Sunrise Highway 2017- Hampton Folks
There is a road that takes me to a land, where many people roam. It’s quite exquisite, as you will see and points, towards my home. There are many things that I can see and still hear. Especially the drone of those yellow, bumble bees (125 cc –Suzuki/Yamaha dirt bikes/motocross races. Bridgehampton Racetrack, 1977-1980). There are many people that also come and go. They are spirits that drift like the wind in the night, through the trees they howl and fade out of my sight.
In Montauk there is Jack Yee (surfcasting legend/photographer, 1937-2015) as I most vividly see, who missed an incredible picture of me. Knocked over by a huge, rogue wave (surfcasting). I dislocated my shoulder in shocking pain. He helped me to stay calm. I struggled with self, doubt. Finally setting it back into place (my own shoulder and mind. Originally dislocated at the Bay Berry Land turn, presently Sebonic Golf Club. On Sebonic Road, crashing on my way to work at Dave Bofill’s North Sea location, on my 1984 Kawasaki GPz 750. At sixty miles an hour).
It is a land I do know and is wondrous, like a poem. Where many souls are always, destined to roam. Frank Mundus (Montauk fishing legend, 1925-2008) I heard, was quite a wild young man and told many, incredible tales. There is no doubt, he was impressive in his exploits. Many ocean going feats. Together with Spielberg (Steven), Scheider (Roy, 1932-2008), Dreyfuss (Richard) and don’t forget Miss (Lorraine) Gary. Robert Shaw’s (1927-1978) portrayal of a man, Peter Benchley (1940-2006) named “Quint.” With a book and a movie, its title named “Jaws.” We would never now swim and ever really, be quite sure.
Where Dave Bofill once took me (presently located at Rowland’s old location, on county road 39). He showed me quite a comical scene. Dragging a refrigerator through the “North Sea Dump.” Where in the closing act we laughed and howled, departing from the audience light (landfill workers/people, as we had to remove refrigerator door, tying a rope to it and Dave’s, Ford F-250). A young Titan (myself) and “the King” (Dave) clashing with crushing, massive boats (Dave Bofill Marine Inc.). George Luce (asst. manager) I did hear, quick get Gene Seraphine, to heck out here (Dave moving extremely fast, sometimes damaging a boat. Gene of Hampton Bays, was gelcoat/fiberglass repairman, extraordinaire). There is Keith Betts (head mechanic) with a grin. Tuning a Cigarette in the din (a very loud and fast, high performance offshore boat, with twin 420 Mercruiser’s, with blowers). Doug (Ulrich, manager) laughing silly, with a grown up, blow up, dilly (adult novelty toy. Sent especially this time of year (Christmas/Hanukah) not by Santa, meant as a joke, by the “Wild, Wild, Jerry West (customer/adult novelty toy distributer).” Little Joe (mechanic) and his gigantic sons (6’8”?), how much did they grow in total this month?
This is by Conscience Point (where English, Lynn, Massachusetts settlers arrived, June 12, 1640), where Rodger (Dave’s friend) told me stories of Dave when young. His boat called “Sit Tight” or you’ll fly out in terrible fright (Dave’s, twenty seven foot Formula with twin Hi-Tech, high performance engines). He was a mentor, like a big brother to me. George Hlavaty (mechanic, 1955-2004) cracking jokes, Harry (mechanic) reciting about the boats (a boat is a boat, is a boat. tug boat, tug boat, tug boat.). Andy Geisweller (entrepreneur/detailer, Hampton Yacht & Air Inc.) was most irate about being called a senseless name (the wit’s as in witless, by Dave). I could walk right next door, to George or Helen (Knapp. Previous retired marina owners) and had my first taste, of local bee honey (Helen was a bee keeper). They were once the past keepers, of this blessed impasse and has now passed on, into other people’s hands (1810 North Sea Road, presently Strong’s Marine).
Where, in Hampton Bays and Westhampton, I could go and meet Andy and his shows (where Andy lived with his workers and traveling to & working boat shows, with Miami as the best.) There was Arty, with a bow (Andy’s stepbrother shooting a bow and arrow, in their basement) and Kevin Finnegan, I surely did know (bong hit, Johnny?). Tommy O’Leary, strumming his guitar (from Cork, Ireland who had once had an old man, “Otis Redding,” jam with them in Cork, playing Jimi Hendrix tunes) and Rich Quinones, with his high wire, diving act (Richie’s mother was Cherokee. He once leaped off a Sarasota hotel, sixth floor balcony hand rail. Four stories into a swimming pool. Almost missing and suffering a ruptured ear drum and horrible hangover).
