Club Members Enjoy Travel Stories

General program chairwoman Ruth Collins, past president and speaker Marie Scott, President Marye Heston and 1st Vice President Emily Sair.

Community Club Presents

"Humorous Memoirs Of World Travel"

When the original speaker scheduled for the November 7 general program of the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead had to cancel due to a family emergency on the other side of the country, a past-president of the club remembered that another past-president had casually mentioned that she could "possibly" fill in for a speaker if needed. Club President Marye Heston immediately called Marie Scott, who graciously accepted the challenge and in several days came up with a delightful program entitled, "Humorous moments of Travel in the World".

Over the years, Marie has traveled extensively around the world and she shared some of her amusing anecdotes. In 1991 Marie sailed on the QE 2 heading east to west with 35 ports of call scheduled every day. She said it was an adventure meeting interesting people and learning new customs from the many different countries they visited.

Six past presidents: Standing, Muriel Urban, Betty Pupke, Blanche Muller and Eda Meglio. Seated: Marie Scott and Bea Mercandante. The beautiful corsages the ladies are wearing were made by Muriel Urban, who chairs the Garden Department.

An especially exciting trip was her visit to the Holy Land and the Suez Canal. Because of recent terrorist attacks, her tour bus was escorted by a convoy of five army trucks that stopped at many checkpoints along the way. At one of them she noticed another tour bus riddled with bullet holes! To calm her nerves she sipped from a medicinal flask, took a short nap and woke up to discover she had passed through the Suez Canal, and never knew it.

In Istanbul at the Grand Bazaar she bargained, as instructed by her tour guide, for six blue and white ceramic eggs offering half the asking price after some good-natured bantering a price was agreed upon and the eggs were wrapped. But when she later unwrapped the package to show fellow travelers her great bargain, Marie found only five eggs. Obviously the seller had gotten the best of the bargaining. This is only a small sampling of the many amusing tidbits Marie shared. The club hopes she'll come back and share more.

Prior to Marie's talk, a short business meeting was conducted by President Marye Heston, during which Marjorie Maher was asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, The minutes, were read by First Vice President Emily Sair in the absence of recording Secretary Anne Heinzelman. The Treasurer's report was given by Carolyn Kaiser. November is the month the Community Club traditionally honors their past presidents, President Heston introduced those in attendance and each was presented with a corsage in recognition of their service to the club. Ruth Collins, general program chair, then introduced speaker Marie Scott.

Hospitality was handled by Ruth Lo Basco and Phyllis Dima, decorations by Marilyn Kerr, door by Lee Amrhein. Guests by Jo Cotugno, general arrangements by Marge Maher and Publicity by Pat Sheehan.

The next general program will be held on Wednesday, January 2 at 1:30 p.m. at the Garden City Casino and will feature Catherine S. Manno, N.D., Associate Chair, clinical activizes, the University of Pennsylvania, who will speak on "Women in Medicine in the 21st Century."

If you are interested in learning more about the Community Club and its variety of programs, trips and fine arts classes. Call the club's office at (516) 746-0488 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and learn how you can become a member.