"Between the Bridges"
2001
by Teddy Linenfelser
Class of '70
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"Between the Bridges" |
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Photo courtesy of Diane
"Bykowicz" Hassan Class of '70 |
December 27, 2001
Snow! That was the word on Christmas Eve when the Island was covered with at least two feet. Former resident Nicole "Dee" Hoffman, now in Florida, reports that Grand Island, NY was mentioned on CNN in regard to the snow storm. And as the Between The Bridges column "goes to press," we're getting another heavy hit!
A website with a complete listing of our ancestors who came to this country through Ellis Island was added to the internet months ago. However, when I mentioned it here at the time, heavy traffic made it difficult to get to. Click Ellis Island
Welcome little Islander Brooke Samantha VeRost who arrived on November 13, 2001 weighing seven pounds, 13 ounces. She is the daughter of Scott and Stacy VeRost and the baby sister of Madison and Jake VeRost. Proud grandparents are Isle residents Lee and Barbara Pelczynski and Gary and Arlene VeRost.
Mary Grace and Patrick McMahon of Middletown, California are the proud parents of a baby girl, Helen Ashleigh McMahon born November 11, 2001 weighing seven pounds, 11 ounces. Grand Island grandparents are Mary McMahon and her husband, Pete, our Supervisor.~~~~Most of the McMahon clan, by the way, got together on Christmas Eve at Sean and MaryAnn McMahon's home on Love Road. The late Tom and Marge McMahon had 10 children including our supervisor and now they, of course, have children and their children have children. Sounds like quite a crowd, doesn't it?
While watching television Christmas Eve I spotted Jim and Sharon Watz singing in a choir at the Riviera Theater. Didn't catch the name of the group, but the music was wonderful.
In recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level AP exams taken last spring, Eric Vivier, David Robida and Cory Black have been named AP Scholars by the College Board. They are students at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute.
Eric A. Salvalzo and former resident Robert B. Tackaberry passed away last week. For further information click Death Notices.
The Grand Island High School Girls Basketball Team continues its winning streak, and is now at 7-0. The team beat Nichols for the second time with a final score of 57-44. Sally Head led with 22 points and 10 rebounds and Savannah Stolzenburg added 11 points.~~~~High rollers on the Friday Night Businessmen's League at Island lanes were Mike Mallwitz with a 279 (754) and Jeff Ehde with a 267 (702).
Looking Back 50 years - The bi-weekly "Island Dispatch" mentioned the Bedell House changing hands January 1, 1952, Mesmer's on Baseline at Staley Road closing for the winter, and the only horseshoe court open was the one in the fire hall bar.~~~~Charlie Benzing was "receiving verbal orchids" from Grandyle Village neighbors during those snow-bound December 1951 days. Charlie cleared numerous driveways with his snowplow jeep.~~~~Phone booths were installed in Coldbrook Estates by the New York Telephone Company in response to the requests of area residents unable to obtain phone service for quite some time.~~~~Among new students boarding the Sidway School bus at Love Road and Stony Point the first week in January 1952 were Maury McFee (Davidson) (Mrs. Radius' 3rd grade), Kathy Zavodny (Brehm) (Mrs. Miles' first grade), Ronald Mueller (Miss Long's 4th grade), Wendy Holden (Gaydica) (Mrs. Kennelly's 5th grade), Harry Roberts (Miss Ehde's 3rd grade), Carol Roberts (Fischer) (Miss Cady's 5th grade). Their families and many more had just moved into their new homes in the Coldbrook Estates on Stony Point Road over the Christmas holidays.
Happy birthday to Margie Walker (today), Abigail Joy Dallasandro (5 today), Tyler James Nogle (his first birthday today), William Garrison (his 20th today), Chelsea Schmidt (4 tomorrow), Rob Meyer, Val Swain and Connie Ford (tomorrow), Stephanie McMahon (Sweet 16 on Saturday), Jennifer Raham (19 on Saturday), Danny Dinsmore (a teenager on Saturday), Yvonne Martin (85 on Saturday), Megan Ayers (18 on Saturday), Alex Bowerman (4 on Sunday), Christopher Podlucky (11 on Sunday), Nick Pelosi, Elsie Fleischmann, Karen Loder, Jim O'Connor and Kathy Lazenby (all celebrating a birthday on New Year's Eve), Elaine Clarke (New Year's Day), Chie Doring(Wednesday), and twins Scott and Matthew Wallace (20th birthdays on Wednesday).
Doug and Carol Martin Neill will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary tomorrow, December 28th. Former resident Jeffrey Johnson, who left the Island in 1977 and his wife, Leslie of Woodlands, TX will celebrate their 10th anniversary with the Neills. Have a great anniversary day, folks.
St. Stephen's Church will host the Miami of Ohio University Men's Glee Club tomorrow (Jan.4) at 7:30 p.m. For more information, click St. Stephen's News.
December 20, 2001
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This Sidway School safety patrol picture appeared in the "Sidway Log" in 1956. For a larger view click "Old Photo Album."
Ann Kruse will celebrate her 94th birthday tomorrow in Elderwood Health Care at Riverwood here on the Island. Let's remember her with cards of cheer and let her know we are thinking of her.~~~~Dick Lovelee will also spend Christmas in Elderwood. Take the time to stop by and wish him happy holidays.
Masses at St. Stephen's Church will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and midnight on Christmas Eve and at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Christmas Day.
Fifty years together is worth cheering about. Happy golden anniversary to East River Road residents Robert and Ruth Stahl who were married on December 22, 1951.
We are so sorry for those who have lost loved ones recently, especially the families of Vi Remde, Ed Elstrodt, Antoinette (Liberto) Ricotta and Donna Paxhia (Sander) Ebersole and former residents Frances M. Huer and John Phillips. For more information, click Death Notices.
Best wishes to the following who are celebrating special birthdays this week: Evan Green (a teenager today), Gloria Brown (today), Julie Kowzan (Sweet 16 today) and Lori Clinton (tomorrow).~~~~Happy birthday to Glenn Smith, Hollis Busch, Pat Gill, Deanne "Monti" Giambra, David Duysters, Janie Martin and Jerilyn Karb (all celebrating today), and to twins Alexis Elizabeth and Grace Marie Fredricks (4th birthdays today), Lynn "Gaydica" Wuertzer and Arliss Lantz (Saturday), and Nancy Samrany, Millie Vanthoff, Andrea Moreau and Karen Lloyd (Sunday).
Looking Back 40 years - Roadside mailboxes were removed by Grandyle Village residents in September 1961 when the Post Office and Postmaster Heber Ashley Jr. inaugurated door to door service.
Looking Back 30 years - The High School Spanish Club held a New Year's raffle with the following prizes published in the local weekly paper: $5 cash from Mesmer's Dairy, $5 gift certificates from the Pattie Mae Shop and the Cameo Children's Shop, pizza from Reidy's, and a set of drink tankards from Wayside Furniture.~~~~A flu epidemic caused the closing of the Island's public and parochial schools.
Congratulations to Mark Doel who bowled his first 300 game (725 series) with Men's A-Best Roofing league at Island Lanes.~~~~High games bowled with the P. J. Garbeymen League at Island Lanes were those of Mike Mallwitz, 279 (726), Sean Vaine, 275 (687) and Pat Garbey, 264 (682).~~~~Grand Island's Kelly Beatty (241 points) has been named to the Niagara Frontier League's girls swimming All-Star Team in diving, and Grand Island junior Kera Sauer made the second team in the 100 backstroke. Congratulations, girls!
Gelose Flowers has recently been taken over by Jim Rotterman, a Canisius College graduate who has been renovating both the Grand Island and Tonawanda locations. Elizabeth Sarkovics is the store manager. Stop in and welcome them.
The Village Inn will be open from 8-11 a.m. Christmas Eve morning. Treat the family to breakfast. Sounds good to me!
Peace Be With You And Yours.
For this blessed holiday season, I offer you the following lines sent to me a year ago by a relative in Michigan - author unknown. Thanks, Ardie!
Care deeply. Give freely. Think kindly.
Act gently, and be at peace...
for this is the spirit of the season.
May your holidays be filled with all the
things that matter most.
Harvey and Katherine Killian
Long, both a wealth of old Island information, will probably reminisce a
little over their wedding in Trinity Church 57 years ago, December 17, 1944.
Happy day, folks.
Congratulations to Grand Island High School soccer star
Chris Martello on being named to the All-Western New York boys soccer
team. Chris is credited with 24 goals and 13 assists for the
season.~~~~Island Lanes was the scene of some top-notch bowling this week. Whitey
Dlugosz bowled a 279 (700), Dave Arch bowled a 276 (699) and Mark Doel's high game was a 275 (738).
Our sincere
sympathy to the families of Jack Roth, Wendy Misenheimer, and
former resident Edward J. Killian. For more information,
click Death
Notices.
Tom and Linda McDonough and
their children are all moved into their Ferry Road house, right around the
corner from where Tom grew up.~~~~~The Occidental Chemical/Hooker Chemical building on Long Road has been sold to Islechem Lic. for
$375,000.~~~~Looking for a new business venture? Adrian's Custard & Beef is
for sale.
Belated birthday greetings to Joan Staub who celebrated
on December 7th. Joan, who has a new computer, just got "on
line!"~~~~Today is the day of several milestone birthdays including
Tom Ryan's 50th, Kori Loder's 10th, and the 20th birthdays of
Beth Glessner and Brandon White. Happy birthday everyone. Happy
birthday also to Savannah Stolzenburg (Sweet 16 on Saturday), Ted
Filosofos (74 on Saturday), Matthew Foote (8 on Saturday), Betty
Lantz, Alma Senn and Nancy Hayes (Sunday), Kara Black and
Christine Webb (Sweet 16 on Sunday), Joey Guenther (8 on Sunday),
Lisa "Pauley" McLeod (a big one on the 17th), Art DiMartile
(Monday), Shelby Bidell (Sweet 16 on Tuesday), Scott Clinton (21
on Tuesday), Patty (Bykowicz) Turner (her 34th on Wednesday) and Sue
Braun, Bill O'Connor and George Shaw (Wednesday).
Hey, isn't that chocolate
faced baby cute? He's none other than Jeff
Bykowicz - and the baby, shown with his dad, Al Bykowicz, will
turn the big 4-0 tomorrow - December 14th. Happy 40th Jeff!
Looking
Back 50 years - John Grycel and Ray Kaiser were the Christmas
clowns in the Sidway School Christmas play directed by our 4th grade teacher,
Catherine DiVizio in December 1951. My classmates and I also took the parts of pixies, Christmas
spirits and toy soldiers.~~~~The Grand Island Drum Corps' singing
quartet, made up of Connie Rexford (Lewis), Pat Rexford (Anderson), Irene
Perkovich (Smith)and Geraldine Mrkall (Serba) won a $25 award for their performance in
a talent show on television.~~~~A building permit was issued listing the cost for the new town garage on Whitehaven Road as
$25,000.
Looking Back 40 years - Ninth graders at Sidway
Junior High School held a Christmas party December 18, 1961 with music by "The
Profiles." Twist contest winners were Karen Wallace and Gary
Clor.
Looking Back 20 years - Grand Island High
School Cheerleaders came home from the Erie Community College South Campus
competition in December 1981 with the New York State Divison B champs "Spirit
Award." Captain and Co-Captain were Jill Bates Smedley and Paula
Samrany (Miller)and teammates were Lisa Samland, Maria SantaLucia, Donna Seaman,
AnnMarie Mahiques-Westerhuis, Lisa Valenzuela, Nancy DeBole, Loretta Condino, Patty
Leszczak, Sandy Tortorete, Rashmi Pandya and Laura Myers.
