By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
RIDGEWAY – This culvert pipe with a 4-foot diameter will be set in a trench being dug today on Mill Road in Ridgeway.
The Town of Ridgeway Highway Department cut a 7-foot-deep chuck out of Mill Road so the department could replace a rotting culvert. Tim Feldman is in the excavator and Pat Kelly is holding the measuring stick.
The culvert pipe needs to be set at a 180-degree angle, or perfectly flat, to allow for the water to drain easily, Ridgeway highway workers said. The culvert directs water under the road from Johnson Creek.
Ridgeway highway workers started the project this morning and expect to have it done today. In addition to Feldman and Kelly, highway worker John Olinger, right, is pictured at the scene late this morning. The culvert is just east of Murdock Road.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 September 2015 at 12:00 am
13 schools compete in Fall Festival of Bands
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Vets Park in Medina hosted 13 schools and about 1,000 spectators for the Fall Festival of Bands competition on Saturday.
The top photo shows Madelyn Stencel, drum major for the West Seneca Marching Band, which performed “Metallic.” West Seneca finished first in the Large Schools Class 3 with a score of 73.15.
Photo by Wendi Pencille
Trenton Crews competes with Medina despite having his arm in a cast. Medina was the only school in the Small Schools Class 1 and received a score of 80.65. That was the second highest score of the night. Lancaster, which competes in the Nationals Class, had the highest score with 83.15.
Photo by Wendi Pencille
The tuba section competes for Medina. This year’s show for Medina is called “Illusions.” Medina will next be in action on Oct. 3 at West Genesee.
Photo by Tom Rivers
A member of the Color Guard for West Seneca is part of the show, “Metallic.”
Photo by Tom Rivers
Nicole Bradbury, on the stand, is drum major for the Hilton Crimson Cadets Marching Band, which performed “This Just In” during Saturday’s competition in Medina.
Photo by Wendi Pencille
Leaders of the band from Falconer, which performed a show with a Wizard of Oz theme, wait to hear their score. Falconer came in third in Small Schools Class 3.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – It was a spectacle of light and color last night in Medina as the sun set. This photo doesn’t do it justice. This was taken near the canal bridge by State Street with the First Baptist Church steeple in the background.
This photo is looking towards the canal bridge, which has been an iconic structure in Medina for a century.
A full moon was also out last night. This photo is looking through the bridge at the moon.
The National Weather Service is forecasting more warm autumn weather in the coming days. Today is forecast for a high of 73 with clouds increasing.
On Monday, the high will be 72, with a 50 percent chance of showers, followed by a high of 71 with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday. Wednesdsay is forecast for a high of 68, followed by a high of 61 on Thursday, according to the Weather Service.
Staff Reports Posted 27 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman
Orleans Hub photographer Cheryl Wertman captured the total supermoon lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon, tonight.
Tonight is a once in a generation phenomenon, a confluence of three things. The moon will be full and in its closest point in its orbit around the Earth, a so-called supermoon.
There will also be a lunar eclipse when the Earth will line up directly with the sun and moon, directly between the two when the moon will fall in the Earth’s shadow.
The moon will not look completely dark because light scatters off the Earth’s atmosphere, giving the moon a reddish color.
Heather Kuepper also sent in these photos she took in Gaines.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 27 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Members of the Wong family of Brockport – mom, Chelsea; dad, Bently, four-year old Caleb (in red) and two-year old Aaron – enjoy feeding the alpacas at Genna-rations Farm in Kendall on Saturday.
KENDALL – A perfect early autumn day brought many people out to enjoy the weather and the alpacas during the 8th Annual National Alpaca Farms Days being held this weekend.
Both Genna-rations Farm on West Kendall Road in Kendall and Stoney Meadows Alpacas on Glidden Road in Holley took part in the Alpaca Country Trail, which also includes SanGer-La Alpacas on Colby Street in Brockport and Northwoods Alpacas on North Lake Road in Bergen.
