New year, new fund-raising campaign for the Niagara Falls Air Base.

As 2011 draws to a close, ring in the new year with skin-saving resolutions suggested by the Skin Cancer Foundation. From seeing a dermatologist, to ending your tanning routine and practicing sun protection as a way of life, here are five healthy skin habits for next year:

As always, it will be the largest gymnastics competition to be held in Western New York this year. And, for 2012, the Graffiti Invitational, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 7 and 8, will again take place at the Conference Center Niagara Falls.

Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial VFW Post 9249, 2121 Grand Island Blvd., will host an all-you-can-eat "Soup Night."

The year 2011 is now fading into memory.

As we eagerly anticipate what's to come in 2012, we now look back at what was 2011. It was certainly memorable, with changes, countless ones, on a global, national, local, and even a personal scale.

For some it was a year of high expectations, some achieved. For others it might have been frustrations, possibly loss. You can say one thing though - we were all impacted by the events that occurred in the last year in some form or another.

What follows is a brief look at some of the major news reported on in the Sentinel coverage area over the past year. News, which will likely continue to impact area residents in 2012 and beyond.

Orleans/Niagara BOCES will be starting its winter/spring driver and traffic education course on Feb. 6, 2012.

As the countdown to the new year begins, the Sentinel takes a look back at 10 Village of Lewiston topics covered in 2011, all of which will impact residents in 2012.

Keeping up a 41-year tradition, free coffee and hot tea will be available to travelers along the New York State Thruway on New Year's Eve.

The trustees and staff of the Youngstown Free Library wish all of our patrons and community members a very happy, healthy, well-read 2012

Need help choosing a New Year's resolution? The University at Buffalo offers its annual list of 10 suggestions for achieving health, happiness and success in the new year.

New York state recently announced it launching of a new domestic incident report repository.

Grand Island was a participating town in the Communities that Care blood drive for the American Red Cross on Dec. 27.

The extension of the current Move Over Law to include tow trucks and other maintenance vehicles is welcome news to those who job it is to help stranded motorists.

As another year ticks down this weekend, it's time to reflect on 2011 and look ahead to 2012.

(Via readMedia) The annual "Tie One On For Safety" campaign of Mothers Against Drunk Driving was announced today by Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Thomas J. Madison and Michele Fonda, MADD program specialist for New York state.

Family caregivers know all too well the devastating effects of Alzheimer's on the families of seniors living with this incurable disease.

Residents of The Woodlands and Forestview teamed up with students from Niagara Charter School to spread the Christmas spirit through "The Giving Tree."

A "Morning Acoustic Music Jam" is held every third Wednesday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Lewiston Opera Hall, 732 Center St., Lewiston.

The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls rounds out 2011 with the 17th annual Joshua Revolution Conference, with ceremonies beginning last night, Dec. 27, and running through this Friday, Dec. 30. Traditionally held the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, the Christian conference welcomes more than 2,000 youth and adult attendees from Western New York and Southern Ontario. This year marks the fifth year that the convention has been held in the facility.

Rock in the new year at Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls, USA.

Physicians on staff at Mount St. Mary's Hospital have been named to the list of "America's Top Doctors." Based on research by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., the names are gathered based on peer research and listed in the company's annual guidebook.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, on Tuesday wrote Empire State Development President and CEO Kenneth Adams to discuss new information regarding Unifrax, a manufacturing company that received $700,000 in Empire State Development funding to relocate from Niagara Falls to the Town of Tonawanda in Erie County.

Empire State Development claimed the $700,000 payment was used to ensure that Unifrax did not relocate to Indiana. However, Ceretto's recent FOIL request to the state of Indiana shows no proof that the Hoosier State was trying to entice the company to move.

Dunkin' Donuts today announced a New Year's Day initiative to celebrate 2012 as the year of "20 Dozen." The first 20 guests to visit a participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurant in the greater Buffalo area after 7 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2012 will receive a dozen donuts for free.

