photo by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
Homecoming Queen 2011 YaNeeda Dunes
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On May 29, on the eve of Memorial Day, at the Community House, Cherry Grove Homecoming Queen 2010 Beach DeBree crowned mate YaNeeda Dunes, overwhelmingly acclaimed by the Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG) membership and “grateful for all the love she has received,” as Homecoming Queen 2011. In a contest introduced by APCG President Coco Love (Michael Coffindaffer), and Emceed by Bella and Panzi, YaNeeda defeated four other contenders for the title. Shirley Shapiro was the runner-up and Robin Kradles the other semi-finalist. Miss Confused (Harold Seeley) and Ann Phetamine also competed.

After Beach’s final walk and rapturously received number (“A moment like this”), the MCs asked each contestant to sing a song ‘operatically’ and a cappella. Robin offered a soprano “When You Wish upon a Star.” YaNeeda led a sing-along of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” and Shirley, one of “B-i-n-g-o was his name, oh!” Miss Confused resisted singing and, stripping down to leather harness and jock, and accoutered with handcuffs, instead cracked a whip. Ann gave us Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”

A number of past HQs were present, including Cobra, Charity, Legs Labohn, Scarlett O!, China, Philomena, and Mandi. As this APCG season’s theme is Summer Camp, a cameo appearance worthy of mention was that of Margo, portraying the camp skunk in living black-and-white.