The event gives participants and opportunity to see, feel and feed alpacas and learn more about the breeding of the animals for their high-quality fiber. Participating farms offer demonstrations, fiber crafting and the opportunity to purchase alpaca products.
Theresa Jewell of Stoney Meadows Alpacas in Holley demonstrates weaving Saturday morning at her farm along the Alpaca Country Trail.
Theresa Jewell of Stoney Meadows Alpacas in Holley said the annual event is significant for local alpaca breeders and fiber producers.
“This is when local people … people in our county, our neighbors, get to see what we are doing,” she explains and says she really enjoys participating in the trail. Her farm includes a mix of fiber producing animals including Angora rabbits and goats and sheep in addition to alpacas.
Six-year old Anna Salcido of Hamlin enjoys the alpacas and the finger puppet she purchased at Genna-rations Farm in Kendall on Saturday. She and her mom were touring local alpaca farms along the Alpaca Country Trail, part of the 8th Annual National Alpaca Farm Days.
Crystal Zayac, 18, and her 7-year old brother, Joshua, of Albion enjoy meeting the Angora goats at Stoney Meadows Alpacas in Holley.
Alpacas and sheep graze in the pasture at Stoney Meadows Alpacas and Fiber Boutique in Holley. The alpaca trail event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors enjoy alpacas, refreshments and shopping at Genna-rations Farm, owned by John and Tacha Gennarino, in Kendall.
A week-and-a-half old baby alpaca, called a cria, enjoys the sunshine at Genna-rations Farm in Kendall on Saturday morning. The farm is taking part this weekend in the annual Alpaca Country Trail.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 26 September 2015 at 12:00 am
This image shows John D. Brush, Sr. taken in 1916 as a senior at Albion High School.
ALBION – The son of Dwight M. Brush and Eva Gill, John D. Brush was born at Albion on Nov. 5, 1897.
His father and grandfather, John E. Brush, engaged in the Pop Manufacturing and Bottling business on Moore Street in the 1880s and early 1890s. His father took control of the lease for the Exchange Hotel at 123-125 North Main Street around the time of John’s birth, operating that business until his untimely death in December of 1906. It was for this reason that John was forced to provide for himself starting at the age of nine.
John Brush graduated from Albion High School with the Class of 1916 and eventually completed studies at St. Lawrence University in 1922. He attended the Theological Seminary at St. Lawrence University, graduating in 1923.
In 1918, John enlisted with Company C of the 338th Tank Battalion but saw no service overseas due to the Armistice of November 11th of that year. Following his short time in the service and his studies at St. Lawrence University, John began his ministerial service.
Rev. Brush spent several years as the minister of the Church of Good Tidings in North Weymouth, Massachusetts and the Universalist Church of Norwood, Massachusetts before returning to Western New York in 1930.
It was the intention of John Brush to explore business opportunities in Rochester, to which he approached his brother-in-law, Willard Punnett, about engaging in safe box manufacturing. Punnett had already inherited a successful business from his father, Byron Punnett, and a partnership was established under the name of Brush-Punnett Co. in 1931.
Formulated around the concept of a safe produced with stamped parts to cut down on production expenses, Brush and Punnett delved into the manufacturing business amidst the Great Depression. Income was nearly non-existent and orders had all but dried up when Punnett called it quits, turning his part in the company over to Brush.
Two years later, a timely order from Vassar College for 2,200 wall safes provided enough business to allow Brush a weekly salary of $10. By 1937, he was making roughly $50 per week, which amounted to a salary equivalent to that of his ministerial wages.
The 1930s proved to be a time of great difficulty, sacrifice, and hardship. It was thanks to the commitment of his wife that the family was able to pull through the tribulations of the ’30s. A large order from Eastman Kodak in 1943 paired with the conclusion of the Second World War meant that the hardships of the last 10 years were now behind him.
With the eventual entrance of his sons John Jr., Richard, and Robert into the business, the company developed into the John D. Brush & Co., Inc. in 1955.
