Division Officers:
President - Doris LaSpada
email: laspadad@yahoo.com
phone: (716) 366-6964
address: 49 E. Green St., Dunkirk, NY 14048
Vice President - Sallie Pullano
email: fpullano@netsync.net
phone: (716) 672-2574
address: 2 University Park, Fredonia, NY 14063
Secretary - Mary Lewandowski
email: lewpar@netsync.net
phone: (716) 672-2202
address: 45 Middlesex Drive, Fredonia, NY 14063
Treasurer - Patricia Webb
email: crafterpat@aol.com
phone: (716) 965-2932
address: PO Box 152, Forestville, NY 14062
Instructors Needed!
The WDI (Workforce Development Institute) of Chautauqua County is seeking instructors to teach resumes and computer classes at the Chautauqua Works One Stops from March-June, with the possibility of extending the courses. Several instructors are needed. Classes planned include resumes, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and QuickBooks. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to make a difference, get back into the classroom, and earn some extra money. If you are interested, send your resume to:
Dr. Sue McNamara
Executive Director
Chautauqua Works
23 E. Third St.
Jamestown, NY 14701
716-661-9324
smcnamara@chautauquaworks.com
Chautauqua County Humane Society Needs Help
The Chautauqua County Humane Society is seeking volunteers to help with a new humane education program. The program is designed to teach care, compassion and respect of animals to students in grades K-4th. The presentations are 30 minutes in length and consist of 6 sessions per class for each school year. CCHS is currently running a pilot program at Love School in Jamestown to fine tune the program, and then would like to offer it to other area schools. The Humane Society is looking for individuals that would be interested in being a presenter. CCHS will provide all materials and coordinate with the schools. Your time commitment is 1 week every other month from September to June. If you are interested in volunteering for this program or if you have any questions, please contact Sue Bobek at (716)665-2209 ext.212 or at sbobek@spcapets.com .
November 17, 2009: Dunkirk author/photographer Diane Andrasik discusses photography. Andrasik gave attendees great tips on what to look for when purchasing a camera.
Attendees enjoy buffet provided by SUNY Fredonia catering services at the SUNY Fredonia Alumni House.
Chautauqua division VP Sallie Pullano introduces the program.
Retired Dunkirk teacher Diane Andrasik shares her extensive knowledge of photography.
Not only is Diane Andrasik an expert on photography, she is also a published author. Her book, "Dunkirk" reveals the history of that city through photographs. According to a story in the Dunkirk Observer (July 19, 2008):
"Andrasik was born and raised in Dunkirk to parents of Polish descent. She attended Fredonia State University, receiving her bachelor's and master's degrees there.
Born in 1951, she grew up in the midst of the city's vitality. She can remember walking downtown with her mother and siblings, and seeing the streets filled with shoppers. She ate ice cream at the counter of Kresge's, shopped at Sidey's and attended movies at The Capital and The Regent Theaters. Dunkirk's downtown was diverse and full, stores and banks and theaters filling each edifice on the east and west side of both Central Avenue and Main Street. She became aware of the presence of plants such as ALCO, witnessing streams of men entering and leaving in gates each day to work. Her mother worked at Van Raalte's "silk mill," one of the primary workplaces for women in the city for many years.
During that time, Andrasik worked or 34 years as an English teacher in the Dunkirk Public School System. The population changed and diminished, urban renewal profoundly affected the city and its architectural history, and the city lost much of its industrial base. All of these experiences caused her to have the desire to research the city's history and preserve many of the memories and experiences that she remembered personally or which others recounted to her.
In addition to her interest in writing, Andrasik is an experienced portrait photographer, as well as someone interested in photographing landscapes and her travels. She is a scuba diver, skier, hiker and loves to bicycle. She has participated in the martial arts and loves to travel. An avid reader since her youth, two friends who themselves are published Arcadia authors encouraged her to present a proposal to Arcadia Publishing, and this led to her proposal acceptance and the completion of the book."
Diane's book can be purchased online via Amazon.com, as well as from the publisher. It can also be purchased in the Dunkirk area at the Book Nook in the D&F Plaza, and the Dunkirk Historical Museum (call ahead to check available hours when open at 366-3797).
Diane can be reached via email at dianeand@netsync.net.
"Free At Last" Luncheon Held at Historic Dunkirk Lighthouse
Chautauqua division members gather under tent in front of Dunkirk Lighthouse
Members learn of lighthouse history from one of the volunteer guides--in this case, a retired teacher himself!
Just because you're retired doesn't mean you can't make it up all those stairs to the top of the lighthouse!!
Retiree Council #4 president Hobie Rhinehart was one of many in attendance.
NYSUT Retiree Consultant, Louise Ortman, can be found at all of our events.
The Winter 2009-2010 issue of the R. C. #4 Grapevine--our newsletter--is now available. Click here to download your copy as a pdf file.