By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 January 2021 at 10:03 am
Medina Railroad Museum is repeat champion
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Parade of Lights Committee chairs on Monday presented the Medina Railroad Museum with their plaque and a check for $500 for being the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Reverse Parade of Lights on Nov. 29. From left are volunteer Jerry Kwiatkowski, Grace Stewart, volunteer coordinator; Caitlyn Klotzbach, director of group sales for the museum; Rick Henn, president of the MRRM board; and Jim Hancock and Dave Miller with the Parade of Lights Committee. Absent is museum director Janien Klotzbach.
MEDINA – The Medina Railroad Museum was named Grand Prize winner of Medina’s annual Parade of Lights for the second year in a row.
Representatives of the museum were presented with a plaque, which comes with a $500 prize, by Parade of Lights chairs Jim Hancock and Dave Miller. The award was presented on Monday to museum personnel, volunteer Jerry Kwiatkowski, volunteer coordinator Grace Stewart, museum board president Rick Henn and group sales coordinator Caitlyn Klotzbach, all of whom spent many hours decorating their float.
The museum’s entry, which is a replica of a train depot, was originally built as a promotional tool to promote the museum at train shows and other public events. But staff soon realized, with the addition of some lights (quite a few lights) it was a perfect entry in the parade.
Stewart said they spent a lot of days decorating the float, but they had a lot of fun.
“We were working on it right up until the last minute,” Klotzbach said
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Railroad Museum won the top award in the “reverse” Parade of the Lights on Nov. 29.
Klotzbach said they added more lights to the float this year. She counted them and said there were 7,500. They might add even more next year, she said. Their goal is to win the grand prize three years in a row.
Hancock said the judges’ decision was almost unanimous.
“This was a very unusual year, and we didn’t know what to expect,” Hancock said, referring to their decision to have a reverse parade, due to the pandemic.
“We didn’t expect 1,200 cars,” said Dave Miller, who helped organize the parade with Hancock and the rest of the parade committee. “A lot of people were not happy with the long lines.”
“They would have complained a lot more if you hadn’t done a parade at all,” said Grace Stewart, volunteer coordinator at the museum.
“I think it was an overwhelming success, considering all things,” Hancock said. “We had fewer floats, mostly due to the fact schools and some businesses were closed. We had 18 floats, and we are grateful for that.”
Hancock said this year they hope to be back to normal and back on Main Street.
Prizes for the parade are made possible through corporate sponsors and community donations.
The Railroad Museum is currently operating under temporary hours, due to Covid. They are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“We are crossing our fingers we will be able to have Thomas this year,” Klotzbach said.
From left, Grace Stewart, volunteer coordinator at the Medina Railroad Museum; Rick Henn, president of the museum board; and Caitlyn Klotzbach, director of group sales and granddaughter of the museum’s founder Marty Phelps, pose with their plaque for being the grand prize winner in the Reverse Parade of Lights in November. This is the second year the museum has won the grand prize with their elaborately decorated train depot.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: From left, Steve Johnson, vice commander of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, Peter Huth, adjutant, and Glenn Whitmore, commander, stand next to the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial at the Legion Post, where two artillery shells were recently donated and added to the landscaping. The shells were refurbished with the help of several local organizations.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 January 2021 at 9:03 am
MEDINA – 2020 may have been a challenging year, but it was, nevertheless, one in which the Butts-Clark American Legion Post received extraordinary support from the community to accomplish several goals.
Commander Glenn Whitmore and vice commander Steve Johnson have joined to say thank you to the businesses and individuals who helped the Legion in any way last year.
Steve Johnson holds a picture of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post building when it was a stone structure in 1914, where William Gallagher rented wagons and carriages.
When Medina Mayor Mike Sidari was given two artillery shells by the Leo Dolan American Legion Post in Lockport, he asked members of the American Legion in Medina if they could do anything with them.
Medina members decided they could and set forth in what would become a true community project.
First, Phinney Tool and Die (Whistler) fixed the caps on the end of the projectiles. Ed Wojtkowski of Gasport Welding and Fabrication made bases for them out of stainless steel.
