THE KISMET KOLUMN #1 ‘08

                                                 By Jeannie

 

New Season, New Life

 

Changes…

Hindu proverb: 'Time is like a River. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again...” the new owner of the Tide has made changes in community columnists and so my many years as your Kismet Kolumn-ist are now over…for the Tide, that is. However I will continue the column on my website: FireIslandSun.com and will happily download the column upon request for any of you who need to hold something in your hand (!) when you read.

 

A Plea for Peace in Politics in Prolonged Primaries

 Kismetics are nothing if not passionate, and some vociferous emails have been batting around straining friendships.  Lets make a deal establishing Kismet as a DMZ zone, a respite from all that. (its better that you don’t know your neighbor is a republican---kidding!) and leave the political stuff on the continent. Make Peace Not War in Kismet.

 

New Season: First off the 4:05 ferry April 18 for the Inn’s opening weekend Johnny Thunder, more sophisticated from the time he spent in NYC, Dawn, Gary & the lovely Lauren (now working at the INN) off to Jacksonville U. next  Fall. And Pam, Tony, Jack & Baby Anna. No! I am not getting soft…but who could resist Kismet’s newest, 4 month old butterball, Jack’s little sister (Jack is “coping” and  “adjusting” with help of constant companion Saoirse), congrats! Also to Darrly & Boot’s on Ashley’s little bro, Hunter.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS: KCA Meeting this weekend Sunday AM. New officers: Marsha Hunter, Presdient, Patti Romanzi, Vice Presdient, Alan Sweidler, Secty-Treasurer.

KFD requests address numbers on houses for ID in emergencies

KFDAuxiliary will continue annual Pancake Breakfast, Bake & Book Sale, Duck Races, pasta night, and weekly movies, pilattes, yoga classes. Dates to come. Volunteers needed.

KLAW needs volunteers to continue their fundraising and actual physical work in controlling and taking care of Kismet’s feral cat situation Contact Bradlee 583 9215

 

FLASH! Kismet Kapers, Showstoppers & Skits,  Talent show looking for performers, writers, musicians, costumers/sets/makeup people. SO far the Merry Marrieds are doing a production number, Xanadu’s Mickey will do a solo (he doesn’t know yet), Bill Jenks will give us a surprise, the Manion family will accompany (someone should tell them), Tony M will provide special material  and so on – Don’t be shy – contact  Jeannie 583 9774.

 

 

INN: The “official” opening was a blast. Some people come from the mainland once a year just for this. Now that we have real streets and year round water there is a rumor/hope circulating that the Inn might stay open year long. At least for weekends. Staff: Justin, Erin, Chris F, Joe S, Chrissy, M,Danny F, Jack L, Gillian & Brittney, Johnny T, Kevin L, Mike P, Kate A, Mike D, Mike L, Ernesto, Jason  & Brian K, Danielle, Jack & Natalie, Ray W, Dave B, Luke,. Alexa,. Amazing how many second generation-ers there are. Guess its good for their folks to know they are at the bar…working. I’ve heard that one summer’s tips can pay for a year of college.  Go figure!

OUT staff so far:  Andy, Kelley, Adam, Barbara, Bridget, Shannon, Lenny…all awaiting the Irish boys

 

WINTER: Kismet South: While we northerners sailed through a mild winter our “sunbirds” Nancy & Arty, Michelle & Peter,  Bruce and Elaine (who observed a seder together – “more like just a meal”), saw  Warren for 5 minutes,  Barbosa & Josef,  Joanne P, Linda L, Robin S, Roz S, Linda B, Carol B, Binny & Herb, Patt & Phil and Gigi and  Bradlee. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Rick Citrola. MM’s Neil & Jen, who previewed “Just think, we will all be back in paradise in a mere few weeks”,met up with Xanadu’s  Mickey and Joyce in Aruba. 

Brier Cliff’s Sam got into Syracuse Law for fall! Twin Towers Mozel tov to Philip  on his bar mitvah as Mark & Sherry hosted a Kismet Kontingent: Pat & Phil and Gigi in a white ball gown, Charlie & Phylis, Marge & Mike, Alyson & Richard, Fran & Don,  Roz & Camelot’s Phylis (Peter & Michelle skiing).

 

PARTY LINE: Birthdays: 60th DRPeter had a blast at Iggy’s (NYC) March 22^nd see related article for complete coverage. Of significance Peter recalled he had been diagnosed with a serious illness a few years ago and considers every birthday “a blessing”. So do we, DRP!

50 never looked so good at Ken's Cozy  A BD party – complete with an incredible combo, The High Tide, that went  from 50’s pop standards to R&B to reggae - great sound matched the good spirits as the food kept coming – Lork & Marge get credit and helpers - Ken blew out all the candles but 4 which he eventually tried to smoke. and offered the Ken cookies “eat Me!” to  friends , relatives, Cartoon A, Risque Biz, Terry-O, Jenks & Poindedxter, Kismets cutest couple, and drop-ins attracted by the music – great party.

Summer Wind’s Paige had an impromptu BD party 2 weeks ago with family and friends around her. Very cute!

Dennis’ Sanctuary had a smashing pre-season dinner party – invitees included Greg & the delightful Carolyn, CA’s Myrna & Phil, Beth, DRP, Sunset’s Frank G & Hunkel, RIZBIZ Joe, who even got a birthday cake, and house manager Jennifer who, first time in Kismet went from ferry to INN for Derby, then Dennis and didn’t get to see the house until after midnight. But she’ll fit right in. Said she puts on night cream before shoe goes out at night. Sharon was marvelous - what a cook and hostess.

