Church at former Apple Grove Inn pays tribute to iconic Medina restaurant
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Rev. Mike Breunig, a retired elder in the United Methodist Church, reads some history of the Apple Grove Inn, while a picture of the famous Russet Room is shown on the screen. The shirt hanging on the podium is the original one worn by Bill Dunn when he was assistant chef at landmark restaurant.
MEDINA – The former Apple Grove Inn was celebrated Saturday night by 160 diners who attended a tribute to the iconic restaurant, sponsored by the Grove United Methodist Church.
The church, which occupies the site which was formerly the Apple Grove Inn, took its name from the highly acclaimed restaurant when it moved from West Center Street in 2013.
Earlier this summer, the idea was suggested to have an event to celebrate the Apple Grove Inn and its history throughout Western New York.
On Saturday night, 160 people attended the evening, which featured a buffet cooked by chef Nate Sanders using authentic recipes from the Apple Grove’s famous buffets.
Serving up a buffet with recipes from the former Apple Grove Inn are Linda Blanc, Ruth Cleveland, Gretchen Dunn and Kathy Vicknair. One-hundred and sixty people attended the event, which featured recipes from the Apple Grove Inn, prepared by chef Nate Sanders.
A highlight of the meal was the bread pudding and apple crisp for which the Apple Grove was famous.
“It was a wonderful time and I saw friends that I don’t often get to see,” said Pastor Barb Brewer. “Although I was stuck in the kitchen most of the night, I really enjoyed seeing our Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary full of people. I have fond memories of the Apple Grove Restaurant. Our family enjoyed the dinners and Sunday brunches, and I had my high school prom at the Apple Grove Restaurant. Being from Lockport, it was always an adventure coming to the Apple Grove.”
The pastor encourages everyone to “stay tuned,” as the church has future endeavors coming up, such as their turkey dinner.
“We will review our dinner night and if we can encourage younger families to join us, there will be no stopping us from doing more dinners like this,” Pastor Brewer said. “We just want people to know we live and love like Jesus.”
The boat shown on the screen is the Miss Apple Grove, a tourist boat operated on the canal by the Apple Grove Inn.
Saturday evening was special for many people, including Chris Busch of Medina.
“It was really nice to walk down memory lane vis-à-vis the Apple Grove,” Busch said. “All of those great memories came rushing back at the dinner, with a lot of familiar ‘Grove’ faces and friends. I had my first legal drink there in 1978. The place was legendary on so many levels – the incredible meals, specialties, the famous two-for-one Happy Hours, Flo Simpson’s unrivaled baked goods, free wings on Thursday nights – it had it all. I mean fish fry for $3.95, that came with English chips, slaw, soup, salad and rolls. That simply does not happen today.”
Of course, Busch continued, there was the Thursday Night Social Club.
“Back in the early 1980s, a few of us decided to go out on a Thursday night and start the weekend early,” he said. “That ended up happening every Thursday night for years. My wife and I actually met at the Apple Grove and had our wedding there – weddings at the Grove were spectacular.”
Diners waiting for dinner to be served Saturday night at the Grove United Methodist Church are, from left, Bea Young, Pam Turner, Delbert Young and Cora Goyette, all of Medina.
Busch added his kudos to Nate Sanders for coming up with the idea of recreating an Apple Grove meal and for the Grove UMC for hosting it.
“It was a great way to revisit some treasured memories of one of Medina’s most beloved establishments and a whole lot of cherished memories,” Busch said.
After enjoying the delicious buffet, guests moved into the Sanctuary where Mary Zangerle and the Rev. Mike Breunig gave a presentation on the history of the Apple Grove, along with a slide show. Guests marveled at the pictures of the Russet Room, the wishing well, the fireplace with copper hood, the staff and even the boat Miss Apple Grove on which the restaurant gave rides to guests on the Erie Canal.
Rob Robinson plays piano for the diners at a special evening at the Grove United Methodist Church paying tribute to the former Apple Grove Inn. Robinson’s mother was a long-time piano player at the historic restaurant.
The Rev. Breunig shared comments about what the Apple Grove meant to people, especially Ruth Carr Miller of Barre, whose mother was married to Apple Grove owner Walt Hilger. He also said his first visit to the restaurant was in 1976 for Thanksgiving dinner. He was amazed how a hot dog stand could turn into a landmark restaurant. He also commented on the Russet Room, which could seat 700 people.
Of course there was the Greening Room, Baldwin Room and Johnny Appleseed Lounge.
A highlight of the evening Saturday was the piano played by Rob Robinson, whose mother Virginia Bishop played piano at the Apple Grove Inn for 30 years.
Jeff Gay, left, talks with Jeff Wagner, former owner of the Apple Grove Inn, at the conclusion of a tribute by the Grove United Methodist Church to the former Apple Grove Inn Saturday night.
One special guest with ties to the restaurant was Jeff Wagner, who lives in Medina and worked at the Apple Grove before purchasing it in 1985. He worked there in 1972, was promoted to running the bar and dining room in 1974 and learned how to cook before buying the restaurant.
“There are so many memories – all the people we worked with – many of whom keep in touch,” Wagner said. “The people really made the Apple Grove what it was. This evening is a great tribute to Walt, myself and Medina.”
As part of the tribute, the church encouraged people to send in their memories of the Apple Grove, which were typed into a booklet and sold at the dinner for a donation. Nearly 100 responses were received.
A table is set with authentic Apple Grove Inn china and the trademark chairs with an apple cutout. At the podium, Mary Zangerle shares some history of the former restaurant.
