"Merry Christmas" were the words on everybody's lips at the mayor's annual holiday party. We exchanged greetings with Susan Skaflestad, Ed Paley, Cristina Balbo, Pat Lackner, Soon-Jung Fong, Cathy Sagevick, Linda Guggino, Genevieve Reidlinger, Margaret Ann Farmer, John, Paula and Sara Herling, Emilia Morelli, Angelina and Alex Morelli, Kayla D'Antonio, Mary Parker, Michelle Price, Joe Dores, Joan and Neil Young, Tom Murtha, Lois Desimone, Walter and Joan Hobbs, John DaVanzo, John and Jackie Carway, Dick and Marguerite O'Callaghan, Dorothy Bedson, Margaret Arrengo, Bill Urianek, Sal Cataldo, Gus and Dorothy Calandiello, Joe DiGiorgio, Inspector Bob Turk, Martin O'Donnell, Kyle and Bob Teemsma, Bill Gresalfi, George Oriez, Janet Zalkin, Frederick Booher, Larry and Fran Werther, Judge and Mrs. John O'Shea, Deacon John Reinhart and Nancy Portoghese. It was a great Christmas party.

Somebody slashed the tires on Mayor Martins' car. I hope this had nothing to do with the recent police referendum. Hey, come on, Mineola is supposed to be a friendly village.

Here's a politician you can really like. The president of Kenya was told by his congress to double his own salary. He said, "No way, I'm getting enough. The money could be used better to aid the poor." Wow.

The storm basin in the park looks wonderful. The banks are completely clean. Three ducks and a heron were enjoying the clean water. Butterfly preserve is all quiet of course.

Chief Jack Gayson of the fire department breakfasted at the Jericho Diner. You know, Jack would make a good village trustee.

Maryann Ferron (big Ranger fan) knew she would hear from the gang at O'Donnell's Pub (all big Islander rooters) the minute the locals took a 4-0 lead on the team from the city. Sure enough the lads with Irish accents were on the phone, "Hey, Maryann, great game, huh?" "Maryann, you catching all this?" It's all in fun, of course. By the way, Maryann tried to buy two tickets for a Ranger game for her husband and herself. Can you believe that there are no two seats together for any Ranger game the rest of this season? Boy, the Isles could use some of that kind of support.

Bob Small has worked for Mr. Jay for 19 years. He and his wife Elaine live on Foch Boulevard.

Mike Balboni is a popular fellow. He and his Stefani lunched at my favorite diner. It's surprising how many Democrats vote for this Republican State Senator. Mike seems to be above party politics.

Father Bruno Vekrim of St. Aidan's lunched at the Ivy Cottage. At another table were Marty Becker and Anna Massa.

Msgr. Robert Batule has been studying and teaching in Italy. The former Corpus Christi pastor is visiting Mineola this season.

Bill Altvater is a retired New York City housing policeman. He now works for a private surveillance company. He and his wife Connie live at Richlee Court.

I met Bruce and Maryann Burns at a recent Isles-Canadiens game. We lost.

Mark and Pat Lockhart of Birchwood Court eat, you know where. He is a retired chauffeur.

I often meet Sheridan Nofer, his wife Margaret and their son Steve around the village. Sheridan used to be with Chase Bank.

The former first lady Eleanor Colbert is always so gracious when you meet her around town.

I know you will find this hard to believe, but I had an error in my last column. Bill Ressegue celebrated his 85th birthday, not his 55th as I wrote. It was 55 years that he lived in the village. Hey, is it my fault that he looks so young?