Mustangs post key victory over Rams in N-O diamond clash of unbeatens
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Carlos Doval is safe at home as Roy-Hart catcher Will Bundrock awaits the throw. The action took place during the Mustangs key win over the Rams this evening at Vets Park.
Defending champion Medina posted an 8-1 victory over Roy-Hart in a key Niagara-Orleans baseball league clash of unbeatens this evening at Vets Park.
The victory keeps Medina perfect in N-O competition at 6-0 while Roy-Hart slips to 8-1.
The Mustangs will visit the Rams in a rematch on Monday at 7 p.m. at Gasport.
Preston Woodworth went the distance on the mound for Medina scattering 3 hits and striking out 13.
Medina grabbed an early 2-0 lead scoring once in the first on a fielders choice play off the bat of Cam Fike and once in the second on an RBI single by Vinny Gray.
The Mustangs later broke the game open by erupting for 5 runs in the fifth inning on a two-run single by Carlos Doval, singles by Hadrian Batista and Ryan Pegelow, a hit batter and an error.
Batista capped off the win with an RBI triple in the sixth inning.
Roy-Hart’s run came in the sixth inning on a single by Isaac Smith.
Roy-Hart’s Hank Snyder steals second base as Medina shortstop Aidan Papaj awaits the throw. Carlos Doval backs up the play.
18 high school teams, a new record high, compete in Niagara-Orleans Envirothon
2 of the teams qualify for state competition
Provided photos: The teams in that competed in the Niagara-Orleans Envirothon are shown at the Bond Lake Park Nature Center in Lewiston.
Press Release, Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District
LEWISTON – Eighteen teams of high school students from across Niagara and Orleans counties competed on Thursday at the Niagara-Orleans Envirothon held at Bond Lake Park Nature Center in Lewiston.
Five schools participated along with teams from both Niagara and Orleans Career and Technical Education Centers. Teams of four to six students in grades 9-12 were tested on wildlife, aquatics, forestry, soils/land use, and the current environmental issue topic.
This year’s current issue is “Non-Point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home!” Students learned about NPS pollution and how to identify its origins in both urban and rural settings.
They learned how to conduct their own NPS survey in their community and watershed. Additionally, they learned NPS mitigation strategies, which encompass actions at both the individual level – such as conservation, recycling, and responsible consumption – and the community level, including watershed planning, best management practices, nature-based solutions, water quality testing, and litter prevention initiatives. Students had to present their plan and also take an exam on the topic.
The overall winner and the top team from Niagara County included students from the Niagara/Orleans Career and Technical Center. The team is in Mr. Kapiewicz’s class and students include Nathan Couturier, David Gurski, Jordyn Kinne, Andre Williams and Adam Yanicki.
Congratulations to the team from Niagara Orleans Career and Technical Center for winning from Niagara County and being the Over-All Envirothon Winners! The team was from Mr. Kapiewicz’s class, students included Nathan Couturier, David Gurski, Jordyn Kinne, Andre Williams, and Adam Yanicki. This team also was the highest scoring team on the Forestry, Soils and Current Issue exams.
Congratulations to the winners from the Orleans Niagara Career and Technical Center for winning Orleans County from Ms. Kiefer’s class, students included Kennedy Clapp, Mackenzie Diamond, Fawn Elko, Autumn McIntyre, Lauren Nagel and Jill Utley.
Both winners will move on to represent their county at the NYS Envirothon later this month. Good Luck to both teams!
The top team from Orleans County was a group from Orleans/Niagara Career and Technical Center in Ms. Kiefer’s class. Students include Kennedy Clapp, Mackenzie Diamond, Fawn Elko, Autumn McIntyre, Lauren Nagel and Jill Utley.
The Maple Walnuts from Niagara CTEC included Alexandria Ledger, Carter Kennedy, Bella Muck, Trent Pope and Kayla Terry were awarded first place for their oral presentation on the current issue.
The NCTEC Sigmas won the Wildlife portion of the event. Students included Sophia Brice, Conner Lalewicz, Rowen Patterson, Aaron Willis and Lucas Wiseman.
