With Athena

Time and summer march on and soon we will have the Dog Days of August upon us. We all talk (and complain) abut the weather but there is little we can do about it. This past week has not been a good one for the Garden City Pool, but there was a fair number of swimmers who slipped into the water between showers. Better luck this coming week.

Marge Daniels and her daughter were in church this past week and the folks at the Garden City Community Church got a chance to say good-bye during the Coffee Hour following. Marge has been a long-time resident of Garden City and she and her late husband Dave raised their family here. She will be leaving here for a new home in Pennsylvania very soon. We all wish her well and hope she will be able to come back once in a while to visit her many friends. All our best wishes, Marge, for a happy future.

Summer is meant for reading too, especially on the rainy days. I would heartily recommend a trip to the Garden City Library to pick up "Dinner At Mr. Jefferson's" by Charles A. Ceramic. It will give you a whole new perspective on politics and our founding fathers. I guarantee you will enjoy it.

Anniversaries are coming up for a number of organizations and this coming season will mark the 80th Anniversary of the beginning of the Long Island Choral Society. They are planning a Lobster-Fest on Saturday, August 23rd from 2 to 6 for their singing members and guests. For more information call 631-491-7535. Those singing members keep their voices warmed up during the summer by singing so watch for their first performance on November 16th and mark your calendars.

Another anniversary, which will be their 90th in 2009, is being planned for as we read this. Darlene Record has been doing research on several departments of the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead and Marie Scott has been doing the same on Past Presidents. There is an active committee researching so the opening program of the club in October of 2009 will be real winner. There will be costumes and memorabilia and who knows what else these creative ladies will come up with? I can hardly wait.

Happy birthday wishes go th Walter Farrell, who will be celebrating his special day on the 4th as well as Norman Short, who will be 93 on the same date. Norman, a long time resident of Garden City now living in the Annapolis area, will be remembered by many here in town as a very happy birthday to both gentlemen on August 4th. Edward Brennan will also be blowing out the candles on his cake on the 6th of August. All our best wishes to you too for a wonderful day and a great year filled with health and happiness and many more to come.

The Retired Men's Club held its annual Co-ed Cocktail Party recently and while it did not rain (boy were they lucky) it was a very warm day. They all seemed to have a wonderful time and among those enjoying the afternoon were: Marilyn and George Rivara, Arlyn and George Rath, Carolyn and Rudy Kaiser, Lorraine and Frank Alonge, Doris and Werner Forster, Valerie and Bob Hegeman, and Nita and Woody Johnson. Over the many years that they have held this party, they have never had rain, which is very good because with the number of people they get and the food service, they would not be able to fit into the Senior Center.

Some of our other Garden City residents beat the heat and the frequent showers (and threat thereof) went to see the new summer blockbuster "Mama Mia" and reports have it that it was funny, light and very good summer fare. I also heard that it was better than the Broadway show. Florence Beach and a friend saw it so you can ask her. Hofstra University did "Moon Over Buffalo" with the USA Productions Theater group now called Hofstra Entertainment, but they are as good as ever. In fact, Muriel and Al Urban said it was the best one they ever saw and they go regularly. Check it out as the price and the parking are good too.

And now, lets all hope for better pool weather as once you leave childhood, rain and water don't mix as well. I'll look for you at the pool on the first sunny day. See you there!