Babylon Beacon Newspaper

9/1, Happy Birthday to our September-born readers! We wish you an absolutely wonderful birthday and here are some fun facts about your birth month.

Zodiac: Virgo and Libra
Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/zodiac

Birth Flowers: Asters and Morning Glories
Source: https://www.almanac.com/september-birth-flowers

Birthstone: Sapphire
Source: https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/september-birthstones #:~:text=The%20September%20birthstone%20is%20sapphire,cherished%20for%20thousands%20of%20years.

8/31, Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris, France on this day in 1997. She was only 36 years old. She was known for her grace, elegance and glamour, and used her status to help numerous charitable causes. She was known as “The People’s Princess.”

Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diana-princess-of-Wales

8/30, Happy Friday to Our Readers! How many times have you made it to the beach this summer? If you haven’t spent enough time there, today is your reminder to make it to the beach before the summer is over since today happens to be National Beach Day!

Source: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-beach-day-august-30

8/29, Have you read The Great Gatsby? This classic novel had Long Island’s Gold Coast as the backdrop of the story. If you’ve read this novel, please comment below what you enjoyed the most about this story.

Source: https://www.longisland.com/long-island-facts.html

8/28, Poet Laureate of the United States from 1993 to 1995, writer and teacher Rita Dove was born on this day in Akron, Ohio. She was also the winner of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for her 1986 work, Thomas and Beulah.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/August-28

8/27, Do you all remember Hurricane Irene in 2011? Hurricane Irene made landfall in the United States on this day in 2011, striking North Carolina’s Outer Banks before making its way along the Eastern Seaboard. The amount of damage in the United States exceeded $7 billion, making this hurricane one of the most expensive Atlantic hurricanes in the country’s history.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/August-27

See the "Play Music on the Porch" schedule for Saturday, August 31st and stop by as many as you like!

8/26, “We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” – Marie Curie, French physicist and chemist.
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/g2401/inspirational-quotes/

8/25, Following up on yesterday’s fact that happiness is contagious, here are some strategies for increasing your happiness in life according to The University of New Hampshire.
•Count your blessings and practice gratitude: Think about all the good things that are happening in your life despite the difficult times.
•Take part in random acts of kindness: This can include simply taking a task off of another’s “to- do list” that you are able to help with.
•Respond actively and constructively, celebrating others good news that they share with you: Remember that if you are genuinely happy for them, that happiness will come back around to you.
•Attend to others mindfully, practicing compassion and empathy: We get so busy in life that sometimes we half-listen to people. Mindfulness can help you become more present, which makes you more relaxed, feeling connected and happier in the long run.

Source: https://www.unh.edu/pacs/positive-psychology-strategies-increased-happiness #:~:text=Some%20strategies%20for%20increasing%20happiness%20in%20your%20life%3A&text=Count%20your%20blessings%20and%20practice,and%20practice%20compassion%20and%20empathy

8/24, Did you know that happiness is in fact contagious? According to a study from Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Diego, happiness that is put forth will come back around. WebMD says that people feel statistically happier spending time around other happy people and emotional health spreads to the people we come into contact with up to 3 degrees, which naturally reaches friends of friends.
Source: https://www.goodnet.org/articles/9-fun-facts-to-make-you-smile

A great time was had today by all at this summer's Village of Babylon Annual Snapper Derby- An over 50-year tradition. Congratulations to all the winners!

8/23, Did you know that if Long Island was its own state, it would be the 13 largest in the union with the highest population density? Also, according to a 2013 US Census, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States.
Source: https://www.longisland.com/long-island-facts.html

Great event tomorrow!

8/22, Did you know that trees talk to each other? Ecologists realized through research that trees communicate through their connected root systems by sending messages via soil fungi. The trees will communicate to share sunlight with their neighbors and warn about environmental changes, according to Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate.
Source: https://www.goodnet.org/articles/9-fun-facts-to-make-you-smile

8/21, Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state on this day in 1959.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/August-21

Don't miss Senator Monica Martinez's Second Annual End of Summer Community BBQ This Sunday, 2 p.m. at Hermann Griem Park in Wheatley Heights. Along with delicious food, great music and sweet treats, the event will also feature a backpack and supply distribution and free barber services to ensure every child in the fourth senatorial district is prepared for the upcoming school year.

8/20, On this day in 1833, Benjamin Harrison, our 23rd president of the United States was born. A moderate republican, he was president from 1889 to 1893.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/August-20

8/19, “Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” – Simone de Beauvoir
Source: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/motivational-quotes

8/18, Now that we are well into the second half of the year, here is a reminder to focus on everything that is good and right in your life and maybe make a list of all the good things that have happened in this year already- there’s nothing that is too small. Did you know that positive thinking can help with stress management and can even improve your health? Some of the health benefits of positive thinking include an increased life span, lower rates of depression and greater resistance to illnesses.
You can read more about this at the following link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950

8/17, Did you know that cheetahs are the fastest animal in the world. They can reach speeds up to 75mph. They can also increase their speed by 10kph in a single stride.

Source: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/facts-about-animals

Great day down at the Lindenhurst docks as the Lindenhurst Rotary Club hosted the annual Snapper derby, supported by dozens of local individuals and businesses.
And mark your calendars for Babylon Village Snapper Derby next weekend.

8/16, It’s still summer vacation for most and today happens to be National Roller Coaster Day! The first vertical loop roller coaster was patented by Edwin Prescott on this day in 1898. Do any of our readers have a favorite roller coaster ride or theme park? Please comment below.

Source: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-roller-coaster-day-august-16