Island Dispatch, 2004-12-17

              Island DISPATCH GI Chamber Elections Page 17 Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage 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 V01.60 • No. 3*> December 17. 2004 SI.OO 24 l\u»es IMns llolichix (iill (itiicle Phone: (716)773-7676 • Fax: (71 ft) 773-7190 • E-Mail: NFPNewsC" clmail.tojii Garden Gifts Galore Page 9 J|ee Us On The' Web : Crowd of well-wisher? welcomes Meaghan home by Karen Keefe The night may have been chilly, but the gathering was warm and heartfelt as about 50 friends and family members welcomed trans- plant recipient Meaghan Grotz home from a Pittsburgh hospital. The family's front lawn was filled with well-wishers on a snowy Tuesday night, all singing carols to the Island teen whose successful double-lung transplant has been the outcome so many hoped and prayed for. Happy homecoming "I'm very happy to be home. We just prayed about it and it finally came true," Meaghan said. "I feel really good." "The kids were giving her kisses through the glass," said Kate Grotz, Meaghan's mother. "Because she's immuno-suppressed, she has to stay away from crowds," her mothermother explained. The 17-year-old senior at Grand Island High School had surgery a month and a half ago to replace her own lungs that had been damaged by Cystic Fibrosis. She had waited for seven months for the transplant. Meaghan's Miracle "Meaghan's Miracle" inspired the Grand Island community to reach out in so many ways to help the teen through fund-raisers, cards, letters and e-mails of encouragement,That miracle came true when the family received the long-awaited call that a donor had been found. The surgery went well and Meaghan's recovery amazed the medical staff at Presbyterian Hospital, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "When the doctors used to listen to my lungs before, they said it sounded bad. Now it's as clear as a bell," Meaghan said. Life is easier She already is finding life at home easier with her new lungs. "Now, going up the staircase is no longer a problem," she said. Her weakened lungs used to make her tire out quickly.. That is no longer the case. "It's my muscles that tire me out," she said. Meaghan will be doing cardiovascular exercises and will be getting a treadmill in a few days. The recuperation may take about six months. Medical milestones Some of the medical milestones Meaghan will always remember include waking up after the surgery and later having the tubes come out. "Walking for the first time Meaghan Grotz is pleased and surprised at the crowd of well-wishers welcoming her home from successful lung transplant surgery last month in Pittsburgh. Members of the Grand Island High School Carolers, the VFW DeGlopper Post, the Grand Island Rod & Gun Club, Grand Island Fire Company, along with friends and family gather in Meaghan Grotz's front yard on Tuesday night to serenade her for the holidays and to welcome her home after successful surgery, (photo by Barbi Lare) Meaghan Grotz thanks Island community My family and I would like to thank Grand Island andal! its residents, from the bottom of our hearts, for opening up your own hearts and coming together for our cause. We would especially like to thank the island residents for coming to sing Christmas carols and welcome us home with warm hearts, even during freezing temperatures. We'd like to thank Mr. Proctor and his son for designing and making a "welcome home sign" for us to see when we were coming home. We would like to thank Dan Drexelius for all of his love, help, and little surprises. Thank you io the school and its students for all of their wonderful generosity and participation arid sincerity. Thank you Grand Island for coming together and caring so much for our miracle. Meaghan Grotz Federal drug raid includes Islanders by Karen Keefe Three Grand Islander residents — a school principal, a pharmacist and a mail carrier — were arrested Wednesday in an area-wide drug raid that netted a total of 30 suspects.Charges were files against: Sid way , Elementary School Principal Frank Cannata, age 40 of Buffalo; pharmacist Vito Lavango, 34 of Love Road; and mail carrier Robert Fraser, 36 of Bedell Road. The criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement targets the suspects as being involved in the use of MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, GHB, -cocaine....and' ketamine, a hallucinogen. Grand Island School Superintendent Thomas M. Ramming issued a statement that Cannata has been suspended from his employment pending disposition of felony drug possession charges. . Cannata was charged with possessing a felony quantity of continued on page 2 US' continued on page 2 cap I ■ At a Glance. I 1 Monday I I Town Board Meeting 1 I Town Hall 1 I Workshop - 6:30.p.m. ' I I Meeting - 8 p.m. I I 773-9600 1 I "' Tuesday I I River Lea Quilter's Guild I I Holiday Party I 1 Grand Island High School cafeteria I I 1100 Ransom Road 1 I ' P,m' I I For a complete listing of area events, I I visit NFP's Web site at J j www.wnypapers.com j ■jfc-rtHO T inHa Kllfohftfh 158 South Une •** y°u searching on this isiand •«___'""TZTJI  LflliUd IIUIZUdUI for a spacious home w/ 4bdrms &3 S baths. Formal , "TJ If 'Tf*'*V  ,i-,mwij(i Broker *_ LR & DR. also Fam rm. Sun rm, Bsrtit rec rm? This ' ' "*! '■» ■ a.'  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