Cheryl Graves
Cheryl and her husband, Delaware Superior Court Judge T. Henley Graves, are true, native Sussex Countains. Cheryl was born in Seaford, Delaware and lived there until moving to Rehoboth in 1984. They have two sons, Tyler, 26 and Hunter, 22, three dogs, Winston, Wrigley, and Wally, and two cats, Fugley and Salem. Cheryl was a legal secretary for 15 years, 11 of those years were with the Fuqua and Graves law firm in Georgetown, Delaware, where she met her husband, Henley. She “retired” in 1990 when her first son was born. It was her intention to return to the workforce when he got older, however, being a stay-at-home Mom became more of a priority and she never looked back.
Cheryl loved to perform, and after many years of being off the stage, her youngest son Hunter, at the age of 10, decided to audition for the Possum Point Players and he encouraged her to do the same. They were both cast in the Christmas Show, and thus it all began! They both became very active with Clear Space Theatre Company. Hunter eventually went to Julliard for two years. Cheryl continues to perform every chance she gets. Her husband is very close to retiring and they are looking forward to traveling, traveling, and more traveling. She attends All Saints Church and is very active within the church on many committees, and sings in their choir.
Volunteering is very important to Cheryl. As she put it, “to those who have been given much, should give much in return.” Cheryl is a member of the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, and serves as the Outreach Chairman of the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Leadership Committee.
When did you start volunteering at CAMP Rehoboth?
I began volunteering two years ago. I took classes with several members of the Chorus and they encouraged me to join.
What events/activities have you been involved with as a volunteer?
After joining the Chorus, I was approached to be on the Leadership Committee, where I have served for two years. I also try to help out when I can with mailings. In addition to acting in the Laramie Project fundraiser, I also baked 500+ cookies. Anytime specific things are needed, I am willing to help.
What’s your best memory volunteering here?
The people I have met.
Of the many events held by CAMP Rehoboth, which is your favorite and why?
The CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Concert—love the people, the music, everything about it.
Favorite season here at the beach and why?
Fall and winter. I love it when the tourists are gone and you can actually enjoy what we have here. The wonderful stores and restaurants to name a few.
Name a childhood mentor or someone who influenced you while growing up.
My mother, she was funny, devoted, and the best example of what being a mother, wife, grandmother, friend, and caregiver could be.
If you had an extra hour in the day what would you do?
Go to Happy Hour with my besties, the other Three Musketeers. These are friends that I met later in life, two of them because of our love of theatre and CAMP Rehoboth, the other because of our connection with children, theatre, and circumstances of life, and they have become very important to me. We couldn’t be more different, yet, are very much alike, if that makes sense. They bring out the naughty and nice in me, and make me oh so very happy.
Favorite U.S. city and why?
I am not a “big city” girl. We do travel quite a bit, and have been fortunate enough to visit many popular cities: New York City, many, many times, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Charleston…but, I visited Asheville, North Carolina last summer and absolutely loved it. It was beautiful, artsy, and not too crowded.
Night owl or early riser, and why?
I am most definitely not a “morning person.” It takes a couple of cups of coffee before I am tolerable.
Best year of your life and why?
That’s a toss-up…1988, the year I got married, and 1990 and 1992, the years my children were born.
Favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving. No expectations, and some years, it is the only time family can be all together. It gets more and more difficult as your children get older.
The LGBT community has made significant progress in the fight for equality over recent years. Did you expect to see this in your lifetime and why or why not?
Absolutely. There are positive changes being made every day with attitudes and acceptance for those that may seem “different.” We are all “different,” and accepting those unique differences in our fellow human beings makes us better people, in general.
Since you began coming to Rehoboth, name the biggest change you’ve seen.
More people, traffic, and construction! The sidewalks used to roll up on Labor Day!
Name three events that have shaped your life to where it is today.
A failed first marriage, a wonderful second marriage, and, being a mother.
Describe an ideal date night.
Fixing a wonderful dinner (I love to cook), and doing absolutely nothing!
What are you most thankful for?
I have been blessed with a wonderful life, and I am thankful for that every day.
Cheryl, on behalf of everyone at CAMP Rehoboth, thank you for being a part of the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, and volunteering with the Chorus Leadership Committee. You are truly, a special person, and our hope is that you will continue to be a part of the Chorus for many years to come.
Also, we hope you will continue to volunteer for other CAMP Rehoboth events.
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