The late Joe Perry, superintendent of the Medina Department of Public Works and a member of the American Legion, agreed to mount them.
Lyons Collision painted them. Landscaping was done by Dave Walker, a Vietnam veteran.
All this was done free of charge or at reduced prices, said Steve Johnson, vice commander of the Medina post.
The shells are now part of the permanent Vietnam memorial at the north end of the Legion building.
Next on the Legion’s agenda in 2020 was painting of their building.
“We were given tremendous price breaks in our endeavor,” Johnson said.
Bids went out for painters, and Craig Royal got the job, with Scott Grimm and Jeff Gay, who scraped and patched the exterior. Because it was for veterans, Royal agreed to do the work for the cost of the materials.
“We got two coats of paint for the price of the materials,” Johnson said.
Steve Johnson, vice commander of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, commander Glenn Whitmore (standing) and Peter Huth discuss the many organizations and individuals who donated time, labor and services to the Legion in 2020.
The post had not been painted since Garrick Insurance was located there. The American Legion has been there 30 years, Johnson said.
The building has been there since before 1914. A picture on the wall in the Legion shows the building in 1914, when it was sandstone and occupied by William Gallagher, who rented wagons and carriages.
At some time in history, concrete was applied over the sandstone, and before painting could begin last year, Glen Giltner gave them a price break on repairing the concrete.
Finally, John Doyle agreed to seal the blacktop parking lot at cost.
They also received special considerations from Cusimano’s Pizza.
In addition, the late Joe Perry contacted National Grid and got them to remove a tree which was leaning on the building. After that, the village removed the stump and brush.
The side entrance was sided by Lakeview Sheds, who did a tremendous job, Johnson said. The Mennonites also gave them a break on the labor.
When they replaced the heating and air conditioning recently, they got special consideration from Todd Houseman Heating and Air Conditioning in Oakfield.
“If we’ve missed thanking anybody, I apologize,” Johnson said. “We couldn’t have done this without the support of all these people in the community.”
Johnson said before any of the work could be done they had to get approval from the village for improvements to the exterior, due to the historic designation of Main Street.
One big, very important step remains, Johnson said. And that is to obtain permission from the village to have a 26-foot long furled American flag painted on the south end of the building. It will be a commanding sight to those driving down Main Street, the veterans said.
The Butts-Clark American Legion Post has 170 members, but only about 10 are really active.
The post hasn’t been able to be open during most of last year, due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns and post meetings were canceled for five months.
They still have 15 or so turn up on Tuesday mornings for coffee and donuts, while practicing social distancing.
Every Tuesday, when there is a funeral at the National Veterans’ Cemetery in Pembroke, the Orleans County Honor Guard, which includes members from the Medina Legion and VFW posts, participates by providing a 21-gun salute. Jim Freas is in charge of organizing that.
The Legion and VFW are always looking for new members and any veteran is encouraged to contact either or both organizations about joining.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 January 2021 at 9:02 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Marshall Road canal bridge in Medina reopened last week after extensive repairs. This was the last of the seven bridges to be reopen as part of a $10.7 million overhaul of canal bridges in Orleans County.
Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport was the contractor on the projects. Besides painting most the bridges from green to black, the work on the seven bridges included installing high-strength galvanized steel to replace steel floor systems, low chords, gusset plates and truss elements. Bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches also were improved.
Crane-Hogan Structural Systems started the work two years ago on the seven bridges, beginning with Bennetts Corners Road in Holley.
The seven single-lane truss bridges were constructed between 1909 and 1914. The locations of the bridges that were rehabilitated include:
Bennetts Corners Road, between Route 31 and Gulf Road, in the Town of Murray.
Telegraph Road, between Route 237 and Groth Road, in the Town of Murray.
Transit Road, between Route 31 and West Brockville Road, in the Town of Murray.
Densmore Road, north of Route 31, in the Town of Albion.
