Archives
“The Ponderosa” The Taussig House Est. 1957.
Known as “The Ponderosa” after the ranch home on the television show “Bonanza.” Built by Ted & Doris Taussig and designed by Architect Felix Augenfeld in 1957.
Fire Island Pines People- Scott Bromley
From Studio 54 to Fire Island Pines Architect Scott Bromley has left his mark. A longtime Pines resident who defines the word community…
Fire Island Pines People- Nikki Fried 1943-1997
Nikki Fried was a former nun who found her way to Fire Island. Her friend there Sandy Paul help her to find a job in publishing in New York city. Her love affair with Fire Island Pines began then and there. Her work in publishing led to consulting work with banks. Much of which could be done remotely. She would take off every August to stay in her beloved Pines, and worked her consulting schedule to spend as much time there as she could. From Spring to Fall.
Fire Island Pines People- Jack and Rita Lichtenstein
People make community, and this couple certainly made the community called Fire Island Pines. Early settlers and pioneers Jack owned a Liquor store business and together with wife Rita they deeply involved themselves in the theater, in both Cherry Grove and the Pines leaving a legacy of memories for family and freinds…
Fire Island Pines People- Leonard Frey
Leonard Frey was an actor who spent time here in the Pines. He originally wanted to become an artist, but in college he became interested in acting. He made his stage debut in an off-Broadway production of “Little Mary Sunshine” and his film debut as a celebrant in Passages from James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake (1966), but he first rose to prominence in the role of Harold, the self-proclaimed “Jew fairy”, in both the stage and screen versions of The Boys in the Band (1970). Written by playwright Mart Crowley who also spent time here.
Pines People- Ron McKenna
Ron McKenna was a community minded person, and when he found Fire Island Pines he knew he had to be part of the communities fabric, and so he became deeply involved. In the best way. Because of his relatability he created a bond with the town of Brookhaven where the decision making happened about who could do what in the Pines. With this he became revered and relied upon in the community. It was the legacy he left that has never been replaced…
Pines People- Pepper Fee… Growing up Pines.
In the 1960’s as the Pines was establishing itself as a community children were a big part as many straight local families from Long Island were investing as a summer home. They would have the opportunity to grow up in a different atmosphere than the one they would live in across the bay. Pepper Fee was one…
Fire Island Pines People- Alexandra Akira
Alexandra Akira arrived on Fire Island at fourteen years old, she would soon call this magical wonderland her second home. A love affair with Fire Island that she carries to this day. The journey began while traveling out to Long Island from her home in Connecticut as a groupie for the rock band Twisted Sister as love of music is part of her story…
Fire Island Pines People- Lance Ferris
After a visit in 1979 to Fire Island , a young Lance Ferris arrived on his own in 1980 fresh from Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn. Taking a guide book he got his ticket on the Long Island Railroad and made his way out to Sayville. There he boarded a ferry to Cherry Grove. He had been to all the bars in NYC including Ice Palace 57. At 17 he had just left High School and was determined to get a job bartending at the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove, and so he did…
Pines People- Barbara Ross
Barbara Ross married to Sherwood Ross of the Ross Cycle family was a fixture in the Pines throughout the 1970’s and early 80’s. Her yacht the “Barbara” was moored at the Blue Whale where she could see and be seen.
The Gifford, Wittstein, Miller, & Bromley house. Est. 1963-1981
Architect Horace Gifford’s second house design for Robert Miller and his partner Edwin Wittstein began as a sketch in the sand…
1950’s Halcyon days in Fire Island Pines by Peter Bennett.
Peter Bennett is an avid photographer. His work can be see online, and that is just how we found him and his and his halcyon days in Fire Island Pines memories.
Fire Island Pines People- Doris Taussig
There have been many women who have been the pioneers of the Pines, however one of its earliest trailblazers was Doris Taussig. Daughter of the original landowners of the Pines Doris created her own path of history.
Grey Gardens Est. 1960’s.
Named after the famous home in the Hamptons “Grey Gardens” also lived in the Pines. However it had a very different story…
Pines People- Maia Helles 1916-2016.
Some residents of the Pines go unnoticed, and they like it that way. Maia Helles was one. Her home is one of the original homes built in the 1950’s, and remains so. She quietly passed in 2016, but left the film in this post by Julia Warr that exemplifies her life and philosophy…
Pines People- Walter & Joyce Reich
Walter & Joyce Reich were straight people living in a gay community, however they were here first. Yet none of that mattered as they created community wherever they went…
Fire Island Pines People- Will Seagers/Matt Harper
Will Seagers has a colorful history in the Pines from waiting tables at the Blue Whale to the hot & heavy action in between shifts…
Pines People- Jerry Gaschen & Larry Tallamay
In our world of sand and ocean we have our oases of color and nature at its best. It takes a lot of work to have a garden on Fire Island. Just like a relationship it needs love and patience, and so it goes to the garden at the home of Jerry Gaschen & Larry Tallamy.
Fire Island Pines People- Peggy Fears
Peggy Fears was a former Ziegfeld showgirl who found her way to Fire Island where she invested in the then growing community by building her Yacht Club and Botel bringing her Broadway and Hollywood friends creating an aura of sophistication that continues today…
Pines People- Paul McGregor
Paul McGregor was unique person who made his mark in the world. In Haidressing, Nightlife, and to all he touched.He who found a home for him and his family in the Pines creating a legacy that continues today…