Grand Island Chamber of Commerce: Citizens of the Year honored

On April 23, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce hosted the 49th annual Citizens of the Year Award dinner at Byblos Niagara Resort & Spa.

The chamber honored those individuals and organizations that make Grand Island a better place to live, work and play. The 2014 Citizen of the Year Recipients are, pictured at top, from left:

•Floyd Doring and Mary Dunbar-Daluisio of the Organization of the Year, the annual Father's Day Lawn Mower Race & Kevin Doring Memorial 5K Committee.

•Sue Berger of the Business of the Year, Flower A Day.

•Mark Gorton, Educator of the Year.

• Paul Robinson, Civic Person of the Year.

• Mike Ludwig, Business Person of the Year.

• Dan Drexelius, Community Service Person of the Year.

At the end of the program, the spotlight was on repeat sponsors, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. as their Gold level sponsorship gave the chamber committee an opportunity to begin promoting next year's Citizen of the Year Awards dinner, which will be the 50th (or golden) anniversary of this community event.

Shown in the photo above are: Manuel Tavarez and Mary McCormick of Thermo Fisher with event chair, Liz Wilbert. The chamber offered best wishes to Thermo Fisher on their continuing expansion, which presents employment opportunities for Island residents and local businesses.

Arriving at businesses and homes this week is the 2015 edition of the Community Directory (formerly known as the Chamber Phone Book). Directory recipients can remove the nomination form inside and send it to the chamber with a recommendation for next year's award recipients. (Photo by Aaron Bobeck)