Everyone is fiercely grabbing hold of this elusive summer. When weekends come and the sun shines, there is a lemming rush to the beach by day and to endless parties by night.  Never mind that downpour on Tuesday or the nor’easter that swamped our bay front last Thursday that left the 9 p.m. ferry bobbing like a toy trying to dock. The howling, steady 60 mph winds tore out a pole leaving boat lines breaking and boats thrashing while waves crested five feet over the boardwalk. Ashley, Mugsy, Bryan K., Mac Guinta, Rob Sawyer and Rick Cole jumped into the bay, tackling them like wild stallions in stampede.  Later Ashley and Mugsy readjusted all boat lines in both the Kismet and Bulkhead marinas.  Boats anchored in the bay were driven aground leaving Sea Tow a challenging Friday morning.
Ahh, summer birthdays: an opportunity for family and friends to gather in celebration (January, not so much…) Ross DeVore celebrated his 33rd with wife Michelle, parents Heidi and Dick and lots of those f & f at Camelot on a Sunday afternoon.  Russ was personally honchoing the BBQ – “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His brother Jason’s band, Crucial Experiment, set up across the way at Chance, playing late and well. Kenny and Laurie B. offered up the first of their KLAW wagon winnings (the Patron) and a BBQ in a mid-week celebration of Laurie’s BD. Laurie’s sister, Dana was in from Wisconsin. Cookie and son, Kismet and mainland friends also helped celebrate. Last Saturday Greg P. hosted an expansive soiree for Carolyn Durso’s 50th.  Guests included Carolyn’s mother, sister, daughter, et. al. and Greg’s mother and brothers, as well as young and very young children, teens Tony and cousins and a number of good Kismet friends. Surf’s Out catered the full meal; there was beer, booze, soda and a live band. Most unique gift?  John A. held an umbrella shielding her from the sun while she ate. By 10, Carolyn was still dancing, looking radiantly happy.
 There were two summer weddings last Saturday. Tom Sitone, Jr., son of fire chief and Sharon Sitone married Kim at Long Island’s Land’s End. Her parents stay at the Boatel.  Tommy Butler, a longtime Inn bartender and Cole family friend, married Elise on Staten Island with a reception on Long Island. Johnny Thunder left early by boat, garbed in an eye-catching black suit and tie. Ashley, Erika, Mugsy and Jen followed later, while Casey took a sleepover at the Lambie’s. (Mallory babysat so Dave and Krysia could enjoy Carolyn’s birthday party.)
Kismetians are familiar with the clam shucking fundraiser for West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition, which is on for Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 1 p.m. at Surf’s Out. The Mooney family’s been long involved, but it was Brendan Mooney who discovered “Let’s Rock and Roll for a Cure, Inc.,” headed by breast cancer survivor Elaine Beermann. Their fundraising event was held last Saturday at Surf’s Out with a $10 admission, jewelry and t-shirt sales, raffles and a live-band (Tim sat in for awhile.) Elaine, a bundle of effervescent energy, cited the life-changing moment when she ended up “bald in Ocean Bay Park,” and put it all together –a group of women that provide wellness, personal and home services ranging from yoga to house cleaning. Fifty percent of their profits are donated for clinical trials of a new cancer drug. She was most grateful to the owners of Surf’s Out, Karen Spollen and the Mooney family.  (Letsrockandroll.net for more info.)
Harkening back to earlier in the month, Kismet saw many blockbuster events—the KFD [Kismet Fire Department] Comedy Night fundraiser, the July 4 Parade and KFD BBQ, several Fourth events, the KFD Auxiliary Book and Bake Sale and the sixth annual Kismet Art Show/Crawl. It was a full house for Comedy night with thanks going to emcee Rob Chofee and producers Linda N., Janet O., Karen S., Joe and Joan, Lou, Patti and Bryana R., Charlie, Arthur G. and Chief  Tom Sitone.
My article on the July 4 parade was featured in the last issue of the Kismet Kronicle and six photos are displayed on the The News’ Facebook page.  The floats were colorful and imaginative—kudos all. (also please see pictures on page 12-13 here.)