Gaines Basin Road, between Albion Eagle Harbor Road and West Bacon Road, in the Town of Gaines
Bates Road, between Telegraph Road and Portage Road, in the Village of Medina.
Marshall Road, between Route 31 and School Road, in the Town of Ridgeway.
A truck passes over the Marshall Road canal bridge on Saturday, heading north.
Provided photos: Bringing world-renown tenor Ronan Tynan to perform in St. Mary’s Church was a highlight for Orleans Renaissance Group. He performed here twice, Sept. 17, 2016 and Oct. 5, 2019. With him, from left, are accompanist William “Billy” Lewis; Paul Joseph Struckmann, ORG Events Committee member; Tynan; Chris Busch, ORG president; and Andrew Meier, ORG board member. The ORG also brought Anonymous 4, world-renowned A Capella singers, to Medina for a concert in April 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 December 2020 at 9:34 am
Orleans Renaissance Group has brought stars to community, and helped stabilize Bent’s
MEDINA – Establishment of the Orleans Renaissance Group can be credited to a group of Medina citizens who were engaged in casual conversation as far back as the 1990s.
As the New Year is ushered in, ORG can delight in their accomplishments as the Bent’s Opera House, whose restoration began as a dream of ORG’s, gets ready to open one of its doors to the public.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Matthews House Movers in Rochester arrived in Medina at Bent’s on Oct. 14, 2013 to replace the beams at the corner of the building. Matthews workers were rigging or installing “cribbing” that will serve as a temporary support so the rotted beams could be removed and the new supports installed.
Medina entrepreneur Roger Hungerford, who has been restoring the former Bank of America building on the corner of Main Street and West Center, has said they are planning to open the Harvest Restaurant on the first floor at the end of January, barring any unforeseen obstacles due to the Covid pandemic.
ORG was born one afternoon in the 1990s when Chris Busch and Merle “Skip” Draper were sitting around musing how great it would be to have the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra perform at St. Mary’s Church. A short time later, Busch reached out to the BPO and asked if they would be interested in coming to Medina.
Their answer was “Yes.”
“I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” Busch said. “We knew then if we were going to pursue this we needed to organize a group to oversee it. With the help of Norris Webster, we formed a 501c3 corporation.”
Original members who formed the Orleans Renaissance Group included Busch, Sally Webster and Marsha Winters.
Andrew Meier, who became a member of ORG, shared a story about their early planning, where someone discovered a story about the famous author John Steinbeck. The story goes that Steinbeck was traveling through the area and passed through Medina. He stopped to ask where he was, and someone allegedly told him “Egg Street.”
Meier said no one can verify the story, but former mayor Adam Tabelski thought it was very interesting and chose Egg Street as ORG’s web address. The moniker was used for a time for ORG’s production efforts, but they have since rebranded and now use “Medina Alive.”
In 2001, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, with Barker native Paul Ferington conducting, made its first appearance to a full house at St. Mary’s Church. The 700 seats sold out, Busch said. That set the stage for many more cultural events to follow.
Provided photo: A major accomplishment of the Orleans Renaissance Group was securing a Seven to Save designation for Bent’s Opera House from the Preservation League of New York State. Announcing the award in April 2012 are, from left, Dave Callard from the Orleans County Legislature; Tania Werbizky, Regional director of the Preservation League; ORG president Skip Draper; Andrew Meier, Medina mayor and ORG board member; Catherine Schweitzer, board member of the Preservation Buffalo-Niagara League; New York State Senator George Maziarz; and Chris Busch, ORG vice president.
ORG took a short hiatus for a couple of years, but when Meier and Tabelski joined, ORG had a rebirth.
Performances of the BPO Brass were held at the Presbyterian Church on Main Street, followed by the Easy Street Big Brass.
“At some point in our conversations about 2008, discussions of the opera house building with Bank of America evolved,” Meier said. “There was talk of them giving us control of the opera house on the third floor. Their branch manager was very receptive to the idea. That led to more formal talks with BOA corporate.”
Corporate agreed to give ORG the bank building and the drive-thru on the corner of West Avenue and West Center Street.
