Fun Winter Activities to Keep You Busy this Season

As the new year begins and the winter season starts to come into play, the people of Buffalo and the Niagara Region start to get antsy for the spring season. For those who don’t have a specific winter schedule and are always looking for something to do to keep busy during the cold winter months, here is a list of some activities to try out this winter.

Ice skating in Western New York

Town of Tonawanda Winter Fest

Living on Grand Island allows for easy access to the city of Buffalo, as well as the surrounding locations. January 13-17 is the Town of Tonawanda Winter Fest, which will include winter sports competitions, beer and wine tastings, food, and much more! Get out and enjoy the winter activities in Tonawanda.

Buffalo Whiskey Riot

The Buffalo Whiskey Riot is taking place February 19 from 4-7pm at the Buffalo River Works. Guests will enjoy over 200 whiskeys and learn about the distilling process from distillers from Tommyrotter. Food will also be available for purchase at Buffalo River Works.

Ice Skating/Curling at Canalside

Canalside has been revitalized over the past few years. As the winter begins, canalside becomes a winter wonderland full of activities from ice skating to curling. Go check out the Canalside area to enjoy some winter enjoyment with friends and family this winter.

Other Winter Activities and Events to Check out:

  • Ski/Snowboard at Holiday Valley/Kissing Bride – If you’re looking to go skiing or snowboarding, we have two ski resorts in the Buffalo/Niagara area for you to check out. Holiday Valley is the furthest away located in Ellicottville, NY with a large ski lodge, rentals, and much more for the ski experience.
  • Chestnut Ridge Park – Chestnut Ridge Park is located in Orchard Park, NY. This park has a steep hill, which is used for sledding and fun in the winter. You can also enjoy long winter walks along the roads of the park.
  • Shop and Eat in the Quaint Towns – The surrounding areas of Buffalo offer plenty of small villages to shop and walk around in. Williamsville, East Aurora, Lancaster, Elmwood Village, Hertel Avenue, are just to name a few.

Keep an Eye Out for the News on the Lumagination Festival at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

Living in Western New York can offer plenty of activities for you to do in the wintertime. At Town Hall Terrace, we provide townhomes, apartments, and patio homes for rent here in Grand Island, NY. We’re a short drive from the city of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Come live with us in our quiet neighborhood! Contact Town Hall Terrace at 716-773-2788 today or visit us online for more information!

Get the Best of Both Worlds at Town Hall Terrace

Get the Best of Both Worlds at Town Hall TerraceHere in our little neighborhood on Grand Island, we have plenty of things to be thankful for. Perhaps the thing we love most about our home, though, is its location. From here, it seems like you can drive fifteen minutes in any direction and find something new to do. Best of all, once you’re done with the day’s activities, you can return home to the peaceful, pastoral landscape of Grand Island. So what are a few of our favorite local attractions?

Beaver Island State Park

Located right in our back yard on Grand Island, this 950 acre park is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the region. Featuring a number of attractions and amenities including a golf course, boat launches, a swimming beach and snowmobile trails, Beaver Island State Park is the perfect place to spend a Saturday with the family. No matter what time of year it is, you can always find something new to do at this gorgeous state park.

Niagara Falls

Travel just north of the Island and find yourself at one of the nation’s most beloved natural landmarks. Take a boat tour down the Niagara River and get an up-close look at some of the largest waterfalls in the world. If you brought your passport, you can even hop across the border and spend an afternoon on the Canadian side of the falls. You can also check out Devil’s Hole State Park, which is located on the American side of Niagara Falls. This state park consists of a few-mile trail down near the gorge with a large platform of flat rocks at the end of the trail. This is a great place to go hiking with your friends or dog.

Lewiston New York

The town of Lewiston is also very close to us. This quaint town is located on the Niagara River Gorge with a plethora of small businesses, shops, restaurants, and much more! In the summer, you can enjoy live music at Art Park!

Downtown Buffalo

Ready to spend an afternoon in the big city? Take a drive just 15 minutes south of Town Hall Terrace and find yourself in the heart of the largest city in the region. Buffalo is currently in the midst of an economic renaissance that has afforded its citizens a host of colorful new attractions to enjoy. See an off-Broadway play at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, catch a Sabres game at First Niagara Center, or just take an afternoon stroll down the colorful streets of Elmwood Village.

