Greetings!
We have a short newsletter this week with lots of good news.
Update on Pines Party Weekend
While Pines Party was officially cancelled, Pines Party weekend went off well. Yes, people had house parties, but they were less crowded, noisy, and safer than the parties that took place over the July 4th holiday weekend. Everyone generally acted responsibly in the midst of the pandemic, and the police reported the weekend was generally uneventful with fewer house parties. Only two summonses were issued for violation of the noise ordinance. Going forward, the police ask that residents and visitors stop carrying open containers of alcoholic beverages and instead use “to-go cups.” The police tell me that the Pines has always been a good and safe community, and they are delighted to see a return to that pattern.
Pines Party Still Accepting Donations
If you haven’t already made a donation, there is still time to
donate
to Pines Party or participate in the online
auction
until August 8th. The deadline for submitting to the Pines Party Community Journal has passed, but I hear that there are a lot of great
Through the Looking Glass
ads this year. The Journal will be distributed digitally on August 7
th
, with printed copies available for donations of $250 or more. Pines Party is essential to funding The Pines Foundation (our Pines community not-for-profit), and FIPPOA also donates a portion of the proceeds to the Stonewall Foundation, which has long been at the forefront of the racial justice fight. Please help us reach our $100,000 fundraising goal.
Candidates Forum This Saturday at Whyte Hall
I want to remind you that our first-ever Candidates Forum for FIPPOA president will take place this Saturday, August 1
st
on the deck at Whyte Hall between 10:30 – 11:45 am. The candidates for president are Rodman (Tad) Paul, Henry Robin, and Ed Schulhafer. Andrew Kirtzman will moderate an informal conversation about current and future issues in Fire Island Pines and the candidates' qualifications to lead FIPPOA as it meets those challenges. Andrew will leave time for questions from the audience. We will also videotape the Forum and make it available, within a few days, for those who cannot attend.
The Forum is for the three candidates running for president only. Regular (voting) FIPPOA members will receive information about all candidates for board member and officer positions by mail.
HIV Testing in the Harbor
Our Pines Party partner, Northwell Health, will be in the Harbor between 10:30 am – 5:30 pm on Friday, July 31 and Friday, August 7, to provide information on its trans services, as well as the LGTBQIA+ services it offers throughout its regional network. Representatives will also be performing discreet, rapid onsite HIV testing and providing take-home HIV kits. Please drop by, say hello, and find out how Northwell Health serves our community.
One note of caution to swimmers: we have received reports of shark sightings to the east in the Hamptons and to the west in Long Beach. There have been no shark sightings on Fire Island but I recommend that you keep an eye out and swim close to shore just in case.
I wish everyone a great week and hope to see you at Whyte Hall on Saturday!
