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.

=)