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Island Briefs
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by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
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December 31, 2004
New Years Eve
On New Year's Eve at the Eagle, in New York City, my domestic partner, Joe Saporito, and I ran into Daryl Terry, who worked first at Mother's, then at Jumping Jack's Seafood Shack last summer, and he let us know that he had worked on wigs for the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Pacific Overtures," which we had enjoyed just the week before.
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December 11, 2004
Jackie Petersen
Jackie Petersen, who was dock mistress Sheila's significant other, passed away on December 11 after a long illness and will be greatly missed by Cherry Grove.
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December 11, 2004
Franklin Fulton - Memorial
Franklin Fulton, proprietor of Holly House in Cherry Grove, passed away recently. A memorial service was held at the Church of the Ascension in Greenwich Village on December 11.
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December 4, 2004
ICNY Chanukah
The Imperial Court of New York held its fourth annual Spin Like a Dreidle Chanukah event on December 4. As part of it, an auction of menorahs, designed by various artists, was held, benefiting DIFFA. Among them was one in the colors of the leather pride flag, with a hunky male figure painted on it, created by Ira C. Smith.
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December 5, 2004
Joyful Memorial Held for Monster's Joe Scialo
On December 5, a celebration of the life of Joseph Vincent —known as Joe— Scialo (July 2, 1935 - November 20, 2004) was held at his bar/piano bar/disco The Monster ... MORE
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September 11, 2004
Dakota Sue is New Miss Fire Island
At the 39th annual Miss Fire Island contest, on September 11, Cherry Grove's own Dakota Sue was chosen Miss Fire Island 2004, as Nikki Starr ended her reign. Gina Marie, the runner-up, was named Miss Cherry Grove.
Judges were cabaret singers John DeMarco and Karen Mack, Mr. Fire Island Leather 2004 Jeff Goodman, theater reviewer and Theater Scene.net editor Jeannie Lieberman, former Miss Fire Island Philomena, Drew Stella, and the Doctor's Fund's Joanne Tavis. Mistresses of Ceremonies for the afternoon were Bella, Charity and Dame Edith Piro. Chanel Brown is the new Mrs. Fire Island. Freeta Chews was the judge's choice for Entertainer of the Year. Ivanna Cocktail, who also ran in that category, was awarded the Miss Popularity prize. In the competition for best duo or group, Twisted Sisters, as singers Porsche and Bianca Leigh billed themselves, emerged victorious.
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September 11, 2004
Robin Kradles Will Be Empress
On September 8, the membership of the Imperial Court of New York chose Robin Kradles, of Cherry Grove (formerly of the Pines) and Manhattan, and Tony Monteleone, who lives in Queens, as New York's next Empress and Emperor.
Their coronation will take place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, in Manhattan's theater district, on April 2, 2005, when Empress Trai La Trash steps down from the throne.
Robin had run against Empress Ann Tique; Tony had run unopposed. In another contest, Empress and Grove diva Panzi was elected as Court President.
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August 15, 2004
Coco is New Miss Cherry's
Coco was the winner of the Miss Cherry's Pageant on August 15. Dakota Sue was first runner-up.
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July 31, 2004
Concerned Woman of the Grove Benefit
Sylvia Shapiro, a former Cherry Grove Homecoming Queen, and reigning Queen Donna Piranha, veterans of the recent riotous Doctor's Fund Benefit, hosted an early evening tea at Cherry's on July 31. Both divas wore zebra stripes. Billed as the "Sylvia and the Shiksa Tea," it benefited the Concerned Women of the Grove (CWOG), with proceeds going to Gilda's Club NYC and the Stony Brook Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Befitting the ecumenical theme, ruggelech and Cheez-its were served. Joan Van Ness won more than $300 in a 50-50 raffle at sunset and donated most of it back to CWOG. Pianist Dan Daly, who entertained, had matched a $100 donation that Joan had made earlier.
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July 27, 2004
Titiana & Hotdogs
Presiding at Hotdog Night at Top of the Bay, on July 27, and all in blue was Titania Tides, a very close personal relative of JB McLendon.
