Grand Island Chamber announces Citizen of the Year awards

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced its Citizen of the Year awards.

The Citizen of the Year dinner will take place from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 401 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls.

The award winners are:

•Jude Kuehne for Service to the Community. Kuehne is executive assistant to the superintendent/district clerk at Grand Island Central School District.

•Grand Island Dance for Business of the Year. Grand Island Dance designs its dance classes to develop strength, balance, grace, poise, rhythm and, most importantly, self-confidence. The classes help students develop life skills such as time management, teamwork, responsibility and a good work ethic.

•Karen Carr Keefe for Journalism. Keefe is a senior contributing reporter with the Niagara County Tribune-Sentinel • Island Dispatch, and has worked in print, radio and TV news across Western New York.

•Mary Ehde for Patriotic Spirit. Ehde has a long history of service to the community through her leadership role in Grand Island Moose Lodge No. 180. For the second year, she is spearheading the fundraising effort to bring fireworks to Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World at Fantasy Island.

•Scott Kolis for Service to Youth. Kolis, the owner of Tall Dude Photography, has, through his photography, captured the spirit, dedication and enthusiasm of youth sports teams. Last year, he began doing photography for Grand Island High School athletics, and has enjoyed seeing how excited the youth get when they see him arrive and see the photos.

The Chamber of Commerce invites people to purchase tickets and attend the event celebrating the honorees for “their hard work, dedication, and passion for the community.”

To purchase tickets to the event, go to: 

https://pci.jotform.com/form/252544716617158. See more at the Chamber’s official Facebook event page: go to “Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner & Ceremony 2025.”

•See “Chamber officers share why they joined” online at www.wnypapers.com.