Medina celebrates new kiosk about many facets of community

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A new kiosk with eight panels about attractions and services in Medina was celebrated at a ribbon-cutting on Thursday afternoon. The kiosk lights up in the evening and at night.

It includes QR codes that lead to even more information.

The Village of Medina Tourism Committee worked with Takeform to develop the informational display.

Pictured from left at a ribbon-cutting include Kelly Kiebala and Jan Smith, members of the Tourism Committee; village trustees Diana Baker, Jess Marciano and Marguerite Sherman; DPW Superintendent Jason Watts; Jim Hancock, chairman of the Tourism Committee; Mayor Mike Sidari; Arnie Wolfe, project manager with Takeform; Lynne Menz, graphic designer and marketing manager for the Orleans County Tourism Department; Dawn Borchet, Orleans County Tourism director; Jesse Cudzilo, Orleans County YMCA director; and Kathy Blackburn, a member of the Tourism Committee.

The Tourism Committee includes Jim Hancock as chairman and members Marguerite Sherman, Jan Smith, Lynne Menz, Dawn Borchet, Kelly Kiebala, Kathy Blackburn, Jesse Cudzilo and Greg Reed.

The YMCA secured a $10,000 grant to pay for most of the cost of the kiosk. That money was provided by the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. The Y, under previous director Greg Reed, sought to increase wayfinding signage in the community. After consulting with the Tourism Committee, the Y was amenable to putting the money towards the new kiosk.

Hancock said the Tourism Committee raised an additional $4,500 in donations and contributions towards the project.

Mayor Mike Sidari said the Y has been a good partner for the village. The organization also pushed for the development and secured funding for a new disc golf course at the Gulf Street Park and leads the “On the Canals” excursions along the New York State Canal system, with kayaking and hydro-bikes.

Jim Hancock, right, head of the Tourism Committee said the new kiosk was about 18 months in the making.

He thanked Takeform in Medina for putting in many hours developing the panels for the project, which highlights Medina and canal history, local cultural and culinary attractions, local services, parks, events and outdoor recreational opportunities.

The Tourism Committee brainstormed the subjects on the panels and obtained photos and text. Hancock said Lynne Menz deserves special mention for putting “an inordinate amount of time and effort into this project.”

Arnie Wolfe (right, project manager with Takeform, shakes hands and gives Mayor Mike Sidari the keys to the new kiosk to allow updates to panels and turn on the lights.

Wolfe said Gasport Welding & Fabrication made the steel structure for the kiosk. The Village of Medina Department of Public Works did the concrete base and was able to lift the structure in place and then bolt it down to the base.

The new kiosk replaces a wooden one that was more of a display board for notices. That kiosk has since been moved to the Medina Dog Park on North Gravel Road.

Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director, would like to see similar kiosks in other Orleans villages.

“Better signage is always good,” she said. “It keeps visitors to the community in the area longer.”