File photo: Saamir Rahman, materials manager and director of continuous improvement for Brunner, shows some of the brake components made by Brunner during a public tour in December 2024.

Press Release, Brunner

MEDINA – Brunner, a Hendrickson company, will host an open house and job fair on Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its facility located at 3959 Bates Road in Medina.

The event will invite local community members to tour the operation, learn about Brunner’s continued growth in Medina and explore career opportunities with the company.

The announcement is intended to help local media and community audiences learn more about the investments being made at Brunner, including new manufacturing equipment that delivers automation capabilities and supports Hendrickson’s broader manufacturing strategy across its footprint. Brunner’s Medina facility is now adding capacity for a new product line, bringing an existing Hendrickson product into local production.

Brunner became part of Hendrickson in October 2023 and operates as a division of Hendrickson Brake and Wheel-End, supporting the commercial vehicle, bus and trailer markets with premium brake shoes and S-cams that complement Hendrickson’s broader portfolio. As part of Hendrickson’s reliable portfolio, Brunner’s growth in Medina reflects the company’s ongoing focus on manufacturing excellence, product expansion and long-term investment.

What attendees will see:

• New manufacturing equipment delivering greater automation capabilities at the Medina facility.
• How Brunner supports Hendrickson’s Brake and Wheel-End business and growing product portfolio.
• Information on current job openings in manufacturing, plant operations and automation-focused roles.
• A facility tour and the chance to connect directly with the Brunner team in Medina.

Brunner is seeking local talent to support its next phase of growth in Medina, including positions in manufacturing, plant operations and jobs specifically focused on automation. Local residents interested in long-term careers in manufacturing are encouraged to attend the open house and job fair to learn more about available opportunities, meet team members and get a firsthand look at the facility.

The July 18 event gives the Medina community an opportunity to see Brunner’s investments firsthand, learn how automation is shaping the facility’s future and explore new career opportunities with a Hendrickson-owned business that continues to grow locally. By opening its doors to the community, Brunner is putting its Medina growth story, product expansion and hiring needs front and center to support both awareness and recruitment.

ABOUT BRUNNER

Brunner, a Hendrickson company, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of premium heavy-duty brake components for the global commercial vehicle industry. Because every stop matters, Brunner has built a reputation for quality, integrity, and reliability, producing S-cams and brake shoes trusted by major OEMs and fleets.

Based in Medina, NY, USA, with manufacturing operations in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, Brunner has served the transportation industry for more than 40 years. Learn more at www.brunnerbrakes-intl.com.

ABOUT HENDRICKSON

Hendrickson, a Boler company, is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of medium- and heavy‑duty mechanical, elastomeric, and air suspensions; integrated and non‑integrated axle and brake systems; tire pressure control systems; auxiliary lift axle systems; parabolic and multi‑leaf springs; stabilizers; bumpers; and other components for the global commercial transportation industry. Based in Woodridge, IL, USA, Hendrickson has served the transportation industry for more than 100 years. Visit www.hendrickson-intl.com.

MEDINA – The organizers of the Blue Thursdays concert series have cancelled this evening’s concert due to the high possibility of thunderstorms this evening.

Miller and The Other Sinners, a nationally touring band from Buffalo, was scheduled to perform today at the pavilion at State Street Park.

The first three shows have now been cancelled due to weather. The Dave Viterna Group was scheduled to kick off the series on June 18 followed by the Growlers Blues Band on June 25.

The remaining schedule includes the Pat Harrington Trio on July 16, Eric Weinholtz Band on July 23, and Grosh on Aug. 6.

The concerts go from 6 to 8 p.m. There is no admission charge.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Lined up in their golf carts waiting for the start of the tournament are the 96 golfers who signed up to play in the Orleans Community Connects tournament at Shelridge Country Club.

Dean Bellack, president of Orleans Community Connects’ board, presents Peter Kaiser with the year’s membership to Shelridge Country Club, which he won for the winning bid in an auction.

