When WTS Chairman Gary Hall proposed adding a tennis complex to his company's North Second and Mohawk streets property in 2013, his son, Brian, said the impetus is "My father very much cares for his employees. Building a health and wellness center for WTS employees, he felt, was the right thing to do. Health and wellness is very important. We want our employees to be happy, healthy."

In celebration of Black History month, the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, in partnership with the WNY Urban Arts Collective, will host the 10th annual "Freedom: Artists of Color Exhibition." It will run Feb. 9 through March 4 in the Townsend Gallery, 1201 Pine Ave, Niagara Falls.

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo - a local nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals, families and organizations make their charitable goals a reality - is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019. To mark this milestone, the Community Foundation will award $1 million in honor of 12 local change-makers who have made a difference in the lives of Western New Yorkers. Prize-winners will be found through a communitywide nomination process.

Catholic Charities on Tuesday announced the launch of the 2019 Appeal. The goal for the 2019 fundraiser once again is $11 million, of which $1.4 million has already been raised. The theme for the Appeal 2019 is "Help your neighbor find HOPE."

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association held its annual winter meeting Tuesday evening at Rays Tavern, with a full house in attendance.

Representatives from the Niagara Falls High School Class of 1958 presented a check for $650 from funds raised at its recent 60-year reunion to representatives from the Niagara Falls Education Foundation. The presentation took place as part of a monthly class luncheon at the Como Restaurant.

Sacarissa Bell Rose Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows has been busy distributing checks to community organizations. At the December meeting, it was decided to send checks of support to the Family Justice Center of Buffalo; Heart, Love & Soul of Niagara Falls; Community Cats Alive of Lewiston; and Wings Flights of Hope, of Orchard Park.

The Historical Association of Lewiston celebrated the 14th Tour of Homes event Dec. 1-2. The weekend was full of festive cheer, and attendees were given the chance to tour five beautifully decorated homes.

For the fourth year in a row, the Women of Steel from United Steelworkers Local 9464 in Niagara Falls came together to collect toiletries, more than 200 pillows, and other items for the people served by Passage House.

Festive trees are lining the overpass bridge and other areas within the New York Power Authority's Niagara Power Vista at the Niagara Power Project. Area nonprofit organizations provided decorations for the energy-efficient "Festival of Trees" showpieces.

What happens when lava and water meet?

The big man in the red suit arrived in Lewiston via Rainbow Air helicopter on Saturday morning. After successfully landing in Academy Park, Santa met with children and families before boarding his special Deal Realty Float. J&J Strassburg Trucking transported the holly-jolly one to the International Peace Garden, where he greeted even more youth.

The Lewiston Christmas Walk and Tour of Homes are the highlight of a busy, festive few days in Niagara County and the River Region.

For a decade, former Angel to Apple owner Jamie Symmonds worked to unite businesses on Center Street. Most notably, she organized annual Black Friday events and street-long sales.Though Symmonds closed her own shop in 2016 to transition into other endeavors - most notably Willow Consulting - she hasn't stopped promoting local mom-and-pops.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital joined with the Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence for a special appreciation luncheon to honor associates, volunteers and residents on Veterans Day.

On Saturday, the Town of Niagara played host to the 14th Niagara Electric Lights Parade along Military Road to help kick off the holiday season.

Every year, volunteers from the Historical Association of Lewiston meet to wash and put a coat of wax on Lewiston's two large-scale bronze monuments. Last Sunday's weather was perfect and the crew met at the Freedom Crossing and Tuscarora Heroes monuments to perform their magic.

The craft committee, part of the St. Francis Guild at Mount St. Mary's Hospital, meets every Tuesday to make bears for the children who come to the hospital for surgery and other services. When children arrive for surgery they are greeted by a bear on their bed along with their gown, booties and blanket. As the child gets ready for their procedure, so does their bear.

Fresh from winning his first Dove Award (Songwriter of the Year), Matthew West chatted with NFP about "The Answer/All In" tour, which he's co-headlining with Jeremy Camp. The artists are intent on sharing a message of hope as they perform a boxload of hit songs. They'll take the Eastern Hills Church stage on Nov. 2. Tickets and more information can be found at TheAnswerAllInTour.com.

