Welcome to a new homeowner in Mineola. Elbis Sanchez and his wife have purchased a home on Jackson Avenue. They have two children, Paulina and Carlos. The Sanchez family has lived in Mineola for several years as tenants, but now they have their own home.

Bill and Peggy Kist have joined those taking daily walks around the park area. Bill and Peggy live on Searing Avenue and in Florida. Bill is the former owner of Knott's Pharmacy.

Bob Seewaldt of Roberts Men's Shop can be found almost every morning in the line at Fleet Bank. Bob and wife Cathy live in East Williston.

Always good to see Tom Rudolph around town. Tom is a city cop and one of the most ardent NY Mets fans in Mineola.

Williston Beverage on Willis Avenue in Mineola is one of the oldest businesses in the area. The business is owned by Dick and Mary Yasso. Dick's parents started the business in July of 1947. Sam and Katherine Yasso, his parents, lived in Williston Park when they decided to open the beverage store.

One of the most enthusiastic users of the Mineola Library is Lou DiVeglio of Beebe Road. Lou visits the library several times a week renting tapes and selecting books. Lou is an avid reader and devours at least a book a week.

The first person to exchange Christmas greeting with yours truly was Julia Ricca of White Road. Julia, who speaks some Spanish, and I always have fun speaking together in the language of the people of South America and Spain.

Jim Agnew was one of the first people to put up his holiday displays. Jim is a popular figure both on Long Island and in Dublin, Ireland where he owns a good deal of property and has many business interests. He lives on Garfield Avenue.

We thank Ed Solosky for calling to our attention the fact that the trunk of my car is slightly ajar. Many others have noticed it also. Unfortunately, it is broken but we thank all who called it to our attention.

Three Corpus Christi ushers retired. Ed Hilbert and Izzy Irace received plaques for 50 years of service and Jim Walsh for 35 years. The awards were presented at a Christmas party at the home of head usher Tony Donnelly. Father Bob Batule stopped by to give a blessing. Tony lives on Marcellus Road.

Mickey Sheridan of Richlee Court was recently having lunch at the Jericho Diner. Mickey has worked for a long time for the I.J. Kostynick Plumbing Co.

Also enjoying lunch at the same diner was Terry Connors of Mineola. Terry is a past grand knight of the local council.

The only person I ever knew from Mineola prior to moving here was Izzy Irace. Izzy was born in Italy and came to the US at an early age. He later enlisted in the National Guard and during WW II rose rapidly through the ranks to become a master sergeant. Izzy still likes to talk about his war experiences. He and I were classmates at NYU and after he graduated he joined his brothers Pete, Lou and Armand in running the Mineola Glass Co. His later marriage to Marjorie Serpico was a big event. Marge and Izzy live on Horton Highway and have three children. Later he was elected to the board of trustees of the Village of Mineola where he served for many years. He was also an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and was an usher at Corpus Christi. He loved his work at Mineola Glass and finally ill health forced him to retire in his late 70's. He also served as commander of the American Legion Post and is active in the Italian-American Civic Association. Izzy is quite a fellow.

Mineola looks great at Christmas. Almost every house has holiday decorations of some type. Once again the Chamber of Commerce has given us a glittering display of decorations on every main street in the village.