On And Off The Deck
Volume 48, Issue 9
By Jon Wilner

COLOSSUS! That’s the name and that’s the party and this is the week! Everyone who’s anyone who’s ever loved the Pines will be there and you will be too. Tickets are still on sale in the harbor for the biggest party of them all, the biggest event of the year, the best cause in town and the hottest guys and gals on the largest dance floor on the beach. This is certainly the most love that has ever been shared within any community, any organization and most importantly any family. COLOSSUS! That best describes the amount of love that pours into this party to raise money for the Fire Island Pines Charitable Foundation and the Stonewall Foundation. We raise an enormous amount of dollars that filters on down to every AIDS organization, through Stonewall, as well as contributing to our community. Where else on earth, who else in the world, cares about a community, as much as we care about the Pines! Just look at the faces of all of us entering the fabulous beach party that lasts all year long, on one beautiful night. We also remember those that are no longer with us, but danced so heavenly in our arms at this same party, whether it be Beach ‘79, two decades of GMHC Morning Parties, or Pines 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. Young and old, straight and gay, women and men, we are all Pines people, Pines residents, Pines owners, Pines workers, Pines loved ones. We share this sandbar and we share our hearts.
And let the week begin! Eric von Kuersteiner is opening the Pavilion at 2 a.m. on Saturday night and VIP tickets at $75 are on sale at the Hotel Ciel office. All proceeds for the evening will go to The Fire Island Pines Foundation, dedicated to the well-being of the Pines. Every dollar taken in that evening will be directly given to this charity. Regular tickets are $50 in advance and $40 (if available) at the door. Continuing nightly, the Pavilion will be open for 10 evenings beginning at midnight. Candice Cayne continues every Friday evening at the Blue Whale. Tea with guest DJ’s every night at the Blue Whale from 5 to 8, prior to dinner served at 9. The Bay Bar serves all day and all night and will be open for 24 hours on Saturday night this week. Don’t miss Susan Morabito at the Pavilion this coming Sunday night.
I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Polo the other evening with Alan Brockman, Laura and Mike Hartstein and Glen Wielgus. This was the night before Laura and Mike’s incredible and amazing 40th Anniversary event at their bayfront home. Not since the nights of Gloria have we been privileged to attend such a celebration. A 12-piece band, dancefloor over the pool, Billy Carroll catering and a production staged by Jack Nolan was just the beginning of this truly memorable evening. The weather was perfect, Laura and Mike were glowing, Laura’s white dress flowed in every direction, front and back, side to side. Mike’s white dinner jacket had just enough padding to realize that he was the leader in fashion for the 40’s theme of the party. I danced a lindy with both Karen Boss and Glen Wielgus. Rita and Jack Lichtenstein were regally adorned dancing the clouds away. Allan Masur and Jimmy Stewart came in full uniform, direct from World War II. Russell Vance re-created his Miss America character from the 80’s and obviously has not gained an ounce since those Arnie and Atilano parties that we all remember so well… ah, the night Russell was crowned, all those lightyears ago. Russell was complaining of post-drag depression the morning after, while selling COLOSSUS tix in the harbor. Daughter Jen introduced her parents while we applauded as we watched our beloved Pines couple share their happiness and love with us so generously. Sandy and Danny Elber, Annie and Eddie Candreva, Irene and Henry Muller, Demetrios Sengos and Peter Thambounaris, John Mueller, Alan Brockman, Dino Georgiou and Louis Malkin, Ron McKenna and Perry Hamilton, Kate Rudin and Nancy Delieto, Mary and Paul Strauch, Kenny and Jeannie Lesser, Linda Gottlieb, Arnie Guior and Atilano Gimenes, Scott Bromley and Tony Impavido, Ron Chereskin and Howard Goldfarb, Barbara and Ira Sahlman, Anthony Linzalone, Andrew Ambrosio and Anthony Varvaro and Bob Alfandre were just a smattering of the 150 guests that all came in 40’s attire.
Another fabulous August soiree was given by Walter Lawrence and Stephen Lewis on the ocean. Cocktails and sea breezes were the perfect backdrop for 75 friends, all who stayed Sunday night so that they could join Walter and Stephen. Annie Candreva and Frank Coradino catered splendidly.
And that’s just the beginning of Pines Parties for wrap-up 2004! There’s the AFTER PARTY at the fabulous home of Jim Pepper immediately following COLOSSUS. Bill Mattle, who dedicates most of his waking hours to Stonewall, tells me that the DJ, Dale Rozman is incredible. And if your dancing shoes are not worn out yet, DON’T MISS ZENITH 2004! Once again, on Saturday, August 28, Beau Clarke and Tony Moran are opening their bayfront compound, where Jerry Herman used to tinkle the ivories for us, for a great afternoon of music and two internationally renowned DJ’s, Tony Moran (at home) and Wayne G. For $75 you get the Zenith Dance Party from 3 to 8 p.m., and admission to the Pavilion that evening. All proceeds go to the building of Whyte Hall, the Pines’ new community house. Bill McDermott is producing ZENITH 2004, and if you’ve been to ZENITH in prior years, you can understand why this party is so anticipated. Beau pulls out all the stops every year!
Don’t forget August 21st is LIZ CALLOWAY the Community House. Labor Day Weekend, FIPAP presents LADY BE GOOD! Last week 50 Pines residents boarded a special ferry and special buses to attend the Brookhaven Town Meeting to show their support for the permits for WHYTE HALL, our new community house. Well, everything is in place, and up we go, with three quarters of our finances pledged, this privately funded new building will be a reality. Please contribute, be a part of our merry band of dedicated residents who are going non-stop to raise money, and build our dream building. Architects Scott Bromley and Jerry Caldari have been working for over ten years designing Whyte Hall, please call the FIPPOA office and pledge your contribution at 597-6060.
Last Saturday, we raised several thousands of dollars for both Congressman Tim Bishop and Congressman Jim Stork. Thank you Brandon Fradd, William Hayden and Ron Perkov and Beau Clarke and Tony Moran for hosting. Eric Von Kuersteiner generously donated breakfast for Congressman Bishop at Brandon’s.
Thanks to our FIPPOA nominating committee made up of Mike Hartstein and Russell Vance, we have a fine slate for the September elections for FIPPOA officers. This year, three of our esteemed directors are stepping down giving way for new blood to lead our community. After several years, Eddie Schwartz, Dino Georgiou and Richard Winger, have decided not to run for reelection. All three have contributed greatly to our community in very different ways. Knowing all three, I personally feel confident that they will continue to make a difference in the Pines. There are eight candidates for five slots. Incumbents Karen Boss and Hal Rubenstein will be running along with Roy Yaeger, Stephen Hayes, John Bariletti, Randy Wilson, Eric Sawyer and Alan Brodherson. You can read their bios by going to www.fippoa.org. The officers of FIPPOA are all running uncontested, Alan Brockman for President, Ron Martin and Ron McKenna for Vice President, Brett Baccus for Secretary, and Jon Gilbert for Treasurer. All in all, there are twenty directors on the Board, each of us elected for a four year term. Eddie, Dino and Richard are all good reasons for not having term limits, we will miss them immensely.