“That blew us away,” Meier said. “I don’t think any of us expected that.”
Originally, BOA was going to give ORG the building and lease bank space from them. That all changed when BOA announced they were going to close the bank and pull out of Medina.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Victoria Perez, a singer with the Buffalo Tango Orkestra, performed at The Pillars in Albion in May 2015 as part of an event that included tango lessons and dinner. The Orkestra was welcomed to Albion as part of a concert series by the Orleans Renaissance Group.
Meier said everything really popped when they took possession of the building in 2010.
“We were left with an empty building, but we were in control, nevertheless,” he said. “Now what were we going to do with it.”
“We needed to dig deep into its history and find what it was about that place that made it special,” Busch said. “It had been many decades since anyone had been there for any events.”
First, they had to start accessing the condition of the building, Meier said.
And, they had to access what might be the best use of the building as a whole.
“We had a rude awakening as we removed a lot of non-historic additions, and discovered the building was structurally compromised and required immediate attention,” Meier said. “We had to do some major scrambling to take steps to correct it.”
They applied for and received a designation from the Preservation League of New York State as one of Seven to Save.
“That was big,” Meier said. “It opened up emergency funding of $200,000 for emergency stabilization, and we needed all of that to support the front of the building.”
“The front was in immediate danger of collapsing into the street,” Busch said.
“After we stabilized the building, we started to develop a plan of what to do with it,” Meier said.
“The cost and scope of restoring the building was way more than ORG could handle,” Busch said.
The ORG spearheaded having 11 interpretive panels highlighting Medina history placed around the downtown business district in 2014.
Five years ago, Tom Hungerford, a nephew of Roger Hungerford and a member of ORG’s board, contacted some Western New York developers, including Roger.
“Tom opened the door for us,” Meier said.
Roger Hungerford stepped up and purchased the building from ORG, something which, had he realized the cost, he might not have done, he told Orleans Hub a year ago. Restoration, which began three years ago, with several months off due to Covid, has cost millions.
Hungerford did say, however, it would be pretty difficult to see a prominent building on the four corners of his home town fall into ruin, and not do something about it.
“We were all very excited and optimistic about what Roger would do with the building, and its future in the village,” Meier said. “It had become our ‘baby’ and there was a little bit of separation anxiety when we sold it.”
“We learned about all the incredible things that had happened there in the past, and we bonded with it,” Busch said. “There was quite a myriad of emotions when we had to let it go. When we think about it, we’re at a loss for words. We look at the building now and realize it hasn’t looked that good since 1865. That’s since Lincoln was president. It blows your mind. It’s one of the oldest opera houses in the country.”
ORG was instrumental in having a historical marker placed on Main Street, in honor of two speeches given in Medina by famed orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Shown at the dedication in April 2015 are Lincoln re-enactor David Kreutz; Ulysses S. Grant re-enactor Ed Brodbeck; and a group of Oak Orchard School students.
Meier explained the term “opera house” didn’t come into use until after the Civil War. Medina’s opera house was built as “Bent’s Hall.”
Meier acknowledged selling the opera house to someone with resources to bring it back set the trajectory for its restoration.
Now that ORG is free of its responsibility for the opera house, they have their hands in quite a few things, Busch said. Most recently, they brought renowned tenor Ronan Tynan back for a second performance. Prior to the pandemic, they had plans for several things, including entertainment in State Street Park.
ORG was instrumental in having a pavilion built in the park, and they were planning a blues concert there in the summer.
ORG sponsors the Canal Village Farmer’s Market on the corner where Bank of America donated their drive-thru. They were also responsible for the interpretive signs which are placed throughout downtown.
Until the pandemic, they sponsored an annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at St. Mary’s Church, and hope it can return next Christmas.
They were working to bring a prestigious saxophone quartet from Texas to Medina when the pandemic brought an end to those plans.
“That would be a large-scale event in conjunction with the Genesee Chorale, which Ric Jones of Medina directs,” Meier said.
ORG was meeting quarterly before the pandemic and members hope they can resume soon.
