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Downtown Browsery expanding on Main Street in Medina
Browsery now has 75 vendors in Albion and Medina
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Staff at Medina’s Downtown Browsery have announced a grand opening Oct. 9, 10 and 11 to celebrate the store’s expansion. Pictured are David Sevenski, vendor and board president; Ruth Higgins, vendor and volunteer; and Erik Sinkora, vendor and store manager.
MEDINA – Taking a quote from Mary Poppins, “When one door closes, another door opens.”
Such is the case in Medina, where the closing of one store on Main Street has provided the opportunity for another to expand.
The Downtown Browsery at 413 Main St., of which Erik Sinkora is manager, has expanded its store into one next door which was recently vacated. They will celebrate a grand opening on Oct. 9 with a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Cookies and punch will be available and a coupon promotion will take place all week.
“We currently have three store fronts in Albion, and now have two here,” Sinkora said. “Our new space gives us room for 10 more booths and seven more shelving units.”
He said they have a waiting list for vendors in both stores. Currently there are more than 75 vendors in Albion and Medina. To become a vendor, one must also commit to volunteering a minimum of 10 hours a month in the store. Sinkora not only manages the store, he is also a vendor. He sells items made from alpaca items which comes from the alpaca he and his wife raise at Lake Shore Alpaca.
Sevenski has a booth selling Pyrex and vintage kitchen furnishings.
A day this week found Ruth Higgins volunteering. In her booth she sells Barbie items, kitchen boas, aprons and playing cards.
Other items to be found in the store are beer coaster clocks, steampunk lamps, quill greeting cards to benefit a mission for girls at risk, herbs, incense, pottery, comic books, cameo brooches, local honey and jams, spaghetti sauce from Albanese and maple products – just to name a few.
The Downtown Browsery opened in Albion in 2004 and utilizes three store fronts previously occupied by Landauer’s on North Main St. The Medina store opened in 2019 and continues to grow.
Information online reveals that consignment shops are surging in popularity among all age groups, due to economic inflation and rising costs. One site states, “With high household expenses, consumers turn to resale and consignment shops to find clothing, accessories and home goods at a fraction of traditional retail prices.”
They are also an unexpensive way for home crafters or small businesses to sell their wares. The Browsery charges by the square footage of a booth, and booths are available in all sizes. A shelf can be rented for less money.
Board president David Sevenski has filled this space at The Downtown Browsery in Medina with a collection of Pyrex and items found in a retro kitchen.
Sinkora said a lot of merchandise changes with the seasons, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
A recent day found sisters-in-law Emma Weeks and Angel Hoy browsing the store with Emma’s mother.
“We come her quite often and always go home with something,” Weeks said.
The store is open seven days a week from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and from Tuesday to Saturday after that. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Albion spikers edge Roy-Hart in 5 sets
Albion outlasted Roy-Hart in 5 sets in a Niagara-Orleans League volleyball match this evening 25-15, 23-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-5.
For Albion, Charlotte Pike had 5 aces, 3 kills, 9 digs and 16 assists, Jillian LeBaron 8 kills and 22 digs, Melia Prince 2 kills and 9 digs and Anna Grillo 8 aces, 7 kills and 17 digs.
For Roy-Hart, Lauren Snyder had 11 kills, Tessa Degenhardt 8 kills, Nora Balcerzak 7 kills and Ava Flynn 34 assists.
Roy-Hart is now 2-3 and Albion 1-5.
Albion golfers edge Roy-Hart
Albion edged Roy-Hart 233-238 in a Niagara-Orleans League golf match this afternoon.
Albion’s Viktor Snyder and Roy-Hart’s Blake Stahl shared medalist honors with rounds of 42.
Owen Spencer and Drew Pritchard also both shot 46 for Albion.
Judson Heck added a 46 and Jared Hy a 49 for Roy-Hart.
Albion girls win to even N-O soccer record
Albion regained the .500 mark at 3-3 in Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer competition with a 6-0 win over Newfane this evening.
Jane Nesbitt scored 2 goals as Shayla Higgins, Madison Frasier, Lena Grillo and Melanie Viza each netted 1.
Ava Woolston also had 2 assists and Higgins 1.
In another N-O contest, Akron (5-1) downed Roy-Hart/Medina (2-4) 4-0.
