Another Fun & Inspiring Evening

Eileen Bagnoli, Patrick Madden and Marion Field

2013 TRIP & RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner Recognizes Two Terrific Women

It was a fun evening at the TRIP & RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner on October 28th as they bestowed awards to two amazing women. The 2013 Community Citizenship award was presented o Eileen Bagnoli, who recently retired as President and CEO of Pioneer Bank, after a 41 year career there. TRIP’s 2013 Troy Treasure award went to Marion Field, who has been active in Troy and particularly in Little Italy for decades. John Hedley provided a great deal of entertainment to the crowd as he emceed the dinner (what a storyteller!) and his likewise very talented teenage daughter, Deborah, wowed everyone with her incredible piano playing. 

Dinner guests were also treated to a short video of TRIP’s community-building work, highlighting the impact of their efforts on 9th Street resident James “Chick” Mayben who blossomed into an energetic and committed leader after attending a conference with TRIP three years ago.  

See his story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNkucKueBW8

TRIP & RCHR's Homecoming Dinner to Honor Ron Canestrari, 2012 Community Citizenship Awardee

This year's TRIP & RCHR Homecoming Dinner, to be held on October 29 at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom, is sure to be an evening to remember as we present the 2012 Community Citizenship Award to the Honorable Ron Canestrari. 

Assemblyman Canestrari has truly earned this award through his decades of public service -- first as the Mayor of Cohoes and then as a member of the New York State Assembly for eleven terms, representing this area and serving as Majority Leader for the past six years. He has been a strong advocate on a variety of  key issues for Capital Region residents, including quality higher education and economic development initiatives.  Assemblyman Canestrari will be retiring from the NYS Assembly at the end of the year to be able to devote more time for personal interests. We wish him well and will definitely miss him as an advocate for the 106th Assembly District. 

We hope you will join us in thanking New York State Assembly Majority Leader Canestrari for his dedication as a public servant and his many years of commitment, determination, and support of the Capital District.

For tickets to the Annual Homecoming Dinner call Gail at 272-8289 ext. 212 or email gail@triponline.org.

Announcing the 2012 Troy Treasure Awardee: Michael A. Esposito

TRIP is proud to announce that this year's "Troy Treasure" awardee is Michael Esposito!  As a lifelong resident of Troy, he has been chosen for his tireless, lifelong efforts toward improving Troy's Little Italy as well as the entire city.  He has also helped to preserve Troy's history by serving for years as the city's unofficial historian. Mike will be recognized at TRIP & RCHR's annual Homecoming Dinner on October 29th.

Early on Mike recognized the potential in our city and has dedicated his life to supporting Troy through his activism, organizing, and recording our history through stories. One of his most ambitious projects was the book "Troy's Little Italy."  Mike is also an integral force in organizing community events including an annual stickball tournament, celebrations of famous Troy residents, and Troy's annual International Festival.

As Frank Visco says, and many would agree... "Mike has the goods." 

Congratulations, Mike, on being this year's "Troy Treasure!"

For tickets to the Annual Homecoming Dinner call Gail at 272-8289 ext. 212 or email at gail@triponline.org.

Call for Nominations: Troy Treasure Award

TRIP is seeking nominations for the 2012 Troy Treasure Awardee -- an individual, group, or business committed to improving Troy! We know there are many of you, and we would love to see you honored as a Troy Treasure. This year's Troy Treasure Awardee will be recognized at the TRIP & RCHR Homecoming Dinner on October 29th.

Please nominate your favorite Troy resident, business, group, etc. today! The deadline for nominations is July 16th.

More information and nominations forms may be found at http://triponline.org/news_and_events/2012TroyTreasureNominations.html .

Calling for a Troy Treasure!

TRIP is seeking nominations for the 2012 Troy Treasure Awardee -- an individual, group, or business committed to improving Troy. We know there are many of you and we would love to see you honored as this year's Troy Treasure.

