With Invasion founder Panzi, assisted by Viking Queen Aida Herring and Gefil Tefish, coordinating, Homecoming Queen 2010 Beach DeBree, accompanied by "Beach's Treasures"-an entourage that included a lobster (Coco Love), a seahorse (Lola Galore), an octopus (James Chapski), an oil slick (Jack Ruolo), 'Studly Starfish' (Bud Hendricksen), 'Randy Raker' (Joan Van Ness), Beach's partner Brian Clark encrusted with crustaceans, Urban Sprawl, Messrs. Fire Island Leather 2010 Rob Ferri and 2001, this writer, and Mel Rock and Don Robb, Roland Michely and John, photographers Lorraine Michels and Susan Kravitz, and others, many dripping seaweed and algae-led an exhilarating 35th annual Independence Day Invasion of the Pines, commemorating the time, in 1976, that the Grove's late Teri Warren, dressed in drag, was refused service in the late John Whyte's restaurant. When a boatload of Invaders, including Panzi, Rose Levine, Lyn Hutton and the late Amelia Migliaccio, returned to the Pines and demanded service, they were, of course, not turned away, victory was declared, and the Invasion was born. By now, a ferry boatload of hundreds of Invaders invades and are all rapturously received.




A contingent from the Imperial Court of New York, led by Emperor Jack and Empress Farrah Moans and including Robin Kradles, Wen-D Bouvier Pinkhouse, Charlene Chivoe, and Noche, was granted a place of honor in the Invasion by Queen Beach. The Invasion, fortunately, received the blessing of Bishop of Cherry Grove Harold Seeley. Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association President Ron Martin, Rose Levine, and Robin Byrd were among those who greeted us when we arrived in the Pines. Barbara Dowd and Todd Erickson greeted us from kayaks.

A Star Wars group starred Porsche, as Princess Leia, and a Star Trek group starred Dakota Sue, who connected with porn actor Arpad Miklos and his partner, Herb, at Pines Harbor. A prize-winning contingent came as an Italian delicatessen. Cobra, China, Charity, Tony Bondi, and Ursala Major, experienced mainstays of Invasion, graced this year's, as well, with their presence. 'La Tormenta,' Mr. FI Leather 2007 Diego Vargas, put together an elaborate costume that involved a trident and a large seahorse and was named 'Miss Pines 2010.' Jack Quinn and Curtis Strohl came as the 'Real Housewives of Bavaria' and George McGarvey was Dawn, dedicated to cleaning up birds caught in the oil spill. Robin Murray came with a quartet of scantily-clad boys and wangled an invitation onto a yacht in the Pines. The invaluable Drag Repair team was also present.

Congratulations to Queen Beach and to Panzi for a terrific Invasion!