Medina businesses hosting murder mystery event on May 2

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 April 2026 at 1:40 pm

MEDINA – Murder and mystery will return to Medina on May 2, when the Medina Area Partnership sponsors Murder and Mocktails at the Mayflower.

This is the fourth annual murder/mystery event MAP has held in downtown Medina.

“Each year we change the era and theme,” said Ann Fisher-Bale, who chairs the event for MAP.

This year’s event also has the added feature of mocktails.

Murder and Mocktails embraces the rock ‘n roll era and jiving to the sounds of the 1950s, Bale said. It’s class reunion time and class adviser May O’Ryll Powers has decided she is the only one capable of organizing the big event. She schedules a meeting at the Mayflower Diner to get started. She only invited her favorite classmates to help her out. However, one of them holds a grudge from school days. This is revealed when the waitress comes screaming from the bathroom announcing May no longer has powers.

It is up to ticket holders to decide who did the dastardly deed.

Fisher-Bale explained the fictional 1950s-themed murder mystery gives a historic nod to the Mayflower Restaurant which once occupied a storefront on Main Street where Avanti’s is now located. Old classmates have gathered together there to help plan their long-awaited reunion, but not everyone is there to reminisce.

Attendees will visit 10 characters stationed withing participating businesses to obtain clues to solve the mystery. Sleuths (attendees) will have to determine who they can trust and who has the most to hide. Those who solve the mystery will be entered in a drawing to win a prize pack valued at more than $200.

New this year, attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of mocktails at participating businesses.

Dressing up isn’t required, but it is encouraged.

“So grease your hair, grab your pearls and don your favorite poodle skirt for a fun fifties afternoon,” Fisher-Bale said. “Be sure to don your dapper duds for our themed photo-ops.”

Tickets are available for $20 each. Click here for more information ad to get a ticket.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and check-in will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Senior Center, 615 West Ave., where participants will receive their investigator’s booklet to compile notes/clues and a goodie bag, which will include store coupons.

“This year’s mystery is a perfect mix of nostalgia, suspense and fun,” Fisher-Bale said. “We invite you to dress up, visit our local shops and help us catch a killer.”

As an added perk, “dapper day” specials and activities will be offered at local businesses.

The event also happens to be the same day as the Kentucky Derby, so MAP is encouraging participating businesses to offer specials relating to derby day. For bars and restaurants, that could be 1950s or Derby-themed drinks or foods. For other businesses, MAP suggests they offer murder/mystery books or games, hats, gift items, etc.

MAP anticipates the event will bring up to 250 people to downtown Medina to enjoy a spring day and visit local businesses.

UB to host Section VI football championships

Contributed Story Posted 27 April 2026 at 12:48 pm

Section VI Athletics has announced a new partnership with UB Athletics that will bring the
Section VI Football Championships to the University at Buffalo’s Broadview Stadium November 12 and
13, 2026.

This collaboration will provide student-athletes with the opportunity to compete in a premier collegiate
venue. The University at Buffalo’s state-of-the-art stadium will serve as the official host site for all
Section VI football championship games.

“We are thrilled to partner with UB Athletics to provide a memorable championship experience for our
student-athletes and coaches in a Division I stadium,” said Mark DiFilippo, Section VI Executive Director.

“When the opportunity presented itself to host the Section VI Football Championships, we immediately
wanted to secure these games here at Broadview Stadium,” said UB Vice President & Director of
Athletics Mark Alnutt. “It is a win/win as the football student-athletes get to compete at a Division I
venue and it opens our campus to prospective students and their families to be able to experience
what UB has to offer. I’m thrilled about this partnership and look forward to it being anchored here for
years to come.”

Additional details regarding game schedules, ticketing, and event logistics will be announced in the
coming months.

The sectionals had previously been held at the now closed Highmark Stadium.

Gas prices continue climb – up 4 cents in Orleans, 8 cents in NYS

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 April 2026 at 10:17 am

Gas prices for regular unleaded continued to creep up in the past week with a 4-cent increase in Orleans County, 6 cents nationally and 8 cents in New York State.

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is at $4.11 today, up $4.05 a week ago, AAA reported today. A year ago, the price was $3.15.

