Mayor Martins is a very popular man. Since he took office almost two years ago he has become deeply embedded in every aspect of the village. I know that the groups I'm involved which are the Chamber of Commerce, the Pool/Recreation Committee and the 100th anniversary planning group, he is a constant presence. The mayor is also interested in all the service organizations and, of course, the library. It was as chairman of the library board that Jack first made his mark. At this point I don't believe anyone will oppose him in the next election.

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It was good talking to Bill King. Some 50 years ago he was the commander of the 3rd Precinct and when he retired he was the highest ranking uniformed police office in Nassau. Bill and his wife Billie live on Garfield Avenue.

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The 100th anniversary committee is trying to get the US Post Office to issue a special commemorative stamp. Working through Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy it could be possible.

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It was a pleasure talking with longtime Mineola residents Jim and Vita Lombardo of Clinton Avenue. Jim is a retired banker and both are faithful parishioners at Corpus Christi Church.

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The popular host at the Davenport restaurant is Lino Ferreira. Lino and his wife Maria live on Willis Avenue. He has been with the restaurant for 22 years.

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Jay Kor, although born in Turkey, has lived many years in our village and loves the US. He and his wife Florence live on Herricks Road and he is a customer of the nearby Maximum Getty Station.

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What a great job Matt Smith has done with our former newspaper office at 35 E. Jericho Turnpike. Matt, a realtor and appraiser, is the son of former mayor Ed Smith. The place is now carpeted and made into offices with glass partitions and a private conference room and has a remodeled bathroom and kitchen. This has been the site of many businesses. Originally Roberts Pharmacy, then a meat market, then the Mineola American, then TK's Gifts and now part of Smith's expanding properties.

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Sorry to hear of the death of Irwin Slotkin, founder of Franwin Pharmacy. He leaves his wife Fran, hence the name Franwin. Irv was active in the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club. When he opened his drug store in 1948 there were some nine pharmacies in Mineola. Little did he realize his would be the only one left in 2004.

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Tom and Vilma Doherty of Andrews Road enjoyed lunch at the Jericho Diner. Tom, who was born in Ireland, is the man in charge of the upkeep of the Knights of Columbus Hall.

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Manny Losquadro, owner of Hy-Grade Oil, is a customer of Mr. Jay's.

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A lady called me asking what she could do about "wildcats." I told her that we don't have any such animal in Mineola. The dear lady kept insisting we had a plague of "wildcats." Finally it dawned on me she was talking about stray cats. And there I had visions of vicious mountain lions terrorizing the good people of Mineola.

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I met a young couple the other day, George and Lilly Carlow of Willis Avenue. George is 91 and Lilly is 96. They enjoy sitting on the same bench and watching the passing scene. In his younger days George used to work for Manufacturers Hanover Trust.

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Charlie and Sally Patterson did a real big favor for Vinnie Benedetto, going out of their way to help her get some yarn so she could complete a lap robe she was making for a friend's birthday. Vinnie lives on Sheridan Boulevard.

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John DaVanzo, Robert Hinck and Candy Maia, the three co-chairs of the 100th anniversary celebration of the village, will speak at the Jan. 18 meeting of the Chamber of Commerce

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Richard and Grace Morehouse of Harrison Avenue have lived here a long time. Richard was born in Mineola as were his dad and grandad. That would place their Mineola roots to about 1860. Few can top that.

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