MEDINA – Sunny skies, warm temperatures and nearly 100 avid golfers made for a very successful fundraiser at Shelridge Country Club.

As the 96 golfers lined up in their carts, they were welcomed by Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Orleans Community Connects, and Dean Bellack, board president. Bellack said Gaylord’s talent for writing grants led to the agency formerly known as United Way of Orleans County to take on an entirely new focus.

“She has put this organization on the map,” Bellack said. “We will still continue to support nom-profits in the community. We are on a very good track.”

Bellack introduced Orleans Community Connects board members and then made a special presentation to Tim Moriarty, who served as treasurer for several years.

The first Saturday in June is the traditional date of the annual golf tournament to benefit Orleans Community Connects, formerly United Way of Orleans County.

Started more than half a century ago as the Van Hungerford Memorial Golf Tournament, the event has become a major fundraiser for the local agency which supports charities in Orleans County.

In addition to golf, the day featured a basket raffle, dinner in the clubhouse and awarding of prizes. A highlight was auctioning off a year’s membership with cart for one at Shelridge Country Club, valued at more than $2,500. Winner was Peter Kaiser, whose successful bid was $950.

“It was a beautiful day,” Gaylord said. “One hundred percent of the net profits from today will be used to fund services and projects in Orleans County .”

“It was a great day and a great time,” Bellack said.

Bellack has chaired the event since joining the board and becoming its president in 2019.

Volunteers get their assignments as golfers begin to register for the annual golf tournament to benefit Orleans Community Connects (formerly United Way of Orleans County) at Shelridge Country Club. Waiting to sell mulligans at left are Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Orleans Community Connects, and Dawn Winkler, financial officer.

Bellack and Gaylord expressed their sincere thanks to sponsors, volunteers, including a large contingent from Baxter and Velocitii; board members; and donors.

“This is our first tournament as Orleans Community Connects, and it will allow us to continue the tradition of giving back to the community,” Gaylord said.

Winners announced were Men’s Champion – Lionel Rhim, Donnell Holloway, Brian Cline and Ryan Woodward; 2nd Place – Alex Bethman, Greg Pollorak, Chad Hursey and Robert Hursey; Mixed Champion – Marc Strain, Melissa Cotter, Cathy Tvenier and John Prospero; Most Honest Team (Balls) – Jodi Gaines’ team; Longest Drive #2 (men) Eric Jaszka; Longest Drive #5 (woman) –  Margy Brown; Closest to Pin #3 (men) – Chad Hursey; Closest to Pin #8 (ladies) – Sam Vermeulen; Closest to Pin #12 (men) – Tim Moriarty; Closest to Pin #14 (ladies) – Sam Vermeulen.

Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Orleans Community Connect, listens as board president Dean Bellack gives a special tribute to Tim Moriarty, who served several years as the agency’s treasurer.

Photos by Natalie Baron: The Lee-Whedon Memorial Library is a staple of Medina’s community. The library’s has a new entrance with an overhang. Lee-Whedon on Aug. 22, 2025 celebrated the start of the construction project. Today it marked its near completion.

By Natalie Baron, correspondent

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library today celebrated its grand reopening with the near-completion of a 4,785-square-foot addition on the library.

The library held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for donors and other supporters of the $5.2 million project at noon today. There were speeches by the library’s director, Kristine Mostyn, and the construction manager, Chris Ladas of Christa Construction.

The construction project is renovating the existing library as well as the new addition, providing more rooms and space for the public. There will also be expanded WiFi access and more LED lighting.

From left include Assistant Director Sam Covis, Director Kristine Mostyn, and Construction Manager Chris Ladas. They stand just outside the new kitchen area. There will be more tables for use once the space is complete.

The library’s Director, Kristine Mostyn, expressed in her speech, “We’re very excited, but we absolutely want to make sure that we thank everyone in the community who has supported this project from its inception. We wouldn’t have been able to do this if the community didn’t want this and show their support for it, so we’re very grateful.”

