HERITAGE PROGRAM 2003

3/2003

On the evening of August 20th more than 80 people crammed into the Oak Beach Community Center for the Second Annual Save the Beaches Barrier Beach Heritage Program.

The format, as conceived and organized by Barbara Hackett, consisted of presenting historic items, like maps and photos, attic treasures, memorabilia, and video tape viewing spread throughout the center so that everyone could pour over the wonderful keepsakes that many of the beach people in attendance brought along with them to share.

Of course, there was plenty of opportunity to chat about the items on display and reminisce about the "good old days". Nancie Gordon of Oak Beach was asked to speak about her memories. Several people helped by making entries on the "family tree" for each of the 6 Babylon Barrier Beach communities.

Save the Beaches is interested in keeping the Heritage Program an ongoing effort. To assist, the Board of Directors has approved the following:

1. A column in each STBF Newsletter by or about an "old timer"
2. Same columns will be on the STBF web site at www.savethebeaches.org.
3. Babylon Barrier Beachers, past and present, will be able to send e-mails to stbfinc@aol.com with notes about their memories of the beach.
4. A library of the heritage material collected will be started.

NANCIE GORDON SPEAKS

Text of talk given August 20, 2003: 3 of 2003

Oak Beach has been a part of my life for 70 plus years. When I was a nine year old, my father brought me to the beach for a vacation and togetherness. My parents were divorced; I spent winters in New Jersey and summers here, at Oak Beach, with my dad and his family in rented houses.

In the 30's, before the big hurricane, Fire Island ended back east by the light house. There were no jetties or bulkheads and the sore thumb didn't exist. The Coast Guard Station was active. The Coast Guard, who patrolled our beaches nightly, was at Gilgo Beach also.

All of our shopping was done in Freeport. As we had no electricity, Dad brought large pieces of ice from Freeport on Friday nights when he came in from New York. And, he picked up a week's groceries. All cars were parked at the west end, and we met them with our little express wagons. We used kerosene for lights and cooking and carried our jugs and bottles of water from a central pump.

Later we had pumps in the kitchen and the bathroom - 25 strokes to flush the John. I never could figure out why there was a large bathtub in one of the cottages we rented; there were no faucets.

We kids lived in our bathing suits, 'cause laundry was a problem! The happiest day of the week was when the bakery truck came! We always destroyed Mom's food budget, keeping her in debt with our appetites for cinnamon buns. We invented OB sandwiches - peanut butter and jelly.

And oh, what wonderful musicals at Jones Beach: Billy Rose's water ballet at the aquacade and Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert musicals. Sometimes the ride back to Oak Beach around midnight was mysterious and thrilling. The darkness and fog enveloped us. The street lights ended at Gilgo. Dad and I each had to lean out the windows to keep our car on the road. Then, he'd have a wet head to towel off upon arriving home.

"The Inn" was a one room establishment, patronized only by beach people and their guests. Dancing by jukebox and a pitcher of beer entertained us Saturday nights.

FROM SUSAN ARNOLD

4 of 2003

I enjoyed reading Nancie Gordon's account. I also was much impressed by Mary Ellen Hackett's writing AND illustrations. I wish I had been down for the Heritage Program! We Arnolds can empathize.

There have been 4 generations of Arnolds (Andy is our son) who have enjoyed our cottage and I am hoping that a 5th generation will enjoy it as much. Alas, David, a real Oak Beacher since 1926, died in September 2002 and I have moved to a CCRC.