<!--Don Glynn--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Don Glynn</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:don.glynn@niagara-gazette.com">don.glynn@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
The rebirth of the Niagara Falls International Airport — in terms of scheduled service — is expected to be given even more impetus with the new $31 million passenger terminal.
In a way, that business has already taken off with Direct Air, the Myrtle Beach, S.C., based airlines operating regular flights out of the Falls airport. It’s more than just snowbirds too.
“We’re very happy with the results to date,” said Judy Tull, a managing partner and marketing specialist with the airlines that started offering its service here in 2007.
In that first year, the passenger count was about 16,000.
A year later, the number more than doubled to 38,000. This year, with 20 days left in December — the airline has handled more than 40,000 passengers.
“The outlook for next year is encouraging too,” Tull said, noting some 10,000 passengers already have reservations for the Falls-to-Myrtle Beach flights.
At present, the airlines operates four to five flights every week, with that schedule adjusted for seasonal demands.
Tull said the airlines has worked closely with the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation and that plans are under way for more extensive marketing of the Niagara area within the next year.
A number of Direct Air officials are planning to attend the grand opening of the new passenger terminal at the Falls airport later this month.
On a related note, the current issue of Direct Air, the airlines magazine for in-flight reading, features an article on Niagara Falls, complete with colored photographs of the American and Horseshoe falls and a few suggestions for visitors wishing to extend their stay.
The new service, of course, is designed to encourage travel both ways, not just to Myrtle Beach.
Direct Air has been promoting Niagara as a destination as well via newspaper and radio advertising.
The airlines has been working closely with the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. to market the natural wonder here and many area attractions.
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ON THE MOVE: Keith T. Miller, a former dean of the Niagara University College of Business, has been named president of Virginia State University, effective July 1.
Miller, 55, left NU in 2001 when he was named provost and vice chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. For the past four years, he has served as president of Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.
Virginia State University, a predominantly black school, has about 5,300 students. A university spokesman said Miller’s salary will be in the $350,000 range.
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HELPING HANDS DEPT.: If you missed the Christmas party at the Niagara SPCA Saturday, you’ll have another opportunity to brighten the holidays for the homeless pets this week.
A second party is set Saturday including a chance for a photo with Santa and your pet, from noon until 4 p.m.
The Santa Paws photo will cost $10. You may consider bringing a gift to place under the tree for the orphaned pets.
Additional information available at 731-4368.
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NOTED PHYSICIAN: Word has been received here of the death of Dr. Richard N. Rovner, a Niagara Falls native and graduate of the University of Buffalo Medical School. He died Nov. 27 in Chicago.
Rovner, 78, had held academic posts at Northwestern University Medical School and the Cleveland Clinic. He also was a professor of neurology at Rush University Medical School in Chicago from 1999 to 2009.
Survivors include his wife, Ilana Diamond Rovner, a federal court judge.
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A FITTING REMINDER: With the generally favorable weather many local residents have rushed to install their outside holiday lights and decorations, before the snow arrives.
St. Mary of the Cataract, Fourth Street, has an appropriate setting between the church and rectory: a beautiful Nativity scene, something you seldom see anymore, especially on downtown streets.
People of many faiths are currently observing the Advent season, the four Sundays before Christmas.
