Dr. Joseph Pfadt

Area military veterans and their guests are invited to attend the CHQ Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project Gala on April 18.

The event will be held at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron. A social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. A program and dancing will follow. This year’s gala theme is “Bella Notte,” which means “beautiful night” in Italian.

The event’s guest speaker will be Dr. Joseph Pfadt, a retired major in the U.S. Army National Guard. Pfadt founded Warriors to Washington, a non-profit organization that sponsors trips to the nation’s capital for northwestern Pennsylvania veterans and their guests so they can tour national landmarks. He also conceived of the idea for the Tom Ridge Environment Center on Presque Isle State Park. Currently, Pfadt heads the Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard, a non-profit that spearheads a project to bring a Perry class frigate to Erie and establish it as a museum.

Musical entertainment will be provided by violinist Lori Hull, a retired Army lieutenant colonel. Hull learned to play the violin to relieve stress while stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, where she was responsible for the medical plans for Reserve units brigade combat teams before they deployed to Iraq.

There is no charge for veterans to attend the gala. Each veteran may reserve a seat for one guest by making a $20 refundable deposit. Additional guests and non-veterans may attend by paying a $60 non-refundable, per-person fee. Checks should be made payable to The Resource Center and be mailed or delivered to The Resource Center’s 200 Dunham Avenue location.

Lori Hull

Reservations are due April 1 by emailing DreAnn Csorba, the director of the Dwyer Chautauqua Program, at dwyer.director@resourcecenter.org. When making reservations, people should indicate their meal selection from among these options: chicken parmesan, prime rib, stuffed sole, or butternut squash risotto.

“We are putting so much heart into creating a memorable, Italian-inspired evening,” Csorba said, “from decor and entertainment to special surprises throughout the night. We can’t wait to gather, celebrate and enjoy a wonderful night together honoring our veterans and their families.”

The Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project is a non-clinical program that pairs veterans with other veterans. Last year, Dwyer Chautauqua supported more than 400 local veterans and their families. Group members engage in a variety of activities each month. New members are welcome. The program is operated by The Resource Center. For more information, phone Csorba at 716-661-1447, extension 80091.