Lou Panacciulli's Nassau Pops and the Mineola Choral Society presented their usual fine Christmas concert with almost 1,200 people in the audience. Among the many we had a chance to talk to were Kitty Connors, Vicki Mussa, Dolores Mangold, Maureen O'Connell, Jane O'Sullivan, Marge Erichs, Bud and June Haller, Bob and Rita Hess, Margaret Fleming,

John DaVanzo, Mayor Martins, Charlie and Sally Patterson, Pat Gavin, Julie McCrave, Jim and Barbara Sandquist, Carol and Frank Webber, Marie Hehman, Nancy Portoghese, Elaine Panacciulli, Elizabeth Conlon, Joan Rotter, John Pavlovich and Carl and Carol Marchese. Chaminade generously lent their auditorium for the joyous occasion.

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After the concert we met Joe and Catherine Toritto at the Davenport, who had also been to the performance. Also at the same restaurant were Joe and Kay Leonard.

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In spite of the defeat of Mayor Martins' police proposal, Jack's overall popularity seems as strong as ever.

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On Christmas morning we were able to extend greetings to many old friends like Dr. Frank Johnson, Steve Freitas of The New York Times, Nick Buttino, Tom Kelly, Jay Monaco and Henry Bamberger.

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The volunteers working on the "Senior Connection" at the library were Ruth Kazdan, Joan Jacobs and Mike Vezzi. Ruth worked for this newspaper for some 20 years covering village board meetings and school board meetings and taking any special assignments that came up. She was a great reporter. Ruth also worked for Rock Bottom. She and her late husband, Len, were active in Temple Beth Sholom Chabad and Ruth is still an active member of the congregation.

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Ruth and Sandra Holpcek live at the President Apts. Rich has worked for Grand Auto for the last 12 years.

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Good to see Bob Seewaldt and Cathy Whitley at the Chamber of Commerce holiday party. They own Robert's Men's Shop. Amy Thompson was also among the 80 people there. Grace and I had reserved a table along with Jerry and Muriel Mehlman, Jack and Anita Baker and Bill and Ruth Stuart.

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Enjoying lunch at the Churraqueira were Jack Simon and Tom and Jennifer Poupis.

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What a great contractor Rich Calonita is. Rich, who was born in Mineola, enjoys eating at Cugini's.

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If you are going to burglarize a house, don't pick on a former police commander's residence. Retired commander of the 3rd Precinct, Bill King, called the cops when he spotted a couple of guys prowling around his yard. Cops came fast. Bill and his wife, Billie, like living in the village and plan to stay here.

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Joe McCarthy looks great for a man of 91. He and his daughter, Pat Moyett, live on Latham Road. His son resides in Mt. Sinai. Joe and I used to play softball together a long time back. He worked for American Smelting and Refining Co. He was involved in the transportation of non-ferris materials zinc, copper and lead.

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Jeff and Lorraine Clark had dinner at Eleanor Rigby's. He is an executive with Cablevision and Lorraine is part of the famous "Unit Trio."

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Great to see Joe Mannix back in church. Joe was an usher at Corpus Christi Church for many years. It was Joe who got me involved with the ushers. He ad his wife, Catherine, lived on Royal Avenue. Their son is Deacon Brian Mannix.

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Msgr. Robert Batule spent Christmas in Mineola. He was formerly the pastor of Corpus Christi. His homily given on the fourth Sunday of Advent dealt with the coming of Jesus and the way John the Baptist heralded his coming.

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Some of the Western Canadian towns have some great Indian names like Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Swift Current and Saskatoon. And the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.