Socially Speaking
With Athena

With Memorial Day behind us and Flag Day June 14th) and the Fourth of July coming up, I am again thinking of the history of our country. For a long time I have read of our school children and many adults also who do not know anything about whom we fought in World War II or why and know even less about World War I or any of our other wars. Not that we should fix on war, but they know even less about the American Revolution, the founding of this country, George Washington, or the Pilgrims. For many the latter group only means that they had turkey on Thanksgiving and now we do also.

For me, history has always been interesting as well as instructive. When we don't know about our roots, why we came here, what made us one people, we have little basis for understanding the problems of today or the future. Let's bring back history - it's truly fascinating.

The Garden City Historical Society held its Flea Market in beautiful weather this year and drew a wonderful crowd. Helping with the sales were Frieda Stark, Ann Madonia (on appraisals), and K ris Harder and enjoying the sale were Mary and Ray Finnerty, Nita Johnson, Ruth Collins, and Elizabeth and Charles Donleavy. By the way Elizabeth - did you get that lovely pair of lamps? Brian Pinnola, President of the Society, was busy greeting members and visitors. He let everyone know that they would have a speaker on the Gold Coast Estates (the speaker just wrote a book on them) on Wednesday, June 13th at 7:30 p.m. at the Historical Society House. Sounds great to me. Laurie - The Silver Lady - was there with her beautiful jewelry, drawing an interested group of buyers.

The Garden City Assembly held its June Dinner/Dance this past week and Janet and Bruce Littlejohn were there. They are Past Presidents of the group and seldom miss an affair. This is the group's last for the season and I'm sure you will be seeing the photos in this paper very soon. If you love to dance, this is the group for you.

The St. Paul's Church in Hempstead held its annual Greek Festival and they had a great crowd. Lee Amrheim got home from a Community Club tour to The Cloisters and was headed right over to enjoy an evening there. She met Lou Tice strolling away from the fair with a vacuum cleaner - it's always good to have a spare. You just can't keep our ladies down.

At the Retired Men's Club, they had a good time at their Pizza Party (they always do), but the hit of the afternoon was the arrival of Peter Abitabile. He has been missing due to health problems so his wife Louise took him down to see his buddies and enjoy the party. Everyone was delighted to see him and he looked happy too.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Ellie Marshall, who will celebrate her special day on the 12th of June and also to Eda Meglio who will do her celebrating around the middle of this month. May both ladies have a wonderful day and a great year ahead filled with good health and lots of happiness with many more years to come.

The ladies - God Bless Them - are always planning ahead and those of the American Legion Auxiliary will hold a Birthday Party to honor all Past Presidents hosted by Rose Forgione and Rosemary Passadomo. They are also planning for their first Fall Bridge Luncheon. This year, a flag was presented to the Village by the Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade, Master Sgt. Jim Dupont. The flag flew in Iraq and was signed by soldiers in Iraq and many of our Village dignitaries. They - the Legion Post and the Auxiliary - work hard to help our veterans. So if they ask, do what you can to help them.

Another big day is coming up so this is a reminder not to forget Father's Day - June 17th. Honor him all year, but especially on his special day. See you next week!