Top photo, Some attendees: From left: Gene and Ann Demott (visitors from Sayville) with friends Majorie and John Murphy of Babylon Village.

The 20 restaurants and 20 service organizations that participated in the 10th annual All-Village Celebration held at the Conklin House Green on Sunday, July 17, 2005 set a record, as did the number of attendees, 250. Aaron Stein, 50, set another record. He is the youngest village volunteer to receive the Nathaniel Conklin Award for volunteerism.

Though the event was bigger and better than ever, Lucy Domingo, co-owner with her husband of Cafe Il Villaggio Italian Restaurant and a regular vendor at the All-Village Celebration, felt that the event has become more intimate in a way. "Even though every year there are more vendors that want to participate, this is still a hometown event—I think it’s wonderful," she said.

First time attendees Ann and Gene Demott from Sayville said they always wanted to attend the All- Village Celebration, and were prompted to do so this year because Ann was a high school classmate of Aaron Stein. "I have seen so many familiar faces," said Ann, who grew up in the Village and is the daughter of native resident Connie Hoernel.

Meeting friends old and new is just part of what this Village tradition is all about. While it is a main fundraiser for the restoration of the historic Nathaniel Conklin House, it is also a celebration of the spirit of volunteerism that is so pervasive throughout the community.

Middle, from left: Alice Vandervelt, event co-chair; Nathaniel Conklin Volunteer Award winner; and his wife Mary Ann.

Several years ago, the planning committee invited volunteer organizations to display their services at tables ringing the perimeter of the tent. "This year we decided to survey our volunteer participants with a questionnaire that sought to find out if these organizations felt it worth their while to attend," said Village Trustee Alice Vanderveldt, who co-chaired the event with Doug Chapey. "After all, this is really a celebration of volunteerism."

Chapey noted that about 80 percent of the attendees at the 10th event were also there for the very first one back in 1996. "This event has really taken off, and that says a lot about the people in this Village," said Chapey.

During his acceptance remarks, Conklin Volunteerism Award winner Stein thanked all the residents who supported all the events in Babylon Village through the years. He especially thanked all the volunteers who have worked with him, including his office staff who instinctively know that selling tickets to the numerous events that Stein is involved with and/or chairs is just simply part of their job.

Above, Aaron Stein with his proud family. From left: His mom Margie Ewald; Aaron Stein; his son Ben; wife Mary Ann and daughter Heather. Top photo, mother and daugther enjoy the event: From left: Native Babylonian Connie Hoernel and her daughter Ann Demott. Second from top, our youngest attendee: Adam Hapi Auer, son of the owners of Glen's Dinette, takes a rest on the Conklin House porch. Third from top, Aaron Stein accepts the Nathaniel Conklin Volunteer Award from Mayor Ralph Scordino. Above, proprietors from Cafe Il Villaggio. From left: Jospehine Mannina; Lucy Domingo; Giovanna Domingo; and Allie Domingo.