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Cherry Grove People- Michael Fesco

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…

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Sticks and Stones- The movie 1969-70
Books & Movies, 1960's, 1970's Robert Bonanno Books & Movies, 1960's, 1970's Robert Bonanno

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…

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Fire Island Pines People- Nikki Fried 1943-1997
Parties & Benefits, 1980's, 1990's, Pines People Robert Bonanno Parties & Benefits, 1980's, 1990's, Pines People Robert Bonanno

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.

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Pines People- Pepper Fee… Growing up Pines.
Pines People, Community, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000 Robert Bonanno Pines People, Community, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000 Robert Bonanno

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…

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Pines/ Cherry Grove People- Rose (Bob) Levine

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…

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Fire Island Pines People- Lance Ferris
Pines People, 1970's, 1980's Robert Bonanno Pines People, 1970's, 1980's Robert Bonanno

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…

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PAWS Est. 1984

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.

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