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Sticks and Stones- The movie 1969-70
Books & Movies, 1960's, 1970's Robert Bonanno Books & Movies, 1960's, 1970's Robert Bonanno

Sticks and Stones- The movie 1969-70

The topic of Gay and Fire Island were off limits in Hollywood, but somehow movies got made. Yes the budgets were low, however the Camp aspect was high, and so we have “Sticks and Stones” Stan Lopresto’s 1970 Fire Island film which documents a July 4th party thrown by Peter and Buddy, lovers in a strained relationship. Partygoers include leather queen George; a hippie known as “the Lavender Guru”; nervous newcomer Bobby; and Fernando, a biker boy with a new Prince Albert piercing. It doesn’t get campier than that…

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Art History- Peter Hujar
Art history, photography, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's Robert Bonanno Art history, photography, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's Robert Bonanno

Art History- Peter Hujar

Like many artists Photographer Peter Hujar found his way to Fire Island. He died of AIDS in 1987, leaving behind a complex and profound body of photographs. He was a leading figure in the group of artists, musicians, writers, and performers at the forefront of the cultural scene in downtown New York in the 1970s and early ’80s, and was enormously admired for his completely uncompromising attitude towards work and life. He was a consummate technician, and his portraits of people, animals, and landscapes, with their exquisite black-and-white tonalities, were extremely influential.

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Fag Hag… An Ode To The Women Formerly Known As 'Fag Hags.'
Gay Culture, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, Community Robert Bonanno Gay Culture, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, Community Robert Bonanno

Fag Hag… An Ode To The Women Formerly Known As 'Fag Hags.'

Gay and straight Women have always been part of Fire Island Pines history. However, the straight girls that had a gay bestie, and who became one of the boys have played a role also. In the 1970’s these girls would be known as a Fag Hag. A name that was used both as affection and ridicule…

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The Radio Flyer Red Wagon Est. 1917.
Fire Island History Robert Bonanno Fire Island History Robert Bonanno

The Radio Flyer Red Wagon Est. 1917.

The Radio Flyer Red Wagon was a symbol of Fire Island Life. Like everything life changes. Simpler times made the wagon the perfect vehicle to transport everything we needed for a Fire Island stay. Today’s society needs more, giving way to large carts to now transport more, making our little red wagon a thing of the past.

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The Chemical Bank boat Est. 1981.
Robert Bonanno Robert Bonanno

The Chemical Bank boat Est. 1981.

The floating bank branch called Cee Bee I was commissioned by Chemical bank in 1981. The 36 foot boat provided Fire Island residents with complete banking services with the exception of safety deposit boxes.

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The Monarch Butterfly Migration of Fire Island
Robert Bonanno Robert Bonanno

The Monarch Butterfly Migration of Fire Island

The annual migration of monarch butterflies is among the most spectacular events in the natural world. Every autumn, the dunes of Fire Island become a way station for tens of thousands of monarch butterflies who stop there on their three thousand mile journey from Canada to Mexico.

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The Fire Island National Seashore. Est. 1964
Fire Island History, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000 Robert Bonanno Fire Island History, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000 Robert Bonanno

The Fire Island National Seashore. Est. 1964

Fire Island National Seashore was established by Congress on September 11, 1964, following a long history of preservation efforts, most with grass-roots support. Without the plan by master builder/ developer Robert Moses there would be no NPS. His role was a major turning point in Fire Island history.

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