The recreation department's chess club began again Dec. 4. The club will meet each Saturday afternoon in the Garden City Library from 1:22 p.m. Under the direction of Paul Dooher, youngsters will have a chance to learn new strategies while playing games each week. Beginners will be taught basic moves and concepts. At the end of the season, the recreation department will hold a tournament, and award trophies for the top performers. There is not charge for this program and no registration is necessary. Youngsters in grades three and up are welcome to join. For further information, contact the recreation office in village hall.

'Tis the season to send letters to Santa, and the recreation department will help speed up the process. A special Santa's Mailbox is now set up in the village hall lobby. Children can drop their letters in this mailbox and Santa will send them a reply. All letters must be received in the mailbox no later than 4 p.m. Dec. 20 to ensure a reply. All letters must contain a legible address; no postage is necessary.

While dropping off their letters to Santa, children can take a chance at guessing the number of candy canes in the large jar next to the mailbox. Drop your guess into the mailbox and the child with the guess closest to the actual number of candy canes will win the jar, canes and all. As with Santa's mailbox, the candy cane contest will be available now through Dec. 20.

The Garden City Recreation Department is pleased to announce that once again this winter a gym program for elementary school aged children will be conducted weekday afternoons after school. This program will be held in the St. Paul's Field House. Both Stewart and Stratford children will attend the same sessions. Sneakers are required. The winter gym program will provide children an opportunity to participate in hockey, basketball and other gym activities in a structured setting. This program began Dec. 6 and will operate according to the following schedule:

Boys Grades 3-5 Mondays 3:30-6 p.m.

Girls Grades 3-5 Fridays 3:30-6 p.m.

Parents are expected to be on time for pick up. Please come down to the Field House to pick up your children. For further information, call 465-4075.

The Garden City Recreation Department began its Saturday morning basketball program Dec. 4 in the Garden City Middle School gym. The program runs from 9-11:30 p.m. and is open to men aged 18 and older who are residents of Garden City. The games are strictly "pick up" and entry is free. Proof of residency is required. For further information, contact the recreation office in village hall. Put your family in the holiday mood and enjoy a delightful morning program featuring a magical performance from Bill White Productions and a special visit from Santa. This Garden City tradition will take place this Saturday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. at Cluett Hall. Admission to the party is a wrapped gift valued at $5, which would be suitable for a child aged 4-10. Gifts will be collected at the door and redistributed by Santa at the conclusion of the party.

The recreation department is announcing the start of a series of interviews for summer jobs at the Garden City Pool. If you enjoy being outdoors and are willing to make a commitment to being part of a team that works hard to provide quality facilities for residents, the recreation department would like to meet you.

If you are presently a high school junior or older and are looking for a great summer job, stop in the recreation office in village hall, pick up an application and sign up for an interview.

Reminder: even if you were employed by the pool last year, you are still required to reapply and be interviewed for the upcoming season. Interviews will be conducted at village hall on the following dates:

Tuesday, December 28		10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, January 8		10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, January 15		10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, January 22		10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The recreation department has tickets on consignment to the following shows at the Nassau Coliseum:

Event				Date			Time		Price
Monster Truck Show	Friday, Feb. 11	8 p.m.	$20
Harlem Globetrotters	Sunday, Feb. 20	1 p.m.	$30

Tickets for these shows can be purchased at the recreation office in village hall. Residents of the Incorporated Village of Garden City may purchase up to six tickets for any one show. Tickets must be purchased in cash, no checks will be accepted. For further information, contact the recreation office at 465-4075.

The Garden City Recreation Department is pleased to announce, once again, that it will run a learn-and-play hockey clinic. The program will be open for boys and girls ages 6-8 and 9-12 on four Friday evenings in January. This program is designed to help gain hockey experience through fun pick-up games and clinics. The times for these clinics will be as follows:

Ages 6-8 5-6:30 p.m.

Ages 9-12 7-8:30 p.m.

The price per child is $25. All games will be played at the Garden City Community Park roller hockey rinks. For further information or to register, visit the recreation office in village hall.

The Garden City Recreation Department is pleased to announce its spring roller hockey league for boys and girls ages 6-8 and 9-12. League play will begin Friday, March 4. Evaluation days will be held in order to make even teams. Your child needs to attend one of the following evaluation dates: Friday, Feb. 4, 11 or 18 at the following times:

Ages 6-8 5-6:30 p.m.

Ages 9-12 7-8:30 p.m.

All games will be played at Garden City Community Park roller hockey rinks. Ages 6-8 will have their games on Fridays at 4:30 p.m. Ages 9-12 will have their games on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. The price per player is $50. Applications are now available at village hall on Stewart Avenue and in the Tennis Center at Community Park. Please fill out an application and return it to village hall by Feb. 2.

The Garden City Recreation Department would like to know if there is an interest among "over 30" residents in beginning an adult roller hockey league. This league would be open to residents of Garden City ages 30 or older only and would run on Sunday evenings in February through April. If this program is something residents would be involved in, they are urged to call the recreation office at 465-4075 to indicate their interest by Dec. 15.

The recreation department's adult swim sessions at Adelphi began Monday, Oct. 25, at Adelphi's indoor pool, located at Woodruff Hall. This free program is open to any adult, 18 years or older, who resides in Garden City. The pool is open for use Mondays through Thursdays in two sessions: 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in this program must sign up through the recreation department. Residents must register each day they would like to swim by calling the recreation office at 465-4075. No reservations will be taken ahead of time. For further information, call the recreation office.

It is not too early to register for the second session of children's tennis lessons, which will begin Monday, Jan. 3. The recreation department offers a full complement of lessons for children ages 5-18. In order to find out about the variety of lessons available and to get the best chance of a class that would fit your child's schedule, visit the recreation office in village hall. The fall season of aerobic classes has begun at Cluett Hall. Instructors provide a top-notch workout in an enjoyable atmosphere. Certified instructors tailor their classes to the ability levels of the participants. The schedule of classes is as follows:

Monday		9 a.m.
Wednesday		8:30 a.m.
Thursday		8:30 a.m.
Thursday (step)	7:15 p.m.
Sunday		6:45 p.m.

The easy way to participate in classes is to purchase a "20-class pass." By purchasing this pass, residents can attend any class that fits their schedule. Simply present the pass to the attendant on duty as you enter the class, have it punched and enjoy your workout. The cost of the pass is $60. A pass can be purchased at Cluett Hall. For those who would like to try a class first, daily admission to any class is $4. For further information, call Cluett Hall during morning hours at 742-4905.