Page Sponsor
Green begins play at The Annika Tourney
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Highlighted by six birdies, Medina’s Melanie Green fired a 3 under par 67 today on the opening round of the LPGA Tour’s The Annika Tournament at Belleair, Florida.
Starting on the back nine, Green was even after that stretch as birdies on 15 and 18 offset bogeys on 10 and 17.
Green then put together a run of four birdes on the front nine on 1, 2, 6 and 7 to go to 4 under. However, she finished the day with a bogey on 9 for the 3 under round of 67.
The tournament will continue on Friday after which the field will be cut for the title deciding final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
This is the final regular season event on the LPGA Tour.
Kathy Blackburn will serve as grand marshal of Medina’s Parade of Lights
Long-time community volunteer works behind the scenes with many projects
File photos by Tom Rivers: Kathy Blackburn has led many efforts in Medina from planting trees, promoting small businesses, honoring veterans and keeping up a historic cemetery.
MEDINA – The 18th annual Parade of Lights will be back on the Saturday after Thanksgiving – Nov. 28 in downtown Medina.
Parade committee chairman Jim Hancock has announced that Kathy Blackburn has been selected as Grand Marshal of the big parade.
“Kathy has actively worked behind the scenes, and been involved in so many things to benefit Medina,” Hancock said.
She is active in Medina Area Partnership, Orleans Renaissance Group, Medina Sandstone Society, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery and many other initiatives in the village. She is member of both the Medina and Ridgeway planning boards, and Medina’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
Blackburn is past chairwoman of Releaf Medina, which raises money to plant trees in the village. She started Wreaths Across America in Medina, where more than 1,000 wreaths are placed on veterans’ graves in December.
She helped start the Faery Festival through MAP, and tries hard with many of the group’s events. For many years she dressed up as a character and welcomed families in line for Beggar’s Night the Friday before Halloween.
There will be some very interesting floats entered this year in the parade, Hancock said. He urges people and organizations to put together an entry in the parade. Entrants can compete for prize money in a variety of categories, including a $500 grand prize. The 10 best in class winners will each receive $300. Entry forms are available on the Parade of Lights website.
The Parade of Lights welcomes more entries in the big parade on Nov. 28. This photo shows a school bus decorated in a Candy Land theme last year by the Medina Transportation Department at the school district.
Events begin at 5 p.m. with a concert by Hit Men Brass in Rotary Park, followed by lighting of the Christmas tree in Rotary Park at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks over downtown at 5:45 p.m.
The parade will begin from the staging area at The Pickle Factory at 6 p.m. and travel down Park Avenue and north on Main Street.
Boy Scouts will be set up in the staging area, selling hot dogs, chili and hot chocolate.
A total of four bands are scheduled to perform – Hit Men Brass, Mark Time Marchers, Medina Mustang Marching Band and Pembroke High School Marching Band.
The first Parade of Lights took place in 2009, an idea of Hancock’s, who was talking with the Rev. Emily Frank, then pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Frank told him about a small town in Michigan, who had such a parade and 3,000 to 4,000 people turned out. They agreed if that small town could do it, Medina could do it.
Other communities in Orleans County also do a lighted parade, including Albion, Barre and Clarendon. Hancock urged people to create a float for Medina’s parade and then participate in the other local parades.
OC Rivals play for Class B title Friday at U.B.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Quarterback Preston Woodworth and his OC Rivals teammates will face West Seneca East in the Section VI Class B championship game at 5 p.m. Friday at the University at Buffalo stadium.
Highlighting an outstanding debut season, the OC Rivals will play for the Section VI Class B football championship against familiar foe West Seneca East at 5 p.m. Friday at the University at Buffalo stadium.
West Seneca East handed the Rivals their only loss by a narrow 35-34 margin in a penalty filled week 6 contest. The two teams ended up sharing the B1 Division title at 6-1 as West Seneca East lost to McKinley 24-13.
The two teams bring identical 9-1 records into the title contest.
“They are a very tough opponent,” said Rivals Head Coach Eric Valley. “They are very physical and have a great running back. They have system that works very well.”
“For us”, Valley added, “our defense has really started to jell the last few weeks and we need that improvement to continue. We need our defense to set the tone and get our offense some good field position. Offensively we have to spread the ball around.”
“We have to play solid in all three phases of the game and try to eliminate penalties,” Valley stressed. “Penalties (some 150 yards worth) really hurt us the last time we faced them.”