N-O Boys Soccer
In N-O boys soccer action, Newfane (3-3) blanked Albion (0-6) 3-0 and Akron (5-1) downed Roy-Hart (1-5) 3-1.
Michael Fuller scored the Roy-Hart goal off an assist from Josh Jennings.
Kearney nips Kendall in boys soccer
Bishop Kearney edged Kendall 2-1 in a non league boys soccer game this evening.
Brenden Eichas scored the Kendall goal.
In a Genesee Region League game, Byron-Bergen blanked Holley 3-0.
Albion boys, Akron girls score X-C sweeps
Photos by Tom Rivers: This pack of runners out front early in the boys race includes from left: Quinn O’Malley of Akron, and then an Albion trio of Stryker Sanders, Rowe Bouchey and Justin Mengs.
The Albion boys and Akron girls both scored a twin bill sweep in a Niagara-Orleans League cross-country tri-meet this afternoon at Albion.
The Albion boys defeated Akron 23-33 and Newfane 19-40 to finish the dual meet portion of the N-O season at 5-1. Akron downed Newfane 23-36 in the other portion of the meet.
Albion was led by the 2-3-5 finish of Stryker Sanders, Rowe Bouchey and Justin Mengs.
Akron’s Quinn O’Malley won the race.
Eden Hillman of Newfane got out to an early lead in the girls race and stayed in first. She is followed by Akron’s Abby Bower and Kylee Rebmann. The Akron girls won the dual meet.
The Akron girls moved into first place at 4-0 by defeating defending champion Newfane 25-30 and Albion 18-37. Newfane, which is now 3-1, also downed Albion 19-36.
Akron was sparked by the 2-3 finish of Abby Bower and Kylee Rebmann.
Newfane’s Eden Hillman was the race winner.
Some of the Albion runners include, from left: Grace Nesbitt, Loralei Gailie, Sutton Sanders and Aubrey Bruning.
Medina split with visiting Roy-Hart. The Mustangs won the boys meet 15-50 and the Lady Rams took the girls race 14-22.
Medina’s Jonathan Dix won the boys race and Roy-Hart’s Marissa Bryant took the girls race.
In the other meet, Barker swept Wilson winning the boys’ race 15-50 and the girls’ 14-22.
Grayson Prynn led a quintet of Barker boys runners across the finish line which also included Peyton Wagner, Logan Wagner, Chase Atwater and Anthony Taliaferrro.
Wilson’s Hayden Barlow won the girls’ race.
Barker was led by the 2-3-4 finish of Hannah Monaco, Mirabelle Strong and Aine Davis.
Quinn O’Malley of Akron pulled away from everyone else and had a commanding lead through the soybean field on the Albion course.
Medina romps to soccer win over O’Hara
Five players scored goals as Medina romped to a 10-0 victory at Cardinal O’Hara in a non league boys soccer game this afternoon.
Aidan Papaj scored 4 goals and Izzy Anderson 3 to lead the Mustangs attack as Aleks Seefeldt, Tyler Raduns and Owen Sargent each had 1.
Jake Foley had 3 assists and Seefeldt 2 as the Mustangs improve to 7-2 overall.
Barker blanks Medina in N-O field hockey
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Elise Monaco and Medina’s Jenelle Stalker go after the ball during this afternoon’s game at Barker which was won by the host Bulldogs.
A lightning quick goal in the first 65 seconds ignited Barker to a 4-0 win over visiting Medina in a Niagara-Orleans League field hockey game this afternoon.
Sophia Pavlock, Elise Monaco and Milayna May each had a goal and an assist and Brooke Weber a goal for Barker which led 3-0 at the half.
Barker improves to 6-1 while Medina slips to 0-4.
Kenmore 4, Wilson 2
In the other N-O game, Kenmore (3-2) downed Wilson (2-4) 4-2.
Brynn Lepsch and Taylor Ernest scored the Wilson goals.
Medina’s Savannah Jo Thompson works to get by Barker’s Lauren Zglinicki as Milayna May backs up the play.
WROTB to reduce betting branches from 8 to 2, citing mounting losses from sites
Press Release, Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.
BATAVIA – The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation board of directors has indicated its intent to move forward with a recommended plan to consolidate its branch operations from eight locations to two, following a multi-year review of the branch network and its long-term financial sustainability. The board is expected to take formal action on the proposed plan.
