2015
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GI Gumps Run Shoes For Shelter 5k - April 2015
From left: Kim Kalman, Kirsti Hunt, Lisa Sorvelli, Sue Marston and Tara Caldwell
The GI Gumps running group gave back by running the 17th Annual Shoes for Shelter 5k held on Sunday, April 19th in downtown Buffalo. The race was sponsored by Independent Health and Canisius College. All the runners were encouraged to turn in a pair of sneakers or shoes for the St. Vincent de Paul shelter. Since 2002, 28,997 pairs of shoes have been collected, including 3,997 pairs of shoes in 2014. The Gumps team donated ten pairs. Distance runners should only run 200-300 miles before replacing their sneakers and as the sneakers are still in good condition, they are perfect for those in need. The Gumps team signs up for races that are fundraisers for assorted charities in the Western New York area.David Conboy Awarded Distinguished Service Medal - April 2015
Major General David J. Conboy was recently awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Army's third highest military decoration. The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded by the President for "exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility". Conboy's other noteworthy awards include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.
Major General Conboy, his wife Karen, and 6 year old daughter Clare are permanent residents of Grand Island but currently reside at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where Major General Conboy serves as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations) for the U.S. Army Reserve Command, overseeing units throughout the Continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Europe and Korea. In addition to stateside assignments, he has previously served in Iraq, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Greenland.
Major General Conboy is a 1980 graduate of Grand Island High School and a 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He has Masters Degrees from the University at Buffalo, and the U.S. Army War College. The Conboys have two other children: Sarah, a Notre Dame graduate and Iraq War Veteran who lives on Grand Island and teaches ROTC at Canisius College; and David, a junior studying International Relations and Chinese at the University of Pennsylvania. They also have a 7 year old granddaughter, Hailey, who attends St. Stephen School.
Islanders Join Lifetime Retriever Study - April 2015
From left: Lacey at 8-9 weeks and "Aunt Ruby", 7 1/2.
GI High School classmates and friends Julie Smith Deveso and Dr. Melissa Mroziak have teamed up to participate in the Golden Retriever Lifetime study. "Having lost my parents and a 3-year-old golden to cancer within a four year span, I could not be more dedicated to this study," said Julie. Julie’s good friend and veterinarian, Dr. Melissa Mroziak, echoes Julie's sentiments. "We feel good that we are doing something to help. This is what we need to do."Julie and Melissa have been friends since high school, and have supported each other through some tough times; Melissa lost her dad around the same time as Julie's mother passed. Enter Ozzy, a "gorgeous" golden retriever who became a comfort to Julie as she navigated through this sad time. Unfortunately, Ozzy developed lymphoma at the tender age of 3, and succumbed to the disease very quickly in spite of chemotherapy. Melissa remembers the sense of helplessness she felt as she watched her friend's dog, her "baby," decline. "I remember thinking 'I can't help this dog'. We were devastated by his loss."
Melissa was proud when she heard that Julie wanted to get a new pup, and she had an idea - together they would participate in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study as a team. "I'm in if you're in, I told Julie," Melissa said. "It is an opportunity to do something positive, not just for goldens, not just for all dogs, but for people, too!" said Julie. Her involvement in the study also is fostered by her work as a registered nurse with an interest in research with broad applications.
The decision to enroll Lacey, Hero Dog #2399, into the study was made even before she was born. Lacey is now an active and happy 1-year-old ("She is so stinkin' cute," said Melissa). Together, these two good friends are working together to provide a brighter future in honor of the loved ones, both furry and human, they've lost to cancer. To learn more about Morris Animal Foundation's Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, and other studies, visit www.morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Andrea Nicolia - April 2015
Two Niagara University graduate students are among eight selected by Kappa Delta Pi to facilitate leadership training this summer to students in grades 6-12 from 140 countries. Clark Davis, a graduate student in Niagara's middle childhood and adolescence education program, and Andrea Nicolia, a school counseling graduate student, are recipients of People to People Leadership Summit and World Leadership Forum travel scholarships from Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education. Davis, of Toronto, will participate in the forum being held at Harvard University, while Nicolia, a Grand Island resident, will attend the program at UCLA.