Running back Josh Urban who has rushed for 1,673 yards and a Section VI leading 36 touchdowns leads the West Seneca East attack. Quarterback Joey Molnar has passed for 432 yards and 6 touchdowns.
OC Rivals quarterback Preston Woodworth has passed for 1,559 yards and 20 touchdowns. His main targets have been Noah Harrison (37 receptions for 677 yards and 9 TDs), Elijah Doxey (26 receptions for 638 yards and 5 TDs) and Hadrian Batista (9 catches for 111 yards and 4 TDs). Woodworth has also rushed for 6 TDs.
Doxey leads the Rivals ground attack with 777 yards and 12 TDs as Jayzon Wills has 575 yards and 4 TDs.
The Rivals advanced to the title contest by defeating Pioneer 21-6 in the Class B semifinals while West Seneca East downed Depew 35-20 in the other semi.
The winner will advance to the state playoffs and a meeting with the Section V champion in the Far West Regional at SUNY Brockport on November 21.
Lake Plains Players bring Guys and Dolls, a timeless musical, to the stage in Medina
Community theater group performing shows from Friday through Sunday
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – These gamblers try their luck and skill in a scene from Guys and Dolls. They would sing, “The Crapshooters’ Dance.” It’s a scene early in the second act of the musical, which is being performed by the Lake Plains Players with shows 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Medina High School.
This is the biggest production of the year for the community theater group, which predominantly features people from Orleans and Niagara counties. The Lake Plains Players also do two cabarets during the year, a summer theater program for children, and will be adding a theater program for senior citizens in the summer of 2027. The Players are working on finding a venue of the production of Into the Woods.
Tickets for Guys and Dolls are $15 for adults and $12 for senior citizens. Click here for more information on tickets.
Scott Weber plays Nathan Detroit, who runs an illegal craps game and is constantly avoiding law enforcement. He also is stalling on a 14-year engagement.
The musical is usually performed at Roy-Hart, but the school is doing renovations and upgrades to its auditorium and stage.
The show is directed by Sarah Jones Geer, who performed in Guys and Dolls when she was a student at Lyndonville in 1995.
She said the audience will enjoy the musical.
“It’s a golden age of Broadway show,” she said. “There is a lot of word play and physical comedy.”
Other members of the production team include Gary Simboli, vocal director; Mike Thaine, music director; Mollie Radzinski, choreographer; Robyn Watts, costume designer; and Sue Glynn, stage manager.
Rebecca Witty plays the role of Sarah Brown and Erin Moody of Albion is Sky Masterson. They are singing, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before.” They are an unlikely couple with Sky a notorious gambler and Sarah, a pious member of the Save-a-Soul Mission.
Amelia Schuster, center, plays the role of Miss Adelaide, shown performing her nightclub act, “Take Back Your Mink.” She is frustrated with Nathan for putting off their wedding and his ongoing gambling. Adelaide is shown with the Hot Box girls, backup dancers at the club.
The Save-a-Soul Mission calls for sinners to repent. The mission will have to close if it can’t get more people at an upcoming revival meeting. Johna Wegand, right, plays Arvide Abernathy, one of the leaders of the mission band.
The gamblers are happy after winning in a craps game.
Erin Moody is Sky Masterson, a high stakes gambler, and Will Briggs is Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Sky’s right hand man. Nicely-Nicely leads the song, “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.”
OCH has navigators available to explore health insurance options
MEDINA – With open enrollment for 2027 health coverage through the New York State Health Marketplace, Orleans Community Health is reminding residents of Orleans and Genesee counties that assistance is available to help individuals and families explore their health insurance options.
Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage began Nov. 1, and continues through Jan. 31, 2027. Residents are encouraged to review their current coverage, explore available plans and determine whether they qualify for financial assistance.
Orleans Community Health has a team of trained health insurance navigators ready to provide free, confidential assistance throughout the enrollment process.
Navigators can help residents:
- Apply for health insurance coverage.
- Renew or update existing coverage.
- Understand eligibility for financial assistance.
- Compare available health insurance options.
- Answer questions about the New York State of Health Marketplace.
Navigators are available Monday through Friday, with regular hours at Medina Memorial Hospital and the Batavia Dialysis Center. They also visit community locations, including Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Yates Library, Richmond Memorial Library, Hoag Library, Community Action locations in Albion and Holley, Offices for the Aging, Albion Healthcare Center and Genesee County Job Development.