Three events vied for attendance on Saturday night, the Fourth–the Seabay Beach potluck, the pig roast fundraiser for Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran’s at Chance that raised $940 and the manyiest [stet] annual East Lighthouse block party—Beachcomber, Holiday Isle, Brown Sugar, All 4 You, Sandy Feet, Palace, Fire Escape, Seven Seas, Chance, Bend in the Road, Relief Point, Pelican Roost, Outback and Kismet Hilton. A big hit with a rocking DJ.
The Book and Bake Sale and the Art Show shared July 18.  Though “womanning” the KLAW t-shirt table, I got in long enough to get pictures, books and, being cholesterolly challenged, look longingly at the cakes. Thanks to Fran, Michelle, Patt, Phyllis and Sherry.
The Art Show was exciting. You can read more about jewelry designer Stephanie Calinoff, young artist Brittany Mooney, photographers Jacques Dumont, Eileen Shields, Caroline Stern, Andrea Wikso, Peter Schmidt and Carolyn Durso, oil painters Jonathan Toth (a.k.a Johnny Thunder,) Mary Lou Fiore-Parise and Eleanor Ketcham, mixed media painters Teri Dahl and Robert Negrin, “unoriginal art” purveyor Jeannie and the always and talented Bill Poindexter on the Fire Island News Facebook page, the Fire Island Sun and the Kismet Kronicle.
Bill P. may be the only man in Kismet to have his stolen bike returned by the police who tracked it down in Lonelyville… Linda Barkan not only lost a bike, but someone dug up and stole several plants in front of her house... Was it was under-supervised visiting children who spray-painted graffiti on the Maple Avenue sidewalk?  Gross!
The Fire Island Wildlife Foundation is grateful to Sharon Landon and Carolyn Durst for dedicating their efforts on the Kismetopoly game as a fundraiser for the 4-Poster Deer Tickicide project. If you’re interested in advertising your business or memorializing your housemates or just yourself and want to “buy” a game board property, contact Sharon at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The game will be published, introduced and sold to the public next year with all profits going to the foundation.

What a month!  There’s been a wedding, a boat ride, a fire department installation, a gourmet hamburger cook-off, a toga party, a flea market fundraiser and a few birthdays. Throughout, there’s been one constant—the weather. Despite a few days or hours of sun here and there, it’s been mostly cloudy and mostly gloomy. Still, each event in Kismet has been blessed with divine intervention, or just plain luck.
Memorial Day weekend was pleasant by historical standards.  The sun shone on the Thomas O’Shaugnessy Memorial Pipe Band.  Surf’s Out’s Dennis Sommeso won their appearance in a silent auction. His cousin, Jeremy, is band manager. Led by founder Patricia O’Shaugnessy, the band consists largely of women and young people.  Did you know a high school piper might win a college scholarship for this talent?
Family and community prevail on sunny Saturday mornings. Tony M. kept a watchful eye on young Anna, who is already into house calls, heading for Snoopy. Down the street, Phil V. proudly guided Gianna on her two-wheeler.  The grand turtle adventure began at the Heiderstadt’s ‘Make It So’ when John Blesso, on his way to the market, spied a box turtle. All four kids—Ashley, Ryan, Andrew and Lindsey—were immediately into it.  “I’ll feed it—not you or you or you,” announced Ashley. They named it Shellous after daddy Steve’s quick Google search on his blackberry confirmed he was a he.
Mary Beth Lynch, a 20-year Kismet veteran of A-Frame, Blue Chip and Lyon’s Den, became ordained in time to perform the marriage ceremony  of Michael Meddas and Cheryl Seaman on the beach. A crowd of well wishers gently pelted the couple with rose petals as they walked an aisle of planted daises; after: the Inn and music by The Blind Squirrels.
