ENTREPRENEURIAL

 I tell you dear people, what a year this has been. What with dark and evil politics around every corner, a down and dirty election, race riot's, a deadly pandemic, out of control Karen's, natural disasters, and then losing my job in a roll of deep lay offs. If all that isn't bad enough then we have to self isolate to a degree and wear mask to go out it. Now I will admit the last few didn't really bother me. When they said you just had to wear a mask and gloves I was fine, till I got to the grocery and realized everybody else was masked, gloved, and clothed !!!!! That was embarrassing. Only made worst when old lady Brenner came in , the poor dear can't see good,  and mistook my dick for the hand sanitizer station. But I digress. This summer was only made worst for us gays in Bucks County and Philly for it was the first summer without our legendary and beloved Raven Resort. A campy and fun gay detention that had been in existence since the late 50's. A regular reader here could tell you it was a home away from home for this queen. Many a day spent there, poolside. It was always the best of time...fun, magical, enchanting, racy. I've met many friends and FWB there over the years, not to mention did drag shows and the boylesque show.  Had not been for the covid 19 keeping people in, we would have surely  felt it's absence far harder if the pandemic hadn't happen.

There cock-a-tails were legendary. And the drink the bartender and I came up with, A Bad Influence, and one he named after me, was their number one drink!!!!! After they closed, another bartender now makes it in town at another bar. I KNEW I should have asked for royalties!!!!!!! Below is one of their tasty Pina Coladas.

But as of two moths ago, this is the current Raven, as the new owners have big plans for a new Raven...but we shall see, that's another story.

But now where do the gays go to have fun and frolic???

 It then occurred to me to be entrepreneurial and start making some money since I'm not working. And like many other queens, I'm not having sex, and gods knows,  I'm about to let the telephone pole fuck me. Then it occurred to me what to do. I was going to open up the grounds of the Casa du Borghese for a one stop day of Health and Fun, all for $20. I could be the place to take the void of the Raven! Men could come here, get a covid test done, a blow job, and then enjoy a huge slip and slid with flowing water , and a few cock-a-tails.

Once in the gates they will be greeted with friendly houseboys to get their Covid test done.

The next stop will be my part in portable glory hole waiting to please and delight. It's perfect I and them get to enjoy sex to a degree and no body contact!!!! And yes I did research and there are indeed portable glory holes.

Then all clad in swim trunks, or nude, can take all the plunges they want down the slip and slid and finish off with  cock-a-tails at the bottom of the hill while sunbathing on the grounds.

A win for sure!!!!! Ms Moorecock told me to run it by the Bucks County Health Department and county officials first. She thought they might shut this idea down, I didn't worry much. I mean,  I'm the only one who knows how to fuck republicans and get some money out it. But alas.... they did indeed shut the whole operation down, even after a few of them went through the whole line up to see how it worked. Many were in a good mood, and even spent a good long time at the glory hole. And yet.... still they shot me down. No pun intended. Can you believe that? I thought this was perfect,  and helping so many and different levels. So yet another failure. See what happens when you try to be a entrepreneur?  But don't worry....I working on more pamphlets and another idea....I take my idea to the air next.... for a Mile High Club

Now...does anyone know how long it will take my houseboys to get a pilots license?

FAREWELL

The Mistress spent a few hours at the Outfest  today in Philadelphia but only a few hours for brunch and to explore the festival. I quite frankly was emotionally wiped out from Saturday night. Last night was the final night, after 45  years of my home away from home, The Raven Resort.  I can't think of another place that held a candle to this place. Over the years I spent much time their dinning, drinking, soaking up rays at the pool, performing in shows, and have met a lot of swell people. Over the years it has been a safe haven for the LGBTQ community, their have been many colorful characters, campy moments, outrageous pool parties, late night dancing, slumber parties....friendships forged, many even met their life partners there, and we have this year lost some good friends and queens. It was a place where all of us in the community could come and get along, old and young, bears, twinks, queens, the trans community, gays, dikes...everybody. The local Grande dame, Pumpkin, twisted my arm to do a number for the final night, one of the numbers I did for lipstick Monday. I also felt it was time to finally hang up the Mistress, with the Raven's closing so it also served as my final performance.  It was Dolly Patron's Hard Candy Christmas, so it took lots of padding and hair and make up. Most of the clan came to see me.  The whole night was rather filled with fun and tears. The Mistress actually called it quits after the number. I went to the legendary Oak Room to listen to a few song tunes with the boys then left. I wanted to remember the place full and vibrant.

Some of the clan this summer

Miss Pumpkin

One never knew who you might see. Over the years, Betty Buckley, Linda Lavin, Sally Kellerman, and Sally Struthers, Nick Adams, Steve Grand, Hope Springs all stopped in when preforming at the playhouse, and no one will forget when Elaine Strich stopped by one night and sang with the guys in the Oak Room. This year saw Alan Cummings popping in one night.

Boy's of summer

Miss Samantha at one of the Trans events.

