Around the Park
By Joyce Peters

THE STORM THAT WAS— Just about everyone had a story about Tuesday night. We were in the city and it was incredible—thunder so loud that at first we thought they were performing the 1812 Overture in Central Park. The destruction of Beryl was still visible on Wednesday when we arrived in OBP with trees down and deck furniture array. Ginny Horton was fortunate that the Motel’s large silver maple fell five feet short of her house, just missing her bedroom. Patty Loesch said, she “never saw anything like the lightning”—and she has weathered many a storm. Former Eastern Airlines Pan Am pilot, Steve Knopp couldn’t believe it—and was happy he wasn’t up flying in it. It was so dangerous that the police instructed everyone in commercial establishments to stay put until the storm passed... It was so wild and wooly the Captree dinner boat remained at Flynn’s dock until almost 1 a.m. Second base was flooded for days. Many leaks, many Direct TV dishes connections lost—Just another day in paradise…

IN RESIDENCE—Fran and Bernie Kaplan relocated from Miami Beach to Fire Island for the summer… Ellie Mal returned from her vacation on another island—St. Maarten … Ed Persau hits the big 50 on Thursday 7/27 and is trying to make it a kinder birthday by spending it on Fire Island with Meimee, Kyle, Michael and Sara… “DJ” Deserio returned from his National Guard stint at Fort Dix … Rita and Wally Butler returned from Italy…”DK” Katz is still in residence, guesting with the Slobotkins, Lederbergs, Appelbaums, Schechters and Kotzens… Niza Shor-Egan, a retired sergeant in the Israeli army may be in residence here but would prefer to be in Israel. Her family is under constant shelling there and she would gladly re-up—but isn’t eligible with her broken foot...

OFF ISLAND—Robin and Lou Acconi leave next week for an African safari… Lisa and Steven Jaffe spending the summer in Costa Rica…

UPCOMING—On August 5, there will be a gathering to remember Audrey Stoddard Micallef. Her family invites all who knew and loved Audrey to come to her Seneca Street home at 4:30pm to read a poem, sing one of her favorite songs or just join them in remembering Audrey... August 12,. the annual “Over-Under Gurian Gardner Classic” will be at 11 a.m. on the Seaview ball field—Wonder what the over and under ages will be this year? On Sunday August 13 at 1 p.m., the Ocean Bay Park Water Company will hold a special meeting to authorize the sale of the company to Suffolk County Water. Stockholders are urged to sign and send in their proxies as soon as possible, even if you plan to attend the meeting…

PARTY–PARTY—Susan and Irwin Axelrod hosted a lovely dinner party for Veronica and Al Ehrenclou. Al, the former owner of the Axelrod and Paladino houses introduced his new bride to Fire Island and Fire Island friends… As advertised, the get-ups at the “BLT” (bedtime, lingerie and toga) were outlandish. You had to be there for the full impact; Jordan Cohen and a friend (tottering about in size 12 six inch heels) came as Miss Fire Island contestants, Tommy Byrne was a sexy barmaid, and creative Lillian Laikind looked becoming in her “Victoria’s Secret circa 1890” costume. There were toga wearers in all shapes and sizes, dress-ups in evening formals, an interesting array of lingerie (worn by some that should and some that shouldn’t) and PJ’s, nightgowns and other attire that defied description…

CANDLES TO—Belatedly, to Hurricane’s Chef Melissa Dodici (7/19) and since we are now on a two-week schedule to: Connor Cantelmo & Nancy Klatzko (7/28), Ken Hirsch (7/29), Paul Navarro (8/2), Elliot Kreloff (8/3), Susan Lipman Solish (8/4), Sadie & Josh Elliot (one year old on 8/6) and on the same day a slightly older Ric Anderson, Eileen Murray and Harrison Jaffe (8/9), Sam Sampson (8/10)

ANNIVERSARY CANDLES TO—Lisa & Steven Jaffe (8/7), and Janet & Jeff Lewis (8/10)