THE STATE OF THE VILLAGE IS A+. Each year in January, the President report to the Congress and the Nation on the state of the country; the Governor reports on the state, the County Executive reports on the County, etc. and right here in Babylon Village our mayor reports to the “Babylon Busy Women” at their January meeting on the state of the Village. It’s always an informative session, and again this year Mayor Ralph Scordino brought them up-to-date on happenings and progress in the Village for the last year. The Christmas season was the best ever with the Old Fashioned Night of Shopping and the Open House at the Conklin House, drawing huge crowds the Village looked so beautiful all dressed up for the holidays. The E. Donald Conroy Golf Course had a very successful season with leagues for women, men and youth drawing lots of players, and there were a large number of players all during the season. The Babylon Beautification Society did their usual fab job with 800 hanging baskets, 400 lamp posts with more planned for this year. The Gilbert C. Hanse pool had a very successful season, with 800 children participating in the swimming lessons and attendance way up. There are two shops in town: Pandemonium and Shop Girls. We have a new French restaurant, Emerson’s. On a sad note, the Babylon Fire Department lost one of its most loyal volunteers, Joe Curran. Coming up: the tree planting program is on-going and thanks to a grant from senator Owen Johnson, the streets in the Twin oaks area which have had flooding problems, will receive new drainage systems.

There will be new rules and regulations regarding landscapers from now on, they will have to obtain a permit from the Village in order to work on Village properties; there is on-going paving of the Village streets until all are completed. the Mayor paid particular praise to all of the dedicated Village workers the services of “Skip” Gardener are invaluable, and Scott Glenn is doing an excellent job heading up the Highway Department. Next year it is hoped there will be another Bay Fest which was so popular last summer, and also in the works is a “First Night” celebration for New Year’s Eve. The work continues, and every effort is being made to maintain and improve our community.

NEED A PASSPORT? OR NEED TO HAVE YOUR PASSPORT RENEWED? The Village is now offering this service right here in Village Hall at the Village Clerk’s office. Call them at 669-1500.

WANT THE BEST? These Village restaurants and businesses have been recognized by the Long Island Press Newspaper as the best on Long Island: Best coffee house and best desserts: Babylon Bean; Best breakfast: Glen’s Dinette; Best health food store: Sherry’s; Best Sushi: Kotobuki; Best neighborhood restaurant: Tricia’s Cafe (and we hear from our own source that they make a fabulous hamburger); Best bar: Post Office Cafe and Argyle Grill and Tavern; Best surf shop: Bunger’s; Best bicycle shop: Babylon Bike Shop.

AND THE JANUARY BIRTHDAYS CONTINUE. Bob Pasch (our well-known local volunteer) celebrated with family on Saturday; It was Gene Turner’s turn to pick up the tab at the Sewer Society breakfast meeting on Wednesday and Peg Rendich celebrated last weekend with children and grandchildren from near and far who came here for the happy occasion.

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