The Aquatics portion was awarded to a team from Royalton-Hartland. Purple Power students were Jaycie Heck, Gabriella Mastromatte. Emma Micel and Delilah Morris.
A special thank you to this year’s event sponsors NewRoyal Orchards, Poverty Hill Farm, and the Environmental Education Foundation of Soil and Water Conservation for providing breakfast, lunch, goodie bags, awards, and Envirothon shirts for the students.
This year schools were each given a Biltmore stick, a forestry tool used to estimate tree diameters and heights. Exams and proctoring were provided by the Aquarium of Niagara, Mr. Paul Dewey, the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, and both Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Vic DiGiacomo of the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee and Ronny Raindrop of the NYS Conservation District Employees Association came to hand out awards to the winners. Shout out to the Niagara County Parks crew out at Bond Lake who are always wonderful on the setup and tear-down of our Envirothon.
The Niagara-Orleans Envirothon is a yearly event for county high school students presented by Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District and Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District. Envirothon is an environmental competition on different aspects of natural resources. It gives students hands-on experience and knowledge of the environment to understand how to protect and manage the natural resources around them.
For more information about Envirothon visit www.envirothon.org or www.nysenvirothon.org. To participate next year please reach out to our offices by calling 716-434-4949 ext. 4 or emailing Katherine.pfeifer@ny.nacdnet.net or the Orleans SWCD at 585-589-5959 or email Guinevere.dillhoff@ny.nacdnet.net.
Lady Tigers and Lady Eagles roll to G-R wins
Lyndonville rolled past Pembroke 14-2 and Kendall romped past Wheatland-Chili 16-1 in Genesee Region League softball games this afternoon.
Arnie Sturtevant had 4 hits, including a pair of doubles, and Isabella Groves and Braelynn Dillenbeck both had 2 hits to lead the Lyndonville offense.
Sturtevant also picked up the win in the circle giving up only 2 hits and striking out 9 as the Lady Tiger improve to 7-1.
The Lady Tigers took charge by scoring 6 times in the third inning ignited by a triple by Natalie Rath. Sturtevant had a double and Alexa Robinson, Brooke Robinson and Dillenbeck singles during the uprising.
Kendall 16, Wheatland-Chili 1
Improving to 8-2, Kendall got 3 hits from Alayna Kiern and 2 each from Teagan Shaw and Sophia Picardo. Shaw’s hits include a triple as Izzy D’Ahgostino had a double.
Kourtney Marion earned the win in the circle allowing just 1 hit and striking out 3.
Kendall took charge at the outset scoring 5 runs in the first inning on a sacrifice fly, an error, a wild pitch and an RBI single by Kiern.
Shaw later had a two-run single and Brooke Rodas an RBI single during a 4 run third inning.
Kiern, Brynn Hardenbrook and Adrianna D’Agostino then all had RBI singles during a 5 run fourth inning uprising.
Roy-Hart 11, Wilson 5
Roy-Hart bested Wilson 11-5 in a Niagara-Orleans League game as Hayley Hillburn, Millie Owens, Grace Pearl and Peyton May each had 2 hits.
May had a two-run homer and Pearl an RBI triple to highlight 5 run second inning.
Lucy Madan, Abbie Faery, Katie Hardy and Kylee Elia each had 2 hits for Wilson.
Roy-Hart is now 3-2 and Wilson 5-2 in N-O action.
Barker 15, Albion 3
Improving to 7-1, Barker downed host Albion 15-3 this evening in an N-O contest.
Barker took the lead for good on a three-run home run by Elise Monaco in the first inning.
Barker later put a lock on the win by erupting for 10 runs in the fifth inning as Madyson Flint and Lexi Brazzell both had doubles and Fallyn Mescall, Aine Davis and Madelina Pavlock and Kaylee Stoll singles.
League leading Barker improves to 7-1 and Albion slips to 2-5.
Purple Eagles romp to win over Panthers
Scoring runs in big bunches, Albion romped to an 18-4 victory at Newfane this afternoon to regain the .500 mark at 3-3 in Niagara-Orleans League baseball competition.
