Buffalo Launch Club

Buffalo Launch Club News Page -
2006 - 2008
Page 3

Previous Buffalo Launch Club News 2005
Previous Buffalo Launch Club News 2000-2004

Official Buffalo Launch Club Website
503 East River Road
Grand Island, NY 14072
773-7629

OFFICERS:
Commodore: John A. Bruno
Vice Commodore: Capt. Douglas M. Scheid
Rear Commodore: Richard T. Beck
Fleet Captain: Thomas W. Grady
Secretary: Kenneth D. Bambach
Treasurer: James P. Burke
Directors:
Andy Barbasch
Capt. Frank P. DeGeorge
Thomas W. Stewart
David A. Grady
Thomas W. Stewart
David A. Grady
Norbert A. Zinteck
Michael P. Dallessandro
Interesting Sites
BLC Lighthouse
1906 Regatta Link       1907 Regatta Link
1908 Regatta Link      1950 Regatta Link
1957 Regatta Link             Wildroot Charlie
The Vintage Hydroplanes
"Official web site of the APBA Vintage & Historic Division"

Buffalo Launch Club History

Island Resident John A. Bruno Is Buffalo Launch Club Commodore - 2008

Commodore John A. Bruno

BLC officers seated are Douglas Scheid, Commodore John Bruno and Richard Beck; (standing) Kenneth Bambach, Andy Barbasch, Frank DeGeorge, Thomas Stewart, James Burke, David Grady, Norbert Zinteck, Michael Dallessandro and Thomas Grady.

Island resident John A. Bruno was installed as the new commodore of the Buffalo Launch Club for 2008 at ceremonies held in the Clubhouse on East River Road, Grand Island on December 30, 2007. Also serving the Club in 2008 are Vice Commodore Douglas M. Scheid, Rear Commodore Richard T. Beck, Fleet Captain Thomas W. Grady, Secretary Kenneth D. Bambach, Treasurer James P. Burke, Directors Andy Barbasch, Frank P. DeGeorge, Thomas W. Stewart, David A. Grady, Norbert A. Zinteck and Michael P. Dallessandro.

Buffalo Launch Club Kids' Fishing Derby - May 2007

Click photo for larger view
The Buffalo Launch Club was the site of the 2nd annual Fishing Derby for Kids. Professional fishermen representing the Niagara River Anglers Association were on hand from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, May 27, 2007 to record results and offer assistance to the youthful fishermen. Teresa Hooper chaired the event held in the Launch Club basin. Fifty-nine youngsters had a great time catching and releasing some of Niagara's finest Rock Bass, Large Mouth Bass, Perch, Bluegills, Sunfish and one big carp. Following the derby, an awards ceremony saw a slew of prizes donated by area merchants, randomly distributed to all the entrants. The five trophy winners were:
Most Fish caught - Dylan DeGlopper, 14 fish
Smallest fish, Bridgett Sander, a 4" Rock bass
Largest Fish: Helena Cassata, a 14" Carp
Largest Fish: 2nd Place: Michael Boyd, a 12" Large Mouth Bass
Largest Fish: 3rd Place, Morgan Wdowka, an 11" Large Mouth Bass

Buffalo Launch Club Scholarships Presented To Donald Turner, Gabrielle Montemage - 2007

Harry Simpson Scholarship winner, Donald Turner.
   (left) BLC Past Commodore Robert Black present scholarship award to Donald Turner; (right) Donald is shown with his parents, Karen and Michael Dallessandro.
Click photos for larger view
   It was an overcast day for the Buffalo Launch Club's annual flag raising on Sunday, May 20, 2007 when the Harry Simpson Scholarship awards were presented to Donald Turner III and Gabrielle Montemage. The presentation was made by Past Commodore Robert S. Black.
   Donald, who will graduate in June with the Grand Island High School Class of 2007, will be attending Buffalo State College in the Fall of 2007. He is the son of Island residents Karen and Michael Dallessandro.
   Gabrielle, a server at the BLC and a member of the Grand Island High School Class of 2003, recently graduated from Niagara University with a communications degree.
    The scholarships, established in 1990, are given in memory of Harry Simpson, who served as the Buffalo Launch Club's manager for 42 years.

BLC Announces Annual Boater's Seminar/Luncheon - 2007

    The 17th annual Boater's Seminar and Luncheon sponsored by the Buffalo Launch Club, will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2007 in the clubhouse, 503 East River Road, Grand Island, NY. Registration for the morning of boating education, maritime history, and adventure begins at 9:30 a.m. with a program from 10 a.m. to noon and lunch from noon to 1 p.m. For reservations ($18 includes lunch, tax & gratuity) call 716-773-7629. The seminar is open to all boating friends. See "BLC Boater's Seminar/Luncheon for further information.

