Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace and the Town Board dedicated the road leading into Veteran’s Memorial Community Park as “Joe Rotella Way” Monday night in a ceremony held before the Town’s weekly Music Mania Mondays free concert. The Town’s “Pocket Parks” were also re-dedicated, complete with new signage.

“The Town Board has made the revitalizing all of our town neighborhood parks as well as tonight’s re-dedication ceremony a top priority. Taking the time to once again remember those whom these parks are where originally named in honor of was long overdue,” said Supervisor Lee Wallace.

Joseph Rotella

“One past town official who dedicated himself to the Town of Niagara and the Recreation Department specifically was Mr. Joseph Rotella. On this Monday night his memory and legacy received the accolades so well deserved. Joe Rotella was not only the first Recreation Director for the Town of Niagara, but he was also the first Athletic Director in the history of the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District,” added Wallace.

“Joe was an inspiration to many of the youth in the Town of Niagara and a mentor to many of us who followed in his footsteps in the field of education. If Joe were here today he would be so proud of how far the Town of Niagara Recreation program has come over the last 60 plus years. On Monday August 21^st, we dedicate the entrance road into Veterans Memorial Community Park at 7000 Lockport Road as “Joe Rotella Way”, “concluded Wallace.

Joseph Rotella, who passed away at the age of 92 in April of 2015, taught and coached at Military Road School before transitioning to the newly opened Niagara Wheatfield Senior High School in 1958. Rotella played an instrumental role in developing the entire physical education and athletic programs for the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District as Athletic Director. Rotella was also the founder of the Town of Niagara Parks’ Summer Recreational athletic and art programs, laying the foundation for the successful programs in place today.

Town of Niagara “Pocket Parks” Dedication

The Town’s “Pocket Parks” re-dedicated are:

Belden Center: John Wojtowicz Playground

Veterans Heights: Sharpe Park

Veterans Heights: Ellerington Playground

John Street: John Neilson Playground

Colonial Village: Gary A. Guiliani Playground

JoAnne Circle: Rosa Garcia Playground

#30

The Niagara County Peach Festival “Taste Off” recipe contest will be held on Saturday September 9^th at 4 PM on the stage at Academy Park in Lewiston. The 2017 “Taste Off” is sponsored by the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, Niagara Gazette and Niagara Frontier Publications.

This year there will be three divisions for entries which include Food Enthusiast, Culinary Student and a new Children category.

Judges for the 2017 “Taste Off” will be Lynn Catalano from the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropy, NCCC Hospitality Tourism and Culinary Arts Division Chairman Mark Mistriner, Dana DeFazio Manager of Savor restaurant, Scott Beahen Director of Food Service Operations at Niagara University and Mike Fiore owner of Village Bake Shop in Lewiston.

There will also be a peach shortcake eating contest on the Academy Park stage featuring local media and dignitaries prior to the announcement of the 2017 recipe winners.

Original recipes must include fresh peaches and be prepared from scratch. The use of pre-made products may result in disqualification. Recipes must be legible and submitted on an 8.5” by 11” white sheet of paper with all ingredients fully listed. The recipe must also include how many portions it can serve.

The entry must include name, address and phone number at the bottom of the paper and be mailed no later than August 30^th to Barbara Walck, Niagara County Community College, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, NY, 14132. Employees of the Greater Niagara Newspapers, Niagara Frontier Publications and Niagara County Community College and their families are not eligible to enter. Entries are limited to one per person.

Divisions

Food Enthusiast- Whether you are a Home baker or pastry enthusiast this category is for you. Individuals sixteen years or older are invited to enter their secret Peach recipe in this year’s Peach Festival “Taste Off” for a chance to be selected as a finalist and to appear on the Main Stage to prepare your entry live for the judges.

Culinary Student- All up and coming aspiring pastry chefs from the western New York culinary programs are encouraged to enter this category. Enter your very favorite peach dessert recipe for a chance to show off your emerging talents to the world and a chance to make your creation live on stage for the “Taste Off” judges.

Children- This is a new category for children from eight to thirteen years of age who love to bake. Create your own Peach dessert for a chance to be a finalist on stage at 4:00PM on Saturday September 10^th.

For further information contact Jerry Wolfgang at 754-7745 or e-mail at jw4267@gmail.com.

The 2017 Niagara County Peach Festival will be held September 7^th, 8^th, 9^th & 10^th at Academy Park on Center Street in Lewiston. Sponsors for this year’s Festival are the Kiwanis of Lewiston, the Buffalo News, WGRZ-TV and Mix 96. More information can be found at www.lewistonpeachfestival.org.