With Athena

Fourth of July is over and perhaps this is not the time for the following information, but better late than never is my motto. I just received a book on The Star Spangled Banner from the Smithsonian Institution and would like to share this information with you. The song "The Star Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 while the flag that inspired it was flying over Fort McHenry at the entrance of Baltimore Harbor. The year was 1813 and the song became a popular one sung at many patriotic occasions and in schools for many years. However, it did not become our National Anthem until 1931 when our United States Congress designated it as such. It was thought to be too difficult to sing, the tune too popular, other songs were better etc. It always inspired patriotic feelings and a majestic tone which together with the Flag and the Battle that inspired it stirred the souls of those who sang it and those who heard it. Thank heaven we have both the song and the flag and long may we have them both. I guess some things just take a longer time.

The weekend of the Fourth of July was not the best one, but there was plenty to do and most people were enjoying the day. The Garden City Pool drew its usual big crowd and with the music and games it was clear there was something for everyone.

The Garden City Country Club held their usual Family Day and the games for the kids were stupendous. Enjoying the afternoon with family were Marjorie and Ed Brown with their daughter from Westchester and the family. Also having a family day was Linda Burdi with her daughter Jacqueline and the family with smiles going all around.

The folks at the Cherry Valley Club also enjoyed a family Fourth of July with a wonderful Barbacue and these luscious desserts that they are famous for. All in all, it was a quiet and safe 4th and it remained that way for the whole weekend.

The Dinner/Bridge at the Garden City Country Club proceeded the big weekend and there was luck a plenty on Wednesday, July 2nd as they had not only a Small Slam by Marge Schnell and Al Urban in 6 Spades but there was also the Elusive Grand Slam made by Florence McGoldrich and Tomasina Dodge. All in all a very successful night. Among others playing but not winning the big games were Mary Gagliardo, Florence Dieterich, Elizabeth and Charles Dunleavy, and Irene and John Christie. Better luck next time. Due to Golf Tournaments scheduled by the club, Bridge Chairlady Muriel Urban, announced that the August Dinner/Bridge would be held on Wednesday, August 20th so be sure to get your reservations in.

We lost another lovely lady this past week with the passing of Marie Deery. Marie and her late husband raised their family here in Garden City and were members of the Garden City Country Club. Marie could always be found at the ladies/Lunch/Bridge along with her friends as she always enjoyed a good game. With her quiet ways and her ready smile, Marie won all hearts. She will be missed by her friends and family and our thoughts and our prayers go to her family in their time of sorrow.

Jean Afflerbach and her committee have unearthed a good deal of history on the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead.

On the occasion of the Club's 90th Anniversary in October of 2009 members and guests will be astounded by her presentation to club members.. While this takes a lot of work, many hands make light of that work. Good for you Jean as it still takes a good leader and you fill the bill as they say.

Miriam and Dick Benack spent their 4th of July at a lovely house party out on the North Shore of Long Island where they met many old time friends and some new ones and had a lovely day. They reported that traffic was far from heavy as they expected and from what I hear that went for all over. Staying close to home can be just as much fun and a lot less taxing on everyone.

We have a lot to be proud of here on Long Island and according to the Nature Conservancy Center for Conservation, Nassau and Suffolk County joined in a ban on invasive plant species forbidding the sale of over 60 invasive plants as of January 2009. Some of them might be pretty but they kill the plants that we really need. Get ahead of the curve and get a list of these plants and make sure you either don't buy them or get rid of them if you already find them in your garden.

In the meantime, see you at the pool.