Mayor Anne Welch and the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees issued proclamations to several community leaders on Monday. The awardees were lauded for recent beautification efforts on Center Street. Those honored included members of the Garden Club of Lewiston, the Lewiston Beautification Commission, Samuel and Judy Talarico, Gary Hofing of Lewiston Plaza (Rite Aid), Anthony DiMino of Lewiston Tops/CVS Plaza, and Fran and Marie Williams.

Officials from Lewiston-Porter helped cut the ribbon on a new clothing closet located on the Lew-Port campus.

We recommend taking a trip to Center Street to check out the annual Harvest Festival - which, this year, is adding a hops element. On Saturday and Sunday, a plethora of top craft vendors will have unique items for sale. At the same time, Lewiston's finest eateries will offer special food and drink offerings to complement both the festival and the season.

Howard J. "John" Ritter, 75, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully at home with the loving care of Niagara Hospice and his family on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.

On Tuesday, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt joined five local police departments to present more than $60,000 in public protection funding.

Niagara County Community College distinguished alumna and nationally acclaimed artist Susan Geissler, Class of 1974, recently donated a sculpture to the NCCC Child Development Center. The sculpture, "Puddle Jumper," is based on childhood memories of rainy-day playtimes. It will be permanently displayed in the center's foyer inside the new NCCC Learning Commons on the Sanborn campus.

Lewiston's 35th annual craft show is receiving an upgrade this year with the inclusion of craft beers. The renamed Lewiston Harvest & Hops Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22-23.

Wildlife shows, conservation and science activities, and a glimpse of Tuscarora culture are just a few highlights of the New York Power Authority's 33rd annual Wildlife Festival, set for the weekend of Sept. 22-23 at the Niagara Power Vista visitor center and surrounding grounds in Lewiston.

The Lewiston Community Lions Club is sponsoring a peace poster contest with the Village of Lewiston Recreation Department.

Last Saturday, golf croquet enthusiasts gathered at the Lewiston "White Gates" home of Bill and Barbara Vrooman for an afternoon "tournament of friends."

On Thursday afternoon, coworkers and local elected leaders joined Ellicott Development CEO William Paladino as he broke ground on property overlooking a new plaza project. His company, in 2012, purchased a 4.1-acre parcel of land at Center, North Eighth and Onondaga streets. Three buildings offering a mix of commercial and culinary tenants, as well as rental spaces, are expected to open in the next year.

A new mural titled "Peaces" can now be seen in the International Peace Garden at 476 Center St., Lewiston. This work of art is the latest creation by artist Thomas P. Asklar. He was assisted by artists Matthew Conroy, Zach Carlson, Matthew LeBoeuf and a few local high school art students.

Vagabond Bowties founders Michael Beam and Duke Adams (pictured, from left) are participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program. The two "style miesters" took on a portion of Route 104, just past Niagara University on the way to DeVeaux. They will maintain this portion of state-owned Lewiston roadway.

At this year's Peach Festival, Santana Sawma was crowned the new Peach Queen. She steps in place of 2017-18 Niagara County Peach Queen Jamie Hagerty, who raised $4,000 for Hillside Family of Agencies through multiple fundraisers, as well as volunteering for numerous causes in Niagara County.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced approximately $585.2 million in low-cost, tax-exempt bonds has been issued through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York on behalf of 56 school districts. This financing is the largest pooled school district issuance in DASNY history.

Last week, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt presented $45,000 in education funds and public protection monies to four Niagara County community organizations. Joining Ortt for the event was Isaiah 61, the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, the Mental Health Association of Niagara County and the Family and Children's Services of Niagara Falls (Passages).

Niagara's Honeymoon Sweets will be the site of "Grannies Lemonade Stand Showdown" on Sunday, Sept. 16. The event runs from noon until 5 p.m. and is for children in age categories 5 to 7 and 8 to 10.

Maj. Gen. Anthony P. German, adjutant general for the state of New York, announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership. Included was Kassandra Bissell of Sanborn, assigned to the 105th Military Police Co., who received a promotion to the rank of private first class.

Modern Disposal Services Inc., a growing and fully integrated solid waste services company, announced it has acquired the assets of Ball Toilet & Septic Services Inc. An established and well-respected service business, Ball Toilet & Septic Services has served Western New York for more than 25 years. The acquisition of Ball strengthens Modern's construction and events services offering throughout Western New York.

The Historical Association of Lewiston's September program is titled "One Hundred and One Years of Crystal Beach." The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah Fellowship Hall, 915 Oneida St., Lewiston.

A book signing for "Johnnie's Adventures: Germans Coming to America" will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Town of Porter Historical Museum (Red Brick Village Center second floor), 240 Lockport St.

Eight of the world-famous Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) Clydesdales were on display in the Village of Lewiston on Sunday afternoon.

Perhaps the most successful Niagara County Peach Festival of all time - four days strong and no rain this year - concluded Sunday night with the crowning of a new Peach Queen: Santana Sawma.

The first three days of the 61st annual Niagara County Peach Festival have gone off without a hitch. Thousands of people have traveled to Academy Park -- many in free, air-conditioned shuttles -- to enjoy Lewiston's signature event.

Nine months of planning had led to this: The first "Rockout Cancer" will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Lewiston Stone House, 755 Center St. The event is a fundraiser for the Lower Niagara Community Survivors Group, which was formed to help cancer patients with day-to-day projects and activities.

Last week, a group of some 85 children and adults from Buffalo visited Lewiston's Freedom Crossing Monument, and was given presentations regarding Lewiston's role in the Underground Railroad by Tim Henderson, Eva Nicklas, Lee Simonson and Susan Geissler.

The 61st annual Niagara County Peach Festival kicked off in fine fashion on Thursday, with family and friends flocking to Academy Park in the Village of Lewiston. They wanted to get their first taste of peach shortcake and Johnnie Ryan peach pop, play games for prizes, eat at the dozen-plus food stands and, of course, ride the rides.

Whether you're just out to have some fun or learn something of the paranormal, the Lewiston Council on the Arts wants you - dead or alive.

On Wednesday, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt awarded $35,000 in state education funding to five local Niagara County libraries. Representatives from the Niagara Falls Public Library, the Lewiston Public Library, the Ransomville Free Library and the Youngstown Free Library joined the hosts, Sanborn-Pekin Free Library.

The Beverley Feder-directed show features local dancers, guest artists and character performers. It will be staged Dec. 7-8 at the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center. Those looking to participate can audition Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Feder School of Classical Ballet, located within the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave. Enter through the purple door on the Portage Road side.

A new playground project announced last month got a big boost Tuesday, when Jason Evchich - the man behind Mason's Mission - offered to help the Village of Lewiston and the Lewiston Community Lions Club bring the inclusive play space to life.

A thunderstorm invaded the Village of Lewiston late Monday afternoon, dropping trees, limbs and branches. A South Fifth Street transformer was injured, which temporarily left some residents without power. That portion of roadway was closed for the first half of Tuesday, as village Department of Public Works crews cleaned up the site and restored the power generator.

Lewiston resident Edward DeVantier recently passed the National Association of Funeral Directors board exam. The exam is a requirement in obtaining a funeral director license in New York state.

Yes, one of Lewiston's favorites - the 61st annual Niagara County Peach Festival - opens for a four-day run Thursday evening, Sept. 6, and continues to Sunday evening, Sept. 9, at Academy Park in the Village of Lewiston.