I am pleased to hear that the Food Basket is staying. I want to thank Mr. Josh Goldberg, owner of the Food Basket property and a number of other properties on Seventh Street, and the Chamber for accepting the village's invitation to meet with us to discuss the "concerns" of the residents as well as the village's and Chamber's mutual vision for maintaining and enhancing the hometown main street ambiance of Seventh Street. It seems like a win/win for all. I encourage all residents to patronize the stores, restaurants and businesses on Seventh Street and Franklin Avenue and New Hyde Park Road to assure their continued vitality. The high level of customer service, selection and quality will please you. Last Sunday, May 18, was the graduation of Adelphi University's Class of 2003. My colleagues on the village board of trustees and I join all of the residents of our village in extending congratulations to these outstanding young people. They have been a credit to our community and I am sure they will continue to reflect well on Garden City as Adelphi University's alumni. We wish the Class of 2003 the very best and congratulate you on your many accomplishments and contributions.

On Monday, May 26, under the direction of the William Bradford Turner Post - American Legion, the annual Memorial Day observance in our village will commence with the memorial church services at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.

The traditional Memorial Day Parade will step off promptly at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Stewart and Cherry Valley Avenues. It will proceed north on Cherry Valley Avenue to Tenth Street, then head east on Tenth Street to Franklin Avenue, south on Franklin Avenue to Seventh Street, west on Seventh Street, past the Reviewing Stand, which will be located just west of the library, and then on to the middle school where official ceremonies will take place. Residents are urged to honor the men and women who gave their lives for our country by attending these services.

Retail sales will be prohibited in the village on May 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with certain exceptions. The village ordinance, which follows closely the state statute, provides that all trades, manufacturers, agricultural or technical employments are prohibited, as well as all manners of public sale or offering for sale of any property on Memorial Day between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Exceptions are restaurants, catering services, prepared items such as tobacco, bread, milk, eggs and so forth, service station products, medicines, delicatessen items and alcoholic beverages.

Village offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day and will reopen on Tuesday, May 27 at 8:30 a.m. For your convenience, correspondence for the village may be placed in the "Letter" drop slot at the front door.

Residents are reminded that there will be no garbage or recycling pickup on Monday, May 26. Those scheduled for recycling are asked to put their recyclables out on Monday, June 2.