Top 11 Stories of 2011 in Mineola

With 2012 out of the starting gate, what were the top news items in Mineola in 2011?

The year 2011 is over and 2012 has just begun. The Mineola American decided to start off the New Year with a quick look back at the stories that warmed hearts, humbled many, raised eyebrows and kept Mineola and the surrounding community buzzing.

11. Mineola Resident Kicks 1,000 Field Goals

In 24 Hours Craig Pinto edged former New York Yankee great Reggie Jackson for the title of “Mr. October” in philanthropic terms anyway.

Mineola Discusses Preliminary School District Budget

Preliminary numbers suggest school district can meet 2 percent cap on tax levy

The Mineola School District presented its preliminary numbers of the 2012-13 district budget at its Dec. 19 meeting at the Willis Avenue School. With a new 2 percent tax cap enacted by New York State, Long Island school districts face considerable challenges heading into the budget season.

The district is aiming at 2 percent for the 2012-13 school year. Mineola has been at or under 2.5 percent for four consecutive years without cutting programs.

Mineola High School Principal Discusses Project-Based Learning

High School team presents plan on main goals moving forward with state testing

The landscape of student education in the 21st century is rapidly changing from a traditional fact-based curriculum to a project-based learning environment, and Mineola High School is currently evaluating the benefits of embracing this new model for teaching.

According to New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner, the United States has been put at a serious disadvantage globally because of a lack of homogenous standards and assessments. With Steiner’s words in mind, a new, national assessment system will likely be anchored into schools, which means Regents exams in English and Math may be a thing of the past three to four years from now.

Mineola Resident Celebrates 105th Birthday

Beatrice Hubbard celebrated her 105th birthday recently and is a longtime Mineola resident. She taught for many years in the Mineola School District. In fact, John DaVanzo AKA “Mr. Mineola” was one of her pupils in Middle School.

Village Approves Tax Cap Override Option

Mineola officials: ‘It’s just a tool, not a requirement’

To say it’s going to be easy for municipalities and school districts to make a 2 percent tax cap would be misleading. Tough decisions are on the horizon; some residents will be in uproar and others will applaud those involved for fiscal responsibility.

The Board of Trustees of Mineola approved the amendment of a local law, which authorizes the village to set the property tax levy in excess of the limit established by New York State. The board and village attorney John Spellman stated that this does not mean the board will intentionally go over the cap because of the approved override.

Holocaust Survivor’s Chilling Story Stirs Mineola School District

Irving Roth details hardship as part of school project

Over 100 students, parents and faculty members from all levels of the Mineola School District convened Dec. 15 in the high school auditorium to listen to the chilling details of Holocaust survivor Irving Roth’s life.

Roth, now in his early 80s, was invited to speak at the school as part of Danielle Cohen’s “Adopt-A-Survivor” project. Cohen, a senior at Mineola High School, met with Roth several times over the course of the past few months to find out more about his time spent as a teenager growing up in Western Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Mineola Celebrates 90th Birthday

John DaVanzo turns 90, reflects on cherished years

If you frequent Mineola, you have probably seen him at Village Hall, the Hampton Street Stadium, the community pool, the Station Plaza Diner and the list goes on. He has met U.S. presidents and has been a fixture in public life for years. His footprint in Mineola has been cemented for decades, and will continue to be so for many years to come.

Mr. Mineola is his name and the village is his playground.

John S. DaVanzo, a lifelong Mineola resident, celebrated his 90th birthday on Friday, Dec. 9. He was honored at Village Hall last Wednesday, Dec. 7, with a cake and celebration following the board of trustees public meeting.

Troop 45 Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Mineola Boy Scout troop started way back in 1921

In March of 1921 Warren G Harding was inaugurated as President of the United States, later that same year, KDKA Radio in Pittsburg broadcast the first baseball game and in June of 1921 the first charter for Mineola’s Boy Scout Troop 45 was issued. On that first charter the Troop was sponsored by the Civic League of Mineola, Joseph Nohowec was the first Scoutmaster and Mr. F.L. Jenkins was the Troop Committee Chairman.

That first registration listed 18 boys as Scouts and was the beginning of 90 years of continuous service to the boys of Mineola.  On Saturday, Nov. 26, over 260 people gathered at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place to mark the anniversary and to celebrate 90 years of turning little boys into young men.

Village of Mineola Tree Lighting 2011

This year’s holiday tree lighting ceremony was held on Friday Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Village of Mineola Community Center at Village Hall located at 155 Washington Avenue.

All Four Hampton Street Project Bids Awarded

Main construction bidders tie, Mineola School District awards VRD

The Mineola School District Board of Education awarded all four construction bids on the Hampton Street School project at its workshop meeting on Dec. 1.

Three of the four were open on Nov. 16. The district had previously rejected one of the general contracting bids. The contracting bid opened on Nov. 29.