By virtue of our unique location, Town Hall Terrace is able to strike a delicate balance between urban and rural landscapes. These are just a few of our favorite attractions in the area. Give us a call today to learn more about all there is to see and do in our area!

Stay Fit Right at Home with Our Fitness Facility

With a wealth of fitness centers scattered across every town, there’s usually no shortage of options for those looking for a new place to exercise. However, with gym memberships costing monthly fees – fees that continue to rise or may only stay low for a promotional period – it can be difficult to justify maintaining a membership. Plus, not many people like having to get up and go someplace else when they can do similar exercises and get the same results in their own living rooms.

Some might say that the enthusiasm to work out at home is less than if you were heading to the gym, but that is not necessarily true. There are many benefits working out at home or within your close community. At Town Hall Terrace, our residents have access to our fitness center, offering a range of cardio and strength training machines to work out without straining the wallet. Here are a few of the benefits of having convenient access right in your community.

Fitness CenterTime and Money

The most obvious and immediate benefit is that you save time and money. Not having to make time to drive to a gym and pay a monthly fee is great, and it means that you can exercise when you want to. If you have a spare 15 minutes while dinner is cooking or you’re waiting for the laundry to buzz, that’s a great amount of time for squats, lunges or arm exercises.

Quick Access

With a small, private facility, there are a limited number of people who will be using the gym. Unlike private membership facilities, there’s not dozens of people all trying to use the same pieces of equipment which means that with our fitness center there’s no waiting around for machines. It is not uncommon to have a disruption of exercise regimen when machines are being occupied, but at Town Hall Terrace, you have access to 10 different machines that each offer dozens of exercise routines – plus a full line of free wrights and lifting machines for upper body workouts – to ensure you can get the workout you want without waiting.

No Egos

The threat of being intimidated by the egos of others is eliminated, too. There is no pressure to be perfect at home. Those working out with you are your friends and neighbors from the community, meaning that you’ll often be surrounded by friendly and familiar faces during your workout. Plus, if you make friends with your fellow gym attendees, you may find the perfect workout buddy or spotter you need to help you take your training to the next level.

At Town Hall Terrace, our facility offers all the machines and equipment you expect from a gym as part of your residency. Beyond the equipment, our fitness facility offers plenty of space for floor exercises, as well, and offers air conditioning, mounted TVs and a beautiful view to keep you comfortable and entertained while you work out.

Not much of a gym person? No problem! Our professional-grade tennis courts and heated pool are perfect for a day of exercise and fun outdoors. We keep the tennis courts in top shape and provide you will all of the equipment you need to play, while our pool is cleaned frequently for safe swimming. There is also a dog exercise park where you and your four-legged friends can run and spend quality time together. This is an expansive area with beautiful scenery.

When it comes right down to it, what better place to exercise and explore than right in your community? Stay active and healthy and save on the gym when you rent at Town Hall Terrace. To learn more about any of our amenities or to find out about our currently available units, call us today at 716-773-2788 or email us at townhallterrace@verizon.net.

3 Places to Buy Holiday Gifts on Grand Island

With the holiday season in full effect, we need to know which shops have the perfect gifts for our loved ones. No one wants to wait in the long lines of popular department stores just to wait in another long line of busy traffic. Grand Island has many unique and beautiful stores to visit and explore. You can leave these shops with the gifts you need, and more time to spare for holiday activities with your family and friends.

Here are three places to buy your holiday gifts on Grand Island this year.

Christmas shopping

1.The Island Shoppe

The Island Shoppe, conveniently located on Grand Island Boulevard, provides a welcoming atmosphere. They believe that shopping should be a positive experience and are stocked with the latest trends in fashion with guaranteed durability amongst all their clothing items. You can find gifts for men, women, and children ranging from clothes to accessories. They carry NFL attire for all the football lovers out there and luxury bath and candle products. Overall, this is a great shop to get high-quality items and gifts while supporting a local business.

2.Kelly’s Country Store

Kelly’s Country Store is the perfect place to hit most of your holiday gift shopping at once. They have a large selection of candy and chocolates and holiday-designed sweets. There is something for everyone on your gift list, with hundreds of items like jewelry, classic toys, seasonal décor, gourmet food, and Buffalo-themed trinkets. They even have plenty of sweet and savory homemade treats for your four-legged friends! Kelly’s Country Store caters to children for the holidays with visits from Santa Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4pm-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 12-5pm.

