Our village will be 100 years old in 2006 and the yearlong celebration will kick off with a concert by Lou Panacciulli's Nassau Pops at Chaminade on Jan. 29. Updating our history are Neil Young and Margaret Ann Castrigno and Bob Hinck has arranged for a 1906 caboose to be brought to Memorial Park. John Broder tells us that there are 180 telephone poles in the village and he hopes to have logo banners mounted on many of them. He thinks that merchants might pay for the banner in front of their stores with a line underneath saying that they sponsored the logo.

* * * *

Sandy Pusey is planning the fashion show which will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on March 3. The Knights are not charging for the hall. Maryann O'Brien is in charge of the Showtime Review to be held in May. A skit portraying each of the 10 decades will require many actors and actresses. We will need about 200 players. John DaVanzo is planning a terrific parade and giant fireworks at Wilson Park. Bill Urianek hopes to have a Vietnam helicopter do a flyover. Candie Maia is arranging for the ball which will be held Nov. 17. Yes, we are still looking for the time capsules from 1981 and 1956. Carl Marchese is in charge of our finances; Mr. Hinck is asking the Cradle of Aviation for the loan of an early plane. We really need old photos of the village. President Bush has been invited; we really don't expect him to attend, but who knows? As you can see, we need a lot of help. Call 746-0750 to join in the fun.

* * * *

Joe Selby, who will soon be graduating from the University of Delaware is interning at the village hall.

* * * *

I hit the jackpot at the Jericho Diner meeting Catherine Murphy, Terry Peterson, Eileen Leone, Fran Dempsey, Teddy McCormack, Mary Calfapietra, Florence Lee, Chris and Ann Gannon, Bill and Diane Cassidy, Dick and Charlotte Raad and their son and daughter-in-law from Colorado Jim and Judy, and Jean Lazar.

* * * *

The hydrangeas around the Memorial in the park, plus the beautiful flowers, enhance the site. The number of geese is increasing and last we counted there were 40. Watch your step!

* * * *

Imagine two residents of Jerome Ave. report that the American flags flying in front of their houses were stolen.

* * * *

Tom and Vilma Doherty like to shop at King Kullen. Tom is very active in the Knights.

* * * *

Bob Ruehs lost his wife Dorothea in Feb. after 56 years of marriage. When they celebrated their 50th, the street sign at Garfield and Andrews hailed the event.

* * * *

The new way of registering children for swim lessons at the pool went well. It was done on a first come, first served basis. Every person in the line got their kid into the program. The registration lasted all day. Last year it was held for only two hours, but over two days some people didn't like the new way, but most did. If you bring a child to the pool as a guest you must stay with the child the entire time, no dropping off kids and then leaving the pool. Mike Vezzi was the only outsider who attended the open meeting of the pool board. City cop Tom Rudolph is in charge of security at the installation.

* * * *

Our editor, Joe Rizza, attended a recent Mets game [they lost to the Marlins], but Joe caught a fly and the Mets asked him to try out for the team. Just kidding, of course. Joe caught a foul ball and gave the ball to a little kid sitting nearby.

* * * *

Mario Valdellon has a great voice. He sings at Mass when Frannie Luisi is away. Corpus Christi is lucky to have two lead singers. Mario and his wife, Benilda, live on White Road.

* * * *

The Lutheran Church of Our Saviour was the scene of the Memorial for Al Ford, the founder of Willis Hobbies and a leading figure in the Chamber of Commerce. Ten members of that group attended the service, including Peter Gollobin, Jerry Mehlman, John Broder, Mike Pfeiffer Manny DeFeitas, John DaVanzo, Scott Fairgrieve, Karen Martin, Grace and me.

* * * *

Speaking of the Lutheran Church, Pastor Robert Murch told me he was retiring in November. A fine man, he will be missed.

* * * *

To help the thespian players at the high school the chamber is donating $300. With the defeat of the budget there is no money available for their fall production.

* * * *

That tasty food served at the refreshment stand during the concert at the park was from "The Bakers of All Nations" on Jericho Tpke.

* * * *

Susan and Owen Kelly live in Williston Park. She is the sister of Kerri Tice of Mineola. The Kellys have four kids, Malachy, Bobby, Shannon and Mikaela. Could they be Irish?

* * * *