JD Fest 2023- A celebration of life

01/20/2024

A year later and we still just don’t have the words… thank you all for the support, generosity, and kindness over this past year. We got through all of the firsts that we never wanted to… all we can say, is that as we reflect on our Dad’s legacy, above all of our individual memories, overwhelmingly we all remember how JD made us feel. So make someone smile today, make someone feel loved, make someone feel seen, make someone laugh, and raise a glass to JD 🍻

Get ready to be uplifted and filled with holiday joy as Playing For Change delivers a heartfelt rendition of "Soulshine," featuring Warren Haynes, Shemekia C...

12/05/2023

Choosing our Christmas tree each year was something my dad and I cherished. It was our “thing”. When I was a kid we would visit 2 or 3 lots having them open as many trees as it took until we found the perfect one. When I was in college, he would wait until the week before Christmas to get the tree so we could go together. One year, my brother Mike’s tree was so bad that my dad called me and the two of us went and found him the perfect tree and dropped it off … the perfect Christmas “caper”! As we all grew up and had kids, we would carry on the Christmas tree shopping tradition. To say last Christmas was difficult would be an understatement. I was prepared for our annual Christmas tree shopping night to be wrought with emotion and very difficult this year, missing my partner in crime. Grief and healing are funny things though… part of my heart was missing yesterday, but 19 of us showed up for each other, never a question asked. We are learning to celebrate my dad every single day, and to take joy in the traditions we created with him. A lot of times we are fighting to smile through the tears… because there’s no way to even measure the loss we have. But we owe to him to carry on, lift each other up, smile when we feel his presence, tell his stories, and continue to create beautiful family memories. It’s what he taught us… it’s what we do because it’s who we are ❤️🎄

11/17/2023

JDfest Update …

At Thanksgiving every year, JD would insist we go around the table and say something we are thankful for. We are so thankful that with YOUR help, we have been able to support these community organizations!

Keep spreading the love and doing what you can for others this holiday season. ✌🏻 and ❤️ to all 😎

09/24/2023

We sure are feeling blessed after such a successful event last weekend… stay tuned for some pics and for the grand total announcement 📣 🙏🏻🤩

09/15/2023

📣50/50 is up to $1,000!

Cut off for virtual 50/50 tickets is tomorrow (9/15) at noon‼️

If you you don’t get it in by that time, you can still buy them in cash at JDFest THIS SATURDAY at … gotta be in it to win it!

09/13/2023

JDFest tee shirts are in!! Shirts are $20 and we have limited stock available.. so reserve yours today!!

09/13/2023

A group hug to get you through this Wednesday… the good news is we are halfway through the week and that much closer to JDFEST !!

🗓️ Saturday 9/16 1:00-5:00
📍Bayside Clam Bar, East Islip
🎟️ Raffles, 50/50s
🎵 live music
🪑 Throw a lawn chair in your trunk and come on down!
🍻 Drink bracelets available for purchase ($60 cash) or ala carte ordering available as well
😎 come on down and celebrate JDs legacy with a whole lot of ✌🏻and ❤️

09/12/2023

Thanks GreaterBayShore for helping us get the word out! We can't wait to see everyone this Saturday!

The East Islip eatery will host a fundraising event Sept. 16 to celebrate the life of longtime community volunteer.

09/09/2023

Today our dad was honored at the East Islip Soccer Club Westbrook fields with a bench that will forever commemorate the spirit of commitment to the community and his love for teaching life lessons through sports. So if you find yourself down at the soccer fields, have a seat, enjoy the view and remember… life is good ❤️⚽️