Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission is in need of volunteers for its "Feed the Falls" Christmas program.

The Niagara County History Center's "Family Nights" continue with fun and informative programs on the third Tuesday of the month. Dec. 17's event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a pizza supper available for a nominal donation, followed by a brief presentation and a hands-on activity appropriate for adults and children. The program concludes by 7:15 pm. The topic for this month's evening is: "A Baby Boomers' Christmas: Holiday Shopping in the 1950s and 1960s."

Lewiston Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 has released a rare commemorative "first day cover" that will become a prized collector's item. The envelope displays the VFW symbol, the front and back of the VFW's commemorative coin, and the "Circle of Honor" postage stamp that has a Lewiston, NY, postmark dated Nov. 11, 2019 - the day the new monument was dedicated at Academy Park during a dramatic nighttime ceremony.

Local officials, Native Americans and volunteers will assemble for a brief remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument at the corner of Center Street and Portage Road in Lewiston. The public is invited to attend and is welcomed to partake in a Dutch-treat fellowship breakfast at Syros Restaurant immediately after the ceremony.

Tedeschi Trucks Band's "Wheels of Soul Tour" returns to the Artpark Amphitheater on July 14, 2020, as part of the "Tuesdays in the Park presented by M&T Bank" series. Tedeschi Trucks Band will be joined by eight-piece soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones plus singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gabe Dixon. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13.

The New York Power Authority holds its annual "Deck the Halls" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the admission-free Niagara Power Vista at the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

The "Blue Christmas Service" at First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at 100 Church St.

Santa Claus flew into the Village of Lewiston on Saturday morning to kickoff Christmas Walk weekend. He was accompanied on his PatProctorCopter by Mrs. Claus and Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick. Once the Rainbow Air crew landed, Santa greeted Mayor Anne Welch, Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Pauly, and 2019 Peach Queen Victoria Skrlin-Kozak.

Indeed, the Destino family has returned to 3909 Creek Road. Signs on and in front of the building boldly state, "Grandma D's Pizzeria" and "The Original Destino's."

Niagara County boasted a bevy of holiday tree-lighting ceremonies, artisan markets, dinners, singalongs and family events this past week.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace and the Town Board, in conjunction with John Doran, senior manager of Fashion Outlets, split up and gave away $50,000 to various charitable groups, including the Town of Niagara Lions and Lioness clubs on Giving Tuesday.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce invites the public to participate in the Lewiston Christmas Walk and Tour of Homes on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8.

Niagara University Camp Courage Crew officers presented Lisa Booz, WNY regional director at Camp Good Days and Special Times, with a check for $10,700 on Thursday. Students raised the funds during their second annual dance marathon in October.

Creating new opportunities for community collaboration, Catholic Health announced Niagara Family Medicine Associates has joined its growing physician practice network, Trinity Medical WNY, PC.

Over the years, one holiday event has given Niagara County residents of all ages a chance to give back to the community while making memories. Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity's annual gingerbread decorating fundraiser gives local families the chance to design gumdrop roofs and licorice walkways for gingerbread houses as they support a local cause.

The Lewiston-Porter Lancers boys basketball team has their sights set high for the 2019-20 season. The saying is, "To be the best, you have to beat the best." But, Wednesday night, in front of a stellar audience at the Creek Road campus, the Lancers fell against one of Western New York's best. Lew-Port was defeated in its season opener, 68-49, versus the defending Catholic School state and federation champions The Park School Pioneers.

The Youngstown Lions annual holiday lighting contest will take place the evening of Friday, Dec. 20. Lions Club members will judge home decorations from the areas of Lower River Road to Porter Center Road, from Lake Road to Porter town line, and in the Village of Youngstown.

On Monday morning, Mount St. Mary's Hospital welcomed - for the first time - the Sacred Heart Villa School Children's Choir to perform as part of the hospital's annual advent service. Students sang and danced as they cheerfully performed about a half-dozen holiday songs.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church will hold its annual Christmas candlelight service at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3229 Upper Mountain Road, Sanborn. Refreshments will follow in the parish hall.

