Socially Speaking
With Athena

The New York State Assembly has passed legislation making the pink spotted ladybug the official New York State insect, replacing the now extinct nine-spotted ladybug. The snapping turtle was chosen the official reptile and the striped bass the official saltwater fish. According to Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz from the Bronx, the snapping turtle's selection was the result of a competitive election among elementary school children. He sponsored the "turtle bill" and mentioned that New York already had an official muffin so why not a turtle. Now these bills must pass the Senate. I thought you just might like to know about your tax dollars at work. By the way, does anyone know what the official State muffin is? Let me know if you know.

November started out at the Garden City Country Club with their monthly Dinner/Bridge and enjoying the evening were Maxine Cunningham, Ethlyn Anderl, Jean and Walter Tomitz, Elizabeth and Charles Dunleavy, Irene and John Christie, Pat Weber, and Barbara and Bill Haynes. There were 19 tables in play and the first Small Slam of the evening was made in 6 Hearts by Marie Kelly and Joyce Liggio. No Grand Slam was made and Bridge Chairlady Muriel Urban announced that the next Dinner/Bridge would be held on Wednesday, December 6th. Be sure to make your reservations for this event.

Sheila Birkenstock and Fro Dellanides will hostess the Thursday, November 9th Luncheon group at the Garden City community Church and Ida Epstein, a Certified Financial Planner, will present the program.

Toes were tapping at the Garden City Library with the presentation of "Meet Me In St. Louis" recently. They had a good turn out and many were couples from the Wyndham. The library has some has some real winners but when will we have the Antique Roadshow back? That had a huge audience.

Upcoming events you should not miss are the Long Island Choral Society's presentation of Vaughan Williams: "Mass In G Minor," Copland: "In The Beginning," and Poulenc: "Gloria" at the Cathedral of The Incarnation on Sunday, November 12th. Their "Messiah" Part I by Handel will be presented on Sunday, December 10th.

The ladies of the Garden City League of Helen Keller Services for the Blind will hold their General Meeting and Christmas Party on Monday, December 11th so mark your calendars and don't miss it.

Happy birthday wishes go to Dorothy Candiotti, who celebrates on the 15th of this month, to Joan Jordan, who celebrates on the 16th, as does Bill Polon, and to Mary Polak, who blows out the candles on her cake on the 17th. My don't they have them all grouped together. May all the celebrants have a wonderful day and a great year filled with health and happiness.

Happy Wedding Anniversary wishes go to Lynn and LeRoy Boisen, who celebrate on the 14th of November as does Sue and Joe Tess. May both happy couples have many more years of wedded bliss and enjoy it in good health.

Once again we mark the passing of a long time resident of Garden City Trudy Morrison passed away a week ago and a Memorial Service was held on November 4th at the Garden City Community Church. Trudy had been active in the service of her church serving for many years as an Usher, and she was a member of the Women's Auxiliary, and helped out on their annual Fair. Our thoughts and prayers are with her son and daughter in their time of sorrow. She will be missed.

If you are looking for a table arrangement for your Thanksgiving you could call Clark Botanic Gardens as they will have Jerilyn Dreitlein, formerly with Greenleaf & Bloom in Roslyn teach you how to achieve a spectacular one at the Gardens on Tuesday, November 21st. She supplies all the materials but bring your shears or clippers. Call 516-484-8603 for more information.

November 19th - a Sunday - at 3 p.m. in the Ruth Harley University Center, the Friends of the Adelphi Library will present Ines Losada Powell of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on a slide talk on "Cezanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde." This program is free and open to the public and Ms. Powell is an excellent speaker and her knowledge of art well known. Don't miss this if you plan a trip to the Metropolitan during the Holidays as it will make it all the more meaningful for you.

That's all for now folks - don't forget to order your turkey.