The 27th annual Merrill Lynch Turkey Trot held on Thanksgiving morning was a spectacular success. On behalf of the board of trustees and the residents, I want to thank Race Director Roger Eltringham and all the volunteers for making this event a special tradition of Garden City. I am sure that this year's donations will exceed last year's $50,000 to the research and aid program of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

I also want to thank the combined efforts of Police Commissioner Ernie Cipullo and his officers as well as the Special Police for keeping everyone safe for this event as well as Director of Cultural and Recreation Kevin Ocker and his staff for setting and cleaning up in such an efficient manner.

Our village is blessed with many traditions, which warm the hearts and memories of all who live and have lived here. One of these is the annual tree lighting at The Garden City Hotel held Nov. 29. It was a pleasure to bring congratulations to the guest of honor for the evening, Dr. Robert Scott, president of Adelphi University.

Dr. Scott is a respected leader in our community who works well with our government, school district and Chamber of Commerce - all sectors of the village. He is to be congratulated for increasing enrollment by 40 percent at the university while remaining an excellent neighbor committed to maintaining the residential integrity of this community.

His leadership has turned this university into a jewel that shines brightly far and wide. On behalf of the board of trustees, I congratulated him as honoree and recognized that Adelphi is celebrating its 75th anniversary in Garden City. Having brought greetings for these past four years, I must say that there was a record crowd of residents, in particular children, who attended.

I also thanked Garden City Hotel President Cathy Nelkin-Miller and Executive Vice President and Managing Director Patrick Smalley for their continued leadership in our community, especially in continuing to host this annual Christmas tree lighting tradition, which has a special impact on the children. It is what makes Garden City such a special place.

I encourage residents to stop in and visit the hotel; it is particularly beautiful during the holiday season.

Once again, homes in Garden City are decorated with wreaths and garlands reflecting the holiday season. Our police and fire departments are urging homeowners to take particular care in their decorating so as not to impair the visibility of their house numbers. A properly displayed house numeral will save precious minutes when our emergency services are responding to your home. Please cooperate and help us to help you.