Well, our Main Street was jammed in a sea of green –hats, shamrocks and even beer—as Bay Shore celebrated its wonderful St. Patrick’s Day Parade! It’s events like this that add fun and flavor to our town and make people want to visit our shops and stores again and again!

In a repeat of last month’s newsletter, let’s not forget how important it is to keep our shopping areas looking as beautiful as possible. Spring is imminent so it’s time to start thinking about decorating the fronts of the businesses with potted plants and urns of flowers. Look around at the stores that have already added these features to their front entrances and how a few touches of nature can help add beauty to a concrete sidewalk. It gives a signal to potential customers that someone inside cares about their store and sends an automatic invitation to enter in to see what’s there. So, visit a local nursery or call your landscaper, and as Nike says, Just Do It! And, this bit of advice seems so obvious, but don’t forget to check the front of your store each day for any loose papers or dirty sidewalks that might interfere with how attractive your store is.

With the oncoming spring it means that our 350 gorgeous hanging baskets will arrive shortly—just eight weeks away in time for Mother’s Day. The baskets of flowers add so much to our Main Street, our side streets and our train station, and we depend on, guess who…it’s YOU… to keep this program going.   Beautification does not have money of its own! We have to raise every cent for the baskets, so please use the enclosed basket flyer to sponsor a basket or two or even more. Beautification’s bill has to be paid in June, so the quicker you sponsor, the easier it is for us to meet our financial commitment. Speaking of Mother’s Day, why not sponsor a basket in the name of your mother or another wonderful woman in your life? A certificate with your personalized message will be sent to the person you specify. Many, many thanks to everyone who has so generously sponsored in the past to keep our town so attractive.

On the reverse side of the basket flyer is the dues notice. Joining our organization helps fund many different projects to improve Bay Shore’s appearance.

Beautification plans to continue paying Veterans from Beacon House to weed the tree surrounds on Main Street and on the side streets. This makes a huge difference in the neatness of our streets and gives gainful employment to our veterans. If you see them working, please thank them for their service and for their work to keep Bay Shore shining!

We welcome new members and ideas. For further information call Sue at 631 666 9517 or Gail at 631 665 3237.

SAVE THE DATE: BEAUTIFICATION SOCIETY LUNCHEON IS THURSDAY, JUNE 22!