2. Although 2025 does not include a Presidential Election, a midterm election, or a gubernatorial race, our local officials can greatly influence our lives through their decisions and policies.

Election Day on the Great South Bay: The 2025 Guide

Posted on October 23, 2025

Saturday, October 18 Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest The Town of Islip Animal Shelter invites you and your furry friend to a Pet Halloween Costume Contest at the Islip Animal Shelter, 200 South Technology Drive, Central Islip, at 1 p.m. A $5 cash entry fee grants you access to the competition! Donate unused pet costumes to the shelter for the adorable shelter dogs to wear at the event! Please RSVP to animalshelter@Islipny.gov by October 15 to participate!

Get Scary as Halloween Approaches in October

Posted on October 17, 2025

Kismet Coffee, previously located next to Fire Island Vines in Bay Shore, has now opened a new, expanded location a few stores away at 45 W. Main St. The original Kismet Coffee opened as a coffee stand in 2022 by Jackson Davis in the namesake Fire Island community, where he grew up, by the Kismet ferry terminal. In 2024, they opened their kiosk inside Ocean Beach Trading.

Dining

Bay Shore’s Kismet Coffee Company Opens in New Location

Posted on October 15, 2025

In July, I had the honor of being invited to Edith Mendelsohn's hundredth birthday celebration. While interviewing our Fire Island centenarian population is always important, this was a rare opportunity for our Behind the Dunes section. Mendelsohn built a livelihood around the Fire Island real estate market and has a lifetime of knowledge to share.

A 100-Year-Old Perspective on Fire Island Real Estate with Edith Mendelsohn

Posted on October 2, 2025

Hispanic-heritage-month-festival

From September to October: Things to Do Around the Great South Bay as Autumn Transitions

Posted on September 26, 2025

The Fire Island beaches look as beautiful as postcards with plentiful dunes and wide expanses, in part due to massive amounts of sand used to replenish them. And summer winds have been shifting sand back to the beach ever since Super Storm Sandy and other storms took big bites out of the shore.

New York State Authorizes $1.7 Billion to Fund Fire Island to Montauk Point Storm Resilience

Posted on September 14, 2025

Riverhead Building Supply is hosting “Building on the Beach,” a pair of events designed to connect Fire Island residents and trade pros with the latest products, trends, and ideas for coastal living. The dual events give Fire Island homeowners and building professionals two opportunities to discover what’s new in home improvement, without ever leaving the beach.

Fire Island Pines

Home Improvement Returns to Fire Island with “Building on the Beach” Events Hosted by Riverhead Building Supply

Posted on September 13, 2025

Beyond-The-Sea-Square

In the Heart of September: Things Happening This Week in the Great South Bay Neighborhoods

Posted on September 11, 2025

Lt. Michael P. Murphy Navy Seal Museum.

Renee Guerrieri and LoDuca Associates of Blue Point

Posted on September 10, 2025

All ceremonies will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025

September 11th Memorial Events Along the South Shore and Fire Island

Posted on September 8, 2025

Oh, the places frosting will go! Cake Wars returned to Ocean Beach on August 19 for its fourth competition. The Ocean Beach Association (OBA) again sponsored this community cake decorating challenge, and this year’s theme was Dr. Seuss. Thirty teams were each given a basic sheet cake and tickets that could be exchanged for frosting and candy toppings. Additional tickets could be had through Seuss trivia knowledge.

CAKE WARS 2025

Posted on September 6, 2025

With fewer people around the island during the off-season, we can take our time showing homes during the cooler months. Buyers who come to see homes when the sun isn’t at its peak aren’t just browsing; they’re serious. Off-season showings offer a different lens on island life: streets are quieter, the beaches are less crowded, and the beauty of Fire Island’s year-round charm begins to shine through. Agents are now emphasizing features like winterization, off-season rental potential, and cozy interiors built for comfort beyond summer. While the drop in foot traffic means fewer spontaneous leads, agents turn to digital marketing and virtual tours to keep interest alive. Fall buyers are thinking about next summer or even a permanent escape from the mainland. For sellers, it’s a unique opportunity with fewer competing listings, more serious buyers, and a chance to showcase the island’s off-season appeal.

How do property showings and open houses change once the Fire Island summer crowds thin out?

Posted on September 2, 2025

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