Island Dispatch, 2006-08-04

              Island Dispatch proud publishers of Niagara-Wheaifield Tribune Island Dispatch bewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver www.wnypapers.com Niagara Frontier Publications For Home Delivery o§ the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 August 4, 2006 28 Pages $1.00 V01.62 No. 20 Town gets electric car page 3 Rotary scholarships page 13 Start your engines page 18 National Night Out unites Island Story and photos by Jill Endres Grand Islanders made a strong showing for National Night Out on Tuesday in the Town Commons. In the perfect breezy weather, hundreds of Islanders gathered for a display of public safety information, a delicious dinner and a free concert in the Town Gazebo. The National Night Out is a program developed in response to an increase in violence and crime in communities across the country and in Western New York. It sends a loud message that crime and drugs are not tolerated and that the community is prepared to meet an emergency. The Grand Island Fire Company, the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 3-5 and the Community Emergency Response Team offered information about their public safety services at the gazebo. These groups are composed of members of the Grand Island community, most of whom are volunteers. Representatives from ADT Home Security also handed out brochures on home safety and staying home alone. The presence of the local services provided a sense of unity and security as Islanders got together for a wormy cause. The Grand Island chapter of the Zonta Club also sponsored a beef on week dinner before and during the concert. The proceeds from the dinner went to a scholarship fund for women. Tuesday evening, the Island community definitely sent a message, loud and clear. If residents could not attend the National Theßamblin' Lou Family Band, headlined by Grand Island husband-and-wife team Lou Shriver and Joanie Marshall and. including, three generations of their family, presented the best-attended concert of the town's summer series on Tuesday at the Town Gazebo. The band's brand of country music has been a staple in Western New York and on WXRL radio for more than 30 years. 'Paddles Up' spotlights Niagara River by Alice E. Gerard A flotilla of canoes and kayaks set off from the canoe launch near the sledding hill at Beaver Island State Park on July 29, on its way to the channels of Buckhorn Island State Park. To the sound of wind threatening thunderstorms that hit early in the evening, the boats set off on the first-ever "Paddles Up Niagara 2006" shortly after 1 p.m. Before the boats entered the water, Neil Patterson, director of the Tuscarora Environmental Program in Sanborn, offered a departure ceremony. Speaking first in his native Tuscarora and then in English, he offered thanksgiving for the "people before us and for Mother Earth. I pray that the creator will give us a safe trip." From aloft the ladder of a fire truck, parked close to the canoe launch, a photographer recorded the event. Lead-off Event More than 115 boats departed, traveling from the park, past Eagle Overlook, the site of the Eagle Park Boaters raise their paddles in the Native American traditional sign of peace on Saturday at the first ever "Paddles Up Niagara" event, sponsored by the Niagara River Greenway Commission. More than 140 boaters in kayaks and canoes made the 7.8 mile downriver, non-competitive "paddle" starting at Beaver Island State Park and ending at Eagle Overlook, Buckhorn Island State Park, (photo by Grand Island Recreation Director Linda Tufillaro) In the photo below, John J. Mikula of Niagara Falls, at 86, was the oldest participant to take his boat the entire length of the course, and he was looking fit as a fiddle, (photo by Niagara River Greenway Commissioner Paul Leuchner] continued on page 2 continued on page 2 Undo mgM Kuizbachß|||| Associate Broker Kprjmm - #1 Island Agent mj^^M #1 Company in WHY 743-7-ta* ©r 6ZB-1719 £fc* Do you need to bay or sen a home? A* Call Linda Kutz-aeh, •she knows how and would love to help yon. IBi Ka  »_B Mmgmhg^m/MiMmm^l %m-.^y'Jr _Hm_R_____i!_KK^__H * I it-*-*** P Call Joan to . schedule your showing today!