Summers on Fire Island
by Gracia C. Harper
(Leesburg, VA)
Fire Island's famous red wagons
The first time my family went to Fire Island we rented a house in Ocean Beach on Wilmot Street for two weeks.
This was in 1943. They liked it so much they decided to buy a "cottage" named Chatter Box on Cottage Walk. I spent many fun-filled summers there, meeting the ferry boats on Fridays with my wagon yelling "wagon Mr." hoping to earn 25cents for taking the person to their summer cottage for the weekend.
No autos on Fire Island, so it was completely safe and care-free fun. If the ocean was too rough we would head for the bay. I learned to swim and dive in the bay. They used to have a big contest on the beach in August with all sorts of races and prizes to be given out. Absolutely loved fishing in the bay with a drop line, crabbing along the docks with a net and clamming in the bay...
Wonderful memories of a wonderful place!!!!