Fans of the Bedell House and the late Charlotte Guenther Roesch are asking friends to help finance a memorial ad in the Sesquicentennial Program Book by dropping off $10 per person to the Isledegrande.com office, 1871 Whitehaven Road (14072) or mailing it to the same. At this writing 15 more donations are needed. Call our office at 773-6789 if you have questions.
A
Blood Drive is scheduled from 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, December 18th at the K of C Hall
on Whitehaven Road. ~~~~Santa Claus will be at the town hall tomorrow
evening, from 6-8 p.m. to visit with children ages toddler to 5th grade.~~~~A public E-ZPass meeting will be held tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the
Town Hall.~~~~A Winter Holiday Craft Program for children in grades K-5
is scheduled for December 19th at the Memorial Library. For details, click Library Web
Page.~~~~Have a wonderful weekend, and just maybe the warm temperatures will carry over to Saturday and Sunday.
Lefty Kendzierski is celebrating his 85th birthday today. Happy days, Lefty!~~~~Happy birthday to pretty baby Miranda Lea Proctor (her first birthday today), Mike Cole (21 today), Courtney Donner (a teenager today), David Conboy (a big one tomorrow), Sydney Khreis (3 on Sunday), Agnes Morgan (Monday), Dave Hammond and Kathleen Loncher (Wednesday) and Jackie Mangus (21 on Wednesday).
Our sincere sympathy to the families of Loretta Weaver, and former residents Bennett Michael Jacobi, 10 and Howard J. Jackson. For more information, click Death Notices.
Good news! Dick Lovelee, who has been in the ICU at Buffalo General Hospital for the past three weeks, has been moved into a regular room - room 1405w and is getting better every day.
Best wishes to William Patrick Petrilla and his bride, the former Christine Margaret Ganey who were married Saturday December 1, 2001.
Many people we talk with about the Sesquicentennial celebration next year are asking what is a "pageant." According to the dictionary a pageant is a "mere" show, an ostentatious display, an elaborate colorful exhibition or spectacle often with music that consists of a series of tableaux, of a loosely unified drama, or of a procession usually with floats. It also refers to pageantry. The Centennial Pageant in 1952 was produced on a stage built behind the St. Stephen's Barn just for that occasion. It showcased the Island's history in five episodes with decendants taking the part of those who played major roles in our town from 1852-1952. Elizabeth Beach will direct a very similar production during the Sesqui celebration next summer. More information on auditions will be announced soon.
Though it may seem early to be planning a float for the 2002 Independence Day parade, it really isn't. All churches, organizations and Grand Island High School classes are encouraged to start making plans for their participation in the parade. The Sidway School Reunion group - Sidway Graduation Classes 1937 - 1963 has already begun to put the pieces in place and are asking the appropriate "students" to participate.
Congratulations to Grand Island High School senior Sally Head who earned Most Valuable Player recognition after her 24-point, 11-rebound performance lifted GI to a 64-48 win over NT for the title of the Sweet Home Tournament on Saturday, December 1, 2001. Jamie Dougherty was the Island team's second highest scorer with 16 points.~~~~Congratulations to Jeff Ehde on his 300 game while bowling with the Friday Night Businessmen's League at Island Lanes.~~~~Congratulations to Grand Island High School volleyball star John Colosi on being named to the Niagara Frontier League's All-Star First Team. John, a middle hitter, is a junior at the high school.
Looking Back 90 years - The wooden passenger and excursion steamer, the Idle Hour (or Ideal Hour), built in 1893, burned December 8, 1901 while in winter lay-up off Grand Island.
Looking Back 50 years - St. Stephen's Altar Society Christmas Party on December 10, 1951 featured entertainment by the Altar Society Symphonettes Kitchen Band and a comedy skit by Mae Klocke, Betty Dunbar (Blackstock), Mildred Schnitter and June Pinzel.
Looking Back 40 years - The Junior Chamber of Commerce' home decorating contest was chaired by George L. Klopp assisted by Robert Orchard and Richard Harris.
Looking Back 35 years - Rosemary Whiting and Joan Bidell (Fred)'s Girl Scout Troop 337 entertained a group of underprivileged Buffalo girls at a Christmas party in Trinity Church in December 1966. Troop Scribe Sally Cahill reported that the scouts did skits, led carol singing and served and joined their guests for supper. The scouts, including Becky and Marcy Bidell, Winanne and Connie Whiting, Susan Radder, Karen Swain, Joanne Ward and Mary Bassot, earned money and bought and wrapped gifts for each guest.
We heard the news on Tuesday that our Odds' N' Ends store in the Grand Island Blvd. plaza is closing. According to our neighbor, Carol Volk, the bargains are fantastic and we found that out by visiting her Hairitage Hair Salon to see her Christmas tree with trimmings all purchased at rock bottom prices. The Odds' N' Ends closing is another misfortune for Island consumers.
Teddy's Islettes twirlers will practice again 6:30 p.m. tomorrow evening (Dec. 7) at Miss Cathy's dance studio. If you know of someone who twirled with this group between 1961 and 1987, please let them know that all former members are invited to take part in the Teddy's Islettes reunion in anticipation of the Sesquicentennial/Independence Day Parade 2002. For more information, click Teddy's Islettes Web Page.
Please be sure to read GIECOM'S Systems Analyst
Josh Lange's Virus Alert story which begins on today's Front Page.
Sadly, Diane "Tetkowski" Pokorski, who had recently made some progress with her debilitating illness, has had a serious setback. Please remember her and her family with cards and notes of encouragement.
Our sympathy to the families of Raymond A. Yensan, Kay Long, Salvatore L. 'Larry' Grisanti, Richard 'Poppy' Curthoys and former resident Marie L. Moreland. For more information, click Death Notices.~~~~Our condolences to Judy Buzby whose mother, Doris Chapin died November 22nd in Kenmore Mercy Hospital after a three-month illness. Mrs. Chapin was a 40+ year member of the Sandy Beach Yacht Club.~~~~Retired Erie County sheriff's deputy Charles Kisloski, 73, died November 21st. He served 23 years on Grand Island with the Sheriff's Department Marine and Parks Division.
"Grandpa" Peter Glor is shown with his first grandchildren, twins Brittney and Trevor Glor, born October 22nd to Steve and Kourtney Glor of San Diego. Peter, a Grand Island resident from 1944-67 and a member of the Sidway School Class of '59, now resides in Santa Clarita, California.
For those who have been wondering what the digging was all about on Ransom Road near Stony Point, the Woods Creek Day Care project is underway.~~~~A sad scene on Baseline Road this week - two huge real estate signs advertising the sale of the Emmanuel Church.
Looking Back 50 years - A Chamber of Commerce dinner party was held December 1, 1951 at the Buffalo Launch Club where two new heaters had just been installed on the porch of the clubhouse "to add to the comfort of the patrons in case of a very chilly night."~~~~Officers elected by the Grand Island Rescue Squad were Captain Jack Nuttall, Co. Captain Mel Kohlhagen, Treasurer Gert Smith,and Secretary Marion Klingel.
Looking Back 40 years - Ken Maurer and Mel Kohlhagen were elected president and vice president respectively of the Grand Island Sportsmen's Club. Other members were Ray Jones, Al Raepple, Ed Kruse, Roy McKinnon, Salvatore G. Capizzi, William Wood, Don Horner, Paul McTigue, Neil Huff, Thomas Walker, Earl Eastman and Arthur L. Mitchell.
Looking Back 20 years - Marj Bessel took several top honors for cross-country including being named an All-League Star, "Runner of the Year," Female High School Athlete of the Year by the Kenmore Knights of Columbus Athletic Association and "Most Valuable" at the Grand Island High School Cross-Country Awards Banquet.~~~~Among the restaurants in business on the Island 20 years ago were Shelby's Cafe on Grand Island Blvd., Joncaire Restaurant on West River at Staley, and River Port Inn near the south bridge who advertised ten cent wings.~~~~Floyd Doring, who ran his real estate business at the corner of Baseline and Staley Roads for seven years, moved to the Wayside Furniture Building, just north of Fantasy Island.
It gives me great pleasure to wish Kathryn Sheehan a very happy 95th birthday. Her birthday is tomorrow, so let's keep the birthday cards coming all week!~~~~Others celebrating milestones this week and wished a happy birthday are Susan "Smyth" Hahn and Dr. Barbara Stouter (Sunday), Ashley Ann Brzyski (10 on Sunday), and Jeff Rogan and Brad Shoemaker (Monday).~~~~Happy birthday to JoAnn Radius Vanderheite celebrating today, to Eric Harnden whose 9th birthday is tomorrow and to Alfred Perry having his cake on Tuesday.
Congratulations to Dan Pilon on his 300 game in a 721 series at Island Lanes. Dan was bowling with the Thursday Labatt's Men's League.~~~~Congratulations to the Connor Middle Schoolers who were recently accepted into the Mathletes Club, especially to our grandson, sixth grader John C. Bidell.~~~~Congratulations to Lee Tetkowski and others who are credited with Grand Island again being named #1 in Kids Voting in Western New York.
As a special favor for a special friend, I'm asking my readers if anyone who taped the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade would be willing to make a copy of it for my friend.~~~~Former members of Teddy's Islettes 1961-1987 will practice tomorrow evening. For more information, click Teddy's Islettes.
The Women of the Moose are presenting a "Friday Fun Nite" beginning at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening (Nov. 30) and open to all local Moose Lodge members and their respective guests only. Featured will be theme basket raffles, 50-50 split raffles and music by "Niagara Connection."~~~~The Holiday House Tour and Craft Show sponsored by Friends of Historic Trinity takes place Saturday. Click Historic Trinity for more information.~~~~Historical Society members will get together Saturday night for their annual Christmas party, and then from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, they will present "Sounds of the Season" Open House at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. River Lea will also be open again on Sunday, December 9th.~~~~Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance at the St. Timothy Lutheran Child Care Center's pancake breakfast on Saturday. For more information check our Calendar.~~~~A chicken and biscuit dinner to benefit SABAH will be held at the K of C Hall, Wednesday, December 5th from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Are your parents about to celebrate a special wedding anniversary or are you having a wedding in the family? Do you have a friend or relative celebrating a milestone birthday? Do you know someone who bowled a 300 game, landed a good job, had a new baby, or received special recognition? If you would like to contribute to this column, I would be happy to share your news with our readers.
Our sympathy to Dr. Paul Fields on the death of his father, Carl C Fields on November 17th.~~~~A Memorial Service will be held for Millie Facklam on Saturday, December 8 in Trinity UM Church.~~~~Our sympathy to the families of Dorothy M. Saltzman and former East Park resident Ruth M. Stuck who both passed away on Sunday, November 17th. For more information, click Death Notices.
Isle native and well-known sportscaster Mike Schopp turned 30 on November 7th. Many happy returns of the day, Mike.~~~~Happy birthday Bob McNamee and Carol Ullrich (today), Nathan Jayme (16 today), Ashley Hollinger (18 today), Alexander Tollner (6 on Saturday), Doris Rees (special greetings on Saturday), Ryan McDonough (18 on Sunday), Jerome Viola (20 on Tuesday), and Alma McTigue (turning 82 on Wednesday).~~~~If you would like to see "your" birthday or that of a friend or relative, just let me know a week in advance.
A very happy 3rd anniversary to Stephen and Lorrie "Pownall" Savas of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Lorrie, a former senior twirler with Teddy's Islettes, is among the long list of "twirlers" planning to march with the reunion group in the Island's Independence Parade next summer.