The New York State average is $4.19, up 8 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.10.

“After a brief decline, gas prices are on the rise once again as tensions persist in the Middle East,” AAA said in news release. “Oil prices dropped sharply after the announcement of a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, but continued instability along the Strait of Hormuz has prices pushing upward. This morning, oil prices range from $97 to $108 per barrel, compared to $88 to $94 per barrel one week ago. Oil is the main ingredient in gasoline, so oil prices have a direct impact on pump prices.”

Diesel prices are down slightly this week with the national average at $5.45, down 8 cents from last week, and up from $3.55 a year ago. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.91, down 1 cent from last week, and up from $3.90 last year, AAA said.

In Orleans County, the average for regular unleaded went from $4.176 a week ago to $4.216.

Here are the average prices at counties in Western New York:

Orleans, $4.216
Genesee, $4.169
Monroe, $4.188
Niagara, $4.116
Erie, $4.175
Wyoming, $4.184
Livingston, $4.219
Chautauqua, $4.131
Cattaraugus, $4.015
Allegany, $4.092

The highest price in the state is in Manhattan at $4.614 in Manhattan. In upstate, Essex County is the highest at $4.417.

Data center acting like it’s a done deal when the project hasn’t been approved

Posted 27 April 2026 at 10:01 am

Editor:

“We’re proud of the positive impact our projects have on our communities.”

This statement comes from the website of STREAM US Data Centers, which is trying to build a massive data center complex at STAMP in the Town of Alabama. But on a recent weekend, local residents experienced the opposite from STREAM – even though the project has not been approved and STREAM does not yet own any land at STAMP.

At 9 a.m. on April 18, the peace and quiet of our local area was abruptly disrupted by the start of intensely loud industrial noise. The noise lasted all day and began again the next day.

Here are some testimonials from residents:

“It was so incredibly loud. I drove over there because the pounding was driving me crazy and was so loud.”
“[It was] a booming noise. It was awful.”
“I had to listen to that anxiety-producing pounding all weekend long… My nerves were shot.”
“We have listened to that for 2 solid days… constant banging & pounding noise.”
“We had windows open & ended up closing them because of the dust. The dust moved over us like a cloud. We saw it coming.”
“There was so much noise from this you could hear it over on Casey Road at the Iroquois Headquarters.”

In fact, residents reported hearing the noise up to 7 miles away from the source. And what was the source? STREAM starting to demolish the Plug Power hydrogen spheres.

Residents received no prior notification that this was going to happen – from STREAM, from Plug, from the Town, or from GCEDC. We do not know if it is legal, if the Town permitted it, what safety measures are being taken. We do not know if the dust is toxic or how long the noise will go on.

We want the hydrogen spheres removed. They are an eyesore and a constant reminder of STAMP’s failures and broken promises. But we want this done in the right way. We want it done safely and with prior notification to residents, including the chance to ask questions.

We see what STREAM is trying to do. They have cut a deal with Plug to take down the spheres so they can make it look like this project is a done deal.

Well, it’s not. And their actions are only making us more committed to stopping them.

STREAM: You have already violated our trust and caused us harm. Before your project has even been approved, you have had only a negative impact on our community. Go away. You are not welcome here.

Local residents: call and email the Town of Alabama to express your concerns about the demolition. Then stay tuned for the rescheduled Town of Alabama Planning Board Site Plan Application Hearing. See STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center on Facebook for more info.

Signed,

Ariel Cieszki, Alabama

Cheryl Cordes, Alabama

Mark Cordes, Alabama

Lee Ann Mullen, Alabama

Sharon Larmon, Alabama

Gaye Drock, Alabama

Amanda Johnson, Alabama

Jim Joyner, Alabama

Amy Joyner, Alabama

Hillery Dennies, Alabama

Victoria Guite, Alabama

Judith Schilling, Alabama

Medina business feels the love from customers on Independent Bookstore Day

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 April 2026 at 9:42 am

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Victoria Chatfield of Williamsville watches as Mackenzie Sullivan of Medina buys a book from author Ed Ashton during an Independent Bookstore Day event at Author’s Note in Medina. Chatfield comes to the store at least four times a month and belongs to every book club there, she said.