Operating under their flagship brand SentrySafe, John’s grandsons Doug and Jim would later purchase the controlling interest in the company. In July of 2014, the company was purchased by Master Lock Co. for a staggering $117 million, bringing an end to one of Rochester’s better-kept secrets.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Event helps showcase local businesses
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Rose Elliott, owner of Rose’s Alterations at 104 West Center St., is dressed as a barmaid during today’s Ale in Autumn event in Medina.
More than 700 people bought tickets for the event, which is organized by the Medina Business Association.
Elliott is pictured inside the first floor of the Bent’s Opera House. She said beer-tasting has proven a fun event for the business owners and the crowds of people sampling the beer.
Meghan Fuller serves beer at ellen j goods, a store with repurposed furniture. Her parents, Lynn and J.R. Brundage, operate the business. Meghan, 35, said she is pleased to see Medina drawing so many young adults to shop and visit the community for special events.
This sign is on the sidewalk outside The Bread Basket on Main Street.
This is the seventh time Medina businesses have hosted the Ale in Autumn. Last year was a sell-out with all 750 tickets sold. The Medina Business Association topped 700 tickets sold this time, but didn’t quite get a sell-out, said Cindy Robinson, MBA president.
She was pleased with the turnout, especially because Batavia and Buffalo also had beer-tasting events today.
The event makes a few thousand dollars for the MBA, which will use some of that to replace banners in the downtown. Robinson said the MBA may use some of the proceeds from Ale in Autumn to buy new garbage cans that have a historic feel to better blend in with the downtown.
“It’s not meant to be a big money-maker,” she said about the event. “We just want to bring people downtown to see our businesses.”
Kim Keil, co-owner of The Wide Angle Art Gallery, serves beer-tastings from the gallery on Main Street. Wide Angle opened a year ago during Ale in Autumn.
Keil said the beer-tastings get people to the gallery, where they see the work of local artists and learn about classes at Wide Angle.
Andrew Meier, owner of the Hart House Hotel, serves tastings of beer. Meier, the mayor of Medina, said many of the people on the trail of beer-tastings didn’t know there was a boutique hotel in downtown Medina with six rooms.
The Ale in Autumn event served its purpose for the merchants, helping to get potential customers inside the shop doors.
“This is really about discovering the places in Medina,” Meier said.
Staff Reports Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman
MEDINA – Subbing for King Charles Beach who was busy playing in the football game, first runner-up Brad McPherson escorts Homecoming Queen Holly Heil to the field at halftime of the Medina/Lyndonville vs. Barker/Roy-Hart football game this evening at Vet’s Park.
Staff Reports Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pleased to welcome Pope Francis in New York. The pope led mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Thursday and is addressing the United Nations General Assembly this morning.
The pope is also scheduled to visit the 9/11 memorial site today, where nearly 3,000 people were killed by terrorist attacks in September 2001.
After visiting the site, the pontiff will meet with local representatives of the world religions inside Foundation Hall at the 9/11 Memorial Museum for a multi-religious meeting for peace.
“It is a tremendous honor to welcome Pope Francis to New York State,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Both in his teachings and in his travels around the globe, Pope Francis has inspired countless people to live with kindness for one another, and to reach out for and help those in need. These are ideals that are also deeply entwined in the spirit of New York, and I am honored that the Holy Father is including our state in his first visit to the United States. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am proud to receive him with open arms, and I hope that his visit will be peaceful and rewarding.”
The pope this afternoon is scheduled to visit Our Lady Queen of Angels school in East Harlem. He will then travel by motorcade through Central Park to meet and greet New Yorkers.
At 6 p.m., he will lead a Mass for up to 19,000 people at Madison Square Garden. On Saturday morning, the pope leaves for Philadelphia from John F. Kennedy International Airport.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The flag is at half-staff at the Albion varsity football field this evening. The flag is pictured during a sunset just before the homecoming football game with Albion versus East Aurora. (The teams play four 12-minute quarters.)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed that flags be flown at half-staff today in honor of a Fort Drum Soldier who died in Afghanistan on Monday, Sept. 21.