Looking Back 50 years - Members of the Grand Island Drum Corps celebrated their first anniversary November 24, 1951 in the fire hall. Entertainment included vocal solos by Alonzo Simms and Mike McNulty and a short comedy skit by Irene Perkovich (Smith), Joan Perkovich (Burd) and Geraldine Mrkall (Serba). ~~~~A new student in Mrs. Jocelyn Lawson's 6th grade was Margie ("Susie") Kovacsev (Cinelli) from Kenmore. "Susie" moved to East Park on the Island with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Kovacsev and siblings Barbara (Johnson) and Jimmie.~~~~Ray Staley was given a building permit to erect a $6,900 dwelling at 333 Elmwood Rd.
Looking Back 40 years - Johnny Dietrich at Riverhaven Lodge was looking for a good, used piano.~~~~For the 4th consecutive year the Protestant churches, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, St. Timothy, Island United Presbyterian, Trinity and Emmanuel, united in a cooperative Thanksgiving Worship Service on Thanksgiving Day.
Red, white and blue Christmas lights? That's what I've heard. There may even be a category in the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Lighting Contest. Stay tuned!
Jan & Mort Siegel are now living in Bayonet Point, FL. Friends may e-mail the Siegels by simply clicking "The Siegels."~~~~So very glad to report that Dick Lovelee is improving rapidly.
Mark your calendars. Historic Trinity's Holiday House Tour takes place Saturday, December 1st; the Historical Society's Christmas Party in River Lea is scheduled for Saturday, December 1st at 7 p.m.; and the Historical Society Open House titled "Sounds of the Season" at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park will be held Sundays, December 2 and December 9th. Please see the organization web pages for more details.
Members of the VFW will be serving the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings tomorrow (Thursday) for those less fortunate and for those who would just like some company on the holiday. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Where did the time go? Happy anniversary to Mark and Diane "Bykowicz" Hassan, who are celebrating their silver anniversary on Tuesday, November 20th.
Our sincere sympathy to the families of Martha Georgeson, longtime residents Mildred A. Facklam and Theresa Arent and former Island resident
Carol G. (Sledziewski) Mack who died this past week. Click for complete Death Notices.
John P. Redmond and his bride, Erica J. Olijnyk were married on July 27, 2001 in Whitehaven Road Baptist Church. Carolyn S. Ferro and Scott M. Drews were married November 10, 2001 in the Church of the Advent Episcopal Church, Kenmore. Best wishes, newlyweds.
A speedy recovery to Dick Lovelee who is Buffalo General Hospital and would surely appreciate cards of cheer.~~~~Ann Kruse is still recuperating in Riverwoods Health Care Center where visitors would be welcomed.~~~~Gary Lechner is much better and hoping to be back to work on light duty in a couple of weeks.
Happy birthday to Cyndi Booker, Mike Dommer and Jacob Kreutz (today), Brian Kopf (18 tomorrow), baby Sierra Marie Maras (her first birthday tomorrow), Sara McMoil (10 on Saturday), Judy Penque and Sonja Hill (Saturday), Janet Webb (cheers on Sunday), Jeanine Robinson (Sunday), Shani "Smyth" Hunt (Monday), Rebecca Rae (18 on Tuesday), Bill Weis and Ron McNamee (Tuesday), Kenny Shobert and Beverly Benton (Wednesday), and Benjamin Kose (10 on Wednesday).
Our Grand Island Girls Soccer Team, previously undefeated and ranked #4 in the state and #1 large school in The Buffalo News' poll, lost to the Section V powerhouse Mercy, 2-0 in the Class A state quarterfinals last week. The girls did a great job all season, and were possibly the first GI soccer team to go to the State competition.~~~~Congratulations to Terry Eichler who bowled his career first 300 at Island Lanes with the Saturday Night Mixers. Terry had a perfect score in a 721 series.~~~~The Raepple twins made the Buffalo News this week. Jay Raepple bowled a 725 series and Mark bowled a 279 in a 723 series.
Looking Back 50 years - Ed Oberkircher was elected supervisor over encumbent Dan McNamee in the 1951 election and served only seven weeks in office before his untimely death.
Looking Back 30 years - The Chamber of Commerce sponsored an Industrial Appreciation Night in the Buffalo Launch Club on November 18, 1971.~~~~Miss Janice Guzzetta's 4th grade at Huth Road School was spending some of the school day listening to tapes prepared by Miss Gazetta and played on her tape recorder. A picture of the kids in headsets appeared in the local, weekly paper.
The next Teddy's Islettes baton practice is scheduled for Friday, November 30th at 6:30 p.m. All former members are invited to attend in anticipation of our appearance in the Sesquicentennial/Independence Day Parade next year. For more information click Teddy's Islettes Web Page.
Another great time was had over at the VFW Post on Sunday when the members opened their hall for a brunch and music following the Veterans Day Ceremonies. This Saturday the VFW Ladies are sponsoring a pie contest and turkey raffle which is open to the community. More details may be found on the VFW Web Page..~~~~
And speaking of the calendar, check out our "Calendar of Events." for details on other events happening this weekend.~~~~
A Used Book Sale takes place at the Library tomorrow night and Saturday, the Co-op Nursery School has a basket raffle tomorrow night, and the Island's Historical Society in Beaver Island Park will be open on Sunday.
Island history buffs, take note! I would like to correct the "Spooky, Stubborn Stones" story that appeared in the November 2, 2001 edition of the Island Dispatch. The writer refers to the "Stone House" and states that demolition crew bulldozers could not knock it down, and, according to lore, the structure owes its strength to the spiritual world. The truth is that the stone house, possibly a smoke house, was saved by the developers of the Holiday Inn, taken apart, stone by stone, and later moved and restored to its present site.
Our sympathy to the family of Isle resident Emrys W. Hughes who died on Tuesday. Former residents Barbara A. Bosworth, James Kimbrough Jr. and Jennifer A. Falzone Mazurek recently passed away. Click for complete Death Notices.
Nancy and Ron Webb's interest in Webb family genealogy continues to turn up more and more family history. Most recently mentioned in their interesting emails are the old Island names of Alonzo Stoddard who married Hattie Blackmore in 1874; Ada Dinsmore Van Son Spivey and her mother, Ada Stoddard Dinsmore; and Betty Forsythe Killian's mother, Stella Stoddard who married Clark Forsythe. Internet sources that the Webbs have used include "Ancestry.com"
Saturday's high school playoff game against Iroquois was a 14-3 heartbreaker but we will continue to think of the Varsity Vikings Football Team of 2001 as champs through and through. Thanks for a wonderful season, boys.~~~~Grand Island High School's Girls Soccer Team, undefeated all season, came out the winners of the Section VI Class A soccer final. Among the lead players of the 2001 season were Savannah Stolzenburg, Jamie Dougherty, Jenny Rogan and Courtney Bota. Congratulations, girls and good luck in Friday's 5 p.m. game at Honeyoe Falls-Lima High School against Section V Champs Mercy High School. For recent game results and a "Who's Who" on the girls soccer team, click Lady Vikings.
Happy birthday to Kevin McNamee (today), Alyssa Miller, Floyd Doring and Mildred Dingey (Saturday), Sherry Watkins (Sunday), Kelly Elizabeth Williams (10-years-old Monday), Dan Hoffman (Monday), Joseph Sheehan and Elaine Fields (Tuesday), Aimee Anderson (Sweet 16 Wednesday) and Samantha Kuszczak (8 on Wednesday).
Looking Back 50 years - The Erie County Sheriff's office reported six automobile accidents on the Express Highway or the bridges between November 3rd and 11th, 1951.
Looking Back 40 years - Ken Michaels and Peter Sloan of Boy Scout Troop 510 attained the rank of Eagle.~~~~Pat and George Shaw and 6-year-old daughter, Sherry Shaw (Watkins) made Grand Island their home 40 years ago.
Looking Back 30 years - The Grand Island Art Society held its first holiday corner in the Harris Ballroom, now the home of TrueValue Hardware on Whitehaven Road. Chairman Richard Brzyski was assisted by Shirley Schultz.
The New York State Parks Department has completed a new overlook on the north end of the West River Parkway. Click Quality Quest for a little more information.
Sunday's Veterans Day ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. in Veteran's Park. Members of VFW Post #9249 have announced that the observance will be immediately followed by a brunch and music by Diamond Sound 2-6 p.m. at the Charles N. DeGlopper VFW Post, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. No school Monday in honor of Veteran's Day.
Thanks to Diane "Bykowicz" Hassan, Class of 1970, I received an answer to last week's inquiry about the small, stuffed dog wearing a sweater with a GI logo. According to Diane, the dog in question was "earned" when a magazine subscription fundraiser was held at Grand Island High School sometime between 1968 and 1970. The size of the stuffed animal increased in direct proportion to the amount of subscriptions a student sold. "As a matter of fact, I earned the largest stuffed animal offered."
Please continue to pray for Diane "Tetkowski" Pokorski whose address at ECMC is Erie County Medical Center, 468 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215.~~~~A speedy recovery to Donn Perry who has had recent eye surgery, and to Skip Fred who injured his hand over the weekend.~~~~Maura Rustowicz, mother of Michael, Katie, James, Maggie, Mary and 5-week-old Sean Christian, is recuperating from a broken foot. Rumor has it that there are five broken feet over at town hall. Any truth to the rumor??
For an idea of just how busy members of our Grand Island Fire Company were on the windy October 25th, check out the "Fire Report." I've included the times for that date that show the Company was called upon to responded to a total of 15 calls.
Do any of my readers have a good photo of the "Clown House," circa 1955? Let me know by e-mailing "Teddy."
Island native Esther M. (nee Webb) Kaiser of North Tonawanda passed away on October 24, 2001. Former resident Mercedes (Vargas) Joshi passed away at age 35. Sally J. Bennett died Monday following a long illness. Click for complete Death Notices.
Happy birthday to Emily Mary Fred (her first birthday today), Sarah Grace Kustich (3 today), Carissa Bailey and Michael Dlugokinski (teenagers today), Laura McDonnell (Sweet 16 today), Mandy Liesenfeld (6 today), JoAnn Lozo and her twin sister Sue McMahon (tomorrow), Mary Carminati (her 80th on Saturday), Diane "Loder" Baker (cheers on Sunday - born during a Sunday snowstorm!), Robin Csendom and Peter Burrows (Tuesday) and Joshua Less (5 on Tuesday).
Celebrating their silver wedding anniversary on November 5th and wished many more years together are Dave and Sally Goris. Happy anniversary to Shaun and Tabatha Senger, married five years on Wednesday.~~~~Michael T. Connell and his bride, the former Melissa J. Calhoun were married October 5, 2001 in Full Gospel Tabernacle and are at home in Tonawanda. Best wishes, newlyweds.
The Varsity Vikings Football Team, with its 2001 season dedicated to the memory of Coach Gene Masters, shut out Lake Shore 13-0 last Saturday. Good luck to the Vikings as they enter the playoffs with a 2 p.m. game on their home field against Iroquois. See our "Sports Page" for Homecoming pictures including Homecoming King and Queen Ryan Homa and Michelle Cammarano and their court.
Looking Back 45 years - The New York State Thruway opened to traffic across the Island on November 6, 1956.
Looking Back 40 years - The new high school plans in 1961 called for a fallout shelter of adequate thickness for fallout protection which was to be provided in an area to be excavated under the gymnasium. Pumps, air conditioning and food supplies were not contemplated at that time. However, school officials hoped state or federal aid would be forthcoming for this phase so it would not have to be financed through the bond issue. The fallout protection area was to be large enough to house the school enrollment but not of sufficient size to care for the town's entire school population, the Island Dispatch was informed in October 1961.
