State Sen. Jack Martins explained the Taste of Mineola and Mineola Style this way: “You’ll never have a chance to eat like this again – until next year.”
Martins might have added that you would be hard-pressed to find Village of Mineola trustees and other models walking the runway in a fashion show featuring local clothiers.
In either case, the Taste of Mineola and Mineola Style last week lived up to its billing as a once-a-year village event featuring food from some of the finest local eateries accompanied by a unique display of local fashion.
“Enjoy the food. And come back to eat at the restaurants,” Village of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss told those at the Wednesday night food fest in Jericho Terrace.
Strauss and Mineola Board of Trustee members Paul Cusato, Lawrence Werther and George Durham modeled tuxedos in the evening’s fashion show.
Strauss walked the runway in style despite sporting a walking cast on one foot after sustaining torn tendons and ligaments on a Boy Scout hike on Bear Mountain during the previous weekend.
“It’s all good,” he said, acknowledging that his leg hurt “a little.”
NBC traffic reporter Lauren Scala, a Mineola Hugh School alumnus, was the emcee introducing the board members and other models on the fashion runway.
“It’s so special. Mineola gave me a lot,” the former prom queen said. “It’s nice to come back and give back to the community.”
Mineola Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira, who was Scala’s faculty advisor, recalled her as an “outstanding student” and praised residents for showing their support for the event.
“This is phenomenal. This is yet another example of the great community spirit in Mineola,” Pereira said.
Members of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, who partnered with the village to produce the event, were equally pleased with the results.
“I love it. It’s one of the jewels in the crown for the chamber,” said Mineola Chamber of Commerce President Ray Sikorski. “We’re very blessed.”
The proceeds from the event above costs will go to local organizations including Friends of the Mineola Library, Island Harvest, the Mineola Athletic Association, the Mineola Fire Department, the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Mineola Auxiliary Police, Mineola Youth & Family Services, Mineola VFW Post 1305, Mineola American Legion Post 349 and the American Red Cross on Long Island.
Last year, the event raised $20,000 for the respective organizations.
Participating Mineola clothiers included Tsontos Furs, Designing Dreams, Fox’s, Foresto Tuxedos and Robert Menswear.
Tony Lubrano, owner of Piccolo Busolo, one of many local eateries that provided samples of its entrees for those who paid the $65 or $75 entrance fee, said he was pleased with the turnout for the night.
“I think we had a great night. The community always comes out for this event,” said Lubrano, who helped organize the event.
Participating Mineola restaurants also included Piccolo’s, Cornerstone Pub, Posa Vino, Vinaco, Eleanor Rigby’s, Michaelangelo’s Pizzeria, Churrasqueria Bairrada Restaurant and Jonathan’s. Other local eateries represented included were Willy Parker’s and Frantoni’s Pizzeria in Williston Park and Uncles Bacala’s and Carlino’s in Garden City Park.
On Dec. 1, Lubrano will play host for a wine tasting at Piccolo Busolo to raise money for the Leukemia Society. His father, Pasquale, died from the disease five years ago.
He said his leukemia fundraising, like the fundraising from Taste of Mineola, is ” a real feeling of satisfaction.”
