PRESTIGIOUS AWARD TO FORMER BABYLON RESIDENT. A recent issue of Golf Magazine honored Gilbert Scott Hanse by declaring him “Golf Architect of the Year” and rating the recently opened Castle Stuart in Scotland as “Best New Golf Course in the World.” Gil is the son of Gilbert W. Hanse, longtime head of emergency preparedness and fire commissioner for the Town of Babylon. He is the grandson of the late Gilbert C. Hanse. Gil lives in Malvern, Pennsylvania with his wife Tracey and their three children.

CAROLYN, WE’RE PROUD OF YOU. Yes, our very distinguished editor, Carolyn James’ Christmas editorial, From the Absurd to the Sublime, which had appeared in our paper, was selected to appear in the Christmas edition of Newsday. It’s a lovely memoir about a Christmas trip Carolyn and Al took with their little granddaughter and her parents to Pennsylvania, which included a visit to Santa Claus. Maybe this editorial will become an annual tradition in Newsday just as the now famous editorial, Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Clause, has become a tradition and is shown on TV every year since it first appeared in the World Telegram and Sun many years ago in response to a letter asking “Is there a Santa Claus?” Theeditorial comes close to home to this writer as my late father Richard S. Byrns knew Virginia O’Hanlon (writer of the original letter) from their school days together in Manhattan.

NEWSDAY’S CHOICE is “Barrique,” the new wine and food bar on Deer Park Avenue in the Village for one of the top 10 new restaurants in Suffolk County. It just opened several months ago, and we hear that they’re packing them in. We’ve also heard that there are over 30 restaurants in the Village. Wow!

LOTS GOING ON NEW YEAR’S EVE. Alice and Joe Vanderveldt and their children Jo Jo and Meredith had a top seat when they served as confetti engineers from the Times Square roof top sprinkling confetti for the huge crowd. Theywere the guest of Treb Peters, Joan Vanderldt's son, who was in charge of arrangements for the big night.

AND SPEAKING OF THE VANDERVELDTS, Joe and Alice met his daughter Leah and her friend Damian when they returned from a vacation trip to Fiji where they had a glorious time. Lea is a graduate of Fordham University and is an advertising assistant at Vanity Fair.

THE LOCAL SCENE WAS CROWDED TOO. Both the early and late seatings at the Parkwood Café were jammed. One table had the group who’s been going for years: Lucy Trumble, Katherine Fallon, Kay Baker, Libby Orr and Kathleen Chapey – all had high praise for the food and service. While at Southward Ho Country Club, a table for 12 became a table for five – Bettie Hanse, Jerry Waldron, Dr. “Mittie” Beyers, Mary Jane Young and Joan Rumplick. Thebad weather kept seven away: John Byrns, Mary Willen, Ellen Sullivan, Fran and Bob Pasch, Jane and Millard Warren and Gail Askoff. Here, too, every table was full and guests raved about the food and service. Many other restaurants were full as well, so all-in-all, it was a very successful night in our area.

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS. Most of us got traditional gifts – blouses, sweaters, things for the house, but not everyone. Kay Baker’s daughter Patty gave her the gift of a lifetime, flying lessons, so if you see a small plane flying in the skies near Republic Airport, it could be Kay learning to fly, something she’s wanted to do for years. What a great gift!

WHY IS BABYLON ONE OF THE BEST-RUN VILLAGES IN THE AREA? It’s the fabulous employees who are so loyal and efficient in their jobs. Two of the best are leaving us, and they will celebrate the occasion at a joint retirement party. Betty Meyers of the court system and Frank Hupfer of the Highway Department will be the guests of honor at a party to be held at Lily Flanagan’s on Jan. 27. We want to wish them well ahead of time, and thank them for their service to the Village.

Readers can write to Jane Warren, c/o Beacon at 65 Deer Park Ave., Babylon NY or at acjnews@rcn.com.