YOUNGSTOWN - A group on a mission to preserve and improve part of Youngstown’s West Side has used the sale of maple syrup to do something sweet to brighten up part of the city.

The Rocky Ridge Neighbors have completed a lighting project at the Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted shrine on Belle Vista Avenue.

The new lights illuminate the main stained-glass window and a statue of St. Stephen next to the shrine, which is operated by Franciscan Friars.

According to cathexpo.org, Saint Stephen was an 11th-century king of Hungary.  The statue was part of the Hungarian Pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair.

Rocky Ridge Neighbors manufacture maple syrup at a sugar house using sap from trees on the West Side each year, using profits from the sale to support Mill Creek Park and reinvest in the neighborhood.

The association reported that 2019 was their best maple season ever.

The Rocky Ridge Neighborhood is bordered by Mahoning Ave. to the north, Belle Vista Ave. to the east, McCullom Rd. to the south, and South Schenley Ave. to the west.