Independent Living of Niagara County recently held their seventh annual fishing contest in the Lower Niagara River. The contest was organized by ILNC for clients with disabilities.

Mike & Nate give new meaning to the phrase, "God works in mysterious ways."

Over 50 days, the two churchgoing college buddies - Mike Buonaiuto, 22, and Nate Frankoski, 26 - biked 2,500 miles to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Jack Hughes of Williamsville (18 minutes, 15 seconds) and Stephanie Schmidt of Sanborn were the winners in the 10th annual River Run to benefit the Center for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.

I often get asked by people where there is a good, safe place to take kids fishing - where they'll catch fish, be safe and learn to fish without a boat. Those are good questions for sure, especially the last one. We have lots of places around here to do that.

Thursday night's Bills-Redskins preseason opener was one marked by a largely lackadaisical offense for the Bills first string, but also impressive showings by two new QBs in their first games on both squads.

Great weather greeted race fans as week 14 of the 2012 season was completed Aug. 3 at Ransomville Speedway. A total of 85 cars entered the pit area set to battle in the Four Star Program presented by Grelak Mechanical.

BJ Willard invaded the Big R and took home a cool grand for his efforts aboard the 50-lap Grelak Mechanical Sportsman Nationals. Willard took control at the drop of the green and quickly pulled away from the field aboard his No. 77 machine. In only his second appearance of the season, Willard proved he adapts well as he mastered the one-half mile clay oval and captured his first win ever at Ransomville Speedway.

The sixth annual Dave's Memorial Dice Run benefit, held July 21, netted $3,313 for the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s "Ambulance Drive for Life."

Last week, when it was so hot the trees were whistling for the dogs, my wife and I took a little car ride.

Nathan Morski (left) shot his first hole in one this week at the Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Club on Creek Road.

Town of Lewiston councilmen Steve Reiter and Mike Marra unveiled the new playground behind the Red Brick Municipal Building in the Village of Lewiston.

Celebrating upstate New York's unique history and scenic beauty, 500 bicycle riders from 36 states joined with state and local officials at Quackenbush Square in Albany Sunday to mark the completion of Parks & Trails New York's annual week-long bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany.

The Albany celebration recognized the riders' achievement and highlighted the importance of the Erie Canalway Trail to upstate New York's quality of life and economy. When the Canalway Trail is finished, it will be the longest statewide trail in the U.S. It is 75 percent complete along its 524-mile total length.

On June 26 at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, Chuck Thore of Harvey Road was the honorary PALS member (Person with ALS) at a Buffalo Bisons game, and got to throw out the first pitch of the game with the assistance of his wife Kristen, and step-daughter Sarah Brand.

Despite Mother Nature's best efforts - Ransomville Speedway pulled off its races Tuesday night for the third annual "Battle at the Border." Presented by Waste Management and Gater Racing News, the event proved to be action packed for the 2,200 in attendance. As has been the norm on Fridays this season, close to 100 cars filled the pit area for this mid-week special.

Danny Johnson of Rochester took top honors aboard the Mighty Taco/DIRTcar 358 Modified 75-lap main. Johnson threaded the needle on lap 18 splitting the likes of leader Ryan Susice and Chad Brachmann.

Grand Island's Dick Bessel Independence Day road race set another record for participation, race director Jim Masiello told runners at the starting line.

The Niagara River Anglers provided this youngster with the thrill of the catch at the Waste Management picnic last Friday.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission announces the seventh annual "Paddles Up Niagara" will take place along the southeastern shores of Grand Island on Saturday, July 28.

Last Saturday my grandson Jesse, son Danny, and I went on a little fishing excursion for bass on the lower Niagara. It was a bright, windless, and event-filled day as it seemed the fish wanted to show off.

One hundred-forty golfers took to the links June 5 at the Niagara Falls Country Club for the 21st Annual Niagara Cup Classic golf tournament.

Brenden Dewey led Team Sharks with four goals to beat Team USA 5-4 in one of many games that were held in the 24 Hours of Hockey at the Northtown Center in Amherst.

