The annual luncheon Monday in honor of King organized by the Luncheon Committee and the Juneteenth Celebration Committee. Even severe weather conditions throughout the region this past weekend did not stand in the way of the event.

“As you can see, as usual, the weather has totally cooperated. What would the luncheon be without a little bad weather,” joked Loretta Slaton Torain, chairperson of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon Committee and the Juneteenth Celebration Committee of Northern Chautauqua County.

More than 100 guests were in attendance for the gathering. Although the guest speaker, Dr. Vicki T. Sapp, was unable to attend due to travel bans that were issued throughout the weekend, the event still sent a strong message centered around the theme, inspired by a quote from King, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

“The number of people who attend has grown, and it’s no longer just an obligation. People want to be here, they want to celebrate Dr. King, and they want to make a change,” Torain said.

The banquet hall at the Clarion hotel in Dunkirk was full to celebrate the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Monday.

Those who could show up did, with a turnout featuring both Dunkirk and Fredonia mayors, county and state officials, Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone and multiple police officers, and leaders from various organizations throughout the region.

“I think it went very well. We’re tough western New Yorkers, we came out and supported,” said Torain. “This is an important day to all of us, and I think everything went great.”

Torain welcomed guests at noon, followed by a presentation of colors by the Dunkirk High School JROTC. The banquet hall then, in unison, sang “We Shall Overcome,” followed by a prayer led by Rev. Early G. Waller, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church.

The luncheon then proceeded to welcome community leaders across various public offices. Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz first read an official proclamation on behalf of the City of Dunkirk. In her proclamation, Wdowiasz stated, “The fight for civil rights is not just a one-day event. It is a continuous struggle that requires action from everyone.”

Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson followed with an official proclamation on behalf of the Village of Fredonia. In his proclamation, Ferguson shared King’s call for justice by stating, “It’s not possible to be in favor of justice for some people, and not be in favor of justice for all people.”

Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, front, first read her official proclamation to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., while Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson, back, followed.

Ferguson further stated, “I hereby call upon all citizens of our community to remember Dr. King on this day, the 15th day of January, 2024, to work forward in fulfillment of his dream, each and every day.”

The committee then recognized Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel and Assemblyman Andy Goodell, each of whom gave a speech noting the significance of the day to honor King’s legacy.

“It is our duty to carry on what he has done and to move his vision forward and continue for a better tomorrow,” Wendel said.

Goodell began by stating, of King’s vision, “It starts with me.” Goodell then quoted lines of scripture and various quotes from King, with an emphasis on light overcoming darkness.

“Be that light, every day, wherever we are,” Goodell said.

Loretta Slaton Torain, chairperson of the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon Committee and the Juneteenth Celebration Committee of Northern Chautauqua County, spoke to a banquet hall full of members of the community at the annual luncheon to honor Dr. King.

In place of a keynote speaker, the audience watched a video highlighting injustices in America with a message to inspire change. The luncheon concluded with the retirement of colors, benediction from Elder Frank G. Torain, Pastor of Open Door No. 3 Church of God in Christ, and a final address from Loretta Slaton Torain.

Torain concluded her final address to the audience by highlighting the youth in attendance. Among the younger members of the crowd on Monday included a pair of scholarship recipients, Moraya Bautista and Adina William. The two winners are each graduates of Dunkirk High School and have begun their education at colleges in western New York.

Bautista, a freshman, is studying psychology at SUNY Fredonia, with hopes to advance to graduate school someday. Bautista said the scholarship is meaningful as a first-generation college student.

“Anything counts, and I appreciate Mrs. T (Torain) for everything she’s done for me,” Bautista said, while also giving thanks to the Upward Bound program.

William, a freshman, is studying early childhood education at Erie Community College. In her first year away from her hometown of Dunkirk, William said, “It’s very different, city life with a lot of people, but I’m getting there.”

Currently enrolled in a two-year program at ECC, William hopes to transfer to Buffalo State University or the University at Buffalo. Her goal is “to educate and inspire the future generations” as much as she can.

“I feel like people don’t take into consideration how much time kids actually spend at school rather than at home,” William said. She also gave thanks to Torain and the Juneteenth Committee for supporting her goals in education.

Despite the unforeseen circumstances with the weather, Torain felt the event was a success because of the work the Juneteenth Committee put in and the support from the community.

“It says we’re doing the right thing,” Torain said of the ability to adapt. “As long as you’re doing the right thing, things will always work out.”