In his speech, Ladas stated, “The library board, the library staff, and the library director deserve a lot of credit because it takes a lot of planning, a lot of initiative, and a lot of donations. They went above and beyond to get this job done for this community. This is my fifth library. I’ve done four already, in the Rochester area. Every library, I believe, serves a purpose to help generations to come. This one here will help all future generations come together, come to learn, and come to grow. You can’t ask for more than that.”

“We’re really grateful to our community for supporting us on this project, and we’re hoping it’s going to be wrapped up by the end of this month,” shared the library’s Assistant Director, Sam Covis. She looks forward to bringing these new expansions and renovations to the community, and community support has always helped to keep the construction in motion.

Electricians work on the new addition today.

The construction is on a good trajectory toward completion by the end of the month. Ladas explained further, “We’ve had a couple of material delays, but other than that, the construction itself is moving according to plan. We have a great team of prime contracts with the library. They are working in tandem and getting it done.”

This sneak peek into the developing kitchen space showcases the new cabinets lining the wall and the open windows letting in plenty of light.

Through this process, the library is gaining a rotating art display. Within the room add-ons to the library, an area will be available for bigger programs, such as the library’s movie nights and concerts. There is a room for crafts and science projects. A kitchen space will consist of a refrigerator, stoves, multiple cabinets and tables, and a TV.

There are both a small meeting room and a small room for Friends of the Library, selling used books. A quiet room will contain newspapers and local history in cabinets. Two small study spaces will be available for tutoring and reservation for an area to have meetings between a couple of individuals. Outside of opening hours, one may enter via the back door to use a big meeting room with a TV, where fold-up tables or chairs can be set up, as well as two bathrooms. Outside, there will be a fenced-in garden, and a new parking lot with 14 spaces is also underway.

A new rotating art display presents its first masterpieces.

A quiet room will be part of the library’s expansion. It enables adults to get away from the busy state of the rest of the building. Newspapers and local history will be available in cabinets there.

File photo: Here is how the entrance of the Lee-Whedon  Memorial Library looked before the construction project. The original 11,100-square-foot building was constructed in 1966.

File photo: Here is how the entrance of the Lee-Whedon  Memorial Library looked before the construction project. The original 11,100-square-foot building was constructed in 1966.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brody Hoffmeister, owner of Rudy’s Diner, is happy to welcome back Frank, a 6-foot-high hot dog.

MEDINA – Frank, the giant hot dog mascot at Rudy’s Diner, has returned to the beloved local eatery after getting a major restoration from students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.

Frank left Rudy’s last fall. Frank was falling apart, in need of repairs and fresh paint.

He returned about two weeks ago, looking like new after a major overhaul led by students in the Orleans/Niagara BOCES autobody class and teacher Jim Rozewski.

“Frank,” a 6-foot-high fiberglass statue, kept a low profile at Rudy’s for the last several years. This famous hot dog was acquired around 2008 when Rudy’s founder, Joe Russo, wanted to celebrate the diner’s 20th anniversary. Frank was out in California before making the move to Medina.

The hot dog statue also was a gift from Joe to his wife, Debbie, and their daughter, Kelly Duffield, who were both instrumental in Rudy’s success for many years.

Joe and Debbie Russo opened Rudy’s in 1988 and wanted to create a comfortable environment for people to enjoy a meal. Joe brought a sense of humor to the operation, as well as a commitment to quality food and reasonable prices.

Frank the hot dog used to be out in front of the restaurant on East Center Street, and people would stop by frequently to get photos. They also often leaned on him, knocking off one of his arms.

Frank’s paint started to come off and there was other wear and tear, prompting Brody Hoffmeister, Joe’s grandson and the current owner, to move Frank outside in back of the diner.

But now he is back in the limelight. Rudy’s staff has been wheeling him out each morning to the front of the diner. The BOCES class made Frank a new base with wheels.