Giving and compassion for those in need around us is a year-round concern, but particularly so during the holiday season.

Organizers of the recent veterans barbecue fundraiser gather at the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co. firehall. Shown, from left are: Cmdr. Rich Newman of O. Leo Curtiss Post 830, newly elected 1st District Niagara County Legislator Irene Myers, Molly Haigh, and Gary Zanardi of Youngstown Lake Ontario Post 313.

For the past two years, Jamie Symmonds' Holiday Market has been the place to go to find unique, handmade gifts while enjoying a holiday atmosphere - and probably a few other things - inside the majestic Brickyard Brewing Company.

On Thursday around 2:43 a.m., Town of Niagara Police officer Dobmeier heard the sound of exchanging gun fire coming from the area of the Power City Lodge on Delaware Avenue where there was a large party going on. As Dobmeier was approaching the scene, he observed a Cadillac SUV leaving the scene at a high rate of speed.

Sanborn's Business Association is hosting its fifth annual Shop Local / Shop Sanborn event for Small Business Saturday. For the first time, it has expanded into a full weekend of deals and holiday comforts for those who are in the know.

During the holiday season, Americans across the country have a unique opportunity to strengthen their local economies, support their communities, and get great services and products by "shopping small" - patronizing small businesses in their own communities. The holidays give us all the chance to reconnect with our neighbors and, whether you're grabbing a cup of coffee from the shop around the corner or shopping at a local bookstore, every purchase at a small business makes a difference to those who matter most: our neighbors.

Jim Fittante and Cheryl Krouse of Samana Salt Spa recently served as speakers for the Salt Therapy Association conference in Orlando. They were invited to participate based on their knowledge of salt spa benefits, and the success they've already had with their new Lewiston business.

At its Nov. 14 meeting, the Lewiston Town Board approved a six-month moratorium on new proposals pertaining to utility-grade solar energy systems. The move comes after a pair of contentious public hearings where a vocal group of residents spoke out against a proposed facility at 4352 Williams Road, spearheaded by Borrego Solar.

Ransomville Speedway will welcome back The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints for the first time in over 10 years when the winged sprint cars take to the "Big R" on Aug. 14, 2020, in a special doubleheader with the Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds.

Mount St. Mary's was the only hospital in Niagara County to receive an "A" in The Leapfrog Group's fall 2019 Hospital Safety Grade Report of more than 2,600 hospitals across the country.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce announced its holiday events for 2019 that will bring the community together.

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue Inc. welcomes families to its "Breakfast With Santa Paws" benefit this holiday season. Taking place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 7001 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, "Breakfast With Santa Paws" will be from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.

Rivercrest Financial celebrated a ribbon-cutting and grand opening at its new office location, 765 Center St., Lewiston. Owner Kristin Meyer had an open house with food catered by The Griffon House.

Bank of Akron officially opened its new branch in Wilson last week. This is the bank's sixth location in Western New York and its first in Niagara County.

On the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 10, the idea of compassionate public policy will be explored at a mini-conference at Niagara Falls' City Council Chambers, 745 Main St. All members of the community are welcome to this free event, which will include refreshments and will be held from 6-8 p.m.

Just how dedicated is You & Me boutique owner Laura Mann Falsetti?

Those venturing throughout the River Region in search of Small Business Saturday bargains are best advised to include the hamlet of Ransomville in their travels next weekend, as well. This little community on the east end of the Town of Porter will present its annual Festival of Wreaths celebration and a whole host of holiday events on Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1.

Sara Morreale is fashion personified.

"I think what it comes down to is us. We sell ourselves," she said. "You go somewhere where you feel comfortable. My hugest thing is, when people come in, I want them to feel automatically comfortable, appreciated, and excited - and excited when they leave."

No, Marleen Brown didn't name her store after an Ozzy Osbourne song.

A hotel industry worker by trade, Cheri Clark never imagined a life in retail.