Nestled on the eastern shores of Lake Erie, Buffalo, New York, is a city bubbling with charm, community spirit, and a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Often dubbed "The City of Good Neighbors," Buffalo embodies a welcoming atmosphere that makes it feel like home to anyone who walks its friendly streets. Whether you're exploring the historic architecture or savoring culinary delights, Buffalo offers a warm embrace to all.
Buffalo has been experiencing a vibrant renaissance in recent years, with its rejuvenated waterfront and remarkable public spaces leading the way. The remarkable Canalside District is a hub of activity, featuring outdoor concerts, kayaking, ice skating, and urban markets infused with local artistry. Buffalo’s diverse art scene is a treasure trove of inspiration, from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery to the annual Curtain Up! theater season, showcasing the city's creative pulse.
Culinary enthusiasts find Buffalo to be a feast for the senses, with its famed chicken wings just the appetizer. The city’s growing roster of farm-to-table restaurants, global cuisines, and craft breweries highlights the vibrant flavors and innovations of its culinary community. The weekly farmers' markets offer fresh, locally...
Buffalo, New York
4 | HelloBuffalo, New York • Fall Issue
Buffalo, New York: The City of Good Neighbors Beckons
Nestled on the eastern shores of Lake Erie, Buffalo, New York, is a city bubbling with charm, community spirit, and a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Often dubbed "The City of Good Neighbors," Buffalo embodies a welcoming atmosphere that makes it feel like home to anyone who walks its friendly streets. Whether you're exploring the historic architecture or savoring culinary delights, Buffalo offers a warm embrace to all.
Buffalo has been experiencing a vibrant renaissance in recent years, with its rejuvenated waterfront and remarkable public spaces leading the way. The remarkable Canalside District is a hub of activity, featuring outdoor concerts, kayaking, ice skating, and urban markets infused with local artistry. Buffalo’s diverse art scene is a treasure trove of inspiration, from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery to the annual Curtain Up! theater season, showcasing the city's creative pulse.
Culinary enthusiasts find Buffalo to be a feast for the senses, with its famed chicken wings just the appetizer. The city’s growing roster of farm-to-table restaurants, global cuisines, and craft breweries highlights the vibrant flavors and innovations of its culinary community. The weekly farmers' markets offer fresh, locally sourced ingredients, reflecting the city’s commitment to sustainability and support for local producers.
Above all, Buffalo's true magic lies in its people—a tapestry of kindness and resilience that has transformed the city into one of America's most endearing places to live. From generations-old neighborhoods to bustling new developments, Buffalo is a dynamic tapestry woven with tradition and modernity, making it an enchanting place to call home.
Hello Buffalo, New York • Fall Issue |5
Buffalo, New York
What to Expect from a Free Consultation with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you were hurt in an accident, a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney offers you a no-cost opportunity to better understand your legal rights after an accident. It's a first step for many who are dealing with medical bills, time off work, and the uncertainty of what to do
next. During this meeting, the attorney will listen to your account of what happened, ask questions to clarify the details, and evaluate whether you might have a case worth pursuing.Even if you don’t have every document or detail ready, it’s still helpful to bring what you can to this meeting,
6 | HelloBuffalo, New York • Fall Issue
What to Expect from a Free Consultation with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you were hurt in an accident, a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney offers you a no-cost opportunity to better understand your legal rights after an accident. It's a first step for many who are dealing with medical bills, time off work, and the uncertainty of what to do next. During this meeting, the attorney will listen to your account of what happened, ask questions to clarify the details, and evaluate whether you might have a case worth pursuing.
Even if you don’t have every document or detail ready, it’s still helpful to bring what you can to this meeting, such as the police report, medical records or bills, accident photos, and insurance information. These materials can support the conversation and give the attorney more insight into your situation. If you don’t have everything, that’s okay. A good legal team will help you gather what you need.
The most important part of the consultation is understanding your legal options. The attorney will explain what rights you may have, including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. They’ll also answer any questions you may have.
It’s also common to go over how the law firm operates. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. You only pay if the firm successfully recovers compensation for you. This can provide peace of mind knowing you don’t have to spend money up-front to hire an attorney.
The consultation is pressure-free. There’s no obligation to move forward after the meeting. Some people are ready to hire legal representation right away, while others prefer to take time to consider their options. Either way, the goal is to provide you with clear, honest information so you can make the best decision for your circumstances.
Preparing a brief timeline of what happened, listing any witnesses, and organizing your paperwork ahead of time can make this meeting more productive. But the most important thing is to show up and ask the questions that matter to you.