More information and nomination forms may be found at our website or by calling TRIP at 272-8289.

The deadline for nominations is July 16th, 2012. This year's Troy Treasure Awardee will be recognized at the TRIP & RCHR Homecoming Dinner on October 29th, 2012.

Mark Your Calendars!

The TRIP & RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner will be held on October 29th, 2012 at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom. Come support Honorable Ron Canestrari as he receives the 2012 Community Citizenship Award. Also presented will be the 2012 Troy Treasure Award to a soon-to-be-named awardee.

Giving Thanks to Our Community Supporters

Joe Fama and Andrew Lynn

The TRIP/RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner on October 24th was another wonderful event. The Troy Treasure Award  went to Andrew Lynn of The Troy Bike Rescue. Andrew writes, "We had a great time at the dinner.  We were truly honored to recognized by TRIP and to share the spotlight with TAP, two organizations that are so highly regarded in the Troy Community.  We have a great amount of respect for Joe Fama and have known about his work and role in revitalizing Troy for some time.  It feels pretty amazing to be recognized as a Troy Treasure also because we are a small all-volunteer non-profit, but we have big ideas and this means that Troy is taking us seriously. Thank you!!! Thanks TRIP!!! and thanks to our amazing community of supporters."

The Citizenship Award went to Joe Fama of Troy Architectural Project, Inc. (TAP) Joe says, "The three nicest things about being named a Community Citizenship Awardee are, first, the honor and amazement I feel at joining the list of previous recipients; people that I have admired and appreciated for their commitment and accomplishments to our community. Second, the evening itself. It was deeply moving to see so many dear friends, many that I had not seen in a very long time and many that have been with me every step of the way. Third, the deep sense of gratitude and kinship I feel with TRIP and its excellent staff and board who have shared this forty year labor of love in Troy, New York; our fabulous, funny and fascinating city." Thank you, Andrew and Joe, for all you do so tirelessly to make our city a great place to live.

A moving video presentation highlighted the evening with heartfelt words from several people expressing their gratefulness for the work of TRIP in their lives. It was an extraordinary and inspirational night. Thank you to all who made it special and to those who support the work of TRIP. If you would like to volunteer your time to help with planning next year's dinner, please call 272-8289. If you or your organization would like to donate to the work of TRIP and RCHR, please visit the donor page at our website.

Annual Homecoming Dinner

Throughout its history, TRIP has been privileged to be touched by "movers and shakers" who are dedicated to Troy. Four of these treasures will be honored at the TRIP and Rensselaer County Housing Resources (RCHR) Annual Homecoming Dinner on Monday, October 26, 2009.

TRIP & RCHR will present its 2009 Community Citizenship Award to John Scarchilli, President and CEO of Pioneer Bank, for his many decades of commitment to Troy and Rensselaer County. In conjunction with John's leadership, Pioneer has helped TRIP and RCHR -- and the communities they serve -- in numerous ways for many years. Pioneer is a long-term supporter of the homeownership programs, helping first-time homebuyers achieve -- and maintain - their American dream. Additionally, Pioneer provided capital investments so that TRIP could renovate derelict abandoned buildings and bring them back to life, and then supplied volunteers to help improve the surrounding neighborhoods with various improvement projects.

Also being recognized at the TRIP and RCHR Annual Dinner are three people who each contributed to Troy's revitalization when they served as Executive Directors of TRIP during its 40 year history. Vinny Lepera, Duncan Barrett, and Barbara Jones Higbee are this year's recipients of TRIP's Troy Treasure Award, which recognizes a person or group who demonstrates a passion for Troy in very positive and real ways. Come hear their stories.

TRIP and RCHR are pleased to honor and show their appreciation for four of our area's valuable assets at the Annual Homecoming Dinner. Please join us on Monday, October 26 at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Avenue, Troy, NY. Tickets are still available. For ticket information, please contact gail@triponline.org or 272-8289 x212.