Looking Back 30 years - Among the standouts on the team when the Varsity Vikings took the Division V football championship in 1971 were Bill Ward, Chuck Bagdy, Paul Wiedemer, Mike Rodriguez, Mike Dowd, John Podlucky, Mike Cap, Daryl Smith, John Martini, Terry McDonald, Mike Costello and Ron Sepanski.~~~~Den 8, under the direction of Den Mother Alice Carlson was added to Cub Pack 452 on Friday, November 5, 1971. Cubs in the new den were Ian Harnden, Joseph Gadawski, Richard Green, Roy Kemsley, Todd Davis, Jeff Gorrell and Chris Wendel.
A most interesting article on Island resident Joann M. Hale was included in the Saturday, October 27, 2001 feature, Answering the Call in Section D in the Buffalo News. Joann has been a volunteer with the National Council of Churches and has responded to disaster relief for 13 years. She spent three weeks in NYC following the September 11th WTC tragedy.
Teddy's Islettes twirlers will practice tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. at Cathy Thomas' dance studio. For more information, e-mail Teddy. This "new" marching unit of "old twirlers" will perform in the Sesquicentennial Parade down Grand Island Blvd. on the 4th of July 2002.
Mary Ann Arsenault is in town and will be for awhile as she keeps her mother,
Ann Kruse's spirits up. Ann, who recently broke her wrist and injured her leg, is staying in Riverwood Healthcare Center where she is working on physical therapy.~~~~Ted and Jackie Filosofos who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on November 25th, spent nearly a month in Maui, Hawaii with friends. Ted and Jackie moved to Grand Island 50 years ago this month and are now residing in Florida.~~~~Check out "Ducati" to see what Nicole "Dee" Hoffman has been up to lately!
The Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. this evening at River Lea in Beaver Island Park. John Percy, Associate Professor of History, Canisius College will present a program on "Pierce Arrow Cars."~~~~The Kaegebein PTA's 12th annual Craft Show/Sale will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school. Sesquicentennial t-shirts and key chains will be available as well as the opportunity to register for a patron ad in the Sesquicentennial Historic Program Book. For more information on the Craft Show, click
"Kaegebein School Page."~~~~Don't forget to exercise your right to vote on Tuesday - and then consider attending the "Voices of Freedom" concert being presented in the high school auditorium.Click Huth Road School for further information.
On Sunday, October 28 at 2:00 a.m., we set our clocks back one hour and return to standard time. Now is also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors. The practice of changing the time began during World War I, so Americans could use as much natural lighting as possible and conserve energy needed for war production.
Wednesday's Trick-or-Treat hours on Grand Island are from 5-8 p.m. Town officials advise that parents accompany children as they go door to door and carefully scrutinize all candy collected.
The appointment schedule for flu shots to be given on November 5th at the Golden Age Center is completely filled. Check with local drugstores for other flu dates.
Can any readers tell me when the Island's Aries Triangle disbanded? Click Aries Triangle/Demolay for an interesting website and be sure to sign on if you were a member of either group.~~~~An old friend is trying to locate Pat or Michael Buell. If they are interested in the correspondence, e-mail Teddy.~~~~I've had a request for the origin of a small, stuffed dog with black glasses and a white hat, a sweater with a GI logo for Grand Island and a blue vest? The toy is made by Mascots, Inc. Mass.
The Varsity Vikings Football Team won another game, this time a 7-6 win over Pioneer. Check out Viking Sports for a full report. Good luck, boys, with this Saturday's 2 p.m. homecoming game against Lake Shore.~~~~What a game! Pat Scott bowled a 275 (678) on October 13th with the Belles & Beaus at Island Lanes.~~~~For those interested in Hydroplane Racing, members of the Niagara Frontier Boat Racing Association invite you to their meetings which are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Dome Stadium, 200 Main Street, Tonawanda beginning at 8 p.m. For further information call 693-7117.
The Ararat Stone is on permanent exhibit at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society in the "Neighbors: The People of Erie County" exhibit. A major piece of Grand Island history is the fact that Major Mordecai M. Noah became the owner of 2,555 acres of land on Grand Island. Though it never materialized, his plan was to make the Island into a large and flourishing city and refuge for members of the Jewish race. The Ararat stone was to be the cornerstone for Major Noah's enterprise.
Our sincere sympathy to the families of Aline E. Volk, Richard N. Chartrand and former resident Jeannette E. Collins. Click for complete Death Notices.
Best wishes to Christopher J. Klein and his bride, the former Julie A. Hoefner who were married at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Akron. The Kleins will reside on Grand Island.
Family affair! The Fire Company's Ladies Auxiliary held a split club drawing in conjunction with its chowder and baked goods sale last Saturday. President Brooke Raham's daughter, Jennifer, who was home from college for the weekend, drew the winning ticket - her father's. Congratulations, Rodney Raham.
A very happy birthday to Alice Gardner (yesterday), Mallory Katherine DelSignore (her 2nd birthday today), Agnes Becker (today), our grandson John Bidell (12 today), Karen Lascelle (very special greetings today), Norma Weast (Friday), JoAnn Hugill (Saturday), Paul Soto (25 on Saturday), Nancy
(Boettcher) Rishkofski (Cheers on Sunday), Christine Stange (Tuesday), John Fontana (a big one one this week) and Amanda Ayers (Sweet 16 on Tuesday).
Looking Back 50 years - A huge pile of crating lumber, compliments of East Park Road resident Art Stuck, was unloaded at the north west corner of Love and Stony Point for the Grandyle Village Property Owners' bon fire on Halloween night 1951. Even more fun were the days before when we set up the crates to make what seemed like miles of mazes. Remember?
Our Grand Island, NY internet newspaper is a year old. "Don't keep Isledegrande.com a secret! Let your relatives living right here on Grand Island, NY know about our Island website and newspaper."
Those vivacious, fun-loving Zonta Club gals, headed up this year by Aggie Becker, will hold their annual Hot Dog Sale this Saturday, (Oct. 27) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grand Island Garden Center on Alvin Road.~~~~The Sesquicentennial's first event, the Scuba Duck Regatta, takes place 9 a.m. this Saturday (Oct. 27) when the numbered, little yellow ducks will be released in the Niagara River. Winners will be announced at the Holiday Inn. Boaters out in the river on Saturday morning to capture the duckies will be Gary Roesch, Butch Meyer and Dave Deuble, according to chairman Linda Tufillaro.~~~~Don't forget the Historical Society's general meeting on Thursday, Nov. 1st when John Percy, Associate Professor of History, Canisius College will give a program on "Pierce Arrow Cars." The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in River Lea in Beaver Island State Park.
Our Grand Island Varsity Vikings beat Williamsville East Friday night with a 21-0 shutout. The Buffalo News reported the following: "Juniors Pat McCarthy and Terry Benton led a defensive effort by the No. 5 large school Vikings. McCarthy finished with 15 tackles and Benton added 12. Grand Island broke open a tight game with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, one on a pulsating 57-yard run by Jim Blocho, the other on a 23-yard TD pass from Mick Gallagher to Mike Feathers. Blocho finished with 125 yards while Gallagher passed for two touchdowns.~~~~Wow! What a bowler! Brian Sander bowled a 299 (748) with the P. J. Garvey Men's League at Island Lanes.
Brian and Erin Russo are proud parents of a baby boy, Dylan Michael Russo born October 5, 2001 weighing seven pounds, 12 ounces. For more details, click "Russo Baby".
A tip of the hat to the VFW for purchasing 50 ducks to be entered in the Scuba Duck Regatta on the 27th. See the Sesquicentennial Page for information on how to enter and support the Sesqui events of 2002.
I just posted a 1976 photo of a group of children from Emmanuel United Methodist Church on Baseline Road in my "Old Photo Album"
Congratulations to Karen and Mike DeMartin on the birth of a son, Collin Michael DeMartin, born September 7, 2001 weighing seven pounds, 11 ounces. Baby Collin was welcomed home by big sister, Allison, 2 1/2. Proud grandparents are Marge and Al Craddock of Jenell Dr. and
Evert and Felicia DeMartin of West River Road.
This girl is good! Amy Morgan was featured in the guest editorial spot in the Buffalo News on Sunday, for the second time in a little over a month. Her writing may be viewed by clicking Begrudging Rainbow.
We heard that the Octoberfest at Trinity UM Church on Saturday was chocked full of neat things to eat and buy and featured a silent auction where Sarah Webb, 7, won a musical, porcelain doll. Sarah, her mom and dad, Donna and Kent Webb and her brother, Mark also attended St. Stephen's chicken BBQ and bazaar on the same day, where numerous auction items were being announced. The Webbs were also lucky winners at St. Stephen's.
I announced George Pollock's birthday last week but was not aware that it was his 80th birthday. "Happy 80th, George, and by the way, I just found a 1956 program for a Grand Island Community Band Concert where it listed 'Pollock Plumbing and Heating' among the advertisements!"
Looking Back 50 years - Plans for the Island's 1952 Centennial celebration started just 50 years ago when Chamber of Commerce members heard a "Centennial Promotion" representative who said, "Grand Island has a big problem in that there is no centralized business district; this is overshadowed by the abundance of available space on both land and water."
Looking Back 10 years - Harbor Towne Centre on Baseline at Alvin Road opened on October 24, 1991.
Members of the Niagara Frontier Boat Racing Association, sponsors of
next summer's hydroplane races tentatively set for June 22-23, 2002, are having a "fund raiser" on November 24th at Papa Joe's, 2546 Niagara Falls Blvd. The event will start at 6 p.m. and the cost is $10.00 and includes beer, food, and a chinese auction. Call Luanne Monnette at 693-7117 or Anne or Liz Barker at 773-1191 for tickets.
Stephanie M. Zaremski and Brandon E. Depp were married Friday, October 12th in St. Stephen's Church. The bride is the daughter of Agnes and Michael Zaremski Sr. of Grand Island.~~~~Island residents Maureen Rotella and Jason Weis were married Saturday in St. Stephen's Church and are living in Florida. Both couple are wished a long and happy life together.
Happy birthday to Adam Heftka (6 today), Alexandra Mason (10 today), Jim Milne (tomorrow), Danielle McGuire (10 on Saturday), Michael Madigan (5 on Saturday), Joe Macaluso (Saturday), Robert Stahl, Marge Costello, Danielle Soluri and Laury Linenfelser (Sunday), Megan Kaleta (a teenager on Sunday), Brianna Lee Hadden (5 on Monday), "Puppet" DiTullio and Debbie Huff Curry (Monday), Jaime Heftka (her 20th on Monday), Vicki Wright (this week), and Kevin "Skee" Zoldowski who really turns the big 5-0 on the 24th.
Our sympathy to the families of Marie A. Davis, John L. Syms, Bernard 'Barney' Gingrich, Annie 'Nancy" Stabell and former resident
Rev. Marvin E. Rickert. Click for complete Death Notices.
Looking for things to do this weekend? The Fire Company's Ladies Auxiliary fall chowder and baked goods sale takes place on Saturday in the main truck house, 2275 Baseline Road. Chowder will be sold when ready, around 11 a.m. and may be purchased by the bowl or for take out for those who bring containers.~~~~The Historical Society will hold an open house at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, October 21st. Let's all show the Society members a good turnout in appreciation for all that they are doing to preserve our history.
I will remind you again next week, but you may want to jot down the hours for children's Tricks-or-Treating on Halloween night. They are from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, October 31th.
Trivia question of the week: Just what was Peggy Butler's whimsical duck rendition, and where can we see it?
The correct address for former resident Gary Leckner is 415 Briarwood Road, Venice, FL 34293. According to his friend Bill Williams, Gary, who has since broken his hip from a fall after the heart attack, is progressing slowly.
Chris Dennis recently scored a 288 (706) while bowling with the Labatt's League at Island Lanes and Rich Freer had the same 288 score (772) while bowling with the Men's A-Best Roofing league at Island Lanes.
