Community advocates & volunteers to be honored at 'Lewiston Jeopardy' fundraiser at Bella Rose Winery

Three distinguished citizens and the Lewiston Garden Club will be recognized this year at the Historical Association of Lewiston’s annual wine, beer and pizza “Lewiston Jeopardy” event on Thursday, Sept. 12. The event will take place at Bella Rose Winery, 1243 Ridge Road, starting at 6:30 p.m. 

This year’s honorees:

Ken Slaugenhoupt

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•Ken Slaugenhoupt will receive the Volunteer of the Year and will be recognized for his exceptional leadership and dedication to the Historical Association and Lewiston Museum.

Anthony DiMino

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•Anthony DiMino of DiMino’s Lewiston Tops will receive the Business of the Year Award and will be honored for enhancing the Tuscarora Heroes Monument with professional landscaping services – in addition to his generous and longstanding support for community events and organizations.

Joshua Maloni

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•Journalist Joshua Maloni will receive the Friend of History Award for his extensive, multiyear coverage of Frontier House news, and his significant efforts to chronicle and preserve local history.

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•The Lewiston Garden Club will receive the Bruce Sutherland Outstanding Contribution Award. Volunteers will be celebrated for their work in maintaining the gardens at the Lewiston Museum and for promoting and beautifying Lewiston for the past 97 years.

The public is invited to attend this fun-filled evening. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased by calling the Lewiston Museum 716-754-4214. Early reservations are strongly recommended. There will be a cash bar.

“Lewiston Jeopardy” is fashioned after the “Jeopardy!” television show, with clues about Lewiston and Western New York. Both the audience and four competing teams will have an opportunity to provide answers in the form of a question. The teams make a generous donation to the Historical Association and Lewiston Museum to participate in this friendly battle of wits.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch will lead team No. 1, which includes Deputy Mayor Vic Eydt and Historian Russ Piper. Welch said, "We've got our game faces on and our history books at the ready. This is a lively and friendly competition, but we all stand united in our support for the Historical Association and Lewiston Museum. We all call Lewiston home, and we encourage everyone to join us for an evening of fellowship and camaraderie while saluting all the volunteers who preserve and promote our rich heritage.” 

Peter Coppins is heading up team No. 2, called "North of Center." He will be joined by Daniel Gibson and Bill McEvoy. Coppins said, "Living north of Center Street isn't just a location, it's a state of mind. We've got the high ground, and we plan to use it to our advantage. We look forward to some spirited competition with our honorable opponents."

Lewiston native and longtime businessman Curt Stuart of Stuart Sports will be sponsoring and leading team No. 3, composed of Michael Vitch and real estate agent Lisa Lannon. Stuart said, "We may not be the fastest on the buzzer, but we're definitely the most stylish. We’ll distract the competition with our dazzling smiles and sneak in for the win.”

Team No. 4, led by defending champion and proud Lewiston "river rat" Sandy Blackwell Yates, is sponsored by Lund Leather. Her teammates will be Kathy Harold and Lewiston explorer Lloyd Draper. Yates said, "We've been hitting the books harder than a tanner works leather. Our knowledge is supple, our wits are sharp, and we're ready to wrap up this competition. Lund Leather isn't just sponsoring us – they're our good luck charm!”

The evening also highlights a cash raffle and auction. This year’s auction features an extraordinary opportunity to have a private dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Dick Smothers.

Dick Smothers, an Emmy Award-winner, formed the comedy duo "The Smothers Brothers" with his older brother, Tom, and gained worldwide fame through TV shows and musical performances. Some social commentators believe the cutting-edge show changed American television and culture forever by pushing the boundaries with its satirical comedy and social and political commentary.

Funds raised at “Lewiston Jeopardy” support the ongoing mission of the Historical Association of Lewiston and the Lewiston Museum.