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JANUARY 23-29, 2025
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Village of Babylon raises gazebo fee, plans seasonal events By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Photo Courtesy/Steve Gravano
Salvation Army volunteer Larry Gardner, and his wife Christine, center, with Town Councilman DuWayne Gregory, NYS Assemblyman Kwani O’Farrow, Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Councilman Terry McSweeney, Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Town Receiver of Taxes Jennifer Montiglio and Councilmen Anthony Manetta and Tony Martinez.
NB resident honored for four decades of ringing the Salvation Army bell By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
North Babylon resident Larry Gardner was recently honored by the Town of Babylon for his 40 years of service as a Salvation Army bell ringer at the West Babylon Stop and Shop. Gardner, now a “Bell Captain,” has raised more than $200,000 over the years for the organization, which provides vital assistance to individuals and families facing hardships, including food insecurity and homelessness. This year alone, Gardner helped raise $10,000 during four Saturdays of bell ringing. A significant portion of the total came from EXIT Corp. International’s “Spirit of Giving” program, which donated $2,500 on top of Gardner’s efforts. The program has been supporting Gardner’s fundraising for the past decade. His commitment to the cause began after he became sober following years of battling
alcoholism. What began as a suggestion from his 12-step recovery program sponsor evolved into what he now calls “historical.” His work culminated in a special recognition by the Town of Babylon, which declared Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, “Larry Gardner Day” in honor of his service. Gardner, who had once been homeless and at “rock bottom” in the very town that honored him, described the recognition as “extremely spectacular.” “The most meaningful part of the ceremony was all the people who came from so many different parts of my life,” Gardner said. “It was very neat.” Gardner had initially planned to retire from bell ringing after his final shift this year. However, a moment on that last day changed his mind. A woman approached him and told him that his kindness had changed her life. She explained how, one day, she had CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
The Village of Babylon is gearing up for the warmer months, with preparations underway for a variety of events and activities in the coming months. At the Village Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, Trustee Frank Seibert announced that the new Lewis Circle playground has been installed. “It looks great, and I know a lot of kids are looking forward to it,” Seibert said. He also voiced support for an increase in the fee to use the village gazebo, which has grown increasingly popular for weddings and other special events. “I think it’s reasonable to have a slight increase as we have a lot of activity there, and it’s important to keep up the maintenance,” he said. The gazebo fee was last updated in 2019, when it was set at $175. It has now been raised to $225, but there will be no charge for those wishing to take photos at Argyle Park. Seibert also mentioned that the village is preparing the details and registration for the Summer Recreation Program. Newly appointed trustee Sean Goodwin presented his items at the meeting for the first time. He noted that the Conklin House would be reopening for tours every third Thursday of the month starting in February, and
had scheduled an afternoon tea for Sunday, May 4. with sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Goodwin also commended the success of the Christmas at the Conklin House event this past December. “It was a great Christmas at the Conklin House, and I want to thank the Babylon High School Band for playing outside in the cold for so many hours. They were fantastic,” he said.
In Other Business:
The board approved an increase for non-resident crabbing and dock parking permits from $50 each $75 each. The board approved a request from the Babylon Lions Club to display No Parking signs on three meters in front of Café Il Villagio, 35 Deer Park Ave., during their take-out pasta dinner fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 1 to 6 p.m. The club will also post temporary signs at various merchants and signs at village entrances from Feb. 8 to 23 to promote the fundraiser. The board gave permission to hold the 2025 Pickleball Tournament at the Park Avenue tennis courts on Saturday, June 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., with rain dates scheduled for June 21 and 22. The Babylon Village Arts Council was granted permission to use Argyle Park, specifically CONTINUED ON PAGE 2