I guess everyone felt the SPRING this past weekend and I guess you think it can last. Well, you know March and it has a long way to go before that lion turns into a lamb. However, I can tell you where to go to feel what spring is like and it is to Planting Fields in Oyster Bay. They are having a celebration of the Camellias in the Camellia House and the Main Greenhouse is also a spring joy to behold. Some of the Camellias are from the original group that Mr. Coe - the late owner of Planting Fields - brought over many years ago. You will feel as though you are walking in a dream so don't delay as flowers don't bloom forever you know.

The Ladies Auxiliary of our American Legion Post have come in with their slate of officers for the year 2009-2010 and it is a winner. President will be Joan Nedalka, 1st Vice President will be Pauline Rudkin, 2nd Vice President - Rose Forgione. Pauline Rudkin will act as Secretary and Joan Nedelka will be Treasurer. Betty Erdos, the Luxiliary's Children and Youth Chair has arranged for the Girl Scouts of Garden City Public Schools and St. Joseph's to make neck coolers to be sent to our troops in the Middle East. They are made of camouflage material and when they arrive they can be stuffed and soaked with water which soldiers put them around their necks to stay cool. They have also sent 40 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to a Marine Unit in Iraq. Good work, ladies and Scouts.

Doug Going will present "Visions of Peru" at Clark Gardens on Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 p.m. If you want to see Machu Picchu or go to the depths of Colca Canyon or the heights of Lake Titicaca, come along with the members and guests of Clark Gardens and you will not be sorry. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program. The fee is $8 for members and $10 for guests. I know you will meet some of your Garden City members there too.

Happy birthday wishes go to Mel Griffin, who will be celebrating his special day on March 16th and to Rosalie Jahelke, who will be blowing out the candles on her cake on the 19th of the month. May you both have a wonderful day and a great year ahead filled with good health and much happiness.

The Garden City Country Club opened after their winter rest and are all ready for the spring season. Their first Dinner/Bridge was held on Wednesday, March 11th - but more about that next week. On Thursday, March 19th the monthly Ladies/Luncheon/Bridge will be held and do be sure to call for reservations. Bridge Chairlady Muriel Urban said it would be fine if you wore your green as hopefully the luck of the Irish will be with the players even if it isn't the 17th of March.

The Garden City Library held one of its book sales this past weekend and did a wonderful business. There are so many readers in town and they all like to buy a couple of new/old books to hold them over on bad days when its too cold to get out. Sal Catania and his Board are doing a fine job and should be congratulated as should the many fine folks that work at the library.

The ladies of the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead are very busy getting ready for events that will take place before their season ends and for one that will take place at their first general program meeting in October. You will read about their April 1st Silent Auction in another item in this paper, but the committee, under the direction of Joan Afflerbach, is also busy.

They are busy planning for the 90th Birthday of the Community Club and stories about its founding back in 1919 are fascinating. Each department of the Club is working on its own individual group's history and it will be fascinating. The club is a union of the National League for Women's Service, the Hempstead Women's Club, the Civics League, the Garden City Political Study Club and the Shadowa Garden Club. It would be well worth joining the Club today just to learn abut its interesting history.

We are all trying to save money with this economy and here is a tip for the drivers. You can save gas by driving in a non-aggressive way. Braking quickly and fast acceleration use more gas. Remove "junk" from your car to lighten the load and drive at the speed limit. Every mile you go over 60 mph you will spend more on gas. Keep your car tuned up and your tires inflated properly. Its so easy to do if you just think about it.

See you next week!