The Pines Foundation’s annual fundraiser the Pines Party, which had been scheduled for July 24 to 26, has been cancelled. The Pines Party Committee, with the support of the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association Board, announced its “difficult decision to cancel its plans for Pines Party 2020 “Through the Looking Glass: ON AIR.’”
Organizers added, “While our Pines Party 2020 plans were developed with health and safety guidelines in mind, the safety of our community is our number one priority. We have worked very hard to control the spread of the virus in the Pines throughout this spring and summer. We cannot condone or tolerate irresponsible, unacceptable behavior such as that displayed on the beach and at house parties over the 4th of July weekend by visitors to the Pines. We will continue our Pines Party 2020 fundraising efforts on behalf of The Pines Foundation and Stonewall Community Foundation through our Pines Party Community Journal and our Pines Party online auction. As always, we are grateful for our sponsors, our auction donors and journal advertisers for their continued support. Please stay safe and be responsible so that we can return to the beach for Pines Party 2021.”
Pines entrepreneur PJ McAteer posted, “I’d like to share a decision with the community that has resulted from the July 4th melee that took place on the beach, at home, and in the Meat Rack. The behavior displayed that weekend has led us to pause and reconsider how we can remain open while keeping our staff safe during a pandemic that is nowhere near over.
“We are going to completely close the Fire Island Pines commercial properties for Pines Party weekend. We will have normal service on Thursday, July 23rd, but when we close that evening, we will stay closed until Monday, July 27th at 11 am. We will be closed Friday, July 24th, Saturday, July 25th, and Sunday, July 26th. The properties include Pines Bistro, Sip ’n Twirl, Pines Pizza, The Canteen, The Hotel, The Pool Deck, The General Store, CAMP, The Blue Whale, and HANDSOME.
“ … [B]oth the Pines Pantry and The Pines Liquor Store will be open and we applaud their efforts at safety and also providing an excellent service to the community. The nature of our business does not allow the same for us.
“And although the Pines Party is officially cancelled, the homes are still rented, the renters are still coming. The virus is still raging throughout this country. The situation changes and we are changing with the situation. We implore everyone to follow the guidelines set by the Governor [Andrew Cuomo].
“It is entirely understandable that this is a drastic step that will greatly affect the community. This decision did not come lightly and without significant consultation with senior management and other leaders of the community.
“First and foremost, I have the requirement of a business owner to keep the health and safety of staff and guests a priority. With all that took place July 4th weekend, I do not see a way that I can make that happen.
“ … I … want to express …, that as an owner, the ability to just close businesses down on a pivotal weekend of business—for some—is suicide. For me, I have no other option.
“Without my staff, there is no business.”
My sources are www.pinesparty.com and the Cherry Grove Untucked on www.facebook.com/groups .