Good times at National Night Out in Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Treyden Rhim of Medina throws a ball at the dunk tank target. Mayor Mike Sidari was sent plunging into the water several times during National Night Out on Tuesday evening outside Clifford Wise Intermediate School on Gwinn Street.

At least 500 people attended the event that allowed residents to connect with law enforcement, other first responders, and community organizations.

The event for the first time included a dunk tank. The lineup of people in the dunk tank included Eli Howard, Fire Chief Matt Jackson, Aidyn Jackson, Police Chief Todd Draper, Pastor Russ Peters, Mayor Mike Sidari, Donnell Holloway, Pastor Jovannie Canales, Heather Jackson, Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers, Villages trustees Jess Marciano and Diana Baker, and Assistant DA Susan Howard.

Corey Frasier of Medina stays close to his daughter, Leona, as she rides around obstacle at the bicycle rodeo set up by the Medina Police Department. The department gave away many bike helmets.

These kids meet The Safety Pup. Medina hosted National Night Out for the second time. The event was initially at Bullard Park in Albion before being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions and concerns.

Nathaniel Staines, an Albion police officer and K-9 handler, and Badger, the APD’s K-9, do a demonstration on Wednesday. Badger is a Belgian Malinois that joined the Albion Police Department in June 2020.

The Medina Police Department’s K-9 team includes Jacob Reeves and Phoenix, a Belgian Malinois.

Both Albion and Medina K-9 units are certified in patrols and narcotics detection.

A law enforcement team competed in the Battle of Belts where the four team members rotate in the four car seats and have to fasten their seatbelts. Pictured include State Trooper Doug Rich, Sheriff’s Deputy James White and Medina police officer Felecia Holtz. Albion police officer Chris Glogowski also was on the team. Todd Draper, Medina police chief, served as the official in back.

The law enforcement team completed the challenge in 1 minute, 14.93 seconds.

Medina firefighter Austin Mosher helps Demetri Gordon hit targets with a water hose in one of the activities at National Night Out.

Paris Gordon, 8, of Medina takes a turn aiming the hose at the targets. Paul Urquhart, a Medina firefighter, is in back.

Emma Slack, 8, throws the ball at the dunk tank bull’s eye. She tried to get Medina Police Chief Todd Draper in the water.

The Medina PD set up the bike rodeo for kids to test their riding skills.

Madaline Bloom, 7, of Albion showed her bike-riding skills on the course.

Scouts and volunteers with Troop 28 in Medina served about 500 hot dogs, chips and bottles of water for free at NNO. Pictured, from front to back, include Brandon Buckner, a Scout; Scoutmaster Tim Miller, and Nate Miller, a Scout. The hot dogs and water were donated by the Albion Walmart.

These members of the National Night Out Committee race to complete the Battle of the Belts. Jovannie Canales is in front with Jacquie Chinn in back. Other team members include Jess Marciano and Diana Baker. They finished in 1:00.25.

A team of Scouts in Troop 28 was the fastest overall in 56.93 seconds.

The Jackson family was the fastest family in 1 minute, 2.87 seconds.

The Orleans County Christian School attended NNO to share about the grades K-12 school. Pictured form left is Jodi Peters, the school’s administrator and principal. Laura Kemler, right, is the school’s art teacher. Peters said there are four students scheduled to graduate in 2024. The school meets at Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship on Route 63 in Medina.

The school was one of 42 community organization at National Night Out.

Tyler Draper reacts in disbelief after hitting the target to send his father into the dunk tank. Except Tyler’s throw wasn’t quite hard enough. Tyler then ran up and pushed the button.

Medina Police Chief Todd Draper falls into the water after his son pushed the target on the dunk tank.