The Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. (CGCAI) held its 10th annual Honors dinner and awards ceremony at Heaven ’n’ Earth on August 22 and five worthy Grovites were fêted. CGCAI President Diane Romano and Vice-President Joyce Yaeger conducted the ceremony.
The first “movers and shakers,” as Diane put it, to be honored were Brian Clark and Troy Files, who were introduced by Roland Michely, Sue Rayson, and Bud Hendricksen. Recognized for “raising funds for Cherry Grove’s numerous charities,” said Sue, pronouncing them “bonza blokes”—Australian for men of “really good value”—Brian and Troy have worked with CGCAI, the Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG), the Dune Fund, the House Blessing, the Archives Committee, and the Cherry Grove Garden Club, in addition to serving as Homecoming Queens. Their program bios, by Joyce, conclude, “[T]he luck is ours for having Brian and Troy here with us,” to which Troy responded, “Cherry Grove is lucky to have all of us.”
Gina Garan was introduced by her girlfriend Jackie Carlson and young son Carpenter. Jackie said, “The way Gina’s love for Cherry Grove oozed out of her made me realize that Cherry Grove was special.” Carpenter added, “My mom introduced me to this wonderful place and has been generous with everyone.” After Hurricane Sandy, in 2012, Gina raised $30,000 for the Dune Fund and, collecting additional funds since then for Emergency Medical Service in Cherry Grove and for the Cherry Grove Fire Department’s (CGFD) new fire truck, has raised about $100,000 for the community. She said, of her Honors award, “I appreciate it very much.”
Bobbie Green and Doreen Rallo introduced Richard Schack, their neighbor for 20 years. Bobbie offered her first impression of Richard, when she saw him emerge from Michael’s restaurant, which used to be at the dock: that he was “a cross between James Bond and Groucho Marx.” Doreen said, “Richard’s dedication to this community is quite evident … He is definitely one of Cherry Grove’s silent heroes.” Richard is President of the Cherry Grove Memorial Fund and also works with the Cherry Grove Property Owners Association. Richard arrived here in 1993, recently widowed and orphaned, and declared, “Cherry Grove rescued me … Cherry Grove gave me the life I have today.”
There was posthumous recognition, with a Spotlight award, for original Cherry’s co-owner Lois McIntosh, who first came here in 1960, when “only a few were brave enough to be open,” said Andy Porzio, who worked for her. The first Doctor’s Fund benefits, with a goal of renovating Belly Acres, the Doctor’s House, and first CGFD pancake breakfasts were held at Cherry’s when Lois and surviving spouse Meryl Facterman owned it. Accepting the award, Meryl said, “I do appreciate this well-deserved award for Lois.”