Members are Chris Bush, president, and Andrew Meier, treasurer. Before his death earlier this year, Bruce Krenning was vice president, but that office has not yet been filled. Cindy Robinson, Kathy Blackburn and Jake Hebdon are also members of the board.
Provided photo: The SUNY Fredonia Trombone Choir is one of the musical groups which the Orleans Renaissance Group brought to Medina. Under the director of the late Carl Mazzio, they performed at St. Mary’s Church in 2012 and 2014.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2020 at 12:34 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Oct. 28 shows Bent’s Opera House facing West Center Street. Bent’s will pay the costs to cut into the sidewalk near the intersection to create two pull-off spaces.
MEDINA – Bent’s Opera House has the Village Board’s permission to cut into a sidewalk to create two pull-off spaces in front of the building on West Center Street.
Those short-term spots are needed for limousines and other vehicles to do quick drop-offs and pickups at the site, which could open in the spring.
The building is being transformed into a restaurant, 10-room hotel and events center. Roger Hungerford is leading the redevelopment of the 30,000-square-foot building at the corner of Main Street and West Center Street.
The pull-off spots will allow people to safely exit and enter vehicles by the building, Village Board members were told recently by Charlie Spencer, project manager of the restoration of Bent’s Hall for LeChase Construction.
“We’re trying to prevent traffic tie-ups,” Spencer told the board recently.
The board approved the pull-offs on the south side of Bent’s. The board said the village would review the pull-offs in about two years “to make sure it’s not a hindrance to the village,” said Village Trustee Tim Elliott.
The project will be paid for by Bent’s, which also needs to put up signage directing people to the pull-offs, which won’t allow for parking, just for quickly dropping off or picking up passengers for a vehicle.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2020 at 10:29 am
MEDINA – A village resident has proposed setting up bluebird houses at Boxwood Cemetery and State Street Park to encourage the presence of bluebirds, the official state bird.
Daniel Rosentreter presented the idea to the Village Board earlier this month. Rosentreter would like to have 50-55 bluebird houses up by spring.
There would be two bluebird houses mounted on each galvanized post. The posts would be spaced apart about 1,000 feet, Rosentreter told the Village Board.
Rosentreter and volunteers would maintain the bluebird houses, he told the board.
The Village Board would like to get a map of where the posts and bluebird houses will be located.
“In theory I think it’s a good idea,” Village Trustee Todd Bensley said. “It’s just a matter of the getting the details worked out.”
Rosentreter said the bluebird houses should be located on the borders of park and the edge of the cemetery.
“We always look forward to people stepping up in the village doing projects, and this will be one,” said Mayor Mike Sidari. “It should bring people into the village looking at bluebirds.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 December 2020 at 4:52 pm
Photos contributed: Volunteers who worked to pack food and gift boxes for more than 60 families posed for a picture at The Grove United Methodist Church in Medina on Saturday. From left are chairwoman of the MAAC Red Barrels, Sherry Tuohey, Bev Woodward, Robin Dubai, Judy Holbrook, Barb Vreeland, Kathy McMoil, Ruth Cleveland, Diane Mazur and Denny Dubai. The number of volunteers was limited because of Covid restrictions.
MEDINA – Christmas came a little early to more than 60 families in the Medina area on Saturday.
It was the day local firefighters delivered food and gift boxes from MAAC’s Red Barrel program.
Sherry Tuohey, who heads the annual Christmas program, said the number of families who applied for holiday assistance this year was a little less than other years, yet they still provided Christmas boxes to more than 180 adults and children, as well as 19 senior citizens.
Volunteer Diane Mazur chooses gifts and packs a box for a family who was helped by MAAC’s Christmas Barrels. The barrels were delivered Saturday by local firefighters.
The boxes were delivered by firefighters from Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby and East Shelby, who also picked up the full barrels from local businesses and organizations.
Due to the Covid pandemic, Tuohey said it was a challenge this year to still be able to run the program and adhere to the restrictions in place.
“Everything had to be tweaked this year,” Tuohey said.
