Babylon Town Councilman Anthony Manetta is excited to announce the success of his 8th Annual Pasta & Sauce Drive. In partnership with the Constantino Brumidi Lodge of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in Deer Park, it was a record-breaking year for the drive with 1,220 pounds of pasta and 617 jars of sauce collected. This means thousands of meals for local residents in need. For everyone who donated, you have directly helped stock the shelves of food pantries across the Town of Babylon in a big way!
(Chopped Broccoli, Zucchini, Sundried Tomatoes, Olives & Mushrooms Sauteed w/Garlic & Onions Then Topped With Mozzarella Cheese)
Choice Of Pasta: Rigatoni, Fettuccini, Penne, Linguine or Angel Hair
The Messiah Returns To Babylon!
Four years have passed since St. Joseph Choir has presented their yearly benefit concert for
The Mercy INN Soup Kitchen. Through the generosity of the Church of St. Joseph, on Sunday, December 15th at 7:00 PM St. Joseph’s Choir and friends will once again present the traditional FREE concert at St. Joseph’s Church in Babylon Village. They will perform Handel’s MESSIAH and Vivaldi’s GLORIA directed by Dr. Marie Drohan and accompanied by soloists, the Sophisticated Strings,
trumpets, flute and harpsichord. The concert will include other beautiful choral selections and will be preceded by a moving candlelight procession. Early arrival is recommended. Donations are encouraged to benefit the soup kitchen-cash or check payable to The Mercy INN and may also be dropped off at the Parish Center-39 N. Carll Ave. For more information call 631-669-0068. FYI: To date St. Joseph’s choir’s performances have raised well over $100,000 to for this worthy cause.
DECEMBER HAPPENINGS
MONDAY-FRIDAY. THROUGH DEC 16th
9:00AM-4:30PM
TOY DRIVE
Town of Babylon Councilman Terence McSweeney would like to encourage your participation in his Toy Drive. Please Drop off a new & unwrapped toy, book or game at Babylon Town Hall Lobby, 200 East Sunrise Hwy. in Lindenhurst. This annul event is in collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps., who distribute the items to children in need. For more information, please call 631-957-3081
SATURDAY, DEC. 7th
9:30AM-11:00AM
EVERY SATURDAY TILL FEB. 1, 2025
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
If you have lost a loved one a Bereavement Support Group is now forming at Our Lady Of Grace Church in West Babylon. For more information, please call John Laszewski 631-874-0210
10:00AM-3:00PM
ST. MARK'S CHRISTMAS FAIR 754 Montauk Highway (across from the Oconee Diner) in Islip. The fair is held in the office building’s Gathering Place. Santa, Decorated Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Ornaments, Toys, Craft Items, Jewelry, Cookie Walk, Raffles, Sweepstakes, Bake Table. Santa will be at the Fair from 11:00 to 12:30. For more information, please call 631-581-4950, https:// stmarksislip.org
Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
SATURDAY, DEC. 7th
from 11:00AM-7:00PM and SUNDAY, DEC. 8th
9:00AM-2:00PM
CHRISTMAS/CRAFT FESTIVAL
Annual Christmas/Craft Festival at St. Gerard Majella Church, 300 Terryville Road in Port Jefferson Station. Shop for unique crafts, vendor items, jewelry and Raffles. Kids can enjoy photos with Santa and special shopping area. Light meals and snacks served. For more information, please call 631-473-2900
SUNDAY, DEC. 8th
12NOON-5:00PM
HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR
The Historical Society of Islip Hamlet's Holiday House Tour is Back! Several homes will be decorated for the holidays, tour guides in Victorian dress, a Holiday Auction/50-50 Raffle, live entertainment, refreshments. Tickets available on Eventbrite; will be sold at Caroline's Flower Shoppe, Kleiber's Country Store. Please donate a new, unwrapped toy for the John Theissen Children's Foundation. For more information: www.isliphamlethistory. org, or call 631-559-2915
1:30 PM
LESSONS & CAROLS
Our Lady of Grace presents Lessons & Carols, a monthly concert series Clergy, lectors, and instrumentalists collaborate with the Adult Choir for this special liturgical event. A great way to remember the reason for the season. Free Will Offering, all welcome, just walk in. Light hospitality to follow.
