THE RAINS ALMOST CAME, but the weather cooperated in time for the 10th annual All-Village Celebration on the lawn of the Conklin House last Sunday afternoon, and "everyone" was there to honor this year’s "Nathaniel" Award winner, Aaron Stein. It was indeed a memorable day in Babylon - the Volunteer Village. Events like this one don’t just happen - it takes months of hard work of so many volunteers, and Bob Pasch spoke about the wonderful cooperation of our dedicated Villagers when he presented the award to Aaron. Kudos to co-chairs Doug Chapey and Alice Vanderveldt and their committee who made it all happen; the generous restaurants who donated the delicious food and manned the refreshments stands, the raffle committee headed up by Mary Ellen and Tom Sullivan, and to so many others who helped make this the most successful All-Village Celebration ever. Saw so many familiar faces - Judge Patrick Henry and his lovely wife Teresa, and another one of our favorite Judge Dan Loughlin with his lovely wife, Gloria. Dr. Chris Proto was there with his wife Monica. Of course, our Mayor Ralph Scordino was there. Trustees Kevin Muldowny, Alice Vanderveldt and Debbie Basile were on hand - ditto Babylon Town Councilman Wayne Horsley. It was so nice to see Louise and Marty Kennedy, Joan and Joe Vanderveldt visiting from their California home, former award winners Isabel Gallagher, Betty Siegel, Joan and Bill Holmes and Alice Zaruka and of course Bob Pasch and his wife Fran. Sally and Ted Shiebler are here for the summer months from their California home, Nan Hanaway, her niece Susie Goldhirsch and on and on.

And now for the lucky winners: Barbara Schlerf took home the door prize, the dinner for 12 donated by Deliciously Different. (Who will be the lucky invitees?) The raffle winners were: Loyda Goodbody, the Don Eckelberry signed print Canvasback on the Bay donated by Ginny Eckelberry, frame donated by Village Art and Frame Gallery; a midweek overnight stay in the Great Cedar Resort Hotel at Foxwoods, Connecticut won by Diane Muldowny, and a Bob Grover hand-carved bird won by Robin Hilbert. Thanks to all.

IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY PRESENT for Toby Sikowitz when her husband Joel and his Dixie Land Band played their song I Can’t Get Started Without You at the Village concert at Babylon High School on July 8. We weren’t able to be there, but our friend Joe Leone told us all about the lovely evening when Joel and his band played many favorites and a very special request for Renee Leone - the song was Misty. Joel played a great trumpet and the concert was a real winner says Joe.

JULY 14TH IS BASTILLE DAY AND A VERY BIG DAY FOR CELEBRATION IN FRANCE and here in the U.S. It was a very special day for Jenny Henry McCabe as she celebrated her 40th birthday with family and friends. Many, many more Jen.

THEY ALL HAD A FAB TIME. On a recent visit to Florida, Sue Borg, her daughter Allison Bridges and her beautiful granddaughter Gywneth Bridges toured the Epcot Center in Orlando and then enjoyed a wonderful visit with Sue’s sister Nancy Tuthill at her ocean front condo in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

HATS OFF to Jacqueline Menger, a graduate of Babylon High School and the daughter of Linda and William Menger who’s been awarded a full scholarship to Suffolk County Community College which she will attend for two years and then will transfer to Veterinarian School at Cornell University.

YES, THERE STILL ARE HONEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, especially right here in Babylon. Last Saturday Mary Rendich enjoyed a "slice" at the Pizza Palace in the 109 shopping center. She left without her wallet which contained quite a large amount of cash, and, even more important her driver’s license, credit cards, insurance cards and many more. When she realized what had happened she returned to the store, and a lovely sales girl, Gina had the wallet ready for her with all of her money and cards. It seems a young couple who occupied the table found the wallet and immediately turned it in. Wish we knew their names, but at least we can say "thank you, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and honesty." And the pizza is dee-lic-ious. Try it, you’ll like it.

SOME SAD NEW TO REPORT Many of our readers remember Stuart Paterson, who lived in Daytona Beach, Florida. Stuart was the son of the late Charlotte Robbins Paterson and the late Stuart Paterson. He was raised in Babylon where he attended local schools. Stuart died in the Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach on July 3. He was 50 years old and is survived by a son, Ross, also of Florida.

A SHORT, BUT VERY ENJOYABLE VISIT. Yes Michelle and Blake Gilmore were in town for a visit with Michelle’s brother Joe Vanderveldt Jr. and his family last week. During their stay they enjoyed a luncheon party with old friends mat the Babylon Yacht Club. Then it was on to Southhold where a reunion of the Vanderveldt-VanBourgondien families was held. Family members came from all over to enjoy the festivities and a great time was had by all./