The Cherry Grove Community Association Inc. (CGCAI) held its 12th annual Community Honors ceremony at the Community House on August 12. Four deserving community members received recognition and awards, following welcoming remarks by CGCAI President Diane Romano and Vice-President Joyce Yaeger.
Thespian Richard “Fluffy” Cataldi returned to the Grove stage to introduce Walter “Donna Piranha” Kowalsky, who thanked mentor Fluffy; spouse Roger Cortez; Todd Joseph, for writing a glowing bio in the Community Honors journal; and reigning Homecoming Queen Emilio “Ginger Snap” De Luca, for continuing the tradition of community service. Calling for “not only diversity, but inclusiveness,” Walter told community leaders, “I’m imploring you to include the new,” as he remembered early difficulties in being accepted here. He credited Meryl Facterman and the late Lois McIntosh for giving Donna Piranha the opportunity to perform at the Tides when she was new, and saying, “I stand before you either as a vindictive bitch or a brilliant problem solver,” described getting Roger to accept this drag persona, at first principally for charitable causes, such as the PAWS benefit; the Doctor’s Fund benefit; the Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG), which elected her as Homecoming Queen in 2004; and the Concerned Women of the Grove (CWOG), for which she hosts shows at Breast Cancer benefits.
Bob “Rose” Levine began the introduction for George McGarvey by singing a bit of “I Feel a Song Coming On” and thanking him for creating sets for the Rose Levine shows. George thanked Diane, Joyce, CGCAI Board Member Jack Ruolo, partner Bruce Miller, colleague Nissa Botthoff, Ginger Snap, Richard “Urban Sprawl” Cooley, and APCG President Thom “Panzi” Hansen and APCG Board Members, and all others who accepted and welcomed him.
Introducing Roland Michely, Don Robb reminisced about shopping at Macy’s for drag for himself and for Roland’s“Mathilde von Sluttenberg” persona and about Roland’s work as first CGCAI President. Roland pithily summed up the community by saying, “Cherry Grove is a place where you don’t have to wear a tuxedo or a gown … makeup [or] high heels, unless you want to. Cherry Grove is a place where everybody loves each other, unless you don’t want to.”
Angela Smith brought Doreen Rallo and Bobbie Green, Matt Baney, and Panzi to the stage to help introduce her partner Sue Panzer. Doreen, Sue’s teacher colleague, spoke of Sue’s work with CWOG and CWOG-the Next Generation, the APCG Casino, and the Grovettes vs. Copettes volleyball tournament, as Grovettes Captain, and noted that she often donates her tips from cocktail serving at the Ice Palace to the organizations. “We appreciate all that you have done for the community,” she concluded. Matt added, “Sue Panzer is a unique force of Nature and thank God she chose Cherry Grove to share it with!” Angela recalled, “The first time that I met Sue, she was dressed as a sheep for the ‘Brokeback Ball’—it was love at first sight,” because, “I’m English.” Sue said of her award, “I should share it with Matt and Panzi because they keep volunteering me for things.” She thanked former manager Sal Piro, who was present, for hiring her at the Ice Palace, but giving her weekends off for community events.
The gala evening included cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, and dessert.