THE KISMET KOLUMN:
HOW DO
YOU KILL A HEAT WAVE? RAIN ON IT!
By Jeannie
Wow!
the heat wave is over! When do you remember shutting a door? Closing a window?
Wearing something other than a bathing suit?
Just
a few days ago I was begging Larry Cole to put out the white weather flag of
surrender to stop the heat…and now I’m begging for a rain killer.
There
is nothing so forlorn as that trip in the rain to the ferry – buried in a
droopy hoodie, flip flops sloshing through the puddles, the wheelies dragged
behind you like resigned pets, ditto in ever decreasing sizes for the family.
Me?
as a reporter I’m happy as a clam when it pours – it means I can kick back and
relax assuming major events/parties have been cancelled. Just when I thought I was safe for a sweet Sunday snooze,
the QUACK QUACK blaring from Dom’s fire truck
signaled otherwise! Was that a huge duck in the front seat?
Its
the Annual Duck Race - They came in garbage
bags and beach umbrellas – hordes of little ones in colorful parasols bobbing
up and down as they ran thru the rain – actually hard to tell who was more
excited - the kids or their parents. Dom said “it was a blessing to get them
out of the house” He'll know soon enough. Towards the end Dom was selling the
green KFD T-shirts at a "fire sale" for $5 each - guess we can’t ALL
have the more successful tie-dyed ones. Joe
McK back covering the end of the track chaos with John A as they sorted out
winners for the excited little fans - Caroline showed up with her own duck –
rumor had it she was going to bring the 4 real ones Greg gave her but “they
couldn’t be trained to race in time – they fly around too much” – next year?
REAL duck races??? Anthony opted for carrying his duck head under his arm
like the headless horseman of old - (guess it got too soggy - we know how heavy
wet feathers can be - just ask a drag queen in the rain) - Frank Boulton,
owner of the L I Ducks, was his usual smooth talking self announcing the races
and Sam & Tom Licari could barely suppress their fun setting up the ducks
for each race - little hands grabbed their lucky ducks as parents paid for
their gambling habit from volunteers Cindy & Chris while adults were more
selective choosing from Patti M & Judi P’s table. But as always it was the kids who make this event such a
joy! (see KFD column for details)
Henry Gates Clam Shucking Contest: (see
Bradlee’s article)
“We had another banner year at the 17th Annual Clam Shucking
Contest. This year brought in $59,000 to this date, up $5K from last year!
I want to thank the owners of the Surf's Out Restaurant for hosting the
event again, all the help and support they gave and the people of Kismet who
are all so enthusiastic and eager to help the West Islip Breast Cancer
Coalition raise the funds needed to support our Lend A Helping Hand program
that provides services to the many women going through breast cancer
treatments, and post surgical needs. A big thank you also to our sponsors The
Fire Island Ferries, and Atlantic Hyundai, all the many, many volunteers,
donators and merchants without whom nothing would be possible. It is a true
joint effort to achieve this successful event each year, and every single
person, contributes a very important part in the success.
Thank You Everyone!!
Margaret Campise
President
Ya
gotta luv this –“Little Don” the 9 year old grandson of Boatel unit 1 “Big Don”
was obsessed last year with winning the bike raffle at Clam contest - …and he
did! Guess what – He did it again this year…in addition to helping out with all
the messy hot food jobs – polite, sweet, capable & cute!!!
The Annual Kismet Share House Guac-Off and Margarita Shoot-Out was
put together by Sabrina and friends from Trouble (they alternate weekends with
Bonnie and the Cozy A bunch on Pine). First Prize in the Guac-Off went to
"Awesome Jimmy" of BVT! Bicycle Bill won a "consolation
prize" for "the margarita most likely to put hair on your
chest."
Citings: Russ Meyer,
vacationing with his beautiful wife Bonnie where he grew up full of fascinating
stories of the late, great Kismet. It was Russ who introduced Sam to Amy! There
should be a reward for that.
Heard
the House Krawl was ALMOST resurrected but organizing house chickened out
because it was “too large” – 3 Houses? Really?
