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The Red Party (1976)
1970's Guest User 1970's Guest User

The Red Party (1976)

Sun-soaked 1970s Fire Island Pines beach culture radiates effortless glamour, where artists, designers, celebrities, and locals mingled freely. Gustavo Novoa’s legendary 1976 Red Party epitomized this golden era—bold, sensual, and visually stunning, blending high style with carefree hedonism, communal spirit, and an unpretentious chic that defined the Pines at its dazzling peak. A very visual event set on the Pines beach, it is remembered as one of the all time great parties in the community.

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Pines Profile: Bob Levine (b. 1933)
1950's, 1960s, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, The Invasion, Cherry Grove Virun Rampersad 1950's, 1960s, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, The Invasion, Cherry Grove Virun Rampersad

Pines Profile: Bob Levine (b. 1933)

Robert “Bob” Levine, known to generations of Fire Islanders as the incomparable Rose Levine, is an indelible part of Fire Island history. For more than seventy years, Bob has been one of the most recognizable, beloved, and enduring figures in the history of both Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines. While he best known as a legendary drag entertainer, Bob has also been a chronicler, a social icon, and a bridge builder between Fire Island’s two LGBTQ+ communities.

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Pines Profile - Bob Howard (b. 1941)

Pines Profile - Bob Howard (b. 1941)

For more than five decades, Bob Howard has helped shape Fire Island Pines. Although often referred to as the “Dean of Real Estate,” his impact reaches far beyond property lines. In his time, Bob founded High Tea, led the Pines Conservation Society for two decades, and has more than four decades (and counting) of service with the Pines Fire Department —all while championing nearly every civic and charitable effort in the community.

In moments of celebration and in times of crisis, Bob has been a constant, galvanizing presence. He didn’t just build a business, he helped build the Pines itself, earning his place as one of its most respected and beloved leaders. His life is a testament to reinvention, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to a community that became not only his home, but his life’s work and enduring legacy.

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New Year’s Eve in the Pines
1990's, 2000's, Parties, Cherry Grove, Pines Profiles Virun Rampersad 1990's, 2000's, Parties, Cherry Grove, Pines Profiles Virun Rampersad

New Year’s Eve in the Pines

One of the less known traditions in the Pines is celebrating New Year’s Eve. For years, at a time when the summer season is a distant memory, people have crossed the Great South Bay to ring in the New Year with their year-round neighbors. The enduring and increasingly popular ritual is a reminder that the Pines is far more than a seasonal beach resort; rather, it is a true community where people have put down strong and durable roots.

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The Valerian Rybar/ Jerry Herman/ Pines Club home Est. 1983

The Valerian Rybar/ Jerry Herman/ Pines Club home Est. 1983

Bigger is always better in Fire Island Pines, and so it goes with the largest house on the largest piece of privately owned property in the Pines. Created by the Yugoslavian man the New York Times called “ the worlds most expensive decorator.” Valerian Rybar together with Jean-Francois Daigre founded the Valerian Rybar & Daigre Design Corporation of New York and Paris where his taste for the opulent and extravagant was his signature.

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The Jerry Herman House #1 Est. 1961
Robert Bonanno Robert Bonanno

The Jerry Herman House #1 Est. 1961

Broadway composer Jerry Herman composed many of his showtunes here in the Pines. In fact he loved the Pines so much that after selling this home he came back years later to purchase another…

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Fire Island Pines People- Nikki Fried 1943-1997
Parties & Benefits, 1980's, 1990's, Pines People Robert Bonanno Parties & Benefits, 1980's, 1990's, Pines People Robert Bonanno

Fire Island Pines People- Nikki Fried 1943-1997

Nikki Fried was a former nun who found her way to Fire Island. Her friend there Sandy Paul help her to find a job in publishing in New York city. Her love affair with Fire Island Pines began then and there. Her work in publishing led to consulting work with banks. Much of which could be done remotely. She would take off every August to stay in her beloved Pines, and worked her consulting schedule to spend as much time there as she could. From Spring to Fall.

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The David Barrett house Est. 1955

The David Barrett house Est. 1955

Every house has a story and this one certainly does. Built in 1955 it consisted of the main house and pool house. Interior Designer David Barrett started in humble beginnings only to end up as a in demand top interior designer with several homes including this one…

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The GMHC Morning Party: Sweet 16 - 1998
Community, Parties & Benefits, 1990's, DJ history Robert Bonanno Community, Parties & Benefits, 1990's, DJ history Robert Bonanno

The GMHC Morning Party: Sweet 16 - 1998

The GMHC (Gay Mens Health Crisis) Morning Party began in 1983 by a group of concerned Pines community members as a way to bring awareness to the growing AIDS crisis. Originally held at private homes after a night of all night dancing it had grown into a full fledge Circuit party. Circuit parties occur on a specific weekends and in a specific cities once a year, and there are many parties on “the circuit”, travel and planning are required. Travelling from party to party becomes part of a circuit boy’s lifestyle. Unfortunately drugs were also part of the party which became a conflict for GMHC…

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Fire Island Architecture history-The A Frame house Est.1965
Architecture, Community, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's Robert Bonanno Architecture, Community, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's Robert Bonanno

Fire Island Architecture history-The A Frame house Est.1965

Beginning it’s life as a simple modernistic A frame of the late 60’s its design seemed to fit right into it’s plot of land facing the Great South Bay. Built by owners Vera and Paul Weidenhoffer as a family summer home it’s frontage gave you a front row seat to the most beautiful sunsets of Long Island.

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Fire Island Pines People- Jack and Rita Lichtenstein
Pines People, Community, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, FIPAP Robert Bonanno Pines People, Community, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, FIPAP Robert Bonanno

Fire Island Pines People- Jack and Rita Lichtenstein

People make community, and this couple certainly made the community called Fire Island Pines. Early settlers and pioneers Jack owned a Liquor store business and together with wife Rita they deeply involved themselves in the theater, in both Cherry Grove and the Pines leaving a legacy of memories for family and freinds…

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