Kappa Delta Pi maintains a partnership with People to People Ambassador Programs, which has organized unique experiences for students in fifth grade through college for 50 years. Davis and Nicolia will be part of a small team facilitating student leadership training that focuses on global citizenship, leadership skills and goal setting with students from all over the world. "We are extremely proud that two of the eight students selected nationally are from our College of Education at Niagara University," commented Dr. Debra Colley, dean of the college. The selection process was very competitive and Kappa Delta Pi received a large number of qualified applications. Applicants were selected based on international experience, strength and clarity in writing (essay responses), and their competency and confidence, as evidenced through video submissions.
Graduate programs at Niagara position students for leadership in their field of study through extensive field experience, service contributions tied to Niagara’s mission of serving those most in need, and involvement with faculty in theory and research," Dr. Colley added. "Congratulations to Clark and Andrea for this tremendous recognition and opportunity." Davis and Nicolia are members of the Niagara University Alpha Alpha Beta chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. Nicolia serves as an officer for the chapter. Kappa Delta Pi was founded in 1911 "to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching." It currently has more than 1.2 million members.
People to People has more than 500,000 program alumni across the globe. Niagara University's College of Education holds Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (formerly NCATE) accreditation in the U.S., Ministerial Consent through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in the Province of Ontario, and accreditation through the Ontario College of Teachers. Niagara University has had a strong presence in Ontario, Canada, for the past four decades, educating Canadian students both on its New York campus and at various sites in the greater Toronto region of Canada.
Madeleine HusVar - April 2015
The Community Music School of Buffalo is pleased to announce that Madeleine HusVar of Grand Island is among the winners of the 24th Annual Ruth W. Marcy Scholarship Competition. Community Music School holds the annual competition to recognize the talent of its students. A soprano voice student of Community Music School teacher Maria Goodrich, HusVar won in the 12-14 year old category and will receive a $100 scholarship to the school.
Judges for the 2015 competition included soprano Audrey Shafer, guitarist Peter VanDyke and pianist Anna Whistler, all members of the Community Music School faculty. Other 2014 competition winners were Jennifer Balazadeh of North Collins, Lia Hanes-Stetter of East Aurora, Andreea Merzianu of Buffalo and Emily Salerno of Buffalo. Founded in 1924, Community Music School provides instrument and voice lessons for people of all ages. For information, contact the school at 884.4887 or info@cms-buffalo.org, or visit www.communitymusicbuffalo.org.
Jessica Silvestri & Paul Canallatos - April 2015
Photo by StuStuStudio Photography
Article by Anne Neville, Buffalo News
Paul Canallatos, whose ancestry is half Greek, knew how much her Italian family meant to his girlfriend, Jessica E. Silvestri. So before he proposed to her in February 2014, he went to the Kenmore home of her grandparents, Rocco and Domenica D’Abate, and asked for their blessing. And he asked in Italian. "He doesn't know Italian, but he figured out how to ask them in Italian," said Jessica. The D'Abates are the parents of Jessica's beloved mother, Dora, who died in May 2013. "Because my mom had passed away, he wanted to ask them," Jessica said.The pair met in August 2010, when Paul, from Long Island, was a third-year student at University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and Jessica, from Grand Island, was attending her first-year orientation. "He thought I was someone else," said Jessica of their meeting. "He knew there was a Greek girl in the first-year class and he thought I was her. So he came up to me, and I said I wasn't that girl, but we started talking a little bit and we realized we had the same birthday, although he is two years older. So that kind of made us stick in each other's minds." After "a few dates," Jessica and Paul became a couple in January 2011. In February 2014 - the week after Valentine's Day, because Paul "doesn’t like to do cliched kinds of things," said his bride - he invited Jessica for what he said was a historical tour of Shea"s Performing Arts Center. "It was just the two of us on the tour," she said. Even when it ended on the stage, on scattered rose petals, she still "had no idea," said Jessica. "He asked me right there." After her overjoyed "yes," the couple had lunch, then went to her grandparents' house for a family get-together, with espresso. "They were so excited," said Jessica of her grandparents, who knew of her fiance's intentions before she did.
