Letter from the CGCAI President

Dear Friends of Cherry Grove,

The community of Cherry Grove has came a long and wonderful way since its founders began to settle this part of Fire Island in approximately 1925, and today some generations later it is our turn to shape its future. All residents, visitors, guests, seasonal renters, home owners and business managers in Cherry Grove can proudly proclaim that they belong to a community that has an exciting and prosperous future. Where-else can you socialize with two different persons in a matter of hours, only to find out later that you spoke twice with the same human being.

As in society at large things don’t happen by themselves. We have learned from the older generation and witnessed their dedication. Based on their knowledge we are challenged to improve upon these achievements and to move ahead.

I am pleased to provide you with a vision for the immediate future of Cherry Grove that can be achieved if we want it to succeed.

First: Improving communication among Cherry Grove volunteer organizations. The Community Association (CGCAI) is leading such efforts and has conducted meetings with the officers of the Arts Project of Cherry Grove and with other volunteer organizations. The purpose of such meetings is to coordinate events, activities and services, to determine responsibilities for maintenance for various community infrastructures, to coordinate the general beautification of the community, to pool resources for new projects and to coordinate issues of common concern. At the CGCAI we are convinced that close cooperation among all volunteer organizations will benefit all in our community.

Second: Active participation in and support of Cherry Grove organizations. We encourage everyone who is interested in Cherry Grove to participate and support any of the Cherry Grove volunteer organizations either through active participation or through donations. Most are charitable organizations where your donations are tax-deductible.

Third: Cooperation between Cherry Grove businesses and residents. The CGCAI initiated joint meetings with business owners/managers to discuss the quality of life issues, such as noise and to discuss concerns and suggestions of the businesses. We will continue the dialogue with the business owners/managers and its re-created chamber of commerce of Cherry Grove.

I am confident that we, together, can make a difference. The CGCAI will continue in its efforts to address and include all residents, visitors, guests, seasonal renters, home owners and business owners.

There is a long list of items and issues that are in process or have been resolved in our community. The variety of events and activities from community parties to extravagant stage shows and to brilliantly performed classical concerts, are a mirror of our residents’ creativity, talents and involvement in civic endeavors. As nature helps to grow new dunes at our beach, we shall do our best to help Cherry Grove continue to grow into an exciting and prosperous future.