Each year, poisonings from medicines and household chemicals kill approximately 92 children and cause more than 2.2 million calls to U.S. Poison Control Centers.

Unintentional poisoning usually occurs from exposure to items such as prescription and non-prescription medicines, cleaning substances, insecticides, cosmetics, plants, art supplies and alcohol.

Dr. Michael McGuigan, medical director for the Long Island Poison & Drug Information at Winthrop, recently stated "...it is important for parents and caregivers to eliminate hidden household poisons by storing dangerous items out of the reach of young children and being prepared in the event of a poisoning."

The three most important safety guides to prevent poisoning are:

1. Use child-resistant packaging.

2. Keep medicines and household chemicals locked out of reach and out of sight of young children because some children can open child-resistant packaging.

3. Keep the Poison Control Center's number next to your phone.

In the event that a child does ingest a chemical or poison, the first call should be to the Poison Control Center at 1-888-222-1222 or 516- 542-2323. The Poison Control's Hotline is staffed 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week by registered nurses with additional training in toxicology.

The Mineola Library is participating in Long Island Reads, in celebration of National Library Week (April 14-20).

During the month of April, public libraries in Nassau and Suffolk counties including your library will feature The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The schedule of programs at your library during Library Week is as follows:

* Tuesday, April 16 - screening at 1 p.m., of the film The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow.

* Wednesday, April 17 - Discussion of the book, The Great Gatsby, at 7 p.m.

* Thursday, April 18 -live performance of the one act play, Great Scott and Zelda at 7 p.m.

* Friday, April 19 - screening at 1 p.m., of the documentary, F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great American Dreamer.

If you would like more information, please call your library at 746-8488.

We are in full swing processing this year's Leisure Passes. It is strongly suggested that all residents who are applying for a new Mineola Leisure Pass do so as early as possible.

Your Leisure Pass application takes approximately 3-5 days to process. The deadline for early registration is May 16. The cost of a pass will rise to $8 after that date.

If you are reapplying, you need only to mail your application with a check and the proper documentation (please refer to your application for the necessary proof of residency).

All new applicants and those needing their pictures retaken, must call the Leisure Pass Office at 746-2326 to schedule an appointment. We cannot accommodate walk-ins.

Leisure Pass Office Hours - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Did you know that August Belmont built the "World's Only Private Subway Car" which was named "The Mineola"?

Mineola was home to the San Su San. It was located on Jericho Turnpike and featured many "name" performers.

The Mineola Athletic Association will be holding it's annual Opening Day Parade on Saturday, April 13, at 10:30 a.m.

The parade will assemble at Jackson Avenue at 9:45 a.m. and proceed as follows:

Jackson Avenue west to Wardwell Rd.- north to Jericho Turnpike- east to Mineola Blvd.- south to Second St.- east to Willis Ave. and ending at the Mineola Little League Complex.

The Opening Day Ceremony is scheduled to commence at the Little League Field at 11:30 a.m.