When the Garden City Life first began arriving at our home, as it did in every home in Garden City in its first year of publication, I had no idea the effect it would have on my life, but since that day, 15 years ago, it has shaped the course of my life.

As I went through school, I would go through the local papers to see which of my friends were in the paper, as my siblings would go through it and see who was getting married or graduating from school. Going through the papers was a weekly event for my family.

I remember when my mother got the first subscription notice for the Garden City Life and her decision to continue with this new paper. My family has received this paper every week since that first issue came out.

After I graduated college, I continued looking through the Garden City Life, and it was in this process that I found my job in the classifieds, as editor of the Levittown Tribune, another of the Anton Newspapers. As an editor at Anton, I had many occasions to discuss the events affecting Garden City with the then-editor, Amy Edel. As we discussed the community in which I lived my entire life, it became my dream to one day become the editor of my hometown paper.

When Amy left earlier this year to get married, my opportunity arrived to fulfill my dream. Although I still serve as the editor of the Levittown Tribune, and that community has gained a special place in my heart, nothing can compare to being able to report on the people and events that I have grown up with, the community that has been my home for my entire life.

As the Garden City Life celebrates its 15th anniversary, it is with great pride that I put together this special issue of the paper that has affected my life in so many ways.

In reflecting on this paper and its roots, Karl V. Anton Jr., who passed away last month, cannot be forgotten. As the founder of the Garden City Life, and publisher of all our papers here at Anton Community Newspapers, he truly shaped the community newspaper business and his presence is greatly missed at this special time for the paper. The greatest tribute that we can give him is the continuation of the newspapers which meant so much to him. It is with this in mind that we continue to report on all the happenings in the village that are so important to Garden City residents, as has been the case for the last 15 years.

Hopefully all our readers have enjoyed Life in Garden City as much as I have.

-Susie Trenkle