Spring Boat Show Event At BLC - 2007

   A Boating Event sponsored by the Niagara Frontier Antique & Classic Boats will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at the Buffalo Launch Club, 503 East River Road, Grand Island, New York. The public is invited.
   The George Reis Story
George Reis (1917-1962) was the owner/driver of "El Lagarto" Gold Cup champion 1933, 1934 and 1935. Not for 30 years would another craft (Miss Bardahl) match El Lagarto's record of winning 3 Gold Cups in a row. The fastest boat in the world at that time, achieving a record speed of 72 mph. Pictured in the following link is the El Lagarto driven by Buffalo Launch Club member Ed Grimm.
   Guest Speaker: Bill Morgan
Just a boy when El Lagarto was being campaigned, often seeing her on Lake George, Bill will talk on the accomplishments of George Reis. Bill created a full-size replica of the El Lagarto that he calls "Happy Times."
   Cost for the evening: $20 per person
This will include hors d'oeuvres, beef and turkey carving stations, as well as a chocolate fountain dessert selection. Food will be served informally at stations to give the opportunity to view Bill's photo collection.
6 p.m. - Food and drinks served, cash bar available
7:30 p.m. - The George Reis Story - presentation by Bill Morgan
   Reservations (check payable to NFC/ACBS) and more info:
Mail to: Jennifer Frederick-Kelly, 109 June Dr., Elma, NY 14059
E-mail: fredmach@choiceonemail.com
More info: Rich DeGlopper, 716-876-7390

Gliding Stars Presents Diva by Diva At The BLC - 2007
Gliding Stars Presents Diva by Diva on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at the Buffalo Launch Club, 503 East River Road. Diva by Diva is a cabaret style production filled with songs, readings, poetry, and quotes by, for and about women. This show is “gender specific” but not “gender exclusive”…men enjoy it too! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Click "Diva by Diva" for complete event and ticket information.

Buffalo Launch Club Officers 2007

Buffalo Launch Club officers for 2007 were installed at the Clubhouse on East River Road, Grand Island on December 27, 2006. Shown front left are Vice Commodore John A. Bruno, Commodore William A. Reitebach, Rear Commodore Douglas M. Scheid; (back) Fleet Captain Richard T. Beck, Directors Frank P. DeGeorge, Robert W. DeGlopper, Thomas W. Stewart, David A. Grady, Kenneth Bambach, and Secretary Thomas E. Grady. Missing from the photo are Treasurer James P. Burke, Director and Michael E. Ziegler.
Click photo for larger view.

Boater's Seminar & Luncheon - 2006
Members of the Buffalo Launch Club will hold their 16th annual Boater's Seminar & Luncheon on Saturday, April 8, 2006 in the Clubhouse at 503 East River Road, Grand Island, N.Y.
Schedule:
• Registration - 9:30 a.m.
• Program - 10 a.m. to noon
• Lunch - noon - 1 p.m.
Reservations are necessary by calling 773-7629. Cost is $12 which includes tax and gratuity.

Buffalo Launch Club Commodore's Ball - 2006
Members of the Buffalo Launch Club will hold their annual Commodore's Ball on Saturday, April 1, 2006 when Commodore Dennis Daniels will be honored. The traditional surf and turf dinner, by invitation only, including wine service, will be a black tie event featuring the music of "Live Wire."

BLC Officers 2006

Buffalo Launch Club officers for 2006 were installed at the Clubhouse on East River Road, Grand Island on December 29, 2005. Shown front left are Vice Commodore Bill Reitebach, Commodore Dennis Daniels, Rear Commodore John Bruno; (back) Fleet Captain Doug Scheid, Director Robert DeGlopper, Secretary Richard Beck, Director Michael Ziegler, Director George Schlemmer, Treasurer James Burke, Director Frank DeGeorge, and Director Thomas Grady. Missing from the photo is Director Thomas Stewart.
Click photo for larger view.

New Year's Eve 2005 At BLC

Bob Gates photos - (left) Mike and Karen Dallassandro; Rick and Sue Henderson; Karen and Bob DeGlopper; Chie and Floyd Doring; Tom Giambra, Jean Roth and Penny Giambra; Rick and Sue Henderson and Trish and Larry Harpster; - BLC Lighthouse Ice sculpture - Free Fall Band
Pictured are just a few of those attending the Buffalo Launch Club's well attended New Year's Eve party. The band, Free Fall, provided the music. The New Year's Eve committee included Bill and Ann Curry, Bob and Donna Gates, West and Port Hoddick, Ron and Joanne Hortman, Ray and Judy Dintino, Frank and Joyce Ann DeGeorge, Carl and Pam Detig, Mike and Karen Dallessandro, George and Molly Peters, Dave and Carol Pontrello and Sue Berger. Click last two photos for larger view.

If you are a member of this organization, we need your help. GIECOM.Net has partnered with the Connections program to help Grand Island as a community "Get it Together." Please visit our website G-I-Together.ORG and fill out our SURVEY. Every group on Grand Island will have its own FREE web page showing: meeting times and location, contact persons, your Mission Statement and a listing of events. We will also be linking your news events that appear in the local media and on IsledeGrande.Com, Grand Island's E-News Source, to your page, maintaining an archived journal of pictures and news. This is the perfect opportunity for your group to connect with potential new members and the community.