pamelajboyle
Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2006
- RO Number
- 20704
- Messages
- 1
I'm Pam Boyle the President of the Friends of Watch Hill. I was elected President in May 2005 when Jerry Coppola resigned to join Fire Island Concessions. I haven't been on this website in several months. I just went on today and when I reviewed the posts on Friends of Watch Hill I felt that I should provide a Friends of Watch Hill update.
Before doing so I would like to invite everyone reading this post to join the Friends of Watch Hill at their next meeting on April 17 at the American Legion Hall in Islip. The address of the American Legion is 39 Nassau Avenue in Islip. The hall is at the end of the roundabout in back of the Islip Town Hall. The meeting starts at 7 PM and goes for an hour and a half to two hours. There is plenty of coffee and donuts for everyone.
Several Friends of Watch Hill members, Michael Reynolds, Superintendent of the Fire Island National Seashore and Paul Czachor, Eastern District Ranger, attended our last meeting. Some of the topics discussed were our mission, goals and accomplishments, Fire Island National Seashore General Management Plan, Mosquito Control, Volunteer Award Certificates, building the Bayside Deck and our 2006 Calendar of Events. We feel that our meetings are going to provide us with the best communication method available: face-to-face contact. We want to share and receive information and ideas and what better way to do so than through ongoing meetings.
Please feel free to go on our website www.friendsofwatchhill.org to get detailed driving instructions to the meeting and to learn more about our organization. Also please feel free to email us any questions at friendsofwatchhill@yahoo.com and we will be happy to respond.
Now I'd like to tell you about our accomplishments. In 2004 the Friends of Watch Hill purchased eight mosquito magnets through a grant received from the Friends of Fire Island National Seashore. The grant was used to purchase eight mosquito magnets that were strategically placed through Watch Hill.
In 2005 the manufacturer replaced the eight units with improved units under a public relations program. In addition the manufacturer donated two additional units making the new total ten. Frank Stallone volunteered to Chair our Mosquito Magnet Committee. This is a daunting task that he did extremely well giving his time and showing his dedication to Watch Hill. Under his direction, the volunteers emptied nets, replaced Octenol (mosquito bait), and performed what we call Super Service. The Friends of Watch Hill spend $3,000 per season to maintain the magnets. The cost per unit is $300. More units are needed and so the cost of maintenance will continue to rise. Frank also arranged for volunteers to take down and store the units for the winter. Paul Czachor, Eastern District Ranger has been and continues to be instrumental in helping us make arrangements for shipment of new and returned units, storing units and access to a propane source for start ups.
Frank Stankiewicz is going to head up the Mosquito Magnet Committee this year with lots of input from Frank Stallone. Frank Stankiewicz is planning to go to Watch Hill next week by ferry to charge up and test the magnets. Paul Czachor is going to help with transport and propane. The units are scheduled to start at the end of April. In this way any faulty units or problems can be rectified before the season starts. By the way the marina opens on May 12.
Also in 2005 the Friends of Watch Hill began showing children's movies on Saturday evenings at the marina. Some of the movies we showed were Racing Stripes, Son of the Mask and Shark Tales. The children and adults really enjoyed the movies. The Friends of Watch Hill purchased the equipment necessary to show the movies. Our volunteers make arrangements to obtain and show the movies. The movies will continue in 2006.
In addition the Friends of Watch Hill conducted a bayside Beach Clean Up over July 4 weekend. There was a massive amount of debris collected as a result of the clean up. Children participated in the clean up with their parents. It was a wonderful experience. We were very grateful again to Paul Czachor making arrangements to remove the debris. The bayside beach was much cleaner and safer for children, pets and adults alike. Jim Lorello headed up this effort. The Friends of Watch Hill plan to conduct beach clean ups annually.
The Friends of Watch Hill also introduced its burgee (pennant) and a line of logo clothing. The funds raised through sales of burgees and clothing are used to support the maintenance of the magnets, cover insurance costs, rent movies etc.
We are very excited about the 2006 season. We will of course continue our Mosquito Magnet Program and will do all we can to increase the number of magnets at Watch Hill. We will actively seek donations and corporate sponsorships to do so.
Also, Michael Reynolds, Superintendent of the Fire Island National Seashore discussed the Friends of Watch Hill building the bayside deck during the 2006 season at our last member meeting. Mike told the meeting attendees that he is working with the DEC to obtain the necessary permits for building. The Friends of Watch Hill volunteers are ready to build and are going to pay for the materials needed to build the deck. As soon as Mike tells us the DEC has approved the building we are ready to go. This deck is going to be wonderful. It'll have the best ever view of the Great South Bay. We can't wait to build it.
The friends of Watch Hill also had a great suggestion from one of more active members and volunteers Frank Stankiewicz for procuring audio digital equipment that can be placed in the Watch Hill Visitor's Center showing the Park Service, Fire Island Concessions and the Friends of Watch Hill all working together to make Watch Hill the best it can be. We are going to actively pursue this suggestion with the Park Service. We also plan to increase our communications and make brochures and information about our organization available at the Watch Hill Ferry Terminal and wherever else it makes sense to do so.
We are also giving thought to fun events. Everyone enjoys Christmas in July at Watch Hill. Santa and the Rabbi make their appearance at the Marina and the Friends of Watch Hill provide gifts for all the children. The Friends of Watch Hill would like to sponsor more events of this type. Please check our website in future for upcoming events.
The Friends of Watch Hill love Watch Hill and are determined to stay “On Course for a Better Watch Hill". Please join us and help us in doing so. New members are most welcome. Again don't miss the opportunity to attend our meetings.
