(Welcome to our weekly pet column, courtesy of Pet Connection Programs Inc. of Marilla. We post a new article each week, so be sure to check back on a regular basis!)

Lyme disease is an emerging infectious disease in the United States and Canada, and the risk is increasing. Those engaging in outdoor activities like golfing, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, property maintenance and outdoor workers such as park officers and surveyors should be on the lookout for black-legged ticks. They could be carrying the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Pet owners also need to be aware of these pesky critters.

Anyone in support of a healthy start for babies or who would like to learn more about breastfeeding – are urged to participate in Catholic Charities free Breastfeeding Walk and Healthy Baby Festival on Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Delaware Park at the entrance of Colvin Avenue and Amherst Street.  

Catholic Charities Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program, which serves all of Erie and Niagara counties, is hosting the event to raise awareness of the benefits and significance of breastfeeding. The walk, in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week taking place Aug. 1-7 in more than 170 countries worldwide, is also designed to create community support to friends, family and others who are or may be considering breastfeeding, or who have breastfed.

West Seneca’s new Main Street Marketplace, sponsored by the Western New York Federal Credit Union, returns from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10. The farmers’ and food producers’ market features nearly 30 vendors and local entertainment Thursday evenings through Sept. 4. 

The event takes place on the grassy hill at the corner of Union Road and Main Street, next to West Seneca Town Hall. In the event of extremely wet conditions, the market will move within the park, into the parking lot immediately in front of the West Seneca Ice Rink.