NIAGARA FALLS —
The Village of Lewiston scores high in the current issue of Buffalo Spree, a splendid magazine and respected voice on life in Western New York.
For starters, in its “Best of WNY 2010” poll, it ranks the village as “The Best Small Town To Visit.” The editors note you can picnic by the magnificent Niagara Gorge, see a great concert at Artpark and dine at charming restaurants.
Ironically, the same poll rates the Niagara Parkway on the Ontario side as “The Best Scenic Drive” on either side of the border. Obviously the same can’t be said about the Robert Moses Parkway, a link between the city of Niagara Falls and “The Best Small Town” that some people would prefer to wipe out.
“Lewiston is all over the place (in the poll),” an excited former mayor Richard Soluri said.
The list is overwhelming, proof that Buffalo-Niagara area residents are afforded some fabulous choices within an easy drive.
A few others that made “The Best” list: Viola’s, Military Road, for its steak sandwich; LaHacienda, its thin-crust pizza; Artpark, most exciting outdoor concert series; Carmelo’s, Center Street, Lewiston, for its locally produced food; the Buffalo Zoo/Buffalo Museum of Science, the place to take kids; and Sinatra’s, Kenmore Avenue, Buffalo, for its pasta sauce.
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A GOOD FIT: That caboose the Silo Restaurant added to its Water Street site in Lewiston does not detract in any way from the scenic view along the Lower Niagara River.
Initially, many area residents (myself included) feared it would intrude on the placid waterfront setting.
In fact, it’s a welcome addition as a full-service ice cream facility where customers also can sit on the expanded plaza to enjoy the atmosphere.
Alan Hastings, the Silo operator bought the former CN Railroad caboose last year for $2,500. Looking at the present activity there, it now appears that was a sound investment.
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ADDED ATTRACTION: It was common knowledge that with the drastic budget cutbacks in Albany, there was no money for a huge celebration for the 125th anniversary of the Niagara Falls State Park.
Faced with that situation, regional state park officials had asked Jerry Wolfgang — known for his skills at planning a parade — to step in and take charge with a community-sponsored event.
And Saturday turned out to be a wonderful day with families along the parade route down Third Street and along Old Falls Street.
Wolfgang, a longtime member of the Lewiston Kiwanis Club, was assisted by fellow Kiwanians who helped direct traffic and monitor conditions along the route.
Except for Mayor Paul Dyster and Councilwoman Kristen Grandinetti, no other public officials apparently had enough time to sit on the reviewing platform and express an interest in the event. The parade was to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Niagara Falls State Park but no one was there to represent the agency on the reviewing stand.
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REST OF THE STORY: Actually, the tale of the racing pigeon (item in Thursday’s column) is up in the air.
The bird landed last weekend near the home of Rick and Patty Berggren, Glenvale Road, Youngstown, and they tried to find the owner for several days.
After contacting the American Racing Pigeon Union in Oklahoma City, Patty learned through the agency’s database that the bird was registered to a Orchard Park man. He was all set for a trip to Youngstown to pick up his banded pigeon when the Berggrens suddenly discovered their uninvited guest had flown the coop.
Before he left, however, he was given the name “Walter.”
Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.
Opinion
Related Photos
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Glynn
GLYNN: Lewiston ranks as ‘Best Small Town’ in WNY
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