With a parade through downtown Cherry Grove and ceremony at the dock, complete with confetti, medallions, commemorative “challenge” coins, and a champagne toast, the Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. (CGCAI) honored more than 40 of Cherry Grove’s own heroes in the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as medical organizations and essential businesses that have kept the Grove alive during this challenging emergency.
CGCAI President Diane Romano named each of the honorees, during the ceremony at the dock, and brought them up front to receive their due recognition. Honorees included Drs. Thomas Anderson, Brian Benjamin, Ellen Biggers, Jeanne Carey, Michele Comerford, Charles Martinez, Alexa Meis, David Reich, and Anna Tirado; PAs Monika Kost, Becky Kolenik, and Diane St. Pierre; CRNAs Nick Fiore and Keith Denison and RN Hussein Tahan; Edward Fraser, MHA, Community Relations Vice-President of Northwell Health and coordinator of the Cherry Grove Doctor’s House; Matt Baney, AKA Homecoming Queen 2020 Ikea, of Mt. Sinai; Robert Hedges, of Northwell Health; Nurse Practitioners Eric Leach-Rodriguez and Brian Murphy; Teresa Yodice, of Kings County Hospital; Pamela Lemieux of New York Community Hospital; LCSW Sandi Davidson; Stephanie Golub and the rest of the Grove’s Emergency Medical Team; Kay Davis, on behalf of the Cherry Grove Fire Department; Betty Faraci, of the Cherry Grove Post Office; Reggie and Minnie Sethi and Brandon Ballone, of the Fire Island Market; Justin Dobay, on behalf of the Cherry Grove Dock Managers; Aiden Lopez, of Seashack Deliveries; New York State Police, Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau, and Suffolk County Police officers; Ken and Judy Stein, for Sayville Ferry Service; Tommy Esposito, for Tony’s Barge; and Joe Lawrence, for Coastline Freight.
Diane noted, in the commemorative journal, “We … recognized healthcare workers, front-line and essential workers for the Heroes that they are. That is what we Celebrate this year. These are the people we Honor this year. The people who put themselves in harm’s way to help the rest of us. We are Honoring the people of Cherry Grove who put our needs before their own. There is no way to thank them … but we sure can try! Cherry Grove Heroes—we applaud you, we salute you, we love you!”
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