Although Coco Love has been on Fire Island since 1992 it would seem that she has suddenly burst upon Cherry Grove just this past year! Elected Homecoming Queen 2006 (and therefore making the requisite Royal appearance at each performance and major event), being the "newbie" in the famous Doctor's Fund Show and now, not only joining the Arts Project Board but  chairing the traditional Season's End Ball, trying to revamp and revitalize it and attract the "new blood" that is necessary for survival. 

Knee deep in creating new copy and visuals to publicize the event, she said  "It is It is very important to me to get lots of people together for a great time for the ball event, that is our common goal I believe...We do what we do because we want to be involved and we want to make a positive difference.  That should be the common goal for all of us as Cherry Grove is such a treasure"

Still working very hard to make it a smashing experience she informed me  "We are in the process of trying to arrange the 'Times Squares' Dancers' (a NYC based gay square dance club) for the event and hope to have a square dance performance from them as well as a caller to teach us a step or two.  Should be great fun
There's lots of fun copy to work with as I have planned a series of flyers that will be posted in the weekends leading up to the event.  They are intended to highlight the different contests and provide details.  There is another flyer that defines various western slang that is great to get people in the mood".

Coco Love (aka Michael Coffindaffer, a much shorter version of his alter ego but just as attractive) concluded "I'm looking forward to a really great event that gets everyone out for a good time together.  I think a more casual theme will certainly help".

Here are samples of the flyers you will be seeing around town:

Arts Project Cherry Grove Presents the 2006 Ball

BROKEBACK CHERRY GROVE

September 30, 2006, 8pm to 1am, The Ice Palace 

 "WANTED:  DEAD OR ALIVE- LARGEST PICKLE"

Chance of a lifetime!  Enter the Largest Pickle Contest!

__________________________________________________

 Arts Project Cherry Grove Presents the 2006 Ball

BROKEBACK CHERRY GROVE

 SINCE YOU'RE "ABOVE SNAKES" (meaning above ground, therefore still alive) AND ATTENDING THE SHINDIG, BETTER BRUSH UP ON THE LINGO, COWBOY!!!

 Study this list so you can be "JAWING" right!

 A HOG-KILLIN' TIME- A real good time.  That's what we're gonna have!

AIRTIGHTS- Canned goods.  Won't find any at this shindig.

AMONG THE WILLOWS- Dodging the Law.

BEND AN ELBOW- Have a drink.

BIG SUGAR- Ranch owner.  Let me know when you find a cute one!

BRAIN TABLET- Cigarette.

BUCKET OF BLOOD- A violence-prone frontier saloon. (not the 6:00 am Monday ferry).

BUCKLE BUNNIES- Female groupies who follow and befriend rodeo riders.

BUZZARD FOOD- Dead.

CALF SLOBBERS- Meringue on the top of pie.  Yum!!

CORRAL DUST- Tall tales or lies.  Plenty in this town.

CROWBAR HOTEL- Jail.

FAG- In cowboy talk, to get out fast!!  Who knew?

FULL AS A TICK- Very drunk.

GET THE MITTEN- To be rejected by a lover.  It happens.

HAIR CASE (or WAR BONNET)- Hat.

HOOTER- A bit or tiny amount. 

KEEP THAT DRY- Keep it secret.

LAY- (Not what you think!) Price, terms, salary.

LEGGINS- South Texas term for chaps.

LOVE APPLES- Canned tomatoes.

MAN FOR BREAKFAST- A murdered body in the streets at dawn.

MARY- EXACTLY what you think.  Still means the same thing!

NECK OIL (or NOSE PAINT)- Whiskey.

ODD STICK- Eccentric person.

OLD WOMAN- The cowboy's cook (and the most popular man on the cattle drive!)

PECKER POLE- Again, not what you think!  It's what a logger called a small tree.

PLAY TO THE GALLERY- To show off.

RATTLE YOUR HOCKS- Hurry up, get a move on.

ROAD AGENT- A robber, bandit, desperado.

SAND- Guts; courage; toughness.

SHOVE THE QUEER- To pass counterfeit money.

SHUT YOUR COCK HOLSTER- Shut yer mouth.

SILK- Barbed wire.

TALL HOG AT THE TROUGH- Superior, outstanding, exudes leadership.

TEXAS BUTTER- Gravy made with flour, hot water, and fried steak grease.  Yum!! 

_________________________________________________________________

 

 Arts Project Cherry Grove Presents the 2006 Ball

BROKEBACK CHERRY GROVE

  "WANTED:  HOT, FRESH AND READY TO GO"

 Chance of a lifetime!  Enter the Best Country Dessert Contest!

 This is THE Opportunity for all you DOUGH WRANGLERS & POT RUSTLER EXTRAORDINARS to strut your stuff and be bell-of-the-ball. 

 **CALF SLOBBERS (that's meringue on top of the pie to you) ARE MUCH APPRECIATED! 

 Ring the Cherry Grove Ladies Auxiliary Club to enter your butt-kickin' dessert at

631-597-9667.

 1^st Place WINNER receives $50 CASH, deluxe 1^st Place Blue Ribbon, and a case of PBR Beer!!!

 NOTICE!!!

All entries are non-returnable as they will be grandly presented on the CHUCK WAGON during the Ho Down and heartily consumed by all cowboys, rustlers, cowgirls and showgirls in the place (after the judges have made their final decision)!