First, the barrels had to be picked up earlier than usual so they could quarantine for three days before volunteers started unpacking them. Then, when the barrels were sorted and the boxes packed, they had to quarantine for three days before firefighters could deliver them.
Also, there was a limit of 10 volunteers at a time at The Grove United Methodist Church, where the barrels were unloaded and boxes packed up. And, the church was unable to serve breakfast to the firefighters as a thank you. Instead, they gave each firefighter, and any family member who came with them, with breakfast in a bag.
“We tried to patronize local businesses in providing breakfast for the firefighters,” Tuohey said.
Sue Metzo checks the paperwork for the more than 60 boxes of food and gifts which were delivered to adults, children and seniors on Saturday, through the MAAC Red Barrel program. Metzo was in charge of the program for many years.
Cinnamon rolls came from Case-Nic Cookies, Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels provided bagels and Della’s Chocolates made chocolate firemen’s badges and helmets. Little bottles of cider came from Roberts’ Farm Market and bottles of chocolate milk were purchased from Sure Fine in Albion. Gift cards from Tim Hortons and a candy cane completed the breakfast, which was put in festive red plaid bags.
Food for the gift boxes was purchased from Tops and Aldi’s, Tuohey said. Each family received, not only gifts for everyone, but food for a complete Christmas dinner. New this year was the addition of personal care items, an idea of Kathy McMoil, who gathered all the items and made up a bag for each gift box. The committee also included a roll of wrapping paper and Scotch tape this year.
Kristin McAdoo and her dad Don Marchner, members of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, were among the firefighters who volunteered Saturday to deliver gift boxes to more than 60 families for MAAC’s Red Barrel program.
Lt. Steve Cooley of the Medina Fire Department coordinated efforts of the firefighters, who have volunteered their services for several decades. They start in November when they deliver the barrels to sites throughout the Medina area. This year 41 barrels were delivered, and Tuohey said many of them were overflowing when they were returned.
“We couldn’t do this without so many volunteers and the cooperation of the community,” Tuohey said. “We thank the businesses who allowed us to place barrels in their building and the individuals who knitted and crocheted hats, mittens and scarves.”
It may be a lot of work, but Tuohey said it is so rewarding.
“Some families have already reached out to thank us,” she said.
Lt. Jacob Crooks of the Medina Fire Department checks addresses on some boxes of gifts and food, which were delivered to families in Medina on Saturday.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jeff and Jamie Wagner of 814 Gwinn St. were Grand Champion winners for their holiday decorations.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 December 2020 at 12:10 pm
MEDINA – Medina’s Parade of Lights Committee has announced the winners of its first Village of Lights contest.
The idea for a home lighting contest was born in the summer when the Parade of Lights Committee was brainstorming about whether they could have the Parade of Lights, when someone asked, “What about a village of lights,” said Pat Payne, a member of the Parade of Lights Committee.
They decided to advertise the contest and put up posters around town.
The home of Gianna and Jody Sargent at 1009 West Center St. was named winner of the Christmas Spirit – Traditional category in the Village of Lights contest.
All entries had to be within the village limits, and organizers hoped for a dozen entrants.
“We were hoping for two entrants in each of the six resident categories,” Payne said. “Imagine how thrilled we were to have 22 homes enter.”
They also created categories for businesses.
Each entrant was given a number and signs with their number were placed in their yards, so judges would not know who they were judging. Last weekend, six anonymous judges drove throughout the town viewing the displays, and then met in a Zoom conference to share their decisions.
“They came to some really nice decisions,” Payne said. “We are very, very pleased with the results.”
Erika Payne of 152 State Street won “Most Whimsical” for the Christmas decorations at her home in the Village of Lights contest.
Erika Payne, whose home at 152 State St. was named “Most Whimsical,” said her family has been decorating their home for Christmas on and off for years. Her grandparents, the Palones, started it when they were younger and many of the decorations belonged to them, including the big bow on the roof, the Noel posts on the porch and a Santa and snowman. Her grandfather hasn’t put up Christmas decorations since her grandma died 10 years ago, but this year he chipped in and helped with the cost.
