More than 400 people packed the Jericho Terrace on Friday night, Nov. 17 for the Village of Mineola Centennial Ball. The evening was a celebration of the village's 100th birthday as many of Mineola's residents, business people, volunteers and community members gathered to celebration the birthday.

The evening started off with a cocktail hour and then Mayor Jack M. Martins addressed the guests as he spoke about the beginnings of the village and the future. Indeed, it took people with great resolve, those who are gone now and those who are still residents, to make the village what it is today. Many have raised families, shared good moments and bad, but all can call Mineola home.

Each of the chairmen of the Centennial Committee - John DaVanzo, Bob Hinck and Candi Maia, was honored for the fantastic job of planning the centennial events. Each received a crystal lighthouse.

Included in the festivities was a special presentation to the parents of Peter Palamara Jr., who passed way last year at the age of 29. Peter, who worked for Arista Printing, which printed the centennial journal, designed the official village centennial logo.

Festivities ended with Mayor Martins, Deputy Mayor Larry Werther, Trustee Linda Fairgrieve, DaVanzo, who is also a village trustee, Hinck, who is also a former mayor, former Mayor John Colbert and former deputy Mayor Lou Santosus leading the guests in a toast to the village.