Father Tom Murphy speaking at the start of the 100th anniversary of Corpus Christi Church which commenced with a concelebrated Mass by Bishop John Dunne said that the bishop had served here as a curate from 1974 to 1978. At that time the priests were Msgr. Thomas Daly, Father Eugene Murphy, Father John Lynch, Father Joseph DucMinh who had just escaped from Vietnam and himself. In 1978 he was assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst. It was there he first met Father Ken Winkler. When Father Ken became pastor of Corpus Christi he was instrumental in bringing his friend Father Tom back to the Mineola parish. Rev. Murphy returned here in 1997 after an absence of 17 years.

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Fred Ehmsen of Newsday enjoyed lunch at the Jericho Diner.

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About one-third of our population is Portuguese. Portugal was one of the leading nations of the world at one time. In fact the Portuguese were the first of the explorers. Henry the Navigator sent early expeditions to explore the west coast of Africa in the 15th century. Portugal once had vast holdings in Brazil, Africa and Asia. Ironically, the Portuguese were the last of the great colonial powers. Not too long ago they gave independence to Angola and Mozambique and withdrew from Macao, their enclave on the coast of China.

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Looking for a real good Irish restaurant? McGillicuddy's on Jericho Turnpike is a great place. They have many Irish favorites like Shepherds Pie, Bangles and Mash and Guinness Stew. Pints of Guinness and Bass are, of course, popular. Their cozy dining room is heated by a delightful fireplace. McGillicuddy's is located on the south side of Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park.

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Paul Fucarino of McKinley Parkway now works for the cabinet makers Kencal Co. on Sagamore Avenue.

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Hy Grade Fuel Co. on Columbus Parkway has been in the Losquadro family for 75 years. Manny and Janet, the current owners, inherited the company from Manny's father Jerry. Their sons Jeff and Andrew are now in the business too. Manny and Janet who live in Albertson are finally getting a cold winter and selling lots of oil. Those warm winters we experienced the past four years were not good for people in the fuel oil business.

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Al Ratto of Jackson Avenue and his friend Joan Tecza also of Mineola lunched at the Seacrest. Al, now retired, was assistant principal at Mineola High School and once a village trustee.

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Speaking of diners, they all seem to be remodeling. Seacrest will soon be getting a new face. Sparta has just completed a big remodeling job and a facelift is scheduled for the Town House in Williston Park. A couple of years ago the Jericho was closed briefly for renovations.

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Alice Grom of Arlington Street drove alone to New Hampshire over snow and ice to give a hand to a sick daughter. There were heavy snows at the time and Alice managed to get her car behind a snow plow and followed it. Asked if a woman alone was not afraid to travel such distances, Alice told us she keeps in contact with her short wave radio with all the surrounding truckers. If she ever needed help, they would be glad to aid her.

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Frances Nemecek of Garfield Avenue seems to enjoy walking her friendly beagle Pepper.

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Bill Delventhal, a general manager at Anton Newspapers, enjoyed lunch at our favorite diner.

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When the Islanders are playing one of the Canadian teams both the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada are played before the game begins. The Canadian anthem can't hold a candle to our inspiring Star Spangled Banner.

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Always good to see town official John Macedo of Mineola and his son John Paul around town. John Paul was named after the Pope.

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Town Councilwoman Doreen Banks and North Hempstead Democratic leader Joe Galante held a strategy session at the Jericho.

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Sister Therese Ezelius, Corpus Christi RCIA coordinator and her friend Marian Bianchini had coffee and donuts at Dunkin Donuts.

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John Dougherty of Beebe Road snow plowed some of the Beebe Road and Garfield Avenue residences during the last snowstorn.