MayorPBee@gardencityny.net

www.gardencityny.net

Special thanks to the William Bradford Turner Post of the American Legion of Garden City for conducting the annual Veteran's Day ceremony Nov. 11. We appreciate all that they do to honor and remember those men and women who have served in our armed forces in support of our country. The board of trustees and I extend sincere Thanksgiving wishes to all of our residents and their families. At the Thanksgiving holiday I feel that it is appropriate to pause for a few minutes and to reflect upon those things that we may take for granted and how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful community. In doing, so I quickly acknowledge the many employees of the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments who will work around the clock on Thanksgiving to assure the safety and comfort of our families. I also want to acknowledge the members of the Volunteer Fire Department who remain ready to leave their homes to come to our aid. I also would like to thank the Special Police for their efforts in helping out in the annual Turkey Trot, thank you to each of these fine people for the sacrifice they make in leaving their families during this holiday time to attend to the welfare of our residents.

Village offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. 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 Thanksgiving Day. Those scheduled for recycling on Thursday are asked to put their recyclables out Thursday, Nov. 29. Garbage collection for the Thanksgiving week will be: Western half: Monday and Friday; Eastern half: Tuesday and Saturday; rubbish collection for the entire village will remain on Wednesday.

The Turkey Trot Committee of Garden City, Inc. will conduct its twenty-ninth annual Merrill Lynch Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 22. Mail in registration is now closed but you can still register Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. with late registration on race day from 8 to 9:15 a.m.

The race will form at the St. Paul's School with the 1.4 mile run beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the 5-mile run scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The route of the 5-mile race will be as follows: Starting on Stewart Avenue in front of St. Paul's east to Cherry Valley Avenue continuing south on Rockaway Avenue, west onto First Street onto Cambridge Avenue, north on Whitehall Boulevard, continuing south onto North Avenue to Cherry Valley Avenue back to Stewart Avenue, then west onto Stewart Avenue past St. Paul's and north on Hampton Road - the final lap will be continuing south on Rockaway to the finishing line at St. Paul's.

GC Hotel Tree Lighting Ceremony Monday, November 26

The Garden City Hotel's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is planned for Monday, Nov. 26, at 5:30 p.m. I encourage you to attend and to enjoy one of Garden City's traditions and the hospitality of our premier hotel. The evening begins with festive caroling, a winter wonderland complete with Santa Claus and his elves and the ceremonial lighting of the hotel's spectacular tree. This year's guest of honor will be Stuart Rabinowitz, president of Hofstra University. The highlight of the festivities will be the moment Mr. Rabinowitz lights the tree, officially launching the holiday season.

Following the lighting, all are invited into The Garden City Hotel for complimentary refreshments.

On Sunday, Dec. 2, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its 53rd 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. I encourage residents to periodically utilize the village's website for information regarding the village's operations, as well as items of seasonal and special interest. The address is www.gardencityny.net. Also please be aware that I have a village email address and would be delighted to hear from village residents about their concerns. It is as follows - MayorPBee@gardencityny.net. The next regularly scheduled village board of trustees meeting is Thursday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. 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 and attention to customer service.