The Garden City Chamber of Commerce has concluded its busy Winter and Spring schedule of events with activities such as the Tree Lighting Ceremony, breakfasts featuring the 60-second commercials, hosting the Mayoral Address by Mayor Frank Tauches, honoring residents who have taken on leadership roles voluntarily to aid the Village at their annual dinner and awards ceremony, and working with the Traffic Commission and the merchants on Seventh Street as well as the former Central Business Alliance to develop a new parking plan for the area that would allow customers to have access to spots near the businesses. Now, the Chamber is beginning its hectic Summer schedule with the Second Annual Summer Concert Series, which was known as Fridays on Franklin last summer and are now known as Wonderful Wednesdays. In fact, the first concert was held yesterday, Wednesday, June 17 (we will bring our readers more coverage of the event in next week's issue).

The Chamber of Commerce's Project Garden City has spent the last year developing this year's concert series to help promote Franklin Avenue and show their support for the Village's Beautification Project. Revitalization of the business district has been the inspiration for these weekly lunchtime festivities as residents, employees of the local offices and businesses, and shoppers in the Village are all invited to join together for a little midday personal revitalization. The Tom Wagner Orchestra opened the Wonderful Wednesdays series yesterday afternoon with their popular renditions of jazz and Dixieland favorites. Tom Wagner and his orchestra have provided Garden City with musical entertainment for years and have become a must for any big event in the Village. The concerts will continue weekly until Sept. 2.

Next week, on June 12, Wonderful Wednesdays will feature the New Vintage Band, a 12-piece band. July 1, Sylla Haskell will sing Broadway and patriotic songs. Leo Ursini will perform on July 8, bringing his jazz combo sounds to Franklin Avenue. The Ben Grisalfi Big Band will swing into Garden City on July 15 and Banjo Dan and the Midnight Plowboys will shift the mood to a twangier sound on July 22. Picking up where Banjo Dan leaves off, Gloria Parker will return to Garden City with Dixieland and jazz on July 29. Bringing the feeling of Avery Fisher Hall to Long Island with chamber music, the New York Brass Choir will perform on Aug.5. Artie Miller will make the transition back to jazz on August 12 and Something Special Big Band will play on August 19. Afrodysia is scheduled to play their jazz combo numbers on August 26 and the September 2 concert date is a surprise, as the band has not yet been announced.

This year's concert venue has been expanded to include displays by local artists who will be presenting their creative achievements for viewing by the public. The dismantling and setting-up is handled by the Chamber and the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, whose building, 999 Franklin Avenue, will be providing a canopy for the displays. Artists can still make arrangements with the Chamber and should contact President Marlene Knoth or Agnes DiChiara at 739-4356 as soon as possible.

The President's Coffee to plan the Chamber's Calendar of Events will be held at the café in Lord & Taylor's on Thursday, June 18 at 9 a.m. This breakfast provides a time to bring together the leaders of all of the Village's groups and organization to discuss plans from September to June. This year the Chamber will be publishing their 30th anniversary issue of the Garden City Calendar of Events Community Guide.

Editor of the guide, Althea Robinson, noted that this publication helps prevent any conflicts with major fund-raising events. It is also a resource for residents which provides information about the organizations and businesses within the Village. The guide will be available at the Garden City Public Library and the Garden City Hotel and through Welcome Wagon. Printing X-Press will publish it and historian/photographer John Ellis Kordes will provide the cover art. To make a reservation for the breakfast or for more information, please call 746-7724.

The Chamber has also recently presented the Excellence in Business Award to a Garden City High School student again this year. William Dueker was this year's recipient, after having been selected by the high school. William Dueker is a member and officer of the Future Business Leaders of America and has been a member of Model United Nations, attending the Yale MUN for four years. He is also a member of the Stock Market Club, as well as the History Club. He spent four years contributing to the success of the Varsity Cross Country Winter and Spring Track Teams, and was captain this year.

Dueker was a tour guide at Okeanos Aquarium, a camp counselor at St. Anne's, a staff member for The Fight Against Blindness Carnival (responsible for fund raising and set-up), a member of Snow Shoveling for Senior Citizens, head art director for Camp St. Anne's, and a handyman for senior citizens, all volunteer efforts. He is also a babysitter for preschoolers. He will attend Fodham University in the fall.

The Chamber is constantly working, through the main organization and subcommittees like Project Garden City, to develop new and creative ways to promote the businesses of Garden City and to encourage volunteerism and community activity. Anthony Albanese was recently awarded the Community Achievement Award and Roger Eltringham was honored as the Citizen of the Year. Both men were given their awards at the 72nd Annual Meeting and Dinner Dance which was held at the Cherry Valley Country Club. The program included the election and installation of the Chamber's Board of Directors and the presentation of these two prestigious awards given annually by the Chamber to people who have made a difference in the Village.

To become involved in the Chamber of Commerce or for more information about their many upcoming activities, please call 746-7724.