Medina Senior Center packed for Christmas dinner, music by A’Capella Select Choir

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Kelly Shaw, left, director of the Senior Center in Medina, received a Christmas gift from Carol Bellack on behalf of the senior members during the annual Christmas dinner on Monday. At rear is Lynn Creasey, president of the board.

Medina senior Natalie Herbert sings a solo “Noel,” during the A’Capella Select Choir’s visit to Medina Senior Center.

MEDINA – The Medina Senior Center was packed to capacity today for their annual Christmas dinner and entertainment by Medina High School’s A’Capella Select Choir.

The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Senior Center board president Lynn Creasey, followed by presentation of a Christmas gift to director Kelly Shaw by Carol Bellack on behalf of the seniors. Bellack shared the seniors’ appreciation of Shaw for all she does for the Senior Center.

Next was an announcement by Mike Randall, retired feature reporter for WKBW Channel 7, about a benefit he is doing Dec. 19 at the Medina Theater. Theater owner Joe Cardone is donating the theater for Randall’s performance of “Charles Dickens” to benefit the food pantries in Medina. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered through the Medina Theater’s website.

Everyone who brings a non-perishable food item will be entered in a drawing for various prizes. The doors will open at 7 and the A’Capella Choir will sing prior to Randall’s performance.

Entertaining at the Senior Center each Christmas is one of the A’Capella Choir’s favorite things to do, said director Rachel Trillizio.

“They love coming here,” she said.

The choir of 15 select members opened their program by singing “O Come All Ye Faithful,” followed by “Silent Night.” Next was “Cuckoo’s Christmas Gift” and senior Natalie Herbert singing “Noel.” The program concluded with the audience being invited to join the choir in singing “Joy to the World.”

Trillizio reminded the audience of the choir’s annual Christmas concert Dec. 14 at St. Mary’s Church with the Oak Orchard School Glee Club, directed by Andrea Busch. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Any senior citizen in the area is invited to join the Senior Center of Western Orleans. Dues are only $10 per year and are being accepted for 2026. Benefits of becoming a member include access to day-old food from Tops bakery daily, exercise classes on Wednesday mornings, crafts and euchre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Other events throughout the year include monthly luncheons and entertainment with drawings for prizes.

Rachel Trillizio, director of Medina High School’s A’Capella Choir, greets guests and introduces the choir at the annual Medina Senior Center Christmas dinner. The choir has been entertaining there for decades.