I recently completed my Gold Award, the highest award given to a girl in Girl Scouts. My project was to construct a handicapped gardening center which, with the help of County Legislator Peter Schmidt and Deputy Commissioner of Parks Kevin Ocker, was placed just north of Merrick Road adjacent to Massapequa's Caroon's Lake.

In order to construct this garden, I needed to solicit funds to support my project. I envisioned this to be the most difficult step in my project. I was mistaken!

I received a generous outpouring from business, community groups, and residents. I would like to publicly thank Amvets Post 88, Lions Club of Massapequa Park, Inc., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7277, Massapequa Park Veterans Association Post 7763, the Robert A. Conroy, Jr. Foundation, the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce, Susan Maxsym, Barbara Ramirez, the Michel Family, and Jim Grella at Island Imaging. Additional thanks go to the person who sent me cash in the mail and the Massapequa Observer for printing the many articles about my project.

I invite all to see my completed project-a bright, happy, garden filled with life and love.

Melissa Caltabiano