Residents are encouraged to contact the navigator team to ask questions or schedule appointments for assistance.
For information in Orleans County, call (585) 798-2476, or in Genesee County, call (585) 798-8125.
Medina native Anne Joynt elected to State Supreme Court
Photo by Tom Rivers: Anne Joynt speaks during a meet the candidate event on Oct. 10 in Albion at Hoag Library.
A Medina graduate has been elected to the State Supreme Court. Anne Joynt, a Democrat, is one of four candidates elected to the 8th Judicial District, which includes the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.
The race was too close to call on Election Day. But about a week later, with nearly all the ballots counted, Joynt is the winner over Jonathan Hickey, a Republican, by at least 6,000 votes.
There were seven candidates on the ballot for the justice positions with the top four vote-getters elected.
Robert Richardson (backed by Democrats, Republicans and Conservatives) led with 474,774 votes, followed by Michael Amodeo (endorsed by Democrats, Republicans and Working Families) with 444,280 votes. Deanne Tripi (backed by Republican and Conservative parties) was elected and currently has 284,819 votes. They were all clear winners right after Election Day.
Anne Joynt (on the Democratic and Working Families lines) was just ahead of Jonathan Hickey (Republican and Conservative) on election night. The latest totals have her at 268,807 votes and Hickey at 262,195.
Craig Bucki (Democratic and Working Families lines) is at 251,419 and Robert Vario, backed by the Conservative Party, has 55,026 votes.
“While the formal certification of election results will take some time, the information presently available indicates that we will not prevail in this year’s race,” Hickey posted on Facebook. “Although I am certainly disappointed in the outcome, I fully respect and accept the results.”
Joynt graduated from Medina in 1998. She is the daughter of former Medina teacher/principal Cathy Joynt and the late Robert Joynt. Her mother appeared in one of Joynt’s television ads.
Joynt graduated from Geneseo magna cum laude with degrees in English and Spanish. She enrolled at the University at Buffalo Law School and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 2005.
In her second year of law school, Anne saw an ad that a State Supreme Court candidate was looking for someone to help with her campaign. She went on to assist with the campaign of the Honorable Paula Feroleto, who is retiring this year. Joynt will assume the seat of her mentor.
Joynt is a partner with the firm Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford. Her clients include injured workers exposed to asbestos, children exposed to lead paint, and abused children.
She also has been involved as a member or in a leadership role with the Western New York Women’s Foundation; University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association; Girls on the Run; Women’s TAP Fund; the Center for Elder Law and Justice; the Erie County Bar Association Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society; the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Upstate Chapter); National Federation for Just Communities; and the Minority Bar Foundation.
She has also volunteered with the Western New York Board of Directors of Geneseo State College; the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter; Bar Association of Erie County; Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; and Law Intern Program of Buffalo.
Her honors include “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New York, National Trial Lawyers, 2025; Best Lawyers in America; University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumni Award- Community Service; Upstate New York Super Lawyer; Woman Lawyer of the Year; Attorney of the Year Leader in Law Award; Woman of Influence by Buffalo Business First; Medina High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award; 2014/15 Woman in Leadership, Buffalo Niagara Chapter; Buffalo 40 Under 40 by Buffalo Business First; and Women in Leadership by NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara.”
She has been admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court and New York State Supreme Court.
(Includes reporting by Ginny Kropf.)
Knights of Columbus in Medina donates $3K to organization serving veterans
Photo and information courtesy of Knights of Columbus in Medina
MEDINA – The Knights of Columbus in Medina presented a check for $3,000 to Operation Honor with proceeds from a summer golf tournament.
Operation Honor is a local non-profit organization that exists solely to support Orleans County veterans, assisting them will bills and other expenses.
Pictured from left, bottom row: Aaron Feltz, Dave Bellucci, Kevin Bogan and Skip Draper. Back row: Bob Fox, Steve Winans, Jenn Thom of Operation Honor, Howie Gardner and Jim Mirand.
Winans is a US Navy veteran, while Gardner is a US Army veteran.
The Knights will be hosting the 2nd Annual Operation Honor Cornhole Tournament on Saturday.
Public’s help sought in finding missing Holley native, Scott Davis
A former Holley man has been missing for about six weeks, his family said.
