The Mineola Water Department constructs and maintains over 52 miles of water mains, which range in size from six inches to 20 inches in diameter and over 5,500 individual water lines to residential and/or commercial buildings. They also provide adequate water pressure and flow for 498 fire hydrants. If you have an interest in the history of your community please contact the Society at 746-6722. The next meeting will be held at the Historical Society Headquarters at 211 Westbury Avenue on Monday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. All are welcomed to attend and should you have any mementos that you consider to be a part of our history, we would greatly appreciate your sharing these mementos with our membership.

EPIC is New York State's senior prescription plan that currently benefits more than 120,000 older New Yorkers. Many more can join thanks to new higher income limits.

EPIC can help you save on your medication costs, even when your annual income is as high as $35,000 a year (single) or $50,000 (married).

Almost all prescription medicines are covered, as well as insulin and insulin syringes. Both brand name and generic drugs are included.

There are two EPIC plans. If you are single and have an annual income no higher than $20,000, or if you are married with a joint income no higher than $26,000, you may wish to join the FEE Plan.

If you are single with an annual income from $20,000 to $35,000, or if you are married with a joint income from $26,000 to $50,000, the Deductible Plan is available.

If you would like more information please call the EPIC Helpline at 1-800-332-3742 or write to: EPIC, PO Box 15018, Albany, NY 12212-5018.

Valentine's Day is time to show others how much we love them. Children can join in the spirit of the holiday by attending a special party hosted by Winthrop-University Hospital's Children's Health Services and the Department of Pediatrics on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at Winthrop's Community Outreach Center, located at 101 Mineola Boulevard in Mineola, at the corner of Second Street.

Young guests will have the opportunity to make cards and gifts for loved ones, while they enjoy a fun-filled day that will include games and prizes, face painting, picture-taking and more. The party is appropriate for children aged 10 and under. Admission is $5 for each child, and proceeds will support the development of a new pediatric floor at Winthrop.

The event is sponsored by Children's Health Services and the Department of Pediatrics, part of Winthrop's Institute for Family Care. Pre-registration is required. For further information, please call 1-877-559-KIDS.

There is a refrain in a song - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - This refrain aptly describes what Mother Nature has visited upon us thus far this winter. I am told that we have had in excess of 15 inches of snow to date.

I want to publicly thank all of the employees of the Department of Public Works who have endured long hours to keep our streets safe.

The name of our Village was officially changed from The Branch to Mineola in 1858 when there were only a few hundred inhabitants.

The population of the Town of North Hempstead was 4,291 in 1850 and 5,419 in 1860.

Mineola Chiefs Football and Lacrosse Registration will be held at the Mineola PAL House, Willis Avenue and Second Street on Saturday, Jan. 20, between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

If you would like more information please call 747-8350 or visit the Chiefs website - www.eteamz.com/mineolachiefs.

The aroma from scented candles is enjoyed by many but for your safety please completely extinguish all candles whenever you leave the room in which the burning candles are located - no matter how short a time you will be "out" of the room.

Never go to bed with candles ignited. Regretfully, in the metropolitan area, there has been an increase in the number of candle-related fires in the last few months.