Socially Speaking

With Athena

Halloween is over and from all reports it was a quiet one. The weather was great, the children all excited and polite and willing to explain their costume to you if asked. Some blocks reported light trick or treating so there may have been parties that took many away from ringing the doorbells. There were also reports from a growing number of folks about people from out of town coming with groups of children and parking their cars on the block while the children went from house to house. The children were polite but it did upset a number of folks. the only signs of Halloween the next day were a few smashed pumpkins, a long standing tradition on that night.

Adelphi University's Music Department presented another wonderful concert by the Trio Solisti on October 30th. Marie and Tom Ramos and Mary Polak were among the music lovers in regular attendance. Suzi Alvey and her daughter Kathleen were there for a short time but Kathleen had to attend an Environmental meeting. She was one of the students who received an award from Adelphi that gave her the opportunity to take an advanced placement course at Adelphi each semester of her senior year from Garden City High School. Among the others being honored that night were the grandson of John LoSardo and his dad William and grandpa John, all proud to witness the ceremony. This is given to students living in Garden City no matter what high school they attend. Needless to say, they must qualify for this award through their work and their grades. It's a win-win situation all around and both Adelphi and the students are to be congratulated.

Marilyn Schmachtenberg, Veteran Affairs Chairlady for the Ladies Auxiliary of our American Legion Post #265, along with her 9 year old grandson, Richard, and Virginia Hassler, met with Pauline and Bob Rudkin, Joe Keating, Felix Iannacone and Joe Krattinger to bring a party to the patients in building 8A of the Veterans Hospital. They bring refreshments, entertainment, and a lot of life and hope to the patients and are to be congratulated for their ongoing work.

Alice and Ced Melkonian were happy to attend the baptism of their newest grandson - Thomas Cedric Melkonian, son of Russell Fincher and Karen Melkonian. This is always a very happy time in all families and their smiles proved it was for them, too.

Don't forget to attend the Veteran's Day Memorial Service on Sunday, November 11th at the Memorial on 7th Street by the Garden City Library. Folks will meet at 10:30 a.m. and the ceremony will start promptly at 10:55 to honor all those who gave their lives for our country. The reason for the timing is that the guns fell silent on November 11th at 11 a.m. in 1918 to end the war that was to end all wars. Do come and honor those men who served in the past and are still serving today. They deserve your support.

There will be a concert "For God and Country" on Monday, November 12th at 4 p.m. at the Garden City Community Church. It will include patriotic music, the hymn of each branch of the armed forces, and organ music performed by members of the Queens and Nassau Chapters of the American Guild of Organists. Robert Ludwig, Minister of Music at the Community Churc, will be a featured performer. Admission is free. Do come!

Happy birthday wishes go to Jackie Polon , who will celebrate her special day on November 11th and to her husband Bill who will celebrate his B-Day on the 16th of November along with Joan Jordan who will be blowing out the candles on her cake on that same day. May you all have a great day and a year filleed with health and happiness with many more years to come.

Lynn and Leroy Boisen and Sue and Joe Tess will be sharing the 14th of this month to celebrate their wedding anniversaries. May both couples have a great day with many more years of wedded bliss ahead in which to enjoy each other along with health and happiness.

Did you know that pumpkins also come in white, blue and green and that Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped "penny candy" in America over 100 years ago? If you knew that, then you know that Halloween is the largest candy season of the year. Trick or Treat, anyone?

See you next week.