This is the last column of the Grove Gang for this season and in that way it feels like the end of the summer but we at Eastwinds will be coming out until the middle of October… shhh, can you keep a secret, the weeks after Labor Day are the best time of the year on the island. Cooler days and Grove friends still around but hardly anyone you don’t already know. Cooler and quieter… sounds perfect to me. It seemed like all of July and August were oppressively hot and humid.. we were beginning to hope for rain… on the chance the humidity would decrease.

I am very grateful that my medical condition improved so that I could more fully participate in rehearsals for the last APCG (Arts Project of Cherry Grove) fund-raising event of the season, “Way Overboard,” see more info in Bruce-Michaels item below. My personal appreciation to Craig Tessler, Sal, Brett and Eric for their patience and understanding while my condition improved. It was so hot... how hot was it? The thirty plus people in the cast and crew looked forward to rehearsals in order to be in the air-conditioned Community House. Many stars and favorites of the Grove will be their usual talented selves while some regulars have shown the potential of stardom. It promises to be very entertaining, there are 20 musical numbers, and it’s funny… most often intentionally.

There are six performances of the show, 7 and 10 p.m. on Sat., 8/27, as well as Sat., and Sun, 9/3 and 9/4… Labor Day Weekend. Tickets are on sale every Sat. and Sun. at the kiosk at the CH from noon – 2 p.m. and again 1/2 before every performance.

I want to thank Bella for her participation with the Grove Gang this year, as well as Bruce-Michael and Linda for their cooperation as our contributions to this column didn’t and then did change, sometimes at the last minute.

Hoping to see everyone around downtown Cherry Grove until we bid farewell for another year… wishing everyone a healthy, happy and safe winter and looking forward to seeing everyone back on the boards in the spring. Take care and GBCG…

Snapshots of the Season

by Bruce-Michael Gelbert

As the season starts Joe Saporito, my significant other, is named my fourth successor as Mr. Fire Island Leather, first time two holders of the title have hailed from one family. Ivanna Cocktail (aka Richie) is crowned Homecoming Queen. Billie Ann Miller once warned, “Richie’d better watch it with this drag thing.” Rich ran for New York Emperor and wasn’t elected, but she’s our Queen! Later, Billie Ann’s Royal Revue proceeded without Billie Ann—almost unthinkable—and, in her absence, we rehearse for another show at her home —eerie. Speedy recovery, Billie!

Joe and Miss Fire Island, Dakota Sue, escort each other on Invasion. Ivanna drafts Joe to hold her boa until she dons it during “It’s Raining Men” to greet the Pines. I go along as photographer and assist Panzi with security on the prow of the boat—the Queen, her entourage, and a few others should be there, but some others insist and who can say they shouldn’t? Panzi says, “Let them stay.”

Porsche and Mercedes, what luxury! Remarkable Porsche sings at some Ice Palace galas and people pay attention. I venture anew into the three-ring circus of Sunsets, where the diva delivers Janis Joplin while a stripper flashes and a partisan defends Top of the Bay at length. Wonderful jazz singer Mercedes Hall makes a splash at the Tides and phones to ask that we submit a picture Joe took of her to Cape Cod Times. It isn’t used, but we have work published by The News, FireIslandQNews.com (32 articles, spanning June 19-Aug. 11, posted at once!), TheaterScene.net, Tide, Island Scene and Wild Cherry, where the strange attribution “by Luchia” adorns two of my photos.

The Meat Rack, beautiful woods between Grove and Pines, becomes a bottle-and-condom-strewn slum. I enlist Joe and Key West Wreckers Leather/Levi Club brother Bill, here for a first visit, and we haul out bags of trash. Stop littering!

The Grove is alive with the sounds of theater. Daniel “Sweetie” Booth and new Miss Cherry’s J.B. “Titania Tides” McLendon’s Voyager Theatre Company introduces itself with a rollicking, mixed-gender “Twisted Nunsense,” then “Torch Song Trilogy,” with Booth riveting in the lead. “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” and “Scat Queen of Atlanta” follow (Aug. 25 - Sept. 10). Island Rep’s intense “Vagina Monologues” feature virtuoso Mistress Sharon, Philis Raskind, and FI News publisher Nicole Pressly (continues Sept.16, 17 & 24).

The Arts Project concludes its season with the witty “Way Overboard,” musical comedy, romance, and mystery written and directed by Sal Piro. I type the script, large chunks at a time, because I’m eager to see what happens, and also write lyrics for a song parody. Stars of this must-see include Peter Turchiano, Peter B., Philomena, Sherri Rase, Panzi, Bella, Jeanne Skinner and pianist Eric Martin, choreography by Brett Obermann. Bon Voyage!

By Linda Dickerman

Well, this is the last column of the season, as the summer is coming to an end. I for one am very sorry to see it go. I love being here, particularly since I am retired and can spend almost all my time here. Don’t worry, you still working, your day will come soon. I spent a lot of time working and wishing towards retirement, and I finally got there.

There were a lot of blueberries this year. I think the birds decided to finally give us a break and let us have some. They usually get to them before we do. We were able to have fresh blueberries, and Barbara was able to make a lot of jam. It’s such a pleasure to be able to eat what you grow. Speaking of that, we also had a great crop of tomatoes. Thank goodness for Barbara’s green thumb.

Did you get to the VNS Benefit that Marge produced in the memory of Saja Lee. I don’t know how much money was made, but there was a tremendous amount of people there. The pre show was by Dan Daly with two wonderful singers. Bella performed and hosted the first half, then came Michael Guerette, Charity, Bianca Leigh, Ivanna Cocktail, and Angela Mercy, The second half was hosted by Panzi, who also performed, followed by Rose Levine, Linda Dickerman, Porsche, then a big finish by Bella and Angelo (aka Mr. Bella.) What a show. Marge said she was overjoyed at the outpouring of support and donations in addition to the entrance fee.

A note from Bab’s: The end of the season is always very emotional for me, because the summer and the season are drawing to a close. There’s still so much to do and so little time left to do it. We still have time for one more sunset, drink or cup of coffee with friends, and at least one more walk on our beautiful white sandy beach before we give the deer the last of our flowers, and pass on our leftover ketchup and mustard, cover the BBQ, bring in the outdoor furniture, spread the moth balls, close the water, electric, and telephone and bid the house adieu for the winter.

Till next year…