The Essence of Fire Island

This past weekend the Friends of Fire Island National Seashore (FFINS) held their first ever "The Essence of Fire Island" art exhibition. There were 34 artists that entered and from that 18 pieces of artwork were selected as winners to be published in a FFINS 18 month calendar.

The judges were Susan Bela - Publisher of Great South Bay Magazine, Dave Hensen - President of Friends of Fire Island National Seashore and Chris Soller - Superintendent of Fire Island National Seashore.

The calendar is a fundraiser for Friends of Fire Island National Seashore. You can purchase the $15 calendar starting June 5th at the Sailor's Haven Gift Shop, Watch Hill Gift Shop and Wilderness Visitor Center at Smith Point Beach. FFINS is also accepting pre-orders of the calendar now. Forms are at the Watch Hill Ferry Terminal in Patchogue.

All the artwork will be on display and available for purchase until May 31st at the new Watch Hill Ferry Terminal, 160 West Avenue in Patchogue. Until Memorial Day weekend, the ferry terminal is open on the weekends from 1pm - 4pm. Go see the artwork and buy a calendar, including a photograph taken by this Blogger - "A Fall Day at Talisman Beach".

Free By The Sea

The National Park Service has free Seaside Stories and Crafts at Talisman on Fire Island. I plan on doing it with my kids, since most Saturdays we are at Talisman anyway. You meet at Talisman Picnic Area at 2pm and it is geared for children ages 5-7, but all are welcome. They also hold free kid events at Watch Hill too. Call 631-687-4750 or check it out at http://www.nps.gov/fiis/upload/FireIslandNationalSeashore_SpecialProgramsThisMonth_August-2009.pdf

* August 8th Whale Day - listen to stories about the seashore and learn about the environment of Fire Island
* August 22nd Catch of the Day - discover marine life in The Great South Bay as you use seine nets and dip nets. You must wear water shoes.

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Sunny Day At Smith's Point

Took the kids to Smith's Point to kick off the Memorial Day 6 day weekend! Here's a little secret - Smith's Point Park does not charge for parking after Labor Day till Memorial Day. Parking is now $12.50!!! I remember back in the days when it was $6. We went on the last day before they started charging. If you get a Green Key Card from Suffolk County they only charge you $5 for parking. One more Smith's Point tip - if you get there before 6am - you do not have to pay for parking either.

At Smith's Point is FINS - Fire Island National Seashore. There is a Ranger Station and a nature walk. Went with the kids on the Nature Walk, then sat by the ocean for awhile. Another tip for Smith's Point is to park all the way on the west side of the parking lot and follow the crosswalk towards the ranger station. Then follow the boardwalk to the ocean or take the nature walk which ends at the ocean. This is the "Surfer Beach". There is a lot of beach here and a lot less teeny boppers. The beach in front of the pavilion is smaller due to erosion. They brought sand in to replace what got washed out to sea, but the sand is more like dirt. Plus all the teeny boppers hang up there.

For family fun - go to the west end of Smith's Point. The kids will also get a kick going over the drawbridge to get to Smith's Point. There is also a snack bar, bathrooms and The TWA Flight 800 Memorial.

Smith's Point's web site is http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/parks/Smith%20Point%20County%20Park.aspx

FINS web site is http://www.nps.gov/archive/fiis/SmithPointCountyPark.htm

Check both these sites out because they hold events and classes. Most of them are free too - you just pay for parking.
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