Socially Speaking

It was just like the "good old days" this past week, at least for the residents of Kilburn Road. They got their mail about 11:30 a.m. and then they got another delivery about 4:15 p.m. I don't believe they have gotten over it as yet, as this kind of service went out after World War II. They are not complaining mind you, they are just still awe struck and are hoping for a recurrence at amy time. What was so nice about it was that all the catalogues, supermarket notices, and other things that we usually give short shrift to came in the early mail and all the "good stuff" that we call regular or "real" mail came in the afternoon. If it happens again I'll let you know.

This past week we have had winter. One young couple in town had long planned for a trip to Orlando to visit with Minnie and Mickey Mouse. They went and they and their family had a wonderful time until, just as they were leaving, Florida got hit with a tornado that was devastating. Happily all they got were very high winds and they are home safe in Garden City. I can't tell you who they are as they would be swamped with calls to tell what it was like. Welcome home! Congratulations to Amy Cunningham and Justin Ganderson who were married on December 30th. Being so very close to New Year's Eve, they will never forget their anniversary. Amy's Mom and Dad - Maxine and Kenneth - are very happy too. Best Wishes to the happy couple.

The program at the Thursday Luncheon Group on February 22nd will be presented by the INN and participants will learn about hunger and homelessness on Long Island. We have so much, that it is difficult to think who may be close by and have little or nothing. The Thursday, Luncheon group is sponsored by the Garden City Community Church twice a month. You bring your sandwich and they provide dessert and beverage. If you need a ride, call the Church Office art 746-1700.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Irene Christie, who will celebrate her special day on the 13th of February along with her twin brother, and to Alice Mara, who claims Valentine's Day as her birthday (14th) while now a Florida resident. Judy Soba claims February 12th as her special day and is happy to share it with Abraham Lincoln. May all the happy birthday kids have a wonderful day and a year filled with health and happiness with many more years to come.

Happy wedding anniversary wishes go to Madeline and Ivor Buston, who were married on February 16th 50+ years ago, and to Virginia and John LoSardo, who will also be celebrating their anniversary just about now. May they all have many more years of wedded bliss and enjoy it in health and happiness.

One would think that after the holidays diets would be the big topic of conversation, but we start off February with nothing but food on our minds. Kimberly Pauley presented her "Cooking with Kimberly" program at the Community Church just the other day and Ruth Collins had Alice Ross - Food Historian and Author - do her program "Evolving American Home Cooking" for the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead the day before. The attendance at both programs was great so I guess we just can't get away from our addiction to FOOD.

We have a new author in town whose first book will be available this month from the publisher Xlibris, and from Barnes and Noble, Borders and multiple on-line sellers. The title of the book is "Saints Aren't Angels" and it was written by Richard A. Benack and is based on the first 22 months of the priestly career of John Melchior Bocco, Turin's "Chief of the Rogues." He was canonized by the church in 1934. Congrats to our new author and it sounds interesting to me.

And now something new for you to try from Williamsburg - Acrostical Valentines. They were published in newspapers in the 1760's and went out of "fancy" by the 1770's. The author wrote lines of poetry or praise with each line beginning with a letter of your beloved's name. For example:

Most praise the gaudy Tulips streak'd with red.

I praise the virgin Lilly's bending head:

Some the Jonquil, in shining yellow drest;

Some love the fring'd Carnation's varied vest;

Whilst others, pleas'd that fabled youth to trace,

As o'er the stream he bends to view his face.

The exulting florist views their varied dyes;

E'n thus fares beauty in each lover's eyes.

Read o'er these lines, you'll see the nymph with ease,

She like the rose was made, all eyes to please.

The lady's name - Miss Waters. Happy Valentine's Day!