Island Dispatch, 2006-06-16

              ISLAND Dispatch Vol. 62 No. 13 June 16, 2006 20 Pages $1.00 For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 S Niagara Frontier Publications proud publishers of Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver www.vynypapers.eom Gearing up for Island Happenings page 3 Islander rocks MIA Fest page 10 Class of 2006 page 20 Relay For Life a huge success by Donna M. Webb Event raises $110,000 and still counting "A celebration of hope, life and survival" - these are the words organizers used to describe Grand Island's 2006 Relay For .life., held last Friday and Saturday on the running track behind Grand Island High School. More than $110,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society, according to Mary Dunbar-Daluisio, a survivor herself and co-chairperson for this event. There were 67 teams and more than 1,000 participants registered for the Relay. Opening ceremonies began around 6 p.m. Members of Charles H. DeGlopper YFW Post 9249 presented the American flag, and Glen Hilknan sang the national anthem. McMahon Welcomes Crowd Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, co-chairman of the Relay, welcomed the crowd. "It is a pleasure to see so many people out here. We are looking forward to the most successful Relay we've ever had," he said. McMahon recognized the officials in attendance, including Erie County Legislator Michele lannello, state Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, state Sen. Marc Coppola and Town Board members Mary Cooke, Susan Argy and Gary Roesch. McMahon presented Dunbar-Daluisio with one of the purple, plastic flamingoes that were used as a fund-raiser for the Relay. 'This is in recognition of the great job you do for us. Thank you The Thorold, Ontario, bagpipers played while taking a nighttime lap around the high school track af last week's Relay, (photo by Brent Miner) 'Paddles Up Niagara' is kickoff for Green way by Karen Keefe The Niagara River Greenway Commission is putting its mission statement into action with the Mckoff event, "Paddles Up Niagara." On Saturday/July 29,100 kayaks and canoes will take a leisurely, 7.8-mile paddle trip on the Niagara River's edge, along the Grand Island shoreline. Starting at 1 p.m., boaters will navigate the waterway from Beaver Island State Park to the Eagles Overlook boat launch just below Buckhorn State Park. The number of boats is restricted to 100 for this trip, and the entry deadline is Saturday, July 15. There will be a festive hoopla planned around the event also, so ifs not just the boaters who are in for some fun. Information booths, kayak and canoe demonstrations, food and socializing are all on tap from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. Niagara River Greenway Commissioner Paul Leuchner and fellow kayaker Liz Lutnick demonstrate the Paddles Up Niagara starting point near the sledding hill on-Beaver Island. Also shown are Niagara River Greenway Commission Administrative Coordinator Rob Belue, left, and Beaver Island State Park Manager Bill Huntoon. (photo by Barbi Lore) GI High School's first graduating class to have 40th reunion by Alice E. Gerard When the first students, all sophomores, entered Grand Island High School in September, 1963, they quickly realized that they were few in number in a large school. The class of 1966 was a unique group, the first to begin their high school years in a Grand Island school. Previous classes had been sent to neighboring communities, including Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Tonawanda. Grand Island High School's first graduating class was comprised of just 136 students. Today, 1,050 students attend the school. On Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1, the first graduating class will reunite to share their experiences of the past 40 years. They will start with a tour of the school at 3 p.m., on Friday. That evening, they will hold an icebreaker at 8-p.m. at the Mallwitz's Island Lanes. People attending are encouraged to bring musical instruments and participate in a jam session. The next afternoon, at 2 p.m., they wffl board the Grand Lady near the Grand Island Holiday Inn at Whitehaven and East River roads to take a cruise up the Niagara River. After the cruise, they will meet at reunion leader Terry Swain's house on Webb Road for food, an open bar, and music. Shown here is the Class of 1966 reunion organizing committee. They are, front row, from left: Nancy Carlson, Cathy McNamee and Terry Swain; in the back row, from left: Nancy Braddell, Linda Johnstone, Linda Hillock, Sharon Benzing and Terry Funk. Swain said that for clarity, during the reunion event, women will use their maiden names, (photo by Alice Gerard) continued on page 2 continued on page 6 continued on page 2 Monday Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA $795 M plus tax 2131 Grand Island Blvd. : KutzbachflHtf'' Associate Broker W&*'mM #1 Island Agent V^H #1 Company in WNY 743-73X1 or 628-1719 Qm Do you need to buy or * sett a home? it* Call Linda Kutzbach, •••she knows how and would love to help you.