letters tothe editor

Last call at the Grapevine Café

To the Editors:

For those of you who couldn't squeeze your way in on that last Friday night, you missed one hell of a going-away party. Pam yelled "Last call," we rang the bell one more time, and with that, bid a tearful adieu to Alice Wing and all of the staff at the Grapevine Café.

Eleven years is a long time to own a business but in the gay community, it's a virtual eternity, dahling. Talk about tenure! Many of us, myself included, spent more than a few of those eleven years at the 'Vine. (Corner of the bar, by the door, “Put it on my tab!" That was me.)

Now, I'm not saying it's a good idea to spend that kind of time in a bar; but if you're going to do so, you may as well go somewhere where (not like Cheers), everyone does know your name, they're happy to see you and it's likely most of your friends are there, too.

For a lot of folks, it became a "home away from home," as it were. It was more than that, though, more than just the first openly gay restaurant in Columbus. In a very real sense, it was like family my extended family and some of the most significant relationships I have in my life were forged there. You don't get that without it starting at the top-from Alice to the newest employee, you could count on a smile and a genuine "Hey, good to see you," no matter when you arrived.

There's another side to this story, too, and that's giving back to the community who supports you. Alice and the 'Vine did just that, raising thousands of dollars over the years for many, many organizations in Columbus. Her public giving is well documented her private generosity not so much. Folks like her don't come along too often in this life, and I consider it one of my greatest privileges to Have gotten to know her as much as I do. I know I am not the only person who feels this way-I couldn't possibly list them all.

And life does go on: Already Betty Mika has purchased the 'Vine and has plans for her own place, due to open soon. It was really important to Alice to have the business stay in the community, and I am so happy it turned out that way. It must be like giving up a child, in some sense (and please, no hate mail from moms here). It's not like we won't ever see her around. Anyone who knows their way around Buckeye Lake has a decent shot of that already!

It's just that while there may be another bar, there won't ever be another 'Vine.

GAY PEOPLE'S

Alice, we wish you much love and luck as you explore this next chapter of your life. For everything and for all the years, somehow "thank you" doesn't seem like enough—but it will have to do.

See ya at the lake.

Lori Lasley Columbus

letter, we approached him first about supplying the sound equipment but he said he was not interested.

The lube given out at the gate was provided to NOCI free of charge by the manufacturer as a promotional giveaway only. We anticipated that people would take it home and try it out in the privacy of their own homes, with their own condoms. It was not intended to be used right then and there at the

Picnic is a good value for the money park. NOCI, above all else, promotes safe

To the Editors:

As a person that cares for our community and a current board member of NOCI, the Northern Ohio Coalition, Inc., I feel it is necessary to respond to Mr. Szoka's letter in the Sept 24 issue. I would like to address some of the concerns that he has related, both in his letter and on his airwaves.

Mr. Szoka states that no one he knows was aware of any place to purchase advance-sale tickets for this year's "We Are Family" picnic. I find this hard to believe, since they were available at most of the gay and lesbian bars and nightclubs in the area, as they are each year. Mr. Szoka should be aware of this, having been a member of this community for so many years. He also must not have looked too hard, since they were available right next door to his establishment at Flex.

Yes, it's true, tickets were not being sold at the Grid, and haven't been for years, ever since Mr. Szoka informed us that he was not interested in handling advance ticket sales at his bar. If he had a change of heart about this matter, he never mentioned it to myself or the other board member he spoke to prior to the event, so we assumed he was still not interested.

We were made aware of the problems with the pop dispenser and we approached the park management with our concerns. We were assured the problems would be corrected. Since we are contractually obligated by the park to obtain our soft drinks from them, complaints about this matter should be forwarded to park management. Believe me, we have already voiced our own complaints to them on several occasions!

•

We had a signed contract, complete with deposit, for the sound equipment in the dance pavilion. Due to the sound company's gross negligence, the equipment arrived at the park several hours late, and what they brought was both inadequate and unacceptable, and was not what we had contracted for.

If not for the fantastic cooperation of the DJs scheduled to perform, especially DJ Christian, we may not have been able to have dancing at all. As Mr. Szoka stated in his

Chronicle

VISA

Delivered Right to Your Door!