The wall of the Raven's past.

The beautiful vintage restaurant.

And yes, a portrait of Queen Victoria hangs in the oak room.

After my number I ventured into the Oak Room to listen to a few show tune numbers. The room was packed to the gills. It is also where I started to get torn up, watching all the happy and sad faces at once, all the comradery and sense of community. I wondered where all these older guys will now go and have their night out, as many look forward to this every week. One old gent leaned in to me, in his 80's and said to me, "It's sad isn't? I got choked up. We sat for some time talking, and he regaled his randy youth and time in New York, before retiring here. I have learned a lot from listening to the stories of these older queens...of Fire Island, Stonewall, and Studio 54, and what life was like for us then.  After three more numbers, I decided to retire to my room across the street, with a few close friends for drinks at the room, I don't generally like others seeing me getting upset. It's unusual the Mistress not close down a place!!!

 

On my way out, more hugs and  good show comments and don't hang it ups....as I went out through the dance floor where the last dancing was commencing.

 

I could have hung out all night, but I wanted to remember the place still bumpin and jumpin and full of life and vibrancy. I was happy how I left, and with fond memories over the years. Today the stained glass doors are closed. 

Thanks old gal for such  good times over the years.

END OF AN ERA

It was with heartbroken news this summer New Hope found out we were losing our beloved Raven Resort. The current owners sold it to a new company. While they haven't revealed any specific plans, they have said they want to keep the name and preserve the Raven heritage and its LGBTQ ties and will most like level the joint and redesign it. But will be at least two years till a reopen, if it does. This of course, has the older queens very mad,  as they think if will be gone for good. But I will hold out hope that it will indeed reopen one day. In these parts the Raven is legendary, starting out in the 50's as Le Camp and then in the 70's being renamed the Raven. Over the years, one never knew who you might run into. Famous and infamous have been to the Raven, not to mention tons of drag queens from all over the country. It's always been a colorful, campy and fun place. It's always been special to me, as it's where I met new friends upon moving here, and they embraced the Mistress Borghese and my antics and drag style for the last 18 years. I have met many of the older generation and listened in awe of their stories from Stonewall and Studio 54, and famous parties on Fire Island. On any given day or night, it is like Cheers, where everybody knows everybody, and all are welcome.  Good times. It's where Lady Bunny and I would get trashed, I would heckle Hedda Lettuce, and become good friends with the town grand dame Miss Pumpkin, and where I finally met the talented Brit queen Hope Springs.  And met very rascally men suitors!!!! It's where I met both the Lad and Daddy Warbucks. And lord knows just how many square cuts I have worn here. And if you click the Raven in the tabs, you will know their colorful umbrellas have always made me happy. Last Tuesday was the final End of Season Pool Show...very happy and sad, as it's been a Raven staple since the 70's. But rest assured, I got my pool time in this summer. Here's are some great memories from this summer.

The famous Sunday Tea Dances...

Brittany Lynn and DJ Kirk

It's Bev Bitch and Vinchelle

The Mahogany Empress and her peeps came to see one of my shows.

My last square cut to wear there.

The queens!

Miss Tommy and Joe Black

Aloe Vera and Brittany Lynn

The hilarity of Vinchelle

The talented Scarlett Envy played the joint for a Lipstick Monday

Aloe Vera and a cutie!

China Cup and myself from the last pool show Tuesday evening.

Miss Pumpkin

Phoebe Mantrapp would bring the house down as Whitney. 

You'd never know what may happen next.....

My boys...the best bartends, would always keep your Mistress well hydrated. And funny, my bill never did seem right for what a drank!!!!

Adrien and TJ

Zack

Garret and TJ.

This touching video show New Hope, but mostly the Raven from it's earlies days and all it's colorful cast. It will seem odd when it closes October 12th. Whatever becomes of the Raven I am so glad I was able to experience the place, meet many new friends there,  and be just a small part of it's history and cast.

KISS ME HARD BEFORE YOU GO

As is tradition, my reign  comes to an end as summer now comes to a official end. Summer is my favorite season of the four. I always feel more alive and healthy this time of year. Even thought my social season will continue ….I always feel like Persephone going back to the underworld to live for the next 6 months. No more hot, sunny days, pool filled, with half naked men's! It is also tough because when in Costa Rica it was the last time I will see Daddy Warbucks for some time, as he is vacating the US thanks to our current asshole in chief. But nice to know I'll have a place to stay in Europe.   But it was a swell summer all the same, at my ever faithful Raven Resort and the boys of summer...….

The adorable Hunter

Donna Reria

And at last week's end of summer Pool Show,  Summer Clearance, Miss Carriage and myself did the First Wives Club's, You Don't Own Me. We were Diane Keaton, Bette Milder and Goldie Hawn respectively. It was a huge hit, as I wasn't sure I could pull Goldie off.

As is tradition...my end of summer song here at the Casa du Borghese. Take it away if you must Lana...…