Specialist Kyle E. Gilbert died in a non-hostile incident at Bagram, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 14th Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He was a resident of Buford, Georgia.
“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend deepest condolences to Specialist Kyle Gilbert’s family and loved ones,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are saddened by his loss and join them and his fellow soldiers in honoring his service to our nation.”
Staff Reports Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Karen Watt is pictured with the orchard train used to take people on trips at Watt Farms Country Market in Albion.
ALBION – A local farmer who has spearheaded several community efforts, including raising more than $300,000 for breast cancer research, has been named the 2015 Pullman Memorial Humanitarian Award winner.
Karen Watt runs a local fruit farm and farm market with her husband Chris. She has been involved in numerous community and state organizations. She is currently the chairwoman of the Oak Orchard Health board of directors.
She has served as president of Orleans County Farm Bureau, and also represented the region on the state board of directors for Farm Bureau.
Mrs. Watt, a retired math professor at Brockport State College, will be presented with the humanitarian award on Oct. 25 in a special program at Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, 10 East Park St. The award ceremony and reception to follow are free and open to the public.
A breast cancer survivor, Watt organizes the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Orchard Walk at Watt Farms each fall. In over a decade, the event has raised over $325,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Karen Watt addresses a crowd of about 1,000 people last October before the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Orchard Walk at Watt Farms.
The Humanitarian Award will be presented to Watt the day after this year’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk at Watt Farms.
Watt has travelled the world sharing her expertise in direct marketing and value-added retail. She was president of the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association, which put her in its “Hall of Fame.” She has visited rural African villages in three countries to help farm families brainstorm ways to increase their revenues.
In addition to her advocacy for migrant farm worker health as a board member of Oak Orchard Health, Watt has served on the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health, including a year as its chairwoman.
She is currently secretary of the board of the National Center of Farmworker Health and received the 2013 Outstanding Migrant Health Center Board Member Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kyle Thaine, a member of the pep band, plays the trombone during tonight’s Albion game versus East Aurora.
Many people in the energetic crowd wore purple, the school color, for the game.
Brothers Frank Gurzynski, left, and Bob Gurzynski stand for the National Anthem before the game. The two used to volunteer on the “Chain Gang” during the football games.
Albion teacher Irene Henion sells Albion football sweatshirts, hats and other merchandise outside the concession stand.
Jonathan Doherty, left, and Ed Fancher sell bells, bugles, popcorn and other items at the Alumni Foundation’s booth.
Andrea Nauden, left, and Caitlynn Snook play the flute as the pep band fires up the home crowd.
The football team runs through a banner just before the game against East Aurora.
It was a striking sunset on a warm Friday fall night for the homecoming game. This photo shows the pep band, including a trombonist.
Kim Pritt, a member of the Albion Alumni Association, took this photo of Jim Knight, a member of the Class of 1965. Jim was dressed in his Purple Eagle gear for the big game.
Check local sports to see highlights from the game and other local varsity action.
Staff Reports Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Ingersoll Memorial Fountain, which was added to Mount Albion Cemetery in 1914, is pictured in the historic cemetery in this file photo. Mount Albion will host Albion students on their annual Ghost Walk on Oct. 3. Students will portray Emma Ingersoll, who bequeathed the fountain and a bench to the community.
ALBION – Students at Albion High School will highlight prominent residents at Mount Albion Cemetery on Oct. 3 during the annual Ghost Walk, which typically attracts 500 people to the historic cemetery on Route 31.
The students try to feature a different section of the cemetery with each Ghost Walk. This year’s tour will highlight war heroes, distinguished citizens and two murders that made national news and ended with the death penalty.
People must make reservations for the tour by calling the school office at (585) 589-2087. Tours start every 15 minutes, beginning at 5 p.m. with the last tour at 9:30 p.m. The tours go for about 45 minutes.
The tour will include the following:
JAMES SHERET (WWI) 1892-1918
James was honored for heroism in several single handed attacks against the enemy. He and his brother Egbert were both killed in action on September 29, 1918 in Rossnoy, France. Their unit broke through the Hindenburg Line. Their other brother, Andrew, was severely wounded. Albion’s American Legion Sheret Post #35 is named in their honor.