Hoffmeister said he appreciates the skill and care the students and their teacher put in on Frank.

Orly the Ox, the Orleans County bicentennial mascot., met Frank last September before the frankfurter got his groove back. Orly featured Frank in one of his social media posts about interesting people places and things during Orleans County’s bicentennial in 2025.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jim Hancock, chairman of the Medina Tourism Committee, speaks during last week’s Village Board meeting.

MEDINA – The Medina Tourism Committee is looking forward to special events to celebrate the country’s 250^thanniversary.

The committee is organizing a patriotic birthday concert on Sept. 6 at State Street Park with a jazz band led by retired Medina band director Jim Steele, Jim Hancock, the Tourism Committee chairman, told the Village Board last week.

Retired broadcaster Mike Randall will be reading the Declaration of Independence. There will be 250 birthday cupcakes with red, white and blue frosting.

The Sons of the American Legion is contributing funds towards the event, Hancock said. The VFW will be playing Taps as well.

The Tourism Committee asked the Village Board for permission to have a time capsule buried at Rotary Park with the container to be opened in 2076. The board approved the request for the time capsule, which will be in a circular area in front of the Santa House.

Hancock and committee member Barb Gorham said they expect the time capsule will be buried by the end of October. They said they are discussing what to have in the capsule. They would like a little bit of Medina Sandstone and news coverage of notable events during 2026.

“We’re open to any suggestions about what people want to see put into it,” Hancock said.

The committee wants to reach out to the school district and ask kids what they think Medina will be like in 50 years.

Hancock said the Tourism Committee looks forward to welcoming about 600 cyclists when they visit and stay overnight in Medina on Sunday, July 12. It’s part of the annual Cycling the Erie Canal trip from Buffalo to Albany.

The committee also is working on its second annual Building Brick event at Sacred Heart Club on Sept. 19. Last year there were about 350 people – kids, parents and grandparents – making creations from LEGOs.

The Tourism Committee last week welcomed the Seneca Chief boat to the Canal Basin. This was the third year the replica of the famed canal boat visited Medina.

Hancock said the Tourism Committee also is working on plans for the Parade of Lights and the Christmas celebration on Nov. 28.

The Tourism Committee for the 17^th year also is staffing a visitor center during the summer. This year a team of about 15 volunteers is managed by Barb Gorham.

“We see a great number of people coming into the village,” Hancock said. “We try to provide information to them.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Patriotic banners are strung across Main Street this morning in observance of the Fourth of July and the country’s 250th celebration and the Fourth of July. This view is looking north from near the railroad tracks.

(Left) Village of Medina DPW employees string patriotic banners across Main Street in Medina. In the buckets are Brad Freeman and John Fike. (Right) Medina DPW employee Brad Freeman attaches the wire for a patriotic banner to an anchor on the Main Street buildings, which are the ones used for the holiday banners at Christmas.

There are eight banners, four on either side of Main Street. Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent, said it took about a half an hour to install each one, using the existing hardware on the buildings. The banners will remain up through Labor Day, he said.

The banners were requested by Medina Area Partnership and funded with a $3,000 grant from the New York State 250th Commemorative Commission, with the money from the New York State Education Department. Orleans County was approved for $15,000 from the state to help commemorate the country’s 250^th anniversary.

Other funding approved by the local 250^th committee and the Orleans County Legislature includes: Albion Strawberry Festival, $1,500; Barre Betterment Committee, $750; Lyndonville Lions Club, $3,585; Medina Area Partnership, $3,000; Town of Albion, $1,000; Town of Kendall, $740; Town of Murray, $275; Town of Yates, $500; Village of Holley, $1,700. The remaining $1,950 is to be spent at the discretion of the NY250 Committee in Orleans County.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Lilly Caleb and Avangelene Nash celebrate next to the “2026” that was on display outside Vets Park during graduation this evening.

The two were among 100 students who graduated from Medina.

The grads toss their caps after everyone was awarded their diploma.

