After 32 hours of intense sawing, chiseling and sculpting to create giant works of art made entirely out of ice, the second annual Great Lakes International Ice Carving Competition bestowed top honors to Ross and Antonio Baisas of Quebec.

Winters in Western New York are notoriously harsh, making preparation essential to surviving the cold months ahead. For many families, the rising cost of heating can be a serious concern. Unfortunately, some have to choose between turning on the heat or putting food on the table.

Angelo Sarkees of Lewiston has begun his fourth year of "Deposits for Food" (D4F), a collection of returnable container and scrap metal to benefit three Niagara County food pantries: Community Missions, Heart, Love and Soul, and Care and Share of Ransomville.

On Monday, three polar bears from three different zoos traveled a combined 1,600 miles to their new homes. The Buffalo Zoo teamed up with the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin, as part of a species survival plan recommendation to support polar bear conservation.

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier has big plans for Giving Tuesday (#GivingTuesday), which is Nov. 29. More than 100 volunteers will visit the agency as part of the event, while many collections throughout the area are also planned.

The Association of Film Commissioners International has announced Buffalo/Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark was elected to the organization's board of directors.

The Kiwanis Club of Lewiston held its annual Steve Washuta Clam Bake this past summer and raised $5,000 for the Steve Washuta Cardiac Center at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.

From noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, Sacarissa Bell Rose Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), will collect items for the needy at the Lewiston Christmas Walk. Members seek new or gently used hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and socks. Cans of soup with pull tops will also gratefully be accepted.

2016 marks the 12th year for what has become a time-honored holiday tradition in Western New York. The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg will flip the switch on more than 1 million twinkling lights on a newly expanded drive through route at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian announced plans for "Casino for a Cause," which is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at the Town Ballroom, 681 Main St., Buffalo.

The Historical Association of Lewiston has announced tickets are now on sale for its 12th annual Tour of Homes, scheduled for Dec. 3-4 in historic Lewiston.

In an effort to provide holiday meals to hungry local families, the 11th annual "Operation: Rock Out Hunger," presented by 97 Rock and co-sponsored by WKBW-TV Channel 7, will be held from 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, through 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, in the Eastern Hills Mall parking lot, 4545 Transit Road in Williamsville.

The board of associates of Mount St. Mary's Hospital held its annual Tony Guthrie Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, and served more than 300 breakfasts at the Lewiston No. 1 Volunteer Fire Co. firehall.

The Aquarium of Niagara's "Save our Penguins" campaign is growing closer to its targeted total.

The new Niagara Community Center is now up and running, providing a new place for youth to thrive and learn through sporting and educational activities.

Thanks to the initiative of cardiologist Dr. Zina Hajduczok, of Lewiston Cardiology (pictured at left with perioperative business/systems supervisor Becky Shively), and the cooperation of central services and surgery, Mount St. Mary's Hospital has put together a shipment of medical supplies bound for the Ukraine.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has announced The Wound Center of Niagara is a recipient of RestorixHealth's Center of Excellence award.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will honor a beloved physician and a prominent Niagara Falls attorney for their service to the hospital and the community at The 2017 Premier, Memorial's annual dinner gala.

The Lewiston Kiwanis Club announced Mark Briglio was recently installed as the president of the club for 2016-17. He previously served as the vice president and president-elect.

The new camera will equip a second cardiac stress-testing lab at the heart center and is part of a $320,000 expansion that will include expanded echocardiography capabilities.

Community Missions will hold an antiques and fine arts auction at the Presbyterian Church in Youngstown on Sunday, Nov. 13.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, Old Fort Niagara will present "French Heritage Day" through a series of interactive and educational activities for the public. The programs will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will convey the influence and impact of the French on Niagara's early history, from 1726-59.

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association showed off its newly completed signpost located at the intersection of Main, Lockport and Water streets.

Construction began this week on a new, $4.3-million inpatient cardiac/stroke care unit at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

Sometimes it only takes a moment of distraction or inattention, poor visibility, or inappropriate speed for tragedy to strike on a roadway.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will mark completion of more than $2 million in upgrades at its Schoellkopf Health Center at 11 a.m. Tuesday with a rededication ceremony and a tribute to the employee for whom its hospice unit is named.

When October rolls into Western New York, it brings with it warm sunrays, crisp air and a bountiful harvest. There is a sense of nostalgia, getting back to routines and comfort that only a knit sweater and nature's sweet bounty can bring.

The legend lives on. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, the Lewiston Council on the Arts will present "A Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald" at Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St., Lewiston.

Anneliese Iacovitti of Niagara Falls has been awarded Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's 2016 Junior Volunteer Scholarship.

In the spirit of Halloween, the Lewiston-Porter Drama Club presents "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," a ghost story adapted by Lindsay Price from the original work by Washington Irving.

"Pearls, Plates & Planes," the travel and lifestyle blog of Full Plate Publicity, will house "Forty Before 40" and "Page to Pantry," two new series that will be published on a regular basis.

Staff members from the Imaging Center at Mount St. Mary's Hospital recently gathered on "Go Pink Day" at the hospital in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. "Go Pink Day" was just one activity held at the hospital this month to promote awareness.

Coming off the most-watched full NHL regular season on cable in 22 years, NBC Sports Group continues its storied history of hockey coverage this week with three premier "Face-Off" matchups to begin the 2016-17 NHL regular season and a new "NHL Overtime" postgame show.

October is the time of year when children and families artfully decorate pumpkins and display these works for friends and neighbors. Now, your most decorative, scariest, funniest or craziest pumpkin designs can win you one of three great prize packs in the Niagara Frontier Publications pumpkin-carving contest.

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty Jr. announced Erie County Hall will be illuminated in the color purple to "Shine the Light on Domestic Violence" throughout the month of October.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, guests who board the world-famous Maid of the Mist during the month of October will be given pink ponchos.

Residents of Wheatfield and surrounding communities rallied Friday afternoon in opposition to National Fuel's Northern Access 2016 pipeline project. With signs in hand, protesters gathered on Liberty Drive where National Fuel has proposed a natural gas dehydration facility to be constructed as part of the general project.

The law firm of Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP has announced Diane M. Perri Roberts was distinguished by the legal community in two prominent peer recognition publications for 2016.

Susan G. Komen Western New York will honor the winners of its annual HOPE, FAITH and LOVE Awards on Saturday, Oct. 8, including Colleen Nossavage of Lewiston, who will be named the winner of Komen's LOVE Award.

A pair of prominent mental health service providers is again joining to support a day of recovery and understanding with an interfaith community prayer service at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5.