Island Dispatch celebrates 70th anniversary

Newspaper is one of the oldest businesses on Grand Island

On Thursday, March 6, Niagara Frontier Publications will proudly celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Island Dispatch, one its four weekly community newspapers.

For years, the Dispatch has been recognized as the official newspaper of the Town of Grand Island. This year, the Dis- patch has been designated as an official newspaper of Erie County by the Erie County Legislature.

Throughout its 70 years, the Dispatch has served as the vehicle for government, civic, educational, religious and professional groups to deliver their messages to the general public. Whether it's presenting insightful news, capturing memorable experiences or just spreading the word, the Dispatch has been there, serving the needs of all Islanders.

The community newspaper has helped build new libraries and schools, save old churches, shape lives, promote growth and preserve history. It has raised awareness of the region's environmental challenges and the community's needs by providing a forum for opinion and dialogue.

NFP and the Dispatch have a rich and varied history. This newspaper group, with its diverse and talented staff of 18, has persisted through economic ups and downs, battled fierce competition from Goliaths in the newspaper industry, and even survived a devastating fire that destroyed its Grand Island Boulevard office.

Through it all, the Dispatch remains Grand Island's No. 1 local news source.

It is with pride we recognize this great milestone.

NFP will commemorate this achievement in a special historical edition to be published Friday, March 7.

Readers are encouraged to fill out a survey, which will be included in the special edition. By doing so, they will enter to win a $150 Seneca Gaming Corp. retail gift card. The prize can be used at all Seneca Gaming Corps. restaurants, retail stores, spa and salon (including Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Seneca Allegany, Seneca Buffalo Creek and Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course). It also can be applied to a hotel stay.

Niagara Frontier Publications also prints the Lewiston-Porter Sentinel, Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune and Grand Island PennySaver.