A SAD DAY

 As if the times couldn't be more depressing our class act, angel, country music legend, actress, fashion icon, the ultimate drag queen, rhinestone Goddess and a swell and giving philanthropists Dolly Parton has departed for fabulon to the Grand Ole Opry in the sky. A sad day indeed.

Y'all come back now, ya hear!

Dolly Rebecca Parton

January 19 1946- August 25 2026

MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER

As Prides season is upon us, another drag legend heads to the grand stages of Fabulon. Philadelphia has lost one of its most beloved of drag queens, Martha Graham Cracker brought to life by Dito van Reigerberg, a drag queen, artist, actor, singer and theater director. Martha co-founded Philadelphia's acclaimed Pig Iron Theatre Co and used his theater background to craft the wildly popular, 7in platform wearing alter ego. I can recall seeing Martha as far back as the early 90's where she was already well established, in standing room only venues, with people sitting on people to watch the show. Martha Graham Cracker was famously inspired by the pioneer of modern dance Martha Graham as well as renowned drag performers Joey Arias and Raven O. Always a very strong advocate in Philly's LGBTQ community, hosting drag shows all over Philly and as far as NYC and Pride concerts-adding his signature mix of sincerity and sass. Once billed as the world's tallest and hairiest queen, forget what you know about drag... Martha often let it all out with her shaggy legs and arms on full display. And to think it all started because he liked to try on his mother's makeup as a kid. Known for his campy, drag on a dime looks, and booming, soul baring singing voice rather than lip synching, Martha packed venues for years, blending chaotic cabaret, humor, wise cracks and heart. This year will be the first of Pride concerts with the Philadelphia Orchestra without Martha. Last year she gave a showstopping performance with the song Rainbow Connection. Tragically, Martha passed away this week at 53 following a battle with leukemia. Spread your magic in Fabulon girl. 

Dito van Reigersberg 

AKA- Martha Graham Cracker

October 7 1972- June 1 2026

REMEMBERING ANNE MARIE

It has been five years already since we, I, and the blogging community loss a swell person. Not much time goes by that I don't recall her, think of her, or when I hear someone say Fuck yeah, or any multitude of fucks in a sentence that I don't think about Anne Marie. She would be beyond massive heart attack if she were here now to see the current climate of the times. I had the pleasure of calling her a good friend, fellow gin guzzler, and loved our four-hour lunches. Many knew her name but may have never got the chance to meet her face to face...but one still was able to feel the spit fire, the warmness and the slap stick, humor sassiness, and feistiness in her spirit. She was an unforgetable force. From blogging community to knitting groups, to pubs, benefits, dance floors and dinner tables she touched many. Today is a little ode of songs in her honor and songs that remind me of her. Now if she were here, she'd say; Stop fucking talking for Christ sake and hit the fucking play button!!!!

Get up and Shake dat ass!!!!!!!!!

And yes, she may strike me dead for spilling some tea, but at one lunch she did indeed admit to the last song as her one and only ABBA song she liked. Or maybe it was just the gin talking. But it suits.

PORTRAIT OF A QUEEN

Sad news arrived to hear that beautiful queen Pepperica Swirl has passed on unexpectedly, a queen who designed wigs and costumes for many of us queens. A stunning and talented queen herself, she became known as a fixture in the New York City queer life and theater communities. Pepperica was known for her sharp wit, high camp, and immaculate costuming, not to mention her perfect hip pad business in later years. Other words that come to mind are generous, hilarious, compassionate, and shady in the best possible sense. She made quite a few of my pool gowns too. Always the fun one at a drag show, and she had a little bit of that Anna Nicole Smith vibe going on. Perpperica also had the privilege to attain a post on the college of monarchs of the Imperial Court of New York. She served as Empress XXV and her empress tile was "The Empress of Caftans and Cocktails." If you have never been to a Night of Thousand Gowns...go once! It makes a drag show look amateur.  She's survived by her sweet teacher husband, Vincent. Very sad to say goodbye to yet another legend and fun sister this year. She has left a massive mark on the city's drag scene, and a huge hole within the Imperial Court community. Arise for the Empress!