3.Seema Boutique

Seema Boutique carries a line of products known as Seema’s Naturals. They make handmade soaps, body care products, and specialty gifts. These items are perfect for a person on your shopping list with sensitive skin and can’t find many bath products that work for them. This family-run business takes pride in its natural-made soaps with no added harsh chemicals. They dedicate many of their products to their children and have a large presence in the Grand Island community.  

Grand Island is a small and welcoming community with everything you need for the holidays. If you are interested in making a move to the Island, Town Hall Terrace has apartments, townhouses, and patio homes that are minutes away from all your favorite shops and boutiques. Call (716)773-2788 to join the close-knit community of Grand Island and get everything your loved ones want for the holidays.

Make Your Apartment Ready for Winter

We are entering that time of year when we can all look forward to getting home from a long day and getting cozy at home. To do this best, it is important to make your apartment more winter friendly and make sure you are ready to withstand the bitter cold months to come. Town Hall Terrace already offers a country club-style atmosphere with plenty of amenities, but there are plenty of ways to make sure that your winter is as comfortable and cozy as possible.

Check the Windows

It is important to check your windows during the fall to make sure that they are completely sealed. While this summer may have meant plenty of warm air and breezes, if you didn’t close your window all the way you could be getting cold drafts coming through. Check that your windows are completely closed, and if you notice any cracks or leaks or have problems closing up your windows, please notify us and we will send someone to fix it up for you!

Space HeaterAdd a Bit of Extra Heat

As a convenience, your heating is included with rent at Town Hall Terrace, but sometimes you might want to have one room a bit warmer than another. For example, if you like to keep the living room warmer but your bedroom cooler, using a space heater can help give you a boost in temperature where you need it. A space heater can make your living room extra cozy for when you have guests or for when you want to get cozy and watch a movie after a long day of work.

Switch in the Flannel Sheets

Sleeping in cold weather can be a wonderful thing – as long as you are prepared. Flannel sheets are thicker than the cotton style that you use throughout the warmer months and can keep you toasty and warm even when it’s cold outside. Using flannel sheets is a great way to make your bed extra cozy, and choosing a down comforter on top can make sure that you never spend a night shivering or cold.

There are many ways to stay warm and comfortable this winter in your apartment at Town Hall Terrace. Our apartments are located in Grand Island, and offer a fast commute to locations throughout Western New York. With our luxurious space and amenities, you can make your winter – and every season – more enjoyable, comfortable and cozy when you rent from us. To find out more or inquire about our currently available apartments, condos or townhouses, call Town Hall Terrace today at 716-773-2788.

Patio Homes Are a Great Choice for Retirees, Empty Nesters

After you retire from your fulfilling career, you deserve to sit back and enjoy life. Maybe it’s by taking that luxurious cruise or buying a mobile home to travel across the country, or maybe it’s downsizing from your large and demanding home to something a bit more manageable. As we age, it is all about doing things the convenient way.

Patio HomesOwning a large home is a lot of work – almost more work than an actual 9 to 5 job. You have the interior and exterior to keep clean, not to mention the structural components of your home to constantly worry about and pay for. Home ownership can be very taxing on the body. Are you finding it difficult to get up and down stairs, move from one room to the next when there are so many? No worries! There’s a convenient solution for you.

Move from your larger home to one of the convenient patio home rentals at Town Hall Terrace. Our upscale patio homes are smaller, yet still spacious, featuring an open layout and – of course, as the name implies – a beautifully crafted attached patio.

Our patio homes are designed for independent living. Situated in a community atmosphere on Grand Island, you have easy access to an abundance of amenities. Each patio home gives you the peace of mind that you can still take care of yourself in a home while being surrounded by a close-knit community of your peers and maintaining convenient access to destinations throughout Western New York, including quick access to Buffalo, Niagara Falls and the highways to points beyond.

For those with limited mobility, a patio home is also ideal because the home is one floor, making all rooms accessible within just a few steps. Our patio homes are situated in a relaxed, peaceful and fully accessible community where you can enjoy living without the hassle of caring for yourself alone.

