On and Off The Deck
By Jon Wilner

A major thundershower, a crack in the dance floor ten feet over the Bay, and a little problem with the sound speakers didn’t even make a ripple for the 2,500 shirtless Pines hunks at the Dancing on the Bay party, benefitting the Gay and Lesbian Center, this past Sunday. Thank you Kenny Zarrilli and Josh McKinney for once again hosting this major event at your incredible bayfront home. You guys are so terrific, so charitable and so generous. Congratulations to Vinny Petrarca who produced the event with amazing patience. The man behind this 11th annual extravaganza is a true gentleman, his ability to face every situation with grace and style over the years is a characteristic that he truly excels in. He is a true hero in the Pines, he has given his time, his energy and the equivalent to most people’s life savings to the Center and let’s not forget his dedication and hard work behind Pines 1999, Pines 2000, Pines 2001, Pines 2002, Pines 2003 and Pines 2004, six masterful Pines parties on the beach. Oh his name? Well it’s Richard Winger!

Dancing Dancing Everywhere

The day before Dancing on the Bay, there was another dance party at Reflections on the Bay, benefiting GMHC, co-produced by Joey Mendoza. That was the party with the Capital Rotunda covering the fabulous white mansion now owned by Gil Neary, but known famously as Gloria’s house. This fabulous Independence Party brought tears to my eyes, for it conjured up memories of all the great parties that Gloria threw in the eighties here in the Pines. Those “Peter Allen and the Rockettes Extravaganzas” were legendary. What an era that was, and we are all so grateful to the men and women behind each one of our benefits in the Pines, for they are responsible for a new generation that has grown to make our gay community vibrant and charitable and most meaningful. Yes, the benefits are expensive, but thank God for them, for it is up to us to take care of our community; after all, no one else does.

Speaking of the eighties, how about the sixties and seventies? I had the most enjoyable evening the other night dining at the home of Stephen Bruce and Bill Brusca. Stephen owns, manages and lives Serendipity Restaurant, home of the foot long hot dog, the frozen hot chocolate and the thousand dollar sundae. He practically fed three Kennedy generations, for there is hardly a week without a Kennedy enjoying his hospitality. Stephen has just had a second printing of his second book, “Serendipity Sundaes”! You can get an autographed copy of this fabulous fun book at his restaurant. Bill Brusca just opened the multi-million-dollar Nokia Theatre in Times Square. Bill has opened all the great Rock theatres in New York City, but nothing can compare to the Summer of 1980 when he opened the Pines Pavilion. They were still hammering in the deck on opening night back in May of that year, while Roberta Flack and her white piano officially opened the Pavilion. The exciting energy of Pines men–and, of course, some Pines women, too–ushered in a new era of dancing in the Pavilion all night long till morning. And in many ways, that era has evolved to what it is today, and it is about to have a major facelift this coming winter for a grand opening in May of 2007. It lasted for over 20 years. And the friendship between Stephen and Bill has lasted for double that time. Bill always brings his brother Ken Brusca to the island; Ken is the one with the heart, Bill the one with the sense of humor. And Ken brings out George LaTorre, who hasn’t missed a night at the Pavilion since that opening in 1980. Now Stephen often has the beautiful Lynn Dubal on his arm. Lynn used to dance at tea inside the Blue Whale. She was hired by Peggy Fiers, the owner of the Blue Whale even prior to John Whyte. You see in those days it was illegal for men to dance with men, the law required at least one female on the dance floor. Lynn was everybody’s date. But sometimes the guys wound up fancying Lynn more than the guys. Who wouldn’t—she’s funny, gorgeous and a very bright star in the Pines. Stephen and Bill and gang all live together on the bay and they made a sumptuous lobster dinner, my favorite food, last Friday evening. They told me stories of the Pines that I had never heard before, and I was mesmerized. They spoke of how Jack Lichtenstein would bail guys out of jail who were arrested for having sex. They told me how the flower shop was a stand in the sand and they told me all about the Sandpiper, the dance floor prior to the Pavilion. They told me of how the sea plane landed in front of their bayfront shack and how the flight only cost $25 from the city. But the most wonderful thing that they told me was how much they love the Pines today. Stephen and Bill are as young today as they were when they first arrived, and that is because of the pulse and energy of the Pines. Bill said that whenever he speaks to the Pavilion’s current owner, Eric Von Kuersteiner, that Eric is all ears and takes Bills comments and suggestions to heart. Well, Eric is that way. All in all, Stephen and Bill represent the best of the Pines, the wonderful history that makes it so special, the loyalty and love they share for our community, and most importantly, the youthful energy that keeps all of us so young in the Pines.

