Looking back some 30 years at the single block of Jericho Turnpike from Mineola Boulevard to Willis Avenue we remember, so many stores that have come and gone. We recall Prices Hardware, Klein,s 5 & 10, Bert's Men's Shop, S. Baskin Jewelers, Fox Lamps and Shades, Mineola Screen and Storm Sash of Nat and Dora Libes, Weismantel,s Bakery, Kearney Office Machines, Fischl's Ice Cream Parlor, Reynolds Beauty Salon, Capital Finance, Meadowbrook Bank, The Christmas Tree Store, Murray,s Men's Shop, Turnpike Shoe Store, Julius Klopfer,s Butcher Shop, Dominick's Barber Shop, Jay's Dept. Store, The Lorey Shop, and the Record Album Store. Stores come and go but luckily for Mineola they don't stay empty too long. The few places that are unrented are often that way because landlords seek unrealistic rents.

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When we first heard that Mayor John Colbert and Trustee Lou Santosus of the ruling party and that Trustee Betty Conlon of the Hometown Party would have no opposition we felt disappointed. After all newspapers thrive on debate and controversy. But looking at the situation this year there really is no reason for a political battle. We do have a two-party system which is always a guarantee of good government. This year who can really complain about the Colbert administration? We have a new community pool free to all residents and available to no one except village residents, a dream we always had of a strictly Mineola pool. We have a new village hall open for public use. We have a new library coming. The Herricks Road grade crossing elimination has been completed. Work is moving ahead on the Mineola Boulevard bridge with the temporary bridge good for five to eight years in place. We have vast improvements in Memorial and Wilson Parks.

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Often seen around town Anthony Fucarino of McKinley Avenue likes to visit Jericho Collision on Sagamore Avenue and frequents our favorite diner. He is retired from the Department of Sanitation. His late brother Johnny may be remembered too since he worked many years at Memorial Park. Johnny died a few years ago at the early age of 54.

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Jim and Donna Doran of Sheridan Boulevard enjoyed dinner at Mahoney's Restaurant.

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All copies of the Mineola American from Sept. 1, 1952 to the present are available on microfilm at the Mineola Library and can be seen at any time. Bound volumes covering the same period of 46 years can be researched at our office.

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Frank Elias died recently. He was an usher at Corpus Christi Church for 50 years, probably serving longer than anyone else. A few years ago Frank gave us his entire stamp collection. He had an extensive collection of stamps of Eastern Europe.

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Speaking of stamps I have a collection of almost 10,000 entries. I am greatly aided in this hobby by my daughter Sr. Annmarie. Her fellow nuns, many who have contacts in foreign countries, send me stamps from all over the world.

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Our vote for the person of the century goes to Franklin Roosevelt. He started as a senator from New York State. He was secretary of the Navy in World War I. He was defeated when he ran for vice president in 1920. He came back to be elected governor of New York and then four times president of the US. He gave us Social Security, unemployment insurance, laws against child labor and workmen's compensation. Roosevelt led the coalition against Hitler and set the stage for the formation of the United Nations. All this from a man who was confined to a wheelchair. Roosevelt could stand with help but was unable to walk. He serves as a great example to those that are handicapped.

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Angeles Alonso recently died. She and her late husband Fred owned the Monterey Diner in Williston Park for some 20 years.

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5th Army Veterans of the 1943, '44 and '45 Italian Campaign will be returning to Italy May 15 to May 26 to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the Allied Drive northwards from Rome to Florence through the Appenines to Bologna, the Po Valley and finally Venice. Veterans of the 3rd, 34th, 36th, 85th, 88th, 91st, 92nd, 10th Mt., 1st Armored Divisions and their many support groups are urged to contact Sy Canton for reunion information at 432-3022.