Socially Speaking

With Athena

I would like to recommend a book to all you music lovers that will have your toes tapping and the words will be coming back to you by the hundreds. The book is "THE HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUILT" by Wilfrid Sheed and it is at the Garden City Library. It brings back musical memories from the 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's by the likes of Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, Richard Rogers, Johnny Mercer, and a cast of many others. The songs will run around your mind, lift your spirit and put a smile on your face that will have everyone wondering what is making you so happy. There is lots to the good old music so do try it. One of Harry Warren's early hits was: "I Found A Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store)." We could use one of these wonderful 5 & 10 cent stores today, but don't get me started.

We had some good news recently, the return home by Eleanor Marshall. She is doing as well as can be expected but could use a bit of help from anyone who has some spare time to do some shopping etc. She has an aide but Ellie herself still has no use of her arms from that Christmas fall at the hotel. We are all rooting for you, Ellie, and so are the folks at the Library's Monday Matinee movies as they all signed a card for her. They do help in the Cheer Up department.

A get well card was also being signed for another movie regular, Doris Stewart, who fell and broke her hip recently. She could also use a friendly greeting wishing her well.

One gentleman in town believes in trying out things before he makes a decision, but trying out three hospitals is a bit much even for a man of his tastes. John Christie was having chest pains during church recently and it was thought best to get an ambulance to take him to the hospital. The bays at Winthrop Hospital were all closed due to the number already in use, so he was taken to Nassau Medical Center, where he was treated and advised to see his doctor. Not long after, those pains came back and he was taken to Winthrop where he had an overnight stay. Home again, the problem returned and his family took him to St. Francis, where his doctor cared for him and he is now home and doing well. His report was that they were all nice, bright and clean, but home with his wife's cooking was the best. Get well cards would be a nice touch to let him know we are thinking of him.

Amy Small, Sally Papoulas, Miriam Benack, Chris Marcin, and Ann Heinzelmann all enjoyed the Garden City Library's showing of "Jane Eyre" recently and they also enjoyed the discussion that followed. There was a really full house and the only discord was the singing of someone's cell phone - not once, but several times. When will they take other people's needs in mind (such as in a movie) and turn them off or put them on pulse!

Happy birthday wishes go to Peter Abatabile, who will do his celebrating on the 19th of January and to John LoSardo, who shares the same date - the 19th, and to Ray Hartman, who will blow out the candles on his cake on January 25th. May all the gentlemen have a wonderful day, a great year, and many more of these special days to come in good health and much happiness. Sorry to be late with the next birthday, but Hal Hecken celebrated his special day on January 4th. Pardon me, Mr. Hecken, but I do hope you had a great day and I hope to do better next year.

Shirley Jessen will be celebrating, too, as January 23rd is her special day. We wish her all the best in the way of good health and happiness with many more years of painting with which to delight us.

Who goes to the beach in January? Well, it turns out that a great number of folks do. One couple in town visited Jones Beach recently to take advantage of the mild weather and check out the new restaurant Donald Trump is planning for the Boardwalk. The fence closing in the area looks great and they are taking reservations for Spring 2009. The couple had a nice walk and enjoyed the signs and photos from long ago at the beach. Try it for something different that will get you out in the fresh air.

See you next week!