Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, the largest locally owned credit union in Western New York, is announcing plans for a new branch located at 721 Center St., in the Village of Lewiston (inside the former HSBC). This latest branch will open in January 2013.

Candles twinkle in the windows of the 286-year-old French Castle. Outside the imposing stone structure, lanterns line Old Fort Niagara's walkways as soldiers in cocked hats and wool coats prepare their muskets to perform a grand feu de joie, a firing of joy, in honor of the holiday season.

Black Friday doesn't have to be associated with "big box" stores and middle-of-the-night wake-up calls any longer. Local retailers in The Village of Lewiston came together this year for Lewiston's first retail district-wide Black Friday event.

It's coming into that wintry season again and, before you know it, the roads will be covered with snow.

Last weekend's Christmas buying extravaganza featured Black Friday sales at area malls and in the Village of Lewiston, and Small Business Saturday in northern Niagara County areas.

Owner Sherry McDonald and The End of the Road Boutique celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, business and community leaders, elected officials and friends and family.

At its Wednesday, Nov. 7, meeting, the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston presented representatives of Special Spaces with a $200 donation.

Village of Lewiston trustees presented Town of Lewiston Recreation Department Director Mike Dashineau with a check for $5,000. The money represents the village's contribution to the town-leased rink.

The Welcome Center at the entrance to Krueger Park in Wilson was dedicated on Monday, Nov. 20. Wilson Deputy Mayor Bernie Leiker and State Sen. George Maziarz addressed the crowd before the ribbon cutting.

Business Insider, an award-winning, New York City-based website, has named Lewiston to its "10 Best Small Towns in America" list. The online publication cited Lewiston's placement in the Rand McNally/USA Today "Best of the Road" competition, its historic significance, and proximity to Niagara Falls in ranking the municipality No. 5.

In the past two years, Lewiston's restaurants were twice featured on the Travel Channel, its Historical Association events (including the "Battle of Queenston Heights Commemoration and Re-enactment") garnered national press, and its largest venue, Artpark, picked up a sixth award from Buffalo Spree magazine for its presentation and outdoor facilities.

Village of Lewiston Department of Public Works employees were out in force this week adorning Center Street with holiday lights.

St. John's Episcopal Church in Youngstown recently presented the Youngstown Free Library with a check in the amount of $475, an outreach donation from the proceeds of the church's annual Strawberry Fest in June and its August rummage sale.

The Niagara University community celebrated Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 12, with a program honoring those who have sacrificed to preserve the freedoms Americans hold dear.

The annual Rivershore Foundation Inc. board of directors meeting was recently held and included the elections of the following board members as officers: Jerald Wolfgang - president; Christine Sirianni - vice president; Robert Fagiani - treasurer; and Harry Buckholtz - secretary.

Did you ever hear of an animal that can pay for its own yearly maintenance, like veterinarians fees, room and board, and be a great pet at the same time?

A formal grand opening was held for three small businesses in Newfane. Scotchies Icecream and Cafe, Three Sisters Bakery and Red House Music all took part in the ribbon-cutting.

This past October, during Lewiston's commemoration of the Battle of Queenston Heights, the New York State Honor Guard, assisted by American Legion Post 873 Newfane, and "Bugles Across America," provided formal military honors for eight local deceased veterans.

A famous ship with Lewiston ties went down in the recent "Super Storm."

Girl Scouts from the Lew-Port Service Unit recently held their fourth annual PJ Round Up at Lutheran Church of the Messiah in Lewiston. Each year, the girls come together for a pajama party - with a twist.

PHOTO GALLERY: There's a reason professional chefs on television steer clear of baking: It's not easy.

VIDEO: The Lewiston Community Lions Club announces the winners of its annual Peace Poster contest.

With the winds and rains of Hurricane Sandy pelting on the outside, the Village of Lewiston trustees and Lewiston Town Board met inside Monday at Lewiston Town Hall, and there were degrees of storminess felt at both sides of the table.

"I'm 73 - and I brag about it," Dotty Gara says. "I was supposed to die when I was 40."

Who is Don Supon? That's your first question, I'll bet.

A group of eighth-grade students at Stella Niagara Education Park recently learned the ancient art of pysanky in one of SNEP's after-school clubs

Rain canceled the kids Halloween parade in Youngstown Saturday, but the party in the Youngstown Red Brick School Village Center was still a lot of fun for children of all ages.

The Town Hall American Bistro celebrated a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 18, prior to hosting the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce "Business Blender" networking event. Members of the chamber and local elected officials helped celebrate, along with owner Tom McCormick (center, holding scissors).

The Historical Association of Lewiston has announced tickets are on sale for its eighth annual Tour of Homes, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at select addresses in Lewiston.

A small group of students can make a big difference. That is certainly evident at Tuscarora Indian School, where students recently participated in The Mighty Niagara Half-Marathon discount card fundraiser for the Niagara Hospice Alliance.

VIDEO: Some big changes are in store for the Relay For Life of Lewiston/Niagara event in 2013.

Prior to the Town of Porter Historical Society meeting in Ransomville, Doug Diez, on behalf of the Ransomville Country Cruisers, made several check presentations.

Richard Fortier and Tim Badeneyck, both of Niagara Falls, found the fall perch running in Wilson Harbor off the north dock at the Tuscarora State Park launch ramp.

They came, voiced their opinions and then some. But, in the end, the matter remained far from settled.

Niagara Frontier Publications' Skip Mazenauer, publisher of the Sentinel, poses with Casa Antica manager Robert Herman, chef Charlie Soldano and the "Casa Girls" outside of the Italian restaurant.

On Oct. 12, Lewiston was home to the largest battery of 1812-period artillery ever assembled in one place, at one time.

A Town of Lewiston committee formed to look into the practicality of building a multimillion-dollar recreational and senior center has identified the Lewiston-Porter school campus as an ideal site.

The Niagara County Office for the Aging sponsored a birthday party at the Lewiston Senior Center for individuals in Niagara County who turned 100 or older this year.

Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management held its 12th annual convocation Thursday, Oct. 18, in the university's Alumni Chapel. Sponsored by the Maid of the Mist Corp., the convocation is the college's showcase event.

The Niagara County Department of Mental Health recently recognized three members of its community services board of directors.

Youngstown Recreation will hold its annual Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m. The party will be held in the Red Brick School Village Center gym.