This past weekend was just lovely in Oyster Bay and East Norwich. There were flags flying in East Norwich in honor of the 100th anniversary of the East Norwich Volunteer Fire Department (ENVFD). Down in the hamlet, on Saturday morning June 16, the firemen held their 5th Battalion drill. A bandstand was set up for people to view the action.
We love to watch the drills, especially the hose event. It is amazing to see the firefighters racing with the hose and connecting it in seconds to fire out the water. The Town of Oyster Bay showmobile was set up with all the trophies that were awarded later in the day.
In the Town of Oyster Bay parking lot off Audrey Avenue, the Oyster Bay Farmers Market was open for the first time. The Karppi family had a great time getting fresh vegetables to serve that afternoon as we had an early Father’s Day celebration featuring sea food from Russ & Daughters that Lynne Karppi Chute brought from NYC. At one of the booths they had some marvelous bread that tempted us, but we knew we were having Swedish hardtack for lunch.
There were flats of impatiens that we would have stopped for if we had more time. A young lady wanted to chat with us about water quality but we had no time to stop, and we assumed she was there in relation to the C.E.S.S.P.O.O.L. (Coordinated Environmental Solutions for Septic Problems Occurring On Long Island) initiative and actually would have loved to chat with her. Too much to do in too little time.
At a bit after 6 p.m. the 5th Battalion parade took off. The parade was great, with the ENVFC leading the parade with two gleaming antique fire trucks. We waved as Oyster Bay Town Councilmen Chris Coschignano and Anthony Macagnone marched along. It was great seeing all the volunteer firefighters marching along in their dress uniforms. There was a good-sized group of watchers enjoying the parade. The bands were great. We loved the Comanche Raiders Marching Band with their great American Indian outfits. The bagpipes were marvelous. The evening ended with a barbecue and a band concert at the ENVFD firehouse.
All in all, it was another amazing day in East Norwich and Oyster Bay. It is truly a great place to live, as you well know! (That is worth an exclamation mark I believe.)
— DFK
