photo by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
Sal Piro at the 2008 Arts Project of Cherry Grove In-Town Party
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On March 1, invaluable Cherry Grove citizen Sal Piro announced his resignation, for personal reasons, as Grove Hotel and Ice Palace Manager, after 23 years’ association with the hotel and disco. The Grove has long known Sal as Ice Palace Entertainment Coordinator, succeeding Electra St. Jill; coordinator of the annual PAWS (Pines Animal Welfare Society), Cherry Grove Chapter Benefit show; Executive Producer of the Miss Fire Island contest, not to mention of the Mr. Fire Island Leather and Miss Grove Hotel contests; past Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG) Vice-President and President; director of 10 theatrical shows for APCG, including “Who Killed Rose Levine?,” “Queen for a Day,” “You Go, Girl!!,” “The Last Drag Show,” “Some Like It Holy,” “Class/Reunion,” “Way Over Board,” and “Panzi and Philomena Meet Frankenstein,” and of the Grove-style show “Arrivederci, Papa!” in New York City; originator of the Grove Gang column for Fire Island News; and creator of the drag persona Dame Edith Piro.
Sal sent his associates the following email, reproduced here in full:

To all my friends and colleagues ...
After much soul-searching I have decided to resign from my position at the Ice Palace. I am proud to have worked there for 23 years.
I have been dealing with neuropathy in my legs ... I am constantly under treatment ... and another summer of running around the boardwalks and ramps is something I was not looking forward to. Additionally a dear friend who is 89 and who lives in my neighborhood needs me to take care of him and I have assumed this responsibility and cannot help him if I am out at Island for 5 months.
I will be back 8-10 different days over the summer to consult and help out on the busiest days...and I wish the staff I have worked for all these
years the best of luck in keeping the hotel/Ice Palace successful.
Best Wishes
Sal