Ava Blount, the class president in front, is happy after the commencement program. She is followed by Penelope Schalck, the class vice president, and Izabella Garcia, the class secretary. The Daisy Chain members are behind them in white dresses.

Tatianna Maxon is congratulated by school administrators and Board of Education members for receiving her diploma.

The Daisy Chain continued as part of commencement in a Medina tradition that goes back to 1922. Daisy Chain members – the top 16 girls and top two boys in grade point average among juniors – create two 27-foot-long chains of daisies.

The Daisy Chain members include Maya Anderson, Teagan Balaban, Madalyn Clute, Madelyn Elliott, Camden Fike, Aspyn Garley, Grace Goodrich, Samantha Heschke, River Jones, Adelynne Lacy, Sofia Lopez, Madeline Mark, Lillian Maynard, Natalia Olsen, Isabelle Perez, Carmen Stalker, Madison Watts and Arabella White.

Bellaflor Gomez-Hernandez gets ready to move her tassel to signify graduation.

Class valedictorian Bellaflor Gomez-Hernandez shared a message, “From Google Meets to Senior Seats.” She recalled how the class was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic during middle school, sending them home during sixth grade in March 2020.

They needed to learn through online school during the pandemic.

“It didn’t break us,” she said about the Covid pandemic. “It built a foundation of adaptability that will serve us the rest of our lives.”

Lilah Class

Gomez-Hernandez, who is headed to Fordham University to major in international studies, thanked the Medina teachers and the graduates’ families for their support.

“Teachers, thank you for holding us to high standards and seeing the potential in us when we didn’t see it in ourselves,” she said.

Lilah Class, the salutatorian, shared a message, “Our Next Step.” She said failures are to be expected in life’s journey, and graduates should learn from their mistakes and struggles.

“We have made it this far,” she said. “Everyone is capable of great things.”

The grads are stepping out in “endless possibilities,” Class said. She urged them to be support themselves with encouragement and to be their own personal cheerleader.

“Be proud of how far you’ve come and where you are going,” she said.

The graduates sit in chairs on the football field and listen to a message from Dr. Julie Webber, Medina’s Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and AVID District Director.

She presented a message, “Your Destiny Awaits.” All of the speeches were prerecorded and displayed on the scoreboard.

Dr. Webber said she was the primary school principal when the graduates were in third grade. She reflected on a comment from famed orator William Jennings Bryan, who said destiny is not so much based on chance but on choices.

She said luck is passive, while destiny is active. The graduates so far have had their daily schedules tied to school. But starting tomorrow, the structure of their lives is up to them.

“The canvas becomes entirely yours,” Dr. Webber said.

Dr. Julie Webber gives the commencement address.

In the future, not everything will go to plan, no matter their best efforts, Dr. Webber told the grads.

“Detours are not a dead end,” she said, urging them to pivot and try a different door or direction. “Don’t give up.”

Dr. Webber urged them to be life-long learners, and she congratulated them on earning their high school diplomas.

“You did the hard work,” she said. “You are the proud product of a community that believed in you.”

Kymberlyn Brady feels joy after receiving her diploma.

Casey Reeves walks onto the field in the processional with her classmates.

Brennan Woodruff gets some help arranging his cords from friend Kylee Howard, who graduated in 2025. Woodruff served as the Student Association president and also was a student representative on the Board of Education. He is headed to Geneseo State College to major in philosophy/politics/economics. He wants to be a Constitutional lawyer.

He appreciates his education at Medina.

“It’s been a great foundation for what I want to do,” he said. “All the teachers are ushing you to be your best. They are all so supportive.”

Rhoswyn Oakes is congratulated by Mollie Mark, the assistant junior-senior high school principal.

Lyla Page hams it up while getting her photo taken after getting her diploma.

Luke Duffina goes through the receiving line and receives congratulations from Medina school officials.

The grads walk off the football field while the scoreboard displays a message, praising them for earning their diplomas.

