On and Off The Deck
Volume 49, Issue 7
By Jon Wilner

For nearly a half century the Pines has been so very blessed to have had the truly wonderful Allan Masur as one of the most devoted residents. Allan passed away Sunday but leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity and the kind of energy that is unparalleled. His Kentucky Derby parties every year at his bayfront home were legendary. It always kicked off each Summer season as we entered through his magnificent magnolia trees that seemed to blossom just for that day every year. Even more important, Allan founded Congregation B’Nai Olam and for the past 42 years, he provided the community with high holiday services every Fall that welcomed not only Jews, but everyone in the community. We knew we always were a family at these services for they gave the members of our community a reason to celebrate the holidays with your lover, your family, your friends and neighbors, and also to remember those who we have lost in our community. The true success of these services became evident when parents of our residents came from the city as a destination to specifically attend the services. I must go so far as to say that these services bridged the gap successfully between owners, renters, gay men, gay women, straight parents, our straight residents and their children as no other celebration could even imagine. Allan was always at the entrance to welcome one and all and to wish them a happy Jewish New Year. From 20 people who wanted to acknowledge the holiday over forty years ago, the congregation of B’Nai Olam has grown to well over 400 people. Jimmy Stewart, who was always at Allan’s side, whether Allan was holding court or recklessly driving his electric buggy down Bay Walk, showed Allan the kind of love that is so incredibly amazing, the kind of love that he so deserved, for Allan had so much love for all of us here in the Pines. He never missed a Broadway show, a Pines party, a benefit, or a FIPPOA meeting, and he always somehow was the first to invite every young and handsome newcomer-to-the-Pines to his Kentucky Derby party. Allan will always live in our hearts and will always be a permanent star in our constellation of Pines residents.

Last week’s DANCERS RESPONDING TO AIDS raised more than $169,000 for Broadway Cares. The three sold-out performances at Beau Clarke and Tony Moran’s bayfront compound were incredible. Many thanks to Ariadne Villareal, Beau and Tony, Luke Rawls, David Masonheimer, and all of the several hundred volunteers, dancers, ticket sellers and generous homeowners who not only gave money but opened their homes to the organization over the past weekend. Only in the Pines do we make our dreams a reality, we raise whatever it takes for whatever cause and we do it tirelessly and generously with more energy and enthusiasm than any other community on earth. This coming weekend, LAMBDA has its annual benefit with lunch at the oceanfront home of Dan Cochran and Greg Sulphin. The cocktail party will be held at 246 Bay Walk and you’ll see everyone there, for this benefit grows larger and larger every year. I remember back in 1983 when it was at Ward Auerbach’s home on the ocean, hosted by Jack Lichtenstein. Well, Jack still does his standup routine and donates much of the liquor and wine.

Believe it or not, Pines Party 2005 is only a week away! Have you chosen your character from your favorite TV show yet? I understand from co-chairmen Hal Rubenstein and Jay Pagano that the number of tents sold so far is a record. We have already sold an incredible amount of tickets and this promises to be one of the most exciting parties ever. Benefiting Stonewall and the Pines Charitable Foundation, the party will be on the ocean at Coast Guard Walk, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and no need of umbrellas if the weather doesn’t hold up like last year, there is a huge clear tent that will cover the dance floor for the first time. In addition to the gambling casino, the tent parade and the hottest dance party of the year, the Impression Group, headed by Jack Nolan, will be pulling out all the stops for an event that will be a once in a lifetime extravaganza! Tickets are still available in the harbor.

Last weekend, Doug Chadwick threw his “Thanks for the Memories” party on the ocean with the ever popular DJ Warren Gluck spinning favorite disco tunes. New faces, old friends, Pines friends young and old, all found themselves enjoying the surprise party of the year. It reminded so many of us what the parties in the eighties were like, and it was so terrific to know that the good times are still here to cheer! And that there is no place like July in the Pines.

We welcomed back Michael Schaible, who hasn’t been gone all that too long yet, at a sumptuous dinner, deliciously catered by Eric Von Kuersteiner, at the Bayfront home of Ed Lewis and Glen Wielgus. The Sahlmans, the Hartsteins, Vinny Pepe and Suzie Lodato, Brett Baccus and Diane Friedman, Fred Walker, Barbara Sahlman’s sister Linda, Tad Paul and Peter Hoontis, and Doug Chadwick, Bob and myself all enjoyed this post Dance Festival dinner party immensely.

More reason to celebrate was Paul Strauch’s 75th Birthday party at the Blue Whale given by his beautiful and stunning wife, Mary. The Hartsteins, Tom Rabig, Tony LaRocco and Bill Moore, Bill Matthews and Michael DeFalco were among the guests. Earlier in the day, Brini Maxwell, was the MC at the Blue Whale luncheon fashion show, the first fashion show since the John Whyte galas. The tradition of the Pines to be first in style continues.

Reporting on the “construction of a pool” is a bit sketchy this week. I’m awakened at 8 a.m. every morning by the friendliest and hardest working of construction teams. They did an incredible amount of work the first two weeks, but somehow it seems to me that sometime during the day, they must be somewhere else, for after I leave for the harbor, my neighbors tell me that the banging and hammering seem to dissipate. After the metal frames for the pool went in in record time, I don’t seem to see as much progress as in the first two weeks. Hopefully, by the time this paper is printed, the floor of the pool, the liner and the plumbing will be done and the deck work will be progressing, let’s hope. He promised me that I’d be swimming in mid-August and that the job will be finished as well by then. So far he is living up to his promise, and as he reminds me, he is the builder and “I don’t know what I’m looking at,” but that’s silly, how does one “not know what he is looking at”. I’m sure between Scott and Walter, these experts will have it all in tow and I’m off to Index to get a new swimsuit.

Nicole Pressly must have wings, for she is at every single Pines benefit and happening. Aside from being a reporter reporting, I want to say how much energy and good will she brings to every event in the Pines. It is always a pleasure to see her smile and her genuine interest in our community. Just tell me this Nicole, what’s your secret in getting those water taxis to depart and return in such a timely fashion?