The Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. (CGCAI) held its annual Cherry Grove Community Honors, the presentation of community service awards, followed by a dinner catered by Brett Roper and the staff of Floyd’s, at Heaven ’n’ Earth on August 20. Honored here were, as CGCAI President Diane Romano put it, “four people who have made Cherry Grove the most wonderful place to live,” Audrey Hartmann, Richard “Bella” Iorio, Donald Labohn, and the late Joe Scialo.
Introducing Audrey and presenting her award were Geri Losquadro and Barbara Dowd. “Her heart is here in Cherry Grove,” Geri said of Audrey, calling her “elegant and strong, loving and passionate.” Barbara compared her to Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”—“that gamine quality”—and to Coco Chanel, described her as “feisty,” and added, “It takes a village to keep the community running and Audrey is always the first to volunteer.” Barbara continued, “She taught me how to be a Cherry Grove resident, a member of the community, and a good friend.” Referring to the Grove and to CGCAI’s Save Our Community House campaign, Audrey said, “This is a community, a family” and “I want to see our Community House rise to the all the glory that it can.” She recalled that, in the early days, “We were gay people and we were happy to be here” and “we sought refuge in the Community House.”
Rich Parisi began, “It’s a pleasure to be here this evening, honoring one of my best friends: the Bella.” He brought word from Angelo Cavallo, who could not be there, and who said, “For a long time, Bella has been here to make us laugh and help us anyway that he can.” Rich quoted Bella saying, “Ivanna Cocktail—that’s the wrong name for you. You should be called Shelita Buffet,” and concluded, “Bella is so proud to be here, to be part of this community.” Bella said, “Tonight I am so proud and honored to have been selected. Tonight is one of the happiest days of my life.” She continued, “If someone’s here in the Grove, they’re part of your family and so you help them,” and finished with, “I love you all very much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Joanne Tavis and Evan Kane introduced Donald, who conceives and directs the annual Doctor’s Fund benefit show. Joanne, President of the Doctor’s Fund, said, “Life is the sum of your choices and I’m so glad that Donald chose the Doctor’s Fund … [His] shows have been the financial support of the Doctor’s Fund.” Evan, Donald’s partner, said, of the shows, “Just when I think he’s exhausted every theme—and me—he surprises me with another inspiration.” Donald declared, “To be among the recipients of this award, past and present, is such an honor.”
Diane Romano presented a posthumous award to founder of the Monster, Joe Scialo, which was accepted by his surviving partner of 22 years, Charlie Rice. “Joe Scialo was bigger than life,” Diane said. Charlie said, “On my first visit to Cherry Grove in 1973, I dined at the Monster and was introduced to its owner. He praised Joe’s “creativity and common sense” and added, “In its day, the Monster was a culinary temple of delight … 400 meals were served there on a good night.” It numbered Ethel Merman, Tommy Tune, Jerry Herman, Eartha Kitt, and Maxine Andrews of the Andrews Sisters among its patrons. In conclusion, Charlie said of Joe, “He was often called the Prince of Cherry Grove.”