Lions Club recognizes opera house director, Williamsville resident

Kazmierczak

The Lancaster Lions Club honored a village resident at a recent community recognition luncheon held by the Lions Clubs of Western New York District 20N.

Club President Bette Stonebraker presented awards during the April 22 luncheon in the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

The Community Leader of the Year award was given to Thomas Kazmierczak III of Williamsville. He is the executive director of the Lancaster Opera House.

He was recognized last year by the state as Employer of the Year for the work-study program he has implemented over the past six years for students at Lancaster High School.

He is credited with transforming the Village of Lancaster into "Christmasville" by bringing the famed Christmas displays from the former AM&A's Buffalo store to Central Avenue stores in Lancaster.

Kazmierczak has also been honored by the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier, AmPol Eagle newspaper and the National Parks and Recreation Society for outstanding theater achievements.