By Barbara Morris
It’s that time of year again. We wake up in the morning with a cold nip in the air, and property that was freshly swept or raked the day before now has a variety of leaves chasing each other in mischievous swirls. Pumpkins show their many faces from porch steps or windowsills; autumn has arrived.
It is a friendly season. What better way is there to end a busy week than to join friends at one of their religious organizations, relax and meet some more of their friends, and “break bread” together. In this particular case, breaking bread was a gross understatement.
The meal did have “bread,” in the form of rolls, but also featured roast beef, shrimp scampi with linguine, steamed mixed vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli), chicken with steamed rice, and mixed salad. The dessert was a master creation, a two-flavored sheet cake with a gold bottom layer and a dark chocolate top layer, frosted with a light-orange frothy cream, and decorated with chocolate acorns. There was a choice of beverages.
This banquet could not have been beaten anywhere, at any price, and it had the added advantage of starting off with a blessing. This historic gathering was held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer; it was the last dinner presentation of the Kennedy Branch of the Lutheran Brotherhood, which has merged with the Aid Association for Lutherans.
Both are Lutheran fraternal organizations, the merger of which has created the largest fraternal organization in the United States. The new organization’s name is Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, to be effective Jan. 1, 2003.
Paul and Dolores Mader and their family are active, through Rosedale’s Christ Lutheran Church, with this group. They and their groups are not only supportive of their own, but outreach whenever and wherever there is a need. We applaud all of them for their gracious hospitality and good deeds.
The next day was “It’s My Park Day,” as Fred Kress had appropriately reminded members of his various groups, such as the Rosedale Civic Association, the Cornucopia Society and the Queens Coalition for Parks. The target area for Rosedale was at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Sunrise Highway, and was to include Veterans and Vietnam Memorial squares. Work was to begin at 10 a.m. and end by noon, with lunch to follow (heroes and salads), at Christ Lutheran Church.
The weather forecast called for a chilly day with winds and possible rain. My first venture out, to feed the birds, confirmed these predictions. It definitely was jacket weather, and the dark gray clouds seemed to be piling on top of each other and pushing nearer and nearer to the ground. We had to hurry with our work to beat the rain.
Luckily, we had a great crew of hard workers, including a young lady, Jada, who arrived with her grandma, Millie Rivas. There were brief greetings and then we went to work, pulling the few weeds that had sprung up since our last cleanup.
We also swept, raked, shoveled and, worst of all, tried to collect the massive amount of junk that had accumulated under rose bushes and all over the place, left by thoughtless, or deliberate despoilers.
I cannot imagine why so many find it so hard to understand that part of being good community people requires helping to keep their own and neighboring communities clean. If there is no receptacle immediately available when you have something to discard, hold it in your hand, put it in your pocket or handbag, or keep it inside your vehicle, but keep your garbage to yourself.
Incidentally, that goes for your household garbage, too. Household garbage should he picked up on your regular garbage day at your own address. It should not he discarded in public street receptacles because doing so could, and should, earn you a heavy fine. Be warned.
We thank all who cooperate, especially our wonderful volunteers: Fred, Joe, George M., Gunther, George W., Dolores, Becca, Artie, Loretta, Bruce, Millie and Jada.
