Photo by Ginny Kropf: Reinhard Rogowski, left, and Craig Lacy have been actively involved in the Medina Historical Society since joining – Lacy in 2000 and Rogowski in 2011. Here, Rogowski holds a dark room light, while Lacy is holding a gadget used to take seeds out of raisins, both items found in the museum’s collections and belonging to Lacy’s father-in-law, Henry Pollard. The Historical Society is actively seeking new members.

MEDINA – Preserving history for the future is a major initiative for the Medina Historical Society.

And now they are asking for help to continue that mission.

Last year the Historical Society conducted a campaign for new members, with a goal to exceed 100. They accomplished that, but since then, membership has dropped in half and the plea is out again to please consider buying a membership and help preserve Medina’s history. A membership costs $15 for an individual or $20 for a family.

Georgia Thomas is a long-time board member of the Medina Historical Society and supports all its functions, including Ale in Autumn on Saturday.

She stresses the importance of “preserving the past for the future.”

She cites Levan Merritt who in 1841 built the home at 406 West Ave., which was eventually acquired for a museum.

“Mr. Merritt loved trees and noticed the lack of trees in his village,” Thomas said. “He set about to plant trees in the village, such as the big, beautiful trees which grew on West Avenue. He made sure Medina had trees for shade and beauty.”

Thomas went on to say that preserving the past assures future generations know how we evolved and who started us.

The Medina Historical Society is a treasure trove of memorabilia, such as a War Room with a large lithograph of the Civil War. It is one of only 16 in existence, Thomas said.

Recently, longtime member and former president Craig Lacy shared information about a dark room camera and a gadget from the 1890s used to seed raisins, which had belonged to his late father-in-law, Henry Pollard.

Reinhard Rogowski is currently president of Medina Historical Society, an office he has held since he joined 15 years ago. Lacy joined in 2000 and has served as president for four or five years, and is now vice president and treasurer.

The Medina Historical Society was founded in 1971 by village historian, Ceil White, who held early meetings at her home on East Avenue. Seven years later, an opportunity arose to acquire a permanent home at 406 West Ave.

Merritt’s home was acquired by the village of Medina in 1958 and two years later the town of Ridgeway acquired it, and converted the house to their town hall.  In 1979, the town purchased the rear lot in order to build a new larger, modern town hall. The village agreed to the sale of the lot, with the stipulation the Merritt home be leased to the Medina Historical Society for $1 a year, with the Historical Society responsible for its upkeep.

According to Ed Grinnell’s “Medina – Here’s to Our Heritage,” membership in the society regularly averaged between 70 to 100.

Rogowski is personally inviting everyone to consider purchasing a membership.

“Your support keeps the doors of your museum open and ensures the rich history of Medina is shared, celebrated and remembered for generations to come,” Rogowski posted on “Memories of Medina.”

He invites people to attend meetings on the last Monday of the month at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. Meetings start at 7 p.m. in September through November and January to May and always feature a speaker. This month’s speaker is Pembroke history teacher Greg Kinal.

“We have several great presentations coming up,” Rogowski said. “This is a plea for membership, not money.”

The museum is open the first Saturday of the month from May to October or by special request. He suggests people consider the Historical Society when will planning or making a memorial to a loved one.

Checks may be mailed to Medina Historical Society, 406 West Ave., Medina, 14106. Membership forms are available in the Medina Bugle, on their Facebook page or at a meeting the last Monday of the month.

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: (Left photo by Bianca Cruz) 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.”