_________________________________________________________________

 September 30, 2006, 8pm to 1am, The Ice Palace 

 "WANTED:  BEST COSTUME"

$$$ 500 DOLLARS CASH AWARD FOR THE WINNER $$$

 Chance of a lifetime!  Enter the Best COSTUME Contest!

RULES-

1.  There are no rules except THEME APPROPRIATE attire is an absolute MUST!

2.  Can be a single, couple, triple, group, small herd, whatever.

3.  One first place prize ONLY!

4.  No runners-up or sore losers allowed.  If discovered you will be jailed and shot at dawn.

 Find one of the Cherry Grove Ladies Auxiliary Club members to enter your butt-kickin' costume when you arrive at the Shindig. 

 *****Better yet, find one of the judges and LICKFINGER (that's kiss ass to you).

____________________________________________________________________

 Arts Project Cherry Grove Presents the 2006 Ball

BROKEBACK CHERRY GROVE

 "YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS AND BRING IT, WE'LL JUDGE IT, AND IF IT'S THE BIGGEST....... the Cherry Grove Ladies Auxiliary Club will pin a BIG FAT RIBBON ON IT!"

 1^st Place WINNER receives $50 CASH, deluxe 1^st Place Blue Ribbon, and a case of PBR Beer!!!

 NOTICE!!!

All entries are SUBJECT to a pat down and through inspection.  All entries will be grandly presented front and center during the Ho Down.  Now don't be shy!!

___________________________________________________________________

 

www.artsprojectcherrygrove.org

ARTS PROJECT OF CHERRY GROVE PRESENTS THE 2006 BALL

$50 CASH

$50 CASH

$500 CASH

 Contests

BEST COSTUME

(single, group, whatever!)

Winner receives $500 CASH

and DELUXE blue ribbon!

BEST COUNTRY DESSERT

1st Place winner $50 CASH

1 case PBR beer

and DELUXE blue ribbon!

LARGEST PICKLE

1st Place winner $50 CASH

1 case PBR beer

and DELUXE blue ribbon!

Ticket sales

September 16th & 17th,23rd & 24th

12:00 to 2:00 APCG Ticket Booth

Payment methods. Master Card, Visa, American Express,

Discover, cash and checks to the APcg accepted

ATTIRE

Theme appropriate

Western Attire MANDATORY!

 WHO is Coco Love? An on the hoof Interview with the Ball co-Chair

  


 Jeannie Lieberman: How many years have you been in Cherry Grove?

 Friends asked my partner Frank and I if we would like to take a 1/2 share with them in the Pines for the summer of 1992.  That was our first introduction to Fire Island and I was amazed that such a beautiful unspoiled natural beach was so close to NYC, truly the best of both worlds!
We very quickly discovered Cherry Grove and ended up spending the majority of our time there because of the friendly, relaxed, and multifaceted nature of the community.  Needless to say we immediately high-tailed it to the Grove for the next summer and haven't left!
I have found my home among the open-minded, diverse, unique, and utterly fascinating residents of the community.  You can be different and
fit-right-in all at the same time.  I don't know of another spot on earth like it.
We were fortunate enough to buy a house on Greene Walk 4 years ago and are in the process of an extensive renovation that is near completion.  It really is satisfying to make a long term commitment to the Grove.  We plan on being here for many, many years to come.  
.  
In how many shows have you performed? How did you get to the group and into the shows?

Johnny Pool asked me to perform in his Cancer benefit at Cherry's 4 years ago.  That was my start.  
After that, Donald LaBonne took a leap of faith and asked me to join The Doctor's Fund show cast.   I found that it was a completely new experience that I really enjoyed so I've grown from there and been involved in a dozen or so shows to date.  This year for the Dr's Fund Show I went from Janice Paige's "Satin & Silk" to Shirley Temple's "Old Straw Hat".  I like the challenge of trying a new character, something new.  
And the best part is to work with other members in the community and to get to know them better.  The rehearsal experience really brings people together.

When did you join the APCG board and why?

Last year a member on the board nominating committee asked me if I would be interested and I certainly was!  
It really matters to me to be involved in what you believe in and the Grove is very high on my list.  I had been wanting to get involved in a more significant way so the invitation was the perfect opportunity.  I do my best to help in any way I can and to make a positive difference.
The main reason why I chose to join the board is simple.  The first year I was a Grove resident, we went to the Membership/ Homecoming party and I was really overwhelmed at the incredible sense of community!  I just thought "WOW!" at the time and I continue to feel the same way today.  I believe that such a special and supportive environment should be nurtured to the best of all of our abilities.  

Were you just a member at first or went right into the board?

I have been a member from that first year and was ready to support the APCG further by being on the board.
Being selected as Homecoming Queen this year has been such a honor and great fun.  I would happily do it 10 times over because it's from my heart and everyone has been so supportive and appreciative of my efforts.  I hope I've helped create positive energy and made the community happy.

Indeed she has! I am looking forward to seeing her radiate through the event she has worked so hard to create. This BUCKLE BUNNY is lookin' forward to  A HOG-KILLIN' TIME where I can BEND AN ELBOW with a BIG SUGAR and take home a TALL HOG AT THE TROUGH. So

RATTLE YOUR HOCKS y'all!!!

                                                                                         ...Jeannie