SUMMER OLYMPICS CELEBRATED AT GROVE CASINO

July 19-July 20, Cherry Grove, NY

                                                      Photos & text by Jack Quinn

The Arts Project of Cherry Grove held it's traditional summer fundraiser Casino this weekend at the Community House. .  Those who paid the reasonable $5 admission,  were treated to a Community House decorated like a VIP club at the Summer Olympic Games.  Dealers were dressed as though they represented their native countries or as they were athletes themselves.  The Community House was decorated with dozens of Olympic banners, some sly photos of various Grove celebrities superimposed on actual athletic performances.  Lot's of little creative touches for the set decoration for the casino weekend, coordinated by George McGarvey.  Marge oversaw her crew of dealers including Bobbie & Doreen, Luisa Verde, Franny, Ruth & Susan Freedner, Isaac Steven Vaughan, Philomena, Panzi, Lorraine and Joan.  The greeters and ticket sellers at the door included the triumvirate of Bella, Angela Mercy, and our Homecoming Queen Margo.  Past Queens Coco Love (2006) and Lola (2007) were in attendance dressed to the nines for the medal ceremonies.  Gimmi and Marianne Hoffa as well as Bill Perez were cocktale waitresses running shuttle service between the gaming tables and the bar ably manned by Bruce-Michael Gelbert (Mr. Fire Island Leather 2001) and his assistant, Little Joe (Mr. Fire Island Leather 2005).  Seen at the gaming tables were Valerie Perez, Mandy & Joe, Mel & Don, Bill Ottignon, Harold Seeley, Tony Bondi, Bobby & Victor, Rae Destafano, etc.

HC Queens Coco Love (2006) and Lola (2007)


Luisa Verde (Homecoming Queen 1999) at the spinning wheel

Olympic memorabilia from Luisa Verde and Lola

Lola (note both her natural eyelashes and her swim goggle eyelashes


Bobbie as dealer for a card game of chance


Lorraine and Joan administer the wheel of chances


Isaac Steven Vaughan deals Blackjack


Doreen deals blackjack to Victor and Michael Abdis, among others


Cherry Grove Postmistress Jeanne Skinner trying to decide how to wager


Normally other casinos would have had eight to ten active tables but this year the activity was contained to about five solid tables.   This grouping is enjoying the dealing of Panzi (not shown)

A Big Winner???