Socially Speaking

With Athena

The Yultide is waning and the Old Year follows it into history. It is a time to pause and reflect - to think of things done and undone - to make lists of "to do" things - Resolutions they used to call them and to remember good times, good friends, and family. Then it is time to turn and greet a new page, a new life in a New Year. When I think of a New Year, I remember when I was in grade school and with each new term, we got a new copy book, all new, clean, and shiny, just about everyone made an instant resolution to write neatly and keep our columns straight. This of course did not last the whole term, but with luck it was always a good start. Do think things and lets make a new and good start in 2008 and keep these pages neat and our columns straight for as long as we can. Remember, practice makes perfect.

Christmas brought much happiness this year for many and Ed Palkot was one of them. His son Greg is in London at present and will return to Pakistan in January for Fox Cable News. Son Ed Jr. completed 38 years with Exxon Chemical in Houston, Texas and his Grandson, Stephen, expects o get married in June. Tha's enough good news to keep a smile on Ed's face.

The Thompson family was also smiling this Christmas as Mom Kay Thompson is back from therapy and they gathered round the tree with happiness at her return.

It was also a family Christmas for Kay and Joe Hayes, Blanche and Don Muller, Barbara Flanagan, and Joan and John Jordan, and as we all know, they are the very best kind.

Christmas time brought Happy Birthday wishes to Pat Weber, who, while her B-Day is not the 25th it is very close. So have a great day and a wonderful year filled with health, happiness, and some good hands of bridge for this avid player. What more can she ask for?

Florence and Al Dieterich celebrated their Wedding Anniversary on December 26th with family and many wishes from all their many friends for a good 2008 and many more years to come. May they be both happy and healthy years.

The December Ladies/Lunch Bridge at the Garden City Casino was a rousing success, although the first Small Slam was not made until late in the day. Probably because they were busy wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Enjoying the afternoon were: Helen Schneider, Joan Jordan, Trudy Anderson, Kris Harder, Sue Hall, and Rosemary Going.

The invitations are out and I hear that reservations are already starting to come in for the Mid-Winter Dessert/Card Party on Thursday, January 24th 2008 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Garden City Casino. This is sponsored by the Community Club at Garden City and Hempstead for the benefit of their Philanthropic activities. The fee is $15 per person and checks should be made payable to the Community Club at Garden City & Hempstead and sent to: Mrs. Bea Mercadante, 48 Main Ave., Garden City, N.Y. 11530. The deadline is January 18th and guests are welcome.

Michelle Harrington gave her Mom Florence Beach a wonderful Birthday party just before Christmas. Its difficult to have a birthday party just before a holiday, but worse just before Christmas. Her friends from her tennis, bridge, Area clubs, and her family all came out to wish her well. There was even a pianist to keep things lively. Among those attending were Florence's two brothers, her sister-in-law, Sally Hoge, Barbara DeGroot, Dorothea DeLannoy, Joan Ripp, Barbara Flanagan, Mary Rudolph, and may others. A good time was had by all, especially Florence whose smile never left her face. May you have many more Flo.

Ruby Duffy passed away recently and there was a Mass for her at St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church. Ruby was a long time resident of Garden City and was 95 when she passed away. She and her long time friend Betty Yates and their respective husbands could be found at any bridge table dealing and making their bids and having a wonderful time. They are all gone now and an era has passed away with them.

Happy New Year to all of you - 2008!

See you next year.