Each patio home includes a master suite with a large, handicapped-accessible bath and walk-in closet as well as a guest bedroom with a separate walk-in closet. Each home also boasts a spacious, open kitchen design with hardwood flooring, a breakfast bar and all major appliances. These patio homes also have new washers and dryers, and an attached garage to protect your car from piles of snow during the cold winter months. In nicer weather, sliding glass doors lead out to the patio to relax with your four-legged companion – yes, we’re pet friendly! With an on-site security patrol, too, you’ll never feel uneasy at home.

For more information about the patio homes available at Town Hall Terrace, give us a call today at 716-773-2788.

Work On Your Workout at Town Hall Terrace

Our health is very important, and more people than ever are joining gyms to stay up on being fit and active. However, with how busy today’s world is, it can be hard for people to carve out time to make it to the gym. That’s why we here at Town Hall Terrace bring the fitness to you with our on-site fitness center for our residents. In 2021, it has been hard for many to get back to the gym regularly with the crazy year we had in 2020. Living in Western New York, you also have to deal with the winter weather. Having the opportunity to not have to drive to the gym in the weather is a major benefit.

Fitness CenterFeaturing numerous cardio exercise and strength training machines, our fitness center has something every type of gym enthusiast. If you’re looking to get stronger, we have a full line of free weights, two lifting machines as well as an incline and regular bench press to help you pack on that muscle. On the other hand, if you’re looking to shed some pounds before beach season, our fitness center features ellipticals, exercise bikes, treadmills and Stairmasters to help you get your sweat on.

With a fitness center on site, you won’t have to waste time driving back and forth to the gym anymore. This means you can save on your current gym membership costs and the hassle of driving to your gym each day. Plus, the convenience also means you’ll have more time to get in your workout each day, giving you no excuse as to why you can’t fit in a quick workout before work or at the end of your busy day.

Town Hall Terrace also features tennis courts and a heated pool for anyone looking to exercise in different ways. We all know that the time for nice weather in Western New York area is relatively short, but when the sun is shining, these alternatives provide a great way to relax and play while burning a few calories. The tennis courts also offer a chance to exercise with friends as well instead of just being inside at the gym. Invite your friends to the court, have some fun and get a nice sweat in as well.

As for the pool, some days can be really hot during the summer. The pool offers an opportunity to cool down and participate in one of the most complete body exercises one can do. Of course, you can also just splash around and play – after all, some of the best workouts are the ones you don’t even realize you’re doing!

If you’re looking for an apartment, town home or patio home that offers great amenities for you to keep up a healthy lifestyle, then Town Hall Terrace is the place for you. For more information on our available rentals, call us today at 716-773-2788!

Living Alone Doesn’t Have to Leave You Feeling Lonely

One of the greatest advantages of living alone is that you’re the king or queen of your own castle. Your rules and your style are reflected in your home that’s just yours. But, for a lot of people, the quietness can be difficult to handle at times.

Humans are programmed to be around other humans, and while it can be wonderful to live alone, it can also be a challenge for people who are prone to feeling lonely on occasion – and aren’t we all? If you know how to recognize the signs of that lonely feeling, though, you’ll be able to stave off those unwanted feelings.

First and foremost, invite your friends and family over! If your close friends and family start to feel comfortable in your home and are willing to come by more often, you’ll have less opportunity to feel lonely. You don’t have to throw formal dinner parties twice a week, but inviting some people over to chat, play cards or even just watch a Sabres or Bills game can go a long way to staving off the lonely feeling.

Reading a BookYou should also have a hobby handy that’ll occupy your mind and distract you from the quiet. If you’ve always wanted to learn to paint, why not pick up some tools and watch some instructional videos online? The same goes for musical instruments – plus you won’t have to worry about bugging your roommate if you’re up late practicing! Or, if you love reading, make sure to always have a good book on standby.

If you’re a pet person who lives alone, you could also consider getting a new pet! Having a dog or a cat around will guarantee that you’ll always have someone to greet you at the door when you get home (well, that is if you have a very friendly cat). But even having a smaller pet, like a hamster or a fish, can go a long way towards making your home feel less empty.

Pets may not be an option for many homes, especially rented ones, but we’re very pet-friendly at Town Hall Terrace, where we know that your furry companion is a part of the family! We welcome everything from guinea pigs and birds to cats and dogs – we even have a convenient dog exercise park! So, if you’re looking for a place for one with a pet-friendly disposition, check out Town Hall Terrace. Call us today at 716-773-2788 or email us at townhallterrace@verizon.net and find out more about the great benefits of life on Grand Island!

