The Grove Gang
Volume 49, Issue 9
By Linda Dickerman

Well, here we are and it’s August already. It seems the summer goes by so fast and the winter seems so much longer, but let’s not think about that. Let’s think about all the wonderful things that are happening in our small, but wonderful part of the world.

Did you get to the Art Show, sponsored by The Arts Project of Cherry Grove? It was a wonderful event with such talented artists that I was overwhelmed. Thanks to CeeJay and Peg for chairing this great event, and Anne and Ricci for being the cashiers. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make this event successful.

Some of the artists showing their work were Warren Boyd Wexler, Just Lorraine, Joan Van Ness, Cathy Eckdahl, Jimi Hoffa, Larry Crawford, Frank Cappucci, Carol Massa, Phil Stoehr, Michael Abdis, Susan Ann Thornton, Lynn Milnes, Michael Fitzgerald, and many more.

Event of the Season

The following week was the Breast Cancer Benefit. I think it now might be the event of the season. There were over 400 people attending, including a representative from Gilda’s Club. The amount they raised so far is $65,000, and that’s not the final figure because they are still counting. The Concerned Women of the Grove are Ann and Rosie, Paul and Michael, Nancy and Heather, JoAnn and Lois and Mila and Lucille, but they could not do it without all the volunteers and donations from the community. They would like to thank all the volunteers for their assistance and efforts in making this happen. The CWOG would like to specially thank the Ice Palace and Cherry’s for all their work and donations. Another special thanks goes to Korissa, who swam from Sayville to the Cherry Grove dock. Although it is hard to mention everyone who helped, thank you to Bobby and Doreen, Andy, Ceejay and Peg, Linda, Anita and Sharon, Barbara and Maryann, Sue, Genny and Sue and Sandra for all your hard work. It could not happen without you.

Thank you to the entire community for supporting such an important fund raising event. Although the CWOG said they couldn’t name all the volunteers and help they received, they did say they particularly wanted to thank Diane and Patricia for allowing them to have the benefit at their home.

The CWOG also had a benefit show on Sunday, July 24, and although the show was reported on, what was left out was the RGs in the show. There were two separate acts, one was Barbara, and myself, and the other was JoAnn and Lois. If I must say so myself, which I guess I must, both of these acts were exceptional.

There are so many events occurring at one time, so Barbara and I decided to see “Stand Up Cherry Grove.” The host was Sal Piro, who at the last minute was called upon to replace Panzi as the host. He had many jokes, old and new. The entertainers were Ariel, Philomena, dishing Billie Ann and Rose Levine once she found out they weren’t there, Frau Matilda von Slutenberg, Susan and Ruth and Amelia. It was a fun show to attend, since it was all Grove regulars, and we could appreciate all the stories of past events that now seem funny, but at the tim

The last Arts Project show of the season, Way Overboard, written and directed by our own Sal Piro, is now in rehearsals. I will not tell any secrets, but you all will be wondering who done it. The songs and choreography are terrific, with Eric as the Musical Director, and Brett back as the choreographer. Tickets go on sale August 13, and the performances are on Saturday, August 27, and Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4. Make sure you keep one of those days available to come and see it. Some of the Grove regulars in the show are Panzi, Philomena, Bella, Bruce-Michael, Peter B., Peter T., Craig, Susan, Ruth, Lynne T., Barbara, Linda, Lyn B., Pat, Sherry, Lee, Denise, Amelia, new comer Neil, and what a marvelous addition he is, and of course, our own Postmistress, Jeanne Skinner.

There is a mystery in town. Who took the blue doll usually residing in Bud’s front garden? It originally belonged to the Ruby Fruits, and it first disappeared on July Fourth. It then came back wearing a red, white and blue flowered lei. It was then taken again and came back with pearls in addition to the lei. Bud says it is now on another vacation because it is missing. No one seems to know who took it, but Bud is confident it will be returned. In the mean time, someone else put up a sign that said the owner will post a reward for the safe return. Is it “Murder She Wrote,” or just another Cherry Grove mystery?

Have you been walking on the boards at either end of the Grove lately? It seems that there are so many overgrown bushes that we have to walk single file to get around at times, particularly if you are concerned about getting any ticks on you. For those renters or homeowners that have property overgrown on the walks, please try to trim them to make it easier for the rest of us to pass.

We went to visit Dottie Cox, and Lyn Hutton, who are spending the summer building their new home in North Carolina. They are very excited about it, but they also would like to dispel any rumors that they are leaving the Grove. According to Dottie, she loves the Grove and will never leave. Of course, Dottie is learning to play the banjo, and Lyn will be accompanying her on the harmonica. A little too much mountains you think?

I just spoke to Yolie and Lynn, who are doing very well in Florida. They miss the Grove, so who knows, maybe they will come up here next year.

I hope you all will have a chance to get to the benefit for VNS Hospice Cancer Care. Marge Cozzolino is producing it in honor of Saja Lee, her partner of over 25 years. This is a great show, with great entertainment, and the money raised is put to very good use in assisting cancer patients.

Remember our Archives. There are still treasures out there that people do not want anymore, but the “Cherry Grove Archives” does. There are many new homeowners renaming their houses. Please do not throw out or destroy the old house signs. They are a big part of the Archive collection, so instead of throwing them away, please donate them to Harold Seeley. If you can’t find him, give them to one of the Arts Projects Board members, and ask them to give them to Harold. Lets not let the history of our community just fade away.

Congratulations to the new President Elect of the Arts Project, Ceejay Rosen, and the new vice president, Matt Baney. Welcome back to Joyce Yeager who will be the recording secretary, and good luck to Laura Spadafino, who will be the new treasurer.