Albion jumped out to an early 8-0 lead by scoring four times in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Nate Gibson, and four times in the third, highlighted by a three-run double by Gavin Boyce.
The Purple Eagles then put a lock on the win by erupting for 8 runs in the fourth inning as Gibson had a two-run single and Eliott Trapiss and Kicker Wilson RBI singles.
Gibson had 3 hits and 6 RBIs, Boyce 3 hits and 4 RBIs and Viktor Snyder 2 hits.
Gibson also earned the win on the mound scattering 5 hits and striking out 7 in 4 innings of work.
Akron 14, Barker 2
Akron romped past Barker 14-2 as Collin Miller had 3 hits and Hunter Haist, Jackson Nice, Gavin Miller and Gavin Cottle 2 each.
Akron broke the game open by erupting for 7 runs in the fourth inning as Conlan Luck had an RBI triple, Nice and RBI double and Collin Miller and Jackson Schlabach RBI singles.
The Tigers also had a big 5 run sixth inning highlighted by a two-run single by Haist.
Kendall scores diamond win at Lyndonville
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Mikey Colucci slides safely into second base as Lyndonville’s Austin Fonda gets set to take the throw. The action took place during the Eagles win over the host Tigers this afternoon.
Improving to 12-1 Kendall posted a 13-2 victory at Lyndonville this afternoon in a Genesee Region Leaague baseball game.
Kendall moved on top to stay by scoring 5 runs in the second inning highlighted by a three-run triple by CJ D’Agostino and an RBI single by Andrew Cole.
CJ D’Agostino also had an RBI single in the third inning as did Jonny Conte in the fourth. Sammy Conte then highlighted a three-run fifth inning with an RBI double.
CJ D’Agostino and Sammy Conte both finished with 3 hits as Jonny Conte, Vinnie D’Agostino and Mikey Colucci each had 2.
Atticus Mank had 2 hits for Lyndonville.
Lyndonville catcher Lane Woodworth gets set to put the tag on Kendall’s Jonny Conte at home plate.
Green stays within one shot of the lead at the Riviera Maya Open after a 2 under round
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Putting together a strong finish, Medina’s Melanie Green is within one shot of the lead at the end of today’s second round of the LPGA Tour’s Riviera Maya Open in Mexico.
Notching three clutch birdies over the final 6 holes (on 13, 14 and 18) Green posted a 2 under par round of 70 today to improve to 8 under for the tournament.
She now trails co-leaders Nelly Korda and Brianna Do, both at 9, under by just one stroke.
Green started the day at 6 under and in a share of the tourney lead.
She bogeyed the first hole but rebounded with a birdie on 5.
She again slipped to 5 under for the tourney with a bogey on 11 but again bounded back strongly with that late flurry of three birdies to improve to 8 under and move back into the thick of the race for the tourney title.
The tournament will continue on Saturday and conclude on Sunday.
Orleans/Niagara BOCES students earn medals at NYS SkillsUSA Competition
Provided photos: (Left) – Elliot Beyrle of Albion took first in the CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer competition while Abigail Kincaid of Albion (right) won the Basic Health Care Skills competition at SkillsUSA.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Orleans/Niagara BOCES would like to congratulate all our SkillsUSA students from the Orleans (OCTEC) and Niagara (NCTEC) Career and Technical Education Centers.
They competed April 22-24 at the 2026 NYS SkillsUSA Leadership Conference and Competition. Dozens of competitions were held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse and the students brought home 28 medals in total and two ONBOCES students were elected to be New York State SkillsUSA officers.
Congratulations to Brooke Dunkelberger (Barker) who will be an officer and Mia Kujawa (Medina) who will be a Voting Delegate.
Lockport senior Amelia Mussachio, who is in the Cosmetology program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the Competition and blew everyone away with her performance.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student to excel and empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.