Politics
& protocol prevented our Pancake Bkfst. And the Fair Harbor Fire
Department had a FREE pancake breakfast this week!!!
Congrats
to the Mooneys as son Brendan & Stacey are about to add a
generation. Potential aunties wondering “is it correct to say a sonogram is
cute or should we let it bake in the oven a little longer?”
Chris
Boeckes sending mom back to Virginia and son Dylan to Greece in one day!
Mel
the lone male with all the gals in the pre Clam contest preparations as Kevin
B. “supervised” from a seat.
Happiness
Is:
Jonathan Ames, author of HBO’s “Bored to Death” series finding it here
in Kismet (as did David Henry Hwang whose new play “Chinglish” is on its
way to Bway – perhaps he wrote it here) Mine? Returning from a show in
the Grove, joined the MM’s and neighbor Xanadus ‘enthusiastically” singing an
alcohol inspired entire score of “Chicago” – with a lot of encores! Then
segueing into the Out tossing off a few disco moves (hopping or jumping or
whatever the NEXXIES do for “dance”) – then catching the grown-ups at the INN where Boatel Ken is jamming with the Cravens-..then trying to walk home. Pure
happiness!
Music
Music Music
The
adored duo Don & Willy reunited for one great night at the Inn with former Invisible Fisherman band mate Russ as they spun their magical medleys…
the
INN also hosted Pepe Marchello, the original Good Rats with his son’s 2nd
generation band. Dynamite Tuesday duo: INN Empire State Stompers/Out’s Tim
Mooney & Friends. On a discordant note: Does it seem that The Out’s
hosting of Vavoom band brings questionable fans and worse behavior? Just
asking.
Enjoying………….
The
Cravens
3
of the 6 Empire State Stompers Dixie Jazz Band
A
fan!
Tim
Mooney and a “supporter”
Life
& Death:
Longtime
partner Helene H and a group of 15 friends paid tribute to Fred Rosenberg
by spreading his ashes into the ocean on his birthday. Friend and former
housemate Nina said:”It’s a Circle of love – he loved the sea, now he is of the
sea”. Touching and inspirational. RIP dear friend.
Thank
you all………..
Multi
tiered BD party for Dawn L– first the Boisterous Beach Banter, then the Boozy
Beach Banquet, the Presentation of Presents – then Beach Bingo where stalwarts
played despite increasing clouds, each winner performing the requisite victory
dance as calls “B5…N56” echoed into the dusk! As always, a Blast!
Sports:
Clash
of the Tennis Titans on the precious Camelot courts where time is money: Artie,
Peter, Tom L & Charlie “who’s serving? I can’t remember? At our age that
happens – are we done? I don’t know - do you want to stop?” Apparently Arthur G
who “loves” publicity has been driven out of town by the photographers and
reporters who hound him. Artie, you can run but you can’t hide…forever. He was
not missed by Tom L Mel, Peter and Charlie U who was so hot he played
shirtless…and then pant-less, who looked like “Jaba the Hut” (per T. Licari)
Tennis
Tourney? Barbosa, always a man of action, shrugs.
Got’im!
Why, there’s Artie G, back in town for yet another photo
Coming Events: 3rd Annual Baubles
at the Beach/Bridget’s Gems & Infinite Family Aug
19 3 - 8 pm Aug 20 10 - 1 and 4 – 7 Aug 21 noon - 3 pm. Snapper Tourney Aug 25th front of the INN,
BB’s BLT @BVT 9/3 11PM – rain date 9/4 , Seabay Block party TBA, KGB Cook-off
at BVT TBA.
Endquotes: Overheard: “Get
off that bike, that’s my bike – You’re crazy! I just spray painted it myself!” MM’s
Barry – “only 658 days before I retire”. More importantly, only 20 days
till school starts!!! Yay! Only one week before college claims some of the
NEXXIES! Boo!
(for pictures of related articles visit FireIslandSun.com)
…and that’s Kismet!!!
I
should get to the beach more often!
Every
pool should have one!
