Most Manhasset residents know John Hinde as Santa Claus. He's the gentleman who greets the children at the Manhasset Post Office every Christmas, has his picture taken with the children and gives them a small gift. John acted as a saint in real life last week and has been receiving plaudits ever since.

As briefly reported in last week's Manhasset Press, he is the letter carrier for the Elderfields Road section of Flower Hill. In that capacity he gets to know the people who live in the houses on his route. He knows their customs and their habits. As a result, when he saw that mail had been collecting in a mailbox he became concerned. He knew that the lady who lives in the house was meticulous about taking her mail in every day and that she always informed the post office when she was going to be out of town. He took the trouble to go to the Village of Flower Hill office and expressed his concern. The staff called the 6th Precinct and when the officers arrived they went into the house and found the elderly resident on her kitchen floor, barely conscious and dehydrated from having been unable to get up for days. Letter carrier John Hinde was undoubtedly responsible for saving her life.

She was rushed to St. Francis Hospital where she is recovering from her ordeal. Manhasset Postmaster Robert Trombley said that his letter carriers are an integral part of the community and know when something is out of place.