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.

Over past weeks, residents and visitors in our neck of the woods have certainly had the opportunity to experience and be part of a multitude of holiday delights. That included the "Noel of Niagara" light display that continues throughout the season at the Town of Niagara's Veterans Park on Lockport Road; holiday shopping offerings such as Small Business Saturday in Lewiston and Sanborn, "Jingle Falls USA" in Niagara Falls; last weekend's Ransomville Festival of Lights; and Friday evening's Holiday Light Up Parade in Newfane.

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

The Lewiston-Porter Lancers 2018-19 basketball season could be summed up in one word - historic. The squad went 21-4, won the Niagara Frontier League title, a feat that hadn't been accomplished in 34 years; were victorious in the Section VI Class A championship and made an appearance in the Far West Regional before the season came to a close. All in all, it was the program's best season in 41 years.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Artpark & Company and Funtime will present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Friday, June 19, 2020, in the Artpark Amphitheater. Tickets go on sale at noon on Friday, Nov. 22.

So, what is going on with the Lewiston Family Ice Rink?

At nightfall on the 11th day of the 11th month - Veterans Day - Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 officially unveiled its "Circle of Honor" monument inside Lewiston's Academy Park.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7487 held a Veterans Day observance at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in honor of those who served this country in the armed forces. The event took place at the new "Circle of Honor" memorial at Academy Park in Lewiston.

The Lewiston Choraleers will present its popular holiday concert series at four area church sites, including a performance one Saturday, Dec. 7, to coincide with the annual Lewiston Christmas Walk sponsored by the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce.

Deputy Clerk Shannon Fundis and Deputy Treasurer Stephanie Myers were promoted and will take the reins on Jan. 1.

The Town of Porter recently received designation as a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for its efforts in reducing energy use, cutting costs, and pursuing clean energy locally.

Old Fort Niagara, the 18th century historic site, is getting ready for its popular Christmas event in a very 21st-century way.

The Republican Party in northern Niagara County scored major victories on Election Day in the Town of Lewiston and in the legislature.

Two large gifts to the new playground project were announced prior to Monday's Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees work session.

After nearly two years of planning, fundraising, engineering and construction, the new Veterans of Foreign Wars "Circle of Honor" will be dedicated during a nighttime ceremony at 6:15 p.m. Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

Shown in a storefront window across the street from the post office in Ransomville is a tribute to former 1st District Niagara County Legislator Clyde Burmaster, who lost his lengthy battle to cancer earlier this fall. It was prepared by Ransomville resident Ruth Anne Buzzard, who wrote, "The Hamlet of Ransomville gives a Hometown Tribute to their friend, and Niagara County Legislator Clyde Burmaster.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, elected and community leaders, as well as friends and family, celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Bella Rose Vineyard and Winery on Wednesday.

Niagara Hospice announced recently that 10 general-inpatient rooms and all 10 residential units at its Niagara Hospice House facility in Lockport now feature new Wieland sleeper sofas, providing flexibility and convenience during patient visits and overnight stays.

The Lewiston Garden Club and Village of Lewiston Beautification officially unveiled "Best Friends" at a ceremony Tuesday inside Seneca Park, next to the Lewiston Public Library.

On behalf of Lewiston Council on the Arts, I want to thank our faithful and dedicated volunteer actors who sacrifice every Saturday night in September and October to perform in the "Marble Orchard Ghost Walks." The Marble Orchard Players are a polished and talented cast that braves the rain and cold to provide audiences with an enjoyable and entertaining experience.

Halloween was all the rage Saturday in Lewiston, as children and families went trick-or-treating along Center Street and into DiMinos Tops, village businesses handed out candy, and the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce hosted a craft-making event.

November is the time when the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce and the Lewiston Business Group invite the outside world to descend the hill and experience the magic of our main street.

The Artpark & Company staff, board and master plan team on Thursday said they are keenly aware of the Lewiston venue's past, encouraged by its future potential, and motivated to use the park's resources to shape "values of cultural democracy, social justice and environmental health."

Behind the thick stone walls of Old Fort Niagara's French Castle, Old Fort Niagara's staff and volunteers will offer living history programs for visitors about the French influences on the Niagara Region on Saturday, Nov. 9, during "French Heritage Day."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced the state is providing $49 million to advance 20 projects in Niagara and Orleans counties as part of the first round of funding under the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. Cuomo launched REDI in May to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region.

The Peach Festival will return to Academy Park in 2020.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 welcomed a handful of recuperating D.C.-area soldiers to Lewiston on Sunday. The men were taken out on three charter boats to fish for bass and lake trout along the river. They then returned to Water Street for lunch at Lower Niagara Moose Lodge No. 584.

Artpark & Company's board of directors announced the election of new officers and directors at the organization's annual meeting on Oct. 15 at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

After losing to the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons early in the season, 5-0, the Lewiston-Porter Lancers boys soccer team chances of winning the Niagara Frontier League finals Wednesday night may have seemed slim to some. The Lancers were quick to prove the doubters wrong, though, as Lewiston-Porter defeated the Falcons, 1-0, to clinch the program's first NFL title since 2010.