A bitter battle raged in the village 50 years ago, when a former mayor wanted to sell his large piece of property on Mineola Boulevard to an apartment builder. Half the people in the village were completely opposed, saying: "This will turn our village into another Queens. This will be the end of our suburban way of life." The other half of the village saw it as an advancement that if regulated could increase our tax base. A political election revolved around this issue. The fact that the property belonged to former Mayor Joe Nohowec led to charges of favoritism.

Those in power pushed through the variances to allow the building of the President on Mineola Boulevard. Today we have a great number of apartments. There's the Clinton Arms, the Lincoln Avenue Apartments, the Townhouse, the Horton House, Birchwood Court, the Fairhaven Apartments, Richlee Gardens, Mineola Gardens and the new Jackson Avenue Condominiums. Looking back, the apartment houses have been good for our village. They have brought new tax revenue and they have brought in people with purchasing power, which has helped our commercial community. Most apartment dwellers have no young children, so they have not put additional strains on our schools.

The 450 people at the "Taste of Mineola" voted Eleanor Rigby's as the best. Congrats to Larry and his staff.

Walter and Grace Weismantel live in Florida. They used to own a bakery on Jericho Turnpike from 1935 when Walter's dad, Charles, opened it, until about 20 years ago. Walter was a longtime member of the Mineola Pool board and his four daughters worked at the facility as lifeguards. When Walter read of the re-election of John DaVanzo, he recalled that he first met John when they were both 7 years old and in the second grade together.

The Mineola Chamber of Commerce was really thrilled to get Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice as its speaker at the April 17 meeting. Ms. Rice gave an enlightening talk to the 80 members in attendance at Piccola Bussolla.

Realtor Pete Owens enjoyed breakfast at the Jericho Diner.

Herta Tscherne is a busy lady. She is the treasurer of the County Seat Kiwanis and she is the manager of the National Bank of L.I. local branch.

Julio Cobos used to work at the Estoril Granada, where the French restaurant is today, Bistro St. Germans and now he works at he Friar's Club in N.Y. Julio and his wife, Maritza, live on Burkhard Avenue.

Lynn Losquardro was at the Jericho with her grandmother, Lucille Destefano of Jefferson Avenue. Lucille was in a somber mood recalling her husband, Frank had died just about three years ago.

Maureen Clarke was lucky enough to get tickets to the Pirate Queen. The Broadway production tells the story of the fighting Irish sailor girl who challenged the powerful Elizabeth of England in the 16th Century.

Pete Holowecki was at the Jericho with his daughter, Pat, up from Tampa, FL and his granddaughter, Melissa of Williston Park.

On Palm Sunday, it was good to exchange greetings with Marge Irace, Julie McCrave, Tom and Maryann Warnecke, Kay Murphy, Joan Rotter, Mary O'Boyle, Tom Kelly, John Pavlovich, John Curry, Jack and May Whelan, Jim and Vita Lombardo, Bob Mondello, Terry Connors, Mike and Jill Dougherty, Eddie Hanlon, Mary McGregor and Maria Auriemma.

Ted and Carol Henkel of Roosevelt Avenue were at Eleanor Rigby's . He served four years in the Navy and is a retired photographer. He told us that his great friend, Tom Swierczynski of Mineola, had just died. Tom was only 61.

Joe Gorry is a huge Met fan, as is his sister Mary, the mail lady. Both are season ticket holders. Joe is employed as an iron worker in the city.

Former Grand Knight Marcel and Cathy Chaillol lunched at the Jericho.

Ran into another Corpus Christi Council former Grand Knight Ed Panzella and Mrs. Panzella at CJ Gifts. They live on Marcellus Road.