'Twas a great St. Patrick's Parade on March 4 as the green, white and gold of Ireland flew with the Stars and Stripes. The freezing cold did not stop the Irish-American Society from sponsoring the historic parade, which starts in Garden City and ends in Mineola. Thousands of marchers accompanied by bands, Irish Wolfhounds, motorcycles and horses made their way north along Franklin Avenue and down to Old Country Road in Mineola. Pat Browne of County Kerry was this year's grand marshal. He is a member of the Irish American Society Musicians, a member of their golf club and president of Cill Cais players theater group. Pat has been a member of the Society since 1990, where he served as a trustee, director and chairman of the board.

Ann Maguffin of the Society has been so helpful to all, we thank her. Ann's husband, Bill, was formerly president of the Irish American Society.

Arlindo Cunha, the contractor, enjoyed lunch at the Churrasqueira restaurant. He and his wife, Marie, live on Mineola Boulevard.

Nicholas Pontolio of Skelly Place, is a big help at the Mineola Library. He started there as a page and has worked his way up to the front desk. A faithful patron of the library is our friend, Julia McCrave. We knew Julia's late husband, Pat, well. He would have loved being here for another St. Patrick's Day and to toast us all with a pint of Guinness.

Mary Calfapietra was a member of a large group who accompanied Father Tomaz Gomide to Brazil.

Peggy May and her mom, Betty Connolly, enjoyed dinner at Cugini's. Betty, who looks wonderful at the age of 90, lives on Andrews Road.

The Fallon family, Brian, Virginia, Katie, Thomas, Caroline and Tess, also like Cugini's. Katie is just back from a school field trip to London. The Fallons live on Andrews Road.

Irish-born Brendan Campbell of Second Street, is a huge Islander fan. He is a retired baker. When he comes to CJ Gifts to buy the Irish Echo, he loves to tease Maryann Ferron, a big supporter of the Rangers. If the Isles have won, he has much to say; if they have lost, he is kind of quiet.

Former Williston Mayor Tom Muldoon and his wife, Carole, eat at the Jericho Diner every Friday. They love the Lobster bisque.

Jim and Helen Callaghan of Evelyn Road, moved to Mineola 57 years ago, coming here a year after their marriage. Jim worked for Lilco and Helen was employed at Winthrop Hospital. They said they were past their traveling days, but used to see much of the world when their son worked for American Airlines.

O'Brien's Pub in Williston Park is a great place for sporting events, with something like nine TVs you can watch baseball, basketball and hockey. Barney Kavanaugh is a fine host aided by Kathy and Rich.

Had a brief exchange with Charlie Wang, owner of the Islanders. He and I were in the elevator together at the game in which the locals had led 2-0 with two minutes left only to lose to St. Louis 3-2, which probably explained Wang's unhappy mood.

We know that Toyota will soon be number one in the world. More and more of their cars are made in Japan and Germany. But look around your house. Most items are made in China, Korea, Taiwan, Portugal, Mexico, and Belgium and, occasionally, Ireland and every so often something actually is made in the United States. It's no wonder that we have a $230 billion deficit with China.

Nothing seems to stop Fran Dempsey of Andrews Road. No matter how cold it got, she always made daily Mass at Corpus Christi and breakfast at Jericho. Her late husband, William, had a long and distinguished career as a Family Court judge. Her son, Bill, is an assistant district attorney and her late daughter, Joanne, was a professor of Medieval English.

I looked in my dresser drawer and lo and behold there was a claim ticket for the shoes that I had taken to the shoemaker 12 years ago and forgotten all about it. So I went to claim them and Joe said, "They will be ready next week." OK, it's just a joke.

Attorney Richard Marks is now at the Townhouse Extension Care Center in Uniondale, according to his wife, Annette of Sheridan Boulevard. Dick and Annette used to go to Greenport like us.

Always good to see Muriel Salvadore of Emory Road in church, even though she has to come with a walker and an aide.