The 2019 "Tuesdays in the Park" summer concert series began this week with a pair of crowd-pleasing performances by rock 'n' roll legends Sammy Hagar and Night Ranger. The "super" show - named that way for its unique pricing and seating configurations - lived up to billing, as the acts enthusiastically ran through five decades of hit songs, paired with a generous sampling of deep cuts.

Festival season is now underway in the River Region. Next up for many is a visit out to Ransomville.

Newly appointed commissioners of the International Joint Commission spent Tuesday in Western New York, learning more about the IJC's Plan 2014 and its shoreline impacts from the high water levels on Lake Ontario in New York state and on the St. Lawrence River system in Canada.

The 14th annual Lewiston GardenFest, presented by the Lewiston Garden Club, is set for Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days along Center Street. It includes more than 80 vendors selling flowers, plants and garden essentials, along with speakers, demonstrations, a free garden walk and a container garden contest throughout the weekend.

David and Christina Mackenzie, owners of Rock Solid Tattoos & Permanent Makeup Studio, celebrated a ribbon-cutting on Monday, May 20, at their new location at 520 Center St., in the Village of Lewiston. They have been in business for 11 years and are excited to relocate their business to Lewiston.

Memorial Day was observed Monday in the Village of Lewiston with a parade, remembrance ceremony and luncheon.

Despite warnings of lions, tigers and bears - or at least a lot of rain - the entirety of A Taste of Lewiston was dry, warm and bright on Saturday.

A statue of the Madonna that once stood in front of Niagara Catholic High School has found a new home at the foot of St. Peter R.C. Church in Lewiston. On Sunday, the Rev. Monsignor David LiPuma led a Mass of thanksgiving and dedication as he stood next to the monument of Mary.

Lewiston's Memorial Day Remembrance Committee wishes to thank everyone who has worked this spring to prepare for our third Memorial Day celebration of the lives of the men and women who have sacrificed everything for us.

Ransomville Garden Club members marked the club's 50th anniversary last Saturday with its annual planting of spring flowers. The event took place on the "four corners" in the hamlet where club members formally dedicated four new concrete planters that were installed last summer. 

Jamie Symmonds and Willow Consulting will return to Academy Park this summer for a second season of the Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market.

With the prospect of Lake Ontario water levels going ever higher, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order Monday, declaring a state of emergency for all shoreline areas from Youngstown to Watertown

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.

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.

Excitement - and plenty of support - continues to build throughout the River Region for Mason's Mission Playground at Marilyn Toohey Park, an all-inclusive playground project for children, envisioned for the Red Brick Municipal Building's backyard in the Village of Lewiston.

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.