The Villager newspaper celebrates 80 years!

From left, Publisher Jennifer Goodstein with David Gruber, C.B. 2 chairperson, and Sheldon Silver, the Assembly speaker, at The Villager’s 80th anniversary party. See Pages 16 and 17.

The Villager celebrated its 80th anniversary Monday night at Houston Hall, the new beer hall on West Houston St. between Sixth Ave. and Varick St.

State Senator Brad Hoylman, right, presented a proclamation to Villager Editor in Chief Lincoln Anderson, left, and Publisher Jennifer Goodstein.

On hand to give congratulations and / or proclamations to the newspaper were Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, state Senator Brad Hoylman and Borough President Scott Stringer.

Borough President Scott Stringer, right, met Little Doris, to the delight of marionette manipulator Ricky Syers and Big Doris.

“As a longtime reader of The Villager, I can tell you that what you do — local, neighborhood-based reporting — is so essential to the heart and soul of our community, as well as to the healthy functioning of our Democracy,” Silver said, reading from a statement he wrote for the occasion. “The stories you publish are the stories of our Downtown neighbors and they are told compellingly and with great heart.”

Stringer read aloud his proclamation, which concluded, “I do hereby commend The Villager on its 80 years of success, service and contributions to the City of New York and proclaim this Monday, October 21st, 2013 ‘The Villager Celebration Day’ in the Borough of Manhattan.” He quipped, though, that the proclamation was only good till midnight.

David Leslie, the East Village activist and Brooklyn Bridge Swim phenom, and his son, Brooks, enjoyed meeting Mr. Stix at the party. High five!

Hoylman, whom The Villager has been covering since he was a fledgling activist on Community Board 2, read a very specific, heartfelt and humorous proclamation that had the crowd smiling and laughing warmly. The proclamation declared it “The Villager Day” in his 27th State Senate District.

L.E.S. documentarian Clayton Patterson made the scene.

Also attending were Congressmember Jerrold Nadler, Councilmember Gale Brewer, District Leader Keen Berger and Corey Johnson, Democratic nominee for the Third Council District, plus prominent political club members, community board members and local activists. Spreads of chocolates and cheeses were provided by, respectively, Li-Lac Chocolates and Murray’s Cheese. Partygoers departed with swag bags emblazoned with the new Villager logo and containing The Villager’s 80th anniversary issue and other treats.

Former Publisher John W. Sutter and Doris Diether, the veteran Community Board 2 activist, shared a hug.

Chocolate survivor: Li-Lac Chocolates helped The Villager celebrate its 80th anniversary by supplying chocolates for the party. Now, Li-Lac will be marking its own 90th anniversary, with 1923 pricing and other festivities at its flagship West Village store, on the corner of Eighth Ave. and Jane St., on Sun., Nov. 3, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a big chocolate thank you to the community from a business that’s been in the Village since the 1920s.