Spring is often referred to as a rebirth, an annual awakening of nature.  Admittedly this year the awakening is excruciatingly slow.  It is April and we still have a few stubborn mounds of snow refusing to melt away.

      My son Gregory is a fan of Roman and Greek Mythology.  He was saying how fitting the story of the Greek God of Spring, Persephone, is this year. Persephone was a daughter of Zeus and was abducted by Hades, King of the Underworld, to be his Queen. Persephone's mother, Demeter, persuaded Zeus to force Hades to return  her. Somehow Persephone ate some Pomegranate seeds and this became a negotiating point between Hades and Zeus. They compromised and decided that   Persephone would spend part of each year with Hades but be allowed above to watch the seeds germinate and bear fruit. So the time of year that she spends in the dark underworld is winter and when she returns to have the seeds  grow is Spring. She stays till the harvest but then must return. In 2014, Hades seems to keep pulling her back and not allowing her to go. We don't even have buds on our early Cherry tree yet. Hopefully, Persephone can break the tether soon.

     To welcome Spring, I would like to propose you take a new look at the Village of Huntington and all it has to offer. Take a stroll along Main Street and enjoy the sights and smells of a Spring afternoon. I know all of our local businesses had a very tough winter and all of us would welcome your patronage. You may be surprised at the values you will find here.  

      A quick story to this point. I was up on Jericho running some errands and there was a national floral chain store right in front of my parking spot. I decided to get Carole a bouquet of flowers. Expressing that, I was asked "How much would you like to spend?" I replied "What do you get for a nice bouquet?" They said "$45" O.K.  When I got it, I asked "This is the $45 bouquet, right?" The florist pointed to a picture chart and said "Yes you can see that is what a $45 bouquet is supposed to look like." I took it but as I went on my way it bothered me more and more. Close to home I decided to stop at Martellis Florist and ask them for a $45 bouquet. Well, the bouquet was 25%larger, had a few more roses and as time went by it lasted several days longer. So Carole got 1 bouquet just because and a second for market research. Martellis, the local store, won hands down.   

      Friends from Monaco (Princess Grace's Monaco) visited us and after a tour of Huntington exclaimed what a nice town we live in. Of course they were right but it is up to each of us to keep it that way.

     This month's Sweet Treats special reflect both Spring and a touch of European influence for the Easter season.  The butterfly cake and strawberry tart make me think of Spring while the Pithivier and Italian Boule are French and Northern Italian favorites during the Easter season. Hope you try one soon. 

 Enjoy your days,