The couple are both first-year residents in the three-year prosthodontics program at West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va. The dental specialty deals with dentures, implants and other tooth replacements. Although they plan to return to Western New York after graduation, they might not practice together. "He wants to do more hospital-based work, and I'm thinking more of a private practice," said Jessica. The pair were married at 2:30 p.m. on March 7 in St. Paul Catholic Church in Kenmore, with the Rev. Joseph Vatter of St. Paul's hearing their vows. Guests gathered for a reception at Hotel @ the Lafayette. The bride, daughter of Philip J. Silvestri of Grand Island and the late Dora M. Silvestri, is a graduate of Nardin Academy. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from SUNY Geneseo and a doctorate in dental surgery from UB Dental School. The bridegroom, son of Paul Canallatos of Mamaroneck and Paula Canallatos of Deer Park, graduated from Farmingdale High School. He earned a bachelor's degrees in biomedical sciences with minors in pharmacology and toxicology from the University at Buffalo and a doctorate in dental surgery from the UB Dental School. After a trip to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the couple are back at home in Morgantown.
Grace Whelan Justen & Donnie Hennigar - April 2015
From left: Grace Whelan Justen and Donnie Hennigar
Grace Whelan Justen and Donnie Hennigar, ages 85 and 91, have been great friends for many years and recently reunited at Lighthouse Point Yacht Club in South Florida. Also in attendence were their children Jodi Whelan Lurcott and Steve Lurcott, Curtis Hennigar, Scott and Marie Hennigar, Don Whelan and grandchildren Julie Thorne and Brendon Hennigar. A great time was had by all visiting with three generations, together for an island reunion. The Hennigars and Whelan's go back over 40 years to the good old days living on West River.Neil Tetkowski - March 2015
Grand Island native Neil Tetkowski has an exhibition of his artwork in nearby Waterloo, Ontario beginning Sunday, March 29th. "RETHINKING MYTHOS: A Mid-career Retrospective" is at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, located at 25 Caroline Street North. A reception will be held on opening Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. This comprehensive exhibition will include the "World Clay", large ceramic sculpture that was featured at the United Nations in New York City in the year 2000. The sculpture contains material from all 188 member nations that were at that time in the UN. The exhibit will be featured until June 21, 2015. Neil is a graduate of Grand Island High School. See gallery description.
Mr. and Mrs. David Henderson - March 2015
Mr. and Mrs. David Henderson of Grand Island celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at a dinner with family and friends. Mr. Henderson and the former Judith Greenwood were married March 12, 1960, in St. John Bosco Church in Malone. He is retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and formerly worked part time at River Oaks Golf Course. They have four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Grabowski - March 2015
Michelle L. Mays and Robert M. Grabowski were married at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 in Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, Buffalo, where a reception was held following the ceremony. Friend of the groom, Joseph Costa of Universal Life Church in Buffalo, heard the couple's vows. The bride's parents are Mark and Lori Mays of Grand Island. The bridegroom's parents are Robert J. and Debra Grabowski of West Seneca. The bride is a graduate of Mount St. Mary Academy. She earned a bachelor's degree in history and secondary education from Mercyhurst University and also earned a master's degree in education from SUNY Buffalo State. The bride is a social studies teacher at Mount St. Mary Academy. The groom is a graduate of West Seneca East High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Canisius College. He is an instructional support specialist at Canisius College. After a trip to the Finger Lakes, the couple will make their home in Kenmore.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sugar - March 2015
Carissa M. Bailey and Robert E. Sugar were married at 4 p.m. on Jan. 2 in Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo. Guests gathered for a reception at Hotel @ The Lafayette, Buffalo. The Rev. Carla Kline of Island Presbyterian Church, Grand Island, heard the couple's vows. The bride's parents are David W. and Cheryl A. Bailey of Grand Island. The bridegroom's parents are James and Cristine L. Sugar of Grand Island. The bride is a graduate of Grand Island High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia and also earned a master's degree in music education from the University at Buffalo. The bride is an elementary music teacher at Freetown Elementary School. The groom is a graduate of Grand Island High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University at Buffalo and also earned a master's degree in architecture from Rhode Island School of Design. He is a professional associate at Sasaki. After a trip to Mount Washington Resort, the couple will make their home in Providence, R.I.
Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Janowski - March 2015
Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Janowski of Grand Island celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family. Mr. Janowski and the former Ruth Schultz were married March 12, 1955, in First Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo. He is retired from Georgia Pacific, formerly St. Regis Paper Co. in Kenmore. She formerly worked at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Buffalo. They have two daughters, a grandson and a great-granddaughter.
