Fourteen environmental, business, planning, transit and community advocate groups, dubbed the Coalition for the LIRR Third Track, announced its formation at the Mineola train station May 26. FULL STORY

I was about 7 when my Pop took me down to the basement early Christmas morning to show me the brand new Lionel electric train set that Santa had supposedly left for me. It was complete with Plaster of Paris mountains and tunnels that my Pop made. He also constructed small towns and villages with traffic cops and mailmen and lots of townspeople that he hand painted all by himself. I don't know how he found the time since he always worked two jobs, sometimes working through the night. I'm still amazed at how he kept this clandestine project from us, but he did. FULL STORY

The Cantiague Park Senior Men's Golf League had 45 men play at their March 3 tournament. There were a total of 39 pars, with Sean McGuinness, Jim Greene and Rich Huchbrueckner getting four each. There were also four birdies - two on the par 4, 257 yard, fifth hole by Sevald Knudsen and George Hatalsky; one on the par 4, 272 yard, sixth hole by Dan McCann and one on the par 3, 182 yard, ninth hole by Al Lauritsen. FULL STORY

The Hicksville Crusaders Football and Cheerleading will hold its last two open registrations at Levittown Hall on Friday, June 18 and Friday, June 25 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free clinic and practices are set to begin Aug. 4. Mail-in registrations will be accepted through July. Please send checks, payable to H.F.A., to Mike Torrellas, 19 Edward Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801. For information, call Mike Torrellas at 822-1289. FULL STORY