THE GODS OF SALTAIRE, 1950 TO 1970

THE GODS OF SALTAIRE, OUR VIEW







The First, Efficient Cause



"Hence, we must presuppose some first, efficient cause- which we all call God" Aquinas, Summa Theologica; cf. Maimonidies, Moreh.










GOD WHOSE POWERS MOVED OVER THE FACE OF THE WATERS:


God of all things moving on the waters of the bay, except for the bay swimming area, which was controlled by the God of Children. He had a puckish side and actually came ashore at night and sang, drank and was merry. Had dominion over the ball field one day per summer for great watermelon for kids and drinking for grownups bash. He controlled access to Saltaire by virtue of the Fire Islander.




GOD OF THE CHILDREN., THE BAY SWIMMING AREA, ALL ATHLETIC FIELDS AND SPORTS FACILITIES AND HAD THE AWESOME POWER TO ENDOW KIDS WITH SWIMMING SKILLS AND SPORTS ACUMEN. TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE. CEEDED CONTROL OF THE BALL FIELD JUST ONE DAY PER SUMMER . (SEE ABOVE)




CARRIED A BIG STICK (REALLY, A TEN FOOT BAMBOO POLE) AS HE LOOKED DOWN FROM THE SWIMMING DOCK AT CHILDREN SWIMMING IN BRACKISH WATERS, A WHISTLE IN HIS MOUTH THAT COULD BE HEARD FROM THE BAY TO THE OCEAN. USUALLY HAD WHITE NOXEMA ON HIS NOSE.

IN THE FALL, HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALL COACHES IN NY STATE HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY. AT SALTAIRE, HE SOMEHOW COMBINED THE KINDNESS OF MR. ROGERS WITH THE TOUGHNESS OF KNUTE ROCKNE. FIRST, LAST AND FOREMOST A TEACHER.

GODESS OF EVERYTHING NOT COVERED BY ABOVE.

HER POWERS LASTED THROUGH THE EARLY 1980'S. EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED ALL THINGS IN THE VILLAGE POLITICAL, PRACTICAL, GOVERNMENTAL. SHE WAS A CONCILIATOR, A NEGOTIATOR, AN ORGANIZER AND A COUNSELOR WHO RAN EVERYTHING FROM THE LABOR DAY SHOWS AT THE YACHT CLUB TO THE VILLAGE ITSELF AS MAYOR, AND FIRE ISLAND ITSELF IN THE FIRE ISLAND ASSOCIATION. WORKED HARDER, WAS SMARTER, AND MORE INFORMED THAN ANYONE IN VILLAGE MEMORY. DESPITE VAST POWERS OF MOVING AND SHAKING, MADE VERY FEW ENEMIES.