Calendar: Mineola American - December 3, 1997

Ongoing

Mineola High School PTSA

Savings books for both Nassau and Suffolk for $30. Those interested should contact Marie DeSpirito at 747-8129 or Nancy DeVoe 625-0934. The books contain local coupons and also national values with discounts on NY Yankees tickets, Disney Vacation Club, Meineke Muffler, FTD and much more. Money raised will go to the scholarship fund of graduating seniors.

Toys For Tots Holiday Program

Century 21 Parkville Realty located at 241 Post Avenue, Westbury, has been designated by the US Marine Corps Reseves as the approved drop off site for their Toys For Tots Holiday Program. All donations must be new and unwrapped. For additional information call 333-0025.

Operation Santa

The Mineola Fire Department is kicking-off its annual "Operation Santa" program. Santa and his helpers will be happy to visit your homes on Dec. 10 through Dec. 23 (sorry... Santa is very busy on the 24th and will not be able to make house calls). If you are interested in a visit from Santa, call Gary Mazur in the Chief's office at 747-5860. Please call early. The members and officers of the Mineola Fire Department join together in wishing you and your families a very safe and happy holiday season. We thank you for your support.

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.

The Mineola Animal Center, at 44A Jericho Turnpike in Mineola, is sponsoring its Fourth Annual Holiday Fund Raiser on behalf of The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, which provides a home away from home for the families of seriously ill children being treated at area hospitals. The Center will be holding a "Holiday Pet Photo" event on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photos of pets by themselves, with a family member or with Santa will be taken at no charge. A $12 donation is requested. For reservations call 873-9207. The Mineola Choral Society is celebrating its 50th musical year starting in September. We are looking for former members, accompanists and directors for our gala reunion in May 1998. Please contact Beth Nilsen at (718) 470-1757 for more information. The MAA's Mineola Reds Travel Baseball team is looking for players interested in playing Federation Amateur Baseball. This team will play approximately 40 games starting June 1. Anyone interested between the ages of 15 and 16 can call 877-2542. Please leave your name, address and telephone number and someone will get back to you.

Shop Ireland-USA

The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, Inc. will sponsor a Christmas fair at the Irish American Center, 297 Willis Ave., in Mineola. The dates are Friday, Dec. 5 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be Irish entertainment Saturday evening after the fair. There will be twenty Irish American retail vendors with a great assortment. Admission is free and there is ample parking. For information please call the center Monday through Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 746-9392 or 742-8080.

Thursday, December 4

Mineola Board of Education

The Mineola Board of Education will meet for a special work session at 7 p.m. at the Curriculum Center of the Middle School, 200 Emory Road in Mineola.

Safety Workshop

Mineola District Council PTAs will host the third workshop on safety. Presented by Susan Haley of the community projects bureau, it will take place at the Mineola High School Cafeteria for girls grades nine through 12. Topics to be discussed will be date rape, drug and alcohol prevention and personal safety. Parents and guardians are welcome.

Friday, December 5

You and Your Medications

St. Francis hospital sponsors the free lecture, "You and Your Medications," as part of the Helpful Hints for a healthy Heart series. Topics include drug interactions, side effects and understanding how medications affect the body. Join the discussion at The DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, located on Northern Boulevard in Old Brookville. for information or to register, call 629-2040.

Touring Greece

Come join the Mineola Memorial Library at 8 p.m. for a photographic journey through the Greek Isles hosted by World Traveler and photographer Laurie Campbell.

Saturday, December 6

Annual Holiday Bazaar

The Ladies Auxiliary to Albertson VFW Post #5253, 155 Searingtown Road, Albertson, will hold their "Annual Holiday Bazaar" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Post Headquarters. Vendors will be selling jewelry, clothing, Christmas crafts, baseball cards, home made goodies, penny social items, plants, sweepstakes prizes and "treasure" tables. There will be fre blood pressure and chriopractic screenings. For further information contact Ruth Simonson at 344-1480.

Breakfast with Santa

Noah's Ark Early Childhood Education Center at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, on the corner of Jefferson and Willis Avenues in Mineola, will sponsor "Breakfast with Santa" from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Tickets are $4 each and must be purchased in advance. There will be raffle tickets for $1. Call 746-3842 for more information.

Thrift Shop

The Floral Park United Methodist Church, 35 Verbena Ave., will hold a thrift shop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Housewares, clothing, bric-a-brac and collectibles will be available. Call 354-4969 for more information.

