Editor’s Note: Lou Sanders, who has his journalism degree from NYU, and his wife, Grace, a graduate of Adelphi University, founded the Mineola American in 1952, giving the village its first successful newspaper. Lou and Grace have lived in Mineola for 59 years and his popular column is a signature feature of this paper.
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I was hoping to resume my column here at the Bristal in Westbury. Grace and I have been visited by Bernadette O’Brien; Msgr. Robert Batule, pastor of Corpus Christi, George and Helena Sommers; Gavin and Irene Duffy, Judge Scott Fairgrieve, Steve Ford, Bill Greene, Ray Sikorski, over the recent weeks and about 15 different sisters —all friends of our daughter, Sister Annmarie, including Sister Mary Hughes. Other visitors include sister Beth Pearson, who teaches at St. Joseph’s College, and has come six times. As well as Bill D’Avanzo, son of the late Bill and nephew of John D’Avanzo, Murial Mahan, whose late husband was with the FDNY. The Mahans lived on Elderbury Road, for 48 years. Visits from Peter Gollobin, Marge Hogarity of Latham Road, and Bill Dempsey, son of
Fran and the late William Dempsey, have been great.
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Now that the Islanders are leaving Nassau, they are doing terrific with 23 wins and 11 loses as I write this. They were leaving the area because of all the empty seats and now have a full house for most games.
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I’m still intrigued by some of the team names in the Western Hockey League like Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Swift Current and Red Deer. The contrast with our football, basketball and baseball teams makes both Rangers and Islanders look really good.
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All the criticism of the police makes us realize the good job done by commander Sean McCarthy and the guys in the 3rd precinct like Jim Dougherty, Joe Connolly, Sean Coffee, Mark Kellerman, Charlie Stillin and the rest.
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We also met Frank Syracuse, former code enforcer of Mineola who later worked at the Wyndham in Garden City.
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We were happy to see Mary Ann Cantelino of Beebe Road who volunteers at Winthrop’s gift shop.
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Abella Sotelo of Hillside Avenue in Mineola has worked as an LPN for 25 years.
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We ran into Mark Cataletti who used to own Villa Roma Pizza in Mineola. He was with his wife, Palmyra, and daughter, Sophia.
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Ray and Mary Ann Morales of Beebe Road faithfully babysit their grandchildren, Mickey and Danny.