TWO SISTERS

Sad news as two more Queens head off and up to entertain in Fabulon.

Gina Germaine, one's of NYC's most outrageous club denizens throughout the 80's and 90's has headed off to Fabulon.  I don't know exactly when she hit the town, but I do know at almost 7' she was all glamourpuss. I can recall seeing her at on the scene when I visited NYC quite often to hit the town with my good friend and sister , David Dust. Gina was one of Sally's Hideaway's stars, where we saw her alongside the likes of Dorian Corey, Carmen and Monica Xtravaganza, Octavia St Laurent and Consuela Comsetica. Once, I recall we were out and wound up at some straight party where they were holding a Ivana Trump look-a-alike runway show. Gina with her French twist and bangs won the category easily. She toured all the time with Suzanne Bartsch. Gina loved her furs and designer duds. I don't recall her ever not glammed up. She was also funny as hell and put on quite a show in her business attire once at the Green Room. Gina's signature number to lip synch to was Phoebe Snow's sultry Teach Me Tonight. The thing was Gina always dressed and lived as a woman even before a transition. And over the top. She lived her life on her own terms, with no regrets and very loudly...decades before trans people were more accepted.

And joining Gina this week is also the fabulous Agosto Machado. Another big loss for NYC's avant-garde set.

Alway illusive about his age, he grew up in an orphanage and cut his teeth in the 1950's as a street kid in Greenwich Village. From there he fully immersed himself in NYC'S downtown scene along with the like of Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling and other creatures of the night. As time went on, Agosto became a drag elder, continuing to collaborate on creative projects and sharing mementos of the past. One of his amazing shrines that he designed and dedicated to gone but not forgotten friends is currently part of the Whitney Museum's biennial. Agosto was a contemporary of drag legend Ethyl, the Andy Warhol set fixture and was even voted in as a NYC member of the sensational San Francisco drag troupe, The Cockett's I featured here before. Agosto was also a street queen who socialized with Marsha P Johnson, and as an activist, Agosto joined forces with Sylvia Rivera, Marsha and more in the GAA. This was before pre-Stonewall honey. Much later in recent years, the art world took note of his legacy, and he was included in several fancy exhibitions of his style, art and activism. I recall seeing him once enjoying a drink in the Village at Julius's. At the time had no idea who he was but enjoyed the then story and exchange we had. David Dust had to fill me in on just who he was. He even attended two of David Dust's gay pride house parties in the 90's which would be packed in like a sardine can. So when an older queen wants to talk to you youngin's listen up!! You just may learn a thing and talk to history. Agosto Machado certainly made his mark for generations. And in drag circles, Agosto has always been described in hushed tones of reverence.

Rest in peace Sisters

A LIFE WELL LIVED

 

It was with sad news that we received Friday, my dear uncle Jack Sharrets Elder passed on. He was my favorite uncle who was married to my favorite Aunt Barbara I always talk of who passed on back in 2021. His eldest son had called a week prior to Christmas to let us now that his heart was only functioning at about 20%, so we at least could see it coming. I think he was more than ready to be with my aunt again. He had always missed her so, they were married for 68 years after all. When he decided to move to South Carolina to be near his oldest son and his wife, who just built a home there, I know it was a hard decision for him to sell their house in Italian Lake, where they settled upon moving back to Harrisburg from Westfield NJ, and her presence could be felt all over the house. He lived a good life up to the end at 94. He really seemed to enjoy the retirement village he moved into. We actually had plans to go down this summer to visit.

I credit him and my aunt for my inspiration and love in the arts and classical music, gardening, a first introduction to gin and being mindful and respectful of Mother Earth and its inhabitants. He was swell too. Witty, funny, a jokester, and could regale many stories. And heavens, did he ever love reading about history of any kind. I think he read just about every book ever published on the Roosevelts. He also loved anything and everything about trains. Loved riding them too. And loved his science. He also got into astronomy in later years.

