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7/4/2023 Southold’s July 4th Parade. As the senior men from Southold’s Fire Department finish up the parade, I had to ask if they knew my brother Firefighter Shawn P. May from FDNY Engine Co 4 in Manhattan. Great day at the parade and what a turn out! Everybody looked sharp, especially the members of Southold’s Engine Company 4 and their rig. True dedication!!

7/30/2023 Baldwin Brothers Ken and Rich leaving Montauk for another action packed day of fluke fishing Montauk’s pristine waters

7/23/2023 Anne and I are staying at Snug Harbor located in Montauk NY. To kill some time out here, I brought 180 foot of half-inch double braid line with me to spice. My first splice is for the Mary Alice, the 31 ft Eastern that needs a new spring. Initially I went by Samson Splicing Instructions that came with the fid and pusher that I purchased from West Marine. I cross-referenced my initial splice with Andy Wall’s YouTube video. Using both training aids I got confused and made a mistake, so had to start over with a second splice. I used Andy Wall’s method, as he made it look easy. It’s a 12-year-old video with over 750,000 views. I would definitely recommend checking it out. My last double braid eye spice was years ago while stationed at US Coast Guard Station in Fort Totten Queens NY. Small boat Coxswain Jon Adams had to cut the towing hauser of the CG 41412 while towing a boat that sank in Long Island Sound. The two of us respliced her hauser. 1980 or 1981 I attended Class Boatswains Mate School in Yorktown Virginia for three months. It was there that my Uncle Sam taught us 3 strand and double braid splicing. After 43 years I needed a refresher. Thanks Andy Wall of the West Marines Alameda store

8/6/2015 Robbie Gallo of Gallo Tree Service demonstrating his climbing line and belt set up using the Schwabisch Hitch. If you live in the Southampton area, consider yourself lucky if you’ve had Robbie Gallo prune your trees. He’s one of the best. People would wait for over a year in some cases to have him service their tree needs. Robbie is retired from the FDNY, having worked in Engine 76 and Engine 313 with 23 years of dedicated service. He’s 70 years old, and still climbing. Is he slowing down a little bit? Absolutely, but his attention to detail has never wavered

3/6/2023 Cape Coral Florida Ride With Gunner, SW Florida’s Best Looking Dog

6/26/2023 Eric May practicing with UTM’s Makita cordless circular drill. Eric helped install the dunnage in the bed of the Uncle Tom’s GMC in preparation of our trip back to New York. Thanks for all the help Eric!

6/10/2023 St John of God Cemetery Central Islip NY. ☘️ Sean Murtha of the Suffolf County Police Department Pipe & Drum Band plays “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” for Margaret May and Shelia King, the O’Leary sisters from Tralee ☘️

6/11/2023 UTM spent a couple hours fishing this morning with his nephew Eric May before he headed back to Florida on his afternoon flight. We fished west of Bouy 8 South of East Marian where Eric landed this Jumbo Sea Robin. It was Eric‘s first time fishing, and I must say he is a natural. Next time I’m in Florida, we’ll have to get him out again. Great Job Eric!!

6/11/2023 UTM spent a couple hours fishing this morning with his nephew Eric May before he headed back to Florida on his afternoon flight. We fished west of Bouy 8 South of East Marian where Eric landed this Jumbo Porgy. It was Eric‘s first time fishing, and I must say he is a natural. Next time I’m in Florida, we’ll I have to get him out again. Great Job Eric!!

6/11/2023 UTM spent a couple hours fishing this morning with my nephew Eric May before he headed back to Florida on his afternoon flight. We fished east of Bouy 7 NE of Shelter Island. It was Eric‘s first time fishing, and I must say he is a natural. Next time I’m in Florida, we’ll I have to get him out again. Great Job Eric!!

