Babylon News & Muse

Kelly Bennett's dog, Leo, recently won the title of Babylon's Cutest Canine. Leo is a "Morkie" - a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese. The contest was

sponsored during the recent Spring Fling Sidewalk Sale by the Westcott Group. Georgia Westcott, owner of the real estate firm, promised that the competition will be an annual event. More than 50 dogs were entered into the contest. Congratulations, Kelly and Leo! The prize is a portrait of the winner by artist Denny Sovich.

Sarah Cotter has completed her Masters of Science degree in Mathematics at Notre Dame University. This was the first step in a five-year PhD. program at Notre Dame. Her brother, Benjamin Cotter, just graduated Magna Cum Laude from Marist College with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Business. Both students are children of Karin and Stephen Cotter of Kingsland Place. Congratulations!

The 2009 "TOBYS" (Town of Babylon Teen Theatre Awards) go to local schools, as well as the performers. West Babylon won Best Dance Performance for Oklahoma. Anthony Bertuglia of West Babylon won Best Featured Male Performer in a Musical for his role as Ali Hakim in Oklahoma. North Babylon took the award for the Best Production Value in a Musical with The Mikado, as well as Best Ensemble/ Chorus in a Musical. Lindenhurst took the award for Best Production Value in a Drama for their version of I Remember Mama. Lindenhurst also won Best Overall Musical for Into The Woods. In the prior listing of TOBYS, we apologize to winner DeShauna Richardson of Copiague for her portrayal of Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music for her award as Best Female Vocal. DeShauna tied for the award with Merissa Principe of North Babylon. There is quite a list of winners and we will try to list others in the future.

The Dining Divas recently visited Don Ricardo's for lunch on one of the few sunny Saturdays. The patio in the rear of the restaurant was a wonderful surprise, filled with the scents and sights of a real Spanish or Mexican cantina. The food (and the sangria) was wonderful and everyone had a great time.

Speaking of food, Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Hunter Avenue in West Islip has a marvelous food pantry that supplies area residents in need with bags of food. Mary McMahon, Director of Social Ministries, reports that they helped 360 families in May. They need donations of non-perishable items such as canned foods, rice, cereal, soap, and pet food…whatever you can donate. Don't have time to shop? Pick up a gift card from one of the local supermarkets and their volunteers will do the shopping! Contact the food pantry at 661-9262, option 4 for information and directions. In addition, on Sunday evenings, the volunteers make up washing kits for the military and the area's homeless.

Long Island normally has 3 inches of rain during the month of June. As of Father's Day, we've already had eight inches! The lawns are nice and green and too wet to mow! Meanwhile, Seattle has had 29 days of sunshine! Let's hope the Gulf Stream moves back to its usual position and will bless us with blue skies and sunny days now that we've started the summer.

Readers can reach columnists Mary Gallagher and Jane Warren at acjnews@rcn. com. Please put the columnist's name in the subject line. They welcome your items, input and ideas.