Chamber says ‘thank you’ for Citizen of the Year

Grand Island Dispatch, May 2, 2008

John Cannon

Those who missed the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce’s 42nd annual Citizen of the Year Awards banquet can watch the entire event on television. Cable Channel 22 will air the dinner on the following Saturdays: May 10, May 17, June 14, and every Saturday thereafter in June and July. All air times are scheduled for 8 p.m.

Mark Traina from Mile Stone Video Production filmed the event for Time Warner Cable.

More than 200 people joined the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce for the Citizen of the Year Award banquet, held on April 24 at the Holiday Inn Resort & Conference Center. The event honored Cannon Design, Tony Brindisi of Keller Insurance Group, Mary Dunbar-Daluisio, Dolly D’Orazio, Carol Horrigan and the Zonta Club of Grand Island for their dedication to making Grand Island a better place to live.

In a statement, event Chairwoman Beverly Kinney and Co-chair Andy Beyer thanked the award recipients “for allowing us a glimpse into their lives through the letters of their family, friends and co-workers. It was our privilege to get to know you. It was our privilege to honor you for your contributions to the Grand Island community.”

This week, the chamber thanked those who helped make the evening a memorable one for guests: Holiday Inn Chef Rick Arnold and Banquet Manager Marcia Malizie for a wonderful dinner with impeccable service; Teresa Costello and Dale Van Alstine and their staff at the Grand Island Holiday Inn Resort & Conference Center; Rev. Gerard Haberstro of Harbor Lights Fellowship for the invocation; Charles N. DeGlopper VFW Post 9249 Color Guard for the presentation of colors; Channel 4 News meteorologist and master of ceremonies Mary Beth Wrobel for singing the “Star Spangled Banner,” accompanied by Carol Horrigan on the piano; Judy Schmidt and Jennifer Peresie for creating the centerpieces; Jim Sharpe for his photography; Youth Ambassadors Ciara Morreale and Brittany Stallard for selling tickets for the chamber scholarship raffle; Administrative Director Laura Anderson for attending to all the details that made this event special; sponsors whose contributions make this evening possible; and committee members Joanne Kud, Deborah Mann, Judy Schmidt, Jennifer Peresie, Jim Sharpe, Phil Buchanan, Laura Anderson, Dr. Sherry Bradford, and Sybil Kennedy.

Anthony Brindisi

Dolly D’Orazio