5/1/2023 Loading up mulch at the Cutchogue facility this morning. 3,020 lbs worth. They have some beautiful stuff there

8/6/2015 Robbie Gallo is probably one of the best tree pruners I’ve ever met. He does everything by the numbers. He’s 70 years old and still climbing trees

3/21/2023 I heard a lot of good things about Fisherman’s Village located in Punta Gorda, Florida and finally made my way there Tuesday March 21, 2023. It was there I met retired FDNY Lt. Kevin O’Neil who worked in Ladder Company 35 in Manhattan. Kevin filled me in on how members of the “Guns n Hoses Pipe and Drum Band” would gather each Tuesday evening, one hour before sunset, on the beach area adjacent the tiki bar to play the bagpipes. As the sun sets they finish with playing Amazing Grace. The band is made up of retired police officers and firefighters from around the country. The band uses the platform to collect money for St Vincent de Paul food pantry, a great cause. Definitely worth a visit to watch this incredible pipe and drum band. Thanks for viewing.

3/16/2023 Captain Larry Blieka making preparations for departure on another great fishing expedition.

3/25/2023 After having breakfast at The Perfect Cup, located in Matlacha , with my brother, I continued south onto Pine Island. That’s where I happened upon the “Pine Island Mullet Toss”, which was located in the Publix shopping center parking lot about a half mile north of Stringfellow Road. Different age groups participated in the mullet toss, which has been a Pine Island tradition for decades. Another attraction was the Mermaid Parade. It sure looked like everybody involved was having a great time, and in doing so raised money for great causes which benefited Matlacha and Pine Island which were hit hard by Hurricane Ian. Nancy and Chuck we’re just some of the many volunteers I had the pleasure of meeting. Great job guys!

🇺🇸 Guns n Hoses Pipe & Drum Band Tribute to the US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corp, US Coast Guard, US Air Force & God Bless America 🇺🇸

☘️ March 21, 2023 ☘️ 🇺🇸 🇮🇪 ☘️ After leaving Babcock Ranch and traveling to Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda I received a call from my wife informing me that my mother had passed away and that her long struggle with vascular dementia had ended. Fisherman‘s Village was the last attraction for my daughter Caitlin and her college friends on their winter break in Southwest Florida. Not looking to hover over them, I dropped them off near the shops and headed off in the opposite direction and took a walk down near the boats in the marina. Having given the girls a sufficient head start I went inside to look around. Lots of little shops and storefronts, definitely worth the visit. I purchased an ice cream cone, and as I walked out, I heard bagpipes playing! So I made my way over to where I heard them, and ran into a group of retired police officers and firefighters who belonged to the Pipe and Drum Band called “Guns n Hoses”. Retired FDNY Lt Kevin O’Neill of Ladder 35 in Manhattan filled me in, that members of the band come down on Tuesday nights, one hour before sunset to play, and they finish with Amazing Grace as the sun sets. The band also uses the venue to collect donations for the St Vincent de Paul food pantry in Southwest Florida. I approached Anthony Paolicelli, the retired Nassau County Police Officer who from my observations was in charge, and asked if he could pipe my mother home, to which he graciously excepted. I would like to thank the following band members who played “Going Home” so elegantly for my mother, who immigrated to America from Ireland at the age of 15 as Margaret Mary O’Leary aboard the SS America in 1952. Upon arrival in America she worked as domestic help for the Mattamore Family, which was married into the Moran family of Moran Towing/aka “The Irish Navy”. In addition to raising three children, Thomas, Margaret and Shawn she worked the wards as an aide in the NY State Psychiatric Hospitals Creedmoor and Central Islip for over thirty years, where she treated mentally ill patients with dignity and respect. All the patients loved my mother and nickname her “Maisie”. Once again I’d like to thank the following “Guns n Hoses Pipe & Drum Band” Pipers: Don Hussey Mike Walsh Kevin O’Neill Larry Stewart Larry Whittle Heather Jovanelli Sharon MacLeod Chuck Marlow Mike Meehan Anthony Paolicelli Drummers: Bill McLean Karen Whittle for a fantastic tribute to my mother. Sincerely, Thomas J May Jr, Retired Firefighter FDNY Marine Co 9

3/3/2023 It only took 8 plus years of passing the German American Social Club located on Pine Island Rd in Cape Coral, to finally stop in for and evening of dinner and dancing. Dinner specials included, goulash, Wienerschnitzel, fish and fried shrimp. Dinner was great, company was better. We had the pleasure of sitting with Roger and Helen from Green Bay Wisconsin, and Bob from Canada. If you live in the area or are just passing through, it’s definitely worth a stop by. Highly recommended

