Just spent a great 10-day holiday in New York. That grand old hotel the St. Moritz, opposite Central Park, continues to be a mystery. We have been staying there for many years and are concerned about the rumors that it will be converted to a condominium, sold, closed, remodeled or what have you. Questioning many of the help whom we have gotten to know didn't provide any answers since they are also in the dark. The rate was lowered for a better room. Does that make sense when hotel space in the city is at a premium?

Carol Pusey is such an interesting woman to talk to. She and her husband Jim live on Croyden Road.

The much traveled John and Dolores Cooke of Columbus Parkway enjoyed a holiday in Las Vegas. Their son Tom is the owner of TK's Gifts, the former Mineola American office.

Jim Agnew of Garfield Avenue had dinner at the Jericho Diner with his daughters Angela Agnew and Deirdre Vella.

Steve Weil of Garfield Avenue has opened a tax return office in the Waldbaum's shopping center.

Another man who likes the popular Glenerin Restaurant is Judge John O'Shea of Mineola.

Although Jim Casey lives in Garden City, he likes Yopp's on Mineola Boulevard to service his car.

An old friend of ours, Al Valentine, recently passed on. We knew Al for almost 50 years as he sold us our house in Mineola. Al and I had some good lunches at the old Estoril Granada and the Wheatley Hills Country Club. Although he lived in East Williston, the Valentine family was closely associated with the Village of Mineola and had opened their office on Mineola Boulevard in 1915. Al's dad Alfred Valentine, Sr. and J. Morton Levy were the founders of Roosevelt Raceway.

Remember Ken Terry, principal of the old Willis Avenue School and later of the middle school? His son Barry Terry has opened a record shop at 36 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, Mr. B's Records.

Jim and Ann Galante of Foch Boulevard had a fun-filled weekend in Atlantic City.

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Cascio of White Road enjoyed a Valentine's Day dinner at Davenport Restaurant.

Former Roosevelt Avenue residents, now of Florida, Walter and Grace Weismantel had a great cruise to Nassau and the Bahamas.

Jill Dougherty, grand regent of the Catholic Daughters, never ceases to amaze with a great collection of hats. We hardly ever see the same one twice, she must have a bonnet for every occasion.

Peter Roth, retired water meter reader of the village, likes to eat at our favorite diner. Pete lives on Jefferson Avenue.

Ran into Dick Frame the other Day. Dick used to own the long-gone Frame Chevrolet on Jericho Turnpike.

You know how Pennyan, NY got its name? It was settled by people from New England and Pennsylvania who couldn't agree on a name, so they compromised on the name calling it Penn for the state and Yan short for Yankee to please the New Englanders.

The Mineola American including this column can be read on the Internet at www.antonnews.com.

Jeanne Lazar of Lincoln Avenue does a fine job as lecturer at Corpus Christi Church.