Seneca Chief makes 20-mile trek through Orleans, part of 3-week journey on the canal

Photos by Tom Rivers

The Seneca Chief heads west on the Erie Canal on Thursday. The replica of the famed boat that carried Gov. DeWitt Clinton across the newly constructed Erie Canal in 1825, is shown in Albion in a photo taken from the Presbyterian Road Canal Bridge.

The Seneca Chief travelled from Holley to Medina on Thursday. The boat carries a crew from the Buffalo Maritime Center. Each stop it also gives a ride to about a dozen people. This group, including Orleans County mascots Orly the Ox and his brother Scout, were able to ride the boat from Albion to Medina.

Because the replica has no engine, the 33-foot historic wooden tugboat C.L. Churchill is used to push and maneuver the vessel along the Erie Canal.

Volunteers at the Buffalo Maritime Center worked for four years to recreate the Seneca Chief. The 73-foot-long replica received great fanfare last year as part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Erie Canal. It went from Buffalo to New York City and spent the winter in Waterford near Albany.

The Seneca Chief is doing a “Back to Buffalo” tour this month. It leaves Medina today for North Tonawanda, and then on Saturday will reach its destination in Buffalo.

It was raining pretty hard when the Seneca Chief passed under the Main Street lift bridge in Albion around 2:30.

Two brothers from Oakfield, Titus (right) and Jed Dart, pour water from the Erie Canal in Medina into a barrel. The Buffalo Maritime Center did a similar “Gathering of the Waters” ceremony last year on the 200^th anniversary voyage of the Seneca Chief, collecting water at each stop and then using it to water an Eastern White Pine tree in New York City.

This time the water collected along the journey will be used to water an Eastern White Pine in Buffalo.

Last year, the Maritime Center had a tree planted at each stop, including one in Medina that is at State Street Park close to the canal.

Paul Winnie watches the two brothers pour the water into the barrel. Winnie is a member of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. He noted the Eastern White Pine symbolize peace and represent a chance to bury quarrels among people.

Brian Trzeciak, executive director of the Buffalo Maritime Center, said the journey across the canal last year and this year has been a goodwill mission, helping to bring the communities together.

“This is a tour of hope and optimism,” he said.

Debbie Padoleski, the mayor of Medina, thanked the Buffalo Maritime Center for their effort sin creating the Seneca Chief replica and for bringing it to Medina the past three years. Medina was included in the boat’s test run in 2024 before the big journey last year from Buffalo all the way to New York City.

The “Back to Buffalo” journey went from near Albany to Buffalo.

The Seneca Chief pulls up along the canal wall in Medina’s Canal Basin at the end of Thursday’s trip that started in Holley.

Provided photos – (Left) Iroquois Job Corps pre-apprentice students in the International Masonry Institute brick masonry program grind the Medina Sandstone on the wall at Boxwood Cemetery. From left are Michael Whitfield, Imani Palmer and Jayden Sharp. (Right) Iroquois Job Corps’ IMI brick masonry instructor David Gonzalez, right, shows Center director Eric Seppala the technique on how to point and finish the Medina Sandstone wall.

MEDINA – Boxwood Cemetery Commission recently partnered with the Iroquois Job Corps to do much-needed masonry work on the cemetery’s Medina Sandstone wall, preserving it well into the future and saving the Cemetery many dollars.

On June 1, students in the International Masonry Institute’s brick masonry program began work to help restore the historic Boxwood Cemetery’s sandstone wall. The Preservation League of New York state and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts helped fund this project, as they have recognized the significance of Boxwood Cemetery, according to information from Job Corps Operations Director John Thomas.

Jacob Hebdon, chairman of Boxwood Cemetery Commission, reached out to Iroquois Job Corps to see if the center could offer any assistance with the project. IMI Brick Instructor David Gonzalez worked with Todd Bensley of Friends of Boxwood Cemetery and village of Medina historian.