If you asked me, how many compliments I get on gunner each day, I wouldn’t be able to answer, as It’s hard to keep count. “Such a beautiful dog, and so well behaved!” Is the standard greeting we receive on a regular basis. Thanks for viewing, and thanks for voting me number one in the best looking dog category and most well behaved in Cape Coral Florida, Gunner

8/9/2016 Heading back to our campsite at Gin Beach in Montauk. Probably one of the best kept secrets on Long Island. It’s a little tricky getting a campsite on the Suffolk County Parks website, but it can be done. Ocean front property for a week! I must admit I was a little apprehensive about bringing a 7700 lb truck and 8000 lb fifth wheel trailer onto the beach. I asked a lot of questions before heading down there to make my maiden voyage. While fishing Montauk one day, I took a junt down E. Lake Dr. to talk to some of the fellas bringing their trailers on to the beach. One gentlemen was nice enough to let me tagalong with him. That put a lot of my fears to rest. If you ever have the opportunity to get out that way with your trailer, or rent one that’s already in place, I highly recommend it. Hope you enjoyed the video

3/23/2017 I stopped by West Marine located in Port Jefferson NY to pick up some supplies, and ran into Bill who was working there. Not sure how we got to talking about knots, but Bill took the time to show me how to tie a “Portuguese Man of War” knot. Thanks for taking the time Bill, much appreciated.

1/14/2022 I had the pleasure of meeting Carl and Lisa of Big Daddy Fishing Rod Racks at the Cape Coral Florida Farmers Market today. Quality Made in the USA fishing rod storage rod racks in assorted sizes. In addition to the fishing rod storage racks they had utility tool holders and the “Big Daddy Dumper”! I do a lot of fishing in Montauk, New York. I’ll definitely be recommending these items to my friends up north. You can visit them at www.bigdaddyfishingrodracks.com

September 12, 1966 - January 4, 2023 James William McFee age 56, from Cape Coral, Florida formerly from Brooklyn NY passed away on January 4, 2023. Jim was preceded in death by his parents George and Carol McFee and his father-in-law Robert Reaven. Survivors include his wife of 26 years Lainie McFee, his sons: Kevin and Sean, his brothers: John McFee and wife Carmela, Tom McFee and his wife Dorothy, mother-in-law Darryl Reaven, brother-in-law Edward Reaven and wife Anna as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces. Jim began his lifetime of service to others at the early age of 17, with his service to our nation in the US Army. After completing his time in the Army, Jim continued serving others and began his 34-year legacy of dedication and service to others as a Emergency Medical Technician with the Midwood Ambulance in Brooklyn, New York, where he would later achieve certification as a Paramedic. During his illustrious career in emergency services, Jim had the opportunity to save countless lives and make a positive impact on many others in their time of need. On September 11, 2001, Jim responded valiantly and courageously as an immediate first responder to the World Trade Center Ground Zero site where he worked feverishly alongside other first responders to save lives. In addition to his normal work schedule as a Paramedic, Jim worked tirelessly for the next several weeks as the life-saving mission at Ground Zero turn to recovery and preservation efforts. After the family relocated to Florida in 2003, Jim once again followed his passion and calling to serve his community in Lee County as both a paramedic and Field Training Officer where he excelled at training the next generation of emergency services first responders. In retirement, Jim spent the days doting on his family where they laughed endlessly and made countless memories with many trips to places like Disney World and NFL games that included his lifelong best friends, his brothers. Aside from his family, James time saving lives and serving others was his highest honor and proudest life accomplishment. God Bless Jim William McFee

11/29/2022 Retired FDNY Lieutenant Jimmy Zodowick coming to live after struggling with a Blackfish rig he couldn’t figure out. He goes back to his old reliable setups and you couldn’t stop him. I guess fishing is about trying different things

11/29/2022 Fished today with our regular crew aboard the Mary Alice, homeported out of Montauk Marine Basin. Underway 6am enroute Block Island south of the windmills. We were doing okay, but nothing great so we moved to another location northwest of the windmills. Put together a nice catch. Retired FDNY Lieutenant Jimmy Zodowick put many of those fish in the cooler for us. Nice job Jim