MEDINA – It was five years ago to the day when Julie Berry and her husband Phil opened Author’s Note at 519 Main St.

As the store celebrated Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, Berry, who is also an author, said she could never have imagined its success.

“It’s been so joyful,” she said. “I am thrilled to feel so much love and support from our customers and community.”

Not only were visiting authors busy selling and signing their books, but customers were finding many other books of interest, including Berry’s latest novel If Looks Could Kill, which debuted on the New York Times Best Selling list.

(Left) Chrissy Bloom of Albion buys books for her kids during Independent Bookstore Day Saturday at Author’s Note. (Right) Scott Robinson of Medina brought son Roux to Author’s Note on Saturday to meet Crush, the therapy dog, whose owner/trainer Wendi Pencille has written a book about him.

Customers and the community came out on Saturday, the store’s fifth Independent Bookstore Day, during which they welcomed authors Kate Hosford of Brooklyn, Ed Ashton of upstate New York, Pembroke School librarian David Neth and Wendi Pencille of Shelby.

Ashton said he and his wife Jennifer, a professor at Brockport State College, enjoy coming to Author’s Note and Medina.

“It’s a beautiful store and town,” he said.

Chrissy Bloom of Albion came to buy books for her kids.

“I’m glad I came,” she said, as she deposited a stack of books on counter.

Ashley Harnish of North Tonawanda, center, holds the Golden Ticket she found hidden at Author’s Note, during Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday. The prize earned her 12 free audio books. With her, at left, are Amanda Tarsdale and Katie Edwards, right, both of Medina.

Many book club members came as a group, including Victoria Chatfield of Williamsville.

“I come here at least four times a month,” Chatfield said. “I belong to every book club here.”

McKenzie Sullivan of Medina said their entire book club met for lunch at Zambistro’s, then came to Author’s Note, where she picked up Ashton’s latest book and had it autographed.

“I’m enjoying this little independent bookstore,” Chatfield added. “I like to shop local. Our book club member come from three or four counties.”

As an added attraction, Berry had hidden a golden ticket somewhere in the store, which was discovered by Ashley Harnish of North Tonawanda, who visiting the store with her book club friends Amanda Tarsdale and Katie Edwards of Medina. She won 12 audio books, which she loves, she said.

Wendi Pencille came to the book signing with her therapy dog Crush, the subject of her first book, Crush Finds His Place.

Author’s Note owner and best-selling author Julie Berry, kneels down to kiss Crush, the St. Bernard therapy dog owned by Wendi Pencille, left. Pencille signed copies of her first book, Crush Finds His Place, during Independent Bookstore Day.

The idea to write a book came about when Pencille and her therapy dog were visiting Bornhava, a preschool in Snyder which deals with children with disabilities.

“They cannot find hard cover books, so I decided to write one,” Pencille said.

In it are pictures of the children.

Proceeds of her book will go to Bornhava and the CNC Learning Center in Amherst.

Pencille said when she starts training a therapy dog, they pull its tails and step on its toes, things a young child would do. So when children actually do those things, the dog thinks nothing of it.

Copies of her book and those of the other authors are all available at Author’s Note or by visiting AuthorsNote.com or e-mailing info@authorsnote.com.

Long-awaited digitized Irish census great resource in search for ancestors

Posted 27 April 2026 at 8:57 am

More than 5,000 residents in Orleans have Irish descent

A postcard view of the port of Queenstown, later Cobh (cove), on the south coast of Ireland, the disembarkation point for many emigrants to the US from 1815 through the early 1930s.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 10

At one minute past midnight on April 18, 2026, the long-awaited digitized version of the 1926 Irish Census was made available by the National Archives of Ireland, to the delight of family researchers and genealogists worldwide.

One hundred years prior, on the night of April 18, 1926, householders in each home in the 26 counties of Ireland filled out a detailed census form. These handwritten forms are now available for view. In combination, they provide a detailed view of life at the time.

Orleans County is within the 8th percentile of New York State counties for Irish population density, with 5,369 residents or 13.5% of the total county population of Irish descent, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data, so the availability of this census will be of interest.

The 1926 Census is significant because it was the first census conducted by the newly established Irish Free State. A prior census had been conducted in 1911 by the British government. There had been great upheaval in the intervening years – World War I, the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Civil War.