The Most Rev. Richard Malone joined with students, teachers, faculty members, community leaders and friends to officially open the St. Peter's playground on Friday. The recreational space is located behind the gymnasium and adjacent to the Lewiston elementary school. It was dedicated to Dr. Irene Elia.

The Aquarium of Niagara's annual "Halloween Happenings" event is set for the weekend of Oct. 27-28. The event is free for children in costume and will include a Halloween-themed sea lion show, seal and penguin presentations hosted by a special friend, games, crafts and trick or treat stations.

The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and the Buffalo History Museum will present "The Underground Railroad: Then & Now" at 6 p.m. Wed., Oct. 10, at the latter and then at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the former. The event is free to attend.

The Aquarium of Niagara has received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This recognizes its commitment to the highest standards in animal care, education, conservation and guest experience.

It was a special year for The Mighty Niagara Half Marathon and Hospice Dash 5K. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Hospice Dash 5K. The milestone was acknowledged by custom gold medals awarded to every finisher of the 5K.

Officials from Lewiston-Porter helped cut the ribbon on a new clothing closet located on the Lew-Port campus.

Last Saturday, golf croquet enthusiasts gathered at the Lewiston "White Gates" home of Bill and Barbara Vrooman for an afternoon "tournament of friends."

AAA Western and Central New York kicked off its annual "School's Open - Drive Carefully" campaign as back-to-school season is in full swing. AAA's "School's Open - Drive Carefully" campaign was launched nationally in 1946 to help reduce the number of school-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Now, 72 years later, AAA clubs across the country continue to promote the campaign each fall to remind motorists to watch out for children as they travel to and from school.

Without fanfare, the Western New York Welcome Center on Alvin Road has opened.

Thursday afternoon, families and friends alike gathered at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station to welcome home their loved ones from overseas.

Buffalo Sabres season ticketholders have a new option for sharing season ticket packages beginning this season. The Sabres have partnered with "SplitSeasonTickets," a new online platform that makes it easier for fans to share season tickets by finding partners, efficiently dividing tickets between them, and managing and tracking their supply.

Over 80 people attended the grand opening of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES' Workforce Training Center in Niagara Falls on Aug. 8. 

Old Fort Niagara's busy season of re-enactments continues with "Soldiers of the Revolution," Aug. 18-19, when the fort's staff and volunteers will work with visiting re-enacting units to share history from the American Revolution on the Niagara Frontier. During this event, visitors will gain an understanding of early America through the perspectives of the colonial rebels versus those who remained loyal to the British crown, called loyalists.

But have you ever heard the story behind "Donuts the Clown?"

Since 2004, Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management has offered its students summer work-abroad opportunities at luxury resorts in a region of Italy The New York Times described as "a playground for the wealthy."

Sports teams in their first year have their struggles at times. Unless you're the Vegas Golden Knights and reach the Stanley Cup Finals in your first season, most teams see varied success. For the Niagara Power of the New York Collegiate Baseball League, it may not be their first year in existence, but it's their inaugural season under the direction of Niagara University.

The Greater Niagara Ballet Company presents "Balletic Interludes," excerpts from four unique performances, at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center, 4455 Porter Road.

Two previous Artpark "Tuesdays in the Park" stars co-headlined a night of hits on Independence Day eve. Peter Frampton and the Steve Miller Band brought six decades of classic rock staples to Lewiston.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. announced the 10th anniversary of Canalside, which historically, was the western terminus of the Erie Canal and today has become a rich site of development, revival and activity in Buffalo.

Artpark & Company announces two new installations to the Artpark Percussion Garden: "Gong Temple - Musical Architecture Study" by William Close and "Chime Sprouts" by Vanessa Lee Jackson.

Local elected leaders, businesspeople, current and former employees, friends and family members came out to The Silo Restaurant on Wednesday to celebrate the eatery's 20th anniversary on the Lewiston waterfront.