BVAC Honors the Hon. Wayne Horsley on March 27

BVAC
to Honor Wayne Horsley at March 27 Event

BABYLON
– On Thursday, March 27, the Babylon Village Arts Council’s annual fundraising
dinner will recognize the Hon. Wayne R. Horsley, former presiding officer and
member of the Suffolk County Legislature, for his many contributions to Babylon
Village and the arts in particular.

The
event is scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. that evening at American Legion Post
94, 22 Grove Place, Babylon. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at
Village Art and Frame, 31 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon or by mailing a check to BVAC,
P. O. Box 141, Babylon, NY 11702.

After
representing the Babylon area since 2006 in the Suffolk County Legislature,
Horsley, 63, recently rejoined the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation as its regional director. Prior to his time as a
county legislator, he served as Babylon Town Councilman, consultant and deputy
director to the town’s Industrial Development Agency, and chairman of the Town
of Babylon Democratic Party.

Horsley
is also an adjunct professor of history at Farmingdale State College, a
position he previously held at St. John’s University (from which he holds
doctoral and master’s degrees in modern world history).

“Wayne
has been a friend to our organization in many ways over many years,” said Rose
Norman, BVAC co-president. “He’s been instrumental in obtaining funding for us,
through the county’s Economic Development office, and in general has been such
a great help to the Village. He’s an obvious choice for us to honor!”

For
his part, Horsley said, “Since this recognition is coming from my home town,
some of my most proud efforts have been involved with the Village,” including
as early member and past president of the Babylon Beautification Society, which
led to emceeing the society’s annual fair for at least 20 years, along with “heavy
involvement” in what he calls “projects of love” that have enhanced the
village’s visual appeal (such as Old Town Hall; the village gazebo; the statue “Sea
Dreams” outside Babylon Library; the Robert Moses statue outside Village Hall;
the replica fountain outside the Historical Society and repairs to that
building; the memorial tree program; the cherry trees throughout Argyle Park;
and more.

The Babylon
Village Arts Council was formed in 2003 by a group of village residents
who recognized the need to present various art experiences to the Babylon Village
community. From that vision the Babylon Village Arts Council (BVAC) has become
an integral part in the cultural lives of area residents.

Past and current
events include: the Second Thursday series of concerts at American Legion Post
94; a monthly movie at the Babylon Library; a rotational art exhibit
(showcasing a different artist each month) at the Babylon branch of Astoria
Federal Savings ; the annual outdoor Art By the Falls art show plus other
outdoor and indoor art exhibits; poetry readings; and workshops of several
kinds—for both adults and children--ranging from basket-making, painting,
drawing, puppetry, and writing.

For
more information, go to babylonvillagearts.org, call (631) 669-1810, or write:
Babylon Village Arts Council, P.O. Box 141, Babylon, New York 11702.