by Mary Pankow

     As Hollywood prepared to honor stars of the big screen Feb. 27, Gowanda held its own Academy Awards show the night before. But, while Hollywood based its selection of winners on role-playing performances, Gowanda’s winners were chosen for their true-life contributions, doing their part to improve the quality of life for Gowanda-area residents.

     An annual event, the Spirit of Gowanda Awards dinner honors those who have a proven track record of community support and dedication to promoting Gowanda.

     Kicking off the Feb. 26 awards celebration was the introduction of the Gowanda-Area Chamber of Commerce’s new president, Dale Koch, by outgoing president Travis Grubbs.

     After a few opening remarks, Koch turned the traditional job of emcee over to Rev. Grubbs, saying she’d like to “enjoy the evening as a guest,” since her daughter was one of the award recipients.

     So, with the past president at the helm, the show got under way.

     First to be feted were Jim and Laurie Fort, the business award recipients.

     The owners of Jubilee, the Forts have been involved in the retail sector since they graduated from Gowanda Central School. Jim actually got his start in the supermarket business as a sophomore in high school, working for the Ragonas at Valley View Market. He then worked for Don Campbell at Super Duper, employment that was interrupted for a year by a stint in Vietnam.

     Laurie also started in the food business, working at Gabel’s Grocery in Dayton. She then owned and operated the Sears Catalog Store in Gowanda until a corporate decision closed all the catalog stores. She then joined her husband in purchasing Jubilee, an endeavor that has become a family tradition with sons Jamie and Jeff joining them in business.

     Upon accepting the award, Jim said, ‘Thank you for this prestigious award. Thanks to family, friends and employees for sharing this with us. And thanks to the Gowanda community for their patronage, we hope to be here for many years.”

     Ron Fort, Jim’s brother, punctuated the plaque presentation with a few words. He attributed his brother’s art of negotiation to their mother, who is an antiques lover and who knows how to barter. Jim’s work ethic came from their father, Ron said, who was a hard-working grape hauler. Jim’s obsession with the idea of “hot-dog gravy” though, is an idea all his own, Ron added, an idea that apparently is not a popular one.

     The Fort sibling ended his commentary by saying, “It’s great to see two people whose marriage brings them to this point in life.”

     It was then on to the community service award winner.

     The daughter of Dale and Charles Koch, Laura Valone believes in the strength of community and volunteers her time to that end.

     From her activities in high school to adulthood, Valone has gotten involved in projects and organizations that help define community spirit. She is currently a member of the Gowanda Volunteer Fire Department, an office holder of St. Joseph’s Parent Association, volunteer shopper for Warm the Children and head coach for the Gowanda Pee-We Packers Cheerleaders, among other things. She also teaches parenting workshops at the L.K. Painter Community Center, where she is employed.

     In her acceptance speech, Valone said, "I think we’re lucky to have such a great close-knit community.” She is also an advocate for the youth of Gowanda, noting they need positive role models.

     Painter Center Interim Executive Director Craig Brown spoke on behalf of Valone saying, “Laura is young and a go-getter. The thing that impresses me the most is her enthusiasm. Granted, it may be because of her age... but she’s right in there! She leads.”

     Daughters Morgan and Alexandria surprised their mother by speaking of how “she [Laura] puts her heart in anything [she does]. She makes everything fun.”

     Last, but not least, to be honored that evening was Excellence in Youth Award recipient Bryna Moritz.

     Daughter of Derek and Kimberly Moritz, Bryna has an impressive roster of extra-curricular activities and awards from throughout her Gowanda high school career. A senior this year, she is a varsity football cheerleader, Thespian Society president, Honor Society vice president, National Honor Roll award winner, Honor Roll student and a Who’s Who Among America’s Students honoree.

     Aside from her school activities, Bryna is a karate instructor and volunteers at other schools for various causes, such as Character Counts.

     Stepping up to the podium, Bryna stated, "I learned it’s important to make a difference in children’s lives. I feel children are our future and we must help them become strong individuals.”

     The teen then thanked her family and friends, saying her dad taught her about dedication while her mom always told her she could do anything and “the best things in life aren’t easy.”

     She ended her speech, saying, “Lastly, I thank the people of Gowanda. Gowanda has given me the tools to make a difference in the world.”

     John Jarzynski, Bryna’s speech teacher, then spoke on his student’s conscientiousness, unpretentiousness and preparedness. “Bryna is the spirit of Gowanda personified. She’s the one you want there. She’s what’s gone right with our youth.” The father of all boys then concluded his remarks by saying, ‘If I did have a daughter, I’d want her to be like Bryna Moritz.”

     A benediction by the Rev. Daniel Walsh, of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, ended the evening’s festivities. Spirits were high that night, not just for the award winners, but for evervone who shared memories of the past and hopes for the future.