"A strike of all motorists in the United States. No one would drive his or her car for 24 hours except for medical emergencies. This would bring down the price of gasoline, especially if another strike was threatened if needed," says Bob Sperling of Penn. Ave. Sound crazy? Maybe. But with organization, it could work. Maybe a national strike would be too much to hope for, but even a regional strike would help. At least one just involving New York State would be possible. When the price of a gallon went up to $3, people cut back on their driving and the price fell to as low as $2.39. So Mr. Sperling, I think, has a good idea.

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"Why are all those men walking around with beards?" asked Eileen McKillop when she moved to Mineola in 1956. Mineola at that time was celebrating its 50th anniversary and many of the men grew beards in imitation of the way gentlemen looked in 1906. Eileen, who lives on Barwick Blvd., also remembers Jon DaVanzo and me riding our horses through the streets in the parade.

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Working on the Centennial Journal we recalled the live chicken store on Main Street, the Mineola Movie at Mineola Blvd. and First St. which later became a theater with B'way shows and many famous stars coming to the village, as well as Eddie Ashby's hardware store at Main and Second Sts. In those days we had four financial institutions instead of the 15 we now have. We had the Meadowbrook Bank, with Harold East as president, the Nassau County Trust Co., the Rockville Mineola Savings Co., with Harry Schmidt, son of a former mayor as president, and Mineola National Bank with Charles Kelleher as president. We recalled Asher's Pharmacy started by Harry Asher, Mineola's first mayor.

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Ron Geofferion of Washington Ave. was saddened by the death of his first cousin, Bernie [Boom Boom] Geofferion in Montreal. Bernie, who invented the slap shot, hence his nickname, was an All-Star for the Montreal Canadiens and a member of the Hall of Fame.

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Dan and Virginia Scheidel lunched at the Jericho Diner. Dan is president of the local AARP, but I remember him better as a cop. He was with the Third Precinct for 35 years and used to provide me with the weekly police blotter.

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Memorial Park is well-named. Passing through the park we see the tribute to the almost 3,000 who died on 9-11 with the background of God Bless America surrounded by pictures of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the field in Summerset County, PA. There is another memorial to all the Veterans who have died in all our wars from the American Revolution to the current war on terrorism. In WWII we lost 407,816 killed; 124,079 prisoners and 30,914 missing-in-action and never found. We all know that Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863, was the bloodiest battle in our history, but the worst one-day battle was Antietam, where 12,000 Union and Confederate men were killed. Also strolling through the park, we find a marker for Tommy DeLuca, our neighbor from Lincoln Avenue and one for Tom Moto, both killed in action in Vietnam. A third Mineola soldier also died in that war, but I couldn't find his plaque. There is a memorial for those killed in the LIRR tragedy Dec. 7, 1993.

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On a lighter note, it's good to see a couple of geese back in the park. It gives us a nice rural touch, but watch your footing.

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Martin and Mary O'Donnell enjoyed dinner at the Davenport. They own the Irish pub which bears their name.

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Walter Weismantel sent me the brochure from the MHS reunion, which was held in Florida where so many of the grads now live. We saw the names of Gerry Lehman, the former school nurse, and Jessica Behrman, née Kelly. Walter, himself, graduated in '39 and Grace Weismantel in '45.

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Louie, who used to own the Jericho Diner, then called the Dorian, was having coffee there the other day. He sold the diner to the current owners 12 years ago. He and his partner, George, built the diner in 1974, replacing the old Dixie Diner of Jim Trucks. The Dixie was one of the old railroad car types.

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Neil Piloto and wife, Raphela, lunched at you know where. Neil used to be a drug rehabilitation counselor.

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Maggie Powers of Geranium Avenue has worked at the Cuttin' Club for six years since she graduated from MHS. It's her first job and she likes it a lot. Her hobbies are the beach, surfing and snowboarding. Hey guys, this attractive girl is still single.

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Francine McPoland of Mineola has a fine restaurant in Patrick's East Side Grille. Grace and I enjoyed brunch there; they have a real Irish breakfast, as well as American choices.

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I speak Spanish and have many friends among the busboys, kitchen help and gardeners. Without getting involved in the immigration battle, I will say all these fellows are very hard-workers and all speak English or are trying to learn it as quickly as they can.

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Mike Vezzi of Mineola is doing a great job trying to help the Salvation Army. Mike also has been a big help to the Centennial Committee with the caboose and the bed for the car.

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Bill Greene and family like to shop at Ceriello's. Bill is a director and officer of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce and lives on Jerome Avenue.

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