Blessed!
Cherry Grove celebrated the 100th anniversary of our post service not long ago. Cherry Grove Archives Collection Officer Lorraine Michels assembled this dedicated program. She gave a history of the postal service, including a list of postmasters from 1922 on forward including: Sara Perkinson, Jeanne Skinner and presently Betty Faraci among others. Family members such as Kenny and Judy Stein and the daughters of Jeanne as well as Gerri Mac Whinnie and Sally Schneider were there. They received a Citation from Brookhaven Congressman Neil Foley. Cinnamon buns, wine, Prosecco and pizza were served, generously donated by local business supporters.
Cherry Grove Diversity Equity Inclusion (CGDEI) held a salon-style meeting hosted by Project Chair Kay Davis and Parker Sargent. They discussed and explored transgender and non-binary identities. The audience was introduced to many of our new Cherry Grove homeowners and guests.
SAGE (Senior Action in a Gay Environment) held their 31st annual fundraiser in the Pines at Dr. Ed Schulhafer and Crayton Robey’s home. Doug Harris, Pines chair for SAGE, welcomed all and introduced the honorees. They are four diverse members of the Pines: Iman LeClaire, Ryan Espanoza, Colan Joyner, and Joe Conforti.
The Cherry Grove House Blessing event, an annual tradition that began in the 1970s, was created by Harold Seeley, Dominic De Santis, Chris Giftos, and Leslie Edelman. Held on June 4 this year, with a new group of faux-priests, rabbis, church ladies, and nuns – it was all great fun.
Judy Garland’s 101st birthday party at Adam and Matt’s house, “Ethel’s Merman,” was also a great success.
Congratulations to Susan Ann Thornton for executing the 10th annual Artist Tour of Cherry Grove over the weekend of June 9, in partnership with the Dune Fund’s Silent Auction. They had 22 participants in all.
Sad farewells to Brad Badley, a talented individual who performed in many Arts Project shows, as well as long-time Pines resident Clark Greene – both will be missed.
Upcoming Events:
• The 20th Anniversary of Crayton Robey’s historic documentary about the beginnings of Fire Island Pines, “When Ocean Meets Sky,” will be shown on June 23, at Whyte Hall, from 6-9 p.m. Admission: $25. Visit www.boffo.art if interested.
• On June 24, FIPAP is producing the second annual Barn On Fire, at Whyte Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. They will be introducing three new writers in the Fire Island Pines Artist Residency program, with their shows “Coming Soon,”“The Bubble,” and “ King of Pangaea.” The evening will be hosted by Nicole La Fountaine. Skie Ocasio hosted a dinner party to welcome the writers to the Pines.
• The Cherry Grove Gay Pride Parade, Saturday, June 24.
• Rose Levine appearing at the CG Community House in “Rose of Cherry Grove Fame,” with an all-star cast, on July 1. Tickets available at www.artsproject.org.
• The Invasion, July 4. Meet Joe Pozza as Joan Rivers on Red Carpet in the Grove.
