On August 14, at Heaven 'n' Earth, the Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. (CGCAI) held its fifth annual Honors Awards Dinner, at which the organization saluted the Grove's Arthur C. Cohen, Robert "Rose" Levine, and George Oakley, as well Assemblywoman Ginny Fields, from New York State's Fifth District, including Brookhaven, Long Island, which oversees our community.

In welcoming remarks, CGCAI President Diane Romano called the honorees "four wonderful people who, every day, make this the best place to live." She added, "We are on a mission to restore the Community House (CH), which is in serious disrepair," and announced two upcoming Save the Community House campaign benefits: a jazz brunch at Top of the Bay on August 29 and Rose Levine's show "Putting on the Rose" at the CH on September 18.

Michael Romanelli and John Behan introduced Arthur, citing his 20 years as President of the Cherry Grove volunteer Fire Department, planning the benefit pancake breakfasts and organizing the annual CGFD dinners, as well as pulling the curtains for Arts Project of Cherry Grove theatrical shows at the CH.

A Grovite for 28 years, Arthur spoke of "the sense of family" afforded by this community and declared, "Here is my extended family." He mentioned Ruth and Susan Freedner's choosing to return to the Grove to sit shiva here, after their mother passed away in Brooklyn last August 22.

Jason Versace and Michael Fitzgerald introduced Bob/Rose, celebrating a 56th season in the Grove. After Jason pretended to puzzle over whether to begin his speech about Rose with, "In 1492" or "Four score and seven years ago," he and Michael offered a chronological history of Rose's life in the Grove: coming here in 1955, with China as his first roommate; buying his home, Roseland, in 1965; giving a first one-woman show at the CH in 1971; making an Ice Palace debut during a season that also featured appearances by Della Reese, Barbara Cook, and Paul Lynde; participating in the first Grove Invasion of the Pines in 1976; making a Pines CH debut in 1981 and a Blue Whale debut, in a cabaret show, in 1985; and so on.

Bob spoke of his newspaper column, first for Fire Island News, and now for Fire Island Tide, and taking on Pines, in addition to Grove, coverage. He said of the Grove CH, "It's a community icon and historic gay symbol."

Audrey Hartmann introduced George, of Oakley Brothers Home Improvements, and described his "taking care of the community;" called him "very well read, very articulate and very handsome;" and, adding, "He is compassionate and he believes strongly in our community and the Community House," noted his readiness to assist when beloved thespian Maggie McCorkle passed away five years ago.

George said of the Grove, "It's been my life here for many years as a builder," and pointed out, "My family has been here for decades." He called the Grove "one of a kind. It's the most beautiful place in the world."

Diane presented Ginny Fields with a new award, for "someone who is not a resident, but makes an impact on our community. "Ginny Fields is not a politician," said Diane, "what she is is a public servant," and pointed to her work getting boardwalk boards replaced, the dock repaired, and a grant to repair the CH, as well as her efforts as an environmentalist and on behalf of breast cancer survivors.

Fields announced, "It's an absolute pleasure to be here among family and friends;" praised Grove volunteerism; and urged voters to vote for her in the September 14 primary, saying that, among the members of the Assembly, "No one understand the community better than I do, because I love you." Continuing with, "These are wonderful people we are honoring here tonight," she presented Arthur, Bob and George with official Assembly proclamations, citing "their generous and meaningful volunteerism."