Tara McDonnell Bondi - March 2015
Angel Sanchez and Tara McDonnell Bondi
Baked Cupcakery owner Tara McDonnell Bondi won the Best Cupcakes in WNY title on Thursday, March 12th. Kiss 98.5 sponsored the event at the Classic V Banquet Center. The winning cupcake was a "Twix" flavor. Congratulations.Luke Gworek Team Fundraisers - March 2015
Luke Gworek has "Team Luke" raising funds for the Ride for Roswell in his honor. They have two fundraisers planned over the next couple months. The first is easy, save your cans and bottles, take them to Grand Island Bottle Junction at 2447 Grand Island Blvd and tell them you would like to donate to Team Luke. The team will even make a pick up at your home, call 713-2452.
The second fundraiser is a Comedy Show at Rob's Comedy Playhouse on April 26th. If you would like to donate to the basket raffle that evening or sell tickets to the event, call 713-2452. See flyer for details. Team Luke has 25 members and raised over $12,000 for the Ride For Roswell last year. This year their goal is $20,000.
Lindsey Spiker - February 2015
Dean's List AnnouncementSUNY Plattsburgh has released the names of students who made the college's dean's list for fall 2014. To be eligible, undergraduate students must achieve a minimum 3.5 semester grade point average with at least 12 credit hours. Congratulations to Lindsey Spiker of East River Road, she is a freshman majoring in Biology.
Claire Marie Tarbell - February 2015
Congratulations to Dr. Justine (Kirsch) Tarbell and Dr. Stephen C. Tarbell II of Anchorage, Alaska, proud parents of a beautiful baby girl, Claire Marie Tarbell, born January 28th, weighing 6 lb. 13 oz. Grandparents are Jeff and Barb Kirsch of Grand Island and Steve and Pam Tarbell of Perry, NY.
Megan Karpie - February 2015
Grand Island's Megan Karpie will be among the participants when members of the RIT women's cross-country team embark on a eight-day, 1,400-mile "Tiger Trail" run beginning March 21st in Auburn, Ala. Each participant will run 3-mile shifts during the journey that benefits and cultivates awareness for the "Tigers for Tigers" (T4T) coalition concerned with the dramatic worldwide decline in tiger populations. RIT's runners will start at Auburn University and head north through Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga., Clemson University in Clemson, S.C., the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., Towson University in Towson, Md., Princeton University in Princeton, N.J., SUNY Cobleskill in Cobleskill, N.Y., and back to the campus of RIT on Sunday, March 28. Each stop will be at a college or university that features the Tiger as its mascot, like RIT, or is otherwise affiliated with T4T.
The goals of the national Tigers for Tigers coalition are to make a positive impact on the tiger conservation, associate the tiger mascot pride with the tigers of the wild and establish passion for the T4T organization, and create conservation professionals out of student leaders. For more information visit www.t4tcoalition.org. To help support the RIT women runners and Tigers for Tigers, please donate here.
Matthew Robinson, Christopher Swagler - February 2015
Dean's List AnnouncementsThe College at Brockport (SUNY) recently announced that Matthew M Robinson, GIHS class of 2012, has been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2014 semester. Matt, a junior, is a Athletic Training major and Kinesiology minor in the Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education. Matt is the son of Ken and Deb Robinson. Congratulations!
Niagara University recently announced that Christopher Sean Swagler, GIHS class of 2014, has been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2014 semester. Christopher, a freshman, is majoring in Bio/Chemistry. Congratulations!
Pastor Cal VanderMey - February 2015
WIVB Story & video.
Channel 4 news did a story on Pastor Cal VanderMey of Bible Fellowship Center on Tuesday, February 17th. Pastor Cal has 40 customers on his snow plow list and his service is free! Click on the link above to see the full story and video of this special Island resident.
Scott Henderson, Regional Sales Manager - February 2015
Essex Homes is pleased to announce the recent hire of Scott Henderson as Regional Sales Manager. His primary focus is on our patio homes in the Essex Greens at Waterford community located in Clarence. "With over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing and management, we look forward to the fresh ideas and professionalism that Mr. Henderson will bring to the Essex team," said Philip J. Nanula, President of Essex Homes of WNY.
Scott currently serves on the Board of Directors for Niagara Sailing Club of Grand Island, Board of Directors for Riverside Business Association and on the Board of Managers for the Town Boy & Girls Club of the Northtowns. In addition, he previously worked as the Sales/Project Manager at Advantage Woodshop and Blackbox Creative where he developed local marketing strategies, product sales and customer service and worked with interior design/build projects. Scott graduated from Buffalo State College with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
Essex Homes invites you to stop by and meet Scott Henderson at their Essex Greens model, located at 9072 Bancroft Drive in Clarence Center open Saturdays or Sundays 1 - 5pm.
