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Strawberry Island, Motor Boat Island to be topic of second popular seminar

•Taken from the Jan. 9 Island Dispatch

Thu, Jan 15th 2015 03:20 pm

So many people enjoyed a presentation last year about the lore, legend and future of Strawberry Island and Motor Boat Island that it's back by popular demand.

The Buffalo Launch Club Heritage/Entertainment Committee and the Grand Island Historical Society will present "Two Small Islands in the Mighty Niagara" Saturday, Jan. 24, at the BLC, 503 East River Road.

A similar event last year drew hundreds to the Launch Club with a long waiting list.

"The place was packed," said BLC Historian Tom Frauenheim, who organized the event. He estimated 300 people attended.

The Buffalo Launch Club will be open to the public for the event, which includes a dinner (The Launch Clubber Shore Dinner, with special Motor Boat Island dressing) available from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at $25 per person. The presentation will begin at 8 p.m.

"So many people learned a lot about how things have changed" with the islands, Frauenheim said of the first edition of the photo/video presentation. He found "there's a lot of enthusiasm for this and a lot of interest" in the history and ecology of Grand Island's little sisters.

Reservations are required by calling 716-773-7629

Presenters include Curt Nestark, president of the Grand Island Historical Society; Tom Frauenheim, Buffalo Launch Club historian; Paul Leuchner, Niagara River historian and ecologist; Gary Kenline, whose family owned Motor Boat Island from 1937 to 1984; David Frazier, primary consultant for the New York Power Authority; and Jeffrey and Lyle Dinsmore, marine contractors doing reconstruction work on both islands.

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