Fairport Harbor Civic Club Founders Day Dinner will take place on March 2

Feb. 18—Four awards will be presented at the Fairport Harbor Civic Club's 2023 Founders Day Dinner.

The event is slated for March 2 at the Hungarian Culture Club, 633 High St. in Fairport Harbor. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7.

Along with a catered meal and a guest speaker, the annual dinner features an awards program, highlighting outstanding performance during 2022 in various categories.

"Fairport Harbor Civic Club will be honoring members of our community who have made a difference and significant impact on the residents of the village," said Karen Bidlack, the organization's president.

The club has chosen Ed Reed as its Citizen of the Year, while Jim Balog and his wife, Louise Balog, will receive the Golden Beacon Award.

Bidlack said Reed has coached basketball for 43 years, including 16 years as head coach of the Fairport Harding High School girls varsity team.

In addition to his regular duties as coach of the Lady Skippers, Reed has planned and helped to carry out some special basketball events at the high school.

"Ed has organized programs for students with special needs to participate in basketball games at Fairport Harding High School," Bidlack said. "Ed also organizes the 'Hooping for a Cure' program to help raise funds for a family battling with cancer or chronic disease."

As for the Golden Beacon Award, Bidlack said Jim and Louise Balog are receiving this accolade for "their countless volunteer hours to Fairport Harbor Schools, Fairport Harbor Public Library, and St. Anthony's Church."

Jim is retired from Lubrizol Corp. after 32 years and Louise is retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 34 1/2 years.

Two other awards being bestowed at the gala will salute members of Fairport Harbor's safety forces:

—2022 Officer of the Year: Police Patrolman Kyle Ochsner.

—2022 Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter/Paramedic Jeffrey M. Smith.

Recipients of both awards were selected by the personnel in each department.

Ochsner began working as a part-time Fairport Harbor police officer in 2020, and gained a full-time position in August of 2021. Last year, Ochsner received the Fairport Harbor Police Department Excellence Award for his performance and dedication to investigating and closing a major case, Bidlack said.

Smith started his career in the fire service in 1995.

"Along his career path, he worked with other departments such as Fairport Harbor, but left Fairport Harbor in 2002," Bidlack said. "He later returned back to Fairport Harbor in 2018 to help with staffing."

Guest speaker at this year's dinner will be Richard Iafelice, vice president of CT Consultants. He will discuss Fairport Harbor's agreement to begin buying bulk water from the city of Painesville, along with water system changes and upgrades that are planned in conjunction with this purchasing pact.

The cost to attend the dinner is $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 24 and can be obtained by contacting Karen Bidlack at 440-251-3150 or emailing her at fpttwin@gmail.com.