Payne said her kids help every year and now her grandkids are joining in, although they are only 3 and 4 years old.
“This is something to do as a family, and it’s exciting to see the cars going by and taking pictures,” Payne said. “My daughter tested positive for Covid-19 10 days ago, and with everything else going on the world now we needed something cheerful to do.”
She said they were hoping they’d win something in the contest, and were thrilled to learn they were considered “Most Whimsical.”
Joe and Julie Granchelli’s home at 121 Zacher Drive won the “Christmas Spirit” category for their Christmas decorations.
Jeff and Jamie Wagner of 814 Gwinn St. were named Grand Champion. They had already put their decorations up when the contest was announced, and they decided they might as well enter it, Jeff said.
They first got the idea to decorate for Christmas a long time ago after they had visited the historic town of Mumford, with all its old houses. At first they just decorated the fence, and then one year kids stole all the decorations during the night.
“We discontinued it, but last year I retired so we decided to try it again,” Jeff said.
The Wagner’s home was built by Medina’s sleigh maker Ed Davis, and the Wagners have one of his sleighs.
“Restoring it is my project next year,” Jeff said.
Jeff said it takes them about 40 hours over four or five days to put up all their decorations.
“I enjoy every minute of it,” he said. “We’re excited to have won. It’s very cool, and it’s nice to be acknowledged. I’m also very happy Gwinn Street did so well, with so many homes decorated. I would love to see the contest keep growing.”
Jeff is so happy with the event he is considering volunteering to help with it next year.
These three neighbors on Gwinn Street won the category “Most Visible from Space” for their Christmas decorations in the Village of Lights contest in Medina, sponsored by the Parade of Lights Committee. The homes, from left, belong to N. Dieter, J. Dieter and J. Sherman.
John Sherman, Nick Dieter and his dad John Dieter, who are all neighbors on Gwinn Street, didn’t intend to enter the lighting contest together, but when it was suggested they consider entering as one, they agreed. Their decision earned them the “Probably Visible from Space” prize.
Sherman and his wife Marguerite have been decorating for quite a few years.
“There really isn’t a competition among us,” Sherman said. “We’re all good friends just trying to keep it festive for everybody. We’ll probably take our prize money and get a big pizza together.”
Sherman said he usually tries to pick up a few more decorations each year after Christmas, but this year the shelves are already pretty much cleaned out.
He starts putting up his decorations before Thanksgiving while the weather is still nice, and it takes him a couple of weekends. He said he was glad he had them up during the Parade of Lights, because so many cars were lined up on his street and this gave them something to see. He will begin taking them down after the first of the year.
Cindy Watson’s home at 935 Gwinn St. was chosen winner of the “Best Use of Lights” category in the Village of Lights contest.
Signs identifying all the entrants have been placed in the yards and will remain there until the New Year. A map of all the entries can be found at www.christmasinmedina.com.
Residential winners were Gianna and Jody Sargent, 1009 West Center St., Christmas Spirit – Traditional; Joe and Julie Granchelli, 121 Zacher Dr., Christmas Spirit – Innovative; Erika Payne, 152 State St., Most Whimsical; Cindy Watson, 935 Gwinn St., Best Use of Lights; N. Dieter, J. Dieter and J. Sherman, 913, 915 and 917 Gwinn St., Probably Visible from Space; and Jeff and Jamie Wagner, Grand Champion.
Business winners were Della’s Chocolates, 512 Main St., and ATB Staffing, 534 Main St., Christmas Spirit; and Herbalty Cottage, 415 Main St., Community Spirit.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 December 2020 at 8:53 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jennifer Cassidy of Connecticut, standing, and Shari Cassidy of Medina gather around their aunt, Flora Posson, who will be 107 in January.
MEDINA – On Jan. 19, Flora Posson will celebrate a milestone.
She will be 107 years old.
Posson was a triplet born Jan. 19, 1914 at home on Hedley Street. The two girls and a boy weighed three pounds and were put in the oven to keep them warm, according to their niece Sheri Cassidy.
