Looking forward to spring, warmer weather, and a little green? Then join the Youngstown Garden Club at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, for "An Evening of Wintergreen" and garden-themed auction at First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church St.

Community Ed is alive and well at Lewiston-Porter.

The Lewiston Town Board held its annual reorganization meeting this week, setting the stage for town operations in 2020. This marked the first official meeting by newly elected board member Jason Myers.

The Lake Ontario Preparedness Group met Thursday in Porter Town Hall to hear updates on local tourism initiatives, and to jointly sign a resolution opposing the International Joint Commission's Plan 2014.

The Lewiston-Porter School District Board of Education on Monday announced the appointment of Bradley Rowles as the new principal of Lewiston-Porter High School.

The Town of Porter this week released the agenda for the upcoming Lake Ontario Preparedness Committee. The group, consisting of representatives from the Town and Village of Lewiston, Town of Porter, Village of Youngstown, Village of Barker, Town and Village of Wilson, and Town of Newfane will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Porter Town Hall.

The 2019 Community Christmas Baskets Program, an annual project of the Youngstown Civic Guild, saw a successful conclusion in the days before Christmas.

New York Sea Grant has published New York's Great Lakes Coastal Resilience Index: A Community Self-Assessment guide for understanding how prepared a community is for coastal flooding and weather disasters such as wind and ice storms, ice jams and flash flooding. The publication can be read and downloaded in the "Resource: Tools" section of the New York Sea Grant website at www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/ccd/.

Joined by family, friends and supporters, nine officials were sworn into office Jan. 1 at the Town of Lewiston Town Hall.

Winter cold also wasn't enough to cancel Lewiston's annual War of 1812 remembrance ceremony Thursday at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument on the corner of Center Street and Portage Road.

The Town of Porter will be the location for the next get-together of the Lake Ontario Preparedness Group. A detailed planning conference for 2020 will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Porter Town Hall.

As more communities across Western New York continue to sign on to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's green energy campaign of energy alternatives - namely commercial utility solar installations - many are also contending with unfavorable reactions from residents and questions on capacity. Some are also now reconsidering their options.

Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen owner Michael Hibbard recently took over the property at 453 Center St., formerly Center Cut: The Village Steakhouse. Hibbard said he hopes to open "Gather" sometime in February.

The Village of Lewiston celebrated retiring Clerk/Treasurer Amy Salada's last board meeting Monday with a slideshow, cake, congratulations and thanks. Her family was in attendance and presented Salada with flowers.

Jamie Symmonds' recent Holiday Market at the Brickyard Brewing Company was a success, with scores of people attending and myriad vendors showcasing their wares for guests.

Fishermen and visitors to the Village of Lewiston waterfront have noticed the last remnant of the old, damaged dock is gone. A replacement is on the way, and will be installed as soon as possible - likely after the holidays.

Over the course of 30 years, there's no telling how many people Amy Salada has spoken with from her side of the clerk's office counter. Most comments have been cordial; others, well, not so much.

At the Dec. 9 Lewiston Town Board meeting, the board approved a negative declaration for the land at 4358 Lower River Road following State Environmental Quality Review Act findings. The declaration maintains that, based on tests and reviews done at the project site, the proposed town development has been determined not to have significant adverse environmental impacts.

Attendees of the 15th annual Lewiston Tour of Homes had an opportunity to vote on their favorite home as "Best in Show." The "Par for Christmas" house decorated by Fay Bailey of Fay Bailey Designs, and Catherine Rotella and Al Piccirillo of Piccirillo's Florist, is the winner.

Indeed, the Destino family has returned to 3909 Creek Road. Signs on and in front of the building boldly state, "Grandma D's Pizzeria" and "The Original Destino's."

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

The Youngstown Lions annual holiday lighting contest will take place the evening of Friday, Dec. 20. Lions Club members will judge home decorations from the areas of Lower River Road to Porter Center Road, from Lake Road to Porter town line, and in the Village of Youngstown.

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.

Sanborn's Business Association is hosting its fifth annual Shop Local / Shop Sanborn event for Small Business Saturday. For the first time, it has expanded into a full weekend of deals and holiday comforts for those who are in the know.

Jim Fittante and Cheryl Krouse of Samana Salt Spa recently served as speakers for the Salt Therapy Association conference in Orlando. They were invited to participate based on their knowledge of salt spa benefits, and the success they've already had with their new Lewiston business.

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.

The Lewiston Town Board held a Nov. 7 public hearing on its 2020 $18,463,867 preliminary budget. The numbers represent a $336,238 (1.85%) increase over the 2019 budget. However, the plan also shows a projected 0.47% tax decrease.

The Town of Porter Town Board took limited commentary at its special meeting Tuesday to consider the town's preliminary $5.241 million budget for 2020.

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

The New York Power Authority, in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, will host a variety of cultural activities, presentations and performances on Saturday at its Niagara Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Road. Visitors can help build longhouses and learn about the history of lacrosse.

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.

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

One can add the nicest countertops, largest bathrooms and comfiest bedrooms to a residence, but it still won't have what the principals behind River's Edge can boast about. "Definitely the water, and the lack of condos, and that type of living in the village," Alisa Talarico said. "Anything new or with the water view was huge."

In addition to River's Edge, residents have been wondering what's going on with other notable developments around the Village of Lewiston. Here is an update:

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

Amid public outcry against the influx of new solar farms in the town, the Lewiston Town Board introduced a moratorium that would temporarily halt new proposals for industrial-scale solar facilities in the area for six months. The moratorium is set to be voted on following a newly scheduled public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14.

Former Deputy Treasurer Edward Walker, now an employee with the U.S. Census Bureau, provided the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees with an update on the 2020 decennial census at the start of the Oct. 21 monthly meeting.

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.

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.