With Athena

The end of this week will bring a day that finds a soft spot in the hearts of children and adults alike. We all remember April 1st (April Fool's Day) from our childhood and calls to the zoo asking to speak to Mr. Lion or the Tobacco Store saying - Do you have Prince Albert in a can? Answer was yes and your response was Well let him out. Times have changed and these are pretty mild by today's standard (whatever they are), but I thought you just might get a kick out of some of these oldies. Another oldie was: Do you eat a lot of natural foods? - Answer - I did until I learned that most people die of natural causes. Not so good - well come up with your own and have a lovely April Fool's Day.

The Cherry Valley Club held its Dinner/Bridge recently and you could tell folks were still leery of the weather as they had only 18 tables in play after their delicious buffet meal. The first small slam of the evening was made by Bill Buschmann and Marge Schnell. Even Lady Luck stayed home and there was no grand slam for that evening. The door prizes were both a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream in honor of St. Patrick's month and the winners were Georgene Harrison and Dick Benack. Bridge Chairman, George Rivara, announced that the next bridge would be held on Wednesday, April 18th.

The skies were clear and with them came the sun and the warm weather for the Garden City Ladies/Luncheon Bridge and many were in attendance enjoying the corned beef sandwiches and the cards. Among those attending were: Jean Priest, Ruth Brown, Carol Efthimiou, Pat Weber, Julie Fehler, and Dee DeVries.

The invitations are out for the Phantom Ball and I do hope that you will all not come. This famous Non-Event is Chaired by Christine Diller and Maureen Taylor with Eileen Comerford, Christine Cudahy, Dana Desimpliciis, Julie Germano, Mini Haeffner, Betty Parents, and Lori Thomas as their committee. This event will not be held on the Fifth of May but your donations will go to benefit The Hope Lodge in New York City for the benefit of cancer patients coming to New York City for treatments. Our Garden City Unit of the American Cancer Society needs your help for this so send them a check but don't come.

The Nassau County coalition Against Domestic Violence is holding its annual Gala Dinner on Wednesday, May 3rd a5 6:30 p.m. at the Garden City Hotel. This is their 30th Anniversary and the honorees will be Marsha Mills Consumer Market Executive with Bank of America and Douglas Mills, President of the Printing Emporium. Save the date as invitations will be in the mail soon.

Many folks have started their spring cleaning in hopes it would bring a change in the weather but Mini and Dick Miesemer started from the outside in as they redid the whole outside of their house before tackling the inside. It looks great, guys.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Kay Staniecki, who celebrates her special day on the 31st of March, to Peg Gilman who does her celebrating early in April, and to Rev. James Adelman, who does his celebrating on April 4th. May they all have a wonderful day and years full of good health and much happiness (you can't have one without the other) for many years to come.

I don't know how it happened, but I did forget to wish one very lovely lady Dorothy Tattersall a happy birthday and, while I know that you did enjoy it on March 1st, I forgot to say happy birthday on that day. Dorothy is a charmer in every way and I'm sure she had a great day. All I can say is I am sorry, especially as it was a very special one. Have a great day, lady.

Jean Schmutz and Jane Cox co-chaired the Garden City Branch of A.A.U.W., collecting and shopping for the needy family that the Branch took under is wing. Good deeds like these are always needed in many areas so hats off to you and your members.

As we approach Holy Week and Passover, I would like to extend my greetings to all who will be celebrating their holidays at this time. May peace reign on our land and all over the world. See you next week.