With this optimism comes curiosity, expectations, and questions for what our community events will look like this year as we continue to operate under important safety restrictions until herd immunity is achieved. To provide the community with a sense of what we can expect this Summer, FIPPOA will be hosting “Spotlight on the Pines: A Summer 2021 Event Preview.”

Spotlight will occur on Saturday, May 1^st 10:30 AM at Whyte Hall. For those of you not in the community or who prefer to share in the experience from home, a Zoom option will also be available. Stayed tuned for details. 

If your organization is planning an event this Summer and you would like to participate, please contact me directly before April 21^st.  

Great news! The Friday 1:15 ferry out of Sayville which was on the schedule as TBD will now be a definite in the Spring Schedule.

Fire Island Boulevard: As anyone trying to cross the boulevard after a good rainstorm knows, there are many holes that have accumulated in the roadway. For our Fire Department, contractors and residents who must traverse their vehicles along the roadway, there is also the importance of ensuring their safety.

Internet Access: While we recently announced that Verizon FIOS is coming to the Pines and Grove by the Fall of 2021, that still leaves us in the position to evaluate currently available options for our immediate internet needs. The FIPPOA Internet Task Force has researched all known options and prepared this analysis to help homeowners and renters evaluate what is best for their individual needs.

Residential House Numbers: Everyone takes pride in the style and placement of their house numbers; however, when responding to a fire alarm, especially at night, our brave firefighters sometimes find it difficult to quickly locate those numbers and identify the scene of the alarm. To facilitate their response time – which can be critical during a fire or other emergency – FIPPOA has contracted a painter to mark lot numbers on the boardwalks in front of each house. We ask that you ensure these numbers always remain visible.

One of the questions that people frequently ask me is how they can volunteer their time and passion back to the Pines. Our Community Manager, Karen McCutcheon has developed a FIPPOA Volunteer Program. 

Beach clean-up: The Seashore Defense Fund is partnering with Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) and Willie’s Superbrew, a hard seltzer company based out of Cape Cod, to clean up Fire Island’s beaches^. FIPPOA’s Seashore Defense Fund (SDF) needs a dozen volunteers on Saturday, May 15^th at 2 PM for two hours. Trash bags and PPE (gloves and masks) will be provided. This effort is being led by FIPPOA board member and SDF chair, Russell Saray and Pines resident, Claude Drolet.

Carrington Cottage Renovation:   – The Carrington Estate, located in the eastern section of the Meat Rack, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. FINS Superintendent, Alexcy Romero, has obtained federal funding to rehabilitate the cottage on the property for use by Pines and Grove organizations that support history, art and the environment. Alexcy is looking for volunteers on April 17^th (rain date April 18^th) and May 15^th (rain date May 16^th) to prep the property and the cottage before summer FINS interns arrive to commence the preservation work. Please refer to “Volunteer Day at Carrington Property” for additional information.

Pines Party:  We are looking for a few new volunteer members to assist with corporate sponsor outreach and coordination, marketing, and sales. Communication skills, time availability, creativity, and a passion for the Pines Party are a plus.

Post Office:   The post office is set to open on May 1^st, and with the ever-increasing volume of packages and other deliveries, Postmaster Gene Cook is always looking for more volunteers.

Please visit FIPPOA Volunteer Program and provide your contact information and indicate from the electronic menu your specific areas of interest. A FIPPOA (or FINS for Carrington) representative will contact you directly at the appropriate time.

A community forum will be held on Saturday, May 29^th from 11:00AM to 1:00PM at Whyte Hall to provide a venue for residents and visitors to have input in the creation of The Memorial. A fundraising campaign will be unveiled at the appropriate time.  

In the beginning of March, the Pines Conservation Society announced their annual tree sale. To date, Pine’s homeowners have ordered a record number of over 150 trees. The last date to order a tree is April 16^th. Please complete the order form to take advantage of this wonderful annual opportunity.  

Last September, we informed you that FIPPOA’s insurance company is now requiring that every passenger must sign a Indemnity Form releasing FIPPOA and its related entities from any claims. With the start of the new season, they must be signed again. We will keep all completed forms on file, so each passenger needs to sign the form only once per calendar year.