“My life, I realize suddenly, is July,” wrote environmentalist Rick Bass. “Childhood is June and old age is August, but here it is, July, and my life, this year, is July inside of July.”
I can probably say the same of my life now. As we move from July into August of this beautiful summer, old age, it seems, is just around the corner in more ways than one. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Society is at its peak here in Ocean Beach, as neighbors gather for cocktails on decks, dinners on the bay, and lazy days on the sand – friends in the Junes and Julys and Augusts of their lives living peacefully and joyfully, cooled by ocean breezes.
The Ocean Beach Association (OBA) sponsored a joyful gathering at the community house on July 26, as 30 teams participated in a Cake Wars competition. The event was hosted by the Ocean Beach Recreation Program. Each team was supplied with an unfrosted quarter-sheet cake, a bowl of frosting, and 10 tickets to be used to buy decorations. Judges included OBA President Maria Silsdorf, Mayor Jim Mallott, Police Chief George Hesse, Fire Chief Ian Levine, and Rachel Doering of Rachel’s Restaurant and Bakery. The top five teams were named, with the team Eddey, Set, Go led by Rachel Eddey of Summer Club, winning first prize.
“My favorite part of the whole thing was listening to the kids explain why they chose to decorate the cakes the way they did,” said Silsdorf. “Everyone was so excited to show off their work. It was wonderful.”
Neighbors gathered in front of the Ocean Beach Historical Society on Sunday, July 30, to dedicate a butterfly garden in memory of Dominick “Donny” Cafuoco, a longtime member of the Ocean Beach Fire Department who passed away in January. His wife, Susie, a familiar face at village hall for many years, was in attendance along with many friends.
Former Fire Chief Tom Brown, a fixture in our community, passed away on July 27 after 44 years with the department.
The community gathered to celebrate the life of Donny Cafuoco and dedicate a butterfly garden in his memory at the Ocean Beach Historical Society.
As noted in my last column, current Chief Ian Levine is being honored by the Fire Island Synagogue in Seaview in their annual ad journal. Levine founded Skycable, which brought cable TV and high-speed internet to Fire Island and many Caribbean islands. He began living on Fire Island year-round in the early 1990s, opening the Community Garden Center and serving as chief of the Ocean Beach Fire Department since 2012. He married OBA President Maria Silsdorf in 2001.
“Ian and Maria love Fire Island and this love is obvious in their ongoing commitment to our community,” said Synagogue Co-Presidents Lisa Alter and Ed Schechter in a joint statement.
“Ian and Maria love Fire Island and this love is obvious in their ongoing commitment to our community,” said Synagogue Co-Presidents Lisa Alter and Ed Schechter in a joint statement. This has been the summer of sharks here on Fire Island. With shark attacks in both Ocean Beach and Seaview in recent weeks, lifeguards have been keeping swimmers close to shore. Let’s cross our fingers and hope for a safe August as this summer enters its old age. Hope to see you soon on the beach!
This has been the summer of sharks here on Fire Island. With shark attacks in both Ocean Beach and Seaview in recent weeks, lifeguards have been keeping swimmers close to shore. Let’s cross our fingers and hope for a safe August as this summer enters its old age. Hope to see you soon on the beach!
