Island Dispatch, 2000-09-08

              mm - • . ... Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Island DISPATCH 56 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District 4 Blue Ribbons page 7 Life Saver page 3 Art Contest Winner page 5 (716) 773-7676 Vol. 56 No. 19 3^£jKSSfiJf":,F?t;J*" ■'£ LFe^LFei^LFe^LFjLT«MMiWLfJMHBHBraffl East Park Garden Club recognized for 50 years of service at Town Board Meeting by William O'Connor Established in 1950, the East Park Garden Club is Grand Island's first and oldest garden club. It was formally thanked and commended at Monday's Town Board Meeting "for its many contributions to the community". Its contributions include planting, weeding, and maintenance at the DeGlopper Memorial and planting "memorial trees throughout Grand Island" (many of these trees were planted at our local schools and government buildings.) Members of the club also bring recognition to the community by competing at local fairs and events. Club Member Pat Wydra was one of the club's blue-ribbon award winners at the Erie County Fair this year. The Club will hold its 50th Anniversary Tea, this Sunday 1-4 P.M. at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. The public is welcome. The Board also recognized the fine work performed by the employees of Life Technologies and Nationwide Insurance for their volunteer efforts at Veteran's Park during the United Way Day of Caring. On August 16. Volunteers from both organizations garnered high praise from Supervisor Pete McMahon for the painting and landscape work they did. The Day of Caring is the kick-off to the United Way Campaign. Grand Island Local Law #6 was passed on Monday. The law protects Town employees from judgments of lawsuits that are a result of doing their jobs. It does not pro-. tect Town employees who willfully or neglectfully do damage while* working for the town. The law was opposed by Leo Hopkins and Rus Thompson at previous meetings. They felt the law may increase taxes or, protect careless workers. The board felt that the law would allow employees to work more confidently and effectively and thereby make them more efficient, saving taxpayer dollars. It passed, unanimously, at this meeting, with no comment. Rock garden at the Town Commons in downtown Grand Island By Joan Kilmer " .. . , .»■»,- ■••.,'.,- If you are working in downtown Grand Island or even shopping at our local stores, you can step away to a peaceful retreat at the Town Commons next to the Town Hall. George Cady and Dorthy Westhafer, headed up the tree planting, while Linda Tufillaro, Recreation Director, encouraged the scores of volunteers that helped with the plantings. Photo by William O'Connor Retired teacher wins award for community service by Christopher Marquis Lee Tetkowski of Grand Island was recently honored for decades of selfless work in the area. The New York State United Teachers organization gave her an award "in recognition of outstanding contributions for community service." Ms. Tetkowski began teaching in 1966. Most of her teaching years were spent at Grand Island High School. She retired in 1985. . Over the years, she has been involved in several local organizations, committees, and projects. She has been chairman of the local UNICEF for 40 years, a member of the League of Women Voters, an organizer of the Grand Island Kids Voting project, a representative on the Communi-cations Board, and a member of the GIFTS committee. Ms. Tetkowski is pleased that her years of work have been recognized. "Naturally, this is a big honor," she told the Dispatch. "It's good to feel appreciated." She added that she was happy with her 50 years of residency on Grand Island, and she was thankful for being able to be active in the community during that time. See Boat Show... To Kindergarten, for the first time Story and Photo's by William O'Connor It's 4:00 A.M. Tuesday, Patty and Greg's little girl, Christina Lee of Schwegler Rd., is having trouble sleeping. She is too excited about her very first day of school, ever. She is one of 237 little children to start kindergarten at Charlotte Sidway School this Year. The separation of mother and child has been eased„ by Begindergarten, a two-week program that ran from July 31 through August 11. Initiated by Sidway School Principal Frank Cannata two years ago, Begindergarten helps children adapt the socializing skills needed to make the transition frojn home to school. We have had "not one complaint" according to instructor Elaine Freedman; She reports that in previous years (before the program) children would cry and be very frightened. Today, the children are "very confident". . At 7:45 A.M. Christina and Patty check the contents of her jumbo size "Power-Puff backpack filled with her lunch, folders, glue, pencils, crayons, "money to buy ice cream!!!" and other necessities. Mother remembers the little girl's name tag, her bus number (Train number 6), and her favorite stuffed toy. . "I want to stay with you Mom" says Christina with a little whine. She is reminded of all the fun things at her schookand her mood changes. "I have a gym...and a playground, a big, big 7:58 A.M.: The big yellow bus "rolls up (right on time) The children climb in. Christina is safely inside. The bus drives away. continued on page 2 continued on page 2 on page 7 lie iii the know every week! Subscribe Ui the Island Dispatch!