Babysitting Course

The American Red Cross in Nassau County is offering a "new" babysitting course providing training in areas such as responsibilities, first aid and activities for the children from 9 a.m .to 2 p.m. The course is 10 hours in length and is given in two sessions (students must attend both). Cost is $25 per student (includes Babystting Guide). Passing students receive a three-year ARC Babysitter Certification and a Babysitter's Lapel Pin. Minimum age to register is 12.

Monday, December 8

Vitamins: Fact vs Fiction

"Vitamins: Fact vs Fiction," one of the free monthly programs in the health Update for Seniors and Their Families series will be presented by Winthrop-University Hospital's Division of Geriatrics and RISE (Referral, Information and Support-services for the Elderly). Brian Malone, Registered Pharmacist will speak. The program will take place at the Mineola Community Center, 155 Washington Ave.. in Mineola. Snacks and blood pressure screenings are available from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The lecture runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Call 663-3916 to reserve your space.

Tuesday, December 9

Holiday Flea Market

Jackson Ave. PTA will host its first annual holiday flea market from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Jackson Avenue School. Items such as attic treasures, old jewelry, toys, games, clothing, hand made items, novelty candles, etc. will be available. Call Eileen Canning at 746-5551 or Bonnie Olsen for more information.

Wednesday, December 10

Christmas Luncheon for Homemakers

The East Williston Chapter of Homemakers Council of Nassau County will hold their annual Christmas Lunch at Edmond's Showcase Restaurant in Garden City on Franklin Ave. at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, December 11

Mineola Board of Education

The Mineola Board of Education will meet for a special work session at 7 p.m. at the Curriculum Center of the Middle School, 200 Emory Road in Mineola, to be followed by a regular Open Board Meeting in the Music Room at 8 p.m.

Thrift Shop

St. Andrew's Church, Center St. and Campbell Ave. in Williston Park will hold a half price sail at its thrift shop from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dishes, house hold items, White Elephants, books and gently used clothing will be available. Friday, December 12

Christmas Concert

The CW Post Madrigal Singers will perform a Christmas Concert at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour on the corner of Jefferson and Willis Avenues in Mineola at 7:30 p.m. They will be performing in costumes of the Renaissance Era under the direction of Professor Walter Klauss. Reserve tickets, $10 for adults and $8 for children under 12, by calling 746-3842.

Christmas with The Nassau Pops

The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Louis Panacciulli is pleased to announce its Holiday Concert schedule. They will perform the classical Messiah and Nutcracker to the sing-a-long of Christmas favorites. The performance will be with the St. John's University Mixed Chorus at 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall, St. John's University, Union and Utopia Parkways in Jamaica, NY. For tickets call (718) 990-6365.

The Gathering

The next Gathering, which brings together single people over 30, will be held at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau., northwest corner if Nassau Blvd. and Stewart Ave. in Garden City. There will be refreshments, a rap session and dancing. A $6 donation is requested. For more information call 248-8855 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. as well as after 7 p.m. on Gathering nights.

Saturday, December 13

Babysitting Course

Holiday Flea Market

The Hillside United Methodist Church, 2801 Hillside Ave. in New Hyde Park will hold a holiday flea market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be brass giftware, jewelry, sweaters, chocolates, socks, handcrafter items and more. Refreshments will be available. Call 437-7580 for more information.

Thrift Shop

St. Andrew's Church, Center St. and Campbell Ave. in Williston Park will hold a half price sail at its thrift shop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dishes, house hold items, White Elephants, books and gently used clothing will be available.

Sunday, December 14

Christmas with The Nassau Pops

The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Louis Panaciulli is pleased to announce its Holiday Concert schedule. They will perform the classical Messiah and Nutcracker to the sing-a-long of Christmas favorites. The performance will be with the Mineola Choral Society at 3 p.m. at Corpus Christi Church, the corner of Willis and Garfield Avenues in Mineola. Admission is free. Call 565-0646 for more information.

Tuesday, December 16

The Nutcracker

The Albany Berkshire Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at Westbury High School in Old Westbury at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and will feature Melissa Beck, Danielle beck, Linsay Herlihy, June Redmond, Marianna Campanate, Bethanne Bartscherer and Natalie Monroe all of Mineola. For tickets call 358-5124.

Saturday, December 20

Holly and Ivy Christmas Dance

The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, Inc. is pleased to announce their Holly and Ivy Christmas Dance will be held at 9 p.m. at the Irish American Center, 297 Willis Ave. in Mineola. Music for the gala will be provided by the very popular Paddy Noonan and his band. Donation is $10. Frank and Tina Harten are chairing the dance. For information and reservations please call the center Monday through Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 746-9392 or 742-8080.