Emily Kernin - February 2015
Niagara University recently announced that Emily Kernin, GIHS class of 2014, has been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2014 semester. Emily, a freshman, is majoring in General Studies with a minor in Psychology. Congratulations!Ashley Serianni - February 2015
Ithaca College recently announced that Ashley Serianni, GIHS class of 2013, has been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2014 semester. Ashley, a sophomore, is a television-radio major in the Roy H. Park School of Communications, with a minor in theatre at Ithaca College. Congratulations!Michael Davis & Christie Utz Engagement - February 2015
Former Islanders Michael Craig Davis and Christie Anne Utz, of Springfield, Virginia are happy to announce that they are engaged and planning a summer wedding. The couple graduated from Grand Island High School in 2007. Christie, the daughter of Maureen and Robert Utz, is the Nurse Manager of Falls Church Pediatrics. Michael, the son of Craig and Sheila Davis, is a Digital Forensic Examiner for the U.S Department of Justice. Their family and friends are looking forward to celebrating the joyous union of these two beautiful and successful young people at Niagara University Chapel...and then they will live happily ever after.
Thom Hatch, Author - February 2015
Former Island resident Thom Hatch has written numerous books about the west, many of them about George Armstrong Custer. His most recently published book is "The Last Days of George Armstrong Custer", "the true story of the battle of Little Bighorn." The publisher writes "Hatch's The Last Days of George Armstrong Custer reveals the untold and controversial truth of what really happened in the valley of the Little Bighorn, making it the definitive history of Custer's last stand."
Thom grew up on Grand Island and moved prior to his senior year. After serving in Vietnam, he worked as a newspaper columnist and radio announcer and ended up in Colorado, publishing his first book in 1996. Take a look at his website to learn about the almost dozen books he has written over the years. Thom's books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. A few of them are also available through the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.
Tetreault Named NEAC Student-Athlete of the Week - February 2015
Buffalo, NY - Freshman Brock Tetreault (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) has been named the North East Athletic Conference Student-Athlete of the Week, announced by the NEAC on Tuesday.
The freshman had another impressive week to begin his first season as a Spartan. Against Penn State-Behrend, Tetreault led the team in both kills (17) and digs (11) in the 5 set game. With a team high 18.5 points, Brock was all over the offensive end. Adding 1 service ace to go with his 1 block assist, Tetreault was a key player for the Spartans in their first home game of the season. D'Youville fell to the Lions 3-2.
In the team's win over nationally ranked Stevenson University on Sunday, Tetreault was a team leader once again, including getting the game winning point for the Spartans. The Grand Island, NY native tied for the team lead with 16 kills and was second on the team with 14 digs. Tetreault had 18.5 points to lead the team for the second straight game, also tallying an assist, one service ace and 3 block assists. The Spartans came back to defeat Stevenson by the final score of 3-2.
This season, Brock is the team leader in kills, digs, points, is second in service aces and is tied for third in total blocks. The freshman currently leads the NEAC in total kills (65) while being second in points (77.5) and fourth in digs (61) for the Spartans. Earlier this season, Tetreault was also named to the All-Tournament Team at the SUNYIT Invitational.
Marc Scibilia - February 2015
Marc Scibilia grew up on Grand Island, graduated from GIHS in 2004 and has been living in Nashville as a singer-songwriter for the last five years. Marc was the featured singer in a Super Bowl commercial for JEEP on Sunday, February 1st, singing Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land." Writer Brian Mansfield of USA Today wrote an article in the February 2nd edition of the paper. Click here to see the article and a video of Marc singing the song from the commercial.
Alyssa and Alexis Cino, Zoe Dodd - February 2015
Dean's List AnnouncementsSUNY Cortland recently announced that Alyssa and Alexis Cino, GIHS class of 2013, have been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2014 semester. Alyssa is majoring in Psychology and Alexis is majoring in Criminal Justice. Congratulations!
St. Bonaventure University announced that Zoe Dodd, GIHS class of 2013, has been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2014 semester. Zoe is majoring in English.
