Father Robert Batule, in his usual incisive homily, said recently that there are three things that stand out in this Papacy. One is John Paul's visit to Cuba. He remarked on the juxtaposition of the Pope and Fidel Castro. The second thing was the Pope's visiting the synagogue to meet with the chief rabbi of Rome and finally the Pope urging the Italian government to release the man who tried to assassinate him. This led Father Batule to his main topic which was forgiveness.

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At the May 23 commencement exercises at Hofstra University Theresa Irace of Andrews Rd. was honored as an alumna of the class of 1944. Also honored was Margaret Oswald, formerly of Mineola and former principal of St. Joseph's Elementary School in Garden City as a graduate of the class of 1939. Margaret's late husband Ed was the head of building maintenance for the Mineola School District.

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Robert Acritani, grandson of the former owners of Clover Dairy in Garden City Park and Mineola residents Roni and Blanche Reese, graduated this May from Hofstra.

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Ed and Mary Krzeminski of Brown St. were visiting ...no, not Aruba, not Jamaica, nor the British West Indies, but just having breakfast at our favorite diner.

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Attending the recent Belmont Festival held in Garden City we met Denis and Jane O'Sullivan of Wardwell Rd. and Jim and Ann Galante of Foch Blvd. Jim was performing with his harmonica group. We also had a chance to meet Bob McMillan, radio host and the Republican candidate for Senate against Pat Moynihan six years ago. "I was the sacrificial lamb they chose," he once wrote.

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Larraine Bautze and daughter Alessandra of Boston visited her mother Vicki Mussa of Beebe Rd.

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Our five meter persons are always so courteous and cooperative in keeping traffic moving that they deserve a salute; Lori Nicholson, Roger Leal, Florence Peterson, Stuart Goldstein and Frank Syracuse are doing a great job.

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Tom Cooke of Columbus Pkway visited Taiwan.

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Walter and Grace Weismantel of Florida are visiting friends in Mineola.

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Al and Peggy Ford, formerly of Mineola, paid a fast visit to the village. They reside in Florida.

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Over 1,400 persons attended the recent Corpus Christi Sunday Mass and Procession.

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Retired 3rd Precinct cop Warren Olson had coffee at the Jericho Diner. Most residents will remember him as Mineola was his beat. Warren worked for awhile for Franwin Pharmacy after his retirement nine years ago.

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Steven Park of Roosevelt Ave. also had coffee at the Jericho Diner.

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The whole village mourned the death of Yetta Katz at the age of 90. She and her late husband Harry were the founders of Harry Katz Floor Coverings. Harry and Yetta were very active in the village. Harry served many years on the village board. They lived on Garfield Ave.

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The 5th grade graduating class of Hampton St. School sure had a wonderful party.

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Ann Cella of Croyden Rd. is a busy lady. She works the five weekdays at St. Francis Hospital and on Saturday at Dr. Barry Gimbel's office on Willis Ave.

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Gavin and Irene Duffy of Beebe Rd. announce the birth of their second son Tyge born July 11, 1999 weighing in at 9 lbs. 13 oz. at LIJ Hospital. Tyge has a big brother 3-year-old Cody. Dad Gavin is a New York City Police Dept. sergeant.