Socially Speaking

With Athena

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you all practiced control while at the table. Now, according to the papers, it's time to diet (to get in shape for Christmas) and to shop. You're on your own in the diet area but I hope that you will practice shopping in Garden City as your golden rule. The shops in town have a lot going for them as far as merchandise goes. You avoid GRID LOCk on the way to the malls and nerves that have been frazzled, and you support stores that pay their taxes here in Garden City. (No, Virginia, Roosevelt Field is not in Garden City.) All this helps our town and you as well. Is now the time to tell you that you have two and a half weeks till D-Day - December 25th?

Five lovely Garden City ladies had wonderful centerpieces for their Thanksgiving tables courtesy of the Garden Department of the Community Club and Mary Smith of Feldis Florists. They were the winners of beautiful centerpieces at a recent program at the club and they are Lee Amrhein, Phyllis Dima, Lillian LaPlac, Mary Polak, and Jane MacDougall. Think outside the box - that a centerpiece or a nice plant makes a lovely gift.

Another nice gift is a donation that will help others and can also help you. Nancy Fardelmann made a donation at her church and, thanks to her, many members are now sitting pretty, as they say, on new chairs. That's another gift idea that can be for yourself or a favorite charity and everyone is a winner.

Here is a gift you can give yourself if you live alone and relatives are not as near you as you might like. The Garden City Police Department has a Safety and Wellness Program that is available to all G.C. Senior Citizens with severe medical conditions. To take advantage of this service, call the G.C. Police Department at 516-465-4100 and they will send you an application that requires: Your name, address, primary and secondary phone numbers, and any special conditions that apply to you; also the name, address and phone numbers of next of kin, emergency contacts or key holders, and the name, address and phone number of your Primary Care physician. You are put on a list and are asked to call the Police Department daily. If you do not contact them, they will call and, if there is no answer, a police officer will be sent to check on you. You have Sal Catania to thank for sharing this wonderful idea with neighbors and then the Police Department It's a gift you can give yourself and it is free. Think about it.

Happy birthday wishes go to Louise DeNoia, who will celebrate her special day on the 8 th of December, to Madelyne Lynn who will do her celebrating on the 12 th and to Angelo Tomano, who will also be blowing out his candles about that same time. May they all have a happy day and a wonderful year filled with good health and much happiness.

Many families gathered round that groaning board to give thanks and many also took the family as a group to give thanks at their church. I do believe that this kind of sharing is the very best gift of all and, with Christmas coming up, let's all do it together again.

It is with sorrow that we must mention the passing of Vera Navarro. Vera and her late husband Frank were long time residents of Garden City and were active in the Garden City Community Church. Frank taught Sunday School for many years and Vera (wonderful flower arranger that she was) could always be counted on to help decorate the church especially for holidays. Vera was a long time member of the Garden Department of the Community Club and also the Garden Club of Garden City. She exhibited in many local and Federation Flower Shows and was usually the one who won the Blue Ribbon. Always helpful with hints of how to improve your flower arrangements, Vera was also always ready to lend a helping hand whenever she could. Our thoughts and prayers go to her daughter and son-in-law in their time of sorrow.

Joan Stafford and Diane Wall will be Co-Chairing the December 8 th Branch Meeting for the G.C. Branch of AAUW at the G.C. Library at 7 p.m. Their theme "A Colonial Holiday Celebration" complete with sing-a-long led by Margaret Delahunt will finish with refreshments by Joan Afflerbach, Margaret Delahunt and Lynn Maguire. A good way to start off the season.

As we enter the Holiday season, do remember this saying: Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator. See you next week.