The church is located on 666 Albin Ave. in West Babylon. For more information, please call 631-587-5185
4:00PM
HOLIDAY SONGS
The Babylon Chorale presents: Peace featuring Taylor Scott Davis’ “Magnificat” A performance of holiday songs performed with orchestra. St. Peter’s By The Sea Episcopal Church, 500 South Country Rd. (Montauk Hwy), Bay Shore. To purchase tickets online or for further information, visit www. babylonchorale.org or email info@ babylonchorale.org
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11th
2:30AM-5:00PM THE HELPING HANDS
35TH ANNUAL TOY DRIVE
The Toy Drive will be held at 944 West Bay drive or the BBEA clubhouse - block of Villa Monaco in West Islip. For more information, please contact contact Jennifergalllozzi@gmail.com or to make a donation visit https://www. paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_ id=Q84FKWW5F42DW
SATURDAY, DEC. 14TH
10:00AM-3:00PM
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Islip United Methodist Church will be hosting their Annual Christmas Craft Fair at 350 Main Street in Islip. Lots of Homemade items, Jewelry, Antiques, Raffles, Baked Goods, lunch and so much more. For more information, please call 631-581-7663.
Holiday Coloring Contest!
West Babylon Public Library
211 Route 109 West Babylon (631) 669-5445
www.wbpl.us
Nancy Evans, Director ***
YOGA
Wednesdays: December 4-18, 6-7 pm
WBA400 IN PERSON
Join us for this monthly yoga series. Nonrefundable/transferable fee for the 3-week December sessions: $6.
FRIDAY FLICKS
Fridays, December 6 & 20, Begins 1:00 pm, WBA720 IN PERSON
Join us for a relaxing afternoon movie! December 6 – Thelma (PG-13)
December 20 –
The Holdovers (R) ZUMBA
Fridays: December 6-27 10:15-11:15 am
WBA410 IN PERSON
Join us for this monthly Zumba series. Nonrefundable/ transferable fee for the 4-week December sessions: $8.
PAINT NIGHT: DECEMBER VIBES
Monday, December 9, 6:45-8:30 pm
WBA105 IN PERSON
Join Kathy Reccardi and paint your very own masterpiece. Nonrefundable/transferable materials fee: $5.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Tuesday, December 10, 7-8:30 pm
WBA202 IN PERSON
MEDICAID
ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE
Wednesday, December 11
10 am-2 pm IN PERSON
The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council will have facilitated enrollers trained by the NY State Department of Health at our Library to assist the aged, blind, and disabled populations with enrollment. Sign up will be first-come, first-served and is free of charge. For more information, call the Nassau Suffolk Hospital Council at 631435-3000.
JEWELRY DONATE AND SWAP
Monday, December 16 6:00-8:30 pm IN PERSON
Looking for a new piece to wear for the holidays? Drop by the library and see if anything matches what you had in mind. If you’re just looking to donate, donations can be dropped off at the library starting December 1. No registration is required.
HOLIDAY
FLOWER
ARRANGEMENTS
Monday, December 16, 7-8 pm
WBA108 IN PERSON
Join florist Irene in person at the Library and create a beautiful floral arrangement. Nonrefundable/transferable materials fee: $5.
HOT COCOA BAR
Join the conversation or just come and listen when Social Worker, Marla Matthews, facilitates this discussion, social and support group meetup. If you are divorced, widowed, single, or an empty nester age 50+ who would like a new beginning, come and be inspired to make new friends, network and learn new skills towards reinventing yourself.
