It is officially summer! One of my favorite Fire Island activities with my kids is to view the sunrise and sunset on both the summer and winter solstices, and to measure the movement between. If you haven’t had the pleasure of a winter sunset on our beach, it is magnificent to see the sun slipping behind the ocean. After the last several months of rain and cold, I happily welcome the bay sunsets if they mean summer weather! The uncooperative weather didn’t dampen Lauren Tamberino and Jason Vallee’s wedding on June 8. The couple celebrated surrounded by their Ocean Beach friends, many of whom work in local restaurants. Tamberino is the manager of the Albatross and has done an excellent job overseeing a smooth transition to new ownership. Public schools are finally coming to a close this week, and many more families should be out on the beach soon! Fortunately, there are plenty of events coming up to keep everyone entertained, even if the weather continues to be uncooperative.
On Saturday, June 21, culinary kings and queens will compete for Top Toque honors at the Community House at 3 p.m. The Ocean Beach (OB) Chamber of Commerce can let you know if tickets are still available. Next weekend kicks off with a movie night hosted by the OB Chamber of Commerce at the Community House on Friday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. Bike restrictions start that day, so please walk your bikes and scooters on Bay Walk between Surfview Walk and Ocean Road. If you didn’t see the Historical Society’s History of OB First Responders exhibit last summer, it is opening again on Saturday, June 28, at 10 a.m. After you take in the great photos and memorabilia from Ocean Beach’s committed fire, police, and EMS teams, you can walk next door to the Community House at 11 a.m. for the Ocean Beach Association’s summer meeting. Updated directories and a special gift will be distributed to all members. Later that evening, the Dock Concert series returns with DJ Fira spinning dance favorites beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thank you to Cernilli Construction for sponsoring the fun!
Ocean Beach Youth Group begins on Monday, June 30. My 10-year-old has been counting down for months because he’s finally old enough for electives. Who knew that selecting your afternoon activities was such a rite of passage? Midway will again turn into the kiddie autobahn every weekday before 9 a.m., during the lunch hour, and just after 3 p.m. I will be driving the ambulance a lot over the next two weeks and really hope not to see you, so please stay hydrated, remember to eat, and – as I tell my kids – make good choices! That said, for those of you who have been fortunate enough never to need emergency services, please do not hesitate to call 911. Little-known fact: There is no charge for any EMS response by OBFD, even if you need a helicopter!