Congratulations again to our Varsity Vikings Football Team. The boys beat Williamsville South 20-0 last Saturday when Chris Sica had two touchdowns in the 2nd quarter. Other standouts on the Grand Island team were Mike Blocho (ran 15 times for 134 yards, caught a 20-yd. TD pass from Mick Gallagher), Mick Gallagher, Jim Blocho (carried 16 times for 88 yards, and linebacker Terry Benton (10 tackles). Grand Island (4-0) is playing at Williamsville East (3-2) 7 p.m. Friday evening.
Please pray for Nancy Stabell who is very ill.~~~~Our best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to West River Road resident Tom Flaherty, a captain with the Erie County Sheriff's Department, who was seriously injuried in an accident following Sunday's Buffalo Bills game.~~~~Certainly hope Helene Kerr's hospital stay is a very short one. Get well, Helene!
Happy birthday to Mike Braun who celebrated yet another birthday with the entire Fire Company Saturday evening. Nice to see Mike's wife Sue Braun getting around so well on her crutches.~~~~Six-year-old Zoe Dodd is having to take it easy since having her tonsils out last Wednesday. If you know Zoe, why not send her a card in the mail.~~~~A tip of the hat to Sue McMahon who served well over 950 breakfasts last week to kindergartners and grandparents in the Sidway School lunch room.
Camarillo, CA resident Ellen Hopkins Faber and her family spent the past week on Grand Island, where her sons saw where their mom grew up. Ellen, a member of the Class of '71, had a good time visiting with Lydia Endres, Liz and Greg Barker, Mike Endres and his family and her longtime 'Class of '71' friend Mary Quinn. "Thanks for the flowers, Ellen. Your visit and your compliments to our Isledegrande.com site made my day."
A wish for a great day goes out to Danna and Mark Podgorny who will celebrate their 5th anniversary on Friday, and to Bobby and Ilene Dee celebrating their 12th on Sunday. A belated happy 30th anniversary to Lori and Wayne Clinton.
If you see Michael Wasson, ask him about that special birthday he's celebrating today.~~~~Happy birthday, Mike. Happy birthday to Stephanie Hopkins (her 13th today), Jacob Mongold (a big 5 today), Mary Witherspoon and Kathy Bowerman (Saturday), Stephanie Voyzey (her fifth birthday Sunday), John Thomas Turner (7 on Sunday), Shirley Luther and Vickie Wright (Monday), Tamara Proctor (special greetings on Tuesday), Tammy "Tolbert" Benz (cheers on Tuesday), Carol Pownall, Karen Figler and Elizabeth Foks (Wednesday), and Marissa Booker (her 10th birthday Wednesday).
Mike Podlucky's thoughts on Coach Masters in his note in our guestbook today were truly heartwarming. I'm sure there will be others. Be sure to check out the guestbook from time to time and sign in if you haven't already. It's a perfect way to stay in touch with high school friends from the football team, the band, and the Island.
Looking Back 50 years - Televisions were very new 50 years ago and the newest show was "I Love Lucy," premiering on October 15, 1951 on WBEN-TV.~~~~Fifth graders in Mrs. Adamine Kennelly's class put on a talent show for some of the other classes in the Sidway School. Among the acts were a puppet show by Martin O'Dea and Don and Dayton Fancher, baton twirling by Betty Jane Gardner (Penque), Rosemary Loth (Fischer) and Judy Kuehling (Semler), and jokes being told by Dick Titterington and Bill Vampotic.~~~~Sidway School students, from the kindergartners to the ninth graders, were delighted and very excited over seeing the new Grand Stride, the swings and the jungle gym on the school playground.
Looking Back 30 years - Cannon Partnership's new Island facility was under construction.~~~~The Grand Island Fire Company held its first annual inspection and open house on Sunday, October 10, 1971.~~~~Howard Killian, a native Grand Island farmer, produced about 3,400 bales of hay on his Whitehaven Road farm in 1971. He also raised oats and wheat which were sold to local horse owners, estimated by some to exceed over 100 horses.
Teddy's Islettes is alive and well. Several former twirlers of the majorette corps recently practiced together and literally twirled up a storm. Everyone who paraded with the group between 1961 and 1987 is invited to the next practice, Friday, November 2nd at 6:30 p.m. at Cathy Thomas' dance studio. For more information, e-mail Teddy. The plan is for the former twirlers of Teddy's Islettes to perform in the Sesquicentennial Parade on the 4th of July 2002 down Grand Island Blvd.
Such a deal! Patriotic placemats in red, white and blue are available at no charge at Island Pools on the Boulevard.~~~~The Grand Island Snowmobile Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday October 17th at LoVerdes Bar & Grill on West River Road at Staley. For more Club information, click GI Snowmobile Club.~~~~St. Stephen's annual chicken dinner is set for Sunday, October 14th from noon to 5 p.m. A bazaar and auction will be featured.~~~~For a really pretty website, check our our own Maria's Hallmark. By the way, Maria DelSignore is one of our Isledegrande.com business sponsors. Thanks, Maria.
I am so sorry to report that former resident Gary Leckner suffered a heart attack several weeks ago. Cards may be mailed to Gary at 415 Briarwood Road, Venice, FL 34293.~~~~A speedy recovery to Sue Braun who recently fractured her foot, and to Richard Hartman who has been injured in a fall. Richard and Joanne's move from Grand Island is on hold for the time being.
Our sympathy to the families of Alyce A. Janik, Eugene Kozek and former residents Colleen M. Combes and Eleanore Campbell. Click for complete Death Notices.
Congratulations to Frank DelSignore
who had a hole-in-one on the 171-yard 4th hole at Bridgewater Country Club with
an 8-iron.~~~~And congratulations to the Grand Island High School Varsity
Vikings on a fantastic win over Lewiston-Porter with a final score of 44-7.
Breaking our high school field goal record was sophomore Mike Feathers
who kicked a 45-yarder.
"Where'd the time go?" A special happy birthday to Margaret "Lapine" Webb who celebrates on Saturday. She is shown in back on the left. For a larger view of the photo with all the names, click "Old Photo Album".~~~~Happy birthday to Jennifer Wenner (her 30th today), to Lauren Kalisz (a teenager today), Margie Walker (today), Mallory
Zilliox (12 tomorrow), Doug Fearon and Bonnie Allen (Saturday), Eric Craddock (6 on Sunday), Mark Webb (a teenager on Monday), and Dick McCowan and neighbor Tom Lajos (both celebrating a milestone on Wednesday).~~~~George Pollock will celebrate his birthday on October 8th and he and his wife, Loretta will mark their 14th wedding anniversary on October 7th. Happy days to the Pollocks.
Sarah
White, a graduate of Grand Island High School and Long Island University,
became the bride of Joseph Piacente III on Saturday, September 29, 2001 in St.
Stephen's Church. The newlyweds will make their home in Cheektowaga following a
trip to Jamaica.
Looking Back 50 years - The Trinity EUB
Church Choir presented "Belle Of The West" to raise funds for carpet in the
church chancel. A chorus of ranchers, miners and girls of Roarin' Creek included Carol Kaegebein (Gates), Marilyn Dinsmore (Serfass), Mrs. Norman Hause, Marion Pinkow, Ralph
Westerman, Len Staub, Roger Dohn and Eric Parish. Wallace Sims was director and Marion Pinkow, chorus director.~~~~Jim and Susan Neimeier and
parents were newcomers to Sandy Beach and Grand Island 50 years ago.
Looking Back 40 years - Marion Klingel was appointed editor of the Island
Dispatch and replaced James Roche on the Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors.~~~~A large sign, "Grand Island Town Hall," was painted by
Vince Staley and erected on town hall grounds facing Grand Island
Blvd. in the fall of 1961.
Looking Back 20 years - Dominick Affuso of Baseline Road tuned into the first Cable TV reception on Grand Island on September 23, 1981. Michael Gast was president of Island Cable Inc. on Baseline Road when it became a reality through the operations of a 120-foot tower with an 8-foot microwave antenna.
The Historical Society's 7:30 p.m., meeting "tonight" at River Lea will feature a slide program of the town's 1952 centennial.~~~~Professional, elite and amateur cyclists will compete in races at the south end of the Island on Saturday and Sunday. Click DuTriSports
Best wishes to Lisa and Chuck Capage who celebrated their second wedding anniversary on Tuesday, September 25th.~~~~Wedding bells! Maria Frattaroli and Angelo Congi were married Saturday in St. Stephen's Church, and the wedding of Tammi L. Von Wryeza and Jason E. Ras took place Saturday in Christ the King Chapel, Canisius College. All will live on Grand Island.
Our sincere sympathy to the families of Ann Mitchell, Dick Couch, Don Argy Sr. and former East River Road resident Ruth M. (Pollock) Dinnocenzio. Ann, who has lived on the Island 60+ years, thoroughly enjoyed two parties in celebration of her 90th birthday last weekend. Details of Dick's activities on the Island may be read by clicking below. Don was the father of nine children and an active member of St. Stephen's Church. Ruth belonged to the Fire Company's Ladies Auxiliary and its marching unit in the 1960s. Click for complete Death Notices.
Congratulations to Fred Lew who beat out the rest of the runners in the men's 50-59 age group last weekend in the Habitat Run 2001 at Westminister Presbyterian.~~~~Dave Grant and friends raised over $5,000 for the ECMC Trauma Unit last Saturday at the Launch Club.
Looking Back 65 years - It was 65 years ago today that Harrison Corky "Ugly" Carter celebrated his 1st birthday with a party attended by Mary Ann Kruse (Arsenault), Billy Fleming, Dave Mesmer and Georgie Fitzpatrick, among others. Corky took a nap and had to be aroused to blow out his candle! "Happy birthday, Corky!"
Looking Back 50 years - Miss Evelyn Jordan's kindergarten class visited the Henry Schutt farm on Stony Point and Bedell roads 50 years ago today. Among the students taking the short school bus ride from Sidway School to the farm were Christine Pinkow (Sipson), Johnny Joe Esack, Michael Gast, Gary Long, Dawn Merrill (Hillock), Elaine Stedman, Peter Mazenauer and Tommy Boehm.
Looking Back 30 years - After serving 19 years as an elected official, Don Hawley resigned as town justice.
Looking Back 1 year - After a four-year run with rave review's, the Grand Island Record, a totally Grand Island newspaper, free and Island-wide every week, was forced to stop production with its September 28, 2000 edition.
Thanks again to Penny Ball for making me aware of a very good web site for kids - "TIME for Kids" . The site offers updated news stories on the September 11th tragedy, contextual maps, photo essays, information on how to help and much more.~~~~Have a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes to Carla Beth Rader and Andrew James Gasiewicz who were married Saturday, September 15th in First Presbyterian Church, Niagara Falls. The bride was the third generaton in her family to be married in that church.
Our own Mandy Malaney here at Isledegrande.com is the writer of "A Celebration," being used to inform the residents of Grand Island of the need for their immediate support of the Sesquicentennial celebration. Click
"A Celebration"
and don't miss out on a chance to be a part of the historic, pictorial program book being reproduced, just as it was in 1952.~~~~Saturday's Treasures was a community spirited event under sunny skies and warm temperatures. Our granddaughter Amy Bidell, her cousin, Marissa Lange as well as Katie Hillock were among youngsters who had booths in the KidBiz section. From what we hear, they all made a nice profit.~~~~Our daughter Julie Dee, who was attending the Brad Paisley concert at the Majestic Theater with her husband, Don on Saturday night, had the thrill of being called up on stage by the star of the show! Did any of my readers see her?
