With Athena

The constant rain has been the big topic of conversation for a number of weeks now but you have to admit that we are getting to be a big rival to the Emerald Isle on the other side of the Atlantic. One plus is that we have not had to water our lawns and gardens since spring began and that is a saving in both water in our aquifer and in our pockets in the form of - also green - money. Naturally, I also believe that this savings of money for us does not bode well for those running the water systems. However, one step at a time.

Mother's Day brought better weather so I guess that even the weather decided to pay homage to Mom. The florists in town were very busy delivering flowers and plants to mothers and I know they all had a happy day. One church in town had an all male choir on Mother's Day and I guess they will have an all female choir on Father's Day so that will even things up. Michele Dyrland spent the day before Mother's Day gardening and putting in some lovely new annuals that could have been her gift from family. She does love to garden.

Happy birthday wishes go to Harry Fine, who will be celebrating his special day on May 15th, to Bea Mercadante, who will be blowing out the candles on her cake on the 18th, and to James Capra, who will do the same on the 19th. May you all have a wonderful day and a great year ahead filled with health and happiness.

Helen Fearn will mark her 93rd Birthday on May 21st and that is quite a milestone so have a wonderful day, Helen - you do deserve it.

Dorothy and Ed Alford will be celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary on the 21st of this month, a very good milestone. Many more happy years to both of you with good health and much happiness with many more years of wedded bliss ahead.

My apology to Frank Tauches as I reported his birthday as May 13th last week and it's really May 12th.

Clark Gardens is hosting its 6th Annual Marie Jensen Bick Herb Day on Wednesday, June 10th at 1 p.m. Marie was always interested in herbs and an Herb Garden was dedicated to her at the time of her passing. Marie is remembered each year at this time. There will be an English Tea served and a lecture. The herb of the year for 2009 is bay leaf. Today is the deadline for reservations but you could call the Gardens at 484-8603 to see if they still have space for you. What a wonderful way to remember someone.

The Garden City Branch of AAUW will be hosting its annual Installation Luncheon on Monday, June 1st at Maxxel's Restaurant from noon to 3 p.m. The speaker will be Marilyn Kaufman on "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the White House." A former librarian, she has presented her talk on Presidential Trivia for many years. This time she will tell all about trivia concerning the First Ladies. This sounds like a winner. The Co-Chairladies are Justine Butz and Ursula Lashen. Ursula is taking reservations in the amount of $35 per person at 74 Lincoln St. Garden City N.Y. 11530. The deadline is May 26th. If you are interested in joining this group, this could be a nice introduction.

Jean Schmutz and Mary Carolyn Bishop co-chair the One Woman at a Time project. For Easter they delivered to a family of their choice a decorated Easter bag filled with gift cards for Toys-R-Us and Stop and Shop, two chocolate bunnies and a plush toy bunny for the toddler in the family as well as age appropriate books - gift wrapped of course for each of the children. Good work, ladies. I know how much this was appreciated.

The Long Island Choral Society will present its Spring Concert this Sunday, May 17th at 4 p.m. It will feature its 28th Annual Young Artist Competition Winner. The Concert will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 48 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset. The Choral Society is celebrating its 80th Season.

Your thought for the week is: People who look for the easy way out seem to have trouble finding an exit. See you next week.