Ross Cellino & Timothy Cellino
of the consultation is understanding your legal options. The attorney will explain what rights you may have, including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. They’ll also answer any questions you may have.It’s also common to go over how the law firm operates. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. You only pay if the firm successfully recovers compensation for you. This can provide peace of mind knowing you don’t have to spend money up-front to hire an attorney.The consultation is pressure-free. There’s no obligation to move forward...
such as the police report, medical records or bills, accident photos, and insurance information. These materials can support the conversation and give the attorney more insight into your situation. If you don’t have everything, that’s okay. A good legal team will help you gather what you need.The most important part
The most important part of the consultation is understanding your legal options.
About the Author
Ross Cellino, founding partner of Cellino Law, has built a firm rooted in decades of experience and dedication to securing justice for accident victims. Alongside him, Timothy Cellino brings a lifelong passion for advocacy, helping clients navigate challenging times with compassion and determination.
HelloBuffalo, New York • Fall Issue |7
Restoring a Church Interior: Art, Structure, and Faith
Restoring a historic church interior is as much about preserving faith as it is about preserving art. These projects require a deep respect for tradition and a technical understanding of materials that may be more than a century old. Each restoration begins long before a brush or trowel is lifted.
Specialists start by studying the structure itself, noting how time, moisture, or vibration from nearby traffic have affected its plaster, woodwork, and stone. Engineers and conservators often work side by side, mapping the stability of walls and ceilings so the artistry that follows will endure for decades.
8 | HelloBuffalo, New York • Fall Issue
Restoring a Church Interior: Art, Structure, and Faith
Restoring a historic church interior is as much about preserving faith as it is about preserving art. These projects require a deep respect for tradition and a technical understanding of materials that may be more than a century old. Each restoration begins long before a brush or trowel is lifted. Specialists start by studying the structure itself, noting how time, moisture, or vibration from nearby traffic have affected its plaster, woodwork, and stone. Engineers and conservators often work side by side, mapping the stability of walls and ceilings so the artistry that follows will endure for decades. Once the structure is secure, attention turns to surfaces. Old plaster, especially in Gothic or Renaissance-style sanctuaries, can be fragile and uneven. Craftsmen use traditional lime plaster or compatible modern mixtures to repair cracks and missing sections. The goal is always conservation, not replacement. Each repair is blended seamlessly so the new work supports, rather than erases, the old. Color studies come next. Restorers analyze microscopic paint samples to reveal original tones hidden under later layers. These findings guide the repainting of columns, ceilings, and altars in historically accurate colors. When murals or decorative stencils are discovered beneath paint, conservators clean and stabilize them using fine brushes, reversible adhesives, and mineral pigments. This is the stage where a building’s artistic soul begins to reemerge, often revealing details unseen for generations. Lighting and acoustics are also part of the process. Modern safety codes require updated electrical systems, but these must be integrated discreetly. New fixtures are often modeled after period designs to preserve the church’s atmosphere. Similarly, sound systems are installed so they blend with the architecture without altering the visual harmony of arches or vaulted ceilings. The final phase focuses on sacred elements. Gold-leafed trim, carved wooden altars, marble floors, and stained glass windows are cleaned, repaired, and reinstalled. Each piece is handled with care to maintain its original finish and symbolism. The stained glass, often depicting biblical scenes or local saints, may need to be disassembled and releaded before being returned to its frame. Restoration teams frequently include artisans trained in traditional methods rarely used elsewhere. Gilders, plasterers, muralists, and woodcarvers all work in coordination to bring unity to the finished interior. Their craftsmanship ensures the church remains a living space for worship while honoring its historical integrity. In the end, restoring a historic church interior is both an act of devotion and preservation. It joins structural engineering with fine art, using modern science to protect the beauty of faith-filled spaces. For congregations and communities, the result is more than a renewed building—it is the revival of a shared history, carefully preserved for generations to come.
Brett Swiatek
repair is blended seamlessly so the new work supports, rather than erases, the old.Color studies come next. Restorers analyze microscopic paint samples to reveal original tones hidden under later layers. These findings guide the repainting of columns, ceilings, and altars in historically accurate colors. When murals or decorative stencils are discovered beneath paint, conservators clean and stabilize them using fine brushes, reversible adhesives, and mineral pigments. This is the stage where a building’s artistic soul begins to reemerge, often revealing details unseen for generations.Lighting and acoustics are also part of the...
Once the structure is secure, attention turns to surfaces. Old plaster, especially in Gothic or Renaissance-style sanctuaries, can be fragile and uneven. Craftsmen use traditional lime plaster or compatible modern mixtures to repair cracks and missing sections. The goal is always conservation, not replacement. Each
This is the stage where a building’s artistic soul begins to reemerge, often revealing details unseen for generations.
About the Author
Brett Swiatek leads Swiatek Studios as its third-generation owner, bringing a Fine Arts degree from Alfred University and hands-on expertise to preserve historic buildings. He guides the Clarence-based company through restoration of stained glass, ornamental plaster, and decorative finishes across the Northeast.