A belated happy 75th birthday to Lee Becker who turned 75 on September 8th. Happy Birthday to Lisa Dollendorf, Christopher Soluri, John Braddell and Jeri Schopp (today), Rachel Hamlin (21 Saturday), Nicole Walker (Sweet 16 on Saturday), Ann Mitchell (Saturday), Walter Hughes, and the Gorton twins - Jim and Becky (Sunday), Betsy Cali and Susan Hillock (Monday), Julie Anna Amato (14 on Monday), David Rodriguez (4 on Monday), and last but certainly not least, Kevin "Skee" Zoldowski, Class of '70 and now residing in Billings,
Montana turns the big 5-0 this week.
Marianne Christensen is thrilled with the results of her recent eye surgery.~~~~Fire Chief Skip Mrkall, who sustained painfull injuries in a fall last spring, is getting along a lot better now.~~~~Get well wishes to Laurie Long who has recently been fighting pneumonia.
Our sympathy to the families of Benjamin A. Spiesz, Joseph Esack, and former residents Florence L. Browning, 99, and Gerald A. Mahnk who passed away this week. Click for complete Death Notice.
Looking Back 50 years - MaryEllen Klingel (Stewart), Wendy Holden (Gaydica), Louann Bucknam (Farrell), Betty Jane Gardner (Penque) and Judy Daggett were among members of Girl Scout Troop 437 who spent a weekend camping at Sky High Girl Scout Camp in Orchard Park. Miss Lucy French and Mrs. Janet McCann were their leaders.
Looking Back 30 years - Scoutmaster Tom Ott and Assistant Scoutmaster Roger Dudley were in charge of Boy Scout Troop 254's Court of Honor which was accented by three campfires in Beaver Island Park on September 23, 1971.
Thanks to West River Road resident Betty Johnson who was credited with bringing bagpipper Scott Calhoun of Williamsville to the Sunday Night candlelight vigil. Scott is the husband of Betty's niece.
A spaghetti dinner for Grand Island Moose Lodge #180 members, their families and friends will be held from 4-7 p.m. this Saturday (September 22) at the lodge, 2524 Grand Island Blvd. Click Moose Lodge News for more information.
Primary election voting, postponed from Tuesday, September 11th, will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, September 25th at your regular polling place. All voting machines will be reset for voting and votes cast on September 11th will not be counted.
The next planning meeting for the Sesquicentennial is 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 25th in the Grand Island Memorial Library on Bedell Road.
Island resident Dave Grant is coordinating a fund raiser event to benefit the Erie County Medical Center Head Trauma Unit. Music and fun will take place at the Buffalo Launch Club Saturday, September 22nd. For details on how this came about, click ECMC Story
Our sincere sympathy to the family of Cathy Hetherly. Click for complete Death Notice.
Happy birthday to Russ Anderson Jr. (the big one today), to Dave Cole, Kate Cady and Danny McMahon (today), Frankie Truesdale (16 tomorrow), Ryan Norton and Michael Ruland (both turning 3 on Saturday), Mary Ellen Hau Nemo (special greetings on Saturday), Veronica Connor and Robert Grycel (Monday), Bethany Allsop (her 13th on Monday), Millie Weiser and Zdenka Gast (Tuesday), "Prof." Don Burns and Bob Buzby (Wednesday) and Rebecca Goelz (Sweet 16 on Wednesday).
A belated happy birthday to Sharon El-Behairy who celebrated on Tuesday.
Happy birthday, Pete! Can you spot Supervisor Peter McMahon in his first grade class photo? Check out our "Old Photo Album" for his name and names of all his classmates.
The supervisor celebrates a milestone on Wednesday, September 19th and I want to be first to wish him a very happy birthday.
Nice to see Mike O'Dea in town enjoying the sights and sounds at the Antique and Classic Boat Show with his brother, Jim. Also at the show with an antique boat of his own was former resident Kenny Kohn and family. The Buffalo Launch Club grounds were filled with boats and antique cars of every vintage. The view of the Niagara River, the beautiful, hot and sunny weather, along with the Route 66 band made for a perfect day.
Congratulations to talented writer Amy Morgan of Sandy Beach Road, a recent a guest editorialist in the Buffalo News. Her writing may be viewed by clicking Buffalo
News.
Thanks to the following who helped identify the 1996 Sidway School reunion photos that I posted several weeks back: Fred Schutt, Jerry Thomas, Margaret Ann Haller, Dorothy Dillemuth and Wayne Baumler. The class of 1961 photo has been added and hopefully someone will come through with the Class of '60 picture to complete the set.~~~~For those of you who heard about our son, Jim Linenfelser Jr's Labor Day accident, he's back to work at town hall, still sore but none the worse for wear!!!
Looking Back 50 years - Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, Bobby and Charlotte were one of the first residents to move into the Coldbrook homes on Stony Point Road in 1951.
Looking Back 40 years - Linc and Barbara Nutting were newcomers to the Island 40 years ago when they moved into their Bruce Lane home.
Looking Back 30 years - A family picnic at Trinity Church on September 18, 1971 drew over 300. Stan Ellson led the group in an exciting afternoon of events for all ages. The Bidells and Hasselbecks provided pony rides and Jean Wholahan, Gert Cotter, Vivian Smudski, John McClellan and Leslie and Sylvia Todd presented a musical medley on recorders. Remember?
Looking Back 25 years - Bible Presbyterian Church on Love Road opened its grade school in September 1976.
My sympathy to the congregation of Emmanuel United Methodist Church. The very last church service was held Sunday, September 9, 2001. Emmanuel United Methodist was founded as a mission in a one-room school house on Bush Road in 1910. Eventually a Chapel was built on Ferry Road and in 1957 the present church was built on Baseline near Love Road.
For a very interesting website click "America: the Good Neighbor"
Attention, Teddy's Islettes! As you may have noted from this week's front page of the Grand Island e-News, I am making every effort to contact all of my former baton twirlers who marched with Teddy's Islettes from 1961 through 1987. Credit for the idea to march in the July 4, 2002 Sesquicentennial Parade goes to Cheryl Goris Kloesz, a former senior twirler who still impresses her family with her fire baton twirling! Please get in touch with your daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers if they were a part of my Teddy's Islettes. A meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. Friday, September 21st at Miss Cathy's Dance Academy, 2488 Grand Island Blvd. (next to Martin's Fantasy Island). Members unable to attend are asked to email Teddy "Klingel" Linenfelser to express your interest. Out-of-towners - we need you, too!~~~~The response to a Teddy's Islettes email notice I sent out last night to all available addresses brought immediate responses from Gail Hoag Ide, Uma (Bommaraju) Hoffmann, Patty Bykowicz Turner, Vicky Huer Lynde, Tina Krzes Arthur, Alyssa Miller, Holly Whitford Best and former student/teacher Marcia Witte Robison.
Chamber of Commerce members will offer their Treasures Festival and KidBiz this Saturday when Whitehaven between Baseline Road and the Boulevard will be closed to traffic and filled with tables and booths of crafts, food, garage sale items and more. Activities begin at 9 a.m. and the American Red Cross will hold a sign-up for blood donations.
Former East River Road resident Nicole Dee Hoffman and her husband, Jeff of Port Orange, Florida are into motorcycle racing, big time! Click to view their team website, Draganee Racing. Both are active racers in the Southeast Region of the Championship Cup Series
Former residents John and Carol Jean Linenfelser of Brockport, NY are first time grandparents. Their daughter, Sarabeth gave birth to a seven pound, 12 ounce baby boy on Monday, September 3, 2001. John is a member of the Grand Island High School Class of '66 and Carol Jean graduated from the high school in 1968.
Our very best wishes to Claudia McGinty and John Papai who were married July 15, 2001 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.~~~~David J. Gottler and his bride, the former Lisa J. Boynton will be at home on Grand Island following a trip to Jamaica. The Gottlers were married Saturday, September 1, 2001 in St. Amelia Catholic Church, Town of Tonawanda.
Our sympathy to the families of Donald F. Mesler, former owner of the Islander Restaurant, former residents Chester H. Webb and Arthur G. Merrill and Isle resident Paul M. Albert. Click for complete Death Notices.
Happy birthday to Angela Amato (21 today), Margaret Ann Haller and Lisa Mrkall (today), Jerrett Fancher (a milestone tomorrow), Mary Lou Kohlhagen (her 80th on Saturday - see last week's column for party plans), Ryan Enser (21 on Saturday), Dylan Russell DeGlopper (his first birthday Saturday), Cheryl Hyman (a big one on Sunday), Mikayla Ann Claus (two on Sunday), Ted Stewart and Leona Ruth MacDonald Stevens(!) (Tuesday), June Ann Chadima (5 on Tuesday) and Jessica Walsh (Sweet 16 on Wednesday).
Looking Back 60 Years - It was on September 8, 1941 when nearly 1000 people attended WBEN's party on Grand Island. It was the 11th anniversary of WBEN, when formal dedication of the station's new 5000 watt transmitting plant and directional antenna system on Beaver Island Parkway and Bush Road took place. According to the Buffalo Evening News, "The sounds of merrymaking at the party held in the Beaver Island Casino were heard coast to coast." Among the guests listed were tiny Donna Staley (Mesmer), Mrs. Henry Ackerman and her granddaughter Alice Benton and little great granddaughter Joan Benton (Templeton).
Looking Back 50 Years - Four bus drivers, Tom Benton II, John Wagner, Fred Miller and John Suchocki, were transporting the 723 students registered for Charlotte Sidway School, the Island's only school in September 1951.
Looking Back 20 Years - Members of the Grand Island Home Bureau Chapter I celebrated the 65th anniversary of the organization in the Fire Hall, long a meeting place for the homemakers' group. Scrapbooks, five of them dating back to 1914, were on display. Among those in attendance were charter members Elsie E. Stamler and Eva DeGlopper, President Gladys Kiefer, Vice President Catherine Long, Secretary Ann Kruse and Treasurer Mary Miosga.
A tip of the hat to Fred Schutt and Karen Vanthoff for forwarding historic pictures to be considered for inclusion in the Historic Sesquicentennial Program Book.
Don't miss this weekend's Niagara Frontier Antique & Classic Boat Show, Raceboat Reunion and River Cruise at the Buffalo Launch Club.
Just for the record, we will be adding current news to the front page as it becomes available. Readers do not necessarily have to wait for Thursday to see what's going on! As an example, a school board story and death notices appearing on our new front page today, were added earlier this week to last week's front page.
A very happy first anniversary to Skip and Lisa Mrkall on September 1st and best wishes to Nancy and Joe Samrany who are celebrating their 45th on the same day. Jay and Karen Raepple mark their 30th anniversary on September 4th. Happy days, folks!
Our sincere sympathy to the families of Martin H. Doebert Jr., Eugene J. Linsmaier and Agnes Hartley. Click for complete Death Notices.
Susan M. Wozniak and Ryan M. Dee were married Saturday, August 25, 2001 in St. Stephen's Church. Much happiness to the Dees who will make their home in Kenmore.~~~~Best wishes to newlyweds Patrick J. Flynn and the former Jaime M. Hallock who were married in Whitehaven Road Baptist Church on Friday, August 24, 2001.
Happy birthday to Eric Sander (7 today), Charlie and Tom Dewey (16 tomorrow), Tom Thomas and JoAnn "Haller" Miano (tomorrow), Sally Dinino (special greetings tomorrow), Dave Hamlin and Roy Hawkes (Saturday), Ashley Bowerman (Sunday), Cindy Kaiser (Monday), Samuel Joseph Linenfelser (3 on Monday), Bob Dee and Tom Crawford (Tuesday), Dale Gruber (a big one on Tuesday), and Marla Crawford, Chris Ramsperger, Peggy McNulty and Renee "DeCost" Morgan (Wednesday).
Looking back 50 years - Service Center Appliance was celebrating a 5th anniversary on September 2, 1951 by its owners Harold and Julia Long. Miss Cathy's Dance Center, Jaco's Pizza and Contract Interiors are now located in the building where the Longs ran their appliance business.
