Island Dispatch, 2001-05-04

              Island DISPATCH 56 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Get to Know Betty Beach page! This Issue Is Dedicated to Marion Klingel page 6 Friday SCATTERED SHOWERS , Hi 6? J.o 44 />» '■///' . i; i ' _" The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District Mother \ Day Section Starting on l*g 9 irei: MAY 4.2001 * 40 pg + 4 pg Bridge Section Vol. 58 No. 10 History of the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island by Henry Kammerer It was the fall of 1973 when the secretary to the general manager at GIBCO (now Invitrogen) came to her boss in tears. "Social Services has just told me that the best thing I can do for my husband is to divorce him," she said. The manager, then president of the Grand Island Rotary Club, listened to the terrible tale. Her diabetic husband needed to have a leg amputated and her insurance from GIBCO wouldn't cover the oper-ation because it was a pre-existing condition. The doctor and hospital bills would take every penny of savings and home equity they had. In the end, Rotarians came together and raised several thousand dollars and used their contacts with doctors and the hospital to keep costs as low as possible, allowing the family to keep their home. The Rotary Club looked around and realized that even on Grand Island there were other similar situations, with individuals in need of assistance. A permanent organization to provide emergency help to Grand Island residents was necessary, but realizing that an all-Rotary group would not get wide support, Rotarians organized an island-wide group, the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island. With retired teacher and organist Bill Pinkow at the helm, the foundation worked with churches through the Grand Island Ministerium to set up a food pantry at St. Stephen's Church and raise money through several annual fundraisers. Food drives at churches,churches, schools, scout groups and recently by postal workers have kept the pantry well-stocked. During the holiday season, the foundation widened its scope to provide food and toys delivery to 50 or more families who had been having tough times. Their kitchens may not be bare at the moment, but This picture originally ran in the Buffalo Courier-Express Nov. 16, 1975. It depicts Bill Pinkow and Larry Runlons, then-beads of the Nieghbors Foundation, during the organization's early years, (photo by Ed Zagorski) This picture originally ran in the Dispatch on Oct. 9, 1987. It shows (seated) Diane Satterlee, Veronica Connor, Millie May, Nancy Hayes, Alphia Prosser, (standing) Charlie Satterlee; Shirley Luther, Gail Lazenby, Gary Roesch, Liz Criss and Patricia Foote. They are preparing for the now-defunct Charity Ball, (photo by Barbi Lare) Local leaders choose to shine light on positive aspects of Grand Island by Paul Lane In choosing a new slogan for Grand Island, local leaders were looking to accentuate the positive while dispelling a myth about the Island. The Monday, April 30 issue of the Buffalo News featured an article, "After hyperbole, a boast that holds water." The article reported Grand Island's changing it's slogan to "Grand Island, the jewel of the Niagara." The article claimed Grand Island to be in competition for tourism and attention with other municipalities. Several local leaders dispute these claims, however. "The slogan is actually 'Grand Island, jewel on the Niagara'," said Grand Island Chamber of Commerce President James Sharpe. "This isn't about competition between communities, it's about pride in the community." "We are proud to live on the island," added Town Supervisor Peter McMahon. The article stated that signs welcoming guests to the island claimed Grand Island to be the largest fresh water island in the world. This claim is not true, as Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron is more than 1,000 square miles bigger than Grand Island's 30 square miles. McMahon said that some poetic license should be allowed, however, in the name of creating an interestinterest to passers-by. He cited the example of fictional characters Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox being marketed in midwestern towns to draw tourism. "A statue of Babe the Blue Ox was put up, when we all know there never was a Babe the Blue Ox," said McMahon. "Nine million people drive through Grand Island each year. We need something to draw them in." It was emphasized that while Grand Island is proud of its quality of life and identity, it needs to be connected with other townships in the area in order to thrive. "Grand Island can not live by itself," said Sharpe. Peter McMahon, Gary Astridge, Jim Sharpe and Rod Reisdorf are shown here displaying the Expo 2001 sign currently hanging near Town Hall. Expo 2001 is slated for Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Bible Presbyterian Family Life Center at 1780 Love Rd. Call 773-3651 for more information, (photo by Paul Lane) continued on page 9 IS)' Weekend at a Glance Saturday CAR WASH ANB HOT DOG SALE GIHS SOCCER BOOSTER CLUB Ciffa's Automotive, Grand Island Blvd/Whitehaven Road 10 a.m. ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEANUP WEST RIVER HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Whitehaven overlook 10 a.m. Sunday SPORTS NIGHT St. Stephen School, 2080 Baseline Rd. 7 p.m. ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGIATE SWING CHOIR & VARSITY SINGERS St. Christopher Church, 2660 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda 7 p.m.