Island Dispatch, 2007-03-23

              ISLAND Dispatch Niagara fl rl PJ Frontier Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porler Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfiefd Tribune vtrww.wnypapers.com For Home Delivery of the island Dispatch Call 773-7676 Vol. 63 No. 1 March 23, 2007 24 Pages 773-7676 $1.00 Bailey presides at parade page 11 Rotary helps literacy P9ge 17 Seniors wear green page 24 Team mxa wins Corporate Bowl by Kathy Duff The kids competed in wonder&l sporteman-like feshion," said Mike Grosso, moderator of Tuesday nighfs Corporate Bowl Finals at Grand Island High School. That atmosphere prevailed, as nine uniquely named teams of four students each matched wife, nerves and knowledge - fielding a wide variety of academic and not-so-academic questions. The prizes to be had were $4,000 in scholarships to be shared by the first-place team, $2,000 to the second and $1,000 to the third. The three semi-final games - each consisting of one warmup grab bag round, an individual round (with each team member answering two questions each) and a speed grab bag round - produced three winning teams that advanced to the championship round. The semi-final competitors were: Game 1 •Team Jar-mo* - Marwa Eltagouri, Jameela Syed, Tara Hook and Susan Head. • "Our Name's Better Than Your Name" - Amanda ArM, Karen Figliotti, Abby Cliff and Cassidy Hogrewe.•"Belligerence" - Abe Morgan, Robert Potter, Brett Fielder and Emily Kahn. Belligerence emerged the winner by a wide margin in this game, with a score of 225 points. 'Team mxa" holds the check for $4,000 in scholarship funds, fop prize in the Corporate Bowl. The winning team/ Cassie Lange, Forrest Smith, Ryan Link and Rachael Kaplan. With them, Superintendent Robert Christmann, left, and Corporate Bowl official Jim Sharpe. (photo by Fred Claus) Island girl shines as SABAH ambassador by Karen Keefe When the special athletes of SABAH skate into HSBC Arena this Sunday at 2 p.m. for their annual Celebration on Ice, a Grand Island girl will be front and center. Eighfeyear-old Dawn Gruszka is one of three children chosen as SABAH ambassadors for this year's show. She also is the recipient of the Emily Hermance Spirit Award, named after a little girl who maintained a positive outlook despite her disabilities. When you see Dawn's happy enthusiasm for life, you know why she was chosen to highlight the accomplishments of more than 500 ice-skating athletes with disabilities. Dawn is blind, has cerebral palsy and has a congenital illness, as well, but she is overcoming these challenges with steady progress, encouraged by her loving parents, Sarah and Scan Gruszka. They are thrilled at Dawn's selection and credit SABAH for making a huge difference in her life. This is her third year in the show, but her first as an ambassador. She has enjoyed posing for pictures and skating with Chris Drury of the Sabres. Dawn Gruszka, 8, of Grand Island is one of three young ambassadors on the poster for the SABAH Celebration on Ice 2007 show this Sunday at 2 p.m. at HSBC Arena. On either side of Dawn are Matthew Garrison, 7, of North Tonawanda and Whitney Bonerb, 12, of Orchard Park. Angelina Scalia: Keeping busy and living longer by Alice E. Gerard In Angeline Scalia's living room, a music box on the mantel plays "Amazing Grace," and a glass angel, close ;to the fireplace, glows with color. Scalia does not spend much time in her living room, however. She prefers her kitchen, where she spends many hours cooking one-pot meals and baking cookies and pies. She also alters clothing for friends and family on the sewing machine that she keeps on the kitchen table. "I can still thread a needle!" says Scalia, who has perfect eyesight without eyeglasses. Keeping busy is the key to a long, happy life, said Scalia, who will celebrate her 99th birthday on March 29. "Get your work done in the morning, if possible. Leave the afternoon to rest, relax, and enjoy your hobby." Eating right alsp helps. "Don't overdo it. That goes for your diet or for anything. Everything in moderation," Scalia said. Upbeat Attitude ScaHa also said that her religiousreligious faith and an upbeat attitude about life have contributed to her longevity. "Since I don't drive anymore and I'm not able to get around that much, I hear Mass every Sunday morning on TV. I pray my Rosary every morning before I start my work or whatever I have to do. And Penny Panepinto (daughter of Scalia's best friend, Winifred Zarbo) brings me Communion."Tm a survivor," she adds. "I've had two hip replacements. Angeline Scalia SEE TOP, continued on page 2 SEE SABAH, continued on page 2 SEE BIRTHDAY, continued oa page 19 Monday Madness LARGE CHEESE HZZA $795 Jf plus tax 2131 Grand Island Blvd. SCufzboch  628-1719 Bv-jJ HF  Q| Do jo« nm? to buy or sell a home? J|® Call Linda Kutzbach, she knows how and would love to help you! W '■■ Each office torfependemir f J^ftJ^ owned & operated #~ NOfil! ,