Good News About The Good People Of Lockport, New York!
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Lockportian getting high honor from Niagara University. William Agronin,
former assistant principal at Lockport High School will receive the Vincentian Mission
Award at a special convocation January 30th at Niagara University. Mr. Agronin is
the women's basketball coach at NU and on the faculty in the school's Education
Department. Agronin will be presented the Vincentian Mission Award for demonstrating
in everyday life the values of Saint Vincent DePaul, founder of the Vincentians who
operate Niagara University. (1/12/02)
Chamber of Commerce names two of its own to win "Community Improvement
Award." The AES electric generating station (at Somerset) and the
Market Street Gallery in Lockport's Lowertown have been named by the Eastern Niagara
Chamber of Commerce as the winners of the group's "Community Improvement Award."
In a promotional flyer sent to the Lockport Home Page it was not at once
evident the criteria the Chamber used in judging the award other than the awardees were
expected to be members of the Chamber. (1/7/01)
Lerch & Daly
honored for 100 years in business. The Lockport Business Association will honor the downtown clothing store at a special Christmas party and membership mixer on December 7th. Now operated by Charlie Grey, the store has moved a couple times but has remained on the same Main Street block since opening in 1901. (11/29/00)Three added to "Lockport Walk of Fame."
Most will be unfamiliar with the names of the three Lockportians added to the "Lockport Walk of Fame" Saturday, 9/29 at Urban Park on Main Street. Rev. Maltbie Babcock served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church from 1882 through 1887. He wrote the hymn, "This is My Father's World." Sarah Lamb Cushing practiced medicine in Lockport for more than forty years. In 1910 she established a trust fund of donations that is still in existence today for those who are "poor and deserving" but is restricted to "women only." Henrietta G. Lewis, an heir to the Lewis family fortunes, founded the Junior Service League of Lockport in the depression years. In 1969 she established the Grigg-Lewis foundation which has dispensed about $2.5-million in grants to Lockport area institutions. She is reported currently in an area nursing home. (9/27/01)Lockport High Senior wins "physical fitness award" at NYS Junior Miss Pageant.
17-year old Maureen Junke won the award competing against girls from all over New York State over the weekend at the pageant on the Buffalo State campus. The honor also carries a $150 scholarship award. (3/19/01)DeSales "Move of Faith" group honored at Buffalo Catholic education conclave.
The group which was responsible for raising the funds and other support to re-open DeSales on Chestnut Ridge as a Catholic grammer school was awarded the "Bishop's Medal." The presentation came at a "Celebrate Catholic Schools" dinner at which the keynote speaker was Tim Russert of NBC-TV's "Meet The Press." (2/2/01)Thomas Garlock appointed as General Manager of Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. The Lockportian replaces Allen Gandell who resigned from the top job in August. Garlock will be in charge of the day-to-day operation of the Rainbow, Queenston-Lewiston, and Whirlpool international bridges. (11/23/00)
He's going to pay "all my bills" with $44,820.50 lottery winning. That's what Paul W. Tonn of Prentice Street said upon being asked what he was going to do with the winnings for the New York State "Take Five" Lottery drawing. Wednesday, 9/27, State Lottery Officials announced Tonn would be splitting the $175,282 jackpot with two other winners. (9/29/00)
Thanks and congratulations to the Lockport St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. The organization of about 23 provide food and clothing services to about 260 to 280 families a month out of its Ann Street facility run in conjunction with St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic Church on Chestnut Street. A few interesting statistics include:
The food pantry provides free food to the poor every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon from 1-3 PM.
Lockport Pizza Hut donates 5000 pounds of pizza every year to the food pantry!
A store on Dodge Road in Amherst donates boxes of eggs twice a week.
Baked goods are donated three days a week by Tops and Jubilee.
Members of the St. John's parish daily bring in surplus food from their homes.
Volunteers offer free family counseling services to those getting food and clothing to help them better manage their limited resources.
At Thanksgiving 400 family receive food baskets --- including turkey.
A clothing center is open at the same time as the food pantry giving away all kinds of clothing which has been donated by church members.
To supplement local donations, once a month a truck is rented to bring allocations from the New York State food bank depot in Niagara Falls.
The organization works year around, 52 weeks a year in a low profile fashion. Its statistics on food giveaways come out this week during which the birthday of St. Vincent DePaul is observed, worldwide. (9/24/00)
Granchelli, Whalen and Wilber named to Lockport "Walk of Fame." The "Discover Lockport Walk of Fame" Committee has announced its three additions to the honorary Lockport walkway at Urban Park Plaza. The 13th induction ceremony has been set for 2 PM Saturday, 9/9 at the Plaza.