Though we now take it for granted, digital access to census records is phenomenal and nothing short of miraculous to those of us who served time in those ante-diluvian pre-computer days.

The online version of the 1926 Irish Census comes complete with “bells and whistles.” The forms recorded twenty-one pieces of information: name, age, occupation, religion, housing, ability to speak or read Irish. One can search by last name, first name, town, townland or electoral division.

If you click on “View Household Record,” you will see details of all of those who resided in that house on the night of April 18, 1926.

Click on “Household Form A1” to view an original view of the form, complete with the signature of the head of the household.

The data provided is linked to the 1924 Ordnance Survey map. Just toggle to “View Map” to zoom in and see with increasing detail the counties, townlands, and even outlines of fields.

You can see how many O’ Brien’s there were in Cork (5,537), or how many men in the country were named Patrick (182,070), whether your Aunt Julia was older or younger than your Aunt Molly, or find out that your cousin Bud’s name was actually Kevin, or view the residents of a street or village.

If your ancestors left Ireland in the 1920s (as many of those who fought on the side of the Anti-Treaty during the Civil War were obliged to do, finding themselves boycotted from employment), then you will see your family members, grandparents, siblings and cousins listed.

If your ancestors left Ireland prior to the 1920s, chances are, you will still find relatives. If you only know a family name and a county, you can view the occurrences of that surname on the map.

Dive in, search “1926 Irish census”. Have fun!

Donations sought to cover transportation costs for local kids to go to summer camp

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 April 2026 at 8:33 am

Provided photo: This is the group of kids Andrew Szatkowski was able to get to the Salvation Army’s summer camp last year. He needs $2,000 this year, and volunteer chaperones to ride down and back.

MEDINA – Andrew Szatkowski’s lifetime passion has been helping children have a happy childhood. He was instrumental in starting a corporate toy challenge to benefit Community Action’s holiday giveaway.

While participating in the toy drive, he became acquainted with Annette Finch, who at the time managed the Red Kettle drive at Community Action for The Salvation Army. He learned from Finch about a Salvation Army camp on the banks of Seneca Lake in Penn Yan. Children from Orleans County could go and spend a week at Long Point Camp.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Andew Szatkowski, although busy as the new general manager of Hinspergers Poly Industries, still finds time to pursue his passion of helping children attend summer camp.

There used to be a Salvation Army camp in Kendall – Camp Troutburg, which catered to children in lower-income families.

While Camp Troutburg has closed, The Salvation Army continues to provide summer camp at Long Point Camp. It has become Szatkowski’s current mission to sending kids to summer camp in Penn Yan. Attending camp is already financed by donations to the Red Kettle Campaign, but Szatkowski is trying to raise $2,000 for transportation to get the children to camp and home again.

“As a kid I went to camp at Camp Troutburg and I loved it,” Szatkowski said. “A lot of kids in Orleans County went there, and I know there are a lot of kids here now who would enjoy Long Point Camp and benefit from it.”

Anyone wishing to donate to help with cost of transporting kids to camp may contact Szatkowski at aszat74@yahoo.com or by calling (585) 205-0581. They also may bring donations payable to The Salvation Army to open enrollment nights at Hoag Library from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 14, 21 and 28.

Szatkowski will be there to help any family register and to answer questions. Registration for camp must be done online. Any money collected over the required amount will be used towards next year’s season.

Eligible children must be between 6 and 12. The camping week is Monday through Friday.

Camping activities include swimming, arts and crafts, canteen, evening programs, hiking, outdoor living, kayaking, music, sports and recreation, archery, a gaga pit and more.

Ann Vail, service extension director for the camp, said they can accommodate 192 youth a week. They are fully staffed, she said.

She said attendance dropped after Covid. The camp reopened in 2023 and is continuing to grow. She said Orleans County kids are being targeted for the last week in July.

Lake Plains Players announce scholarship winner

Posted 26 April 2026 at 10:15 pm

Press Release, Lake Plains Players

Jenna Hunt

Lake Plains Players is honored to announce the 2026 recipient of the Lance Anderson Memorial Scholarship, Jenna Hunt.

