Reporters’ Notebook / Bits and pieces of news. . .
OLAF FUB SEZ: According to former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, born Newton Leroy McPherson on this date in 1943, “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”
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KICKING OFF—Thursday marks the start of a new program called “WearNShare,” which will accept donations of kids’ clothing, shoes and books and distribute them to youngsters who need them.
Conceived by Kerri Howell of Clarence, its first collection point is at Get Heeled, a shoe boutique at 6000 Goodrich Road, in the heart of Clarence Center. Owner Deborah Tangelder has set aside space in her store for the program and is offering a 20 percent discount on select items when donations are made.
Both are looking for help with the program. Volunteers are welcome; call 225-3539 or 741-1310.
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START YOUR ENGINES —The ultimate test of men and machines returns to Grand Island on Sunday after a 20-year hiatus. It’s the Father’s Day Lawn Mower Race, with proceeds going to the Island Chapter of Relay for Life to help fight cancer.
Registration starts at 11 a. m. and entry fee is $10. The first race begins at 1 p. m. from 3957 West River Road, south of Long Road, the home of Floyd Doring, who co-founded the race in 1978 when he and his former neighbor, Patrick Murphy, decided to settle a dispute over who had the fastest lawn tractor. There will be four racing classes—one for self-propelled mowers and three for riding mowers, based on horsepower. There also will be a prize for the most unusual mower.
Entries will be available at the starting line or from Marsten Power Equipment, 1970 Grand Island Blvd.
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PEDAL POWER—Collecting used, but ridable, bicycles from 9 a. m. to noon Saturday are the folks at Calvary Episcopal Church, Milton Street and South Cayuga Road, Williamsville. The two-wheelers will be shipped next month to Ghana as part of the Bikes for the World initiative. A $10 donation also is encouraged to help pay for shipping. For information, call Cris Hicks-Usta at 689-4526 or the church at 632-7800.
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PASS THE KORV—Now that the days of the midnight sun are approaching, it’s time for the annual Swedish festival at Augustana Lutheran Church, 3143 Eggert Road at Colvin Boulevard, Town of Tonawanda. It runs from 11 a. m. to 7 p. m. Saturday. Admission is $1. Children under 12 are free.
Publicity chairwoman Joan Pullman reports that there will be food—potato pancakes, Korv sandwiches, Swedish meatball sandwiches, Limpa bread, spritz cookies and coffee cakes—and entertainment, with a Swedish band and Swedish dancers.
Other features include a basket raffle with 75 baskets, a cultural room and a variety of Swedish clothing, books and jewelry from the Viking Trader Store in Jamestown. For information, call the church at 832-5720.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY— Karyn Patricia Shanks Sue Senko, Leo Bartolotti, Tina Powell, Adam Powell, Sandy Levin, Kyle Platt, Patti Warnes, Abby Hollinsworth, David Genco, Marge Terranova, Katie Straiton, Heather Hartmann, Erin Hufford, Mary Saviola, Stacey Scheu, Gary Lelonek, Rev. William Rowland, Joseph Pirrami Jr., Elizabeth Hagerty, Mary Beth McCarthy, Pinky Pilarski, Michael Downey, Dominic Richard Polino, Stan Flipowicz Sr., Jill Sears, Claire Pohlman, Pat Cunning, Jennifer Behringer, Gregory Nitkowski, Doug Dean, Ethel Schippnick and Mary Lou Rath.
AND THURSDAY—Jacob Schlau, Lester Ciccarelli, Michael Ernest, Dan Grimm, Michele Kinsley, Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, Karen Nizialek, Judy Alessi, Rev. Gary Burdick, Cheryl Ann Toepfer, Matthew Jones, Joan Siejak, Millie Zuccaro, Joe Kusler, Ann Olczak, Kathy Lewis, Pat Land, Elliott Pohlman, Morgan Bartels, Ashley Botzko, Bob McCarthy, Francine DelMonte and Elizabeth Carey.
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