Annual Friends of Connetquot Gala Celebration

Thursday, December 4, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Snapper Inn Waterfront Restaurant in Oakdale, NY

Friends of Connetquot is a 501(C)3 charitable organization dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the 3,473-acre Connetquot River State Park Preserve, formerly the historic South Side Sportsmen’s Club. Since 1977, the Friends have been at the forefront of many exciting projects to restore its historic structures and conserve its pristine landscape. Now celebrating our 28th Anniversary, we are planning for our annual fundraiser to be held on December 4th at The Snapper Inn in Oakdale. This is our major fundraiser, and we hope to have many fine gifts as raffle and auction prizes. We do hope you will help us!

The South Side Sportsmen’s Club engaged Gil Bergen to work in 1945 as a sixteen-year old, where he first guided some of the members fishing. His relationship with the property continued for the next 73 years including 10 years as Connetquot River Club Manager and 45 years as Preserve Manager for NYS. His commitment to “keep a bit of Long Island the way it used to be” inspired the Friends to create the Gil Bergen Preservation Award, which was presented to him as the first recipient in 2013.

Persons eligible for this award through their stewardship must have:

• Displayed the highest level of commitment preservation efforts centered on our natural resources and historic sites and structures;
• Made notable contributions to educate, raise public awareness and inspire public and preservation community volunteerism;
• Demonstrated exceptional merit in the field of history/historic preservation and have created and/or enabled initiatives and opportunities for others to do likewise

This year, we honor Tom Casey, FOC Board Member and Lifelong Advocate for L.I.'s Green Spaces. A Hike Leader, Teacher, Writer and Friend.

Reservations Accepted through November 23rd, 2025

Register Using the Online Form Below

Payment will be submitted via PayPal. Please note that you do not need to have a PayPal account to make a credit card payment via PayPal.  When you're redirected to the PayPal page, simply choose the option to "Pay with a debit or credit card, or Bill Me Later."