As many of you have already heard, Garden City’s own Andrew Karen has finally taken the plunge. Andrew married his girlfriend of over two years, Heather, a few weeks ago and shared his happy news with Inside Garden City.

Andrew and Heather kept their nuptial celebration very small {with only 15 guests} and enjoyed a beautiful wedding in Aruba. Note- Andrew made sure to be back in time to coach hockey. Now that’s dedication!

When Andrew returned to work from the wedding festivities, he was greeted by yet another wedding celebration- a surprise one at his second home {which some say is his other true love}… the roller hockey rink at Community Park. Of course, GC couldn’t let the wedding of the town’s unofficial Mayor go unnoticed, could they?

I asked Andrew if anything felt different now that he’s gotten married. He said that wearing a ring is going to take some time getting used to and that he’s pretty nervous about losing it. He also mentioned that he feels a bit strange using the word “wife”. One thing that hasn’t changed is their schedules- Andrew and Heather work conflicting schedules and actually don’t get to see each other very much. Sounds like this could be the start to a long, happy marriage!

InsideGardenCity wishes Andrew and Heather many happy years together in wedded bliss!


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“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” 
― Charles M. Schulz

Let’s face it… life is better with just a little bit {meaning a lot} of chocolate. Well, chocolate lovers… listen up! I have the place for you {us} and it’s called Chocolate Works located in The Gallery at Westbury Plaza. 

I stopped in last week and met Rich Penchuk, the owner, who couldn’t have been more welcoming and hospitable. Rich opened Chocolate Works last November. He made the move from a completely unrelated field, thoroughly researched the company, hired the best chocolatiers he could find and has been going strong since!

This is a deadly store for me, a self-confessed chocoholic. Of course when I was there I sampled a delicious truffle or two… but who’s counting? Then Rich showed me a fab treat- everyone knows the best part of a crumb cake is the top, right? I mean really… why do they even make the bottom? But anyway, he sells just the crumb cake top as a cookie, either chocolate covered or plain. Genius. 

Chocolate Works has lots to offer its customers besides just dropping in for a quick piece of heaven, I mean chocolate. They have Chocolate Field Trips for scouts, schools and youth or senior groups, Chat & Chocolate (for adults), Ladies Nights Out and PJs & Movie Night and more! Sounds fun, right? Plus, all of their special events include a dip in the 4′ chocolate fountain (yes, they have a 4′ chocolate fountain!) and a treat smothered in chocolate and sprinkles using their 20′ chocolate conveyor belt- I Love Lucy style. 
     

They have unique gifts as well- edible chocolate picture frames, baskets, corporate gifts, company logos and many more creative ideas. I spied a chocolate “Happy Divorce” plaque when I was there. The cutest gift may be the photo on a piece of chocolate- all edible. This would make the cutest favor for almost any type of party- engagement, wedding, retirement, birthday. 

Chocolate Works also holds drop-off events for kids. With Thanksgiving on the horizon, you may need some time to prepare sans kids. Try dropping them off at the Gobble ’til You Wobble Pizza Party from 12-2pm on Wednesday, November 25th while you get your errands done. Or if Black Friday shopping is your plan, let the kids have some fun at the Black Friday Pizza Party (11am-1pm) while you shop the deals and steals. 

So now you know. There’s a great chocolate store, plus party place, kids drop-off locale, gift store, etc… right in your backyard. I suggest you visit, try some delights in person and see what else they have to offer! Let us know what you think. 


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The Not-So-Calm Before the Storm:  Respite Games Held Early on Spirit Day – September 19, 2015

Organized by Saint Anne’s Special Needs Ministry, the Respite Games offer a sampling of the year-long Respite Care program, which provides wonderful evenings of fun and friendship for children who have special needs from the age of 5 on through young adulthood.   Saint Anne’s Respite Care program meets on various Friday evenings at Saint Anne’s throughout the year.  It is centered on the relationship between the special children and their volunteer buddies, both teens and adults, who partner with them for a light dinner and some great activities, which include sports, music, games and arts and crafts projects.

According to John Rakowski, who leads the activities at the Respite Games and has served as a Respite volunteer for many years, “Every moment volunteers spend with these kids is a blessing.  Spirit Day is an extension of that wonderful feeling.”

Once friends start discussing Labor Day plans, you know it’s all over. As August winds down, you might be wondering what else you could squeeze into these precious last days before summer comes to an official close. Why not spend your last summer days locally with some activities from the list below? 

Nature– Enjoy the summer weather before fall rolls in by taking a nature walk through the Garden City Bird Sanctuary. Click here for a list of birds you might see along your way.

Picnic– Grab some already prepared food at Town Meat Market, Food For Thought or Prime and head to one of GC’s many parks for a leisurely picnic lunch or early dinner. 

Hiking– Garvies Point Museum and Preserve has 5 miles of nature trails that were originally purchased from the Matinecock Indians. There are a variety of trails here and the difficulty level is categorized as “easy”. Click here for more information on Garvies Point and take a hike!

Catch an Outdoor Movie if you haven’t already. Eisenhower Park will show Annie on August 27th at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. Showtime: dusk. Cost: free. Click here for more details on Eisenhower Park’s movies under the stars.

Culture: To soak up some local culture, visit Adelphi’s Ruth S. Harley University Center Gallery for the solo exhibit of Richmond Lewis: Paintings which runs through September 22nd. Click here for more information on this artist.

Sale-ing into fall– What better way to cure the end-of summer blues than with some retail therapy? There are a lot of great end-of-season deals around Garden City that are perfect for a little pick me up right about now. Envie, Coquette and Madison’s Niche are all having sales right now. 

Outdoor bar hopping– Enjoy the warm summer nights before they give way to chilly fall air by enjoying an al fresco cocktail. You can have a drink outdoors at the Garden City Hotel Patio Bar, BK Sweeney’s or Plattduetsche Park, to name a few. 

However you choose to spend your last days of summer, enjoy them because soon the pumpkin spice lattes will be brewing! 


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The Pac (Performance Athletic Club) wrapped up another triumphant week last Thursday. The Club, run by Peter LeSueur and Tim Goettelmann, local lacrosse legends, was deemed a success by parents and players alike.

It started on Monday with individual and group photos, t-shirts and an all around intro. The boys and girls got right into the action after that and it continued all week.

The coaches were very enthusiastic as they led the players through various drills and skills. The no-equipment rule was a welcome one during the hot July week. Coaches LeSueur and Goettelmann were also on hand all day, every day lending their knowledge and expertise to the players.

On the last day, all participants were treated to a host of surprises- from pinatas in the nets to a dance party to Italian Ices and more. 

If you haven’t gotten a Mother’s Day gift yet for your mother, wife or sister {or yourself},  don’t despair- Feldis Florist on Seventh St. has got you covered!

I stopped in there this afternoon to see what they had going on for the big day and the place was pumpin’. Ed and crew were hard at work with barely a minute to chat. Orders were coming in by phone and by foot. Gorgeous bouquets and gifts were everywhere. Here’s a glimpse:

They have bouquets in all price ranges, from the min to the max. And pretty creative too- have you ever seen purple calla lilies before? Calla lilies are one of my absolute fave flowers but in deep purple they’re going to a whole new level that I just love.