With Athena

The weather for the Belmont Festival cleared and there was a huge turnout for the festivities on Seventh Street for the parade. The Wayne Lewis family complete with grandchildren were there as was Fran and Frank DeAngelo, Gloria Tassone, Peggy Numm, Jane Nelson and friends, and John Collins. The Coach Realtor Company had a beautiful white pumpkin styled coach to be pulled by a matched pair of grey horses. It would have been a Cinderella moment as there were a number of children who were beautifully dressed - the girls wearing lovely hats - but one of the horses suffered a hemorrhage and died in the traces. The Garden City Police were on hand quickly and handled the problem without getting the children upset. The children were: Stephanie Cullum, Jessica Wood, Logan O'Grady, Timmy Gallagher, and Coors Callie and they never made the parade but would have been a lovely attraction.

The Senior Women of New York State made a lovely presentation with their lovely black and white dresses. Their hats of a by-gone era were a highlight of the event as they always are. The Mounted Drill Team from Islip with Captain Francene Lewis and Co-captain Peter Colombo were a wonderful ending for the parade. They were celebrating their 30th anniversary as a Drill Team.

The Garden City High School Band was great as usual and of course our own Police Department and Fire Department complete with trucks, old and new and from various towns, brought many waves and shouts of delight from the onlookers. The feeling was all for Big Brown the next day but it was not to be and I think we all felt sad. However, we have next year to look forward to.

Long time resident of Garden City, Ginny Forthey, recently returned from Naples, Florida where she danced in a day long Pro-Am Ballroom Competition. Performing in 40 heats, she took top scores in 29 and second place in 9 dances in her division, which included American and International style, smooth dances, as well as the Latin, swing and jive rhythms. Good for you, Ginny. I always knew that dancing was not only fun but good exercise, too.

Bridge is not an exercise, but it sure is popular here in town where it is an all year round event. The Ladies/Luncheon Bridge sponsored by the Garden City Casino held its final meeting and awards afternoon recently. You will be reading about them in this paper maybe even today. Enjoying the afternoon (even without winning an award) were Dorothy Hedwig, Anges Rimmels, Trudy Anderson, Valerie Lemkul, and Adele Riley. The big news that was announced was that this coming season '08-'09 play would start in October and end in May. Best to check on this in September.

The Garden City Club's Dinner/Bridge had a Small Slam on Wednesday, June 4th and it was made in 6 No Trump by Pat Dalton and Marie Kelly. Those Grand Slams are hard to come y, but the dinner was delicious and the folks enjoyed it. Elizabeth and Charles Dunleavy and Irene and John Christie were only two of the couples who had a good time. Bridge Chairlady Muriel Urban announced the next bridge would be held on Wednesday, July 2nd and to be sure to make reservations.

The Garden City Unit of the American Cancer Society held its Kitchen Tour (Heart of the Home) last week. Among the many enjoying the day were Joan Logan and her daughter, Marie Gillespie, Ellie Singer, and Janet Castles, looking as a summer day after a week-end in Florida with her daughter.

Happy birthday wishes go to Herb Polak, who will be celebrating his on the 20th of June and to Eda Maglio , who will be blowing out her candles around the same time. Many happy returns of the day to both and may they have many, many more.

Maureen and Cummin Clancy will be celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary on the 19th of June. Irene and John Christie will celebrate their 58th on the 17th of June, and Ellen and Brian Ridgway will celebrate their wedding anniversary on the 20th. May all the happy couples have a wonderful day and a great year ahead filled with good health and much happiness.

My thought for the week is: He who hesitates is probably right. Ponder that one for awhile and I'll see you next week.