Upcoming fundraiser hopes to rebuild beach devastated by recent storms in Rocky Point
By Julianne Mosher
The plan is to put a spell on you all for a good cause.
With high-impact storms hitting Long Island over the past year, local communities have been having trouble recovering from wind, water and debris-filled damage. In Rocky Point, the North Shore Beach Property Owners Association (NSBPOA) experienced ruined beaches and access points and roads that need dire repair.
To raise funds to fix these expensive problems, NSBPOA is hosting a post-Halloween party at their historic clubhouse featuring music from the Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins band — the blues artist known for “I Put a Spell on You” — a perfect tune for the spooky holiday bash to be held on Nov. 9.
Michael Armando, a former board member of NSBPOA and the guitarist in the band, said that this Halloween concert is open to the public, not just members of the association.
“We’re hoping to raise money to repair the damage from the heavy rain we had,” he said.
Soundview Drive, which is a private road owned by the association, but which is open to the public, was ruined after Long Island was rocked with 10-inch-high flooding in August. The problem, Armando said, is that while the road is private, it is accessible to everyone including buses, garbage trucks, and plows from the Town of Brookhaven. However, since it’s privately funded, the town cannot pay for its repairs or help maintain it.
“We don’t get help from the town, but they use the roads too,” he said. “Fixing the roads is a public benefit.”
As an added bonus, the party will feature music from The Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Band — a tribute project that brings the music of the legendary Screamin’ Jay Hawkins back to life. Armando, who was the original guitarist for the original band in the 70, said that they don’t just perform Hawkins’ music, but they also aim to recreate the wild and theatrical essence of his performances. Other members of the band include Shakar “TheRealShakar” Brumfield on vocals, Tex on saxophone, Andrew Golba on bass and Michael Fox on drums.
NSBPOA is celebrating 96 years, according to vice president Gina Carpenter. She said that in 1928, a New York City newspaper, the New York Daily Mirror, owned undeveloped land between Rocky Point and Miller Place. An advertisement offered subscribers the opportunity to buy a 20-by 80-foot parcel through the subscription of just $89.50 as a “get away from it all” summer home.
“People came by train — there was just a dirt road leading up to the bungalows,” she said.
The association came out of the summer season regulars who would help maintain the beaches and who created a sense of community together while they vacationed on the North Shore. Today, Carpenter said the association has over 600 members and it’s open to anyone looking to have access to a small piece of paradise which includes more than a mile of beach, kayaking, fishing and boating.
That’s why having members in the group is so important, Carpenter said, because “we’re a nonprofit, so when things happen, we’re not eligible for certain grants.”
“It’s a big undertaking maintaining the roads and beaches,” she added. “To rebuild and repair, we heavily rely on donors and fundraising.”
Armando said that anyone can join — members don’t need to live exclusively in Rocky Point.
“The beach association is an environmentally friendly group that takes care of the beach, the bluff and planting on the bluff,” he said. “Whatever we can get to help will go to the repairs along with all of these other things.”
“This is a hidden gem that not many people know about,” Carpenter said. “An event like this is not only fun, but people can see our clubhouse, get to know some of us and learn more about the association.”
The belated Halloween party fundraiser will benefit the NSBPOA on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at 55 Clubhouse Drive in Rocky Point. Tickets are $40 and the event will have basket raffles, a 50/50 and include a free wine glass voucher. Costumes are welcomed for those still feeling the spooky season. Tickets can be purchased online at northshorebeach.org or at the door.