Many of the students winning gold medals have the opportunity to move on to the National competition in Atlanta, Georgia June 1-6. Orleans/Niagara BOCES Director of Career and Technical Education and Adult Education, Dr. Michael Weyrauch, said he is grateful to all staff who volunteer their time to support the SkillsUSA students.
“Thank you for recognizing our students’ potential and accepting the challenge to fight for their individual success, I am deeply appreciative and extremely proud of you,” Dr. Weyrauch said. “Each and every one of us play a significant role in molding our CTE students for what is next in their lives. We celebrate not only our students, but the role our teachers and support staff have in their accomplishments.”
Orleans Career and Tech Education students who placed in the top three include:
- 1st Place in Basic Health Care Skills – Abigail Kincaid of Albion, Allied Health II program
- 1st Place in CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer – Elliot Beyrle of Albion, Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering program
- 1st Place in Health Occupations Professional Portfolio – Emiliana Batista of Medina, Allied Health II program
- 1st Place in Barbering – Lavani Myles of Lockport, Cosmetology II program
- 2nd Place in Advertising Design – Emily Case of Lockport, Graphic Communications II
- 2nd Place in Customer Service – Violette Streckewald of Roy-Hart, Cosmetology II
- 2nd Place in Esthetics – Alexandria Kempton of Newfane, Cosmetology I
- 3rd Place in Cosmetology, Sr. – Savannah Spoth of Lyndonville, Cosmetology II program
- 3rd Place in Computer Programming – Camden VandenBosch of Roy-Hart, Computer Technology II program
East High students from Rochester see country life in Albion
Students from East High and Albion High School pose for a group photo on Thursday at Panek Farms in Albion.
Photos and press release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Students from East High School in Rochester recently enjoyed a full day of activities in Albion as part of a student exchange program to help challenge cultural stereotypes and promote understanding and friendships among teens of different backgrounds. Albion Interact Club members visited East High in April.
The day began with guest speaker Ayesha Kreutz addressing the over seventy students.
Kreutz is a nationally recognized activist, chaplain, author and organizational leader. She serves as Operations Director and Board Member of the Frederick Douglass Foundation and Frederick Douglass Freedom Alliance.
Kreutz appears on numerous national media platforms and has been invited to the White House many times in recognition of her work and influence.
Following a brief tour of the school, the teens visited community sites to “get a feel” for Orleans County.
Kathy Jurs and Kasey Neal of Poverty Hill Farms give students a tour of the cows at the dairt farm in Albion on Thursday.
Jody Neal and Kathy Jurs from Poverty Hill Farms explained the different aspects of the dairy farm industry. Students enjoyed seeing the life and “smells” of dairy cows and “touching them for the first time.”
From there they traveled down the road to Panek Farms. Jim Panek and his son Phil showed them a variety of large farm equipment and allowed the excited students to sit in the cabs of tractors, combines, and tractor trailers.
Following lunch and games at Dubby’s, the day culminated with a trip to Mt. Albion Cemetery to climb up the 68-foot tower for an aerial view of the community.
“We had a great time with the Albion students,” East High teacher Laura Delehanty said. “Our students have gained a greater respect and appreciation for their Albion peers.”
(Left) Jim Panek shows students some of the farm equipment at Panek Farms. (Right) Students were welcomed to climb inside a combine.
Jody Neal showed East High students around the farm, including a barn for the calves.
Tim Archer, Interact Club advisor for Albion, introduces Ayesha Kreutz, the guest speaker who addressed the group of about 70 students.
(Left) The students were happy to greet a calf at the dairy farm. (Right) Students check out the milking parlor.
Medina completes milling 3 streets, could start paving next week
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A crew from Suit-Kote Corporation mills Ohio Street on Tuesday morning, the street where Medina Memorial Hospital is located.
Suit-Kote also milled parts of Park Avenue and West Avenue this week, and could do paving on the three streets next week if the weather cooperates.
“Whenever we get a stretch of good weather in the next week or so we will be paving those streets back,” said Jason Watts, superintendent of the Village of Medina Department of Public Works.
The village is doing these milling and paving projects now, and could add more since it knows its CHIPS funding in the new state budget. Watts said he expects Keeler Construction of Barre will do more milling and paving in the village after Medina’s road construction funding is known.
