Approximately 20 members of the Lewiston Garden Club broke out their shovels, spades, pots, planters, and green thumbs on Monday for their annual planting day throughout the Village of Lewiston.

When the lights dim on the final Artpark Amphitheater show of the season, and the band is walking off stage, patrons take a moment to reflect; they savor the experience; and, about five minutes later, they ask, "Who's coming next summer?"

In celebration of Hibbard's 80th anniversary this summer, the iconic original frozen custard stand is unveiling a new flavor, appropriately named "Big Barenaked Bang." The custard features a Hibbard's original recipe made with a coffee base, espresso beans, and pieces of dark chocolate.

Visitors to Old Fort Niagara over the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 25 and 26, will be treated to a timeline military event: "Soldiers through the Ages." This annual reenactment features reenactors as soldiers and civilians from the 15th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, special displays of military vehicles, period camps, weapons demonstrations, uniform programs and hands-on activities for families.

The Artpark & Company board of directors has confirmed selection of the lead design team for its master plan: Internationally recognized architecture and design firm SO - IL; landscape architects West 8; and theater, acoustics and digital design consultancy Charcoalblue. They are tasked with the development of a strategy to revitalize the Artpark grounds, while improving connectivity, facilities and programs.

The Nancy Price Memorial 5K race had 68 runners signed up, along with a large number of folks who walked the course and 10 kids who ran in the half-mile "fun run."

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association announced this week it is a recipient of the 2019 William G. Mayne Business Community Enhancement Grant Program award.

St. Peter R.C. Church Rev. Monsignor David LiPuma had a special message for parishioners on Saturday: School Principal Maureen Ingham was promoted.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce celebrated the community at the annual Chamber Gala awards dinner. Its board of directors partnered with elected leaders and business associations to recognize the following (click to read the profile):

The Kiwanis Club of Lewiston announced its newly elected club officers: President Lee Allan, President-Elect Marty Pauly, Vice President Dean Beltrano and board members Jan Mathews, Erica Bellonte, Cameron Fitch and John Coulter.

Sunday is not only Cinco de Mayo, it's also the fifth anniversary of The Spicey Pickle. The Center Street Mexican eatery will mark this milestone by doing what it does each May 5: throwing a party.

After a lengthy application process, the First Presbyterian Church, and the cemetery beside it, are one step closer to achieving a coveted milestone: Designation to the National Register of Historic Places.

Thanks to higher-than-normal precipitation over the past few months in the Midwest, coupled with a melting snow pack throughout much of the Great Lakes, water levels across the system are above their long-term averages - and expected to remain that way for some time. Additionally, threats of lakeshore flooding are becoming more likely.

Niagara Frontier Publications has been chosen as the 2019 Chairman's Partnership Award recipient by the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce board of directors and Chairwoman Christine O'Hara. We are proud to have a company that believes in the value of local news reporting and promoting our businesses, residents, achievements, organizations and community.

Efforts to rehabilitate and reopen the historic Frontier House began last weekend, when a team of five men from Blooms Relax Landscaping manicured the green space in front of and around the 195-year-old building, and cleaned up the children's' play area once used by McDonald's Restaurant.

As the nation continues to be captivated by James Holzhauer - the million-dollar man on "Jeopardy!" - it was Sandy Blackwell Yates who put on a show Saturday night at the Brickyard Brewing Company. She captained her team to a resounding victory in "Lewiston Jeopardy," earning a large trophy and the applause of an impressed audience.

A portion of the funds raised at this year's Lewiston Smelt Festival will go toward outfitting Shadow, the Lewiston Police Department's 20-month-old German shepherd from the Czech Republic.

The Rev. Monsignor David G. LiPuma has been chosen by Mayor Anne Welch and trustees as the 2019 Village of Lewiston Citizen of the Year. He has made a positive impact in the community leading and bringing people together while instilling the true sense of what community is all about.

Last Saturday, DeGiulio's Pharmacy hosted a prize reception for winners of The Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Easter coloring contest.

An exciting new vibe is starting to be felt up in Youngstown.

While 2018 was the year in which The Silo Restaurant looked to its past, 2019 is all about looking to - and preserving - the future.

As part of the recent "Shop Hop" event in Lewiston, the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce held a contest to name the Easter Bunny. More than 70 entries were submitted. The Chamber of Commerce staff had a hard time deciding what name would be best. After much consideration, the winning name is "Mary Hoppins."

As we enter into spring, it is a great time to reflect on what the Lewiston Kiwanis has been up to and take a look into the near future.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, along with the City of Niagara Falls, broke ground Wednesday on a comfort station that will service parkgoers at DeVeaux Woods State Park.

Gary Zanardi has been chosen by Town of Porter Supervisor Duffy Johnston and the Town Board as the 2019 Town of Porter Citizen of the Year.

Glenn Wienke has been chosen by Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick and Town Board as the 2019 Town of Lewiston Citizen of the Year.

The Lewiston Smelt Festival is the official start of the village's summer slate of activities. It is an enjoyable evening where, despite the weather - which is often about 55 and overcast - friends gather together to mingle, listen to live music and eat the #FriesWithEyes.

For the second year in a row, readers voted Apple Granny Restaurant as "Best Fish Fry" in Western New York. A record 2,006 votes were cast in the Niagara Frontier Publications contest.

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association held its annual spring get-together on Tuesday at the Ontario House (Stone Jug) in Youngstown.

As the Rev. Monsignor David LiPuma was preparing to take on a second six-year term at St. Peter's - and continue overseeing St. Bernard's in Youngstown - the Most Rev. Richard Malone presented him with a new "daunting" challenge: shepherding Our Lady of Victory Basilica, the Lackawanna site founded by the Venerable Nelson Baker.

A sure (and satisfying) sign of spring: Hibbard's Original Frozen Custard officially opened for the 2019 season on Monday.

Patrons hopped to Lewiston on Saturday to participate in the first "Shop Hop." The spring and Easter-themed event provided a plethora of shopping deals across the business district, as well as an appearance by the Easter Bunny.

The Home Assistance Referral Team's annual "Rockin' with HART" fundraiser was staged Saturday at the Lewiston Event Center on Cayuga Street. The event included a basket raffle, a 50/50 split and a batch of celebrity bartenders vying for tips for HART.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce G-Mac's Inn as the recipient of the 2019 Sanborn Business of the Year Award. The restaurant has grown quickly over the past two years, revitalizing a historic building in Sanborn and bringing new business to the community.

Tin Pan Alley's pending sale is one of many changes across Ken Bryan and Eric Matthews' four-restaurant footprint.

The Old Fort Niagara Association recently recognized its corps of volunteers, who collectively contributed 40,858 hours to reenacting, guiding tours and assisting with special events and programs in 2018, at an annual volunteer breakfast ceremony held in the fort's Officers' Club.

There is a new Center Street exit and entry into the Rite Aid plaza.

Rock legend Burton Cummings and special guest Andre-Philippe Gagnon will perform in the Artpark Amphitheater on July 2 as part of "Tuesdays in the Park presented by M&T Bank." Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

Brickyard Brewing Company patrons on Sunday got a taste of summer, a taste of barbecue, and a taste of what's to come this summer in Lewiston.