What a community we have here. That was one of the points Elizabeth Riter, chosen by the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation as its Outstanding Italian American for 2025, made when she stepped up to the podium to accept the honor. “I want to thank Paolo Busti for a 40-plus year tradition in this community. That’s really incredible,” Riter said. “The Batavia and the Genesee region — what a place to be.”
 
Riter, who was nominated for Outstanding Italian American by her friend, Terry Fritts, said she knew the name Paolo Busti, but she decided to visit the Holland Land Office Museum to do some research. “I thought, ‘I’m sure I don’t know enough about this man and his legacy and I can’t do it justice,’” she told the audience.