Looking back 40 years - Debbi Robinson celebrated her birthday with other members of the Island's Islettes majorette corps with a trip to Niagara Falls and a ride on the Maid of the Mist. Happy birthday, Debbi.
Looking back 30 years - Parking rates in Beaver Island State Park rose from the original fee of 50 cents to a dollar.
Former residents Gail and George Allen, now living in Florida, will be in town September 1st and will stay through the 10th while they help their daughter with her move to Florida.
A question came up at Tuesday's Sesquicentennial meeting regarding the burying of a time capsule during the Centennial celebration in the summer of 1952. To my knowledge and through reading all of the news clippings of that time, no mention was made of the burial. Can any of our readers who were here at the time clarify this point? Are there any pictures out there?
Among new faces in the various Island schools will be Grand Island High School graduates
Josephine Lockett Hegarty, Kevin Murray, Diana Lipp, Jeanne Percival and Julie Roth.
School opens on Tuesday. Drive carefully and have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!
Please say a prayer for Diane Tetkowski, Class of 1970. Diane is recovering from a serious health problem.~~~~A speedy recovery to Dick McNamee who, I hear, is getting along fine. Dick has had the pleasure of his daughter, Mary Giordano's company while she is in town during his recuperation.~~~~A speedy recovery to Lorrie Markarian who is recovering from recent back surgery. "Hi Lorrie! Hope you can be out and about real soon."
Our sympathy to the families of Georgia F. Claffey, Christopher P. Martin, Kenneth F. Sommer, Richard D. "Dickie" Taylor Sr. and Donald H. Alt who recently passed away.~~~~A memorial service is being held 10 a.m. Saturday in Whitehaven Road Baptist Church for Ronald Dahlberg. Click for complete Death Notices.
Looking back 50 years - The Dispensation of the Grand Island Lodge was presented August 27, 1951 at Trinity Fellowship Hall.
Looking back 40 years - Mrs. Robert A. Graham of Whitney Lane won the "Name The Business" contest with her "Bridgeview Produce" entry. The market opened on Grand Island Blvd. August 24, 1961.~~~~Members of the Rotary Club and the Recreation Commission's adult dramatics class cleaned up the Grand Island Playhouse and grounds in August 1961. The Playhouse was the site of the Rotary's 3rd annual auction that year, and plans were to revive amateur theater on the old stage in September 1961.~~~~Buffalo Launch Club members competed for the best, worst and funniest decorated boat awards in their annual boat parade Saturday August 26, 1961.
Looking back 20 years - Bill DeGlopper was named Outstanding Soap Box Derby Race Director in the U.S. for 1981 and at the same time, son Bill who did very well in the 44th All-American Soap Box Derby, was awarded a trophy for the Most Original Car Decoration.
Happy birthday to Frederick Schutt of Coalstrip, Montana and Randy Hillock (today), Jean Marie Dragonette (Sweet 16 today), Sara Orsolits (11 today), Gregg Roesch (best wishes on the big 3-0 tomorrow), Arlene Wunsch (9 on Saturday), Sascha Stopa-Chevez (21 on Sunday), Gail Allen (Monday), Sharon Nichols (cheers on Wednesday), Jamey DiTullio (Wednesday) and Katie Swain (21 on Wednesday).
If you or someone you know is looking for a home with in-law apartment on the Island in an extremely nice neighborhood, I may be able to help you find it.
I recently heard from Tamie Matthews who reports that her dad, former resident George Pollock just purchased a computer. I'm sure he would enjoy hearing from old friends from the Island. For those who don't know, just click on George's name to e-mail.
All Isle ninth graders are invited to Reality Cafe', 3278 Whitehaven Road, where a picnic will be held from 6:30-11 p.m., Friday, August 24, 2001. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided.~~~~Hunting licenses are on sale in the Town Clerk's Office at Town Hall with additional hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, August 25, 2001.~~~~The next Sesquicentennial planning meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 28, 2001 at 7 p.m. in the Grand Island Memorial Library community room. Everyone is welcome. Please click Sesquicentennial Page for more information.
Weddings announced this week are those of Sarah Zilliox and Rob MacNeil on August 4, 2001. The MacNeils honeymooned in London, England and Paris and are living on the Island.~~~~William Jonathan Click and his bride, the former Danielle Marie Restey were married Saturday, August 11, 2001 in St. Stephen's Church and will live on Grand Island.~~~~The wedding of Andrew J. Dulak to Brandy A. Robins took place Saturday, August 11th in Whitehaven Road Baptist Church.~~~~Andrew and Brandy will live on the Island. Danielle M. Turner and Kyle J. Greene's wedding took place Saturday, August 11th in St. Stephen's Church and they will also live on the Island.~~~~Making their home in Columbia, S.C. are Tami Kay Ewert and Brian Michael Boyle, who were married on Saturday, August 11th in Kenmore United Methodist Church.~~~~Danielle M. Hassan and Jared A. Sander were married at River Oaks on Sunday, August 12, 2001 and will reside on the Island. Best wishes, newlyweds.
Looking Back 50 years - According to the Grandyle Village column in an August edition of the Island Dispatch, "Little Mike Gast fell off his bike and broke his nose last Monday (August 20, 1951)."
Looking Back 30 years - The Grand Island Retired Teachers Association was formed in August 1971 when 24 retired teachers including Rose Abate, Mabel Leibinger, Christine McMahon, Lillian Tranter, Mildred Ortolano and Edwina Meredith met with Richard Meredith who offered his assistance in organizing the group.
Looking Back 20 years - Karen Vanthoff and
Debbi Robinson headed up the committee for the August 22, 1981 reunion of the Sidway School 9th Grade Graduating Class of 1961. The place? The Bedell House, of course!~~~~Junior Division winners at the Erie County Fair in 1981 included Island residents Jeff Rech, Michael Rech and Becky Metz.
Our sympathy to the families of Betty' (Stack) Blackstock, Ina M. (nee Gray) Gordner, David E. Eberl and Patricia Ann (Lee) Conn who recently passed away. Click for complete Death Notices.
Happy birthday to Danna Podgorny and Dorothy Blakelock (today), Scott Steckleberg (16 today), Melissa Sipos (Sweet 16 today), Marcella Ford (Sweet 16 tomorrow), Letti Dahlquist (cheers tomorrow), Molly McMahon (Sunday), Ryan Colosi and Brad Sisson (20 on Wednesday), Dave Carminati (Wednesday), Sarah Ali (her 10th on Wednesday), and Cassie Lynn Shickluna (3 on Wednesday).
A very happy wedding anniversary to Andy and Debbie Beyer who are still wining, dining and having fun as they celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Best wishes to John and Deanne Giambra who will mark their 5th anniversary tomorrow, August 17th.
Those steers (not bulls), sighted roaming on East River near Staley Road are now in the Pfohl freezer.
Tuesday's concert, featuring "All that Jazz" (Big Band Jazz and Swing) at the Town Commons is the last scheduled concert of the summer season. Music starts at 7 p.m. and in case of rain, the event will be postponed to Thursday.
Residents, businesses, organizations, churches and everyone - don't miss this chance to be a part of the historical and commemorative program book being put together as a keepsake for the town's Sesquicentennial. Very similar to the treasured Centennial Program Book of 1952, but with a more extensive Island history and photos, the book is being supported by your advertising. We especially encourage our former Island residents who still consider the Island their "home," to make sure they are remembered in this one-of-a-kind piece of the Island. Please click Sesquicentennial Page for complete details on how to be sure you or your group will be included.
Thanks to Peggy McNulty for identifying one of the scouts pictured in last week's "Between The Village" column. Reane Swanson, Sidway School Class of '61, is shown on the right below (August 2) and is also identified in the group picture of Boy Scout Troop 50 in our "Old Photo Album"
Welcome home to the out-of-town members of the Class of '91 who are most likely very appreciative of the planners of their 10-year reunion being held this weekend.~~~~Congratulations to Lauren Kucharski, Marvin Pawlowski and Alicia Fisher who were the overall champions of the recreation department's summer field day today. Their picture appears on our Recreation Department Page.
If you happen to see Doug Harding at the Holiday Inn's "Blues On the River" tomorrow night, wish him a happy 50th. Scott Hennigar also turns the big 5-0 on Tuesday, August 14th. Send him an email and let him know you care! Steve Morgan celebrates a milestone Monday so click his name and wish him a happy 40th! Best wishes to all three guys.~~~~Happy birthday to Millie Weiser (today), Lindsey Smith (Sweet 16 tomorrow), Clark Nesbitt (tomorrow), Joe Zarbo (10 tomorrow), Mike Heftka and Betty Clayton (Saturday), Betty Pachter (special greetings on Tuesday), Joanna Goulah (Sweet 16 on Tuesday), Dick McNamee Sr. (Tuesday), Mikey Podgorny (4 on Tuesday), Carson James Suffoletta (3 on Wednesday) and Michael Scott (his 20th on Wednesday).
Army 2nd Lt. Paul Matthew Michaud and Jamie Marie Leith were married Saturday, August 4, 2001 and will live in Rockville, Md. Aaron C. Sylvester and Kelly A. Curtin were also married on August 4, 2001 and will make their home in West Seneca. Best wishes, newlyweds.
Looking Back 50 years - The first meeting of the Grand Island Republican Club, held 50 years ago today, was attended by 54 interested residents. First president was Harold Beck of East River Road.~~~~Tiny tot twins Nancy and Johnny Hopkins of Wallace Drive won first place in the Sandy Beach Park Club's children's parade, and Peggy Minton won first place for the best decorated bike.
Looking Back 40 years - Jim O'Dea was honored at a surprize party August 8, 1961, just before leaving for Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he began a long and impressive Naval career.~~~~Wilma and Glen Greenwood received 17 blue ribbons at the Erie County Fair where they exhibited their "crested ducks."~~~~Kathy and Linda Stamler, daughters of Harry and Elsie Stamler of Whitehaven Road exhibited ducks, geese, hens and roosters. The girls took four first place ribbons and two seconds.~~~~One hundred and fifty teens attended the Islettes summer record hop in the firehall. The dance featured Doug Hawkes, Tom Boehm, Lowell Anderson and Bob Finley in a band called "The Profiles."
If you or someone you know is looking for a home with in-law apartment on the Island in an extremely nice neighborhood, I may be able to help you find it.
Our sympathy to the families of Sam Andolina, Christopher J. Sylvester and Robert 'Bobby' Hoelscher. Click for complete Death Notices.
A plaque will be presented to the Buffalo Naval Park 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 22nd by the USS Kidd Association Destroyer Squadron 48. This group consists of nine ships - the Stembel, Chauncey, USS Kidd, Erben, Black, Bullard, Walker, and Abbot. Webb Road resident Don Swain, the presenter, tells us that the ships were together throughout World War II. The public is invited to attend.
Steve and Amy Morgan and son, Abe recently visited Steve's brother Dale (GIHS Class of '76) in Somerville, Alabama. The Morgans had a great time with Greg DeMike and Tim Giesenhoff and other GIHS alumni who were all recently home for the 4th of July reunion. Unfortunately, on his way back to Alabama, Tim needed emergency surgery, but according to Steve, he's doing fine and will be back up to speed soon.
The 7th Annual Old Fashioned Car Show will be held Sunday, August 12th at Martin's Fantasy Island. Check out our Calendar of Events for things to do this week.
Charlotte Guenther Roesch's death on Monday, July 30, 2001 brings an end to an era for many of those who knew her. Our sympathy to her family and friends.~~~~Our condolences to the families of Leopold C. Helbig and former residents Robert H. Huer and Antonia R. 'Toni' Potenza. For more information, click Funeral Arrangements..
