Richard Holecek works for A1 Grand Auto on Herricks Road. Rich was born in Mineola on Jackson Avenue. He comes from an old Mineola family with his dad and mom both being born in the village. His dad saw a lot of combat in WW I and was badly wounded in France from mustard gas and suffered from lung problems for the rest of his life. His uncle, too, was a war hero being killed in France in 1917. Rich was the son of Joe and Mabel. When we first met him he was with Jericho Collision when they were on Mineola Boulevard. Rich has been involved in some aspect of auto repair his entire life.

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Jim and Ann Galante, accompanied by former Mineola residents Ruth and Otto Kirschner, had dinner New Year's Eve at the Davenport Press. Ruth and Otto now live in Florida. Ann is the Receiver of Taxes. Also at the Davenport on New Year's Eve we met Evelyn and James Cahill, Mary and Michael Maye, Hugh and Mary McElhone and Vera Barrick, all from Mineola.

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Hurrah for Billie and Debbie O'Connell of Roselle Street who helped their elderly neighbors during the recent snowstorm. He snowplowed walkways and driveways for the senior citizens and Debbie went to the store for them. They worked well into the night.

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John Kessler celebrated his 24th birthday at Eleanor Rigbys on Jan. 6. With the party were mom Betty Jean, sisters Frances and Kimberly, grandma Flor Artale, Aunt Mary Artale and Great Uncle Charles McDougall. John is a member of the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department. That same evening Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Sherry dined at Rigbys. They are the parents of GOP leader Jim Sherry.

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Deputy Grand Knight Marcel Chaillol is a retired electrical engineer who worked on the NASA project. Marcel studied engineering in France, the birthplace of both his parents. He was born in the United States but, of course, speaks fluent French.

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The soloist at Mass at Corpus Christi with the beautiful voice was Cathy Dougherty of Beebe Road. She is the daughter of John and Cathy Dougherty and the granddaughter of Mike and Jill Dougherty of White Road. She also has 11 brothers and sisters.

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Speaking of Mike and Jill, they recently returned from a two-week trip to Ontario.

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Mary Vacchiano of Jefferson Avenue seldom, if ever, misses Mass at Corpus Christi.

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Ed Matthews of Greentree Road is now retired. He used to own Steamix on Jericho Turnpike.

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Sara Jane Berman of East Williston often eats at the Jericho Diner. Sara Jane writes a column for a weekly paper and holds literary discussions at Barnes and Noble once a month reviewing current bestsellers. She is a former New York City school teacher and was once a member of the East Williston Library Board.

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Tom Rini and crew did a great job with the snow removal during the recent storm. Our streets were well plowed. Visiting a friend in New Hyde Park and seeing the miserable job done there made us appreciate our highway department.

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Jack and Karen Gayson lunched at the Jericho Diner. Jack is our fire chief.

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Father Tomas Gomide of Corpus Christi dined at Churrasqueira.

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Rosa Ciccotto of Roselle Street owns Take Another Bow in Williston Park. She and her husband Mario, a contractor, have four children. Their oldest son Mario, Jr. became engaged to Heather Dobay on Christmas Day.

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We thank Jack Martins, president of the Library Board, for the great tour he gave us of our wonderful new edifice.