Mums For Moms at Spirit Day 2008 One of the more colorful attractions at Saint Anne's annual "Spirit Day" spectacular, scheduled this year for Saturday, Sept. 13, has been the red, white and blue tent display offering "Mums" and garden items for fall planting. The managing vendors are members of MOMS (all caps), a relatively new group in Saint Anne's highly active 20-unit Parish Social Ministry.

The group's regular goal, according to "Spirit Day" Co-chairs Marie Fischer and John Parks, includes developing mother and child relationships with each other, supporting each other in faith and friendship and reaching out to help those who are less fortunate. The group has become the pride of our growing local "green thumb" population and (Who knows?) in due time could be hailed by parishioners for "Keeping the Garden in Garden City!"

If "Mums" the word for MOMS then, according to Marie and John, INFLATABLES is the magic word for many parish youngsters who flock to the show intently searching for the latest zany- looking creations in amusement rides and carnival games to liven up the afternoon.

In increasing numbers parishwide, colorful posters and flyers are beginning to shout "COME ONE-COME ALL to Saint Anne's Parish Spirit Day 2008 on the grounds of Saint Anne's Church,

(Dartmouth St. and New Hyde Park Road) Saturday, September 13 from 1 to 10 PM. Join us for 5 PM Mass celebrated outdoors."

Standout entertainment features will include Night at the Races, Teen Night Club and Respite Games. And Moms, with youngsters and plants in tow, will join others in visiting the increasing number of busy Craft Fair booths on Dartmouth Street. For music lovers there will be a DJ all day ad a live band all evening.

A wide variety of fast foods at reasonable prices will be available all day.

All action will pause at 5 PM to make way for the beautiful, peaceful outdoor Mass---continuing as the No. 1 attraction of the memorable day.

At 10 P.M. the winners in the annual "Big Bucks/Spirit Day" Sweepstakes will be announced to an alternately cheering and groaning audience. The goal of the promotion this year is TO HELP BUILD A NEW CHURCH ELEVATOR. Entrants have a chance of winning $25,000 or One of Five $5,000 prizes As You Help Saint Anne's Win $50,000 Towards the Design and Construction of a New Church Elevator, making our church and lower level accessible to all, especially the aging and those with disabilities. As many as five entrants may share a "Big Bucks" ticket.

Applications for sweepstakes tickets at $125 each may be obtained at Saint Anne's Rectory, 35 Dartmouth St. or in the parish weekly Bulletin. Non-parishioners are invited to participate. The prize levels are based on all 800 tickets having been sold. The levels will be adjusted proportionately downwards if the 800 level is not achieved.

In the weeks ahead, get ready to see some otherwise peaceful Spirit Day Committee members, outfitted in bright yellow (plastic-look alikes) construction hardhats, seeking more sales of Sweepstakes tickets with the promotion's optimistic bywords;