Lockport developer Elmer Granchelli was called by one committee member "Mr. Lockport." Granchelli has been near the center of Lockport downtown business for about 40 years in an often controversial relationship with the city. He is the major property owner in downtown. He is involved in continuing legal action against the city and is the target of city legal actions against him. Most of the controversy relates to the undeveloped so-called "South Block."
Lockport artist, Joseph A. Whalen is a former Lockport art teacher who has collected more community notice in his retirement for his mostly watercolor painting of famous Lockport landmarks. He also paints with acrylics. Hundreds of Whalen painting are on walls around the city and in personal collections.
Joshua Wilber, (1824-1917) is virtually unknown in Lockport today. The committee says he was "Lockport's first unofficial historian" and they credit him with compiling much of Lockport history as he gathered it from newspaper clippings. (9/5/00)
David Ulrich appointed to NFTA Board. The Lockport
developer's appointment to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Agency (NFTA) was confirmed
Wednesday, 6/14 by the New York State Senate. He will be replacing Niagara Falls
resident, Ted Williamson who has turned age 76. Ulrich will be the second
Lockportian on the NFTA as local NYSEG executive, David Greenfield, was re-appointed to
the Board. Lockport, which has been severely short-changed by NFTA with bus service,
will perhaps have a somewhat better chance of getting some local service by the
Erie-County dominated NFTA. The term of appointment is four years. (6/15/00)
Former Lockport Trooper to lead reorganization of North Ireland Police. Thomas
Constantine was stationed at the Wrights Corner Station of the New York State Police for
many years as officer in charge. He went on to become State Police Superintendent,
then to lead the US Drug Enforcement Agency. Now, at age 61, he's been appointed
Northern Ireland's independent police oversight commissioner. His job is to oversee
a revamping of the Royal Ulster Constabulary so as to have the police give minority
Catholics in Northern Ireland a fairer treatment. It's part of the continuing peace
efforts in Northern Ireland as it attempts to separate from British control.
(6/1/00)
Tom Rotondo receives "Other's Award" from Salvation Army. The Army's highest local honor was bestowed on the former Lockport Mayor at a ceremony Monday, 5/8, at the Best Western Inn. Rotondo has served on the SA's Advisory Board. Rotondo has been involved with the Salvation Army since 1983 during his first term of Lockport Mayor. (5/10/00)
St. John's Parish members most generous to retired religious. The Lockport Catholic church on Chestnut Street headed all other parishes in Niagara County in collections for the benefit of retired religious who taught in church-sponsored schools over the years. Members of the local parish reportedly gave a total of $10,175 on a Sunday in March---more than any other parish church in Niagara County. The total is especially significant in view of many other churches such as those in Niagara Falls that have larger memberships and family incomes. Overall, slightly over a million dollars was raised for the various religious retired throughout the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo in the one-week donation appeal. (4/8/00)
Diversified Manufacturing CEO named "Citizen Of The Year." Each year the Eastern Niagara Chamber of Commerce selects one of its members as its "Citizen of the Year." This year the honor goes to Brian F. Costello of Beverly Avenue. Mr. Costello is the president and chief executive officer of Diversified Manufacturing. He also serves as chairman of the Board of Governors for the Kenan Center and is active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Opportunities Unlimited. Mr. Costello will be presented his award at a dinner-dance Friday, 1/28/00, at the Pendleton House. (1/27/00)
Lockportian named for top education award. Barbara Peters, Lockport native, has been selected as the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce's 2000 Educator of the Year. An award will be presented to her at the West Seneca Chamber's Millennium Awards Dinner Dance on January 29, 2000 at Kotecki's Grandview Grove, 4685 Seneca Street, West Seneca. Mrs. Peter's parents, Mrs. Evelyn Soulvie, and Raymond C. Betsch, former Mayor of Lockport, both reside in the City of Lockport. (12/29/99)
Lorraine Brady, retired elementary school teacher. Ms. Brady, it's been
revealed, is the anonymous donor who put up $125,000 as a challenge gift for the expansion
fund of the Lockport Senior Citizens complex. The challenge in the form of matching
donations was met and the expansion fund is thus $250,000 richer. The new wing of the
senior complex at 33 Ontario Street was dedicated as "The Lorraine Brady Wing."
Edison's godson, now Lockport Lion, honored. Frank Stout Jr., godson of
the late inventor, Thomas Edison, has been honored by the Lockport Lions Club with the
Melvin Jones Award for Community Service. Stout has been active in many church affiliated
activities and community fund raising.
Jack Richardson, Lockport Lion's Club past president honored for
personally collecting 130,000 used pair of eyeglasses to distribute to the needy through
Lions' programs. Jack placed reception containers throughout the Lockport area for the
past several years.
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