What a weekend! The inaugural Niagara Homecoming is in the books and it proved to be four days unlike any others that have come before them in the Cataract City. The many volunteers are all exhausted after giving so much of their time and energy, but they can rest with the satisfaction that they did their hometown proud.
The festival got started with the Kick-Off event Thursday night at the Crowne Plaza. Rick Crogan and Eileen Soro put together a cocktail reception that wouldn't have been out of place in downtown Manhattan. Wines from the Niagara Wine Trail were sniffed, tasted and devoured, while the great food prepared by Chef Mark Mistriner and his team from the NCCC Culinary School was outstanding. Dom Mitro and the Impressions played music as cool as the center seed of a cucumber, and Andrea Todaro displayed her incredible vocal talents in the main foyer.
Roger Spurback was presented the inaugural Niagara Rises Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his work with the city's block clubs, graffiti removal and aid to seniors. Roger turned the tables by presenting his presenters with two awards apiece, showcasing why his unanimous choice as the award's recipient was right on the money.
Among the many dignitaries on hand were Janique Curry of Gov. David Paterson's office, Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte, Mayor Paul Dyster, Buffalo Niagara Realtors President Mike Johnson and the Reporter's own Publisher Danny Cipollitti and Editor-in-Chief Mike Hudson.
The night ended with a basket auction, and many folks won more than once.
Friday was filled with a slew of events that showcased the many offerings of our great city. The Empower Your Future Job Fair was held at the New York Power Authority Visitors Center. Lou Paonessa and his staff were terrific, and nearly 40 area companies were on hand looking to hire.
The aforementioned Andrea Todaro ran the event and did a great job. The participating firms all commented on the quality of the applicants, and there are folks reading this today who are now newly employed as a result of their attendance.
The NACC put on two days of great events. Bob Drozdowski and Niagara Rises volunteers Theresa Brockman and Kathy Ligammari worked together to put on an eclectic mix of artists and entertainers. The NACC is truly a gem, and Executive Director Kathie Kudela and her staff are to be commended.
The evening brought the Niagara Power baseball game, and I attended with my son, Ryan, and sat with April Mandaville and her wonderful family. It was my first Power game, but it won't be my last. Tickets were just $4 for adults and $2 for kids. I went to the concession stand and ordered two hot dogs, two pretzels and two drinks, and was stunned when the bill came to a paltry $6. How can you beat that? The announcer read a number of tributes to Niagara's former professional teams. The Power lost a heartbreaking 3 to 2, but Cal Hurt's team is a winner, regardless of what happens on the scoreboard.
On Saturday, there were more things to do than any one person could keep up with. The Power Authority again was the site of an event -- the Real Estate/Energy Savings Expo, hosted by Niagara Rises' own Colleen Kulikowski. Niagara Falls High School conducted an open house, and multiple tours took off to visit the falls attractions, wine trails and the haunts of one Stefano Magaddino.
The Echota neighborhood put on a great picnic and open house of a stunning Stanford White home. Everyone brought a dish to pass, and there was more food than could have possibly been eaten by a small army.
Two walking tours were given -- one by Marge Gillies and Bill Bradberry of the Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society highlighted the Victorian Era, and the other, conducted by City Historian Tom Yots, detailed the history of downtown buildings all constructed in the 1920s. I was able to join Tom's tour and learned much about buildings that I'd been in or around all of my life.
Positively Main Street kicked off with a festival that highlighted the great history of the main thoroughfare in Niagara Falls. Beeton's Cyclery/Cataract Safe and Lock celebrated 100 years in business and was duly commended for such an incredible feat. Leslie Tarczynski of the Main Street Business Association put together a great mix of local bands, artists and food vendors, and a great time was had by all.
Sunday started early, really early, as the Arise and Shine Worship Event began at 4:30 a.m. on Goat Island. Some volunteers, led by event coordinators Geri Mitro and Sherm Lykes, were on the scene at 2 a.m. getting things set up. Multiple churches came together and put on a service of prayer and music unrivaled in city history. Special thanks to Angela Berti and the people at Niagara Parks for their help in getting the necessary permits to make this special event happen.
The Brunch at the Aquarium was next up, and neither the aquatic life nor the great food presented by Alps Catering disappointed. The first seating was a bit light, but the event hit its stride with the second seating at noon. Gay Molnar and the staff at the aquarium were their usual professional selves, and April Mandaville and her staff from the Day's Inn worked long and hard to make the morning a big splash.
Colleen and I then headed up the 190-South and took in a bit of the Buffalo Homecoming happenings. Marti Gorman put on a simultaneous weekend in the Queen City, and everyone I spoke with was raving about the various events they'd attended.
The festival ended with the great local band Free Henry taking the stage at Main Street after a wonderful introduction by my new favorite person in the world, Janelle Jenss Montazzoli. The matriarch of Main Street's grandson is the bass player for Free Henry, and her heartfelt introduction left not a dry eye in the entire crowd.
The first-ever Niagara Homecoming was not without issues, but overall we are very pleased with the four days. Six people we met over the festival told us they are moving back home to Niagara Falls permanently. Countless more told us they were taking pride in their city for the first time in a long time. Hundreds of people signed on to become members or online followers of Niagara Rises. We hope that those of you that didn't make it home will go to www.niagararises.com to view the photos and sign up to be part of the renaissance.
Plans are already underway to make Niagara Homecoming 2010 bigger, better and bolder.
Come on up for the rising!
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | June 30 2009 |