Niagara Catholic hosts super-sized alumni weekend

Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School is bringing together several of its popular events to form one deluxe alumni weekend this summer. Past and future students and families are invited to participate in the festivities July 14 through 16.

July 14: 5K Run/1.5K Walk

Alumni weekend begins with a new event: a 5K run and 1.5K walk on Saturday. Participants will register at Niagara Catholic from 9 until 10 a.m. and then depart the school grounds at 10:30 a.m.

Runners and walkers will receive a T-shirt, one food ticket, and one drink ticket with paid entry. Register online at www.register-this.com. The pre-race entry fee is $20 (by June 29) and $25 thereafter (including race day). Children ages 10 and under can run or walk for $10.

The run/walk is open to the community. A post-race party with food and a beer tent begins at 11 a.m.

July 14: Alumni Celebration and Dinner/Dance

Niagara Catholic alumni, family and friends are invited to a celebratory dinner/dance honoring distinguished alum Sam Baio, athletic hall of fame inductees Tom Spanbauer and Frank Strangio, "Legacy Family" the Dysters, and recognizing the 50-year anniversary of the 1962 Manhattan Cup champions.

The Saturday event takes place at the Como Restaurant & Deli, 2220 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls. Doors open at 5 p.m. with a one-hour open bar.

Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and includes poured red and white wine, stuffed clams "Ala Como," salad, ziti with sauce, chicken Francesca, breaded pork cutlets, pizza bread, rolls, dessert, coffee and tea. Music and dancing follows, and a cash bar will be available to guests.

July 15: Alumni Mass and Brunch

On Sunday, July 15, St. Mary's, Bishop Duffy, Madonna and Niagara Catholic grads are invited to a special 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church (St. Leo's site), 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls.

A luncheon will follow at 1 p.m. at Antonio's Restaurant, Banquet and Conference Center, 7708 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls. It includes salad, rolls, ziti with homemade sauce, chicken parmesan, hand-carved roast beef, roasted red potatoes, vegetable, dessert, coffee and tea.

July 16: Marty Violante Memorial Golf Classic

The annual Marty Violante Memorial Golf Classic will take place on Monday, July 16, at Niagara Frontier Country Club, 1058 Lake Road, Youngstown. Both men and women are invited to participate in the tournament, which is open to the public and begins at 11 a.m. This year's event will honor Jack "Bear" Dempsey.

The Marty Violante Memorial Golf Classic includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch with free drinks (plus free drink stations on the course), one hour of hors d'oeuvres and open bar, a steak dinner, and basket and silent auctions.

Golfers can try their hand at the $10,000 putting contest, the hole-in-one challenge and the closest-to-the-pin competition. Prizes will be awarded to the winning foursome, and every golfer will receive a gift.

Tickets

For more information on Niagara Catholic's alumni weekend, for tickets or sponsorship opportunities, call 716-283-8771, ext. 242 or ext. 238. NC is online at http://www.niagaracatholic.org/.