By:LAURA LANE
Heidi Krystall and Stephanie Kurtzman were inseparable friends. Since childhood, they routinely left their Island Park homes, and crossed over the Long Beach Bridge. Whether it was to attend camp,
spend a day basking in the sun on the beach, or just hang out, Long Beach was one of the favorite spots for the girls. So it only seemed logical that they would eventually move there as adults to rent an
apartment together.
Life seemed to be idyllic for the two friends. They spent a great deal of time on the beach, and enjoyed Long Beach's many restaurants. Krystall even joined Kurtzman in playing volleyball on an East End Volleyball Team. Life was good, until March 6, 1999, when a car accident ended 30-year-old Krystall's life.
On Sunday, August 12, the first annual Heidi Krystall Memorial Volleyball Tournament will be held in Long Beach, at Riverside Beach. Kurtzman has arranged for this fun filled event to celebrate the life of Heidi Krystall, a woman who enjoyed life to the fullest.
I thought that this was a very appropriate thing to do in Long Beach, because it will happen on the beach, Kurtzman said. Heidi loved this beach.
Six player teams and single players are welcome to sign up either in advance, or on the day of the tournament. The fee for teams is $90. Single players are $15 a person, and will be placed on teams of six. All proceeds will go toward the Heidi Krystall Memorial Children's Garden at the Island Park Public Library.
It's not a serious competition, Kurtzman explained. This is just for fun. My dad even has a team he's pulled together with a bunch of old men.
The decision to try to obtain authorization for the garden at Island Park Library occurred to Lois Krystall, a former Long Beach resident, herself, shortly after her daughter's death.
Just after her death, we heard about raising the building on Long Beach Road to build a library. Heidi loved children and loved to read herself. We thought that it would be nice to give kids a place to play while their parents were in the library.
The children's garden will reportedly be accessible by walking through the library itself, and will be gated.
After Heidi died, people gave donations to her parents, Kurtzman said. I knew that they were thinking about the garden at the library and had been wanting to do something to remember her by, something that would last a long time.
Not only is the volleyball event planned, but also, at 6 p.m. a party will take place at Turquoise On the Boardwalk. People will be able to get up and Karaoke or win some raffles.
The Long Beach and Oceanside merchants have been extremely generous with donations, Krystall said. Kurtzman said they hope to even have a bike raffled off.
Hoping for good weather, Kurtzman expects a large turnout. We're trying to get the less serious players to be a part of this, Kurtzman said. We really want people to have a good time.
To participate, show up at the Riverside Blvd. ramp, starting at 9 a.m. on August 12. People of all ages are welcome. To reach Stephanie Kurtzman, e-mail her at: luvscooter@hotmail.com. East End Volleyball sponsors this event.
