A Fire Island Story

In 1977, I was invited for a weekend to Davis Park/Ocean Ridge and never left. From that initial ferry crossing, the moment I set foot on this island, I knew, gasping and breathless, that this would be my forever summer home. The beauty, serenity, and uniqueness of Fire Island captivated me instantly.

As part of a group of young singles from Manhattan, it was a relatively quick trip on the LIRR to nirvana every Friday evening after a busy workweek. I spent years enjoying fabulous times with friends in group houses until I finally bought my own home—a unique small cottage originally built in the early '60s by Chester Whitehorn.

  

Chester had competed on the popular game show "Concentration" and won a
Triumph TR3 sports car.

Chester Whitehorn and the Triumph TR3

Chester traded the car to local builder Hobby Miller for land and a custom-built home. One evening, over beers (or martinis) in a Greenwich Village NYC bar, Chester and Hobby designed his dream home on a cocktail napkin.

Chester's Fire Island home built by Hobby

Davis Park has a rich tradition of nurturing local artists. Beyond the Labor Day Craft Fair, artists showcase their work in their homes and the Casino. Walter Desel, a folk art and seascape painter, pioneered this by turning his home into "The Ridge Gallery."

Walt DEsel

He was followed by Betsy Gay Hart (jewelry designer to the stars) and Titus Kana (photographer extraordinaire), as well as contemporary artists Julie Hopkins and Linnea Rhodes, among others.

Walter's Home "The Ridge Gallery"

After retiring from advertising, I channeled my passion for Fire Island into creating an online "affordable" art gallery. My goal is to nurture artists and showcase the natural beauty of our unique island, inspiring creativity island-wide.

Marlene Sklar is currently active in the Davis Park community, serving as Secretary on both the Davis Park Homeowners Association (DPA) and the Davis Park Community Arts & Recreation (CRAB) Board of Directors.