Arc of Orleans presents two TV journalists

Arc of Orleans, the major agency in the area serving 600 disabled people, will bring together two television journalists for the Second Annual Signature Series Banquet and Auction and ticket sales are reaching a peak.

Headlining the banquet September 6 at Holiday Inn in Batavia will be Deborah Norville, award winning host of the nightly syndicated show "Inside Edition," and introducing her on that evening will be Ellen Maxwell, an on-camera news staffer for WIVB Channel 4, Buffalo.

"We're thrilled to put this pair together on the podium," said Donald Colquhoun, director of the sponsoring ARC. "Ellen is an emerging WNY television personality and Deborah has two Emmy awards to her credit as well as the authoring of three books and a lot of work for various charities."

The idea of an annual gala to feature a widely-known personality was originated by Arc of Orleans in 2001 and the first celebrity to visit the area was celebrated professional football coach Marv Levy. His appearance last fall proved to be a marked success, Colquhoun said.

The program this year will be expanded to make the evening a full-scale celebration. Two receptions will open the affair along with a silent auction, some social games and contests, then a full service banquet, remarks and addresses and then dancing until closing. Ticket inquiries are being taken at 589-5516.

Robert E. Waters of Medina, chairman of the Arc of Orleans Endowment Committee, said the annual autumn event has required the volunteer service of over 60 committee people. "We are so very thankful for these kinds of workers that it's hard to express it." He said the Arc Endowment was created to protect the agency from dips and declines in government and other funding.

"Everybody who buys a ticket for the annual gala or provides some financial sponsorship is helping the Arc Endowment," said Waters.