It takes only two stuffy, sweltering days and all I can think about is Jell-O.
When I was young, Jell-O molds were a reassuring staple at barbecues, clambakes and family dinners. The best part about Jell-O was that while it looks like a dessert, it was always served during dinner. Despite its fruit, nuts, marshmallows and vibrant colors—and despite being fun to eat!—it sat right on our plates, next to the hamburgers and string beans. Sometimes it was all I would eat for dinner.
One of the neighborhood kids was just as happy to eat it straight out of the box, in its dry and granular form, its flavor compounded in a way that only a child could love. The evidence, bright colors smeared across our faces and on our hands, was ignored by our parents. Once eaten, Jell-O could not be uneaten.
Perhaps, at one of this summer’s galas, we’ll have a Jell-O castle instead of an ice sculpture. Nobody eats an ice sculpture: it is just a symbol of money melting.
Recently, a Remsenburger was honored during the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center’s annual golf tournament. Michele LeMoal-Gray is a founding member of the PAC’s Advisory Council. She is an attorney and the chair of the Southampton Ethics Board.
Michele had an impish smile on her face when she accepted the tournament’s “Closest to the Hole Award.” She asked me not to print exactly how close her ball was as it was not as close as it has been! Ms. LeMoal-Gray is a strong supporter of the PAC’s theater arts education program. Good job!
The Family Service League’s Seaside Summer Gala is being held on the evening of Saturday, July 14. For years, Remsenburg’s Joan Cassel Kelly, Lorie Moschetti, Carol Huber, Jolene Haber and Janine Stern have been dedicated volunteers. The current gala co-chairs are Scott Skorobohaty and Deborah Busking. This organization provides treatment and prevention options for those suffering from substance abuse, depression and anxiety; it also provides advocacy for families affected by autism spectrum disorders.
“Blessings in a Backpack” has been started by Aiden and Alex Kravitz. As part of this new program, backpacks are being stuffed with healthy food for children on the federal free and reduced lunch program. The program hopes to serve the Westhampton Beach Elementary School during the next school year. This organization is looking for support as the first few years are the toughest. For more information, please email foodforthought631@gmail.com.
The Westhampton Garden Club has its annual Hampton Homes Tour planned for Tuesday, July 10. This year’s tour will feature a lovely home in Remsenburg; its identity will be a secret until the tickets are printed! Ine Wijtvliet did the graphic design for the entire show. Lovejoy Duryea is in charge of the artists who will be painting in the gardens of each house. Ann Grist, a past president of the Remsenburg Garden Club, is also a member and supporter of this event.
Our local garden clubs support environmental design and horticulture, and provide scholarships in their respective communities. Each club has a beautification committee responsible for design, planting and maintaining many of the beautiful gardens in our area.
So, go see a beautiful garden, or attend a wonderful gala, and be a grown-up. Then go home and eat some dry Jell-O right out of the box and remember what it was like when you were a kid.
on Jun 25, 2012