Virun Rampersad 12/6/25 Virun Rampersad 12/6/25

The Pines Conservation Society (Est. 1962)

One of the most striking things about Fire Island Pines is its natural beauty. A community embedded amongst a lush haven of trees, flowers, and dunes, with pristine beaches and surrounded by wildlife, for many it’s nothing short of paradise.

But paradise doesn’t just happen. For decades, generations of residents have poured their time, love, and resources into keeping the Pines as breathtaking as it is today. Among the heroes leading that charge is the Pines Conservation Society, whose quiet, tireless work has helped preserve and protect this special place.

Virun Rampersad 10/27/25 Virun Rampersad 10/27/25

Pines Profile - Eric L. Sawyer (b. 1954)

“Eric is a true hero. What he did – and still does -- the sacrifices he makes and what he has accomplished for our community, is simply remarkable.”

- Jim Pepper, Former Board Member GMHC, and Founder of Stonewall Community Foundation.

Guest User 10/24/25 Guest User 10/24/25

Memoirs of a Dockmaster

The harbor is one of the Pines’ most distinctive features. In the late 1980s it was its own kind of theater-- a floating stage where yachts, ferries, and seaplanes carried an ever-changing cast of characters, ranging from celebrities like Madonna, Peter Allen, and Liza Minnelli to foreign dignitaries guarded by men with Uzis to hundreds of drag queens arriving in full regalia for the July 4th Invasion. Henderson Rose was a dockmaster from 1986 to 1990 and had a front row seat to it all. From chatting with Tony Randall on the docks to sipping cocktails with Joan Rivers and helping to keep order as throngs of revelers flowed between Tea, house parties, and the Pavilion, his memories of those summers are as fresh as if they happened yesterday.

Virun Rampersad 10/14/25 Virun Rampersad 10/14/25

The Pines Halloween Party (est. circa 1975)

The Pines Halloween Party is not just a costume ball. It is a life-affirming, booty-shaking, sexy, flirty celebration. Fueled by an energizing mix of summer hits and classics, off the chart decorations and a crowd that’s dressed (or some cases, undressed) to slay, it’s the Pines way of saying, “See you next season, darling!”

Gary Clinton 9/11/25 Gary Clinton 9/11/25

Gaying the Pines

Today, Fire Island Pines is known as a Gay Mecca. LGBTQ+ people from around the world flock to enjoy its beaches, homes and entertainment in the full knowledge they can safely be their authentic selves here. But it wasn’t always that way. In a previous article Keeping The Gays Out: The Pines in the Late 1950s FIPPOA Board member and long time Pines resident Gary Clinton described the extensive efforts taken by some community members to keep gay people out of the Pines. As he noted, those efforts died down in 1959 after the largely gay population in Cherry Grove flocked to help the Pines fight the Memorial Day fire that destroyed the Botel. In this article, Gary describes when the shift occurred in the Pines and gays came to be in the majority.

Robert Bonanno 1/17/22 Robert Bonanno 1/17/22

The Parties of the Pines 1980’s

As the 1980’s era arrived the themed house party was in full force in the Pines where the access to creative was only a sequin away. The parties got bigger and so did the themes…

Robert Bonanno 12/13/21 Robert Bonanno 12/13/21

The Copa Cherry Grove Est.1980-81

Like a shooting star The Copa nightclub arrived in Cherry Grove and lit up the night. Night life that is. Like the Pavilion in the Pines that was built on the site of the Sandpiper, it was built on the site of the former Sea Shack.

Robert Bonanno 12/5/21 Robert Bonanno 12/5/21

Rockshots Greeting Cards by Michael Rock & Tolin Greene

An image is worth a thousand words they say, and so it went with Photographer Michael Rock and the erotic images that became greeting cards known as Rockshots of an era…

Robert Bonanno 11/27/21 Robert Bonanno 11/27/21

A Dual in the Sun. The Rockefeller/Ron Martin home Est. 1965

Designed by Architect Harry Bates at the height of his Fire Island Career. 607 Shore Walk remains an intact example of Bates style as well as classic 60’s architecture. Built in 1965 by Walter Reich for Alan Morton, the two simple glass boxes that are the main house and a separate cottage inspired the house’s original name “Dual in the Sun.”

Robert Bonanno 10/15/21 Robert Bonanno 10/15/21

Drag Race in the Pines 1989.

Before RuPaul coined the name “Drag Race” the Pines had one of their own…

Robert Bonanno 10/9/21 Robert Bonanno 10/9/21

Fire Island Pines People- Doris Taussig

There have been many women who have been the pioneers of the Pines, however one of its earliest trailblazers was Doris Taussig. Daughter of the original landowners of the Pines Doris created her own path of history.

Robert Bonanno 10/7/21 Robert Bonanno 10/7/21

Crews Quarters Est. 1982

Realtor Doris Taussig opens “Crews Quarters. It was known as the friendly place. The place where the locals and more came to drink and socialize. More importantly it was the game of pool that brought people together…

Robert Bonanno 10/4/21 Robert Bonanno 10/4/21

The Belvedere Cherry Grove Est. 1957

As you arrive by ferry to Cherry Grove to your left sits a castle like building that stands out with its white facade. Is it a palace of some long ago prince? I guess you could say it is. John Eberhardt created a fantasy here. His own. That he has left for all to experience…

Robert Bonanno 10/2/21 Robert Bonanno 10/2/21

The Radio Flyer Red Wagon Est. 1917.

The Radio Flyer Red Wagon was a symbol of Fire Island Life. Like everything life changes. Simpler times made the wagon the perfect vehicle to transport everything we needed for a Fire Island stay. Today’s society needs more, giving way to large carts to now transport more, making our little red wagon a thing of the past.

Robert Bonanno 9/30/21 Robert Bonanno 9/30/21

The Chemical Bank boat Est. 1981.

The floating bank branch called Cee Bee I was commissioned by Chemical bank in 1981. The 36 foot boat provided Fire Island residents with complete banking services with the exception of safety deposit boxes.

Robert Bonanno 9/22/21 Robert Bonanno 9/22/21

Carnival Rio party @ Reflections 1986

Throughout the 1980’S Gloria DeMann and her husband Larry were know in the the Pines for their lavish parties at their bayfront home called “Reflections.” Carnival Rio was just one of many…

Robert Bonanno 8/22/21 Robert Bonanno 8/22/21

DJ Jim Burgess

Jim Burgess was a disco record mixer and New York DJ of the 1970s, and has been commonly referred to as one of the hottest DJ’s and Remixers of the Disco era.

Robert Bonanno 8/6/21 Robert Bonanno 8/6/21

Fire Island Pines People- Bobby Bonanno

Bobby Bonanno- My History: I have always been blessed to live near the water. The beach has always been a constant in my life. As a child in the summer I would travel from our home in the Bronx out to Shirley Long Island to my grandmothers house. There we would go to a place called Fire Island…