I would like to offer congratulations on behalf of the board of trustees to the Garden City Girls Field Hockey team for winning its second title in a row with a 2-1 win over Glens Falls in Syracuse. This was Garden City's second straight state crown. The Trojans finished this season 21-0 and won the Class A title last year. They are the second team in state tournament history to win back-to-back titles in different classes. This year the team won in the Class B. The Trojans have won 42 straight games and completed another perfect season. It is truly a testament to the team for all their hard work and dedication this season.

This Sunday, Dec. 3, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its 52nd Annual Village Tree Lighting Ceremony, beginning promptly at 3:30 p.m. on the Village Green (corner of Stewart and Hilton avenues).

This year's program will feature the Garden City High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Tom Wagner along with the Village Music Makers and thanks to the Fire Department, Santa Claus and hot chocolate. Please bring your entire family to welcome Santa and the holiday season.

Please note that Stewart Avenue between Franklin and Hilton Avenues will be closed from 3 to 4:45 p.m.

The Mayor's Committee on St. Paul's is still in the process of interviewing several respondents to the Requests For Proposal (RFP) on the historic Main Building at St. Paul's. Interviews with the other respondents are being scheduled by the Mayor's Committee in the hope that it will be in a position to make a report and recommendation to the village board of trustees by the end of the year. In the interim, the Mayor's Committee is keeping the contents of the RFP responses confidential at least until a recommendation is made to the board of trustees. Residents in the Village of Garden City are very fortunate in having a vital business community comprised of merchants who are committed to serve us from their shops along Franklin Avenue, Seventh Street and New Hyde Park Road. I urge each of you to continue to patronize these local businesses during the holiday and throughout the year. Our business community wants to know how they are doing, so take a minute the next time you are shopping and let them know what you think about the quality of their products attention to customer service. As the temperature dips, it is difficult to focus on lawn sprinkling, however, I would like to remind residents that the last day for lawn sprinkling was Nov. 30. The board of trustees join me in expressing appreciation for the cooperation exhibited by residents in water conservation this past year.