 My uncle grew up in the Yardley/New Hope area and was an only child. His education started at Rutgers University and finished up in Carlisle at Dickinson College, with majors in chemistry and physics.  While in Carlisle was where he met my aunt at one of their dances. They hit off. I can recall her telling of stories of him bringing her cigarettes to her nursing dorm. Because men weren't allowed in, she'd lower a thin rope down and he'd tie the pack of cigs to it! They dated for some times before he joined the service in the army. He eventually got stationed in Alaska, and she followed suit and continued her nursing education there. They lived in a Airstream for close to two years, and got married on the quiet, kept it a secret for close to two years too. At the time, women couldn't be married while in nursing school. It wasn't till they had the first child, and my aunt got unnerved at seeing a moose peering in the windows that they moved back to Carlise.... they announced they were married and had a child. Once out of the service, and my aunt got her nursing degree they moved to Westfield NJ, where he taught at Westfield High for close to 30 years as a professor in chemistry and physics. They went on the have 6 children. Once the empty nest hit, after a few years they moved back to Harrisburg in 95 and Jack went right back to teaching for close to another 10 years at the Harrisburg Academy before finally retiring. I can't recall a time when we were out with them, that he'd run into some of his past students who would love seeing him, and many would say how they just loved him as a teacher and he was an inspiration to them as well. I remember once when he had me do him up in drag for Halloween to teach class once!!! I can recall when he announced his retirement, the Academy tried to sweeten the pot to get him to say on and teach part time...but enough was enough for him. He also stayed busy with Dickinson events and alumni events, he was tickled when two of his grandkids went their too. And very generous. He was a patron to three symphonies his late son was a member of, even after his son's passing, and donated the voilà to a child in need who couldn't afford an instrument. He gave to a few PBS stations, and classical stations, numerous environmental groups and was a member of the Audubon Society. Could that be where me love of birds started too?

Once I moved back to Harrisburg after my aunt's passing, he and my mother would get together almost every weekend for dinner. I joined if I wasn't traveling. We would also take him to the farmers market, where it seemed everyone, there know him. The guy I know at the butchers said he and my aunt were like the mayor and mayoress...everyone apparently loved them. It will break my heart to have to tell them this week when I go to get provisions for New Years dinner that he passed. Even though he moved over a year and half ago, they would still ask about him.  While it was expected it was still a bit shocking and sad to know another piece of our family is gone. I count myself very lucky and rare to have had such an accepting family for being gay, and he didn't even blink an eye when he saw me in drag the first time! Both of them were always very supportive in my decisions, and both shaped me as much as my own parents and grandparents. And for this I'm truly grateful. Not to mention he was a blazing liberal like the rest of the family

55 anniversary

Before we received the call that day, I think I already knew. I opened my curtains that morning to find three red cardinals in the bush outside the window. A sign for sure. When a red cardinal visits, it's a sign that a loved one is nearby and thinking of you. They were a favorite of his, my aunt and my grandmother and there were three in the bush. I like to think it was them greeting him into Fabulon.

Uncle Jack

April 15 1931- December 26 2025

A HEART BREAKING

It's with sad news that I have to report that the little Lord of the Casa du Borghese Buster Bolfig Borghese, has passed on. I just now feel like posting this, but it actually happened once back from my birthday trip. His breathing had become labored, and his trachea and kidneys weakening. The vet I was told said there wouldn't be much time left. On his final day, before going to sleep, he enjoyed a full-on grilled chicken sandwich, ice cream and a huge walk. It couldn't be more perfect with him going out spoiled. And then the next day , as if saying it was time... the time came. It had been back in 2009 that he came into my and the ex boytoy's life. Even after our split, we shared custody. Buster became the city mouse with the boytoy, and the country mouse with me. Little Buster was a new puppy in 2006 though. He was but 3 years old when we got him as a rescue.  One of the best dogs and temperaments I've ever seen in a dog and got along with all creatures it seemed. His passing hit hard just like Lillith's two years prior. It never gets easy. He will and is already missed. What a hell of 19 years he led. He lived LIVED!!!!

Buster's last picture. Good night sweet boy

Buster Borghese

2006-2025