As you read this, you have five possibly six shopping days left before the big day. I do hope that you have heeded our warnings and gotten everything on your list so you can take a well deserved rest. Actually, Santa made a surprise visit to the Village the past two Fridays as he took pity on those of you who have been asking - where is the Calendar of Events from our Garden City Chamber of Commerce? He got it delivered through the kindness of the Garden City News and now you have a clue as to what you should mark on your 2009 Calendars. Thank you Santa - you're a peach.

As for our contact with International Broadcasting, here is Garden City's Greg Palkot of Fox Cable News who has been broadcasting lately from London. Greg expects to go to Iraq at the beginning of the year to broadcast their election news. Greg grew p here in town and his dad, Ed Palkot still lives here. Ed reports that he now has a total of six great grandchildren with another expected in the spring. A wonderful event to look forward to.

The Adelphi Chorus and the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra gave a wonderful concert on December 7th with Annemarie Gordon front and center in the alto section and Jean Kuster and a number of other Garden City residents in attendance. It was a sterling performance and an inspiring way to observe Pearl Harbor Day. The audience got into the act with the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" to start and "O Come All Ye Faithful" near the end. The audience, knowing the tradition, stood during the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus at the end. That started when Queen Victoria stood for it during the first performance of Handel's "Messiah."

The Woman's Club of the Garden City Country Club held its annual Christmas Luncheon this past week and I must say that it was a sparkling event with a full house in attendance. Enjoying the afternoon were: Gloria Mercante, Maureen Fraser, Judy Radocy, Ada Kane, Lillian Berryman, and Barbara Flanagan. President of the Women's Club, Eileen Caruso, has a wonderful committee and all went smoothly. Santa, with a month old Little Santa, welcomed the ladies until it was time for Little Santa's nap. He was the hit of the day and even his socks lit up. There was great food, great atmosphere, and good friends and that is what it's all about.

The Garden City Historical Society held a wonderful event on December 10th and they also had a full house. Again - great food, great atmosphere, and good friends meeting and looking at and bidding on the Silent Auction along with the goodies in the Consignment Shop (another place for your Christmas shopping or at any time). Attending were Lana Noone, Blanche Volz, John Alford (who did a great job as usual on delivering Thanksgiving dinners to those in need). Carol Efthimiou and her husband, who did a wonderful job playing the antique piano, and Bob Scholle with a very spiffy bow tie. Brian Pinnola, President of the Historical Society should be complimented on another fine job of presenting the Society's house for the benefit of all.

Happy birthday wishes go to Kris Harder, who celebrated her special day around the middle of this month, to Pat Weber, who will blow out her candles by the end of the month, and to George Rivara, who was a Christmas birthday child. I always think they get shortchanged by having to celebrate on such a holiday.

Many happy returns of the day to one and all and good wishes for a wonderful year filled with good health and much happiness with many more years to come. A very belated happy birthday goes to Brad Gustavson, who celebrated his special day with a family trip into the city on December 16th.

For a special birthday we have Joseph Imara, who will be 95 on the 22nd of December. What a wonderful milestone and all the very best to you, Joe.

This past week we read of the passing of Isabel Ince and we were all sad to hear of her demise. This week we learned of another long time resident of Garden City, who moved to Peconic Landing several years ago with her husband and that was Mildred Carter. Her husband Fred passed away a couple of years ago and Mildred left us a few weeks ago. She was very active in the Garden City Community Church both in the choir and the Women's Auxiliary and she was also active in the Community Club of Garden City. Our thoughts and prayers are with her son Fred, her daughter-in-law and her grandchildren in their time of sorrow. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by all who knew her.

Happy Hanukkah to all those of the Jewish faith and a very Merry Christmas to one and all.