Village historian and Friends of Boxwood member Todd Bensley, center, pose with International Masonry Institute pre-apprentice students from the Iroquois Job Corps, Michael Whitfield, left, and Jayden Sharp in front of the sandstone wall they recently repointed.

The students in the Brick Pre-Apprentice Program at Job Corps donated all of their professional brick masonry labor skills to assist with the preservation project at Boxwood Cemetery. The students worked a week, grinding, pointing and re-finishing the sandstone that had been worn down over 175 years and was crumbling in some areas of the wall.

“It has been a pleasure working with Dave Gonzales and his students,” Bensley said. “The quality of their work and their enthusiasm for the project are amazing.”

Bensley said by partnering with Job Corps, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery has been able to stretch their dollars further, which means they can accomplish more in regards to the restoration of the cemetery.

“The work Job Corps has done repointing the walls will stand for years to come,” Bensley said.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Sarah Stornelli, a resident of Ohio Street, speaks during a public hearing on Monday and said an on-street parking ban was posing hardships to residents and their guests.

MEDINA – The Village Board on Monday rescinded a decision from Nov. 24 when Medina banned on-street parking on Ohio Street between Park Avenue and West Center Street.

Residents have been vocal at recent village meetings, saying the on-street parking ban has posed hardships on the affected residents and their guests, who often have to walk a couple blocks on uneven sidewalks when driveways are full.

The board held a public hearing on Monday about allowing on-street parking again, with vehicles allowed to park on the west side of the street for 525 feet of Ohio Street between Park Avenue and West Center Street.

Sarah Stornelli lives within the 500 block of Ohio Street. She said she and her family have to keep rearranging vehicles in the driveway because they can’t park a car in the street anymore.

The on-street parking ban makes it harder and dangerous for older people with mobility issues, she said.

Matt Anelli lives on Ohio Street and has pushed for the parking ban, including back in November when it was approved by the Village Board. He said Ohio Street is narrow, especially in the winter. If people park on the street it’s hard to get out of his driveway.

Jill Chudy also asked to rescind the parking ban due to the inconvenience for residents and their guests.

Mayor Debbie Padoleski read a petition signed by about 15 people asking for the parking ban to be rescinded. That petition was submitted by Patricia Stacey, who spoke at a board meeting last month about the challenges of no on-street parking.

The Village Board was unanimous in voting to put the on-street parking back the way it was. Medina will allow on-street parking on the west side of the street on Ohio, between Park Avenue and West Center Street.

Dave Berry suggested the Village Board make Ohio Street a one-way street and allow on-street parking.

Village plans to use the site for parking

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – This photo from last Wednesday shows a donated lot that the Village of Medina DPW is working to make available for parking.

The DPW is removing concrete from the lot this week and will then cover the site with asphalt millings. Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent, told the Village Board during last evening’s board meeting that he then wants to allow those millings to settle for a year before determining what to do with the site permanently.

The village was given the 100-by-132 foot vacant lot at 115 Pearl St. It was donated by 415 West Avenue LLC, which is owned by Dr. Syed Shah, a cardiologist.

Dr. Shah initially offered the land for the Medina Fire Department but that lot isn’t a good fit for the fire department. The village instead can use it as a municipal lot.

The lot is between the Hometown Wellness Center at 119 Pearl St. and MDS Consultants at 105 Pearl St.

Photo by Isabella Zasa, Orleans County Tourism Department: Orly the Ox rides a hydro-bike on the Erie Canal in Medina on July 18, 2025.

MEDINA – The Orleans County YMCA will again be allowing people to use hydro-bikes and kayaks in the Erie Canal this summer.

The Y has offered the program for several years. People can rent a hydro-bike or kayak for free. Bent’s Opera House is covering the cost for the YMCA to have staff managing the program.

Last year 1,300 people used the equipment. The Y will have four hydro-bikes and 10 kayaks available. Two of those kayaks are tandem.

