Western Waterfront Survives Hurricane Sandy Winds

The best news after Hurricane Sandy is that the Oyster Festival location in Theodore Roosevelt is still pristine. The Town of Oyster Bay recently over-hauled the drainage system in the park as part of the Phase I renovation and it worked amazingly well. While the park was inundated with water during the storm, by Wednesday, Oct. 31 the water had drained off the streets and was flooding the recharge basin, which then looked like a lake, and the swales were all filled to the brim, but draining. It should be mentioned that Sandy was a lot of wind but not water. The turf field did not do as well because the rubber particles floated out and were scattered around the park.

Election Results

(Unofficial Results)
* winner

U.S. President:
* Barack Obama (D)
Mitt Romney (R)

Susan Lucci Supports Our Kids

So does Nelson DeMille, even in absentia

“I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a night,” said Ralph Fumante, an Oyster Bay Cove trustee.  He had a point. The Bahniks, Lori and Roger, brought together a group of like minded people to work for the good of Oyster Bay-East Norwich’s children at the gala at the Metropolitan Club in Glen Cove on Oct. 19. Once again it proved to be a delightful venue and a great place to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich.

They always have a surprise for guests; this year Lori Bahnik introduced Susan Lucci, who offered a copy of her new book All My Life and a lunch with the highest bidder. Ms. Lucci, star of the longtime running TV soap opera All My Children, and the one everyone loved to hate, said she wrote the book at the urging of her son Andreas.

TOB Raises Fees But Not Taxes In Budget

The Town of Oyster Bay residents will not have to pay any increase in taxes but they will be paying more in what Town Supervisor John Venditto characterized as “luxury item” fees. That means an increase in such fees as parking, marina costs and possibly golf fees. As we went to press there was no specific information available. There was no increase in taxes in 2011, there was a 3.5 percent increase in taxes for 2012 and there will be no increase in taxes for 2013.

The Town of Oyster Bay held its 2013 budget hearings on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Supervisor John Venditto said, “Since 2008 [as the national economy was taking a hit] I have been dreading this day.” He has been working at least since May to solve his insolvency problems when he declared he needed to cut 220 workers from the payroll. With a $13 million shortfall something had to be done. He said while other municipalities were declaring bankruptcy they were coping.

Dunkin’ Donuts Fuels Politicians

Supervisor John Venditto’s penchant for Dunkin’ Donuts extolled

Dunkin’ Donuts recently took advantage of Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto’s affinity to their brand to invite him to speak at the first dinner for their new charity foundation.

Usually the Oyster Bay Town Board meetings, scheduled for 10 a.m. don’t start on time. Mr. Venditto has often apologized for his being late giving the reason that he stopped at the Dunkin’ Donuts for a toasty hot beverage — his is actually decaffeinated tea. On Oct. 16, the meeting started on time. It was a short meeting. As it concluded, the supervisor said, “Bill Bleyer is 29 minutes late.” [FYI: Newsday reporter Bill Bleyer wrote a short piece about  Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and his being late for town meetings because of a stop at the Dunkin’ Donuts near his home.]

Sparks Fly In The Debate Arena

Town hall format and Obama’s performance finds president rebounding in the polls

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Hofstra University was the site for the second of three debates between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Hofstra had also hosted a debate between then-Democratic nominee Obama and GOP nominee Sen. John McCain back in 2008, making the school just the second university to host consecutive presidential debates. (St. Louis’ Washington University was the other.)

With Romney scoring what many considered an upset victory over Obama’s decidedly lackluster performance in the first debate, this follow-up was going to be a “deal maker or breaker in this campaign,” according to political pundit Chris Matthews, who spoke at Hofstra the prior week. Shortly after moderator Candy Crowley took the stage at 9 p.m., it was clear both candidates were prepared to come out swinging, making for a lively hour and a half that found roughly 65 million viewers tuning in to the town hall-style debate, according to the Nielsen Ratings.

Same But Always New Oyster Festival

A festival devoted to helping charities exceeds expectations

There were new things and old things at Oyster Festival 29. The Oyster Festival Shucking Contest was again won by David Mahnken of Melville. He shucked 35 oysters in the allotted four minutes and for the tenth time came out the winner. Something new was the winner of the Oyster Eating Contest, Abraham Ozdemir of Manhattan. This was the first time he devoured oysters.

Something else new at the festival were the T-shirts on sale at The Ida May Project in J Building on West End Avenue. Based on an original design Gregory Druhak had created for Butler Flower in the late 1970s, volunteer Jack Hoyt ordered shirts that featured the Ida May Project logo on both the front and the back. 

Oyster Festival Countdown

A busy week made for a successful weekend event

There was excitement in the air the week of Oct. 8, as all around the community people were preparing for the Oyster Festival. Betty Tiska had her Oyster Festival schedule all planned on Tuesday, Oct. 9. She said, “I’ll be working the Supervisor’s 5K run in Townsend Square in the early morning and then for Team FMF (Frank M. Flowers & Sons, Inc. the oyster company gang) signing people up for the Eating and Shucking contests at the Rotary booth by the LIRR tracks (then later working on-stage for both contests).

“I’ll be crewing aboard the Christeen later on Saturday for one sail and then crewing three sails aboard her on Sunday. Hank (Mr. Tiska) will be pouring beer for the Masons at the Matinecock Lodge in town, on West Main Street both days at their annual Oktoberfest,” she said.

Free Rides To Oyster Festival And Back

John J. Harvey has room for 60 people as it goes and comes from the Oyster Festival

Huntley Gill, captain and part owner of the John J. Harvey is offering free rides to the Oyster Festival for 60 people. The only catch is you leave early, on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 a.m. and will leave late, on Monday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. The Oyster Fest is on Oct. 13 and 14. Check their website for reservations and details for the voyage. Last year Dan and Tanya Walker took the trip back from the Oyster Festival as did Philip Blocklyn, Oyster Bay Historical Society executive director and Elizabeth Roosevelt, who runs the OBHS gift shop. Mr. Gill said it’s a great trip through the Long Island Sound back to Manhattan and its hi-rise bordered waterfront.

The John J. Harvey is returning to the Oyster Festival for the second time. Last year from wherever you were on the waterfront you could see the Harvey doing water displays on the hour. They will be doing that again. Mr. Gill said, “Last year thousands of people visited the boat, it was great. This year again we will be offering tours of the wheel house, the engine house, we will be giving out printed guides and the pilot will be there to explain what we do.”

Taste Of Back To The Future At The Festival

The Ida May Project, an organization re-creating to 2012 standards an historic 1925 Oyster Boat built in Bayville, will be host to members of the DeLorean club at the Oyster Festival. At least two  DeLoreans will be present, one a second-owner production vehicle, another once one of the fastest electric DeLoreans in the country. A total of six to eight of these rare vehicles may all be in one place at one time at the J-Building depending upon weather and club participation. Event location is the J-building, on West End Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain date Sunday.