EUGENE BARNUM (WWII) 1917-1944
Cpt. Eugene E. Barnum Jr. was killed in action during World War II. He was responsible for shooting down two German planes during the war. On December 2nd the squadron was sweeping the airspace ahead of bombers heading towards Cologne and Frankfurt on what was called a “Ramrod Mission” (short range attack on ground targets). Eugene’s plane went down due to a mid-air collision. His brother, William Barnum, was also killed in action July 14, 1944.
ALICE WILSON 1853-1887
Alice will tell the story from the grave of Ben Williams, attorney for her husband, George Willson. Willson was convicted of murdering his wife, Alice. He was the only man executed in Orleans County. He was hanged outside the courthouse in 1888.
ROBERT CANHAM (Civil War) 1837-1938
Robert Canham lived to be 101 years old. He fought in the Civil War and was a member of Battery F, 3rd U.S. Heavy Artillery and was allegedly present for Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, and Fredericksburg. “Big Grandpa” was well known in the area given the fact that he was the oldest and last surviving Civil War vet “wearer of the blue.”
JOHN G. RICE 1849-1917
John Rice was the Orleans County Sheriff during the 1894 murder of Emma Hunt by William Lake. Sheriff Rice organized a posse to find Lake, who hid after the murder. He evaded police for a few days, but was eventually caught in a barn and confessed willingly. He was one of first in NYS to be executed by electrocution.
SIDNEY EDDY (WWI) 1894-1989
Sidney was a member of the ambulance corps during the First World War. He was stationed in France and kept a diary from 1917-1919 that shared his experiences during the War until his return home.
DAVID JONES / MAUSOLEUM 1842-1898
David and Claudius Jones patented the mouse trap and manufactured them in large numbers. In 1878 they contracted for two million to be made at a rate of 1,000 each day.
ISAAC S. SIGNOR 1842-1935
Signor was Orleans County District Attorney and County Judge. He wrote the book, Landmarks of Orleans County, which is still widely used today as a local historic resource. He was co-executor of William Swan’s will and instrumental in establishing the Swan Library as a public library. He was a member of the Albion Central School District Board of Education and created the Signor Prize, which awards high school students for excellence in rhetorical work.
Lt. Col. C. ROYCE SAWYER (WWI) 1871-1924
Sawyer was a 30-year member of the Dye Hose Company (Albion Fire Department). As Fire Chief, he worked to have the entire company motorized. Sawyer was a cashier at Citizen’s National Bank. He served as County Treasurer and was a delegate to the Republican Convention in Rochester. During WWI, Sawyer was commissioned by the War Department in the Quartermaster Officer’s Reserve Corps. There he served as finance officer of Camp Sheridan in Alabama.
JEROME GUMAER (Civil War) 1843-1913
Gumaer served as a Union soldier in the Civil War. He was a sergeant in the 8th NY Heavy Artillery. He fought at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and was wounded at Hatcher’s Run. At one point during the war he was captured and spent five months in Libby Prison.
Photo courtesy of Orleans County Department of History – Charles Howard is pictured by the sign of his famous Santa Claus School in Albion. The school has since been relocated to Michigan, but still bears Howard’s name.
EMMA INGERSOLL (1839-1911)
Mrs. Ingersoll’s husband, Francis, was the son of Nehemiah Ingersoll. Upon her death, she bequeathed the beautiful Ingersoll Fountain and bench, located near the entrance of Mount Albion Cemetery, to the Village of Albion with the stipulation that they must pay for the water to run the fountain.
ROBERT CAPSTICK (Civil War) 1834-1907
Robert Capstick fought in the Civil War. He was present at the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg and was wounded at Chancellorsville. He was also imprisoned in Andersonville Prison. He returned to the Albion area destitute and was taken in by Sarah Harling who nursed him back to health. He gave her a George Washington button -his prized possession – as a thank you for her kindness.
