With Athena

I have just spent the last two Saturdays in the big city, (New York) attending two plays and I want to tell you they were both very good. The first one "Grey Gardens" was a compelling story with excellent acting, nice sets, costumes of the period, and even a good bit of humor. It played to a packed house and got the by now traditional standing ovation. The second one was "Curtains" and it brought back the times of musicals of the 50's and 60's. The dancing was great, the singing excellent and the costumes and sets matched them. You could tap you toes to most of the music and the plot played out with humor and just enough suspense to keep you waiting for more. Again, the house was packed with the audience applauding vigorously throughout. It should be on your must see list. There were three hugh buses at the curb on 45 th St. and more lines up on 8 th Ave. for the theater party groups. Go see them and enjoy!

The Garden City Country Club kicked off the month of May on Wednesday, May 2 nd with its monthly Dinner/Bridge and it was the first time that there was not only no Grand Slam, but no Small Slam either. That must be something of a record, but among those enjoying (but obviously not making slams) were: Michele and Jerry Weisberg, Nancy and John Pastula, Louise and Tom Butler, Janet and Bruce Littlejohn, Pat Dalton and Norma Takach. Bridge Chairlady Muriel Urban announced that the next bridge would be held on Wednesday, June 6 th. Be sure to make your reservations.

Over at the Cherry Valley Club on Wednesday, April 18 th the luck was much better. They had a Small Slam bid and made in 6 Diamonds by Theresa and Dom Casale . Again, no Grand Slam, but they are hard to come by. Gift Certificates to the Club's Pro Shop were won by Beth O'Neill and Alyce Kolman and there were 17 tables in play during the evening. Chairman George Rivara gave the date of the next Dinner/Bridge as Wednesday, May 16 th. Again, be sure to make your reservations.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Frank Tauches , who will be sharing the date of May 12 th with Al Urban , and to John Nicosia , who will celebrate on the 15 th of May, and Bill Fendt , who will be celebrating his special day just about this time also. Lest you think it will be only gentlemen this middle of May, Bea Mercadante will do her celebrating on the 18 th of May. Best wishes to one and all with hopes for many more happy, healthy years to come for them.

Two couples will be celebrating their wedding Anniversaries the middle of May and they are Mary and Filippo Balboni and Helen and John Taggart . May both couples have a wonderful day and a great many more years of wedded bliss in which to enjoy health, happiness, and each other.

Beth Mercadante as President of the Garden City Unit of the American Cancer Society, together with her Co-Chairs Chrissy McManus and Kathleen Sweeney , have announced their annual fund raiser "The Heart Of The Home" Kitchen Tour will be held on Wednesday, June 6 th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Garden City Country Club. The Kitchen Tour will be $40 per person (with Breakfast included $60 per person). The invitations are out and as usual, it sounds great. When you tour these kitchens, you get ideas aplenty to take back to your own kitchen. Do get your reservations in to Mrs. Kathleen Sweeney at 130 Euston Road, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 as soon as possible.

The G.C. Branch of the A.A.U.W. has announced its proposed slate of Officers for 2007-2008. Margaret Delahunt and Sylvia Ebert will serve as Co-Presidents, while Co-Vice Presidents for Program will be Georgene Harrison , Sally Richmond , and Joan Stafford . Mary Knox will be V-P for Membership and Alice Cammiso and Jane Cox will Co-Chair Presidents for their Educational Foundations program. These ladies, and the rest of the slate of officers will be installed at their annual Installation Luncheon on Monday, June 4 th from 10-3 p.m. at The Milleridge Inn. Carol Rudy is taking the reservations and the deadline is May 31 st. If you would like to join this organization in their work, give any one of these ladies a call and they will be happy to help you.

In the meantime, may all of you mothers have a wonderful and happy Mother's Day with your family. I plan to.