Scott Davis, 39, has been living in Marion, Wayne County. The Finger Lakes Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team filed a missing person’s report on Oct. 27.
Anyone who has seen Davis or knows information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Tammy Noble, a recovery center specialist, at 585-360-6444.
Davis is known to frequent locations in Orleans, Monroe and Wayne counties.
Mark’s Pizzeria moving to Main Street plaza in Albion, adding a sports bar
Photo by Tom Rivers: Brian Christiaansen is shown outside the former KFC and then Mecate Mexican Restaurant, where he will relocate Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, with a sports bar going next door at the former location of Chia Sen, a Chinese restaurant.
ALBION – The Albion community will soon be getting a bigger Mark’s Pizzeria with a dine-in option, and a sports bar to follow.
Brian Christiaansen, owner of Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, is moving the business from South Clinton Street to the plaza on South Main, at the former location of Mecate Mexican Restaurant and a KFC before that.
Christiaansen expects to move the Mark’s Pizzeria and have it ready in January. The site also has a drive-through window where he plans to offer slices and beverages.
“This will give us more room,” he said on Tuesday at the location where contractors have been busy. “The other building is tired, and worn down.”
He also is working to open a sports bar next to new Mark’s at the former Chia Sen, a Chinese restaurant at 170 South Main St.
This will become Tapped on Main II, and will be very similar to the sports bar he and his wife Lisa run on Main Street in Medina. The Albion sports bar should open in the spring, Christiaansen said.
The Albion community has been very supportive of Mark’s Pizzeria over the years, and he wants to offer the dine-in option and also provide the sports bar experience.
Both Mecate and Chia Sen recently closed, making the two sites available.
Christiaansen has been a Mark’s Pizzeria owner for more than 30 years. He started at age 22 as owner of the Mark’s in Hamlin in 1995. He also briefly owned sites in Brockport and Bushnell’s Basin.
He has been a long-term presence as Mark’s owner in Albion and Medina, and also is co-owner of the Mark’s in Newfane with Chris Marquardt. The two have been long-time business partners and friends. Marquardt also is a contractor and he is leading the renovations of the new Mark’s and Tapped on Main in Albion.
Christiaansen opened the Mark’s in Medina in 1997 with Albion following in 2007, and then Newfane in 2011. The three Mark’s sites have about 70 employees.
He was honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce last week with the “Businessperson of the Year” award for his steady growth at the Mark’s Pizzeria sites and with Tapped on Main in Medina, and his efforts to grow in Albion.
“Throughout his journey, Brian credits much of his success to the people around him,” said Darlene Hartway, the Chamber director. “His wife’s involvement and support have been essential to the growth of his businesses. He is especially proud of the employees and business partners who have worked alongside him over the years, recognizing that their dedication and contributions have helped make his success possible.”
NY signs on to DOT program to help veterans get commercial driver licenses
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
As New York honors active and retired members of our military services, Governor Hochul today announced New York’s participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Even Exchange” program to provide opportunities for service members to put their military training to work as commercial drivers.
Under the program, qualified applicants who have been trained and educated to operate heavy equipment and machinery in the military will be able to use that experience to demonstrate the necessary knowledge to qualify for a Commercial Driver License (CDL), bypassing the need for a DMV written permit test.
“Keeping our economy growing and moving means we need qualified people to move goods across New York and the country, and those who have served proudly in the military are uniquely suited to do that,” Governor Hochul said. “This is not only a chance to give back to those who have protected us, but to also continue to make life affordable for New York families by ensuring we have the drivers necessary to give them more and better access to goods and services they use each day.”
This program will work in conjunction with the current Military Skills Test Waiver Program, which allows military personnel who are currently licensed or who have been employed operating the military equivalent of a commercial vehicle within the last two years to waive the road/skills test. Nationwide, more than 40,000 people have taken advantage of this opportunity since the program’s inception, including more than 3,100 New Yorkers.
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said, “Our service members develop highly specialized skills, sound judgment, and an exceptional work ethic while serving our nation, and those qualifications should open doors to meaningful civilian employment. I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the tremendous value of military experience and taking practical steps to help veterans and transitioning service members put their training to work in New York’s economy. By participating in the Even Exchange program, New York State is helping create a more direct pathway from military service to civilian careers, reducing unnecessary obstacles and ensuring that the skills our veterans have already earned are recognized, respected, and put to good use.”
