Beautification Society Preps for SpringFest, Garden Show

Spring was barely sprung when the Mayor’s Beautification Society of Lindenhurst held its annual Pancake Breakfast, which kicked off its 2011 roster of events – including an annual geranium sale set to coincide with the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce-sponsored SpringFest this weekend April 28-May 1.

Now in its 20th year, the breakfast, like all of the ’s , proceeds go to activities that are designed to keep Lindy beautiful.

“All of the money goes to downtown planting, the lights, shrubs, the planters along the railroad tracks and on Montauk Highway, and holiday decorations,” said Evelyn Chivvis, Society chairwoman and Lindenhurst Village Board of Trustees secretary.

As in years past, Gaye Kienle was the chairman of the Pancake Breakfast, which was held at Fireman’s Pavilion in March, and Evie Sosna was in charge of ticket sales.

“It’s all about helping out the community, [and] people are starting to see the improvements we’ve been making,” said Kienle.

Dolores Calomino was in charge of organizing the Chinese auction the day of the breakfast.

“All of the sewn items, I made,” explained Calomino. “There are baskets, and gift certificates – about 20 – from local merchants.”

Patsy’s and Son, Cieslak’s Modern and Black Forest bakeries – plus several bagel places – Bagel Factory and Lindenhurst Bagel and Deli – donated food that supplemented the full pancake breakfast the Society cooks up each year with the help of its approximately 100 members and community leaders, including , Village Administrator and Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts (BACCA) President and trustees such as Mike Lavorata and Maryann Weckerle.

Many of the Society’s members also belong to other Lindenhurst service organizations. “We have members who are also involved with the Rotary, Kiwanis Club and Historical Society. We support each other,” said Chivvis, adding, “There’s a real sense of community. We make fast friends with people who get involved.”

Next up for the Society is its annual geranium sale set to coincide with this weekend’s SpringFest. The event features carnival rides and merchants selling all garden-related items, such as flowers, trees and tools.

“Our is always held in my yard on the Thursday and Friday of SpringFest,” said Chivvis, who noted that hip replacement surgery last year couldn’t even stop the sale.

“Last year I just came home from the hospital, but everyone pitched in, and the sale went off,” she recalled with a smile.

On May 15 the society has its annual Garden Show, for which Sosna chairs.

“We have vendors selling plants. There’s a yard sale with vendors selling garden-related tools and decorative items, and education,” she said.

That includes talks from garden experts like the village horticulturalist about topics like flower arranging and picking the right plant.

The Society also hosts an annual Merchant Award Dinner at Chateau La Mer in mid-August that honors one village merchant based on their curb appeal.

“It’s always been a show and dinner, and now we’ve added the Hawaiian luau theme that makes it light and fun,” said Chivvis.

Fall is marked by the Society’s Evening with the Stars. It takes place at Studio Theatre on Wellwood Avenue.

“There’s usually a comedy show, plus a spread of finger foods. It’s a lot of fun,” Chivvis said.

Afterward, the Society gears up for the holidays, which includes holiday decorations along Wellwood and Hoffman Avenues and an annual wreath contest. “Some adults enter it, but a lot of scout troops enter wreaths,” Chivvis said.

The Society started 23 years ago when a group of people interested in gardening and keeping Lindenhurst beautiful got together in the late 1980s.

“At the time Louise Barratta was a village trustee and deputy mayor, and she got the idea to form this group with the idea of making the village look better,” said Chivvis.

Later, when former Mayor Linda Distler decided not to run and key member Joan Kienle moved away, Chivvis stepped up.

“I was very active, and didn’t want to see our efforts die out,” she said. It also helped that the Society received continued support from the mayor’s office from Distler’s to Brennan’s tenure.

The Society meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Rainbow Senior Citizens Center, and boasts a mix of young and old. “So many young people have joined in the past few years. They come with their kids. We have a great time together,” said Chivvis.

But not everybody plants. “Not everyone likes to, but there’s also a lot of planning with all of our events, so there’s a place for everyone,” she said.