Socially Speaking

Labor Day has come and gone and the official end of summer went with it. Of course the REAL LAST DAY of summer is still two weeks away on the 22nd, but with the very cool temperatures and the rain it does really seem like Fall. The Labor Day week-end was good for Back-to-School shopping as the Malls and Outlet centers where much of it is done are all enclosed. However, the news about the Outlets that came on the radio as of September 1st was not good. There was a study done telling us that the merchandise (or at least much of it) is not from the original store (nor is the quality) but specials that are not only cheap, but of a markedly inferior quality. As most of you know, that effects both the look, the wear, and the life of what you are buying. Sometimes the price is really not the most important thing. As they say - Buyer Beware, but I do know that if you shop in town the stores we have make good on purchases if you have a complaint so Shop Garden City and save time, energy, and money in the long run.

The Retired Men's Club held their monthly Pizza Party to help close out August and, boy, did they have a crowd. There were at least Sixty men enjoying the afternoon and the biggest plus was that they got several new members. Enjoying the food, companionship, and the games were: Joe Hayes, Jerry Connelly (up from Florida for a visit and a sight for sore eyes), new member Charles Sena, Art Boddicker, Bob Rudkin, Buz Anderl, and Hank Zuber. Maybe more clubs should serve Pizza once a month.

Adelphi University seems to be making news every week. Their Freshman Community Action Program was recently co-hosted by Planting Fields and twenty-four students swarmed in for a one day blitz, assisting in various areas of the grounds, library, Coe Hall and greenhouses. The fledgling program introduces its students to volunteer opportunities at several Long Island facilities, including The Inn and A. Holly Patterson. Now that will set their feet on a good path for a lifetime. Congrats to the Students, Adelphi and its President Dr. Robert Scott, and to Planting Fields. Would that we had more of this type of cooperation.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Virginia Bertonis, who will be celebrating her special day on the 8th and her son and daughters will all be with her for the celebration. That's by far the best way to celebrate and may she have many more to enjoy in health and happiness.

For the gentlemen, there are two celebrating on the same day - September 11 so Happy Birthday to Bob Sexton and Bill Lincks and again may they have many happy returns of the day and much health and happiness to go with it.

The good always seems to go with the bad lately and we mark the passing of Doris Case on July 19. Doris was a long time resident and an active member in both her church - the Garden City Community Church and her club - the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead, which she joined in 1980 and served on many committees as well as Recording Secretary on the Board of Directors. She impressed all with her can-do attitude. Doris will be missed by all who knew her.

Joan Reoetto will be hosting the Membership Tea for the Garden City Branch of the American Association of University Women on Sunday, September 17th and it will be a good chance for all members (and prospective members) to reconnect with each other after the summer and learn about all the programs and study groups that will be offered in the coming season.

If you can't make the "Tasting 2006" on September 15th, do get some chances as the prizes are fabulous. Tickets to a Night out on Broadway, a Fur Scarf and all sorts of other goodies could be yours and a "Circle of Life" Diamond Pendant could be yours on the 50/50 Raffle. What a night it will be and all for the benefit of the Garden City Unit of the American Cancer Soceity and The Miracle Foundation. Join in and you'll have fun too.

If you are missing the Garden City Pool, check out all the offerings at the Garden City Library. Their list of wonderful old films are to die for. Clark Gardens will be offering a double header on the week-end of September 9th (Saturday) and 10th (Sunday). September 9th will be "Butterfly Event" at the gardens on 193 I. U. Willets Road, Albertson from 1-3 p.m. Rick Mikula, North America's "butterfly evangelist" will present a slide program all about those beautiful creatures and will release butterflies at the end of his program. $10 for members and $12 for non-members. On Sunday the 10th of September from 1-2:30 p.m. Frank Hurley will present a program on "Those Amazing Honeybees" how they live and how much they do for us. You will even be able to purchase honey made from Clark Botanic Garden's own beehives. The fee: $8 for members and $10 for non-members and Garden City ladies Marilou Pfeiffer and Jeanne Bliss will be around to greet you.

Guess that's all for now. See you next week.