Jim Agnew of Garfield Avenue will be visiting Ireland in July for his mother's 90th birthday. Mary Agnew lives in County Louth, a little north of Dublin. A grand time will be had by one and all.

* * * *

Speaking of Ireland, a great Irish pub is JB's at 234 Old Country Road, Mineola. Owner John Alford and his wife, Melinda, used to live in Mineola and now have moved just over the line to Garden City. John, generally called "Alf," used to be a member of the Mineola Community Pool Board. Their two high-spirited waitresses are Lisa Jordan and Tracey LaSorsa. Tracey lives on Horton Highway. Their friendly hostess is Charleen Conway of Wellington Rd. The place has great steaks, try their "Slice of Heaven." The pub has some great beers and ales of Ireland and the UK. The name JB comes from the fact that John Alford's original partner was John Casey. The J stands for their first names and the B was chosen because it's the letter between their last names, Alford and Casey.

* * * *

A man who was a friend of ours for many years died recently, Matty McLaughlin. Matty, who was 87years old, had been a fireman for 69 years. He was an ex-chief and he also was a past president of the Mineola Republican Club. Matty had a life-long love of horses and was a great rider. Our condolences to his wife and children.

* * * *

Antonio Polisi, the manager of Ceriello's in Williston Park, will marry Melody Mink on June 11. The wedding will be held at St. Mary's Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Church. After a huge reception, Antonio and Melody will fly to Puerto Rico and spend a week visiting the Island and will then take a week long cruise of the Caribbean.

* * * *

Brian Mannix will be ordained a Deacon of the Roman Catholic Church in May 2000. He is the son of Joe and Catherine Mannix of Royal Ave.

* * * *

A popular resident of McKinley Parkway is Matt Cassin who can really speed around town on his electric scooter.

* * * *

Justin and his sister Erin Gensel enjoyed coffee and muffins at the Jericho Diner. Justin and Erin are the fourth generation of Gensels to run the business. Their great-grandfather founded the furniture store in the '40s. In my capacity as an advertising salesman, I called on the founder, his son Bob, his son Richard and today I am calling on Justin and Erin.

* * * *

Former Corpus Christi Church Deacon Tom Rich now serves in the same capacity at Our Lady of Hope in Carle Place.

* * * *

It was good to see Kathleen Caemmerer quoted in The Long Island Catholic. Kathleen was the lone survivor in the worst tragedy in Mineola's history. A van carrying 10 young people was struck by a LIRR train at the Herricks Road crossing killing all but Miss Caemmerer.

* * * *

Mike Dwyer enjoyed lunch at the Jericho Diner. Mike used to work at Winthrop Hospital. Also met in the same place Larry Egan of Frank Ave. and Pete Roth of Jefferson Ave. Mike, by the way, now lives on Evelyn Rd.

* * * *

What a wonderful, warm person Sister Laura Helbig is. Talking to the popular school principal always makes you feel good.

* * * *

Another person, besides me, who suffers with the highs and lows of the NY Mets is Father Ken Winkler of Corpus Christi.

* * * *

Want to hear a black humor one liner? "How was the play otherwise Mrs. Lincoln?"

* * * *

Had a chance to personally congratulate Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli on his election as the county Democratic leader. Tom remembers that the Mineola American endorsed him when he ran for the Mineola School Board at the age of 18. He has come a long way since then.

* * * *

Charles and Margaret Cavalconte of Marcellus Road enjoyed dinner at Mahoney's Restaurant.