HEARD IT ON THE GRAPEVINE

30TH REUNION FOR CLASS OF 1978 Members of the class started the weekend off at the high school on Friday night where they heard their classmate, Billy Tomei give a presentation of his one-man show. The show was a fundraiser for the school. Then on Saturday they gathered on the steps of The Old Town Hall before walking over to the football field to watch the Babylon Panthers defeat Shoreham-Wading River by a score of 40- 0. On Saturday night, they enjoyed dinner and dancing at Captain Bill's Restaurant where a great time was had by all.

SHE'S BACK FROM A MARVELOUS TRIP TO ENGLAND Yes, Mary Jane Young enjoyed her visit with her son Christopher and his wife Gabrielle Palmer of London. She saw all of the sights with her grandchildren, Isabella, age 10; Madeleine, age seven and Christopher (Chip), age three. Christopher has been a principal for 14 years with the Gastmore Company.

THE SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OVER AT THE BABYLON YACHT CLUB. They gave their annual appreciation party last week to thank the volunteers who worked at the various parties and events during the summer season. At the party the tables are turned and the Board does all of the preparation and serving of the food, and again everyone there had a great time.

THEY'RE STARTING TO LEAVE US. Yes, the "Snowbirds" are leaving the cold weather and returning to their nice warm winter homes. Tina and Jim Grange have left Babylon to go back to St. Petersburg, Florida. We'll miss them, but will see them next spring. Hope they have a very good winter season.

A GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING was held for the new store "Bubbles," Mommy and Me. The Mayor and Trustee Kevin Muldowny were on hand to participate in the ceremony last Saturday. The store, previously known as "J. Della" was located on East Main Street. The store is owned by Karen Hazelton and her daughter Jennifer Delafranca, and carries clothing for little girls, babies and their mothers. As our readers know, this vintage building has recently undergone a complete renovation and it looks beautiful - great addition to our Village.

VIRGINIA IS BEAUTIFUL IN OCTOBER, and it was parents' weekend at the Woodbury Forest in Charlottesville last week. Mary Rinklin had a fine time visiting the many beautiful sites near the school when she accompanied her daughter Susan and her husband Jimmy Dunne on a trip to the school to visit her grandson Seamus Dunne. The Dunnes live in Manhattan, and Seamus is a first termer at the school.

RENOVATION DELAYED. The Babylon Historical Society is seeking new bids on the planned renovations for the building on Main Street, so the work will be delayed. In the meantime, the building is open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturday. If you plan a visit, call first at 669-1756.

READER IS PUBLISHED Robert J. Savino of Oak Neck Rd., West Islip informed us that a poem he wrote to his grandaughter, Sophia Rivera, was recently published in Oberon Magasone.. We thought we'd print his touching work here for readers to enjoy.

Breakfast With Sophia

She wakes on a bed in the living room, in the dark. She crawls to the foot and peeksover the edge to see if I'd been to sleep at all, Then unhinges into a series of karate moves and says, " Grandpa, I'm gonna beat you up!" I engage for a short while, then take to the breakfast table, a clandestine coward. After one period of fruit loop table hockey, she eats. I tangle with nocturnal words aloud. She lifts her spoon, holding it like nunchucks and says, "Grandpa, you a knucklehead!" Then follows me everywhere with her mother's eyes, a pastime of summer fun all over again. When she leaves, flowers in the garden droop. Crabgrass and dandelions peek out over the sod. I imagine her return, as a teen or young adult, reading this poem to me or saying, "C'mon gramps . . . I can't dance to that."