Warren's Ann retires

by Chimera

WARREN, OHIOAnn's Bar in Warren was the scere of a very exciting event Monday, Sept. 29. This was the date chosen to honor Ann, a central figure in the Warren gay community. After 32 years. Ann decided to sell the bar. and enjoy the pleasures of retirement.

A toast to Ann

The party-through the concerted efforts of new owners Paid and Mike was a tremendous success. Over 350 people attended the festivities, including many from other cities and states The floral arrangements and gifts piles of them on large table. testified to the fact that Ann is a highly regarded member of the gay community.

ETIREMENT PARTY

Food was served buffet-style and spirits flowed and soared' as the evening progressed The efficient and affable barpersons Linda and Virg at the service bar and Roy. Jeff and Chris with Paul and Mike at the main barmade it easy to get a drink desnite the record crowd

NOVEMBER 1980 HIGH GEAR Page 17

Roy, Jeff Chris Ann & Duane

The night culminated in a toast to Ann with everyone in the bar participating It was a wellexpressed thank you for the posttive influence on the thousands who have passed through Ann's. Bar in the last three decades

Paul, Ann and Mike

Friends of Ann

Gay Hotline seeks coordinator

For the past 16 months the Cleveland GAY HOTLINE has grown and become a vital communications link to the Gay Community. During that time it has undergone a major overhaul to bring it to the point it is today.

Calis into the HOTLINE have increased 95% over the prior year. Legitimate calls have doubled. Hotline workers have expanded resource information to work with in answering questions or referring to other sources. Other agencies continue to refer caller to the HOTLINE.

The professionalism of volunteers who work the HOTLINE has also increased. HOTLINE training includes three two-hour workshops and twenty hours of observation/monitoring and supervised phone work.

All of these have been combined to make Cleveland's HOTLINE one of the best. Contacts have been made with other cities' gay.HOTLINES to begin an exchange of ideas in order to improve services again.

All of us at GEAR wish to thank Kirk who has been the Coordinator for these 16 months. His time and effort have resulted in a well run hot line and have given it a good basis for continuing it's good basis for continuing it's growth.

In September, Kirk submitted a

request for a leave of absense to the GEAR Board so that he could continue to pursue his education. His leave was granted and a steering committee formed to find a new Coordinator. If you are interested please submit an

Poetry

application with your qualifications to the GEAR Foundation P.O. Box 6177 Cleveland, Ohio 44101 by November 30, 1980. Submit these Attention Pat Baskin, V.P. Services.

-STILL

By Marcia Perry

Poems such as roses and sunshine, the birds and bees, and hot summer nights, Could never express my feelings for you right." I want to hold you. I've already told you, I LOVE YOU...THERE NEVER BE ANYONE ABOVE YOU.

So to bring this poem to, an end. I will say it again (I LOVE YOU)

WHY

By Marcia Perry

The sun is sinking low, a cool breeze in my face I touch your hand and you touch mine, as we gaze into each other's eyes.

Your eyes so soft and tender, your kisses sweet and sincere. Oh how I love you darling. I'll always want you near.

As the night has fallen, so has my heart. I in your arms, and you in mine. I need your touch, kiss me darling. (I LOVE YOU VERY .MUCH),

Dancin' Shoes

By L. Van Aken It's fun to dance under your stars once or twice a week and when you add music to the light is when ..

I get high looking up at you very busy with your work. An occassional wave and a Friendly smile tell me that you haven't forgotten mine

B

Sometimes I like to think

that one of you played

a song for me without request when you saw me getting high under your stars

True or not, I don't know Fool am I? Fool are you? You're both nice guys. That I'd never betray Keep smilin' Jack, It's becoming to you.

YOU

By Marcia Perry

I thought of you today. How we 'met! Our first touch! Our first kiss! I found me in you, and you in me.

I have nothing without you. I've never lived before you came along. I want to give you everything. I want to make you happy.

To see you smile, to hold your hand, to kiss you. To learn you, to understand you.

When you're sad, or when you hurt. I cry, I feel I understand. So please take my hand.

I want so much to give you everything. Take my heart, my soui, my hand: And take my Love. For I've Loved you more than I ever thought I could.