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Amanda Haseley (Image courtesy of the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce)
Amanda Haseley (Image courtesy of the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce)

Village of Lewiston officials welcome new Upward Niagara Chamber president, approve 2025 events

by jmaloni
Fri, Jan 24th 2025 07:00 am

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston officially welcomed new Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce President Amanda Haseley on Tuesday, and approved several of her organization’s event requests.

“We just want to welcome you,” Mayor Anne Welch said. “Anything you need from us, give us a call. I’m sure we’re going to be working closely together.”

“Looking forward to it,” Haseley said.

Department of Public Works Superintendent Anthony Mang also said his team was ready to help Haseley as she begins her new role.

At the monthly municipal meeting, board members granted motions pertaining to the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce’s requests to:

•Host the Lewiston Harvest & Hops Festival on Sept. 27-28. Included is the closing of Center Street from Seventh to Fourth streets, use of the International Peace Garden and Hennepin Park, and waiving the open container bottle law on festival grounds over the event’s two days.

•Use Academy Park, the Alphonso I. DiMino Memorial Band Shell, and the new pavilion from May 22-24 for the Smelt Festival. The event will take place from 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 23.

The Smelt Fest will be back on Center Street following a two-year run on South Water Street at the foot of the Griffon Brewery & Gastropub.

•Operate within the International Peace Garden, Hennepin Park and Academy Park for the annual Lewiston Christmas Walk on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7, and to temporarily close Center Street (from Portage Road to Fourth Street) for the Christmas Lights Parade on Sunday evening.

Following the meeting, Trustee Jim Fittante said, “Being an executive Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce board member, I got to sit in on the interview process with the newly hired president of the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Amanda Haseley. She will be a great addition, bringing enthusiasm with a great background in event planning. She also has a background with helping with grants and fundraising. Her high-energy, ties to Niagara County, and fresh, new look into growing the Chamber will be a great asset to the Chamber, Lewiston and surrounding communities that the chamber serves.

“Welcome aboard, Amanda; looking forward to working with you.”

Welch added, “The Chamber is a very important part of our community, hosting festivals and events, promoting our area and our many businesses, and I look forward to working with her.”

Other approvals

Trustees also OK’d:

•A request made by Rachel Jolbert of the Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market to host the “Farmer Pirates Compost” program, allowing this entity to place a garbage tote in the village for members to drop their compost off and be picked up weekly. In exchange, they get completed soil compost back once per year.

The collection site will be on the South Eighth Street dead-end point, near some DPW items adjacent to the Lewiston Public Library.

•A facilities use request made by Justin DeLuca for use of Academy Park and the bandshell to host a music, art and culture festival on Saturday, July 19. This is granted DeLuca provide the required insurance and safety plans approved by the police and fire chiefs.

DeLuca held a similar event last year at Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen.

•A facilities use request from Lew-Port Youth Football & Cheer for use of Richard F. Soluri Park for football and cheerleading practice from 5-8 p.m. April 14 through June 8, and from July 20 through Nov. 9.

The organization also plans to add a static, 20-foot tan container to store equipment on site.

•A facilities use request from Lewiston Assembly of God to hold an Easter service from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20 in the Academy Park pavilion; and for a carnival/worship night at the Academy Park stage from 3:30-9 p.m. June 7.

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