In 1981, the Village of Mineola was celebrating its Diamond Jubilee 75th anniversary of being incorporated. On September 20, 1981 a time capsule made by Tony Bellissimo, then co-chairman of the Diamond Jubilee celebration and village trustee, was buried containing memorabilia such as letters and photographs. Since then, the location of the capsule was forgotten.

As 2006 approaches, plans are being made for the village's centennial 100 anniversary celebration. The Mineola 100th Anniversary Celebration Committee led by John Davanzo, Robert Hinck and Candida Maia is busy formulating plans for the celebration. Part of the plans to celebrate the centennial include a parade, concert by the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra and a ball, featuring a 50s theme. On the last day of celebrating the birthday of Mineola, another time capsule will be buried.

As the committee was formulating plans, thoughts turned to the capsule that was buried in 1981. Since there was no marking for the capsule, its location was lost.

However, thanks to Davanzo, Bellissimo and John Broder of Winthrop-University Hospital, the capsule was recently found off Jericho Turnpike. Using an old picture for the time capsule ceremony in 1981 provided by Bellissimo, Davanzo and Broder went to the scene and were able to find the location.

Mayor Jack M. Martins must now help decide if the capsule should be dug up for the centennial celebration. When Davanzo announced at last week's board of trustees meeting that the capsule had been found, Mayor Martins said with a smile, "We'll see."

* Jay's Walk for Cancer will take place on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. The walk will start at Mineola Memorial Park and will proceed three miles. The organization handling the walk is Jay's World Childhood Cancer Foundation which raises funds to support the fight against childhood cancer.

* The Village of Mineola passed a resolution at the request of the Village of Westbury concerning September 11. The resolution states that the "World Trade Center Memorial Foundation should fulfill its mission by ensuring no facilities that house controversial debate, dialogue, artistic impressions or exhibits referring to extraneous historical events occupy space on the sacred site at Ground Zero; and that the World Trade Center Memorial must honor the mission of creating a dignified and respectful memorial which focuses exclusively on the victims, heroes and events of Sept. 11, 2001 and Feb. 26, 1993.

* The village board unanimously approved the purchase of a new emergency generator for the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance headquarters. The cost of the generator is $4,500, which will come out of the general contingency fund since it was not budgeted for.

* Chaminade High School submitted to the village building department its final plans for its athletic/activity facility, which will be built on the former Koeppel Ford site on the south side of Jericho Turnpike. The building department will soon be issuing a permit and the project could be completed in nine months to a year.

In addition, Chaminade purchased a residential home on Marcellus Road to act as a buffer for the project. When the project is completed, they will return it to residential use.

* During the construction for the Intermodal Center, a parking garage to be built next to the Mineola train station, the drop-off area will change for commuters being dropped off at the station. The drop off area will be between 4th and 5th Avenues. Signs will be posted prior to construction. The project could begin in September or October.

* Mineola lost one of its bravest when John Mahon, who was a member of Company #2 of the Mineola Fire Department, passed away on July 30. Mahon joined Company #2 in 1975. He was later made an honorary captain. He is the beloved son of John and Mary, dear brother of Theresa Connolly, Loretta Mullin, Michael and the late Stephen Mahon and the loving uncle of Maegan, Nora, Daniel, and Victoria.

* The village will be receiving a grant from Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy as part of transportation bill HR 3. The legislation included $120,000 for improvements to Station Plaza between Mineola Boulevard and Third Avenue.

According to a press release sent out by Congresswoman McCarthy's office, the funds will be used to brick pave the north side of the train station. "These funds will help local businesses attract new customers and improve the overall quality of life for the village," she said.

* It was reported that some people are placing garbage out the day before pickup. The garbage should be brought out the morning of pickup or, at the very least, the night before pickup.

* Jericho Turnpike between Mineola Boulevard and Willis Avenue will be getting a facelift so that there will be a center median. The money used for the project will be grant money. Mayor Martins hopes the project will be completed by the end of the year in time for the village's centennial celebration.