Jenna is a Starpoint High School senior who plans to attend SUNY Fredonia in the fall for a Bachelor’s of Theater Production & Design. Jenna grew up attending theater productions with her parents and now has a deep passion for the arts.

She has been helping to design costumes for many years and now plans to become a professional costume designer. Her goal is to inspire other children through the arts in the same way that she was inspired as a child.

The scholarship is a $1,000 award established in honor of the late Lance Anderson. Lance was the President of Lake Plains Players for over 10 years, and had a passion for education as well as theatre.

He was always a vocal supporter of students and a leader and one of the founders of the group’s Summer Theatre Program. He affected the lives and futures of countless young people who are now making their own contributions in the arts fields. Through this scholarship, the Lake Plains Players hope to continue to honor his legacy.

Find more information about the Lake Plains Players at their website (click here) or on Facebook @Lake Plains Players.

Medina Mustangs FC bows in season opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 April 2026 at 8:35 pm

It was a tough debut into the Buffalo District Soccer League’s Championship Division as the short handed Medina Mustangs FC dropped a 5-0 decision to the Revolution this evening.

Medina which played with only two subs and without their college players, will next visit the Queen City Gunners next Sunday.

The Mustangs were promoted to the Championship Division after capturing the 1st Division regular season championship last summer.

Rivals first offseason workout begins a new era for the now merged Albion/Medina team

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 April 2026 at 3:11 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – It was get acquainted day as the newly merged Albion/Medina Rivals football sqaud held its first offseason workout session at Vets Park this afternoon with varsity, JV and Modified level players participating. Here Head Coach Eric Valley talks to the group before the session got underway.

Here several senior members of the Rivals varsity squad tryout the team’s new home uniforms. In front are Ezra Bloom, Jaxon Lynch, Jayzon Wills and Hadrian Batista. In back are Logan Kast, Jackson Snook, Noah Harrison, Preston Woodworth, Elijah Doxey and Matthew Jacobs.

The session included several skill stations for backs and receivers, linemen, linebackers and defensive backs. Here lineman work on a blocking drill.

Green finishes The Chevron with 2 over round

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 April 2026 at 3:02 pm

A pair of bogeys on the back 9 proved costly as Medina’s Melanie Green posted a 2 over part 74 this afternoon on the final round of the LPGA’s first major tournament of the season – The Chevron Championship- at Houston.

Green started the day at 1 under for the tournament and held that score at the end of the front 9 as she had birdies on 5 and 8 to offset bogies on 3 and 6.

However, she had two more bogies on the back 9, on 10 and 17, without any more birdies to finish the day with the 2 over 74.

Finishing with a four day total of 1 over par 289, she opened the tourney with a 73 on Thursday and then had a 71 on Friday and a 73 on Saturday.

Next up will be an LPGA tournament in Mexico this coming Thursday through Sunday.

Dance recital in Albion included a tribute to the late Ace Caldwell

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2026 at 1:52 pm

‘Grandpa Ace’ assisted in many renovations at Gotta Dance, cheered on performers

Photo by Tom Rivers

Photo by Marsha Rivers: A seat in the front row was reserved in honor of “Grandpa Ace” for Saturday’s dance recital in the Albion Middle School Auditorium.

ALBION – The recital at Gotta Dance Performing Arts LLC included a tribute to the late Waldo “Ace” Caldwell Jr., the father of Amy Sidari.

Three seniors in the dance program – from left Ava Ludwick, McKinley Knight and Kaitlynn Basinait – did a senior dance together and dedicated the performance to Caldwell, who passed away at age 93 on April 16.

Caldwell was a fixture at Gotta Dance during the 28 years it was owned and run by his daughter, Amy Sidari.

The two teamed to overhaul the building at 28 West Bank St., transforming a building that was used for a plumbing business into three dance studios, a cabaret venue, and a piano studio.

Caldwell was a carpenter for decades, putting in kitchens, bathrooms and tackling other projects in the community.

“Grandpa Ace” attended the cabaret shows and dance recitals, and was loved by the hundreds of dancers over the years.

The three seniors – Ava Ludwick, McKinley Knight and Kaitlynn Basinait – have been part Gotta Dance since they were three years old.

