Initial reports seem to indicate that having our own police force could be less expensive than paying for the protection of the county. Of course we will not know until the study group reports back to the mayor. Mayor Martins says nothing will be done until we have public hearings.

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The crying need right now is for players for our centennial play. We need between 200 and 300 people who want to get in on the fun. Speaking parts and non-speaking parts are available. If you want to be part of the play, call Bob Hinck at the village hall.

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James Contraras of Liberty Avenue is 72 years old and was formerly with the State of New York. He's looking for any job he can get. HBobby Wyniewicz, who told us he was also seeking a job, had some success and now works for Waldbaum's.

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That busy post lady Maryann O'Brien seems to be everywhere around the village. She is also a key player on the centennial committee.

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Mary Agnew, mother of the popular usher Jim, died in Ireland at the age of 97. She lived north of Dublin in County Lauth. I had the pleasure of meeting Mary when she visited Mineola and she was a delightful lady.

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Mary and John Gallagher of Dow Avenue enjoyed breakfast at the new Hudson Diner. He worked for the Nassau County Medical Center for 33 years. Also at the same place we met Vicki and Kevin Sheridan. He is retired from LILCO and Vicki works part time at I.J. Kostynick.

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Jack Gayson of the fire department was eating lunch at the Jericho Diner.

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Msgr. Robert Batule, formerly a Corpus Christi priest, was having lunch at Jonathan's with Sister Therese of our parish. Msgr. Batule is now pastor of Holy Family in Hicksville.

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Terri Ranfone, who has retired from her long service with the Mineola Chamber of Commerce planning the annual Mineola Fair, was given a fine gift - two tickets to a Broadway show and a gift certificate for a restaurant in the area.

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For the first time ever a cardinal celebrated Mass at Corpus Christi Church when the prelate of Brazil Cardinal Geraldi Nagella Agnelo said the 8:30 Mass on a recent Sunday.

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All these new slang expressions going around, like "You are toast," "It's a no brainer," "cutting edge," "That's so yesterday" and "chic lit." That the profusion of books and movies about young women like In Her Shoes with Cameron Diaz and Slam Dunk.

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Frank and Mary Guarino were at the Jericho Diner with friends Victulo and Steven Prudente of Naples, Italy.

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Maria and Tony Auriema opened their tailor shop on Hillside Avenue 44 years ago. Tony is gone now, but Maria carries on, working every day. She lives on Wellington Road.

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Bob Rittman of Horton Highway works for Morgan Chase and is a customer of C and J Gifts.

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Those flashing pop-up ads on the computer are really annoying.

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As I write this Grace and I are off to Washington to visit our daughter Sister Annmarie. Amtrak makes the trip in three and a half hours.

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Want to read a great book? Try 1776 about the American Revolution by David McCullough.