The level 4 gymnasts of Gleason's School of Gymnastics Niagara Team, pictured, competed at the Team Cup in Syracuse, the last meet of the 2011-12 season.

Father's Day found my wife and me on a car cruise to Olcott, and when we came over the Eighteen Mile Creek bridge and turned north, down the main drag into town we saw this little hamlet in the Town of Newfane bustling with people.

The "Nagara" River is a 103-mile-long river in Japan, and it is a popular river like our own famous Niagara River. In Japan there is also an ancient method of fishing the Nagara, and that is with a diving, fish-eating bird - the cormorant.

Every year, New York state offers a license-free fishing weekend, always the last full weekend in June. On Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24, you will be able to fish any and all New York state waters without a license.

The North Tonawanda History Museum's participation in New York Heritage Weekend included the Jim (Herk) Hurtubise Memorial Car Show. Hurtubise was a North Tonawanda racing legend and the museum has a permanent exhibit in his honor.

Eight Western New York Army and Air National Guardsmen represented New York at the annual Winston P. Wilson National Shooting Competition in Arkansas the last week in April.

The Mount St. Mary's Hospital Foundation held its second annual Reverse Draw Fundraiser on May 9 and raised nearly $12,000 to benefit The Center for Women at Mount St. Mary's Hospital, a one-stop health care facility for women of all ages.

The Niagara team from Gleason's School of Gymnastics, level 5, took home first place in the Spring Graffiti in Hamburg on April 21.

VIDEO: The Niagara Frontier Country Club in Porter will hold an "Open House Golf Tournament" on Saturday, May 19.

Lance Armstrong competed April 28 against Mary Eggers at the University at Buffalo in a fundraiser dubbed "Duel in the Pool." Proceeds went to Rochester's Teens Living with Cancer organization.

OK, you heard it here.

What is the difference between a steelhead trout and a rainbow trout? Around here in our watershed you could say they are the same, and people like to call them all "steelhead." Maybe it just sounds better. Genetically, they are both the same.

Ransomville Speedway reports that, in an effort to provide unity between two regional racetracks, both Ransomville and Canandaigua Motorsports Park will be offering a "Friendship Pass" to each of its competitors for the 2012 season.

The program will be allowed for Ransomville Speedway's Sportsman and Street Stock Division along with the Canandaigua Motorsports Park Sportsman and Pure Stock classes only. Each driver who chooses to use the Friendship Pass will be allowed to get a "buy one, get one free" pit pass. Each race team will be able to use the program for up to three of its members, which will allow six persons from each team to benefit.

The Coyotes had a great run exceeding the expectations of many and finishing their spring season 9-1-1. The team is comprised of players from Niagara Falls, Niagara Wheatfield, Lewiston, Amherst and Grand Island.

Niagara Hospice has announced the creation of the DiMino Lower Niagara 5K Series.

If you know a young person who would like to learn a new sport, why not consider sailing? Sailing is a lifelong sport, and there is no better time to learn it than when you are young.

On March 24, Presti Karate Centers hosted its 12th annual Kid's-only Karate tournament. A total of 150 children, ages 6 to 18, competed in weapons, kata and sparring.

The fourth annual "Run with the Rapids 5K Run/Walk" will be held on Saturday, May 19, in downtown Niagara Falls. This USA Track & Field-sanctioned race benefits the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association.

The NC Coyotes Midget 16U team followed a victory in the Gene Harrington Spring Classic Tournament at Hyde Park Arena with an incredible ride to the finals of the New York state championships.

New York state operates 12 fish hatcheries throughout the state, raising muskellunge, walleye, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, rainbow, Coho and Chinook salmon.

The 2012 Wheatfield Blades Squirt Minor AAA team won the Western New York Amateur Hockey League Championship by beating the Depew Saints, 4-1, at Cheektowaga Town Rink.

Congratulations to the Holy Ghost girls varsity basketball team for winning the Lutheran School Basketball League Championship.