Under the proposed Plan, WROTBC would retain its Wehrle location in Williamsville and Marway location in Gates. The Auburn, Clinton (Cheektowaga), Empire (Penfield), Jamestown, Lyell (Rochester) and River (North Tonawanda) branches are proposed to cease operations on or about Oct. 31.
The recommended plan comes after several years of reviewing the financial performance and changing needs of WROTBC’s branch network, culminating in an extensive analysis conducted in 2026. That review considered operating performance, wagering activity, property ownership and value, geographic coverage, customer accessibility, alternative wagering options and the long-term viability of the branch locations.
While Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has continued to grow, WROTBC’s traditional branch operations have faced ongoing financial challenges as technology and online wagering options continue to change how customers choose to wager. The six branches currently proposed for closure lost approximately $730,000 in 2025 and have already lost more than $700,000 through August 2026. Those losses are projected to reach nearly $1 million for the full year.
The proposed consolidation continues WROTBC’s efforts to address the changing financial and operational needs of its traditional branch network. From 2020 through 2023, the Corporation closed nine branch locations—six in 2020, two in 2022 and one in 2023.
“This recommended Plan was not a decision that was made quickly or easily,” said Byron Brown, president and CEO of WROTBC. “These branches have been part of their communities for many years, and we are grateful to the employees who have represented Western and served our customers every day. At the same time, we have a responsibility to make decisions that protect the long-term financial health of the Corporation and allow us to continue growing distributions and investing in our member municipalities.”
Under the plan, the consolidation is expected to improve the corporation’s financial performance and increase distributions to its participating municipalities, based on 2026 projections, while maintaining WROTBC’s physical presence in both the Buffalo and Rochester markets.
WROTBC recognizes that the most difficult aspect of this proposed transition will be the impact on employees. Thirteen employees would be affected by the proposed closures. Management is committed to working closely with the union throughout the process. It has invited the union to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith over the impact of the plan on affected employees.
“We greatly appreciate the years of service and dedication these employees have given to Western and to our customers,” said Board Chair, Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney. “Our goal is to handle this transition with respect and to provide as many options as we reasonably can for the employees who are affected.”
Following any closures, the corporation expects to begin independent assessments of its owned branch properties. WROTBC anticipates marketing the affected properties for sale following those assessments, with estimated net proceeds of more than $2 million. The Corporation expects to use those proceeds to support future growth and capital needs.
“Western has changed considerably over the years, and how our customers choose to wager has changed with it,” Brown said. “This proposed plan would allow us to respond to those changes while putting the Corporation in a stronger position for the future.”
Editor’s Note: Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation owned collectively by 15 Western and Central New York counties and the cities of Buffalo and Rochester. Orleans County is among the member counties. There was an OTB branch in Albion that was shut down back in February 2016. That site at 317 West Ave. is now owned by Oak Orchard Health.
Medina hospital offering free 3D mammography screenings during October, November
MEDINA – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Orleans Community Health is promoting early detection and education to help combat this disease. In support of this effort, Medina Memorial Hospital is offering free 3D mammography screenings during October and November.
3D mammography is a highly effective screening tool that improves the accuracy of breast cancer detection, according to information from Scott Robinson, Orleans Community Health’s director of marketing.
Unlike traditional mammograms, this advanced technology captures multiple images of the breast, giving radiologists a detailed, layer-by-layer view. This results in better detection rates, especially for women with dense breast tissue.
With the added attention around breast cancer awareness in October, the Imaging Department at Orleans Community Health is now scheduling appointments on extended days, which includes Saturdays. This will allow for an additional 50-plus screenings to occur during the month.
To qualify for a free screening, an appointment to have a mammogram must be scheduled during October or November, Robinson said.
“Whether you already have an appointment or need to book one, this offer applies only during these months,” he said. “We strongly encourage all women, especially those aged 40 and older, to schedule their appointments now.”
For women who require additional testing, onsite ultrasounds are also available. The hospital’s dedicated team provides compassionate care in a supportive and comfortable environment, Robinson added.
To book a mammogram, call (585) 798-8055. Remember, screenings can be scheduled for any month of the year and do not need to wait for October. Anyone with questions is urged not to hesitate, but to call and ask for more information.
The bottom line is – Early detection saves lives.