This photo shows Park Avenue being blocked to traffic near Pine Street Park on Tuesday after the top layer of asphalt was removed.
Agencies collaborate to honor veteran at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Photos courtesy of Hospice of Orleans: Veteran James Freas presents a Certificate of Commendation to Robert Stalker.
Press Release, Hospice of Orleans
From left include Katherine Douville, Hospice of Orleans RN; Randy LeBaron, Hospice of Orleans Spiritual Care & Bereavement Counselor; Robert Stalker; and Deanna Maxwell, Hospice Social Worker.
MEDINA – Hospice of Orleans remains deeply committed to making every moment matter. This week, that mission took center stage as the organization had the distinct privilege of honoring Mr. Bob Stalker, a hospice patient and veteran currently receiving care at the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina.
In a beautiful display of community collaboration, the care team worked closely with Nikolas Mroz, Director of the Veteran Services Agency, to coordinate a formal recognition ceremony. It was an honor to have Jim Freas of the Medina VFW and Honor Guard lead the presentation, offering a sincere salute and gratitude for Mr. Stalker’s dedicated military service.
The leadership and staff at Orchard Rehabilitation went above and beyond to make the day memorable. By hosting a celebration complete with a custom cake and inviting fellow residents, they ensured Mr. Stalker felt the full warmth of the community’s appreciation.
“Bob was thrilled. He invited his cousins who were able to attend and join in on the festivities, and it was moving to see a whole table of his fellow veteran residents, and others there to support him. Everyone truly enjoyed the afternoon,” shared Randy LeBaron, Hospice of Orleans Spiritual Care & Bereavement Counselor.
A moment this special is only possible through partnership. Hospice of Orleans extends its sincerest thanks to the Veteran’s Services Agency for their coordination and support, Mr. Jim Freas for his presentation and Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their hospitality and enthusiasm in celebrating one of our county’s heroes. It is a great honor to serve those who have served us all.
Hospice of Orleans is a leading provider of end-of-life care in Orleans County. Its team of experienced nurses and caregivers is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to those facing life-limiting illnesses.
For more information, visit hospiceoforleans.org or call (585) 589-0809
Robert Stalker is joined by his cousins Eric Ambrose, Eileen Ambrose and Anita Jones.
Tenney says district will benefit from new Farm Bill that passes House
Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) on Thursday applauded House passage of H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, legislation that strengthens support for American farmers, bolsters rural communities, and reinforces agriculture as a core component of national security.
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act (Farm Bill) reauthorizes key U.S. Department of Agriculture programs through 2031, modernizes farm policy, and strengthens the agriculture safety net to help producers navigate rising costs, market uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions.
The legislation includes major investments in conservation, crop insurance, rural development, and agricultural research, while promoting U.S. exports and reducing regulatory burdens. It also enhances oversight of foreign ownership of American farmland and reinforces agriculture as a national security priority.
As part of the bill, Congresswoman Tenney secured adoption of her Fairness in Vineyard Data Act, which requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to produce a comprehensive report on national grape production. The report will include detailed data on total acreage, production levels, utilization, acreage by grape type and variety, as well as county-level breakdowns and planting timelines. This data will provide greater transparency and market insight for our viticulturists, including those in the Finger Lakes region, and allow USDA to better support our vineyards.
“House Republicans are backing the farmers and ranchers who feed, fuel, and sustain this country,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This Farm Bill delivers real support for producers facing rising costs and uncertainty, while strengthening the tools they need to manage risk and stay competitive.
“In districts like mine, where agriculture drives our economy, this legislation helps ensure our farmers and family farms can continue to grow, hire, and invest in their communities. It also takes important steps to protect American farmland from foreign adversaries, such as the CCP, and reinforces that agriculture is national security. This legislation puts our farmers first and makes sure the United States remains a global leader in food production.”