Keep These Winter Weather Safety Tips in Mind This Season

Keep These Snow Removal Safety Tips in Mind This SeasonWinter is right around the corner, unfortunately. Here in Western New York, we see our fair share of cold weather and winter snowfall. For anyone living with us here at Town Hall Terrace, it’s best to be prepared for the winter weather. Shoveling snow is a pretty routine activity in our area, but it’s important to remember that strenuous shoveling can result in injuries if you’re not careful.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can keep walkways clear without putting your health at risk.

Dress Appropriately

Wear light, layered clothing with a waterproof outer layer, and try to avoid cotton garments. Protect your extremities with mittens, thick wool socks and a warm hat. If you feel yourself overheating, shed a layer or two and take a break until you feel comfortable again.

Don’t wait for the storm to end

Instead of waiting to shovel a foot of snow all at once, it’s much safer and easier to shovel a few inches of snow at a time. When the snow starts to fall, go outside and do a little shoveling once every couple of hours so that you never have to clear too much snow at one time.

Push, rather than lift.

Using a shovel to push snow out of the way is less strenuous than using it to lift heavy loads of snow. If you must lift snow to get it out of your way, be sure to lift with your knees instead of your back. Back injuries are some of the most common injuries associated with manual snow removal.

Stay hydrated.

It can be easy to forget to drink enough water when you’re working in cold temperatures, but it’s important to stay hydrated when you shovel snow. Keep a bottle of water on hand, and take regular hydration breaks if you’re outside shoveling for more than a few minutes.

We understand winters can turn people away from moving to Western New York, but living with us here at Town Hall Terrace, you won’t have to deal with traffic, city driving, and road blocks during the winter season. Contact Town Hall Terrace at 716-773-2788 today or visit us online for more information!

Getting Deals on Your Move: Making Moving More Affordable

It can be a huge expense to move. Not only do you need to balance your finances while changing locations, ending and starting leases, and canceling and beginning utility services, but you have to pay the moving guys to pack up all your possessions and move them to your new place. We know that moving isn’t always stress-free, but there are a number of ways that you can save a ton of money on your moving costs.

Lifehacker says the first thing you need to go is get a quote for movers, but don’t just go by the advertised price on the website. If you’re seeing vastly different prices from one moving company to the next, pick up the phone and ask them to give you an actual quote. You’ll find that the price advertised online is often a too-good-to-be-true deal and probably doesn’t apply to your situation. On the other side of things, though, you may be able to negotiate a better price by speaking with someone directly.

For example, if you can be flexible about the days you move, you may want to ask the moving company if it would be cheaper if you moved a day or two earlier or later. Sometimes weekend prices are increased because the demand for moving vans and movers is higher. But if you have the flexibility to plan your move on a Wednesday, you might be able to save hundreds.

The season also plays a role in pricing. If you can, you should avoid moving in the summer – the busiest traffic season for moving during the year. That’s because many college students and families will move during this time between semesters and school years, plus the warmer weather makes it more comfortable to move. If you can move during the holiday season, you might be able to save even more.

US News and World Report also suggests that you take moving as an opportunity to take stock of your belongings and sell any items you’re willing to part with online or through a garage sale. While you might not think selling some extra dishes, books or other items would make you a ton of money, it will definitely add up and help. Plus, but having less to move, you’ll also save on your moving costs, especially if you get rid of a large item like an unused bookshelf, couch or bed frame.

Another way you can save is by getting packing boxes from area businesses. Bankrate says that you should check with your local liquor store to see if you can have some boxes. These are often very sturdy and reliable boxes that are perfect for packing, which means you won’t have to spend a fortune at the office supply store stocking up for your move.

Finally, if you’re hiring movers by the hour, pack up your home and even consider loading as much into your truck as you can before they arrive. That way you’re not paying for their time to do something you could have done. The more initiative that you take to be prepared will pay off in savings once moving day arrives.

If you’re thinking about moving, but not sure where you’ll be moving to, check out Town Hall Terrace. We have apartments, townhouses, and patio homes available now on Grand Island, a convenient location in Western New York that offers a short drive to Buffalo, Niagara Falls and the towns and cities throughout the region. Find out more about our currently available units by giving us a call today at 716-773-2788.