With Athena If you force Paperwhite Narcissus during the Winter months, do I have a tip for you. You know how leggy they grow and then you have to stake them, well here it is. The secret is using dilute solutions of alcohol. Properly used they are 1/3 to 1/2 shorter, last as long and the flowers are the same size. after planting your bulbs, wait a week till roots develop and shoots are green and 1 to 2 inches above top of bulb. Next pour off water and replace with a solution of 4 to 6% alcohol, made from just about any “hard” liquor (not beer or wine.) To get a 5% solution from a 40% distilled spirit, you add one part liquor to 7 parts water. This gives you an 8 fold dilution yielding %5 alcohol and you do not have to stake your plants. Have fun.

This past week has definitely been Bridge week. Monday night was Senior Duplicate, followed by the Casino’s Ladies Lunch Bridge. Enjoying the afternoon were: Connie Lockwood Ada Kane, Joan Kuster, Terri Ferrari, and Florence Dieterich.

The very next day the Mid-Winter Dessert Bridge was held at the same place and with many of the same people. In addition there was the Community Club’s Mid-Winter Bridge to raise money for the Club’s Scholarships and other Philanthropic activities. This is the only Fund Raiser they have and it was a great success. Enjoying the Afternoon of Bridge and with many winning all those great prizes were: Brenda Wydler, Joan Whiting, Gloria Tassone, Louise Abitabile, Barbara Haynes, Joy Losgar, Frieda Stark and Judy Radocy. A good time was had by all.

Moving on to Thursday, there was the Ladies Lunch Bridge at the Garden City Country Club and again, many of the same ladies were present dealing, bidding and making. This time Ethlyn Anderl, Grace Murphy, Patricia Sheehan, Anita Frey (just back from a working trip for Adelphi to India and looking spiffy and rested.) Ann Comunale, and Peggy Mumm. However, the ladies must have been worn out from all that Bridging as there was no Small Slam much less a Grand Slam made that day. The winner of the monthly Door Prize was Midge Simone. The G.C. Country Club will be closed for the month of February and the Bridge Chairlady Muriel Urban announced that the next Bridge would be held on Thursday, March 22nd.

June Reiter has become a partner in her law firm and that is quite an achievement. Her Mom and Dad are bursting at the seams with pride. Congratulations to you June.

There are no Birthdays to report this coming week, but we do have a Wedding Anniversary. Beatrice and James Mercadante will be celebrating their Wedding anniversary on the 30th of this month. All best wishes to them for many more anniversaries in which to enjoy both health and happiness.

Speaking of anniversaries, this column starts the 25th year for Socially Speaking.

Knowing that most of you like to plan ahead, Save Monday, March 19th for the Children’s Medical Fund of New York - Garden City Chapter. They will be having their Spring Luncheon, Card Party and Boutique. The Boutique opens at 11:30 with lunch at 12 noon. The cost is $19 per person and Reservations will be taken by Patrice Giordano at 312 Cambridge Ave. Garden City, N.Y. This event will be held at the Garden City Casino.

For those of you who love Camellias you might want to save the week-end of February 25th and 26th. Planting Fields will be holding their annual Camellia Weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Not only will there be a wonderful display of Camellias but the Main Greenhouse will have a wonderful display and the Coe Hall Mansion will be open for tours. Talk about springing into Spring - this will really do it for you.

If all this hasn't been enough for you this is Leap Year and February will have a extra day.

As we approach February and Valentine’s Day, Remember that Love makes the world go round, but laughter keeps us from getting dizzy. See you next week.