With Athena

Thanksgiving has come and gone and it seems that no matter how near or far you celebrated, it was all about family and that is as it should be. Elizabeth and Charlie Dunleavy only traveled a few blocks to be with family and it was the same story for Joe Bradley , who hosted his family for Turkey Day and all had a wonderful time. It really isn’t about the “Big Bird”, or the stuffing, or the trimmings, it’s about family getting together and sharing their lives. The Mullers, Blanche and Don may only have traveled across town, Florence Dieterich was the hostess for her clan, and Barbara Flanagan and her daughter took off very early for a gathering of her family in New Jersey, but it was still all about family and all about the meaning of family is what we are most grateful for. Hope you all had a good time on that day.

By the time you read this it will be December and from what I hear the shopping frenzy started as usual on the day after Thanksgiving. I’ll bet the ladies all thought - we have leftovers and don’t really have to cook that day - so let’s shop. Whatever the thinking, you only have 21 days left to finish your list. Remember that if you shop in town you will not have to face the heavy traffic and you will come home with a lot less aggravation than you have when you travel to the Malls.

I have tried to keep you up to date on the social things that you should not miss so you can slow down and smell the roses (or holly and evergreens). The Community Club of Garden City will be having their Christmas Hour of Music with a performance by the Cantre Libre group in the Cathedral of the Incarnation and refreshments at the G.C. Casino to follow. This is their traditional President’s Day and Presidents of many organizations have been invited to attend and be thanked and honored for all they do. Hope you will be there as it is a moment of peace in a very busy season. President Betty Pupke and her committee will be there to greet you.

The Long Island Choral Society will perform “The Messiah” in the Cathedral of the Incarnation on Sunday, Dec. 12th and all of the churches in town will be having special concerts, musical services and holiday services. It is truly a remarkable time.

It seems to be a popular time to be born and also to be married. Happy Birthday wishes go to Maureen Fraser, who celebrates her special day on Dec. 3rd (that’s today), to Elfin Snyder, who blows out the candles on her cake on the 8th of this month. Many happy returns of the day to all and may they have many more happy years and good health too.

Happy Wedding Anniversary wishes go to Lyla and Frank Kiernan , who will be celebrating their 54th Wedding Anniversary on the 9th of December. That is an impressive record and we all wish them the best for many more years of wedded bliss in which to enjoy health and happiness.

Program Co-chairs for the G.C. Branch of the A.A.U.W. have planned a program with The A.A.U.W. Merry Makers, a group of Poets, Pianists, a Vocalist, and Holiday Readers to entertain the members for their Dec. Branch Program. They say they will also have a Surprise during the program. Hospitality Chair, Susan Cioni , has marshalled the dedicated cookie makers to make, bake and bring refreshments that will make your taste buds cry for more. It should be a wonderful night.

Dorothy Holl, and the ladies of Clark Gardens Auxiliary asked me to remind you of their Holiday Garden Show and Christmas Boutique on Dec. 4th from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They are located on I.U. Willits Road, in Albertson - a mere 15 minutes away.

Congratulations to Hal Hecken, our former Mayor, on his comments at a recent meeting concerning the Mega-Mansions, which often dwarf their neighbors’ homes and most times look like an elephant standing on a peanut. I have been hearing complaints from most of the folks that I know about this and have even mentioned it myself in this column. Of even more concern are the small infractions to our rules and regulations that take away from the beauty of our town. They are the folks who put out their recyclables and refuse on the wrong day and leave it there until someone comes and picks it up. The Village gives you a calendar so you can see when to put things out and even takes care of what to do on a holiday. I have seen people park their cars right under a No Parking Mon.-Fri. till after 10 a.m. sign and they are there by 8:30 a.m. There is also a For Sale by Broker sign in front of a house on Hilton Avenue. These are small things that detract from our Village. Again - Good for you, Hal, and for all the others who spoke up.

And now, see you next week.