Dennis & Sharon unofficially celebrated 5 years together (and they said it woudn’t last)  

 

HOUSE CALLS: Joe B’s Risque Biz has morphed into a skyscraper, dwarfing even Sunset (was that the idea?) But don’t step out the top floors – there’s no deck! Opening house party scheduled for May 17 is slated for October. the result f "4/2 years of planning adn 20 years of dreaming is coming to beautiful fruition despite a bad beginning last Friday when a returnee became over served early in the PM  and later inflicted “8 hours of torture", an accident resulted in a broken arm  and some scratches inflicted on host who graciously accompanied her to Good Sam - nice guy, lets hope  the newbies dont get the wrong impression - incidentally Joe still needs 6 shares in this gorgeous house, he promises no violence –Cartoon Alley’ returnees: Sandman, George, Andrea, Phil & Myrna, Beth, DRP, & Richie. Kelly is not in Brownsugar this year but Mark is the man with the plan, filled it with some of the refugees from LAOS plus friends/cousin’s Mike, Eileen and Patti Anne, Mike Z., Rockman, Bertie (who might even pay this year) and newcomers Katie B, Mike McG & Barbara. Camelot: Peter S up for a brief visit, still mulling over Ann Reagan’s “killing” selling price, cant wait to start his summer here “where I can hold onto one of the few vices I have left…drinking (can’t drink & drive in Fla.). John Blesso’s Chances: Almost whole house has returned, with a few new faces. Maura will once again be organizing the Mermaid Promenade and Jimmy will be organizing the Kismet Sand Kastle Kompetition. At press time Beck’s 36 shares (many fractions) were predominantly male – this bodes even better for next door Donna who latterail-ed from CA to Sunset to replace Rick (funny, no resemblance there) as sole female with Hunkle et al. Honey-Doo’s Marge  & Mike doing well - we love them! Lawn House lovelies: newly svelt Kathy & laugh-a-minute Karen making a social re-entry along with purple passioned Helene & Fred, obviously delighted to be back. Roz happily enscounced in her luxury hide-a-way in back.

 

CITINGS:Barbosa’s Beautful boys Justin & Daniel, are now Handsome young men – they don’t even look like bros anymore – but each is a prize. Who’s that movie star hiding behind the big glasses at Summer Wind – why that’s Cindy turning a liability into an asset – an unfortunate fall fractured her nose and voila – each week the healing process presents another face. The Heller House keeps growing, but the larger and nearer to completion it gets the more it fits in, good show!

Lazybones Kismet Chiros’ Linda, now a full time resident, had to hike/hitch in all winter (“good way to meet guys” she said) waiting for the gold plated driving permit which FINALLY arrived 2 weeks before the driving season ened. Their hours include weekends, call 583 HELP.

Tony & Elaine Freda went off island to a party in Soho celebrating a new
animal rights book called "Thanking the Monkey," by Karen Dawn.
Anthony, Jr. has several paintings in the book, and he gave a wonderful
speech at the party and showed some enlarged glossy prints of his
paintings.  Rick’s Shaw will taxi people from ferry and also sell flowers/plants, more info to come.

MISC: This from former columnist Bill Crouch: An interesting story happening right now is that the Captain of the merchant marine ship US Global Patriot that had the unfortunate incident in the Suez Canal last week when Navy security guys on board accidently shot an Egyptian who wouldn't turn his small boat away from the vessel when warned is none other than Capt. AJ Weis, great-grandson of Kismet's founder. There is going to be a major memorial service at the big Catholic Church on Main St. Bay Shore the first weekend of August for his father Capt. Artie who died this winter. Artie walked from Saltaire to Kismet during the hurricane and was Captain of the Saltaire ferry boat for 20 years. I became pals with them and they were the source of the early Kismet photos I was able to get.

Capt Arthur Weis, son of Kismet founder, passed away in December. His obit was in Newsday and they plan a memorial in August in Bayshore His son A.J. is a merchant marine captain had just shipped out and wont be back until June.

This from Andre Morin (Fruits de Mer) ‘I received a call today from George Dietrich.His brother, Billy, died unexpectedly on April 18th in NY.  Billy, Buddy and I (Yankee Stadium, The Piano House) grew up together in Kismet and remained lifelong friends. The three of us even have homes close by one another here in Florida’.

.

SPORTS: Barbara, Bulkhead tennis champ, looking better than ever (and feeling that way) after some modern medical adjustments – Bionic Woman. Pre-season, for lack of players, Artie W & Gary L had a marathon of 28 singles games…and lived. Final score: 15-13 (Artie won).

The Preakness was a  big winner for Kismets primo family the Mooneys (Tim is now has his own trifecta - Presient of the Fire Island ferries, Water taxi and  the parking lots -congrats) as 3 of them won big at the races.

 

Drink of the Week: “Cheap & Tawdry” Georgi vodka (poured into a Grey Goose bottle) mixed with anything! Don’t serve straight up. anon (Chiros).

 

Quote of the Week: Greg to a returning Kismetic "did you comeback to haunt us?"     Chris Bellinzoni, “Remember,  bigger and faster is better...”..er, that’s in boating, right?

      

                                                           …and that’s Kismet!!!