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July 20, 2004
At Ariel Sinclair's Kamikaze Kabaret, at the Grove Hotel on July 20, Ariel was joined by a guest called Woody, who sang her a rather risqué version of "Jingle Bell Rock" (rhymes with...).
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July 20, 2004
Making a surprise appearance at the Titania Tides and "Boston Girl" Norell Gardner show, at the Tides on July 20, was Tracy Turnblad, that is, Porsche, complete with the hairdo and the hairspray can, to sing "Good Morning, Baltimore" and "I Can Hear the Bells."
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July 13, 2004
Miss Pearl & Hotdogs
Miss Pearl served as hostess with the mostest for Hot Dog Night at Top of the Bay restaurant on July 13.
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July 11, 2004
Porsche's Show
Porsche's July 11th show at Sunsets included some Cher, some Barbra, some Judy, some Janis, of course, and "Good Morning, Baltimore," from "Hairspray." At one point, the diva brought handsome couple Nancy and Heather onto the stage to be her "new boyfriend" and lovingly serenaded them with Peggy Lee favorite "Fever."
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July 11, 2004
CGFD Pancake Breakfast
The 11th annual pancake breakfast, benefiting the volunteer Cherry Grove Fire Department, took place at David's Grill and Martini Bar on July 11. Among those in attendance was firefighter and photographer Lorraine Michels, accompanied by mascots Lucy and the by now familiar Larry.
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July 11, 2004
A Blessing on Your Pet, Year Two
Under the aegis of PAWS, the Pines Animal Welfare Society, Cherry Grove Chapter, headed by Valerie Perez, a second annual interdenominational Pet Blessing took place at the Grove Hotel on July 11. Minister Eleni O. Marudis presided over this gentle, joyous event and there were refreshments—turkey, bread that had been blessed, and bowls of water—for all dogs and the one token cat present.
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July 10, 2004
Colorful Carnival at Grove Hotel
The Grove Hotel kicked off a Carnival Weekend on a sunny July 10 with clowns, fan dancers, a juggler, temporary tattoos, Isaac Steven Vaughan getting drenched in a dunking tank, and Ariel Sinclair and Fred staffing a popcorn and cotton candy stand. There was a dart game courtesy of Rainbow Dreams, a ring toss, and a table from This and That. Jumping Jack's Seafood Shack had a raw bar and Floyd's and Burger Queen had food booths as well.
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June 19, 2004
Cherry's Tea
Former Homecoming Queen Cobra presided at afternoon tea at Cherry's on June 19. Another Cherry Grove icon, Queen Wynn, was among those present.
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June 13, 2004
Jack's Tea
Uma Assburns was the elegant hostess for tea at Jumping Jacks Seafood Shack, on the ocean, on Sunday afternoon, June 13.
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June 12, 2004
Art Gallery Opening
On June 12, the Barbara Ann Levy Gallery, at the Grove Hotel, held a reception to celebrate the opening of a show of work by TRET Tierney--photographs of male figures and Fire Island--and Leroy King of Art--paintings inspired by the spirals of seashells.
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June 12, 2004
Drag Tag
The Imperial Court of New York held its annual Drag Tag Sale on the deck of the Grove Hotel on June 13. The event helps to fund the Imperial Court's Pride float. Coordinating the sale of finery, for the 4th of July Invasion of the Pines and so on, were Bill "Billie Ann Miller" LaMonica, Wendy Lewis, and Thom "Panzi" Hansen.
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June 8, 2004
Hotdog Night
On Tuesday nights, the kitchen at Top of the Bay restaurant is closed for dinner, but the bar is open and, with the drinks, complementary hotdogs are served by local celebrity hosts. This writer, Mr. Fire Island Leather 2001 (the first ever), and my boy, little Joe, hosted the season's second Hotdog Night on June 8. Fluffy had kicked off the season the previous week. Photo taken by Bill Perez.
