Island Dispatch, 2003-09-05

              Island DISPATCH Back To School Page 9 Family Fun Days Page 5 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: Cool/ Rain Is it right? Check the weather onpg2 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District 57 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers 80-' * V«15«» . SMantarS'lN} * ?W^«»M!««f»Ba^!l|^^ Senator Brown expands PROJECT ALERT district wide by Jon Sandino State Sen. Byron W. Brown announced on Friday that he will ask elected officials in Erie and Niagara County to support PROJECT ALERT. PROJECT ALERT, now in its fourth year, was established to remind drivers that school re-opens in September and that it is necessary to watch for stopped school buses and crossing children. Each year the project has grown, thanks to the efforts of Brown, past and present town officials, the Grand Island Traffic Safety Advisory Board, the Grand Island School District, and residents of the community. After sponsoring PROJECT ALERT on Grand Island in 2001, last year Brown successfully expanded the project to include communities throughout his senate district: Buffalo, Niagara Falls arid Tonawanda. This year, he is asking all city council members and countycounty legislators in the 60th senate district to distribute PROJECT ALERT signs in their communities. "I am very pleased to have the cooperation of the elected officials in the 60th District," said Brown. "They share the concern that I have for the safety of our most valuable treasures - our children." Locally, individuals such as Mike Heftka, project district-wide coordinator; Dick Crawford, project town of Grand Island coordinator; Jack Burns, Grand Island School District supervisor for transportation; Dorothy Bitner, Traffic Safety Advisory Board chair; Dr. Thomas Ramming, Grand Island School District superintendent; and Councilman Dan Robillard were on hand to support the cause. "...PROJECT ALERT has become a very important project for Grand Island and for the community... A few years ago there was an issue with people passing school buses... and who better to cover the cost of the campaign type sign than the state senator... we're thrilled that this is a simple idea that has taken off around the senate district and hopefully throughout Western New York," said Heftka. PROJECT ALERT District Coordinator Mike Heftka addresses the media during last Friday's press conference. State Senator Byron Brown (left) and Grand Island School District Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ramming look on. This is the programs fourth year of existence on Grand Island, (photo by Brian Garman) State Sen. Byron Brown, who has supported this project for the past three years, nails a PROJECT ALERT sign into the ground outside of Sidway Elementary. Mike Heftka, along with many Island youth, look on. (photo by Brian Garman) Fun for all expected at the 2003 Niagara County Peach Festival by Terry Duffy The tents are going up, the rides are arriving at Academy Park in the village of Lewiston and the fun of the annual Niagara County Peach Festival, aka the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Fest, awaits thousands this weekend. Set to begin on Friday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. with a grand opening celebration featuring renditions of "O Canada" and"The Star Spangled Banner" sung by Irene Frosolone, the sights and sounds of things Peach officially get underway that evening. First night offerings include the always exciting cheer, leading competition featuring Niagara County area Varsity, *JV and Youth Football squads to be held in the attractive, brand-new bandshell-staging area built by Dimino's Lewiston Tops, a taste-off featuring the 10 best samplings of that delectable peach dessert and an eye-catching jazzercise program featuring 23 Peach Queen contestants from throughout Niagara County vying for the 2003 title. Honoring Niagara County Farmers Now in its' 45th year, this year's offering of the annual Lewiston The sights and sounds of the Niagara County Peach festival return to the Academy Park grounds in the village of Lewiston this weekend. Shown above is an entertaining Elvis performance at last year's Peach Festival with the midway attractions in the background, (photo by Brian Garman) continued on page 2 US' continued on page 17 m" Classified Ads Get Results -»*Mjftfc Our €fa%siffe& : $BSOO & under aids riRHf  At a Glance Tuesday Home Bureau II Meeting 10 a.m. every Tuesday at Island Presbyterian Church, 1822 Huth Road Correction for this meeting - Basic Knitting & Crocheting will be taught Bring yarn and knitting needles or crochet hook East Park Garden Club Monthly Meeting Home of Fran Fusco, 1625 West River Road, 7:30 p.m. Brideview Garden Club Flower Show Home of Trudy O'Connor, 7:30 p.m. Theme - "Proud to be an American" 9-11 Candlelight Memorial Service Charles N. DeGlopper Post 9249, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments to.be served For a complete listing of area events, visit NFP's Web site at www. wnypapers, com -jjjjjjpjjiill FREE $250 ENERGY AUDIT WITH PRE-APPROVAL CALL TODAY |  mmmmlak pmiftß Ir'i' I* Vi [Tilh mi \Vi \\*m\vm 'VKMMIIiI .  ■fill LJII/*UCCr*n ■ ■*«« 691 -H0ME(4663) g^""™j