More than $1,500 was designated for the Mount St. Mary's Foundation thanks to the generosity of Izzy and Francine Ahmed, owners of Fenton's Café.

This holiday season, many New Yorkers will make the New Year's resolution to quit smoking in 2012. While quitting smoking is extremely difficult - six out of 10 smokers require multiple quit attempts to stop smoking - preparing a quit-smoking plan can greatly improve a person's chance for success.

The snow may have just started to fly, but preparations for the 2012 Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops are well under way. The event is now accepting applications from restaurants and wineries interested in participating in one of the region's favorite summer events. The 2012 Taste of Buffalo is set for July 7 and 8 in downtown Buffalo.

Amateur cook and blogger Melissa Sperka of Greensboro, N.C., beat out nearly 900 competitors in the Flour Power baking contest with her caramel, chocolate and almond "Gooey Butter Cake." The contest was hosted by Just A Pinch Recipe Club, the online food-focused social network at www.justapinch.com.

The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center will host the fifth annual "Art of Beer" at the NACC on March 9, 2012. Tickets are now available in the NACC office.

The Niagara Holiday Market begins its final week of operation today as the region's newest holiday destination, with a great strolling street for after-Christmas shopping, dining, skating and family fun.

Are the kids already bored with their holiday presents and restless being home during winter recess? Why not bring the entire family to the Niagara Falls Family YMCA (1317 Portage Road) Dec. 26-31 for winter recess - family style.

The Village of Lewiston Recreation Department presents a free showing of "Happy Feet" on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. inside the Red Brick Municipal Building gymnasium, North Fourth and Onondaga streets.

The Historic Riviera Theatre and YWCA of the Tonawandas present their Family Film Festival at the performing arts venue, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda. The following 2012 dates have now been scheduled:

Every year, the Haseley family on Lockport Road, right across from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station entrance, puts up a holiday display. (photo by Marc Carpenter)

Crosby's, a division of Reid Group Inc. raised $10,000 to benefit the Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure during its month-long October breast cancer awareness promotion. Crosby's consists of 45 locations In Western New York into Northwestern Pennsylvania and has been in business since 1922. In October, Crosby's went "Pink for the Cure" at all of its locations.

One of the largest Christmas displays in the area is done by the Greinert family over three acres at 6962 Errick Road, Wheatfield. Paul Greinert carries on the tradition started 26 years ago by his dad, Ed Greinert, former town supervisor.

Visitors are welcome, but asked to stay in their cars due to the vast amount of wiring involved for the many different scenes, showing elves, snowmen, a nativity scene, shooting stars, snowflakes, candy canes, wreaths, Christmas trees, carolers, Santa's sleigh, and much more, including the toy-filled choo-choo train shown above right.

To this technician, said Hooker Lab Supervisor Art Bartlett, "Al, will you cover Christmas?"

To this, you say "Of course," for not just recently you came back from New York City after waiting for a berth on an Esso Standard tanker with your tail between your legs, with your eyes sunken in from insufficient rations. Therefore, working on Christmas Day would be more of a joy than an annoyance. Besides, there was pay.

Right off the bat it was pleasant. A little more than a mile from home, 17th and Ferry, large snowflakes in the mild winter darkness hitting you in the face, Christmas carols in your mind, you walk to work. You say "Hi" to the guard Bill Oliver, who drives in from Wilson, punch in, and walk the 150 feet to your lab building, where you analyze poison gas for the U.S. government. Wow, all those stars.

The recent Tour of Homes drew nearly 1,900 to the Village of Lewiston to see five beautifully decorated homes by some of Western New York's most talented designers.

This Christmas marks 20 years that Norm Cerrillo of Grand Island (Santa at Kelly's Country Store) has been making glad the heart of childhood.

Holiday passage over the Niagara River - and through the woods and beyond - is again free for Christmas on the three bridges the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission operates.

The Wheatfield Seniors enjoyed their annual Christmas dance on Dec. 10. (photos by Walt Bissett)