The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra and Plaza Theatrical Productions combined their talents to bring one of the gems of summer - the Mineola Performance Arts Weekend - to Memorial Park this past weekend.

The weekend featured a vast array of talents as the Nassau Pops took the stage on Friday night, followed by Plaza Theatrical Productions' performance of Guys and Dolls the next night.

It seemed as though the village ordered the weather for both nights as winds were calm, the air was dry and the audience enjoyed the tranquility of the evening as music filled Memorial Park.

On Friday night, the Nassau Pops performed the first of two summer concerts at Memorial Park. The orchestra and the village have formed a tradition as the Nassau Pops returns to Mineola each summer to delight residents with everything from classic songs from Broadway to the Big Band era to popular hits from not long ago.

The bond was formed in the 1980's as former Mayor and current Town of North Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Ann Galante helped bring the Pops, under the leadership of conductor and musical director Lou Panacciulli. The Pops have been coming to Mineola ever since 1985 and the village is more than happy to have them. In fact, Panacciulli considers Mineola to be the home of the orchestra. The Pops is even a member of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to Friday's performance, Village of Mineola Mayor John P. Colbert presented Maestro Panacciulli a proclamation, which named the next day - Saturday, July 7 - as "Lou Panacciulli - day throughout the Village of Mineola. Joining the Mayor was Deputy Mayor Lou Santosus and Village Trustee Elizabeth Conlon.

"Mr. Mineola" John DaVanzo presented Panacciulli with a citation on behalf of Nassau County Executive Thomas S. Gulotta. Other dignitaries on hand included Village Clerk Lou DiDomenico, Deputy Village Clerk Teri Ranfone, Justice Jack O'Callahan, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger, Town Councilman Anthony D'Urso and Town Clerk Michelle Schimel.

Shortly after 8 p.m., the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra kicked off their summer concert series, delighting the audience, comprised of residents of all ages, with selections from the productions of Rogers and Hammerstein, the Big Band music of Duke Ellington and even a few of Celine Dion's greatest hits.

Those who attended the concert packed Memorial Park with lawn chairs and blankets and the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, a not-for-profit organization, once again showed that the their music is truly one of the greatest gifts of summer.

The next night, on Saturday, July 7, the park saw a crowd just as immense for the Plaza Theatrical Productions' performance of Guys and Dolls. Plaza once again succeeded in bringing Broadway right into the heart of Mineola.

The audience enjoyed the performances of the well-prepared and talented cast and crew as Nathan Detroit, Sky Masterson and the boys tried their best to find a place for a crap game while being hounded by the local authorities and dolls Miss Adelaide and Sister Sarah.

The production lasted well into the night, but nobody seemed to mind as Plaza once again pulled off an exceptional performance.

The Nassau Pops and Plaza Productions once again showed that during a time when summer houses are frequented and boats take to the waters, Mineola can still boast a summer treasure, filled with music, theatre and enjoyment.

The grounds of the park were well kept thanks to the efforts of the village's department of public works. As always with events in Mineola, the Mineola Auxiliary Police were on hand to make sure traffic was well organized and pedestrians were safe and the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps was standing by in case of an emergency.

For those who missed the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra concert, Maestro Panacciulli and the musicians will be returning for a second concert at Memorial Park on July 27 at 8 p.m.