Congratulations to Grand Islanders Robert Podlucky and David Bentley who
played on the Western New York Men's Scholastic Division Hockey Team at the
Empire State Games July 26-29 in Morrisville, NY. Both young men
contributed to the team by dominating the opposition and capturing the gold
medal in the competition.
Welcome, babies! Patrick and Tracy Dworak are the parents of Sydney Mae Dworak born May 20, 2001 weighing 4 pounds, seven ounces. Proud grandparents are Ed and Mary Adams and Thomas and Charlene Dworak Jr. of Grand Island.~~~~Emily Mae Klein weighed in at seven pounds, ten ounces on June 24, 2001. She is the daughter of Eileen and Mark Klein and granddaughter of Gale and Dick Sander and Betty and Jim Klein of Grand Island.
So much talk and planning for the Island's Sesquicentennial reminds me of former Fix Road residents Bob and Jean Bennett who ran the first 4th of July parade here in 1969. Bob and Jean were very active in the Grand Island Skating Club, DeMolay, and Amaranth among other things. They were honored during the County's Bicentenial and received a Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award. Bob has had his share of health problems but we've been told that he's in another period of remission from cancer. Click on The Bennetts and drop them a line. I'm sure they would be happy to hear from old Island friends.
Those cows mentioned here last week are bulls belonging to Dennis Bauman.
Happy birthday to Sarah Lynn Williams (7 today), Brittany Bush (Sweet 16 today), Suzanne Grafinger (special greetings today), Marie Klocke, Maureen Glor and Dr. Parviz Taefi (tomorrow), Tommy Schmidt (a milestone tomorrow), Sheri Lynn Ackendorf (a teenager on Saturday), Mathew Riley (his 11th on Saturday), Alex Gentry Turner (2 on Monday), Richard Smith (Tuesday), Ben Hoover (his 20th on Wednesday), and last but not least, a big happy birthday to Doug Kutzbach Jr. who will celebrate a big one on Wednesday.
Best wishes for a happy day to Bob and Elizabeth Beach who are celebrating their wedding anniversary today.
Looking Back 50 years - Reg and Mary Long opened their delicatessen on West River at Staley Road 50 years ago. According to the Island Dispatch, "A luncheonette will open soon and the bowling alley should be ready for use by November 1951." ~~~~As usual, Bill Kaegebein and Clarence Schutt were in charge of the chowder for the 1951 Firemen's Field Day.
Looking Back 40 years - The Grand Island Fire Company hosted its last firemen's field day on August 5, 1961.~~~~An 8 oz. package of Philadelphia brand cream cheese was advertised at 10 cents.~~~~Members of the Lions Club staged their third annual handicapped picnic July 26, 1961 at the Buffalo Launch Club. Roy Hawkes and Fred Angelo chaired the event attended by 65 blind and visually handicapped children.
Looking Back 30 years - The barn, erected in 1878 on John Schutt's property on Stony Point at Bedell collapsed in 1971.
Looking Back 20 years - Mike Endres drove "Orange Crush" to his first 7-litre national championship.~~~~Familiar names in the results of the annual Downriver Swim on August 8, 1981 included Doug Ford who finished in 54 minutes, 49 seconds in the swim from the Buffalo Launch Club to the Holiday Inn. Fastest female in 61 minutes, 51 seconds was Kelly Valone Maurer.
I've posted a picture of Boy Scout Troop 50, circa 1958 in our "Old Photo Album" and identified the faces I wasn't sure of, from Sidway School yearbooks of that era.
If you were a member of the troop or related to a Troop 50 scout, check out the photo and let me know if you can identify any of those I missed. Corrections are more than welcome, too! Oh, and don't forget to click on the photo for a larger view!
Among "oldtimers" enjoying the Fire Company's 30th annual "Old Timers Party" last Saturday evening were Ann Kruse, 93, Ann Mitchell, and Elsie Fleischman, 85, who was escorted by her 91-year-old brother, Harold Moreland.~~~~Cathy & Jim's at Love and Baseline roads reopened Wednesday, August 1st.~~~~A tip of the hat to Ron Livingston who passed on a news clipping regarding the June 30th Kaegebein reunion held at the First United Methodist Church in Batavia. Former Isle resident Mildred Grehlinger, 95, who attended the reunion, tells much of her family history in a feature story published June 29, 2001. Click for Kaegebein Reunion Story.
The Town Recreation Department's summer playground program will feature a field day at Beaver Island State Park 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, August 9, 2001. Call the Recreation Department for further information.
Our newly created webpage where all Sesquicentennial 2002 car shows and auto race information will be posted, may be viewed by clicking Race Car/Car Show Page. The artwork was created by Sesqui Chairman Mike Schneider.
Beth Dietrich,currently an exchange student in Australia, has lost a lot of her e-mail addresses. She is hoping that those whom she was in contact with will write her at her new address.~~~~Gary Long is trying to locate old pictures of Marty's Mobil Station. Hey, Gary - if this notice brings you a photo, will you share it with the rest of us?
Wedding Bells! Northwood University graduates Angela Santa Lucia and Gregory
Bielec were married Friday, July 20, 2001 in St. Stephen Catholic
Church. The Bielecs will live in Ottumwa, Iowa where they are employed at
Vaughn Motors.~~~~Jeanna M. Brant and Joseph D. Karb were married in St. Stephen's Church on Saturday, July 21st.~~~~Carolyn M. Morin and Mark T. Williamson were married on Saturday in St. Stephen's Church
and will be living on the Island following their trip to the Caribbean.~~~~Steven P. Steck and Kimberly A. Wolentarski were also married Saturday in St. Louis Catholic Church. Best wishes, newlyweds.
All of us who knew Kay Page of Morningside Drive were saddened to hear of her sudden death. She was a most dedicated employee of the Island Dispatch for 31 years.~~~~Our sympathy to the families of the following who passed away this week: Joseph M. Russo, Evelyn M. Fecher, William J. Sheley, Timothy S. Spratford and Christine C. Patrick. Click for Funeral Information..
Happy birthday to Lindsey Spiker (5 today), Liz Reiman and Jim Fleming (today), Diane "DiTullio" Muscoreil, Ruth Englert, Bob Schmidt, Helen Newkirk, Cheryl Kloesz and Dan Buckley (all celebrating tomorrow), Casey Dahlstrom (a teenager on Saturday), John A. McCarthy and Jane "Costin" Rocks (Monday), Jenna Hutzler (turning 10 on Tuesday) and Ed Pfohl and Lou Macro (Tuesday).
Looking Back 50 years - Russell Kaegebein helped his
grandfather William M. Kaegebein on July 28, 1951, with the first
shovel of dirt at the ground breaking ceremony for the William M. Kaegebein
School on Love Road.
Looking Back 40 years - A weather station was installed at the water filtration plant No. 2 on East
Oakfield in the summer of 1961.~~~~Traffic jams were
due to the record crowd of 30,000+ at Beaver Island State Park.
The previous record, 25,000, was set in 1958.
Looking Back 20 years - George Smith of East River Road purchased the River Oaks Golf Course and club house and was restoring them to their former status as part of one of the most outstanding recreation complexes in the area.~~~~Grand Island's Jimmy Arias, 16, won the $125,000 Mutual Open at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club 20 years ago, beating Ilie Nastase 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 in a two-hour match. "This is, by far, the greatest win of my life," he said.
Teenagers take note! Reality Cafe will be open tomorrow evening (July 27) from 7-9 p.m. but will be closed on Saturday night.
Several people reported seeing two black cows eating grass on the side of East River Road near Staley Road. Sheriff's Deputies as well as one of our photographers were on the scene almost immediately after hearing the report but found nothing. Can anyone shed a little light on the cows?~~~~Former residents Blake and Jason Stinner are in town with their dad visiting the Cohens and other old friends.
Tuesday's 7 p.m. concert at the Town Commons features the Grand Island Community Band. In the event of rain, the concert will take place on Thursday.~~~~An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 2-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 1st in St. Stephen's Church (Old Church Basement), 2100 Baseline Road.
The following Islanders passed away this week: David Pietrzak Jr., Emily (Kin) Papai, Michael A. Keitz, and former resident Ossian W. 'Osh' Bedell. Our sincere sympathy to their families. Click for More Information.
Looking Back 40 years - Anthony Serto leased the Arner property at Grand Island Blvd. and Staley Roads in the summer of 1961 and was converting the restaurant, formerly part of the tourist cabin project, into a fruit and vegetable market.~~~~The Grand Island Playhouse on Baseline at Bedell failed to open for the first time in ten years. A picture of the theater appears on our Sesquicentennial Page.
Looking Back 30 years - The Fleischman home at 2547 Staley Road burned on July 9, 1971. The 130-year-old farmhouse was built around 1840 by John Fleischman, grandfather of Lawrence and Joseph Fleischman who had lived in the house until their deaths. The Fleischman farm was once known for its dairy industry.
Happy birthday to Lou Schriver, Pat Sciandra, Jean Bartholomew and Tim Ehde (today), Kevin Kloesz (18 today), Andrew Sander (6 today), "Buck" Long (6 on Saturday), Joe Menter (21 on Saturday), Bill Buckley and Bil Loth (Monday), Mary Grace Egloff (her 10th birthday on Tuesday), Marvin Zimmerman (17 on Tuesday) and Jim Dahlquist (16 on Tuesday).
"Route 66" should draw a good crowd at the Moose Lodge, 2524 Grand Island Blvd., at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening. For more information, call the Lodge at 773-6655.~~~~The Tuesday, July 24th, concert at the Town Hall Gazebo will feature "Fiddlesticks" (Old Time Fiddling) at 7 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, and come out and enjoy the music.
Members of the Sesquicentennial Committee have accepted the art work of student artist Rob Hopkins, and the finished Sesquicentennial logo is ready to be incorporated wherever the need arises. Congratulations, Rob. Click Official Logo,
Last, but certainly not least, the seventh planning session for the Town's Sesquicentennial--taking place next summer (2002)--is scheduled for Tuesday, July 24, 2001, at 7 p.m. in the Grand Island Memorial Library Community Room. All groups, organizations, churches, etc., should have been contacted. If your group has been inadvertently overlooked, please call Peggy McNulty, 774-8916. Every group and resident is invited to become a part of the planning.
Our sympathy to the families of LaVerne (MacArthur) Rossney and former resident Walter E. Zielinski who died this past week. Click for More Information.
Best wishes to the following who are celebrating milestones this week: Fred Jarzab (Saturday), Richard Gerspach and Charlie Cole (Sunday), and Fran Havens (Tuesday).~~~~Kerry "Sciandra" Erling of Allen, Texas celebrates her big 4-0 today so email her with your good wishes.~~~~A very happy birthday to Larry Braddell this Saturday. Stop by the Pepper Mill Restaurant on the Boulevard and wish Larry a happy 50th!.~~~~Belated greetings to Lisa Capage on her birthday, yesterday. Happy birthday to Norm Machelor (today), Ashley Dragonette (5 today), baby Taylor Marie Benton (one year old tomorrow), Pat Kaiser (Saturday), D. J. Anderson (a teenager on Sunday), Patrick Morrison (17 on Monday), Carolyn Doebert and Leah Hill ( Monday), and Marie O'Hara (Tuesday).~~~~An extra special happy birthday to Sarah Webb who just turned 8 years old yesterday.
Celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary tomorrow and wished the very best are Marla and Councilman Dick Crawford.~~~~Happy anniversary to Dick and Marilyn Couch, who are in town for the summer and marking their 48th anniversary on Wednesday.
Looking Back 40 years - First services at the new Bible Presbyteran Church were held July 16, 1961. The congregation was founded in 1955.~~~~A storytelling hour and arts and crafts program in Beaver Island State Park was under the direction of JoAnn Radius (Vanderheite). E
