Archives
The FIPAP Art Show Est. 1985-1987
Art has always been part of the Pines community. The beauty of the beach has inspired many. In the 70’s it became a melting pot for the creative as designers, artists, architects, and theater people found their way to the Pines.
Fire Island Celebrity history- Kay Ballard
There were many celebrities like actress Kay Ballard who were familiar with the Pines. They were part of the inner circle of closeted stars who found the haven of Fire Island a place to be themselves.
Fire Island DJ Howard Merritt
There were many DJs who added working on Fire Island to their resumes. It definitely added prestige. DJ Howard Merritt was one. Howard was a frequent visitor to the Pines as he had friends there, and would play at many house parties.
Fire Island Celebrity history- Carol Channing
As a good friend to Broadway composer Jerry Herman actress Carol Channing had special access to Fire Island. From her early visits in the 1960’s to her last to Cherry Grove in 2013 she made herself at home here.
DJ John Ceglia
Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s a group of talented DJs made their mark in the Pines as it was as noteworthy on your resume as a New York club. DJ John Ceglia joins our rank in Pines history.
Art history- Jack Brusca
Many artists have found their way to the Pines. Some for fun, sex, inspiration, or all of that combined. Artist Jack Brusca was just one.
DJ Warren Gluck
DJ Warren Gluck was a creative perfectionist in life and art. His music was always well planned out with thoughtful decisions. He rose to the top of his profession leaving his mark on all that were lucky enough to experience his magic.
The Copa Cherry Grove Est.1980-81
Like a shooting star The Copa nightclub arrived in Cherry Grove and lit up the night. Night life that is. Like the Pavilion in the Pines that was built on the site of the Sandpiper, it was built on the site of the former Sea Shack.
Rockshots Greeting Cards by Michael Rock & Tolin Greene
An image is worth a thousand words they say, and so it went with Photographer Michael Rock and the erotic images that became greeting cards known as Rockshots of an era…
World AIDS Day…we remember.
1987. As we celebrate World AIDS Day we remember the rose ceremony that was a tradition began in the Pines as more and more from the community were lost to AIDS. Many brought a rose as a symbol of love. These were then thrown into the ocean at the close of the service…
A Dual in the Sun. The Rockefeller/Ron Martin home Est. 1965
Designed by Architect Harry Bates at the height of his Fire Island Career. 607 Shore Walk remains an intact example of Bates style as well as classic 60’s architecture. Built in 1965 by Walter Reich for Alan Morton, the two simple glass boxes that are the main house and a separate cottage inspired the house’s original name “Dual in the Sun.”
The Earl Combs designed/ Steve Ostrow/ Paul Bernstein home Est.1970’s
149 Ocean Walk was designed by architect Earl Combs for Steve Ostrow. The home truly presented itself as the castle on the ocean. Steve Ostrow was a bisexual man who was the owner of the Continental baths.
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…
Harvey Milk on Fire Island 1950’s
You would be surprized by people who you never thought could be part of Fire Island history. Visionary civil and human rights leader, and one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States Harvey Milk is one.
PAWS Est. 1984
As the Pines community grew so did its animal population. Most noticeably the many pets that would arrive with homeowners and renters. However after season it was being noticed that some pets were left behind to fend for themselves. In addition during season pets got lost with no form of identification. So with that Pines longtime residents Myra Kahan and Lee Frey created PAWS Pines Animal Welfare Society.
Pines People- Bob Howard
Real Estate in the Pines historically has always had key players, and Realtor Bob Howard has been at the game for a long time. He has woven himself into the community making it a home for himself for over 40 years.
Music history-Tom Moulton
Tom Moulton is a record producer whose name is synonymous with the Disco music. He invented the 12-inch disco single and mix. It all happened one day on Fire Island, and changed the way dance music was played in clubs forever…
Louis Katz - Murderer on Midway
Louis Katz was the owner of Uncle Charlie’s, a popular chain of gay bars in the 1980s, and infamous for murdering his ex-lovers’s new boyfriend in a love-triangle knife fight and fleeing the country.
Fire Island Celebrity history- David Geffen
Business magnate, producer, film studio executive, and philanthropist David Geffen was a frequent visitor to the Pines throughout the 1980’s and 90’s. He would hang with friends designer Calvin Klein, Andy Warhol, Steve Rubell and more. He would purchase Calvin Klein’s home and get involved in the community.
Halloween History in the Pines
1970’s. It begins with a simple night at the famed Sandpiper, and evolves into Halloween in the Pines as a closing of season tradition.