Island Dispatch, 2004-06-18

              Island DISPATCH Ph0ne:(716)773-7676 • Fax: (716) 773-7190 * E-Mail: NFPNews@clmail.com 60 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 Vol. 60 No. 15 June 18,2004 $1.00 24 Pages Paratrooper Recalls Invasion Page 24 Lobsterfest A Success Page 18 See lis On Ihe Web at ' vww.wnypapers.com The!■ armor's Ahiianai predicts; Sunny & Nice It :t rij-m.' I'lurk the Mentha mi pn ? -Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage Clear night sets the stage for annual Relay For Life by Robin M. Woolson It was a clear night on Friday, June 11 as walkers took to the track at Grand Island High School for the Relay For Life. Now in its second year on the Island, the event began with the opening ceremonies and a proclamation from Town Supervisor Peter McMahon. Following the opening ceremonies, about 70 local cancer survivors took the Survivor's Lap around the track. Once that lap was completed, the teams began working their way around the track, relay-style, for the overnight event, raising more than $45,000, so far. The Relay For Life is a fundraiser and is designed to give everyone an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. The event honors cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.As dusk began to set, luminaries were set up around the track in remembrance of those who have faced cancer. Co-Chairman Mary Dunbar said she was awestruck with the event. Teams Increase "It was just awesome," she said. "We went from 18 teams last year to 64 teams in our second year. That was amazing." Dunbar said she was also amazed that out of the 64 teams, 25 of them were high school teams. "To have them be as active (in this) and participating for all the right reasons is a pleasure to know," she said. "How much prouder could you be about them?" Dunbar said everyone who had been contacted for a "small favor" for this event came through. "From Linda Tuffilaro for the tables and benches, to the Knights of Columbus guys helping out," she said. "It was phenomenal." She said the turnout was so great because cancer has a mind of its own. "It doesn't care about the age or race of a person," she explained. "It affects everyone." Idea Catches On She was also amazed at the amount of people who turned out and gathered together for such a good cause. "This money raised is going to be there for patient advocacy, care, research and education," Dunbar said. American Cancer Society Spokesperson Paul McGee said it was a really nice event. "There were about 1,000 people participating," he said. McGee said the idea of Relay For Life seems to be catching on. "Some people may be intimidated at first when they hear about the Relay For Life and that "Hope" was lit with the luminaries on the bleachers alongside the Grand Island High School track as a way to encourage people that there is hope in the fight against cancer. Luminaries, identified for survivors and memorials, light up the track as Relay For Life participants continue their trek through the dark of night, (photos by Barbi Lare) Village Hot Dog Stand cooking again photo and story by Robin M. Woolson A iong-standing tradition on the Island is once again ready to serve area residents. The Village Hot Dog Stand, 1437 Ferry Road, has returned to operation and is now serving customers Thursday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. The stand reopened this year after a couple patrons who visited the Village Inn a year ago questioned why the stand had closed. The response they received was to open it themselves. And after a year of contemplating the idea, Barb Zafuto, Sharon Nichols and Lyn Laman decided that the Village Hot Dog Stand was to become a reality. None of the owners thought this was something they would do "in their wildest dreams," but they are having fun with it. "We are having fun because the people are coming and wanting to reminisce," said Zafuto. Nichols said that as they have been getting ready to open, people have been stopping by. Grand Island Tradition "This is the only place on the river where people can come and Town officials and representatives from the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce joined the operators of the Village Hot Dog Stand at a ribbon cutting last week to mark the opening of the facility. From left are: Town Board members Dan Robillard and Mary Cooke; Town Justice Sybil Kennedy; owners Barb Zafuto, Lyn Laman and Sharon Nichols; Town Supervisor Peter McMahon; Chamber of Commerce President Jim Sharpe; and Chamber board of directors member Steve Morgan. continued on page 23 ew continued on page 23 m= I : 2nd Section illll In This ffeefaitasffl^li» ■■■ ■ ■ ■■w Hi ■ W «F Celebrating Hometown Life "'•KsHSllfeS?*'*"''"""^ At a Glance Saturdax Five Kilometer Walk-A-Thon To benefit Meaghan's Miracle Old Dunlop parking lot off Long Road 10 a.m. Rain or shine Saturday Grand Island Boulevard Clean Sweep Town Hall 2255 Baseline Road 9 a.m. For a complete listing of area events, visit NFP's Web site at www.wnypapers.com [mem Linda Kutzbach hot new "listing ["V*"^®! 1 gfflPgl I .\.««\.i:ito H"'lci f.x Rd. • This Islam r J SS H 'Htß « 743*7321 Or /l Calltinda 62&-'' •- <■ W • '-' t~*" •?**fe-»J"«j fjPHb? 628*1719 *'"■«"»■ or Buying ainan ■■ f<& hndu \ln ■*.-/>' hilp >■'«•