*** THE HISTORY OF THE HAMLET: MORE THAN JUST A NAME ON A MAP |  buffalonews.com Jul 25, 2004 Updated  Jun 25, 2020. One of the more vibrant hamlets in Niagara County was Rapids in the southern end of the Town of Lockport. It was named after the fastest-flowing section of Tonawanda Creek, which had been designated an Indian fishing ground by Joseph Ellicott of the Holland Land Co., which surveyed most of Western New York. Today, it's a picturesque bedroom community just over the Tonawanda Creek Bridge in Niagara County. Jay Roszman, 84, a decorated World War II veteran, lives on Tonawanda Creek Road, next-door to what used to be his great-grandfather Peter's blacksmith's shop. His grandfather, Frank, made wagon wheels in the shop, and his father, Donald, went back to blacksmithing. Roszman took over the business after he got out of the Army and built truck bodies. Today, the building is a welding and repair shop run by his son, Jeff. Roszman and his wife, Audrey, sit on their front porch, under the shade of the maple and black walnut trees, and remember the Rapids of yesteryear. "Many of the old residents have passed on or moved to Florida," Audrey Roszman says wistfully. "Oh, that Mabel," reminisces Jay Roszman, "she was a good girl." Mabel ran the local tavern, when Rapids was a rollicking mill town. Claude Dietz's father, Oliver, ran the cider mill, which is now an abandoned building on the bank of Tonawanda Creek across the street from Roszman's house. "I have many fond memories of Rapids," said Dietz, who worked in the cider mill and now lives with his wife, Suzanne, a mile up Rapids Road. "We miss the people."

✞Audrey C. Roszman went home to be with her Lord on November 9, 2018. Born on April 4, 1925, she was the daughter Lewis and Helen (Johnson) Christie. She was married for 58 years to Jay M. Roszman, who passed before her in 2006. Audrey was employed at Harrison Radiator as a secretary in the engineering department for over 20 years before retiring in 1985. She was a past member of The Rapids Bible Church. For the past 20 years she has attended Lockport Alliance Church and was affectionately known as the "Snack Lady." Her greatest joy came from being a generous and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Audrey is survived by her children, Douglas (Kathryn) Roszman, Jeffrey (Judith) Roszman, Cindy Roszman, Leisa (Robert) Shull; grandmother of 12; and great-grandmother of 10; sister of Robert (late Sally) Christie, Sally (Thomas) Wittlinger, and the late David (Gloria) Christie, Gary (Joy) Christie, Norma (Floyd) Stahl. Audrey was an aunt to 13 nieces and nephews. Visitation hours on Sunday, November 18th from 2-6 PM at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, Lockport, and at Lockport Alliance Church, Monday, November 19th from 10-10:30 AM, funeral service to follow at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations made to Lockport Alliance Church, Alzheimer's Association, or Niagara Hospice would be appreciated by the family. Published on November 15, 2018 

*** LOCKPORT, N. Y., UNION-SUN AND JOURNAL, Tuesday, March 24, 1970 NEW ADDRESS: Mrs. Blanche Long, former owner of Blanche's Beauty Lounge in the Bewley Building, has moved to Rt. 3, Box 776, 9595 River Cover Drive, Riverview, Fla. 33569.

*** LOCKPORT, N. Y., UNION-SUN AND JOURNAL, Wednesday, April 28, 1971 Mr. and Mrs. Donald Roszman have returned home after spending the winter in Florida with Mr. and Mrs. Albert Long. They also visited many friends while there.