•Last week I was able to tour LaGrange, which is under renovation, and expected to open May 1st. One of the new owners, Dennis Garren, showed me around and answered my questions. Dennis put a quick end to the rumor that LaGrange would become a steakhouse. Other than weekly Sunday Brunch, and special holiday events, LaGrange will continue to be a catering venue.

Mr. Garren has been in business on Long Island for 39 years, and has owned restaurants, clubs, and catering venues during that time. He has two partners in this venture: Scott DiDonna and David Rousso. Together they leased the property from Rick Oliveri, who also owns Pier 44. A special coalition of local, town and county residents sought alternatives to the proposed purchase of La Grange by Walgreens. During the course of this search, the West Islip Association was formed and its president, Joe DeCarlo, vice chair Maria Figalora, and County Treasurer Angie Carpenter, as well as several others, sought out prospective owners who would keep LaGrange a catering facility and at the same time respect its heritage.

As most of you know, La Grange was a stagecoach stop and inn, built by Nehemiah Higbie prior to 1750 and remained in the family’s hands for at least one hundred years. It reportedly received its name from General Lafayette, after his own estate in France. It was in part due to La Grange’s operation as one of several area taverns that Nathaniel Conklin’s mother called the area The New Babylon,” thus giving our village and indeed the town, their names. George Washington was said to have slept there prior to becoming president. Ironically, my grandparents, James and Isabelle Nolan, were the last paying occupants of La Grange as an inn, sometime in the 1950’s. Many of the older occupants of the area will remember Willie and Herman who operated the restaurant for several decades after World War II and eventually trained and handed the reins over to Uwe Paulsen. Uwe operated La Grange successfully for many years through 2001.

Mr. Garren told me that he and his partners were drawn to La Grange by its history and the way the community had worked to keep La Grange operating. The new owners are committed to refurbishing the premises without changing its appearance. They have already replaced the roof and are in the process of putting in new bathrooms, dance floors, ceilings, and much more. There will now be a new bridal area and photography room on the second floor. The food will all be made from scratch on the premises and feature only the freshest ingredients. Dennis Garren told me that the events will be upscale while the prices will be competitive.

•Members of the Babylon Fire Department and many local officials and former Babylon students remembered Marty Albert last week. The former BFD Chief and Babylon Schools Physical Education teacher passed away last week after a lengthy illness. Our sympathy goes out to his wife, Gert, and the rest of his family.

•On a more joyful note, Hapi and Chrissy Auer’s son, Adam, celebrated his sixth birthday on March 19th. Descending from his school bus, Adam proudly wore a birthday crown and sat down to a special dessert with his father.

Hapi and Chrissy have more to celebrate: On April 1st they will mark their 20th anniversary of operating one of the favorite local eateries, Glen’s Dinette. As part of the anniversary celebration, the Auers have invited their friends and customers to wear pajamas to Glen’s on Saturday, April 3rd and join the celebration! Can’t wait to see those bay men in their p.j.’s!

In addition to Adam Auer, happy birthday wishes to other area residents include: Marie Winter, on March 15; Jackie Maher Brucia on March 16th; local chiropractor, Diane Zemba-Stankiewicz on March 19th; and Leone Mathon, who will celebrate her special day on March 28th.

•The recent hurricane-like storm took its toll on many area residents. There has been a lot in the news recently about who was getting telephone and electric service back sooner rather than later, with several accusations of string-pulling. Babylon Town residents can be assured that Supervisor Steve Bellone cannot be accused of asking favors. Steve lost electric and phone, along with his many neighbors in Babylon when a neighbor’s tree came down. His phone and power were still out several days after the storm.

•Personally, I’d like to applaud the formation of the West Islip Association, which was especially helpful in finding appropriate owners for La Grange. One of the problems with being an unincorporated area of any township is getting your area targeted for funds for improvements, etc. This was the problem with Bay Shore for many years. It was only because Bay Shore residents and businesses formed a coalition and worked together, that Bay Shore has come so far in returning to its old glory days. An incorporated village, such as Babylon, has the advantages of selfgovernment, and is able to provide its residents with many services at a reasonable cost. Best wishes to West Islip and its new Association.