Cub Scouts welcome Kendall, Holley elementary kids for model boat race on May 16
Press Release, Cub Scout Pack 3094 in Kendall
KENDALL – On Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m., Cub Scout Pack 3094 will host a community-wide family event, opening participation to Kendall and Holley Elementary School students.
Families will design, build, and race small tamarin-style sail boats to race down rain gutters. The Pack is collecting registrants now to prepare boat kits for a group building night on Thursday May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kendall Methodist Church.
On race day, in a double-elimination style competition, children will race at least twice to compete for the first, second and third place medal.
John Heeks, Kendall Cub Master, says the Pack is looking for new members and believes events like the Regatta bring the community together for fun, outdoor learning – a cornerstone of Scout programming.
“The (Rain Gutter) Regatta is one of my family’s favorite Cub Scout events,” said Heeks.
He adds that the Pack hopes to bring the neighboring townships’ children together.
Heeks and his son joined Cub Scouts in 2024. Heeks took over the role of Cub Master in 2025 where he and Den Leaders have led the Pack in other events like group Campouts and the beloved Pinewood Derby.
For more information on Cub Scout Pack 3094, click here.
Community Action faces ‘urgent challenges’ amidst funding cuts
Provided photos: From left, Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and CAOG’s Weatherization manager Jeff Atwell met in Albany to advocate for HEAP funding for the Weatherization program.
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, like many agencies, is navigating significant uncertainty and difficult funding realities, according to executive director Renee Hungerford.
“Coping with cuts to programming has required thoughtful prioritization, creativity and constant communication with the people we serve,” Hungerford said. “Our focus has been on protecting core services as much as possible while being transparent about what changes mean in real terms. It’s not just an operational challenge, it’s about supporting individuals and families through disruption while ensuring staff are not carrying that burden alone.
“Over the past several months, advocacy itself has become a significant part of this work. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time writing letters and testimony traveling to Washington and Albany and engaging directly with elected officials. While this advocacy is essential, it necessarily pulls time and capacity away from other critical agency responsibilities – and that is a reality many community organizations are grappling with right now.”
Hungerford continued to say, “At the same time, we are beginning to see that sustained advocacy does make a difference. This week’s release of GSBG funding by OMB is an encouraging step and a reminder that collective voices matter. This is the power of what our elected officials, from both sides of the house, can accomplish when working together for the things that matter most.
“However, we are still facing urgent challenges. The removal of Weatherization Assistance Program funding from New York State’s HEAP budget has serious implications for households who rely on these services to remain safe and stable. Weatherization has live-changing impacts, particularly for low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities.
“All of this is happening at a time when funding has been cut, resources are stretched thin and reductions to SNAP and Medicaid have driven need to unprecedented levels. Added to this, increased prices have made basic needs unreachable for many. In the midst of that, I have been deeply moved by the response of our community. We have seen an outpouring of generosity – from donations to volunteer support – often offered quietly and anonymously.”
Hungerford also expressed her sincere gratitude to their staff.
“They continue to show up every day and fight for people who often do not have a voice,” she said. “The work is hard and the environment is stressful, yet their dedication never wavers. I am incredibly grateful for the amazing team we have at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee and for their commitment to our mission of helping individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency.”
Community Action’s executive director Renee Hungerford, fourth from the left, met recently with colleagues from the New York State Community Action Association in Washington, D.C.
Historical Society presentation focuses on Medina hospital experience – before computers and corporations
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Reinhard Rogowski, president of the Medina Historical Society, and Barbara Hancock look at a display by Erica Waneceski depicting how things were in hospitals years ago.
Erica Waneceski explains how an old blood pressure cuff worked.
MEDINA – The final meeting of the Medina Historical Society for spring took place Monday night at the Medina Senior Center. The meeting place was changed because of the library being closed for construction.
Guest speaker was Erica Waneceski of Medina, who once studied to be a physician assistant. She gave a presentation on “The Medina Hospital Experience, BC,” before corporations, consortiums and computers.
She displayed a large selection of gadgets, equipment and clothing used decades ago. These included charts written by hand, a surgeon’s coat, a student nurse’s uniform, an early blood pressure cuff, a kit to draw blood and a variety of bed pans, all made of metal, as opposed to today’s which are plastic.
Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper produced a photograph of a nursing class which included Marian Vail, a longtime nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital.
“Things have really changed,” Waneceski said. “We used to have to sterilize bed pans by hand, isolation techniques are different, EEG’s were recorded on paper (not computers) and blood pressure cuffs had rows of snaps, instead of Velcro.”
Waneceski remembers reading the first article about CAT scans in 1975.
She also shared how in older days, nurses always gave patients a back rub in the evening. They don’t do that anymore, she said.
That was the Medina Historical Society’s last meeting until September. Cooper reminded the audience the Historical Society on West Avenue is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first Saturday of every month through the summer.
Tim and Catherine Cooper, left, chat with Sue Jannick at Monday night’s meeting of Medina Historical Society, at which Erica Wanieski gave a presentation on working in a hospital before computers. Jannick spent 47 years as a medical transcriptionist, which now is considered “a dinosaur.”
Leader of Orleans Community Health to receive ‘Excellence in Health Care Award’
Provided photos: (Left) Marc Shurtz presides over an internal town hall meeting at Orleans Community Health, one of his many duties as CEO/CIO. (Right) Marc Shurtz and Jody Stack, director of Nutritional Services, pose with the cake commemorating Orleans Community Health’s 100th anniversary last year.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is proud to announce the selection of Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO, as a recipient of the 2026 Buffalo Business First Excellence in Health Care Award.
The award recognizes healthcare professionals and leaders across Western New York who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication to improving healthcare within their communities. Shurtz will be recognized alongside fellow honorees during the Excellence in Health Care Awards celebration on June 17.
Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health
Shurtz has served as CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health for the past six years and has worked in the healthcare field for more than 11 years. Since stepping into the role of CEO/CIO in 2020, after previously serving as chief information officer and corporate compliance officer, he has helped guide Orleans Community Health through executive transition, operational challenges and strategic growth, while maintaining a strong focus on preserving access to local healthcare services.
As CEO/CIO, Shurtz provides executive leadership for the organization while overseeing strategic technology and operational direction. His work includes guiding system-wide priorities, collaborating with organizational leadership and community stakeholders and supporting the expansion of healthcare services. His leadership combines strategic planning and operational oversight with a visible and deeply community-centered approach.
Over the past several years, Shurtz has helped lead several transformative initiatives at Orleans Community Health. Under his leadership, the organization advanced the Medina Healthcare Center project through successful community fundraising efforts and the securing of a $1.88 million New York State grant. He has also He has also supported the continued growth of outpatient and specialty services and worked to strengthen workforce recruitment and retention efforts and through a significant labor agreement focused on workforce stability. In addition, his leadership played an important role in honoring Medina Memorial Hospital’s 100-year legacy in 2025, while helping position the organization for the future.
Jeannie Wodo, director of IT Services at Orleans Community Health, submitted the nomination recognizing Shurtz for the award.
“Marc leads with both vision and heart,” Wodo said. “His dedication to preserving and strengthening rural healthcare is evident in every decision he makes. He has helped move important projects forward while remaining deeply committed to the people who rely on Orleans Community Health every day. His leadership inspires those around him and continues to make a meaningful difference throughout our community.”
Beyond his executive leadership responsibilities, Shurtz serves on the Orleans Community Health Foundation Board, Medina Area Partnership and the Audit committee of HANYS, and actively participates in community volunteer efforts.
“What makes rural healthcare so important is the direct impact it has on families, neighbors and entire communities,” Shurtz said. “It is truly an honor to receive this recognition from Buffalo Business First, but this award reflects the dedication of our entire team at Orleans Community Health. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and help ensure quality healthcare remains close to home for future generations.”
The Buffalo Business First Excellence in Health Care Awards celebrate individuals whose leadership, service and commitment are helping shape the future of healthcare throughout the region. Shurtz is the second recipient from Orleans Community Health to be honored by Buffalo Business First. He joins Rhonda Woody, who was recognized in 2023.
