Heard It On The Grapevine
By Frick and Frack

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS, and lots of holiday celebrations have been going on in our Village. On Friday, December 1 the Chamber of Commerce postponed its annual Old-Fashioned Nite of Shopping, because of the bad weather, and held it instead on Friday, December 8. It was a big success with lots of shoppers and busy merchants around town in spite of the chilly weather. Lots of young people showed up to see Santa who visited all over the Village. Some of the merchants offered refreshments to the hungry crowd. Hats off to the Chamber and their President Donna Consola.

AND WHAT WOULD CHRISTMAS BE WITHOUT THE ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING sponsored by the Babylon Busy Women? The youngsters and their parents sang carols led by Gene Turner. Reverend Conrad Shauch, Pastor of St. Paul’s Reformed Church gave the inspiring invocation, and always on the spot whenever he’s needed. Paul Steinberg played on his keyboard. It was very cold, but that didn’t stop Paul. The kids were all thrilled when Santa arrived in his fire truck and they stood in line to receive their candy canes. And last, but not least, Mayor Ralph Scordino pulled the switch to light the giant tree for all to see and enjoy. Many thanks go to Fire Chief Richard Krollage, Bruce Larsen and of course Skip Gardner, and to Elizabeth Karoly, president of the Busy Women and all of the members who worked on the big event.

KUDOS TO THE QUILTERS who work so hard all year long at the BabylonVillage Historical Society to sew the beautiful quilt which was raffled off at the Wassail Bowl party. This year, $1,700 was raised from chances sold in the village. Joy Torrey is the originator of the project, and let’s hear it for Marla Arone, Doris Quarry, Karin Cotter, Alice Waters, Anna Schmidt, Ruth Crotty and Elizabeth Karoly. This wonderful group of ladies also makes quilts for a home for abused children, an orphanage in Uzbekistan, the Babylon Beach House, the Consolation Nursing Home and other groups.

OUR CONGRATULATIONS to Joy’s granddaughter Alline Torrey who recently received her master’s degree with a history major at the State University of New York at Albany. Alline is the daughter of Anne Tiffen and also of the late Will Torrey.

SEND GET WELL WISHES to former Babylon Village Mayor Syd Askoff. Syd is a patient at the Little Flower Nursing Home in East Islip.

EAST, DRINK, AND BE MERRY. That’s what staff members of the Massapequa Post, Amityville Record and Babylon Beacon did last Wednesday night at the annual Christmas party at “The Pier.” Our host and hostess, Publisher Al James and Editor Carolyn James had arranged a beautiful party, with a gourmet dinner (you can’t beat the food at The Pier, and everyone had a great time sharing newspaper experiences with their colleagues. It was fun talking to Deer Park columnist Joyce Ratushny, our pet columnist JoAnn Anderson, Janine Logan who covers our school and other Village events and our intrepid photographer Cliff De Bear and others. Thank you Carolyn and Al for the lovely evening.

IS SANTA’S SLED IN BABYLON VILLAGE? Sure looks like it. We saw “the sled” driving on Woodsome Road several days ago. Maybe it wasn’t the “real” Santa, but someone went to a lot of trouble arranging lights around their car or small truck. We couldn’t see the driver because of the darkness. What a great idea. Hope some of our local kids will be lucky enough to spot it.

Have yourselves a very Merry Christmas.

P.S. - AND SPECIAL THANKS to Mayor Ralph Scordino, his lovely wife Linda, Trustee Alice Vanderveldt, Sharon Accettella, Elizabeth Karoly, Karen Petz and Denise Reilly for holding the fort at the Conklin House last weekend. It was a bonus for those who didn’t make it on the weekend of the first.

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