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BaBylon _______________
HERALD BEaCon
Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Sen. Monica Martinez is honored Page 5 VOL. 75 NO. 51
Inspiring message for Chanukah Page 13
Obituary: Pastor Joanne Bond Page 8 DECEMBER 11-17, 2025
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WB Flashback, 1995: Inspiring students of today By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Mayor Mary Adams and Patty Duryea have a smashing good time as they pose with the giant pumpkin they brought in for the event.
Smashing pumpkins and building memories in Babylon Village By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Pumpkins flew and laughter echoed across Southards Park as families gathered for Babylon Village’s second annual Pumpkin Smash on Friday, Nov. 15. With small mallets in hand and strollers piled high with leftover jack-o’-lanterns, children and their parents lined up to take turns smashing gourds on a long tarp spread across the field. The event, organized by village officials,
included music, s’mores, hot chocolate and apple cider—served up with smiles by Mayor Mary Adams, Deputy Mayor Frank Seibert, newly appointed Trustee Jeff Szabo, village staff member Tricia Duryea and volunteer Charles Torres. Kaitlin Gruenfelder, who attended with her 3½-year-old son, Logan, said the event offered a fun way to burn off energy. “It’s festive,” she added. Nicole Oliveto came with her children and said she was looking forward to “a fun day out.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
A slice of West Babylon history resurfaced on Nov. 13, when West Babylon Junior High School unveiled a 30-yearold time capsule, originally buried in 1995 under the leadership of then-principal Michael Rizzo. Students in grades six through eight filled Eagle Hall for the ceremony, which staff moved indoors due to cold weather after digging up the capsule earlier that morning. The event served as both a historical celebration and a tribute to Rizzo, the late principal who helped bury the capsule three decades ago and whose legacy still looms large in the school community. *Legacy across generations Superintendent Yiendhy Farrelly, former superintendents, teachers, and alumni joined the Rizzo family for the ceremony. Principal Carlos Falcón read aloud the letter Rizzo wrote in 1995 for the future ceremony, noting that the capsule was supposed to be opened in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic caused a five-year delay. “Today we stand as not only witnesses to history but as participants in the legacy that has continued to shape this school, this community and
the countless lives who have passed through its halls,” Falcón said. He reflected on the school motto — “Be All You Can Be” — Rizzo helped create, and explained how its meaning has endured. “Those five words still inspire our students to reach their full potential, to strive for excellence and to believe in themselves and each other,” he said. The student council performed both the song written for the motto and the Star-Spangled Banner. Former superintendent Robert Manly, Ed.D., encouraged students to see themselves in the many alumni who went on to excel. “These are people who went ahead of you, they weren’t any different than you,” Manly said. “They worked hard. They did their very best. They believed in being all you can be, and not letting things get in their way.” He challenged students to focus on preparing for success. “If you are prepared, you will do good things no matter where you are,” he said. “Your legacy is to care for one another; that’s what matters in life.” Farrelly spoke about how education has changed in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10