26 Issues for $30.00 or 52 Issues for $60.00

If you'd like to receive the Chronicle first class mail, $43.00 for 26 Issues or $86.00 for 52 Issues

Enclosed is my check for $

Name

Address

City

Phone (

Mastercard

Visa

Name on card

Card #

for

State

Zip

Issues

Check or Money Order Enclosed

Exp. Date:

If paying by Mastercard or Visa, fax this form to 216-631-1052 or call 216-631-8646, toll free, 800-426-5947. You can email your subscription request at: subsciption@chronohio.com

Send filled-out form with payment to Gay People's Chronicle, P.Q. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101

sex, and has worked hard with the park management and sheriff's department to discour age any type of sexual activity at the park. It's simply not the place for it, not to mention very illegal!

The "drag entertainment," as Mr. Szoka puts it, was not hidden away. It was right there at the entrance to the park, the same place it was last year. I have yet to hear from anyone else who couldn't find it. The entertainment stage has not been out in the main area for several years, due in part to the additional volleyball courts the park installed in that area. There just isn't enough room for it there anymore.

Besides, I wasn't aware that Mr. Szoka and the Grid were such big supporters of "drag entertainment." When was the last "drag show" that you attended at the Grid, other than Halloween?

It has always amazed me when I hear people say that $20 or $25 is too much to spend to attend the picnic. After all, people don't complain when they pay $5 to park, $20 to get in the gate, and $3 to $4 for each beer or pop that they consume just for the privilege of dancing on the pavement to the music of an out-of-town, and I assume wellpaid DJ! We feel the picnic has always provided good value for the money, and have worked hard to keep the price down.

On a personal note, I am greatly offended by the implications made by Mr. Szoka, both in his letter and on his airwaves, that NOCI is not to be trusted with the money that we raise. I can personally assure Mr. Szoka that we carefully guard the money that this generous community entrusts to us. It goes directly back into the community to support very worthwhile organizations and causes that aid and empower our community. The list is too long for this space, but we would be more than happy to provide Mr. Szoka and anyone else interested with a list of people that we have helped throughout the years. We are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish with the support of this community!

No member of NOCI profits in any way from any of our fundraising events. In fact, the opposite is true. We are made up from a group of caring and dedicated members that give up their time, hard work, and yes, even their own money, to try and benefit our community and make a difference. On second thought, I guess we do profit, in the pride of knowing that somewhere along the way we may have helped some people.

Are we perfect? Far from it! Have we made mistakes along the way? Of course! But we will keep trying, and we invite anyone interested in trying to make a difference to join us, including Mr. Szoka. After all, we are family.

Brian A. Kirsch, Corresponding Secretary Northern Ohio Coalition, Inc. Cleveland

Please don't sell my name

To the Editors:

Okay, people. Someone needs to fess up. I think this is a rather common problem. As a responsible gay man, I obviously contribute to various organizations that assist the community.

It is at best a tricky thing to do, as you never know which organization is actually using the money to support programs, or if they are buying new office chairs, organizing a big party or possibly contemplating a "festival" where all of five dollars goes to AIDS or gay oriented organizations. As I am solicited by just about everyone, who usually never say what exactly they do, however they

Continued on facing page

GAY PEOPLE'S▼

Chronicle

15, Issue 16 rved. 1928-1986 ions, 1070-177X

Publisher: Martha J. Pontoni Business Manager: Patti Harris Editorial Boards Brian DeWitt, Christine Hahn, Patti Harris, Dawn Leach, Martha Pontoni Associate Editor: Brian DeWitt Senior Staff Writer: Dawn E. Leach Staff Writer: Denny Sampson

Reporters & Writers:

Doreen Cudnik, Mubarak S. Dahir, Beren deMotier, Bob Findle, John Graves, Mark J. Huisman, Kaizaad Kotwal, M.T. Martone, Jeffrey Newman, Harriet L. Schwartz,

Kirk Read, Eric Resnick, Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, John Zeh

Art Director: Christine Hahn Production Assistant: Patricia Hughes Photographer: LeeAnn McGuire

Advertising Manager: David A. Ebbert National Advertising:

Rivendell Marketing 212-242-6863 David A. Ebbert 800-426-5947

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the Ohio lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community for all of its members to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community. This balance will provide lesbians and gay men with a forum to air grievances and express joys.

The Gay People's Chronicle is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless permission is obtained.

Any material submitted for publication will be subject to editing. The Chronicle cannot guarantee return of any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The Gay People's Chronide is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We reserve the right to reject advertising which is unsuitable for our publication.

P.O. Box 5426 Cleveland, Ohio 44101 216-631-8646 or Toll Free: 800-426-5947 Fax: 216-631-1052

E-mail: chronide@chronohio.com www.cleveland.com/community/gay

Letters to t

The Chronicle and write and expr

communit how

avoid nar Plea

unless you

and phone to sent via US

letters@chrononio.com

Subscriptions

by E-mail to