The festivities over the Fourth of July week were plentiful. Perry Wolfman had his annual power dinner that included the most gorgeous and successful new generation of Pines men. Andy Tobias and Charles Nolan served nonstop lobsters at their oceanfront home, featuring water polo in the pool. Laurence Isaacson celebrated his birthday in style with a small cocktail party at his new bayfront home, then hosted a dinner at the Blue Whale. Brandon Fradd had a bevy of exciting guests at his July 3rd luncheon poolside at his bayfront house. And Richard Winger served an American barbeque on the fourth after the invasion. Joyce and Walter Reich had a most joyous Independence week with their grandson, Jason, visiting. Eric Luftig had a barbeque the day before the fourth for all his friends proudly showing the new renovations at his Holly Walk house.

Andrew Kirtzman went off the island to see SUPERMAN, as did Hal Rubenstein and David Nickle. Hal and David threw a get together at their home last Saturday to introduce all the fabulous tent ideas for Pines Party 2006. Producer Jack Nolan and the Impression Group had some really great and creative suggestions. It’s not too late to reserve your private tent at the party. Tickets and tents on sale in the harbor for the all-night Pines event on Saturday, July 28.

Ariadne Villareal has asked me to ask you if you would like to house a cute dancer, boy or girl, for the weekend of Dancers Responding to AIDS. This year there will be over fifty dancers and they need beds. John Biondo, Tim Horman and Sean Peggs are hosting the annual three-performance dance festival at their bayfront home beginning July 14. Best availability is for the Sunday evening performance, July 16, on sale in the harbor. LAMBDA in the Pines is July 22. Laurence Isaacson will be doing the FIPAP cooking event on July 22; as I previously wrote, Laurence is a partner at New York’s Paris Commune.

And most importantly, as I featured in last week’s column, Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Barbara Boxer are coming to the Pines on Saturday July 22 for a small luncheon and cocktail at Perry Wolfman’s house, 242 Bay Walk, from 12 to 2 p.m. Tony Roncalli and Eric Von Kuersteiner are hosting this visit to kick off our newest beach replenishment project, scheduled to begin in the fall of 2008. It is imperative that we support the Democratic National Campaign Committee, for Senator Schumer is our biggest ally in Washington regarding beach replenishment. Without him, we would certainly not be in the good shape we are now in after prior years of beach loss.

The most anticipated election in 24 years will be held at the Fall membership meeting for FIPPOA. We have two candidates for each of the officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Also, five board member positions are up for election. When the candidates are officially announced by nominating chairs Bob Howard and Joe McMillan, I will include them in the column. Meanwhile, we have three months of summer left, and our mighty long-running president Alan Brockman will be guiding us just as he has for the past 24 years through September. Since Alan won the election in 1982 as president, he has run unopposed for each of his twelve two-year terms. His retirement as president does not mean in any way shape or form that he won’t be around. He continues as board member with three more years to that term. The two new presidential candidates are two of our most valued leaders in the Pines and it will be a very exciting election. Please make sure that your membership dues have been paid; if in doubt call Ken Pollard at 597-6060. You cannot vote in September if your 2006 membership is not paid.

I am proud to share with you the exciting new news at Congregation B’Nai Olam. We have just purchased a new Torah for the high holiday services that will be held this year at the firehouse while Whyte Hall is still under construction. In addition to our Rosh Hashana lunch at the Blue Whale, we will also be having a Rosh Hashana dinner at the home of Ed Schulhafer and Crayton Robey. Details will follow in later columns.. Rabbi Hara Person was instrumental in the search for our new Torah, and this new addition has been very much needed. Thanks to the generosity of the late Allan Masur and the donations of many of our congregants, we were able to purchase this most valuable new asset to our yearly services. If you would like to be included in our 2006 holiday mailing, please call me at 631-597-9363.

Congratulations to Jessica Katen on her recent engagement in Europe. Doreen and Bill are very proud. They are not losing a daughter, they are gaining a new builder in the family as well, for the groom is a East Hampton contractor. Michael Hyman and Jeff Riordan welcomed back Steve Oliveri to the Pines, and July marked the return of Saul Magram and Tony Seguino. Best wishes to Fern Lee’s mom, Marlene, recuperating from surgery. Enjoy July, for August will be upon us soon!