Happy Birthday Lee Frey, Mary Cole, Betsy Lichtenstein, Fred Rossetter, Laura Eastman, and of course, Happy Anniversary, Laura and Mike. Happy 25th anniversary to Brett Baccus and Diane Friedman. Did anyone else know that Brett once owned Ambrosia Restaurant? I learned that the other evening, who knew? Guest visitors who are returning to the Pines ever so briefly, unless the four real estate offices convince them to remain with us again, include Lizzz Kritzer, Ron English, Simmy Sussman, Lawrence Rich and Seymour Levy, The Gilstons, Lorraine and Sherry, Ayse Kenmore, Jack Clarke, Rod Schimko and Meade Dickerson and Irv Freedman.

BINGO every Thursday at 7 has resumed at the Fire House. Mosquito Fogging has also resumed every Thursday at 5, thanks to the diligent efforts of Ron McKenna.

It’s been a hard act to follow, but John Whyte lives on in many ways. Eric Von Kuersteiner has brilliantly led our downtown renaissance keeping the wonderful Pines values that John began, but also adding a new dimension for a new generation, in service, hospitality and good will. John will be remembered on Sunday, September 12th , at 11a.m., as we celebrate his life under the tent, on the site of Whyte Hall, at the Community House. Nicole LaFountaine and Ron Perkov will salute John musically, there will be reminisces and stories, and breakfast, courtesy of Eric. If anyone wishes to speak, please call William Hayden, Chris Lovito or myself. One more column left, and that will be a special thank you, to all!