Ladies night out, the centennial fashion show was a smashing success with 330 women in attendance. Theresa Irace, Fran Dempsey, Grace Sanders, Joan Flanagan, Ann Kitt, Rosewitha Kick, Ray Sikorsky who brought his mother Eleanor, Jill Dougherty, Terry Hettinger, Linda Fairgrieve, Maryann Burns, Maryann O'Brien, Sr. Terese Ezelius and Sarah Cascio were among those present. Sandy Pusey did a great job as the chairperson. The models were Celina and Linda Bartley, Bethy and Melissa Basil, Brooke and Marion Darby, Debbie and Lauren Latella, Lauren and Karen Marino, Karen Marmo, Kelly and Patty Munson, Stephanie Badger, Maria Eduarda de Abreu, Helen Hinck, Magda Jachowicz, Rachel Kayen, Rob Maloney, Cassie Olivos, Ashley, Emily and Sandy Pusey and Jess Witt. There were over 50 door prizes and the Knights of Columbus rented the hall at cost.

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Dara and John Perlow had a wonderful trip to Ireland to visit her sister who lives near Dublin. Their children Russell, Haley and Marcel had an unforgettable experience. The Perlows live on Marcellus Road.

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Speaking of Ireland the library had an excellent visual tour of the Emerald Isle. The only thing I didn't like was the reference to Londonderry. This city is called Derry by Irish people which was its name for a thousand years before the British invaders changed it.

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If you see a store window being washed, the guy doing the job is almost sure to be Troy Matlof, formerly of Columbus Parkway. Troy, who works seven days a week, has almost every store in the village as a customer. He started washing windows in his family's business when he was 17 and went in business for himself 20 years ago. His hobbies are tinkering with classic cars and fishing.

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John Broder of the centennial committee said that the demand for banners with the sponsors' names printed on them was greater than the supply. We erected 190 banners throughout the village. Tom Raad said that we had received so many ads that the journal would be 130 pages and will soon be mailed out to all homes in the village. Neil Young and Margaret Ann Farmer are selecting the pictures for the journal and they have many to choose from. Don't forget the square dance set for April 8 - another centennial event. The 1906 caboose will be arriving at the park shortly. John DaVanzo joked, people expect the LIRR to be a little late. Maryann O'Brien said that the plans were going well for the revue which will be held May 4, 5 and 6. Portuguese dancers, Irish dancers, jazz groups and many others are ready to come for the auditions March 31 at the community center. Mr. DaVanzo is hard at work on the parade and fireworks and Candie Maia on the centennial ball. The Welcome to Mineola sign of the Going Co. as you cross the bridge going north will say, "Welcome to Mineola, 100 Years Old 1906-2006." Our two Mineola American signs will be on the bridge, one on each side. The names of the sponsors are to be doubled their present size.

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If it's a blazing fire in Mineola, you can be sure chief Walker Crosby will be there. Walter has been a fireman for 47 years and is the last of the active chiefs. He and his wife Grace and son Michael lunched at the Jericho Diner.

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My conservative friends tell me that the media is biased and always favors the liberal agenda. My liberal friends tell me that the media is slanted to the right. Hey, it sounds like we must be doing a good job.

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Lots of people miss that police booth that used to be on Willis Avenue. They felt it gave them a feeling of safety.

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What does Mineola read? My friend Maryann Ferron of CJ Gifts says she carries 20 New York Times and sells about 18; 20 News and sells about 10; 30 Posts and sells all of them; 30 Newsdays and sells about 25; and 20 Mineola Americans and sells about 18. The Post does very well. Many may not realize that the Post, founded by Alexander Hamilton, is America's oldest paper, printed since 1801.

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Margo O'Loughlin looked great as the grand marshal in the local St. Patrick's parade. Among the viewers were such "Irish" as Baltazar Rodrigues who lives with his wife Clara and daughter Olivia on Jackson Avenue. He is a custodian at a Garden City school and Bob Port of Andrews Road and the real article, Brenden Campbell, who was born in County Tyrone and lives on 2nd Street. Good job by parade chairman Mike Lane of the Irish Echo and looking sharp was the president of the Irish American Society, Mike Quinn.

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Imagine when William Jennings Bryan ran against William McKinley in the election of 1896, 80 percent of the people voted. Today we are lucky to get 55 percent to the polls.

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Pete Fagiola had coffee at the Jericho Diner. For 26 years he was the building superintendent of the village. Pete retired 10 years ago and now lives in Valley Stream but is still active in the Mineola Fire Department.