Fair Harbor Lights
By Jackie Haberfeld
and Laura Tichler

Wells is at it again. Testing the old hypothesis that there are plenty of fish in the sea, Wells Newell pulled 31 striped bass out of the Great South Bay on Saturday. Keeping to regulations, he threw back those smaller than 27” and wound up keeping three. We’ll be by at 8 for dinner, Wells.

While we’re on the subject of things plucked from the bay, we’d like to take this opportunity to encourage parents to make sure that living things taken out of the bay beach by children are returned to the water when the children are done creating their shoreline marine habitats. So often we see holes dug in the sand that at one time were full with water, but are now only filled with shiners, hermit crabs and jellyfish left to die in the hot sun. Certain sea life, such as shiners, are very fragile and can die out of water after only minutes. Setting them free once playtime is done can be as much fun for children as catching them, and it teaches them respect for bay life.

One wildlife creature found in these parts that we don’t have much respect for is the good ol’ tick. Members of the FH Com. Assn. recently received a very helpful email from Jill Burke on how to easily and correctly remove all types of ticks found on here, including the Lyme-carrying Ixodes ricinus. Put away your Vaseline, matches and tweezers because all you need to safely remove these critters you’ll find in the kitchen (or at least pretty close to the kitchen). Here’s the trick: put a big glob of liquid or dish soap on a cotton ball and cover the tick for 15 to 20 seconds. The tick should come right out into the cotton ball. Of course, you should always look closely to make sure that all the legs have been removed and monitor the site for a rash. This technique may be particularly helpful for parents of children who head for the woods the minute they get sight of tweezers.

Happier Thoughts

On to more pleasant topics, Alma and John Ruvolo report that the annual book sale, now in its 16th year, to benefit the FHFD was successful and raised $475. There were many good books and a few editions by local authors. It was almost enough to make us wish we needed to know how to share “Joint Custody with a Jerk,” just so we could buy Judy Corcoran’s book. Alma would like to thank Ben Cherveny, Pam Earing, Michel LeGrou, Loretta Li, Kathy Locherer, Barbara McNally, Joan Raynor, Bob Schweizer, Bill Snyder, Bea Thornberg, Claire Walsh, Carol Weber, and Barbara Wilson. Alma would especially like to thank Billy Newman and his book schleppers, as well as all who contributed and bought books. Happy reading!

Also to commemorate the Fire Department’s 75th Anniversary was “Dancing Under the Stars” on Saturday night. FHFD “official party planners,” Bret Roberts and Merry Fisher, did a wonderful job putting the event together, which featured FHFD member Chris Corbert as DJ. Some of those seen tripping the light fantastic were Judy Corcoran, David Barrett, Nina Mule and Brett Roberts with his dance partner, Jean.

And last but not least, a luau was hosted on Saturday night by Spiros and Elaine Papazoglou and Michelle and Paul Ehrman, where grass skirts and coconut bras were the order of the day. Professional hula dancers were in attendance, and taught guests how to shake some booty. Tiki torches blazed into the night... well, not really, but it sounds good. There really was a 90 lb. roasted pig in attendance, which was slow-roasted for seven hours in Le Dock’s pizza oven. (Note: “Babe” will NOT be shown at the firehouse this summer.)