Andrew Houseman, senior program director at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina, told the Medina Village Board he expects the program to start next week, with online reservations available later this week. People soon can sign up on Event Brite and rent them for free. (Go to eventbrite.com and search for kayaks and hydro-bikes to make a reservation.)

The program will run from Thursdays to Saturdays, from noon to 9 p.m. and will continue until Aug. 17.

Most of the equipment will be kept in a trailer in the Canal Basin behind Captain Kidz restaurant at 143 East Center St. The Village Board is allowing the Y to use one dock slip as well.

The Y received the kayaks and hydro-bikes in 2020 through grants from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and the Erie Canalway Corridor’s Consolidated Fund.

Students saved nearly $180 throughout school year for pantry

Photos by Ginny Kropf: First graders in Allison Woodburn’s class at Oak Orchard Primary School pose on the steps of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, where they visited the food pantry. At rear is Robin Dubai, left, food pantry coordinator, and class teacher Allison Woodburn.

MEDINA – Teaching her class about kindness and giving has become an annual message for Allison Woodburn and her first-grade students at Oak Orchard Primary School.

She calls the class “Camp Woodburn,” because they are a camp-themed classroom, and teaches all about kindness through several projects and activities, she said. One of those projects is saving their small change every day to support the Food Pantry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Then, just before school ends for the year, they walk to St. Peter’s with their backpacks full of groceries they have bought to donate to the food pantry.

Every day, they say the class quote together – “In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind.” At Christmas, the class read the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein and learned about how the tree always had a full heart when it gave to others. So the students decided to have their very own giving tree and donate their favorite cereals to put under their Christmas tree instead of exchanging gifts with each other.

Allison Woodburn and her first-grade students pose around the cart filled with groceries they purchased and brought to St. Peter’s Food Pantry.

In the spring during math the students learn all about coins and money, which they and their families have donated during the year. They sort the coins, roll them up and this spring counted $179.55. The students wrote a shopping list of needs and wants for the food pantry. Woodburn shopped for all the food on their list, and was still able to donate a $40 gift card to give the pantry, in addition to all the food purchased with the monetary donations.

Woodburn has been doing this with her class for six years and always feels like she is teaching them the most important lesson in life, which is to always show kindness to others without expecting anything in return.

The Food Pantry has been managed by Robin Dubai for 32 years, who first started in 1994 when her son went to nursery school.

“People have been very generous to the food pantry,” Dubai said. “I think it’s wonderful how Mrs. Woodburn is teaching kindness. I love working with her and her class.”

The food pantry has seen a slight increase in demand this year, now providing food monthly to 72 families, Dubai said.

Although the students are taught to be kind, while not expecting anything in return, Dubai wanted to show her appreciation and bought doughnuts for the class.

Robin Dubai, left, explains to Allison Woodburn’s first-grade class how a food pantry operates.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Brandi Zavitz was at the Medina Dog Park on Wednesday evening, creating a new mural that will feature portraits of about 35 dogs.

The new mural will have a celestial theme and will include many dogs that will be painted with angel wings, to signify they have passed away, said artist Brandi Zavitz.

She painted a 32-foot-long mural last year that included 69 dogs, 3 cats and Orly the Ox (the county’s bicentennial mascot).

The requests kept coming to be included on the initial mural. The 35 dogs are mostly requests from 2025. Zavitz wanted to include them on the new mural.

Like last year’s mural, she will pet them with personality, showing them doing some of their favorite things. She expects there will be tennis balls, and squirrels to chase in the new mural that will be 8 feet high and 16 feet long.

There was an overwhelming response to the mural after it debuted last year. Many people were amazed how Zavitz painted dogs as superheroes with capes, or doing their favorite activities – carrying sticks, playing with balls, eating ice cream or watching a Bills game.

Zavitz enjoys painting on site and chatting with people and seeing their dogs scamper about the dog park, which is on North Gravel Road near Boxwood Cemetery.

Zavitz sketched out some of the dogs on the board for the mural. She expects to complete the project in mid to late July.