Ireland's green, white and gold flag followed the "Star Spangled Banner" as thousands watched the biggest local St. Patrick's Day parade ever. The annual event sponsored by the Irish-American Society and with Mike Quinn, the Society's president serving as the Grand Marshal was truly a grand parade. In addition to the Irish Step dancers from the Golden School of Dance, there were Portuguese dancers and something really new - a large contingent of Chinese dancers. There were many horses, many bands from the various schools and, of course, a huge number of marchers from the different Knights of Columbus clubs and other organizations. In the reviewing stand were Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice, Mineola's Mayor Jack Martins and Williston's Mayor Lud Odierna. 'Twas indeed a grand day! It was a bonanza for Murphy's Pub, the Recovery Room's Irish restaurant, Eleanor Rigbys and the huge group that later went to the Irish-American Society headquarters.

We were sorry to hear about the death of longtime Mineola resident Sheila Johnson. Sheila was a regular at Corpus Christi every morning and every Sunday. Sheila was Irish, although born in Liverpool, England. That city has a large Irish enclave. It was during WWII that Sheila met and then married Tom Johnson serving with the U.S. Army.

Jean Cerruti lives on E. Jefferson Avenue and she feels lucky that her son Tony and his wife Linda live just a few houses away.

Transitory Deacon Tom Tassone served eight years with the Naval Reserve. Tom will be ordained a priest June 14.

Suffolk County Assistant DA Tara Fairgrieve and her dad Judge Scott Fairgrieve lunched at the Jericho. Her mom is village trustee Lynn.

Tippy Overton was the president of Mineola's Pony League for 30 years. Tippy, who lives on Dow Avenue is retired from the phone company.

A homeless man frequently visits the library and nobody really minds as long as he is quiet. Recently he caused a ruckus by yelling loudly and disturbing the patrons and had to be forced to leave. The man seems to have mental problems.

John Herling was at a recent Islander game. It was very impressive to see the 12 ice girls display a 100 x 30 foot American flag across the ice surface while the crowd sang the national anthem. Al Arbour, Bob Nystrom, Ken Murrow and Duane Sutter, heroes of the Islanders glory days were present as was the TV star Pat Sajak. John is a reference librarian and lives on Dow Avenue with wife Paula.

George Sommer is a civil engineer and one of those working on the Roslyn Viaduct. That structure was judged as one of the 10 best bridges in the U.S. by Road and Bridge magazine. George and wife Helena live on Skelly Place.

Frank DiPrima was 85 last month as was his wife Josephine. He is a retired iron worker and has lived on Foch Boulevard for the past 37 years.

Former cop Bill Altwater, Mary Calfapietra and Jack and Karen Gayson were lunching at the Jericho.

Tony Tuzzolo is the landlord at Kiss the Chef and is happy that the diner on East 2nd Street is such a success. Tony is an electrical contractor and lives with his wife Carol on Beebe Road. They are 32-year residents.

Aero Trades at 65 Jericho Turnpike has been in Mineola for 67 years. Owner John Niebuhl and wife Isabel were eating at ... well you know where. Aero Trades manufactures airplane parts.

Christina Gomes is an assistant at the office of Dr. Barry Gimbel. She and her husband, Carlos, live nearby in Carle Place.

Speaking of Dr. Gimbel, one of his patients is Dr. Richard Dubin, a dentist with an office on 1st Street where he has practiced since 1973.

Old sayingd like "take with a grain of salt" comes from ancient times when it was believed that salt could kill poison. They would sprinkle salt on meat to protect themselves. Hence the expression came to mean anything of a questionable background. It was forbidden in early times for scientists and doctors to work on cadavers. Grave robbers used to dig up a dead person and sell the body to doctors for medical research. If the doctor expected visitors he would hide the skeleton in the closet. Hence the saying, "a skeleton in the closet."

King Kullen returned to our village 15 years ago. Fifty years ago we not only had King Kullen but also A&P, Bohack's, First National, Associated and Key Foods. All left and the village had no supermarket until then-Mayor Hinck prevailed upon the Cullens to return to Mineola.