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From left, owners of Wavelengths Hair Design, Danielle Neuhaus, Ingrid Kinney and Erica Forbes.
From left, owners of Wavelengths Hair Design, Danielle Neuhaus, Ingrid Kinney and Erica Forbes.
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Grand Island Chamber of Commerce: Tufillaro, Wavelengths Hair Design receive Citizen of the Year awards

by jmaloni
Fri, Apr 12th 2013 10:35 pm

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has named Linda Tufillaro and Wavelengths Hair Design as recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award.

The award recognizes those people and businesses who have made Grand Island a better place to live, work and play.

The Citizen of the Year Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 25, at the Holiday Inn Grand Island with Luke Moretti of WIVB-TV Channel 4 serving as the master of ceremonies.

Business of the Year 2012

Wavelengths Hair Design

Business of the Year owner Ingrid Kinney opened Wavelengths Hair Design in 1982. Her father, Anton Vogel, was a very distinguished and respected barber in the community. Kinney apprenticed under him for many years before opening her own salon. She is an icon in the industry and one of the few master barbers left in the Western New York area. Hair design runs in the family, so it was only natural that her two daughters, Danielle Neuhaus and Erica Forbes, would follow in her footsteps.

Along with their wonderful staff of highly skilled stylists, Kinney, Neuhaus and Forbes strive to provide clients with the pampered experience of a high-end salon while still maintaining an intimate, small town atmosphere.

Wavelengths is currently celebrating its 30th year in business. The last two years have been very exciting, with renovations to the salon and the addition of styling labs to the salon's list of services. A styling lab is a complimentary service where clients are invited to spend an evening learning styling techniques and tips from the staff, while enjoying appetizers and beverages. Wavelengths is staffed with talented stylists who take part in ongoing education and training to stay on top of the latest trends and fashions.

Serving the community for the past 30 years, the Wavelengths staff has generously supported many Island charities and have volunteered their time to worthy causes. With their commitment to teamwork and great service, they are poised for another 30 years of providing residents with incredible hair and beauty.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Linda Tufillaro

Linda Tufillaro grew up on Love Road as Linda Deeter and attended each of the three Island elementary schools, graduating from Grand Island High School in 1971.

She attended Niagara University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in education/physical education.

She started working for the town in 1970 as a part-time playground attendant and special events leader under Robert Zuchowski.

Tufillaro is on the board of directors for the Neighbors Foundation and member of the Grand Island Rod and Gun Club. She married Louis Tufillaro in 1991. She received her master's degree in sociology in 1996.

In 1977, Tufillaro became a full-time staff member of the Parks and Recreation Department under James Niland, and was appointed director after Niland's retirement. She participated in the development of the town's master plan, sesquicentennial events and Veterans Park master plan.

She received the chamber's Citizen of the Year award in 1987, Quality Quest Service Recognition in 2000, and the Rotary International Centennial Service award for 2004-05.

Tufillaro said she totally enjoys her position with the Town of Grand Island, the many years of developing programs, the activities and being able to assist the various service organizations.

"It's of great pleasure to see the youths that have once passed through the 'recreation doors' return as adults, fully prepared to meet the needs of life ahead of them. All have had an impact on my life - I hope that in some small way I had a positive influence on theirs."

Citizens of the Year

  • Educator of the Year - Martin Allen
  • Ministry - Rev. Kevin Backus
  • Community Service Award - Beverly Kinney
  • Civic Person of the Year - Paul Leuchner
  • Performing Arts Award - Jim Watz
  • Business of the Year - Wavelengths
  • Lifetime Achievement Award - Linda Tufillaro

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