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June 8, 2004
Kamikaze Kabaret
Ariel Sinclair presented her second Kamikaze Kabaret of the season, at the Grove Hotel on June 8, and her guests were comedians Danny Cohen and Jodie Wasserman. Carlos served as DJ. Sinclair began the proceedings in glitzy turquoise cowgirl (or "redneck girl") mode. In his third year with Kamikaze Kabaret, Cohen talked about growing up Orthodox Jewish in Brooklyn and wanting Mouseketeer ears to adorn his black yarmulke (skullcap). He also shared his experiences working for such unfortunately named companies as Closet Case (organizing people's closets) and Fudge Packers (a chocolate factory). Probing the vicissitudes of life in New York City, Wasserman extolled the virtues of sleeping until 1 pm and identifying as a stay-at-home mom to cats instead of children. Our hostess, in pink, concluded the show with the declaration, "You've got to have boobs."
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June 5, 2004
Cherry's Tea
On Saturday, June 5, new Homecoming Queen Donna Piranha presided at afternoon tea at Cherry's and was joined there by her sisters, former Homecoming Queens Cobra and Charity.
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June 5, 2004
1st Official Duty
For a first official act as Cherry Grove's Homecoming Queen for 2004, Donna Piranha cut the ribbon across the door at the Community House to open the Arts Project of Cherry Grove Flea Market on the morning of June 5.
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a d v e r t i s i n g
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May 29, 2004
Benefit Deck Sale
Henry Sterling held his annual Memorial Day Weekend deck sale, on Greene Walk at the ocean, benefiting God's Love We Deliver, which prepares and delivers meals to homebound People with AIDS and other illnesses. Selling donated furniture, dishes, drag, CDs, tapes, and a number of new items, including books and picture frames, Sterling raised over $6,000 for the organization. |
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May 22, 2004
APCG Member Drive
Members of the Board of Directors of the Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG), headed by President Wendy Lewis, greeted the Grove on Saturday morning, May 22, from their Welcome Wagons, signing up new members and giving out tote bags and visors with the new memberships. |
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May 22, 2004
Roseland Deck Sale
Almost anything that Bob "Rose" Levine, Grove diva par excellence, does is newsworthy and, on May 22, Bob hosted a deck sale of treasures at his home, Roseland, on Bayview. Little Joe and I came away with a "Biographical Dictionary of Musicians," Fifth Edition, copyright 1958; a candlestick; and a white teddy bear, holding a bouquet of roses (so we'll always remember where we got it). |
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May 22, 2004
Leather Trivia
As part of Excelsior Motorcycle Club's leather weekend, "Balls to the Wall," Sal Piro, the Quiz Master, conducted a special "Leather Trivia" at the Grove Hotel on Saturday afternoon, May 22. Winners of the three rounds were my own Little Joe Saporito, Tony and Excelsior's Mark and their prizes were bottles of Martí Rum and gift certificates for 4 weekdays this season at the hotel. When players formed teams, the Eagle Leathermasters, headed by Joe, beat out Excelsior's Ball Busters and the Lesbians (an all-male team, despite their name), and won a round of free drinks. |
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SUGGESTED BOOKS:
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A House on the Ocean, a House on the Bay by Felice Picano, hardcover.
Escape from Fire Island!: A Date with Destiny Adventure by Jim English, paperback.
Fire Island: In Color by Jeffrey Richards, all editions.
Cherry Grove, Fire Island: Sixty Years in America's First Gay and Lesbian Town
by Esther Newton, all editions.
Taylor's Guide to Seashore Gardening: From the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Best Plants to Grow on Every Coast by Frances Tenenbaum (Editor), paperback.
Welcome to Fire Island: Visions of Cherry Grove and the Pines by Jack Nichols, hardcover.
Fire Island: 1650's-1980's by Madeleine Johnson, paperback.
Dark Wind: A True Account of Hurricane Gloria's Assault on Fire Island by Jon Jiler, all editions.
Winter on Fire Island limited availability, unknown binding.
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