A Line or Two by Don Glynn Click on photo for larger image

Greeters program needs volunteers
By Don Glynn
Wednesday, June 02, 2026

The fledgling “Niagara Falls Greeters,” a volunteer crew trying to make visitors feel more welcome, made its debut over the Memorial Day weekend.

From all accounts — people along the pedestrian mall and tourists looking for directions — the new greeters proved helpful.

The volunteer corps also staffed the temporary “Official Information Center” that opened on Wendel Way, in front of the Niagara Aerospace Museum. (The state parks commission maintains a fine facility in Prospect Park but the visitors walking around downtown always look for help too.)

There’s still a need, however, for more volunteers, if this program is to succeed. With that in mind, program coordinator Louise Yots has planned another orientation day, June 15.

The sessions are set from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the second-floor auditorium at the Earl W. Brydges Library. Interested volunteers need to attend only one of the sessions, Yots emphasized.

Basically, the greeters will be giving visitors maps or answering general questions (e.g. “How do we get to Goat Island?”).

If you’d like to help with this worthwhile project, call (716) 282-6718. It’s an ideal way to help boost tourism to the Cataract City and assist visitors.

The standard “shift” is three hours and you can work as many days as you prefer.

If lots of volunteers sign up, it should ease the burden. At present, the information center is open only on weekends but plans are to operate it daily in the prime tourist season.

Earlier, David Rosenwasser, president of the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp., had asked Yots, who owns a popular bed-and-breakfast in Niagara Falls, to coordinate the greeters program after the city’s official information center, at Fourth and Niagara streets, was demolished for a parking garage.

The long-term scheme is for an upscale visitor orientation center within walking distance of the falls. Until then, Niagara needs some knowledgeable people on the street to aid the visitors.

Surely some service clubs and community groups will be willing to contribute a few hours every week.

It’s an opportunity to spread the word about what Niagara Falls USA and the region offers.

•••

IN THE PARK: Before the state parks commission begins charging motorists $6 admission to Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown, it might be appropriate to fill a couple of potholes in front of the toll booth at the south entrance. Right now, you could easily knock wheels out of alignment or maybe break a tire, if you hit that one hole.

On a brighter note, the new flag at the landscaped traffic circle is a nice addition, especially for visitors entering the park from Main Street.

•••

THE THIRD JEWEL: Area Off-Track Betting parlors will be extra busy Friday as patrons start wagering on the Belmont Stakes, climax to racing’s Triple Crown.

At a glance, Smarty Jones, who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, should win in a breeze on Saturday.

One statistic you may want to keep in mind as you place the bet: Since 1932, 19 thoroughbreds that won the Derby and the Preakness failed to capture the Belmont.

That aside, the OTB parlors will undoubtedly be host to many first-time bettors with countless fans hoping to share in the excitement of the first Triple Crown winner in 26 years.
View Printable Story

Add a comment