Thursday, December 19, 7-8:30 pm
WBA609 IN PERSON
Enjoy a mug of hot cocoa made your way with fixings like flavored whipped creams and syrups, candy canes, and a festive rim. We’ll supply the dippable cookies. Everyone goes home with a giftable portion of hot cocoa mix.
Army Challenge Tests West Babylon Students
West Babylon Senior High School students put their fitness skills to the test as they participated in the Army Fitness Challenge on Nov. 12. During their physical education classes, students were divided into groups and went headto-head against their classmates – as well as other school districts – to see if they had what it takes to be Army strong.
Local Army soldiers took over the physical education classes as part of the challenge. Students rotated through various stations where they also learned about living a healthy lifestyle and the importance of being active. The four stations – buddy carry, modified sprint/ weighted carry relay, cross functional fitness relay and Hex bar lifts/teambuilding
– challenged their physical strength but encouraged students to work together. Additionally, the West Babylon classes will have their times at each station compared with other schools in the area to potentially earn the title of the Army’s Certified Fittest School.
Photos courtesy of West Babylon School District
CLUES ACROSS
1. Bar bills
5. Recipe measurement (abbr.)
8. Swiss river
11. Czech Republic capital
13. “Officially known as”
14. A French abbot
15. Having a strong sharp smell or taste
16. Local area network
17. Data transmission speed measure
18. Embarrass
20. When you hope to get there
21. This (Spanish)
CLUES DOWN
1. Yearly tonnage (abbr.)
2. Genus of clams
3. Remark
4. Actor LaBeouf
5. Ohio town
6. Olympic sport
7. Cure
8. Behave in a way that belittles
9. Shares a boundary with
10. Give advice
12. Promotional materials
14. Assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
22. Gives up
25. Churchgoer
30. Current
31. Slang for gun
32. Small drum
33. Vanished union bigwig
38. Rocker’s tool of the trade
41. Dearth
43. 2024 Olympics host
45. Excess blood in the vessels
48. Afrikaans
49. Agreement between provider and customer
19. “Agatha All Along” actress Kathryn
23. Small piece
24. King of Camelot
25. Parts per thousand (abbr.)
26. Small Milky Way constellation
27. One who challenges authority (abbr.)
28. Equal (prefix)
29. Shawl
34. S. American wood sorrel relative
35. The end
36. Supervises interstate commerce
37. Yes vote
39. Officer of high rank
40. Church office
50. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation
55. Ancient Syrian city
56. Witch
57. Celebrations
59. Long period of time
60. A team’s best pitcher
61. Current unit
62. One-time aerospace company
63. French/Belgian river
64. Swedish rock group
41. Tire pressure measurement
42. From a distance
44. Photographs
45. Industrial process
46. Nobel Prize-winning physicist
47. Map out
48. Mammary gland part of female mammal
51. Honorable title (Turkish)
52. Spongelike cake leavened with yeast
53. Speak incessantly
54. Poetry term
58. Relaxing space
Holiday Tree Lightings
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that on Friday, December 6, 2024 the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River will take place from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Join the carolers in a sing-along of traditional holiday songs while awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. At 6:00 pm sharp, Santa will light the tree for the 2024 holiday season. Afterwards, hot beverages will be served, and you can visit with Santa. All activities take place outdoors, so please dress accordingly. The Manor House will not be open. In the spirit of the season, they will be collecting canned goods and new unwrapped toys for those in need in our community. All donations are appreciated.
Admission is free. There is limited parking, so please arrive early. The entrance gates will close when the parking field has reached full capacity.
Planting Fields Arboretum
State Historic Park
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Belmont Lake State Park will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
The Arboretum gates will open at 5:30 pm. At 6:00 pm sharp, the magnificent thirty-five-foot Japanese Umbrella Pine on the south side of the Camelia Greenhouse will be lit by Santa. Afterwards, you can visit with Santa in the Planting Fields Hay Barn until 7:30 pm.