Stephanie Senn - January 2015
Congratulations to Stephanie Senn on her superior academic achievement for the Fall 2014 semester at Kent State University, and being named to the Dean's List. Stephanie is also the starting goalkeeper for the Kent State Women's Soccer team, and her accomplishments on and off the field are a source of pride and pleasure to her family as well as the College of Arts and Sciences at the University. Stephanie is a 2012 graduate of Grand Island High school and is majoring in Criminology & Justice Studies, with a concentration in Deviance and a minor in Psychology.Jenna Lee & Joseph Juliano Engaged - January 2015
Todd and Jamie Lee of Grand Island, NY and Joseph and Leigh Juliano of Indianapolis, IN, are overwhelmed with excitement in announcing the news of a Christian Wedding Ceremony, between daughter and son, Jenna Lee and Joseph Juliano in August 2015! Meeting while away at college the two have fallen deeply in love and have been inseparable ever since. The future bride has completed her surgical technology degree and her fiance is finishing up his pastoral degree and will be attending Seminary School in the near future.
Kelly Remington on CBS "Survivor" - January 2015
Grand Island resident and NYS Trooper Kelly Remington, 44, is on the 30th edition of the CBS reality series "Survivor". This year's series is called "Survivor: World Apart" and the teams are broken up into three teams, white collar, blue collar and no collar. Kelly is on the blue collar team. A 90-minure premiere is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on February 25th on Channel 4. Kelly is quoted as saying in her Survivor bio that her favorite sport is watching football and playing racquetball and her reason for being on the program is "the million dollars and the adventure of being on Survivor."
Grace Schillaci Marries James Szakacs - January 2015
Grace Schillaci and James Szakacs were married at 2 p.m. on July 12, 2014, in St. Amelia Catholic Church, Tonawanda. Guests gathered for a reception at Acqua Restaurant and Banquets. The Rev. Dave Baker of St. Amelia Catholic Church heard the couple's vows. The bride's parents are Salvatore and Rita Schillaci of Amhest. The bridegroom's parents are Tibor and Vilma Szakacs of Appleton. The bride is a graduate of Amherst High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from SUNY Buffalo State and also earned a master's degree in education from Canisius College. The bride is a teacher for Buffalo Public Schools. The groom is a graduate of Kenmore East High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University at Buffalo. He is a commercial real estate appraiser at KLW Group. The couple will make their home in Grand Island.
Emily A. Dinsmore Marries Frederick N. Meyer - January 2015
Emily A. Dinsmore and Frederick N. Meyer were married at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2014, in Four Points by Sheraton, Niagara Falls, where a reception was held following the ceremony. Dr. Jennifer K. Lang, close friend and college roommate of the bride, heard the couple's vows. The bride's parents are Suzanne E. Tomkins and John R. Study of Grand Island; and Edward F. Dinsmore and Karen Waybright of Buffalo. The bridegroom's parents are Agnes and Ronald N. Meyer of North Tonawanda. The bride is a graduate of Grand Island High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Cornell University and also earned a juris doctor degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law. The bride is a law clerk at Hodgson Russ, LLP. The groom is a graduate of North Tonawanda High School. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in applied mathematics from SUNY Buffalo State. He is an assistant vice president and senior risk analyst at M&T Bank. After a road trip from Portland, Ore., to San Francisco, with stops in Napa Valley and Big Sur, the couple will make their home in Buffalo.
James Osborn - January 2015
Congratulations to James Osborn of Grand Island for making the President's List at West Virginia University in his first semester with a 4.0 average. James is the son of Al & Lisa Osborn and is studying Petroleum Engineering. They are very proud of his achievement.Don Aschenbrenner - January 2015
Grand Island resident Nancy Wonacott passed along a "good news" story about her cousin and former Island resident Don Aschenbrenner. Don, 52, grew up on the Island in a water skiing family. His earliest ski memory is riding on his dad's shoulders skiing in the Niagara River. Don participates in short-line slalom tournament skiing and in the last two years won his division in the GOODE Water Ski National Championships (2013 & 2014), making him a back-to-back national champion.
Don started skiing the Niagara River at age seven and entered his first tournament in 1979. Don moved south to a town near Charlotte, North Carolina in 1997 where he can ski daily from late March until October. The short-line event works like this: skiers pass through a course and maneuver around six buoys, after each pass the rope is shortened. The boat runs at a constant 34 mph and most skiers finish each pass at 17 seconds or less. He entered his first national event in 2001 and has qualified every year since. See story from Charlotte Observer.