The studio for the first time this past year was run by Danielle Schmidt following Sidari’s retirement. Schmidt thanked Sidari on Saturday for building a strong dance program in the community and for trusting Schmidt to lead the studio in a new era.

There were about 100 dance performers during the recital on Saturday, which included 48 different dances.

Weekly high school sports schedule

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 April 2026 at 9:43 am

The Niagara-Orleans League will have a key baseball clash of unbeatens Friday as Roy-Hart (6-0) hosts Medina (3-0) on Friday. The Mustangs will then host the Rams the following Monday (May 4) to complete the home-and-home series.

Likewise in N-O softball unbeaten Akron (3-0) will host undefeated Barker (4-0) on Tuesday.

Weekly Schedule
Monday
Baseball – Roy-Hart at Akron, Newfane at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; Lyndonville at Alexander, Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, 5 p.m.; Wilson at Medina, 7 p.m.
Softball – Barker at Medina, Newfane at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Lyndonville, Holley at Perry, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Albion at Medina, Akron at Roy-Hart, Newfane at Barker, 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday
Softball – Medina at Wilson, Barker at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Lyndonville at Holley, Kendall at Byron-Bergen, 5 p.m.
Track – Roy-Hart at Albion, 4:30 p.m.
Tennis – Kendall at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Eden, 7 p.m.

Wednesday
Baseball – Medina at Wilson, Akron at Roy-Hart, Barker at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; Lyndonville at Byron-Bergen, Kendall at Oakfield-Alabama, 5 p.m.
Softball – Medina at Roy-Hart, 4:15 p.m.; Albion at Newfane, Barker at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
Tennis – Wilson at Albion, Medina at Akron, 4:15 p.m.
Track – Medina at Wilson, Barker at Akron, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday
Softball – Kendall at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; Akron at Albion, Newfane at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; Pembroke at Lyndonville, 5 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Gowanda, 6 p.m.
Tennis – Roy-Hart at Newfane, 4:15 p.m.; Alexander at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.

Friday
Baseball – Medina at Roy-Hart, Albion at Newfane, Akron at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; Kendall at Lyndonville, 5 p.m.
Softball – Barker at Albion, Roy-Hart at Wilson, Newfane at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, Elba at Holley, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Barker at Roy-Hart, Akron at Wilson, 4:15 p.m.

Saturday
Baseball – Lyndonville at Cal-Mum, 11 a.m.
Softball – Medina at Albion, 10 a.m.; Alexander at Lyndonville, 11 a.m.
Lacrosse – Sweet Home at Medina, 1 p.m.

Middleport Community Choir’s May 3 concert celebrates dedication of the group

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 April 2026 at 8:22 am

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Ric Jones of Medina leads the Middleport Community Choir, while Debby Clark, seated at piano, is accompanist and director of the Belltones. Their spring concert is scheduled May 3 at the United Methodist Church, 9 Park St., Middleport.

MIDDLEPORT – Keeping with a tradition which began several decades ago, the Middleport Community Choir will present its spring concert at 4 p.m. May 3 at Middleport Methodist Church, 9 Park Ave.

Titled “Legacy,” the program celebrates the history, heart and enduring spirit of the Middleport Community Choirs, according to director Ric Jones of Medina.

“It honors the voices that have shaped this ensemble over the years, the shared dedication to serving through music and the community built through countless rehearsals and performances,” said Carol Blumrick of Middleport, an original member of the choir.

The concert is in two parts, Jones said. Part One celebrates music and its importance on our history. Part Two celebrates and honors those who have been a part of the history of the MCC – those both with us and those we have lost, Jones said.

“Our program will not only honor those we have lost, but all former members who, although they have not passed, are an important part of our history,” Jones said. “Some of the songs we will be singing are ‘O Divine Redeemer,’ a piece the late Herb Koenig always wished the choir would sing; ‘Roberts Song,’ a song my wife Karen and I composed after one of our members, Robert Maedl, had passed, “Through the Legacy of Years,” and ‘We Remember Them,’ two songs honoring all who have gone before us.”

In addition to the choir, accompanist Debby Clark will lead the Belltones in several selections.

The concert is free, but a free will offering will be taken.