Admission to the tree-lighting is free. The grounds will be open to the public until 8:00 pm.
Belmont Lake State Park
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Belmont Lake State Park will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Prior to the lighting of the tree by Santa Claus, traditional holiday music will be sung by the choruses of North Babylon School District on the front lawn of the Long Island State Park Headquarters at Belmont Lake State Park. After Santa and his helpers light the tree, there will be a spectacular firework display over Belmont Lake. Activities begin at 4:00pm and include an ice sculpting demonstration, numerous holiday displays, a magic show, and a juggler. There will be food and merchandise available for purchase. All activities are outside, so please dress accordingly. Admission is free.
This event is sponsored by New York State Parks- Long Island Region, the Natural Heritage Trust, Cox Media Group (WBAB 102.3FM and WBLI 106.1 FM Radio Stations), Renewal by Anderson, New York Cancer and Blood Specialists, and New York Life.
Orient Beach State Park
TThe New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that the Holiday Tree Lighting at Orient Beach State Park in Orient will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 5:00pm.
They invite everyone to join them to help Santa light the tree in celebration of the holiday season. In the spirit of the season, they will be collecting coats and canned food items for families in need in our community. Any donations are welcomed and appreciated. Admission is free and all activities will take place outside, so please dress accordingly.
Even though the debate continues regarding the merits of artificial and real Christmas trees, it seems there is a winner, at least within the United States. According to Statista, 47 percent of American households own an artificial Christmas tree, while 24 percent purchase real trees. Though real trees might not be as popular as their artificial alternatives, the number of real trees that are purchased each year remains significant. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, roughly 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold annually in the United States.
Autos Want ed
The Meaning Of The Menorah
Menorahs are a prominent symbol of Chanukah. Menorahs are seven-branched candelabras that have been used in Jewish worship since ancient times. The seven branches refer to the seven days of creation. The menorah is the traditional symbol of Judaism and the emblem of the state of Israel. For Chanukah, a nine-branched
candelabra called a hanukkiah is used, but the word "menorah" has become interchangeable. The Chanukah menorah consists of nine candles. The center and ninth candle are referred to as the Shamash. It is used to light all the other candles. The Shamash is raised above the other candles to make it kosher. The lighting of the
menorah over the eight days of Chanukah symbolizes the miracle that occurred during the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt. The sacred oil, of which there was only enough for one day's lighting, miraculously lasted for eight days.
Babylon’s Saffron United Pipe Band Celebrates Their 62nd Anniversary - Supports Our Veterans
Saffron United Pipe Band recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary, while also supporting our veterans with performances at Honor Flight Long Island and Babylon Village Veteran’s Day Parade.
Babylon’s own, Saffron United Pipe Band, led by Pipe Major Bob Farrell, recently
celebrated their 62nd anniversary. The anniversary was celebrated at the AOH Hall / Irish Cultural Center here in Babylon Village at the 62nd annual Piper’s Ball. Recently, the band was featured in two veteran events. The band performed at Islip MacArthur Airport for the return of our military
veterans from Washington, DC aboard Honor Flight Long Island. Pipe Major Farrell said, “it’s a privilege to perform for those men and women that return home from spending their day in our Nation’s capital”. The Honor Flight organization offers veterans a full day in Washington,
DC. An Honor Flight brings the community together to thank these veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to Washington DC to see their memorials and to experience a full day of honor and thanks for their service.
On November 11th, Saffron United Pipe Band took part in the Babylon
Village Veteran’s Day Parade. The annual parade, hosted by Babylon’s American Legion Post 94, was very well attended by village residents, elected officials and many school bands and local organizations. Pipe Major Farrell said, “participating in this parade, in our hometown village of
Babylon, is our way to giving back and to say thank you to all our veterans”.
Saffron United Pipe Band was founded in 1962 at the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, Suffolk County’s St. Patrick’s Division 2 in Babylon, Long Island. The band is celebrating their 62nd anniversary in 2024.
