Socially Speaking
With Athena

Well, the skiers finally got their snow, the children got a snow day, (there was not enough snow to make a snow man) and we got ICE and it stayed around for a long time. It was starting to look as though we would all be skating to work and on our errands, but as they say "this too shall end". We can complain about the deep freeze we are having, but think about the temperatures in Tampa, in the 30's and not much above the 50's and in time for Spring training. They even had snow in Malibu which gave a refreshing touch to the water in their swimming pools. But, don't fear - Spring will be here in twenty six days. Start your count-down tomorrow.

The weather made Regina Dowling happy as she had a nice time skiing in Vermont with friends. We planned it just for you Regina.

Rose Forgione is doing her usual job for the American Legion Auxiliary and that is taking the reservations for the annual Birthday Party of the Legion which will be held on Sunday, March 25th from 12:30 to 5p.m. at the Senior Center. The price is $20 per person that gives you Corned Beef and Cabbage or Chicken Cordon Bleu, with all the fixings, Wine, Beer and Soda, and I'm sure a Birthday Cake for dessert. Bring your own cards, but send your reservation made payable to American Legion Aux. Unit 265, to Rose Forgione at 100 Tanners Pond Rd. Garden City, 11530. Space is limited to 20 tables so get your reservation in promptly. This one is a winner and it's their 88th B-Day Party.

Happy Birthday to Irene Lincks, who used to work at this paper until she and her husband retired and moved North to the snow belt upstate. Irene will be celebrating the beginning of the week, so think of her with all that snow, but with warm feelings. Happy Birthday wishes also go to Doug Dieterich, who will be celebrating his special day on March 1st and to Mary Gagliardo who will do the same celebrating on March 2nd. Many happy return of the day to one and all and may they have many more years ahead in which to celebrate in health and happiness.

The Spring Card Party and Boutique of the Children's Medical Fund will be held on Monday, March 26th at the Garden City casino and the price of $18 per person includes a choice of assorted sandwiches and desserts with coffee or tea. Boutique shopping begins at 11:30 and Lunch starts at 12 Noon with Bridge to follow. Send your reservation to Patrice Giordano at 312 Cambridge Avenue, Garden City, N.Y. 11530. List those at your table and do help the Schneider Children's Hospital. Carla Conklin, Nicole Koester, Patrice Giordano, and Helga Otte work hard on this so lend them a hand.

The Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead will kick-off March in fine style with Natalie Naylor speaking about "WPA Murals in Garden City and Hempstead". Natalie Naylor is retired from the Faculty of Hofstra University and her expertise spans the gamut of social history in America. I don't know about you, but I know of one here in town and it is on the wall of the Garden City our Post Office. Take a look at it before or after the program.

That same club's Studio Department will start their classes in March with Rose Pellicano teaching Botanical Painting as well as Watercolor Landscape, Arleen Rueth teaching Pastel Painting, Harriet Carotenuto teaching Oil painting, and Janet Littlejohn teaching Rug Hooking. Boy, are they busy ladies.

March 11th will see the performance of Jongen's "Mass" and the Rutter "Gloria" by the Long Island Choral Society at the Cathedral of The Incarnation. The concert will start at 4 p.m. Tickets are $18 or $20 at the Door. The Long Island Choral Society was started in 1929 by Dr. Maurice Garabrant, who was the Organist at the Cathedral at the time and it has been going strong ever since. In 1990 they had their first foreign concert tour to Italy and in 1992 they toured Holland, France, and Germany, singing six concerts in thirteen days. Their soloists over the years have included John Charles Thomas, Robert Merrill, Betsy Norden, and recently Patrick Carfizzi, who made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in "Rigoletto" on Christmas Eve 1999. They are very good and so close by - so don't miss their March Concert. See you next week.