On July 6, the Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. held a colorful Italian Street Fair-themed fundraiser at Heaven ’n’ Earth. Diane Romano, Anthony Leone, Lynn from FIG, and Mike Romanelli cooked delicious eggplant parmesan, baked ziti, sausage and peppers, and meatballs. In response to the suggested dress code of “come as your favorite Italian,” we had glamorous stars, people of the cloth, Sicilian widows, and gondoliers, not to mention a couple of Diane Romano look-alikes.
There was a show, hosted by Donna Piranha, who declared, “I love the Cinema Italiano,” and led tarantella and “I Will Survive” dance-alongs. Daniel Nardicio, as a gondolier, led a sing-along “It’s Amore.” Adam was the DJ. Homecoming Queen Victoria Falls’ number was a lively “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and she conducted a cannoli-eating contest, in which the Cherry Grove Fire Department’s Jill Navarra and Steve Williams, DJ Adam, and Jana were semi-finalists, with Jana as the winner. Doris Dear spoke about the history of the Cherry Grove Community House since 1948 and raised funds on the spot. Panzi hosted a costume contest, in which Donatella Versace, grieving widows Toni Cesta and Jane Haber, the Dune Point contingent, and Nina Bianchi and Tony as Madonna and Lady Gaga were the winners.