The Grove Gang
Volume 49, Issue 1
By Susan Freedner

A warm welcome is extended to Bella, returning as a contributor to this column, along with Linda Dickerman, Bruce Michael Gelbert and myself. We will each write individual columns during the season and we will all contribute to this first column as well as the last column.
I have been eagerly anticipating summer, as there was way too much winter this past winter. Spring is one of my two favorite seasons, yet there have been too many spring showers and too many cool spring nights for too long into May. If this is an indication that summer will be too hot and too humid I may temper my eagerness, but if I can’t complain about the weather, what else can I talk about? Hmm?
We finally arrived in the Grove last weekend and the fresh coats of vivid paint on several commercial spots bode well for a bright future. We saw more people than we anticipated, mostly on the ferry leaving on Sunday… Ceejay and Peg, “Rose,” SallyAnn and Amy, Rob and Robert, Alison and Mary Ellen, Roland and Glen…apparently I have to leave the house to talk to people.

Bella’s Titillating Tidbits

Isn’t it exciting to be back in Cherry Grove at the beginning of what promises to be another wonderful season? It gives me great pleasure to be a member of this year’s “Gang,” bringing you the latest most scintillating stories to keep you informed and entertained, along with Mom’s favorite recipes that are sure to make any dinner party a success!
Welcome home everyone! We all know Memorial Day is the official start of the Summer Season, but Grovites know the Pines Animal Welfare Society Benefit gets us up in full swing. It is a highly anticipated, exciting event originated by our own Valerie Perez and produced by Sal Piro at the Grove Hotel’s Ice Palace. You can expect a wealth of entertainment ranging from our perennial favorites to new talent imported from far off lands… like the Pines! Since its inception the event has grown to be one of the Islands most successful fundraising benefits. This year’s gala will be hosted by the lovely Philomena and yours truly, Bella.
PAWS is a non-profit organization providing services for our special friends such as free pet I.D.-tagging and animal rescue for those lost or left behind. Your generous donations are greatly appreciated AND tax deductible.
Speaking of animals, I had quite the welcome on my first day out. I get my things up on the deck and I’m opening my door when I hear a rustling sound under the tarp over my picnic table. Mary, I jumped three feet, ran inside and Taylor was under the bed, 1-2-6! So, now I’m a prisoner in my own house. I called Mandi over who rigged it so he could lift up the tarp from inside and when he did we were face to face with a huge mother raccoon and her newborn pup. Ooh, she hissed and snarled at me, protecting her young one. In two seconds I was on the phone to P.A.W.S. asking, what should I do? Well, I’m saving the rest of the story for the show.
Don’t forget to mark the dates of Bella’s shows. The first of only two special events will be July 4th at 9:00 p.m. at the Ice Palace. You got it right…the festivities continue after the Invasion with my spectacular guests and me. My second show will be Sun., August 14th, again at 9:00 p.m. at the Ice Palace. Be sure to join us for these and the other fabulous events planned for an exciting 2005 Summer Season. Ciao! Bella

By Linda Dickerman

Another year, and here we are again. I have missed the Grove during the winter, and it’s great to be back home.
Grove Pizza is still here and the food is as good as ever. One of the first things we do is stop for pizza. Brett at Floyd's is still making the best soup. We stopped in for soup or chili the other day, but he didn't have any ready. He promised to make it the next day for us, and when we got there it was ready, and delicious. On our first night back here, we joined some friends for dinner at David’s Grill and Martini Bar. Fletcher is the new manager, and he greeted us with a smile and total professionalism. Since the season hasn't truly begun, he also did the order taking, cooking, serving, and everything else that was needed. I'm happy to report the food was delicious. We certainly will be back there for dinner.
I know everyone is curious about the grocery store, which is now called “The Grove Grocer.” I can say that I, and everyone I have been hearing from are very impressed. The shelves are stocked to capacity, and there are things for sale there that we have never seen here before. There is baby food and pet food, condiments, all types of pasta and dairy products, and he will be getting his meat from the Pines Pantry. The new owner’s name is Reggie, and he seems like he will be an asset to the community. He also owns a liquor store, and he said if someone asks, he would bring over what they want. It looks like we will be happy with the grocery store, so let’s patronize it to keep it stocked. For those of you who carried a balance from year to year, Reggie said that Joseph did not turn over any money, so that money is lost.
There will be a Memorial Remembrance for Jackie Petersen on Saturday, June 4. It will be at 2:00 PM on the beach at Greene Walk. There will be a reception at the firehouse afterward. All members of the Community are invited.
If you notice any broken boards on your walk, you can call (631) 732-3571 to get them repaired.

Grove Friends Seen, Grove Friends Lost
Bruce Michael Gelbert

We’re off to another season of enjoying nature and the arts and begin by choosing our new Mr. Fire Island Leather and Homecoming Queen. My partner, Joe Saporito, and I saw many Grove friends between seasons, at Mardi Gras in New Orleans; the Arts Project’s In-Town Party; and the Imperial Court’s gala ball, Night of 1000 Gowns. We spent Joe’s birthday and the first Passover Seder night with, among others, Mistress Sharon and Wendy Lewis.
Sad news reached us on Seder night: our Grove neighbor, Jerry Ehrlich, passed away earlier that day. His partner, Bruce Miller, survives him. Tom De Conza, ICNY’s Emperor Tomas, died weeks before. Late last year, we lost Joe Scialo, founder of the Monster bar in Manhattan and, formerly, the Grove and Key West. A joyous celebration of his life, complete with Mariachi band, took place at his surviving club. Other losses since last season include Holly House’s Franklin Fulton; Jackie Petersen, who was the life partner of the dock mistress, Sheila; lawyer Laurie Linton, of the Pines; and activist Jack Nichols, author of “Welcome to Fire Island: Visions of Cherry Grove and the Pines.” We shall miss them.