With Athena

A new sign of the times came into sight just a few days before the New Year made its bow. In fact, it was viewed on Tuesday, recycling day in half of Garden City. A couple of men were seen riding bicycles along the streets and picking up plastic and metal bottles and cans from the green recycling buckets along the curbs. They carried large plastic bags that they filled when the items mentioned were not already in bags and rode on to the next bucket. They came before our Village trucks came and stashed the bags in baskets on their bikes or tied them to handle bars. The men were not youngsters and this could be a new sign of these tough times and a throwback to the days of the 1930's.

The Auxiliary of the Garden City Community Church enjoyed a delicious Christmas Luncheon as December began. Especially did they enjoy the culinary talents of Kimberly Pauley and Christine Hanson, who were the founders of the feast. Linda Gambardella was Program Chairlady and Lynn Finnerty and Carole Schrafel collected gifts for the children of Female prisoners in the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and delivered them. What a great spirit of Christmas that was.

The Thursday Luncheon group has started up now that January is here and the hostesses will be Martha Pearson and Pat Dalton. Bingo will be the game following lunch on January 8th and Arlyn Rath's Antiques Road Show will be the program on January 22nd. This is another outreach for the Community Church's Senior Citizens and you do not have to be a member of the church to attend. Call the church office at 516-746-1700 for more information.

Sal Catania and Tom Richmond have lined up a wonderful selection of movies and programs for your January entertainment. However, I must question having the program on Getting Organized presented in April. This is the stuff for January when everyone at least tries to reduce the clutter from their lives and houses. Oh, come now, gentlemen!

There are also those who celbrate their birthdays shortly after that ball comes down in Times Square and they are Loe Leto, who does his celebrating on the 12th of this month and Jean Noble, who blows out the candles on the 13th of January. Have a great day and a wonderful year filled with good health and happiness.

Some folks headed south to Florida to visit family and friends for the holidays and have now returned to town. Lorraine and Frank Alonge are one couple. They had a good weather down in Florida and enjoyed themselves with their family. The trip home was not smooth and they both caught bad colds which happens to many folks who fly in the recycled air of today's airplanes. They are feeling much better now and are getting back into action.

Michele and Jerry Weisberg had a much longer trip for the holidays as they went to France to visit Michele's family. They had celebrated the holidays here with family as it was also their son's birthday.

Regina Dowling had a short trip during the holiday season but she got back in time for the New Year and to be ready for her work on the Community Club's Mid-Winter Dessert Card Party on Thursday, January 22nd. This will take place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Garden City Casino. Reservations are being accepted by Mrs. Bea Mercadante at 48 Main Avenue, Garden City, N.Y. 11530. Checks should be made payable to the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead in the amount of $18 per person. Times are a wasting so get your table together and send in your reservations A.S.A.P.

According to the United States Weather Bureau, we are supposed to have a mild winter here in the Northeast, but you know they have been wrong before. In fact, there have been times when we were told it would be a lovely day and we got a blizzard instead. Just put in a supply of baking soda and you will be safe. You can sprinkle it on steps to aid traction on the ice. It won't hurt bricks or cement and it is safe for your floors should it get on them. It also will not hurt your lawn if it leaches out when the ice melts. That's your tip for the New Year and I'll see you next week.