We at The Fire Island News are the first to concede that the end of summer is bittersweet, but we always like to look at the glass half full—especially when thinking of the things that made this season so spectacular. Here is our thoroughly unscientific list of people, places and things that made the summer of 2011 so sweet.

Best Place...

...to admire painted shells over a cold beer: Flynn's bar in Ocean Bay Park

...to buy a painted shell: any corner of Midway on a Saturday afternoon

...to sell a painted shell: on Surf Walk in OB as folks leave FI and pay exhorbitant prices for a souvenir

...to paddle board: Clam Pond in Saltaire

...to don your jock strap: Daniel Nardicio's underwear party at the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove

...for a fashion designer to make his/her home: Water Island (Calvin Klein, Michael Kors)

...to make out: The beach at Sunken Forest and Point O' Woods

...to get your parts eaten up by black horse flies: The beach at Sunken Forest and Point O' Woods

...to have a well-deserved ice cream: In front of Kismet Market while waiting for a water taxi.

...to hang out and feel like you're in a downtown lounge: Surf's Out in Kismet

...to practice for American Idol: Island Mermaid's Wednesday Mermaid Idol

Hottest Garbage Collectors: Tony's Barge (according to admirers in the Grove)

Coolest DJ: Pines' Lina

Best Library: Saltaire, it's open on weekends so you can actually use it.

Best Beach to be Privately Nude: Barrett Beach.

Most Airborne Drag Queen: Dallas Dubois on the roof of the Grove Hotel.

Best Bar with a Bay Beach: Schooners in Ocean Bay Park

Best Surfing Spot: Sorry, can't divulge. No one here at the News surfs and surfers won't tell us where the best swells are.

Best Place to Have a Pre-Hurricane Evauation Party: Anywhere with discounted Irene drink specials at happy hour.

Best Alignment of the Stars: The Cherry Grove dock to see the full moon on the ocean and sunset on the bay.

Best New Chef on the Beach: Zachary Rude at the Hideaway in Ocean Beach

Most Loyal Store Patrons: Seaview Market

Best Bar Drink: Houser's for the infamous Zippees

Best Pool Scene Reminiscent of South Beach: Hotel Ciel in Fire Island Pines

Best French Fries: Castaways in Ocean Beach

Best New Beer on tap: Fire Island Beer

Best Egg Sandwiches: Rachel's in Ocean Beach

Best Sushi: Island Mermaid's amazing Tuesdays

Best Bar Games: Kismet Inn

Best Dance Floor: The Pavilion in the Pines

Best Marina: Atlantique

Best Ribs: Bocce Beach in Ocean Beach

Best new walkways: Kismet

Most kid-friendly bay front: TIE: Seaview and Fair Harbor

Best Way to get fit: Beach Boot Camp

Best way to get your karma cleared: Yoga with Lisa and Cami in Ocean Beach

Best place to strutt your mutt: The Pines Marina

Best nature walk: Sunken Forest

Best tag sale: Woodhull fundraiser

Best drag tag sale: Cherry Grove

Best community spirit: Whichever town you live in!

Most spectacular party: Pines Beach Party

Best fundraiser to eat spectacular food: OBCF's Gala

Best way to be seen in Bill Cunningham's New York Times' Column: Fire Island Dance Festival