Bridge in Garden City is different this week following the passing of Florence Coffin on July 21st. Florence was a Master of the game and played in many bridge tournaments in New York City with professional players. What she did not know about the game was not worth knowing. Her name will be invoked here in town when any questions of rules come up and the final answer will be "Well Florence always said…". Florence and her husband Bill made their home here for many years and raised their family here - sons William and Roger and daughter Karen. They and the extended family along with her many friends said farewell to her at a Mass at St. Anne;s Roman Catholic Church last Friday. Her passing will leave a void in all their lives and may she rest in peace.

Garden City did get lucky with its Restaurant Week, especially on Friday when there were bands providing music on Seventh Street. Following the June wash-out of the Belmont Festival, it was wonderful seeing folks strolling up and down, talking to friends, enjoying the music and having dinner either inside or outside as the mood struck them. Among the many enjoying the week were Arthur Hug and Chris and Frank Harder along with friends at one of their favorite restaurants. I enjoyed the week,too.

Lillian Berryman has left town for a new home in Westbury. Lillian was a long time resident and a member of the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead, as well as the Garden City Country Club. She always had a table of friends at their monthly Ladies/Lunch/Bridge and she will be missed by all.

The Garden City Pool has been attracting more swimmers lately as the sun has been out more recently. It does make such a difference in the temperature of the water. Enjoying an afternoon recently were: Betty McCarthy, Judy Radocy, Jean Tomitz and Norma Takach.

Happy birthday wishes go to Laurie Hazlet who will be doing her celebrating on August 4th. Norma Short, another long time resident of this town who now lives in a retirement home in the south, will be 94 years young on August 4th. We missed Dan D'Addario's B-day by a week. It was July 25th, but better late than never. Many happy returns of the day to one and all of you and may you have many more in good health and much happiness.

Ann Heinzelmann and Veronica Witt, co-chairing the Friendship Luncheon on Tuesday, September 22nd for the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead have announced their committee members. Invitations will be done by Marge Moran, Catherine Hopkins, and Joyce Lomino. Photography will be handled by Regina Dowling and Geraldine McHugh. Reservations will be accepted by Ruth Lacy and Publicity by Muriel Urban. The luncheon will be held at the Cherry Valley Club, and guests are welcome. I hear that it won't be long before the Invitations will be in the mail so do start thinking about it and getting your table together.

The folks at the Garden City Country Club lucked out this past weekend with their Tropical Summer Bash on the patio. They had a full house there to enjoy the seafood buffet and to dance to the band playing Reffae Music along with a number of other hit tunes that kept people up and dancing.

Enjoying the evening were Claire and Dick Burns, Arlene and Jim Madden, Anita and Joe Frey, Dorothy and Ed Alford, Maureen and Duncan Fraser, and Doris and Werner Forster. A good time was had by all and the beautiful silver of a moon lent an added grace to the night.

The crowd at the Cherry Valley Club held a similar event a short time before but they had to move inside because of the rain. Somehow that takes the edge off a patio party but those attending had fun and enjoyed the singer and the comedian who were the entertainment. Nita and Woody Johnson were among those attending the event.

Here we are at the end of July and August starts tomorrow. That means summer is half over and my how that time did fly. Let us hope August brings us better weather so I can see you at the pool.