Kismet's 13th Annual Henry Gates Clam Shucking Contest to benefit the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition was a jam packed jumpin' affair, Tuesday, August 14 at the Out restuarant. Tennis pros were imported by Out owner Warren Lem from Florida for two tennis clinics for adults and children, corn shucking contest for the children, while participants crushed and crowded into the bar and under the tent buying tickets for everything from food, silent auction, chinese auction, raffles from beach bikes, to beach bags, to a date with beach boy lifeguard Jack that had the girls in a tizzy, to flat screen TVs, and the "biggies", a special surf board which went for $650, Norwegian Cruise Lines 7 night cruise for two - ocean view cabin - anywhere they travel, Southwest Airlines Tickets and seemingly anything that was not nailed down was auctioned off by huckster extraordinaire Pete Fasulo. A 50/50 netted $1436 (they had to call the winner at the beach whose exclamation was happily unprintable). In the midst of all this was the traditional high energy clam shucking contest which was won by Pat Robinson, first ever female winner, from the Chowder Bar in Babylon (note her French manicure was not compromised in the least).  Time: 4:21 minutes!

Figures for money raised were still coming in at press time but it was $40,000 plus, Not bad for a beautiful midweek beach day.

                                                                                               by Jeanne Lieberman

 

 

They had a tennis clinic for little kids

 

 

the big kids they kept behind bars

 

 

 

Volunteers, Michelle Davis and Kelly Briscoe

 

Frank Gentile aka "Clam Boy"......nice mohawk!

 

 

 

 

"Punkrock Pete" huckster extraordinaire. (Buddy & Margaret look on)

....and the winner of the cruise is

 

Kismet's Lou & ChristineTancredi, the volunteer who sold him

 the ticket, Clam Boy's mom, Janine Gentile

 

 

Margaret & Clam Boy draw for winner of 50/50

 

"Has anyone seen Puddin' around?"

 

Joel: See this is how is its done

 

Chef Andre from the OUT in intense competition

 

Big Ron won the massage basket - oils and all - Amelia is lucky

 

yes, the corn comes with it

 

I dunno, no one seems to want our wine

 

That's because they all want beer!!!

 

Dennis - can you shuck faster???

 

Major contender, Maddy

 

a pause for photo op for volunteers Kelly, Dorothea & Colette

 

new meaning to dining al fresco

 

I just love this event!

 

 

the dipsy dolly sisters

 

 

lets hear it for the girls!!!

 

the nicest supporter there

 

a date with lifeguard Jack (no chaperone), up for bids

 

 

Britney took out a loan, no,Nick you cant bid on this, not even in a dress!

 

Britney Metcalf won amidst cheers

 

Grace & Casey got Rob V!!!

 

Tom L former MC won the SouthWest tix - hey, I'm ga air me for Vegas!

 

he won something......but what

 

Randy from East Islip bid $650 for the surfboard

 

Michelle helps Margaret pick the 50/50 winner

 

 

I think it went well, don't you? I hear they raised over $40,000

and for such a good cause! Well, see you next year.