The Night Belonged To Karen

FALCONER – Persons arriving at College Stadium around 7 p. m. Saturday for “Karen Night at the Ball Park” were greeted by the whirring sound of a helicopter approaching as Falconer’s Karen Tellinghuisen and her sister Dorine stepped out of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department helicopter behind second base in a cloud of dust. But Karen didn’t mind. And neither did we. It was worth it.The girls were welcomed by Falconer Mayor Laurence G. “Spec” Dye, who then was joined by Edward Magara, Joseph Cramer, Richard Triscari, and Robert W. Eccles, Sr., of the Falconer Henry Mosher American Legion Post 638 Color Guard.

David G. Rich, chairman of the welcoming committee for the gold medal winner at the World Deaf Olympics in Bucharest, Romania, served as master of ceremonies for the event, which featured several very special presentations to Karen.

The pastor of the church the Tellinghuisens attend, the Rev. Karl Swartz, gave the invocation.

A colorful and informal demonstration of javelin throwing was given by Dan Crippen of WJTN, Ted Abbott of WKSN, Chautauqua County Executive Joseph Gerace, Jamestown Mayor Steven B. Carlson and Assemblyman Rolland E. Kidder. Karen then threw the javelin noticeably farther than the others and Rich noted, “She’s still the champ.”

Gerace read a proclamation noting Saturday was “Karen Tellinghuisen Day” in Chautauqua County and gave her a book which had been printed in 1958 authored by Helen G. McMahon, the well-known work “Chautauqua County, A History.” Gerace noted he had written inside it to Karen that she also made history and praised her record-setting 128-foot, 3-inch javelin throw on July 21. He gave her, also, an official copy of the proclamation for her scrapbook, given by Geer-Dunn. A congratulatory letter from Mayor Dye and Falconer’s Village Board was included, read by Rich.

Mayor Carlson presented Karen a key to the City of Jamestown and Karen was told signs would be placed at entrances to Falconer noting it’s her hometown. She also got the first look at a street sign, “Karen Lane,” to be placed on one of the new streets in the North Work Street development in Falconer – a memento for years to come.

Mrs. Karol Lundine represented her husband, Rep. Stanley N. Lundine, presenting Karen a letter for her scrapbook and praising Karen on behalf of the entire 39th District. Official certification came with a flag that was flown over the U. S. Capitol Building in Washington, also given to Karen by Mrs. Lundine. Letters for Karen also were received from New York State Sen. Jess J. Present, who could not attend, and U. S. Sen. Jacob K. Javits.

To top off the evening, Karen received a telegram from President Jimmy Carter lauding her on behalf of “Americans everywhere who are proud of you.” Trumpeter William Servis and Mrs. Doris Wilbur led in the singing of the National Anthem.

Many deaf persons from the area were noticed enjoying the program and the ball game that followed. Karen tossed out the first ball for the Class A Minor League Jamestown Expos v. Geneva Cubs baseball game – the seventh this year between the two teams. Some 691 persons attended, with Karen getting to keep the ball she had tossed to start the game, which the Expos won 2-1, but only after members of both teams had signed it for her.

Other special guests at the game were Karen’s mother, Mrs. Rachel Tellinghuisen, her brother Wayne, her sister Mrs. Connie Sprague and a friend Cheryl Overfield of South Dayton.

Gerace spoke for all when he thanked Rich for extensive planning to welcome Karen back. The committee assisting him included Mrs. Evelyn Morley of the Falconer Business Association; Frederick Prine of Mosher Post 638 of Falconer; George W. Black of Falconer Rotary Club; Gary Stevenson of Falconer Lions Club; Timothy Strickland of the Falconer Fire Department; Mrs. Wilbur representing the citizenry; James B. Schwab for the program and Clefton Farnham, general manager of the Jamestown Expos.