Medina Tourism Committee starts new season of welcoming visitors
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jim Hancock and Elizabeth Passarell chat in front of the Tourism Booth which opened Monday for the season. Passarell has been volunteering in the booth for most of its 12 years.
MEDINA – The Medina Tourism Committee officially opened its Tourism Booth in Rotary Park on Monday.
Jim Hancock, who coordinates the booth for the Tourism Committee, and volunteer Elizabeth Passarell were on hand for opening day.
Jim Hancock points out some of the information available in the booth to volunteer Elizabeth Passarell on opening day Monday.
Hancock was happy to report that 14 volunteers had signed up for the summer season and will have a presence at the booth from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
The booth has been located in several downtown locations since its founding, until finding a home in the holiday Santa House a few years ago.
The Santa House is centrally located downtown and only minutes walking time from the Canal Basin.
Handcock pointed out the tremendous amount of information that is available in the small house. There are handouts of local attractions, post cards for sale, “Barge Into Medina” T-shirts, Sandstone Society books for sale, information on the Sandstone Hall of Fame and copies of self-guided walking tours throughout Medina.
One thing Hancock pointed out was the list of all the places to eat in Medina. Counting those downtown in the business district and Mariachi de Oro on Maple Ridge Road, there 12 restaurants of different kinds.
“It always amazes me that this little village can support that many eateries,” Hancock said.
Passarell enjoys her hours in the Tourist Booth. A retired Medina school teacher who taught for 28 years, she said she was always interested in Medina’s history.
Hancock pointed out a bicycle rack near the Tourism Booth, where the YMCA plans to place half a dozen of their e-bikes for tourists to rent.
Additional volunteers are always welcome.