Thank you Barry for bringing our organization to the attention of the LICC. Thank you Joe for your positive feedback. Thanks to everyone who made positive comments in their posts on the Friends of Watch Hill topic.
In closing please feel free to email us with questions, comments, suggestions. Thanks for reading this very long post.
Pam
Before doing so I would like to invite everyone reading this post to join the Friends of Watch Hill at their next meeting on April 17 at the American Legion Hall in Islip. The address of the American Legion is 39 Nassau Avenue in Islip. The hall is at the end of the roundabout in back of the Islip Town Hall. The meeting starts at 7 PM and goes for an hour and a half to two hours. There is plenty of coffee and donuts for everyone.
Several Friends of Watch Hill members, Michael Reynolds, Superintendent of the Fire Island National Seashore and Paul Czachor, Eastern District Ranger, attended our last meeting. Some of the topics discussed were our mission, goals and accomplishments, Fire Island National Seashore General Management Plan, Mosquito Control, Volunteer Award Certificates, building the Bayside Deck and our 2006 Calendar of Events. We feel that our meetings are going to provide us with the best communication method available: face-to-face contact. We want to share and receive information and ideas and what better way to do so than through ongoing meetings.
Please feel free to go on our website www.friendsofwatchhill.org to get detailed driving instructions to the meeting and to learn more about our organization. Also please feel free to email us any questions at friendsofwatchhill@yahoo.com and we will be happy to respond.
Now I'd like to tell you about our accomplishments. In 2004 the Friends of Watch Hill purchased eight mosquito magnets through a grant received from the Friends of Fire Island National Seashore. The grant was used to purchase eight mosquito magnets that were strategically placed through Watch Hill.
In 2005 the manufacturer replaced the eight units with improved units under a public relations program. In addition the manufacturer donated two additional units making the new total ten. Frank Stallone volunteered to Chair our Mosquito Magnet Committee. This is a daunting task that he did extremely well giving his time and showing his dedication to Watch Hill. Under his direction, the volunteers emptied nets, replaced Octenol (mosquito bait), and performed what we call Super Service. The Friends of Watch Hill spend $3,000 per season to maintain the magnets. The cost per unit is $300. More units are needed and so the cost of maintenance will continue to rise. Frank also arranged for volunteers to take down and store the units for the winter. Paul Czachor, Eastern District Ranger has been and continues to be instrumental in helping us make arrangements for shipment of new and returned units, storing units and access to a propane source for start ups.
Frank Stankiewicz is going to head up the Mosquito Magnet Committee this year with lots of input from Frank Stallone. Frank Stankiewicz is planning to go to Watch Hill next week by ferry to charge up and test the magnets. Paul Czachor is going to help with transport and propane. The units are scheduled to start at the end of April. In this way any faulty units or problems can be rectified before the season starts. By the way the marina opens on May 12.
Also in 2005 the Friends of Watch Hill began showing children's movies on Saturday evenings at the marina. Some of the movies we showed were Racing Stripes, Son of the Mask and Shark Tales. The children and adults really enjoyed the movies. The Friends of Watch Hill purchased the equipment necessary to show the movies. Our volunteers make arrangements to obtain and show the movies. The movies will continue in 2006.
In addition the Friends of Watch Hill conducted a bayside Beach Clean Up over July 4 weekend. There was a massive amount of debris collected as a result of the clean up. Children participated in the clean up with their parents. It was a wonderful experience. We were very grateful again to Paul Czachor making arrangements to remove the debris. The bayside beach was much cleaner and safer for children, pets and adults alike. Jim Lorello headed up this effort. The Friends of Watch Hill plan to conduct beach clean ups annually.
The Friends of Watch Hill also introduced its burgee (pennant) and a line of logo clothing. The funds raised through sales of burgees and clothing are used to support the maintenance of the magnets, cover insurance costs, rent movies etc.
We are very excited about the 2006 season. We will of course continue our Mosquito Magnet Program and will do all we can to increase the number of magnets at Watch Hill. We will actively seek donations and corporate sponsorships to do so.
Also, Michael Reynolds, Superintendent of the Fire Island National Seashore discussed the Friends of Watch Hill building the bayside deck during the 2006 season at our last member meeting. Mike told the meeting attendees that he is working with the DEC to obtain the necessary permits for building. The Friends of Watch Hill volunteers are ready to build and are going to pay for the materials needed to build the deck. As soon as Mike tells us the DEC has approved the building we are ready to go. This deck is going to be wonderful. It'll have the best ever view of the Great South Bay. We can't wait to build it.
The friends of Watch Hill also had a great suggestion from one of more active members and volunteers Frank Stankiewicz for procuring audio digital equipment that can be placed in the Watch Hill Visitor's Center showing the Park Service, Fire Island Concessions and the Friends of Watch Hill all working together to make Watch Hill the best it can be. We are going to actively pursue this suggestion with the Park Service. We also plan to increase our communications and make brochures and information about our organization available at the Watch Hill Ferry Terminal and wherever else it makes sense to do so.
We are also giving thought to fun events. Everyone enjoys Christmas in July at Watch Hill. Santa and the Rabbi make their appearance at the Marina and the Friends of Watch Hill provide gifts for all the children. The Friends of Watch Hill would like to sponsor more events of this type. Please check our website in future for upcoming events.
The Friends of Watch Hill love Watch Hill and are determined to stay “On Course for a Better Watch Hill". Please join us and help us in doing so. New members are most welcome. Again don't miss the opportunity to attend our meetings.
Thank you Barry for bringing our organization to the attention of the LICC. Thank you Joe for your positive feedback. Thanks to everyone who made positive comments in their posts on the Friends of Watch Hill topic.
In closing please feel free to email us with questions, comments, suggestions. Thanks for reading this very long post.
Pam