Community Organization Meetings

American Legion Post No. 349 meets on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at 94 Second St., Mineola. The Mineola Memorial Unit 349 American Legion Auxiliary meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the same location. The auxiliary does not meet during summer months. Call 747-4791 or 747-5901 for more information.
Bereavement Group for Widows and Widowers hosted by Corpus Christi Church Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Outreach Office, 155 Garfield Avenue. Please call 248-4858 for more information.
Boy Scout Troop 45 of Mineola meets every Tuesday evening between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Mineola located at First and Main Streets. Boys 11 to 17 are welcome to join.
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:45 p.m. Meetings are held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 186 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola. For more information, call 735-1801.
Cancer Care of Long Island holds a support group for cancer patients in their 20s and 30s. Meetings are held weekly on Tuesday evenings, 6 to 7 p.m. in Cancer Care's Woodbury Office, 20 Crossways Park North. Pre-registration is required. For more information call Margaret Burke, CSW, 364-8130.
The Eating Disorder Council of Long Island holds a support group for anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. The group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month in the Breed Conference Room, Winthrop-University Hospital. Call 962-2778 for more information.
FEMALE, Formerly Employed Mothers at the Leading Edge, meets at the Mineola Memorial Library, 195 Marcellus Road, at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of every month.
The Gam-Anon Support Group holds an anonymous meeting for spouses, adult children over 18, family and friends of those whose lives have been affected by a gambling problem. Held on Thursdays at the New Hyde Park Jewish Center, 100 Lakeville Road in New Hyde Park at 8 p.m. For more information call the 24 hour hotline 321-2883.
The Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, Mineola-Hempstead Lodge No. 125, meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 7 p.m. at 236 Willis Ave., Mineola.
The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, 297 Willis Ave., Mineola, meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. For more information, call 746-9392.
The Italian American Civic Association holds a general membership meeting at 8 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the group's clubhouse, 117 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola. For more information, call 742-3323.
The Kiwanis Club of Mineola holds meetings on Tuesdays at the Davenport Press Restaurant, 70 Main St., Mineola. For time and more information, call 747-8222.
Knights of Columbus, Corpus Christi Council No. 2502, Grand Knight John Mulrooney. Meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8 p.m. The group's hall is located at 186 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola. For more information, call 746-8643.
The Leisure Club of Mineola, Inc. meets Tuesdays from noon-4 p.m. at the Mineola Recreation Center, Washington Avenue. For more information, call 747-8656.
Long Island Chess Nuts, meets at 38 Old Country Road in Garden City Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for K-3rd grade; and Fridays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for fourth grade and up. Optional lessons for beginners and advanced players available at 4 and 5:30 p.m. For more information call Margarita Lanides at 739-3907.
Long Island Singers, meets every Tuesday at the Unitarian Church, 42 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset at 8 p.m. For more information call 676-1879.
The Mineola AARP Chapter #4202 meets every fourth Wednesday of each month at the new Mineola Community Center, 155 Washington Ave. Coffee hour begins at 9:30 a.m. and the regular meeting begins at 10 a.m. Call 742-0115 for more information.
The Mineola Athletic Association, President Ken Weiss, meets every Thursday. General membership meets every third Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. For more information call 877-2542.
The Mineola Chamber of Commerce meets on the third Tuesday of each month at La Cisterna Restaurant, 109 Mineola Blvd., Mineola. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. For more information, call 294-8822.
The Mineola Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, meets every first and third Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall located at 236 Willis Ave., Call 931-4822 for more information.
The Mineola Golden Age Club, Inc. meets each Monday from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. for arts and crafts and the men's club. Regular meetings for social activities, trips and speakers are held each Thursday from noon-4 p.m. All meetings are held at the Mineola Community Center, 155 Washington Avenue. For more information, call 741-6046.
The Mineola Masons Lodge 985 F & AM meets every first and third Monday at 8 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall located at 236 Willis Ave. Call 742-4599 for more information.
The Nassau Chess Club meets each Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Mineola, First and Main Streets. For more information, call Harold Stenzel at 354-7856.
PACE, Parent And Child Education, meets at 259 Mineola Boulevard, Suite 203. PACE is an education program for parents of children birth through adolescence. Each PACE class is led by Parent Educator Carmela Bernacchio. Please call 294-PACE for more information.
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mineola Post No. 1305, meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. Meetings are held at 94 Second St., Mineola. Call 742-3456 for more information.
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5253, meets every second and fourth Wednesday (only on second Wednesday in summer, Nov. and Dec.) of the month at 8 p.m. at 155 Searingtown Road in Albertson. The auxiliary holds their meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 8 p.m. For more information call 746-9676.

Is your community group represented here? If not, and if you have a regular meeting schedule, please call the Mineola American at 747-8282 to be included in the calendar.