The Cherry Grove Archives Show, which was entitled “Oldies but Goodies,” curated by Lee Sharmat, took place in the Pavilion of the historic Community House on July 15 and 16 and, displayed on tables and hung from walls, aired a wide variety of invaluable Cherry Grove and Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG) artifacts. At noon, on the 15th, Homecoming 2017 Queen Ginger Snap, surrounded by Archives Committee members, cut the ribbon to open the show officially. Lee, Clara Bogetti, Troy Files, Brian Clark, Lorraine Michels, John Burke, Carl Luss, and Parker Sargent were the committee members present.
One of the treasures was an original eight-color rainbow flag, including the pink and turquoise stripes later dropped, which was made, signed, and numbered by the late Gilbert Baker, the flag’s creator. He had given it to Roland Michely, who, with spouse Joe Anania, recently donated it to the Archives. Another highlight was a display of costume photos, taken by Diana Di Prima, of veteran APCG theatrical show thespians, some of whom attended this show. The venerable portrait of Fatima, who hung at Duffy’s Hotel, forerunner of the Grove Hotel, was also shown.
There were historic photos and a fan, courtesy of Gay Nathan and Julie Paradise; a headdress and bits of costumes; past house and business signs; APCG show posters; photo albums; and late Archivist Harold Seeley’s detailed guide to the gilded Community House proscenium, which he created, incorporating props from shows and souvenirs donated by performers who were in them. Kudos go to the Archives Committee for preserving these wonderful glimpses of Cherry Grove’s past.