Socially Speaking
With Athena

Memorial Day came and brought with it summer temperatures. This has been the unofficial beginning of the summer season even if we do have to wait until June 21st for it to become official. Many folks even had a four day weekend instead of the usual three day one, but with gas prices so high most did not travel as far as they usually would have. But more about Memorial Day in Garden City later.

June is coming up and with it, from June 3rd to the 9th, will be National Garden Week and, believe it or not, the roses are budding. June is traditionally Rose month so get yourselves over to Clark Gardens in Albertson or to planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay and enjoy their beautiful display of both old and new varieties of roses. Treat yourself!

The Clancys are looking forward to June 6th when those Friendly Sons of Ireland will be honoring the Irish Youth Team.

June 6th is also the date for the "Heart Of The Home" kitchen tour for the Garden City Unit of the American Cancer Society. I hope you got your tickets for that one.

June 1st will bring the start of the Greek Festival at St. Paul's Church in Hempstead that will end on June 3rd. They have Greek food, music, jewelry, and a wonderful Trash or Treasure shop where you can find a lot of goodies at the right price. They also have tours of the church and rides for the children. Try it and I'm sure you will like it.

The Historical Society will be holding its Flea Market on the grounds of the Historical House from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 2nd. There will be some lovely items for you to purchase as well as fabulous Raffle prizes - something for everyone and it will go to help maintain part of our town's history. See you there!

Happy Birthday wishes go to Frieda Stark, who will be celebrating her special day on the 5th of June and to Kay Hayes, who will blow out the candles on her cake on June 7. May both lovely ladies have a wonderful day and a great year filled with good health and much happiness with may more years to come.

Garden City will be losing two long time residents of the Village when Peggy and Bob Johnson retire to the East End of Long Island after 50 years here in town. They were active members of the Garden City Community Church (The Couples Club especially). Peggy was active in the Community Club of Garden City, while Bob was a main stay at the bridge table at the Retired Men's Club. They will be missed by all their friends and we wish them well in their new home.

It's good news for Virginia Bartonis. She is out of the hospital and in a therapy center. We all hope that she gets back to us in the near future.

The Memorial Day Parade started off with an occasional drop of rain, but not enough to mar the line of march or to defeat those who were on the sidelines cheering on the marchers. The operative word along the march was "Thank You" and there was a goodly amount of applause that cheered the hearts of those in the parade.

Among those on the sidelines were: Dorothy Cadioti, Willa Ward, Steve Short, Joe Leto, Don Carss, Gloria Tasone, Brenda Wydler, Josephine Kyrawxczyk, Barbara Seale, and Nancy Fardelman.

Emil Gentile cheered his wife Helen, who was in the line of march with the Legion Auxiliary. Linda Burdi, the Poppy Lady, was busy on 7th Street, but joined her Auxiliary Unit as they passed by. All in all, it as a great day and gave true meaning to those marching and to those watching. And - that is how it should be.

There were also a goodly number of folks who did the traditional thing and went over to the Cathedral Fair following the exercises at the Middle School. There they had games, food, and wonderful vendors to enjoy and a good time was had by all.

See you next week - and get your pool membership in.