Memorial Day was formerly known as Decoration Day.

Decoration/Memorial Day has been observed for more than a century. A General in 1868 designated May 30 as a day "...for decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion..."

Parades and civic events were held on the 30th to honor those who gave their lives in defense of the freedoms that we enjoy every day. Many a participant in these parades would wear a red poppy. This tradition was the idea of an American, Moina Michael in the early 1900s.

Madam Guerin while visiting the United States from France observed the tradition of the wearing of red poppies. Upon her return to France, Madam Guerin caused artificial red poppies to be made and in time, the tradition of wearing these red poppies spread throughout Europe.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1305 will host the Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies on Monday, May 27. The parade participants will assemble at Wilson Park at 10:30am and the parade will "step-off" at 11 a.m. The parade route will be: west on Westbury Ave; north on Roslyn Road; west on Jericho Tpke; South on Marcellus Road to the ceremonial stand in Memorial Park.

We are indebted to those who served our country. Please join in the ceremonies in the park after the parade.

Village Offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.

There will only be commercial garbage collection on the 27th. The schedule for the holiday week is:

If your usual garbage collection days are Monday and Thursday, your garbage and compost will be collected on Tuesday and Thursday.

If your usual garbage collection days are Tuesday and Friday, your garbage and compost will be collected on Wednesday and Friday.

If your credit and/or ATM cards are misplaced or stolen it is important to notify the issuer as soon as possible.Most issuers have toll-free numbers to report such incidents. It is suggested that you "follow-up" your telephone call with a letter to the issuer which confirms when you advised that the cards were missing.

If you report a "lost" card before it is used, you will not be responsible for the unauthorized charges. However, if the card was stolen, it is quite possible that your "card" will be used before you discover that it is missing.

If your credit card was used prior to your notifying the issuer that it is missing you will be required to pay up to $50 of the unauthorized charges.

The rules regarding the "loss" of an ATM are somewhat different. The amount you could be liable to pay for the unauthorized use of your ATM card depends upon how quickly you report the "loss." If you report the loss within two business days after it is missing, you will only be responsible for up to $50 for the unauthorized use. The amount increases to $500 if you wait more than two days.

For both of these cards you should review the statements for these cards for several (as many as six) months after the card was reported missing.

You risk unlimited loss if you do not promptly report any unauthorized transfer or withdrawal within sixty days after you receive your ATM statement. Unauthorized charges on your credit card statements, likewise should be promptly addressed with the card issuer.

This summer the Mineola Village Recreation department will be offering Adult Yoga classes. These classes will be held on Monday evenings beginning July 1 through Aug. 19 from 7-8 p.m. at the Community Center, 155 Washington Avenue.

Our instructor is Eileen Canning. The cost for the eight week course is: $35 for Mineola resident w/ Leisure Pass and $40 for non-resident.

For additional information and/or registration forms, please contact Kyle Teemsma at 746-0753.

Class size is limited so register early.

Toddlers are adorable-yet common problems such as staying in bed, eating a meal or simply behaving, can add challenges to an otherwise delightful time within a family's life. But there are strategies parents can use that will help them deal with some of these issues. To learn about these strategies, parents can attend Winthrop-University Hospital's Parenting Today free lecture, "The Toddler Years: Common Sleep and Eating Problems" on Wednesday, June 5. The program will begin with registration and refreshments at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m., at the Winthrop Community Outreach Center, 101 Mineola Boulevard in Mineola. Parking and the entrance are available in the rear of the building.

Three pediatricians from Winthrop Pediatric Associates, Jill Leavens-Maurer, MD, Deborah Messina, DO, and Sudha Prasad, MD, will discuss ways to address sleeping and eating concerns in young children, as well as common behavioral problems. They will offer advice on dealing with picky eaters, developing a bedtime routine, and finding age-appropriate discipline measures. The lecture will be followed by a question and answer period.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. For more information and to reserve your space, please call 1-877-559-KIDS.

Applications for this year's Summer Camp are now being accepted in the Village Clerk's Office at the Village Hall.

Summer Camp 2002 session runs from July 8 - Aug. 9.

For: Mineola resident children entering grades 2 - 8.

Cost: $100 for the first child; $50 each additional child.

Site: Wilson Park

Days: Monday through Friday

Times: Mondays: 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; Tuesdays-Fridays: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

All campers must possess a Mineola Leisure Pass at the time of registration. If you need an application you may pick one up at the counter in the Village Clerk's Office. Registration closes on June 7.

We urge everyone to get their 2002 Mineola Leisure Pass early. It takes approximately 5 days to process your application. You will need your pass to gain entry to the pool which opens on June 15.

All 2001 members need only to mail in their applications with a check and the necessary documentation for proof of residency (please refer to your application form).

All others must make an appointment to submit their application and have their picture taken. This is done by appointment only. We cannot accommodate walk-ins. Please call the Leisure Pass Office at 746-2326 if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment. If no one is there please leave a brief message and someone will contact you.

The cost of a Leisure Pass is now $8 and the cost of a "Caregivers" pass is $58.