FIPPOA
Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association
HAPPY SPRING!
Greetings!
As March comes to an end, the weather begins to warm, and businesses in the Pines begin to open, we are embarking on an exciting time of the year. Many residents have already returned to their homes in the Pines, joining those who wintered here, and more residents continue to open their homes and renters look forward to their first weekend of the year.

This newsletter will provide latest updates on several business openings and activities in the Pines.

While we approach the season with great optimism for the trajectory the pandemic is now on, particularly with increasingly available vaccinations, the risk of Covid is far from behind us. Wearing masks in all public spaces including the harbor remains a requirement. Please be considerate of others by complying. Please note that the Covid restrictions further described below are valid as of this publication and subject to change.
Pines Pantry

I am pleased to share the good news that the Pines Pantry will commence operations on Saturday March 27th with its doors open for inside shopping! This “soft” opening, meaning that the store, deli and meat counters will be fully stocked but with some limitation on perishables, will be followed on Saturday, April 2nd with a “full “opening. Please visit the Pines Pantry website for store hours which will fluctuate to coincide with the changes in the ferry schedule.

Please also note that there will be no pick-up orders taken; however, delivery options remain as in year’s past after selecting your in-store purchases.

Covid restriction update: All patrons and employees are required to wear masks while in the store. The Pantry reserves the right to limit the number of people in the store at its discretion.  
The Pines Liquor Shop

The Liquor Shop will be open this coming weekend on Friday (11AM-3:30PM), Saturday (11AM-4:30PM), and Sunday (Noon-4:30PM). Beginning on Friday, April 2nd, the store will be open daily seven days per week.

Covid restrictions update: Take out service through the window and delivery will continue to be offered; however, beginning this weekend, one customer at a time may be allowed in the store at Chris and Steve’s discretion. Masks are required indoors and outdoors at all times.
Pines Commercial

PJ has announced the following openings for the month of April:

April 2nd
Sip N’ Twirl (cocktails starting at 4PM)
 Pines Pizza (opens at 7AM for breakfast)

April 6th
 Camp opens with hardware and cut flowers
 Gym opens with expanded cardio space in the Pavilion

April 16th
 Bistro opens

April 23rd
 Low Tea opens
 General Store opens

April 30th
Canteen opens

Covid restrictions update: In accordance with current Covid guidelines, when Sip N’ Twirl and Low Tea open, patrons must be seated at a table and food ordered along with beverages. Pines Pizza and the
Canteen will be pick-up only – no seating inside. The Gym will be subject to occupancy guidelines. Masks must be worn at all times unless seated.
Sayville Ferry Service

SFS is implementing some schedule changes effective Tuesday, March 23rd. The changes are related primarily to the weekend schedule and are designed to better align with the Long Island Railroad schedule. Please keep in mind, however, that not all boats will provide ease of connection to/from Sayville’s rail station. Due to the pandemic, the LIRR has cancelled 9 Westbound and 11 Eastbound trains on its weekend schedule, thereby making it impossible for all boats to coincide with good rail connections. Weekend trains continue to run on an hourly basis from Ronkonkoma, which may be a good alternative to Sayville for certain boats.

I have spoken with Ken Stein about the possibility of adding a morning boat on Good Friday, April 2nd to permit commuters who have the day off from work to be able to travel and spend most of the day at their home in the Pines by providing a later option to the early first morning boat. While not yet scheduled, I anticipate that an additional boat may leave at approximately 10AM. I also anticipate additional boats being added sometime after the beginning of April as ridership warrants, so please continue to check the website for up-to-date changes and additions to the schedule for Good Friday and thereafter.

Ken asked me to remind the community of the freight restrictions on the passenger ferry. As riders return to their homes early in the season, please be mindful of those restrictions (which can be found on the website) and make alternative arrangements for freight that is prohibited on the passenger ferry. If in doubt, call Sayville Ferry, and they will advise you on what you can and cannot transport.

Covid restrictions update: All passengers MUST continue to wear masks when in the terminal and harbor areas and while on the ferries. SFS’s goal for the next couple of months is to keep the capacity at a maximum of 50%.
FIPAP Announces 2nd Edition of its
Pines Community Cookbook

Mark Ricigliano, Pines homeowner and FIPAP board member, reminded me recently that 2007 was a milestone year for two very important reasons: Apple introduced its first iPhone, and FIPAP published its first cookbook, “Into the Pines Kitchen!”

Among the many exciting events FIPAP is planning for the 2021 season is the creation of another cookbook. If you are interested in participating with your or your friend’s favorite recipes, please submit your recommendation online, by email or Mail to Mark Ricigliano, 207 Montrose Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. All recipes will be indexed by title and by contributor, and the cookbook will be offered both in print and online. Please submit your recipes by May 17th using this format. The original cookbook had over 200 recipes from 100 Pines chefs, so let your culinary skills loose and help FIPAP with this new 2012 milestone. And please direct any questions or comments directly to Mark.


(Picture) Example of debris dumped outside a contractor's dumpster
Placing household and yard refuse on Fire Island Boulevard is illegal.

As homeowners return and open their houses and co-ops for the new season, it is common to engage in Spring cleaning. Many homeowners, however, do not realize how to properly discard large items. Bulk household items are picked up by our waste management contactor on Wednesdays with advance notice provided. Yard waste must be placed in sturdy plastic bags or otherwise discarded according to these waste management guidelines also for Wednesday pick-up. Please do not place any waste on the boulevard including in areas where there may be a dumpster. Those dumpsters are rented by contractors and homeowners and are for their exclusive use. As in year’s past, we plan to hold a community-wide clean-up day in both the Spring and Fall. FIPPOA will rent dumpsters for your use. Specifics on this year’s spring event will be sent shortly.

Paul Coombs

We remember with great fondness Paul Coombs, who passed during the first week of March. Paul spent more than 50 years in both The Pines and Cherry Grove, and owned a house on Shady Walk for nearly forty years, making the initial purchase in 1968. Paul was instrumental in introducing many first time visitors and current residents always eager to share his love of the island. 


Fred M. Weil
 
Fred M. Weil, resident of The Pines for over 50 years, passed away peacefully at home in Morningside Heights on March 12th. Together with his lifelong partner, Bob Adams, they designed and built their home on Widgeon Walk in the 1960’s, among the community’s first gay homeowners. Fred was also involved with forming the community theatre. His passing reflects an end of an era in the Pines.

On behalf of myself, the FIPPOA board of directors and staff, I want to welcome you back to the Pines for a wonderful season.

Henry
Henry Robin, President
Allan Baum, Vice President
Tami Hausman, Secretary
Eric Sawyer, Treasurer

Gary Clinton, Greg Henniger, Chris Lovito,
Chris Mai, Jay Pagano, Rodman (Tad) Paul, Leland Rechis, 
Russell Saray, Ed Schulhafer, Matt Tague and Jim Vandernoth