Southern rock royalty took the stage this week at Artpark, as Lynyrd Skynyrd headlined "Tuesdays in the Park." The band cranked out a slew of hits over its 90-minute set.

Ian Anderson will perform a multimedia rock concert, Jethro Tull, at Artpark's "Tuesdays in the Park" concert series in Lewiston. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at 450 S. Fourth Street. Gates open at 4:45 p.m.

The Lewiston Council on the Arts is looking for a volunteer actress to join the cast of the Marble Orchard Ghost Walks. The productions takes place every Saturday night in September and October.

The Niagara County Peach Queen Committee is looking for former Peach Queens. Organizers are creating a database to keep in contact with the 59 former Peach Queens.

Artpark & Company has announced a new musical development project, "Elephant in the Room," which tells the story of the ecological and societal crisis's endangering Africa's elephant population and how it reflects back to those here in the U.S. This epic journey will be presented as a free staged reading at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, in the Artpark Gallery, 450 S. Fourth St., Lewiston.

The Lewiston/Niagara-On-The-Lake Rotary Club once again participated in the Lewiston Art Festival. The organization has been serving hot dogs at the event for more than 40 years. This tradition was started by Al DiMino, one of founders of the Tops supermarket chain.

Though local TV meteorologists called for a dry Saturday post-noon, it rained on the Lewiston Art Festival throughout the late afternoon and early evening. ... A lot.

The Town of Porter will hold a follow-up meeting for lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario property owners and related interests who have been affected by the flooding/erosion conditions of this past spring. The session will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at Porter Town Hall, 3265 Creek Road.

Less than three weeks removed from receiving a revised residential redevelopment submission for 765 Fairchild Place, the Village of Lewiston Planning Commission expects to hear from Ellicott Development CEO William Paladino about modifications to his Center Street plaza plan.

On Saturday, Aug. 19, Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course in Lewiston will host the fourth annual Lt. David W. Kinney Memorial Charity Tournament. The day includes events open to the public, such as basket raffles, 50/50 splits, and a dinner.

2018 Miss New York Gabrielle Walter was the guest speaker at the annual Peach Queen dinner on Wednesday. The Clarence native encouraged 12 attending contestants to live with purpose, give back to others, and rely on their families when times get tough.

Artpark & Company recently announced a special dedication in honor of the late Christopher H. Brown, its former board chairman.

Artpark & Company's annual "Free Family Movie Night," celebrating its 10th season in 2017, will present two award-winning features at the Outdoor Amphitheater this month.

Artpark & Company welcomed blues rock/jam band Gov't Mule to the Outdoor Amphitheater as part of this week's "Tuesdays in the Park" concert series.

The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q. is hosting Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara's annual "Celebrity Bartending" event - this year dubbed "Battle of the Businesses" - from 5:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. The event will benefit the more than 600 individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities whom the agency supports.

Grand Island High School art teacher Megan Gaiek is becoming the Gene Masters of art competitions for her school.

The 18th annual Jack Beatty Memorial Cruise and Clambake, held July 14, continued its tradition of lively entertainment, food and leisurely sailing, all to benefit Niagara Hospice patients. The event, now in its 18th year, raised funds to support the programs and services of Niagara Hospice. A skipper's check presentation will be in October at Niagara Hospice.

It's been 20 years since Victoria Quarantillo established her hair care business in the Village of Youngstown. Running Victoria's Hair Salon has been a long journey for her, but one in which she's gained "awesome friends and growth," Quarantillo said. Nowadays, Victoria calls her salon a "second home."

The Kiwanis Club of Lewiston has announced it will hold an amusement ride preview night from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at Academy Park in Lewiston. The event will lead off this year's Niagara County Peach Festival.

The Niagara County Peach Festival "Taste Off" recipe contest will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, on the Academy Park stage in Lewiston. This year, there will be three divisions for entries: food enthusiast, culinary student and a new children's category.

A month's work of training, teaching and tutoring of student actors paid off Sunday, as more than 800 people attended an Artpark Theater Academy presentation of "Fiddler on the Roof Jr."

Water Street Landing hosted a fundraiser on Sunday for the Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewiston, NY. For a slight upcharge, patrons could enjoy a live jazz performance by The Jim Bohm Trio while enjoying breakfast.

