File photos by Tom Rivers: Shawna Baldwin portrays Harriett Davey and reads a passage from Edgar Allan Poe, the famous writer who died in 1849, the year Boxwood opened. This photo was taken from Boxwood at Night on October. 5, 2024.

Press Release, Friends of Boxwood Cemetery

MEDINA – Boxwood at Night is back. The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery in Medina are excited to announce the fifth annual event will be on Saturday, October 3.

Tickets cost $20 and there will be two time slots – 7 to 8 p.m. or 8 to 9 p.m. The time slots are when you can enter. Once you are checked in, you are welcome to stay until the event ends at 9:30 p.m.

This is a popular fall event, so get your tickets before they sell out.

“It’s going to be a very special night and we are excited to put on this event for the community,” said Robby Klino, president of the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery.

Guests walk through the spectacularly lit cemetery at their own pace, stopping along the pathway to enjoy storytelling by docents, artwork, music and performances in a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere.

Miranda Starr portrayed George Beach, who was born in 1842 and died in 1902. He was active in a pharmaceutical business and manufactured iron goods in Medina.

Returning artists, musicians and performers include Jen Scott, Amirah Hicks, Orleans County String Band, The Vine church choir, Mike Zelazny, Stacy Steverson and Jenna Papponetti. New to the lineup this year include Megan Furness and the Jim Steele Band with friends. Some special lighting effects provided by the extraordinary Paradise Fest NY.

“We have more lighting and entertainment than we have ever had before,” said event co-chairwoman Nicole Bensley.

Boxwood at Night is the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from previous years have been used to restore the chapel – including the beautiful stained-glass window, to create a Potter’s Field memorial that will hopefully be done in time for the event, and to begin the restoration of the caretaker’s office.

Tickets are available during business hours at the English Rose Tea Shoppe and Thistle Ridge – both places are on Main Street in Medina. Tickets will also be available at the Canal Village Farmers Market in Medina on Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. As an added convenience, you may also purchase tickets using a credit card by going online (click here).

Raffle tickets will also be available to purchase at the Farmers Market booth and again at the event.

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO Art!

Amber Hofmeister has appeared in several scary flicks

Provided photos: Amber Hofmeister, who goes by Amber Brooke in her film career, stars in the 75-minute film, “Sick & Twisted Tales.” Medina Theatre will host a red carpet and premiere of the film on Nov. 7 at 603 Main St.

MEDINA – It may be a first-ever event in Medina: a red carpet entrance to see a world premiere of a film.

The Medina Theatre at 603 Main St. will host the film screening on Nov. 7. The red carpet will be outside on the sidewalk leading to the theater. “Sick & Twisted Tales” will start at 7 p.m. and the film features Amber Hofmeister of Medina, who goes by Amber Brooke in her film and modelling career.

August Lee Geitner, Amber Hofmeister’s husband, designed the film’s poster which shows a movie theater, Miller Cinema 6. Amber Brooke (Hofmeister) of Medina plays the role of Valeri, left, and Clifton Taylor is Victor Mortis.

Hofmeister, 38, made her film debut in 2021. She appears in horror films, and has become a star and sought-after person at horror com events. She will be appearing at the New Jersey Horror Com next month.

She said she has enjoyed scary movies since she was 5 years old.

“When I was young loved horror films,” she said. “I got addicted to thrill of being scared and what will happen next. A thriller makes you think.”

Her film credits include: Friday the 13th Vengeance 2: Bloodlines, 2:59, Amityville Barbi, Aversion, Birthday Bash, Black Sheep, Fragmented Mind, McKinsey Manor Massacre, FRACTURED, Awake in the Dark, Sick and Twisted Tales with more in the works. (Click here to see some of her credits listed on IMDb.)

She also has appeared in television ads in Western New York for William Mattar and Evans Bank.

The new film was shot in York, Pa. Hofmeister didn’t want to give away too much of the plot for Sick & Twisted Tales. She does kill someone in the film, but she said most of the action and dialogue could be considered more of a comedy.

The Nov. 7 event will include a question and answer segment with Hofmeister and the film’s director, Tom Smith.

Hofmeister’s husband, August Lee Geitner, designed the film’s poster, did behind-the-scenes photography and also plays a dead body in the film. Geitner is the guitar player for the band, Until I Wake.

Tickets for the Nov. 7 film will become available on Oct. 1 on the Medina Theatre website or at the door on Nov. 7. The cost is $10 a ticket.

“I thought it would be cool to bring something different to the town,” Hofmeister said about the red carpet and film showing. “ People should enjoy the movie. I don’t think it’s that scary. It’s more of a comedy. You’ll laugh more than anything.”