North Wing at Medina Memorial hosts annual outdoor picnic

Photos by Ginny Kropf: In left front is Cheryl Nages of Sidney, sitting across from her mother Nicki Fredericks of Medina. They are visiting Fredericks’ brother Fulton Rogers, at right. From left rear, Barb Carroll and her sister-in-law Pat Vader, executive assistant at OCH, visit with Barb’s mother-in-law and Pat’s mother, Barbara Carroll.

MEDINA – Sunshine and warm weather created a perfect day for the annual picnic of Orleans Community Health’s North Wing this afternoon.

Activities director Adrienne Belson was in charge of arranging the picnic, which featured a buffet meal and music by David Stockton, a guitarist, flutist, percussionist and singer.

“Adrienne does a wonderful job,” said Rebecca Mannella, director of nursing in the North Wing.

Rebecca Mannella, standing, director of nursing in Orleans Community Health’s North Wing, talks with residents and families during the annual picnic. From left are Rindy Punch, a 20-year resident of the North Wing; Mary Siedlecki, Sue Monell and her husband, Jack Monell, a resident since November.

Twenty-five of the North Wing’s residents were able to come outside and enjoy the picnic with family members, which included a buffet meal of macaroni and cheese, baked beans, seasonal vegetable salad, fruit bowl, watermelon and hot dogs and hamburgers cooked on the grill by Marquis Hammonds, who has been a cook at the hospital for 16 years.

The hospital has been treating North Wing residents to a summer picnic for more than 15 years, Mannella said.

“I look forward to the picnic every year,” said Rindy Punch, a North Wing resident for 20 years. “It’s a chance to get outside.”

Marquis Hammonds, a cook at Orleans Community Health, grills hot dogs and hamburgers for the North Wing picnic on Thursday.

Punch and Mary Siedlecki of Medina enjoyed each other’s company, sharing things they have in common. Siedlecki’s husband Richard and Punch’s dad “Pook” Bielak grew up together in the Polish section of Medina.

Also at their table was Sue Monell, visiting her husband Jack, who transferred to North Wing last fall.

A table away, Fulton Rogers’ sister Nicki Fredericks of Medina and niece Cheryl Nages of Sidney were his guests for a picnic supper.

The evening activities concluded with musical entertainment by David Stockton, who sings and plays guitar, flute and percussion.

A large tent in the parking lot accommodates 25 residents of Orleans Community Health’s North Wing and their guests at the annual picnic this afternoon.