Lewiston Council on the Arts Artistic Director Eva Nicklas recently met with 2nd District Niagara County Legislator Rebecca Wydysh to express thanks for the legislature's support. Nicklas also was there to share information about the "greening" of Lewiston during the 51st annual Lewiston Art Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13.

Youngstown sculptor Susan Geissler has received a new commission of great significance for Grand Island. She has been chosen to create the statue of Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper, a World War II hero from Grand Island.

On July 18, Master John Presti, owner of Presti Karate Centers in Lewiston and Niagara Falls, was honored and promoted to the rank of 9th degree black belt. Presti is one of 14 black belts worldwide to earn this rank under Grand Master Chuck Norris since Norris became a black belt in the 1960s.

Lake Ontario levels have been dropping rapidly compared to average rates through the months of June and July. The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board has been releasing the unprecedented outflow of 10,400 m3/s (367,300 cfs) since June 14 and, despite wet conditions, Lake Ontario levels have fallen 30 cm (12 in.) since peaking in late May.

New York State Sen. Rob Ortt on Thursday delivered a combined $65,000 to law enforcement agencies in Niagara County in support of public protection measures, programs and services. The funding will aid in crime-fighting efforts, assist with emergency services, and allow agencies to operate more effectively and efficiently.

The board of associates of Mount St. Mary's Hospital recently held its 37th annual Louis J. Fernandez Golf Classic at the Niagara Frontier Golf Club.

Water Street Landing will host a fundraiser for the Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewiston, NY, from 11 a.m. until around 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. Breakfast, which usually costs $10.99, will be offered for $19.99 in the SideBar, with a portion of the proceeds going to support the upcoming Jazz Festival. In exchange, patrons can enjoy live jazz performance by The Jim Bohm Trio while enjoying breakfast.

Niagara Hospice recently held a reception of staff, volunteers and close friends and family of Paul R. Beatty Sr. of Youngstown to reveal an unexpected, but much-deserved surprise for Mr. Beatty: The residential wing of Niagara Hospice House is now known as the Paul R. Beatty, Sr. Residential Suites in honor of the man who is commonly known as "the guy with the Hospice hat."

WGRZ-TV sports reporter and anchor Heather Prusak will be the official starter for the 39th annual Niagara County Peach festival 5K Run, set for Saturday Sept. 9, on Center Street in Lewiston. The race begins at 9 a.m. in front of the Frontier House.

George Thorogood might be B-B-B-B-"Bad to the Bone," but he's not a bad performer. In fact, he's quite a good showman. On Tuesday at Artpark, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand, as he told stories in song and performed hit singles from the 1980s.

The Mount St. Mary's Hospital Foundation and Footprints on the Heart held a blessing of the grounds and dedication ceremony Wednesday at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston. Thanks to a donation by Catholic Charities, a community butterfly monument has been established for families dealing with the loss of a baby.

New York State Sen. Rob Ortt on Tuesday announced he secured a total of $1 million for infrastructure projects at three local hospitals. He said the funding will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. It secured by Ortt as part of the 2017-18 state budget, and supports projects at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda and Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston.

Artpark & Company welcomed one of its largest crowds of the season on Monday, as punk rock fans came out to see Blink-182 perform.

Internationally renowned percussionist Cyro Baptista collaborated with Buffalo-based sculptor Shasti O'Leary Soudant and students from the University at Buffalo to create a colorful, interactive work called "Beat Blossom." Both were on hand to officially debut the sound-generating instrument on Sunday at Artpark in Lewiston. A dedication ceremony and concert took place inside the Percussion Garden.

It is with great pleasure (and much pride) that we open the Lewiston-Porter Fitness Center to the community beginning Monday, Sept. 11. It is the Lewiston-Porter School District's goal to provide a safe, convenient and affordable opportunity to practice a healthy lifestyle to our entire community.

Monday's Lewiston Town Board public hearing on establishment of a single town water district en route to a proposed $10.3 million townwide waterline improvement project saw a mere two comments offered by residents, and two board members absent.

It was relatively smooth sailing this week for developer James Jerge and his team, as neither the Village of Lewiston Planning Commission nor the Zoning Board of Appeals offered any serious objections to his revised residential redevelopment project at 765 Fairchild Place.

More than 35,000 people are expected to attend the Niagara County Fair over its five-day run Aug. 2-6. The fair, held at 4487 Lake Ave. (Route 78), Lockport, will include local events, live music, shows, contests, food, rides and other attractions - making it the largest youth fair in New York.