Archives
Fire Island Celebrity history- RuPaul
Drag Queen superstar, television personality, actor, singer, and producer RuPaul sashays to Cherry Grove to perform in 2005.
Cherry Grove People- Michael Fesco
Michael Fesco was a creator. In the summer of 1969 this Broadway chorus boy between gigs found himself managing what was being referred to as the Boom Boom room in Cherry Grove. Within a month found himself running the whole complex That he would name The Ice Palace…
DJ Chris Camuso
As a resident DJ in Fire Island Pines for over 20 years DJ Chris Camuso brings an encyclopedia of knowledge of dance music to the floor weekly during season. In addition he creates our Halloween decor for the annual end of season Halloween party.
Sticks and Stones- The movie 1969-70
The topic of Gay and Fire Island were off limits in Hollywood, but somehow movies got made. Yes the budgets were low, however the Camp aspect was high, and so we have “Sticks and Stones” Stan Lopresto’s 1970 Fire Island film which documents a July 4th party thrown by Peter and Buddy, lovers in a strained relationship. Partygoers include leather queen George; a hippie known as “the Lavender Guru”; nervous newcomer Bobby; and Fernando, a biker boy with a new Prince Albert piercing. It doesn’t get campier than that…
Fire Island Pines People- Nikki Fried 1943-1997
Nikki Fried was a former nun who found her way to Fire Island. Her friend there Sandy Paul help her to find a job in publishing in New York city. Her love affair with Fire Island Pines began then and there. Her work in publishing led to consulting work with banks. Much of which could be done remotely. She would take off every August to stay in her beloved Pines, and worked her consulting schedule to spend as much time there as she could. From Spring to Fall.
The Invasion Pop-Up Museum @ the Historic Carrington Cottage
Everything you wanted to know about the Invasion, but didn’t know who to ask!
Pines People- Pepper Fee… Growing up Pines.
In the 1960’s as the Pines was establishing itself as a community children were a big part as many straight local families from Long Island were investing as a summer home. They would have the opportunity to grow up in a different atmosphere than the one they would live in across the bay. Pepper Fee was one…
Fire Island Art history- W.H. Auden
Cherry Grove drew many people from the Art world including poet W.H.Auden. It was here they could escape New York City and all its trappings to create their Art…
Pines/ Cherry Grove People- Rose (Bob) Levine
Arriving in Cherry Grove in 1955 Bob Levine found home. A home for not only himself, but for Rose Levine the drag alter ego he created. Cherry Grove became his stage at the Arts Projects Community theater. He decided to cross the Meat Rack to the Pines and make a name for himself there also, and did…
Fire Island Pines People- Lance Ferris
After a visit in 1979 to Fire Island , a young Lance Ferris arrived on his own in 1980 fresh from Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn. Taking a guide book he got his ticket on the Long Island Railroad and made his way out to Sayville. There he boarded a ferry to Cherry Grove. He had been to all the bars in NYC including Ice Palace 57. At 17 he had just left High School and was determined to get a job bartending at the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove, and so he did…
Celebrity history- Debbie Reynolds
2015. Actress Debbie Reynolds arrives in Cherry Grove to perform at the Community House Theater.
Interview with New York’s original leather daddies: Frank Olson and Don Morrison
Frank Olson and Don Morrison were among the most important founding members of the leather scene in New York City. They were famous for hosting legendary S&M-themed parties in Fire Island and their home in Manhattan. In 1970, they opened The Eagle’s Nest, New York’s premier leather bar.
Fire Island Celebrity history- Carol Channing
As a good friend to Broadway composer Jerry Herman actress Carol Channing had special access to Fire Island. From her early visits in the 1960’s to her last to Cherry Grove in 2013 she made herself at home here.
The Copa Cherry Grove Est.1980-81
Like a shooting star The Copa nightclub arrived in Cherry Grove and lit up the night. Night life that is. Like the Pavilion in the Pines that was built on the site of the Sandpiper, it was built on the site of the former Sea Shack.
The Dolly Parton look-alike Contest- Cherry Grove 1978.
The Dolly Parton look alike contest was part of the annual Cherry Grove Fair. Community events like this give Cherry Grove its unique history.
PAWS Est. 1984
As the Pines community grew so did its animal population. Most noticeably the many pets that would arrive with homeowners and renters. However after season it was being noticed that some pets were left behind to fend for themselves. In addition during season pets got lost with no form of identification. So with that Pines longtime residents Myra Kahan and Lee Frey created PAWS Pines Animal Welfare Society.
Fire Island Holiday Gift Guide
Everything about Fire Island for the Holiday gift giving season.
The Fire Islander Guide Est.1970’s
In an age of no social media or internet we had various publications that gave us all our Fire Island information. The Fire Islander was one…
The Island Scene magazine. Est . 2004-2005
Before the advent of the internet and social media the only way to get F.I. news was through newspaper and magazines. Island Scene was one such magazine.
The Belvedere Cherry Grove Est. 1957
As you arrive by ferry to Cherry Grove to your left sits a castle like building that stands out with its white facade. Is it a palace of some long ago prince? I guess you could say it is. John Eberhardt created a fantasy here. His own. That he has left for all to experience…