Staff and volunteers at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, a member of Catholic Health, paused for a moment of silence on Wednesday, June 29 to pay tribute to veterans and those who currently serve in the armed forces during a special flag ceremony.  The hospital also received an American Flag flown over Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and dedicated to Kenmore Mercy by Major Kevin Klostermann, Commanding Officer, Company 1, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines.   

Major Klostermann, a physician’s assistant in the hospital’s Emergency Department since 2001, and Marine since 1990, dedicated the flag while serving overseas earlier this year.  “Soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines demonstrate their honorable service and adherence to corps values such as honor, courage, and commitment through their selfless dedication to duty,” Major Klostermann said.

The flag represents the honorable service and sacrifice throughout history by service men and women in

You are invited to a free, fun, family event the morning of July 4th from 10:00 am-12 noon.

The Independence Day Celebration will be held on the Village Green (Delaware Road and Delaware Avenue - by the Municipal building). There will be music, folks dressed and acting as people from our nations past like George Washington, Betsy Ross, and Abraham Lincoln. There will be treats to eat like star cookies, crafts including duct tape creations, a salute to the original 13 colonies, neat things for bike decorating and lots of laughter and fun.

Independence Day is really the birthday of our nation; it is our National Day, a celebration and remembrance of our heritage and traditions. The day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Bring yourself, family, friends, and some neighbors for a great patriotic and free time as we celebrate our joy and pride in living in the United States of America.

The Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market, a Western New York tradition featuring more than 30 vendors selling fresh, seasonal and local products, is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine. Providing musical entertainment at the open-air venue this week, July 2, will be Breckenwood from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The market also welcomes several community groups this week, including UNYTS, Buffalo Animal Shelter, Richmond Ashland National Register Historic District Initiative and Echo Art Fair. Arrowhead Spring Vineyards and Schulze Vineyards & Winery will offer wine-tasting.