There was a once Wiffle Ball team, that threw, with incredible speed (Andy’s, Westhampton friends/boat show recruits and incredible wiffle ball players. Who I was once fortunate to play with on South Beach, as they put on a game). In downtown, Westhampton Beach. The World Series highlight, was played with fanfare plus great delight. The trophy although small, was an image and a toy. The boys invited Jerry Seinfeld, to this wonderful spectacle, they put on (they invited him through Shoshana Lonstein, his girlfriend at the time). He was a no show at their incredible event, so they strode off flawlessly, with no regrets. Rowdy Roddy Piper, made up for this loss. Although he was the image and not just, some little toy (rowdy Roddy wrestling doll, was trophy).
There is the Roadhouse bar. I still see with the naked man statue, on his knees. Otto’s Nord Sea Deli, made mouthwatering, stomach mending Reuben’s (all were located on North Sea road, just north of Cr. 39). Which Dave always found to be highly instrumental (delicious). There was once an old dark man (I believe he was a Shinnecock, in late eighties. I would bump into him at the 7-11 & Ralph’s Barber shop, in the village), who walked and lived in Southampton land. People referring to him as the “Mayor.” The Quogue field club where Ricky would drink, his Budweiser and V-8. My dad (Irish Jim McGaughey, 1934-2015) giving Hilton a ride, having to stop, so he can pick up Wilson’s Rye (my father’s coworkers/long time seasonal, African American course employees. After he retired from 25 years with MTA as bus driver and hired by club &Tony Leness). In Spinney Hills I could ride and met Richie Marsicano (old high school, dirt bike friend), who introduced me to my lovely bride. “Big Don” (Donald Rasmussen, 1959-2017) I also did know and this is one place we would go (my motocross and trail riding partner. Who just passed away at age 57, on Friday, May 19, 2017). Until it came the day, the rule of law came and took it, “all away.” (Strict police enforcement against dirt bike, trail riding.)
The Atlantic (Constructed, 1990-1992), twenty years now old, where me and Donny (Don Woods, grow in/assistant superintendent) would always roam. Here comes A.J. (Arthur Bolomey, laborer/golf pro. Who once ran up to Donald Trump, to shake his hand) across a rise. Max and Sadie by his side (course superintendent Ranum’s dogs. Male-golden retriever/female-black lab). Randy Knapp (1955-2005, laborer/mechanic) in a muddy trench, a geyser shooting above his head. Bill Shuford (turf grass student, presently superintendent of Laurel Links in Southold) big and strong with Sammy (Cagianno, laborer) digging right along. The Garcia family (five brothers from Guatemala, lived at course) cutting Greens, as far as I possibly, could see. Cristobol my assistant (also from Guatemala, helped with spraying/cooked meals for the workers), what in tarnation is he making? Incredible, ox tail soup I still taste and tortillas cooking, on a very hot plate!
There is Bobby and Alison (Ranum) welcoming me in. Christopher (1984-2005), Mathew and Ms. Amy, all still real young (their children). The world still waiting, for their input or insightful, pun. How I was once embarrassed by fate, when I struck a sprinkler, on this certain day (striping rough, I struck elevated sprinkler in front of Lowell Schulman and entourage).
Lowell (Schulman, developer), Reese (Jones, course architect), Dave and Tom Julius (project managers) were there, water shooting above me in the air. I surely didn’t forget Billy Matters (gardener/arborist. Now owner of Peconic lawn and tree), Tim Coffey (landscape contractor), Delalio’s sod, Cardo’s excavators (cardo excavators of Quogue) and the wild Tanto, terrorizer’s (irrigation installers from Pennsylvania). Joe Moisa (Nassau/Suffolk turf services) was certainly there, bringing seed and tons of fertilizer, for us to bear. Clyde and the shaping crew (Reese’s bulldozer, shaping crew). Andy (golf course mechanic) from Massachusetts, are all there too.
Now time is getting shorter and on this highway, I keep driving. One day this road will end, but I’m sure my soul will keep on traveling. I am ready for the day, when my spirit will be greeted, by fate. I know it is a wonderful land and hope, you all find, the “Sunrise Grand!” All the best!