CHARLES HOWARD 1896-1966
World renowned as Santa Claus, Howard opened his Santa Claus School in 1937. There he taught people from all over the world how to play Santa. In addition, he opened Christmas Park which included many attractions and a toy shop. The park attracted over 80,000 people each year. He was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa and a consultant on the movie Miracle on 34th Street. Howard’s legacy continues to this day with his Santa School (now located in Michigan.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – A Scottsville farm this weekend will open this antique grain bin with a slide to the public. For many years, the attraction was part of Brown’s Berry Patch in Waterport.
Stokoe Farms in Scottsville this weekend will debut the antique grain bin that was part of Brown’s Berry Patch in Waterport for many years.
Brown’s Berry Patch closed the retail portion of the business after more than three decades of running one of the most popular agri-tourism spots in the region.
Suzanne Stokoe was saddened to hear that the owners at Brown’s Berry Patch were retiring and closing the retail side of the business after last year. The Brown family continues to grow fruit.
Stokoe said the Brown family is a pioneer in the local farming and agri-tainment community, and have brought thousands of smiles to the faces of kids and adults alike over the years.
“Stokoe Farms is privileged to have been able to purchase and transport the attraction from Farmer Brown’s to Scottsville, so its guests can continue to get years of enjoyment out of it,” Stokoe said in a news release.
In addition to the antique grain bin, Stokoe has the cargo net climb and slide from Brown’s.
Stokoe Farms operates a pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm on South Road. The farm has zip lines, bounce pillows, a picture maze, nature trail, farm animals, and other activities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Fred Fierch, a retired social studies teacher for the Orleans-Niagara BOCES in Medina, holds a copy of his book, Medina Through Time. Fierch will sign copies of the book from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at The Book Shoppe, 519 Main St. The cover of the book shows the Washboard Willy’s Laundromat on Starr Street, and the site’s predecessor, a foundry.
MEDINA – Fred Fierch always had a hunch that Medina was different from small towns with its many historic buildings in the downtown, and grand old churches and residences built from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
But it wasn’t until he was working on a local history book that he appreciated Medina’s vast collection of historic structures.
“Medina has a real preservation attitude,” he said. “A lot of it is still here.”
Fierch has his fourth book out and it features historic photos of Medina buildings contrasted with how the sites look today. In some cases, grand old structures have been replaced with modern homes or commercial buildings. But many of the buildings are largely unchanged after more than a century.
Provided photo
Provided photo
These photos show Medina Memorial Hospital, top, at Prospect and Eagle streets. This property was originally the home of A. L. Swett, one of the premier industrialists in the village of Medina. Mr. Swett sold this house to the hospital organization and it opened as a care facility on March 17, 1910. It contained nine beds and a staff of
three. It remained Medina’s hospital for about 15 years, Fierch writes in his book.
The author highlighted 92 sites in Medina. He said the community was a vibrant business hub in the late 1800s and early 1900s – “The three main things were the sandstone, the foundries and the furniture.”
His book gives readers a tour of the community from more than a century ago. So many of the ornate houses and commercial sites remain. Some buildings, such as the current Napa Auto Parts, had tall towers. That site was a hotel. Some churches, such as the Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church, are shown when they had steeples.
The top photo shows crews digging a trench and working to install a sewer on State Street. “This is a wonderful picture of the effort required to create things that are today too easily taken for granted,” Fierch writes. “The row of men digging a trench which appears to be about ten feet deep and perhaps four feet wide seems to be endless! Notice how far back from the crest of the ditch the dirt is piled. How did it get there? Manpower, to be sure. Certainly they always worked with their feet in water.”
The bottom photo shows a current view of the State Street.
Fierch looked through more than 500 historic photos of Medina before settling on the 92 sites to be featured in the book. He looked for spots that remained in good shape and well known in the community.
He hopes readers we learn about Medina’s grand past and continue to help preserve the sites in the future.
“I hope they will appreciate the village, what it was and what it is,” he said.
Fierch will sign copies of the book from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Book Shoppe, 519 Main St.
