Time Warp…
Here I am on Friday, August 20, writing my column, which will appear in the last issue of The Fire Island News for this season. You’ve heard my tale of woe before… the deadline for submission is Sunday, August 22, but I have to submit my column on Friday as I do not have computer access over the weekend. This final issue will be published one week from today, Friday, August 27. An interesting situation, having to write about what will happen over the next few weekends.

Presenting… Vegas Dreams…
The APCG presents the final show of the season with a total of six performances, Saturday, August 28 and Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, September 4 and 5. The seating is cabaret style and show times are 7 and 10 p.m. Tickets will be on sale Saturday and Sunday of each weekend from Noon – 2 p.m. as well as 1/2 hour before each performance. Get your tickets early as this promises to be a very entertaining musical revue featuring a large cast of Grove favorites. You are nearly guaranteed to have more than a giggle or two with Thom (Panzi) Hansen, Linda Dickerman and Barbara Hirsch, Tony Bondi, Ruth and Susan Freedner, and Bill Perez. The cast also includes the musical styling of the co-directors John DeMarco and Joe Agosta (wait until you see what else Joe can do) as well as the versatile talents of Lee Sharmat, Charles Corrieri, and SallyAnn Piacentino. There will be additional highlights with Lynn Belensky, Bruce-Michael Gelbert, Robin Kradles, Sherri Rase, Rich Parisi, Ed (Mother) Purcell, Martha Pitkin, Urban Sprawl, Pat Wagnis, as well as the Grove debut of Jeannie Lieberman. Since the show’s focus is on the headliners of the past you know Denise (Elvis) Harbin will be front and center. The cast has been rehearsing the last two weekends and in our typical fashion we have only been together for the opening and closing numbers. The entire cast doesn’t see any of the individual numbers until the weekend before the show opens. We don’t know how this unusual method works, but it does… and has… many, many times in the past. John Bowen is the incredibly talented and patient musical director and Brett Oberman the most enthusiastic, energetic, and creative choreographer. They take our high level amateur talent and with inspiration, dedication, and long, hard work, while having a lot of fun, bring a remarkably professional musical revue to the APCG Community House stage.

Popular Grove Events…
I urge everyone to refer to Violet’s Wild Cherry for a very complete listing of Grove Events. It has been most helpful to me whenever I had to write my column… The September issue will prove to be particularly helpful as a guide to everything happening during the best month of the season.
Friday 7 p.m. – Free Chili at Cherry’s – join those Cherry Grove irregular regulars as they drop by right from the ferry and stay for the music…And at 7 p.m. – Jumpin’ Jack’s Seafood Shack features Drag Rag Duets with the gorgeous and gifted Jacqueline and the very proficient Timmie…zthen at 9 p.m. – Weekly Karaoke Contest – Grove Hotel – with the talented Terri G…

Musings…
This summer started with my having a medical condition that prevented me from being on the Island Memorial Day Weekend as well as the following weekend. I had been feeling fatigued with none of my usual energy and hadn’t realized that it had been an ongoing and worsening condition for many months. With treatment I began to regain my vim and vigor and am pleased to be back to my usual perky, enthusiastic self. My grateful thanks and appreciation to Cathy, my VSO (Very Significant Other), Ruth, my identical twin, and my Grove family of friends for their thoughtful and concerned support.
I was able to enjoy Casino, one of my favorite APCG events and want to thank everyone who played at my table on both Saturday and Sunday night for understanding that although it is gambling, it is really an entertaining fund-raising event. I had a ball.
In one of my previous columns I improperly thanked the people responsible for the creative, innovative, and extraordinary decorations which magically transformed the Community House into a Haunted House… they were the result of the inspired teamwork of Luis Valentin, Gary Greene, Matt Baney, and Sue Panzer.
I was able to fully participate at the very successful APCG Art Show and Sale, which is another of my very personal favorite annual events. Kudos to Ceejay Rosen and Peg Ryan, and all of the many volunteers who work very long hours to make this event so special.
The 9th Annual Benefit by the Concerned Women of the Grove was their most successful ever and there aren’t enough words to thank all of the people who make it one of the best parties each year. A really big job very well done and fully supported by the Grove community as well as the people involved with the two very deserving charities that receive the donations, Gilda’s Club and Stony Brook Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.
I want to take a moment to send my heartfelt best wishes to two of my favorite Grovites who have had their own recent health issues. Here’s hoping that Rae DiStefano and Jackie Petersen return home to the Grove soon… they are missed and it is where they belong.
As I previously mentioned, I will still be enjoying the Grove throughout September, the best month of the year on Fire Island… planning on closing in October. Wishing everyone a healthy, mild and safe winter and looking forward to seeing my special Grove family of friends next year for another season of adult summer camp. I love Cherry Grove… it is a very special place…

By Bruce-Michael Gelbert
Some highlights of recent weeks for me have been the shows given, on Rick Leonard’s Cabaret by the Bay series at the Tides, by comedians Jay Rogers and Kristine Zbornik, classically trained singer Georga Osborne, and noted composer and performer John Wallowitch, and the preparations for John DeMarco, Joe Agosta, Brett Oberman and John Bowen’s Arts Project of Cherry Grove show “Vegas Dreams.” I had set a personal goal this season of having, with my partner Joe Saporito, words and/or photos published in every issue of The Fire Island News and, but for a couple of technical glitches, might have achieved that goal. Still, contributing to nine issues out of ten wasn’t bad. Have a great end of the season and an easy, healthy winter. See you next season!

By Linda Dickerman
What a great community we are fortunate enough to be a part of. I am always a little sad to see the season coming to an end, but the expectation of seeing my friends back here next season helps me get through the winter. I hope the coming months treat you well, so we all may return to our little part of paradise next spring. Till next season…