On Saturday, Aug. 17, 20 members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), under the direction of Paul Long, Division 8 president, restored a former rose garden on the upper embankment in Morgan Park. The peaceful quiet site overlooks Hempstead Harbor and faces toward Manhattan. The garden is adjacent to a marble memorial bench that was donated and installed this past fall by the Tanchuck family.

Paul Long, a rose enthusiast and member of the American Rose Society, enthusiastically responded to an appeal to complete the project. Mr. Long solicited the members of AOH and Ladies AOH to join him and the Glen Cove Beautification Commission in planting the garden. Mr. Long procured donations and sponsorships from local nurseries and families for 16 rosebushes and soil amendments.

The solemnity of the site was not disturbed by the upbeat mood of the volunteers who showed up at 8 a.m. in cars loaded with equipment, tools and rosebushes. A CD of every conceivable song mentioning roses was played while the workers cleared the garden site and roto-tilled the soil. The existing plantings were salvaged and used as a border. Then the workers stepped aside and took a break as Mr. Long studied the newly created site and began to layout the garden plan. The rose garden is divided into three separate areas with a footpath through the middle.

"As president of Division 8 and a member of the American and Long Island Rose Society, I was especially honored to be involved in the planting of this rose garden. The rose is our national flower and this year has been officially recognized by Congress as the "Year of the Rose," said Mr. Long. "I would be remiss if I did not thank the families who sponsored the rosebushes and the businesses that donated them. They are as follows: Giordano's Country Garden Nursery, Brookville Nursery, Mario Fischetti Nursery, Dodd's & Eder, and Big Valley Nursery."

Mr. Long instructed Glen Cove Beautification Executive Director Richard Creede about the upkeep and maintenance of the garden. The Beautification Commission is also seeking anyone interested in helping with the maintenance. If interested, they should call 676-5188. "No garden has ever mattered more," said Richard Creede. "The Glen Cove Beautification Commission is truly honored to have been part of this outpouring of community support and generosity. On behalf of the Glen Cove Beautification Commission and the City of Glen Cove I would like to thank Glen Cove citizen and friend Rose Marie Miller for her inspiration in spearheading the Garden of Remembrance project, Paul Long and the AOH for coordinating and installing the rose garden, and all who gave from their heart to bring this to fulfillment."