June 6 was actually sunny as the Kismet Fire Department members and guests boarded the Lauren Christie for a dinner cruise and installation of officers—their first rain-free venture afloat. Linda Nowacheck, Janet O’Connor and Jimmy Shugrue were installed as full firefighters. Dom Bertucci took over as first assistant chief after Joe Kelley retired.  Tom Sitone continues as chief with Michael “Mugsy” Cole as third assistant and Buddy Schmacher as second assistant chiefs. 2009 rookies include Gregg Weiser and Karen Spollen. Later, Risque’s Joe, Chris, Serita, Jane, Susan, Larry and Phil toasted fellow share Nicole’s birthday with Sunset’s Bob and Marie and Relaxation’s Bobby.Richie Kaven celebrated the end of his 40th year ‘til the wee hours.
Lisa Frenchik organized the third annual Kismet Gourmet Burger at BVT. Elaborately secretive procedures insured tastings were “blind.” Nine cooks submitted entries to contest officials. Each quarter burger was flagged, split up and sent upstairs to an eager rooftop of judges. It was BYOB, with some pretty elaborate alcoholic accompaniments. Again, Gregg Weiser won with a “classic patty melt.”  BVT’s “Awesome Jimmy” scored a solid second. The Mad Cow Award went to Chef Fred from Joebeck’s Risbiz. Jane lost a burger to Bunny, the newest Weisser. Dessert was a hamburger-shaped cake Melanie brought out for Lisa’s birthday. While the Bills popped into the party, Bill Jenk’s daughter Tessa was busy cooking a surprise dinner for his birthday.
Congratulations to Capt. Morgan Mooney, who just obtained her “six pack” captain’s license.  Congrat-ulations also to Morgan and Brittany on their 21st birthday. Congratulations to Andrea W. on her May 30 birthday. A big prom weekend for Grace Wood was rounded out with a visit from Dad and her friends before going off Saturday to see the pictures. She then left on a whirlwind family trip to Boulder for college orientation. I missed most of Mike Kunkel’s annual Coach’s Party. Despite, and maybe because of, threatening forecasts, the party numbers were less, but the fun was definitely not.
The KLAW Flea Market and Silent Auction were hugely successful.  With an added wagon of cheer raffle, KLAW pulled in considerably more than last year. Many thanks to volunteers Helen, Carole, Marilyn, Linda, Susan, Barbara W., Dolores, Alice N. and Christine H., who found the earring she’d lost at the Christmas Party on the fire house’s window sill. Peter Schmidt not only donated a photograph to the silent auction, but also schlepped wagonloads of “flea items” and suggested a more appealing display format.  Thanks to other silent auction donors Teri Dahl, who also created the KLAW t-shirt design and the KLAW Kats coloring book, Joe McKeehan, Bill Poindexter, Dr. Caroline Stern, Barbara Winter, Garden Sea Landscaping, Lazybones Chiroprac-tors, the Kismet Inn, Kismet Market and Surf’s Out. Thanks to Helen and Don Quenzer for the red wagon for the cheer, to Andy for offering his back area for discards and to John Altieri for carting them away.  An “innocent child,” Jack, was snatched from the market to draw the winning raffle tickets. Kenny Bellafiore, Helen Quenzer and Mike Hueter from East Northport were the winners
Summers here! Yoga and Pilates start this weekend.  Comedy Night is June 27 at the Fire house at 8 p.m. Call Linda or Janet at 583-4357 for $25 tickets. The traditional J4 parade starts at 11 a.m. by the Pump house on Sunday, July 5.Start with a wagon, some cute kids and a dose of imagination and join the parade.  Following the national anthem by the market’s flag, our fire department will serve a grand barbeque. Support the Kismet Fire Dept! July 18 is a double-header. Start the day with KFD Auxiliary’s Book & Bake Sale at the fire house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The famous Art Crawl will run from noon to 6 p.m. See each artist’s home as you view their work. A schedule will be posted and a guided tour leaves from the market at 2 p.m. Artists wishing to join should call Bill Poindexter at 583-5254. Sunday fire house movie nights begin July 6 at 8 p.m. with “Slumdog Millionaire.” Plans are in the works for midweek flicks for kids. Check the firehouse bulletin board for all.