Socially         Speaking
With Athena

By the time you read this, you will only have two and a half days until St. Nick comes down the chimney. Your best bet at this time is: perfume, flowers, or Gift Certificates. All of these items can be easily gotten right here in town and that will also leave your nerves less frazzled. Your first New Year’s Resolution should be - Start Your Shopping Earlier!

The last paragraph of my column went astray this past week so a very belated hope that those of our residents of the Jewish faith had a very happy Hanukkah. These things do happen from time to time.

For the ladies who lunch, this has been the biggest time of the year. The Cherry Valley Club had a triple header recently what with their own Ladies Board meeting and lunch. The Community Club Board Luncheon, and a Cathedral Women’s Luncheon all on the same day. If you were a member of all three, you had a problem. Those who were enjoying the luncheon for the Community Club were Peg Musil, Charlotte Mitchem, Regina Dowling, Pat Dalton, Prem Chauhan, Darlene Record, and Sally Papoulas.

Clara Clark and her daughter Dorothy came down from Connecticut for the Cathedral Women’s Luncheon and greeted all their old friends. Jean Corvington was there along with Edie Cox, Blanche Muller, Marie Scott, and Cynthia Klemenger, who also worked with Clara on the Panhellenic Fundraisers. Clara looked great and asked that her greetings be extended to all her friends in town for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Women’s Club at the Garden City Country Club held their annual Christmas Luncheon and they really out did themselves with the lovely centerpieces that one lucky lady at each table won. Enjoying the Cocktail Hour as well as the luncheon were: Gloria Tasone, Margaret Maguire, Peggy Mumm, Dorothy Candiotti, Connie Klemanowicz, Annemarie Gordon, Jackie Polon, Ada Kane, and Barbara Degroot. All had a wonderful time.

Marie Deery had to miss the event and as of this writing is at Winthrop-University Hospital. Get Well Cards would be appreciated and as I have said, they do help. Hopefully Marie will be out by the time your read this.

Mary Kavazanjiann had some of her artwork on display at the Garden City Library as part of the Garden City branch of A.A.U.W.’s Women in the Arts program. She then took ill and went to Winthrop and missed the reception following the show. But before all this happened, her children held a Birthday party for her at the Cherry Valley Club and that she was able to attend and enjoy very much. Mary is home now; but a call to welcome her home would be nice.

Speaking of birthdays, George Rivara will be celebrating more than Christmas as his big day is on the 25th - that means double presents George. Also celebrating will be Pat Weber and Joe Impara, who does his on Christmas Eve. May all the happy celebrants have a wonderful day and a year filled with health and happiness with many more to come. Mildred Carter will also be celebrating and a very happy day to you too Mildred and many more.

Florence and Al Dieterich will celebrate their Wedding Anniversary on December 26th and may they have a wonderful day and a great year ahead in which to enjoy good health, much happiness, and many more years to come.

At this time of the year we hear from folks who lived in town for many years and still have friends here. They want to send all their best wishes to them for a wonderful year in 2007 and for a very Merry Christmas. Ruth Hummel, now living in New Hampshire, is one and Margaret and Brick Howe another. They now live on the shores of Lake George in upper New York State, but their thoughts are always with us.

And now as we are on the cusp of Christmas some of the words of a holiday song keep coming back to me with a strong message. “Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me - Let there be peace on Earth, the Peace that was meant to be.” This is truly a time for Peace and Love and Hope and it would really come to pass if each one of us could walk even a few steps with his brother in harmony eventually we would all find that peace that was meant to be. Let’s all give it a try - what do we have to lose! May peace and love be with you and your family on Christmas Day and take it with you into the New Year.