Posson’s brother Karl died in the Pacific in 1945 while serving in World War II. Her sister Maggie died at 92. The siblings had an older sister Virginia, who was Sheri’s and Jennifer’s mother.
Growing up in Medina, Posson was the star player on the girls’ basketball team, and early in life she was given the nickname “Fuzzy.” Her nieces think it was because she had tight curly hair, while her brother and sister had straight hair. Sheri and Jennifer still fondly call her “Fuzzy.”
Posson attended Skidmore College, where she received a degree in secretarial science.
She worked at FMC Corporation in Middleport as secretary to the CEO Robert Malott, and visited him in Chicago when he retired.
She has always been an animal lover and still has a kitty, said niece Sheri Cassidy, who is staying with her for a while. Niece Jennifer Cassidy of Connecticut recently visited, but just returned home this week. Posson has 24-hour caregivers.
Jennifer Cassidy gives her aunt, Flora Posson, a cup of tea, while niece Sheri Cassidy looks on. Posson still lives in her own home and her nieces visit regularly.
Posson was a ballroom dancer in her early years, having learned at Arthur Murray’s studio, and competing in New York City. Her favorite dance was the tango. She was a longtime member of Medina Memorial Hospital’s Twig Association and was active on the Child Welfare League.
She has always loved to play bridge and still played last year. She still plays Kings in a Corner with her nieces.
“She throws the cards down when she’s not winning,” Sheri said.
After her 100th birthday she spent a year in Connecticut with Jennifer.
She celebrated her 100th birthday at the Walsh Hotel, where she enjoyed going with her friends, including the late Barny Hart. Her nieces said her favorite drink was scotch on the rocks, and she smiled and said yes when Sheri asked if she’d like one.
Until this summer, Posson was still able to walk on her own, but she recently had a slump, which prompted her nieces to call Hospice. Hospice, now known as Supportive Care of Orleans, still comes in once a week, but Posson has been slowly improving, Sheri said.
Posson has survived two World Wars and two pandemics. She has lived in Medina nearly her entire life.
Her nieces said one thing is for sure.
“She loves this town.”
(Editor’s Note: UPDATE AT 10:52 A.M.: Orleans Hub was notified late this morning that Flora Posson passed away last night. An obituary will be forthcoming.)
Photos by Ginny Kropf: These wreaths were placed on graves in the veterans’ section of Boxwood Cemetery during today’s Wreaths Across American program.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 December 2020 at 10:47 pm
MEDINA – There was no mistaking Kathy Blackburn’s delight at the turnout in Boxwood Cemetery Saturday noon for the Wreaths Across America program.
Blackburn has been organizing the event each year since it was started in Medina with seven wreaths in 2013, and this year’s count was 261.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am,” Blackburn said. “I’m amazed at the people who joined in and got their kids involved. I could cry now.”
Kathy Blackburn, who organized the Wreaths Across American program in Boxwood Cemetery, and Jim Freas stand in front of the seven volunteers who laid the first wreaths, paying tribute to a veteran from each branch of the military and MIAs and POWs.
Blackburn thanked the American Legion, VFW and volunteers who supported the effort, especially the many Scout troops which showed up to place the wreaths on graves.
Several local officials took part in the ceremony, including Medina Mayor Mike Sidari and Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Each of them placed one of the first seven wreaths, which were in honor of a veteran from each branch of the military and a grave representing a POW/MIA.
Dave Kusmierczak read an opening prayer. He said the freedoms we enjoy today did not come without a price.
“The men and women here died so we could enjoy our freedoms,” he said.
Blackburn followed with words of thanks and patriotism.
“We are here today to say ‘thank you,’” she said. “When you see a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, say thank you.”
After the Honor Guard issued a three-gun salute and playing of Taps, volunteers began placing the remaining wreaths on graves throughout the cemetery.
The first of seven wreaths is placed on the grave of a veteran at the beginning of the Wreaths Across America program Saturday in Boxwood Cemetery.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley places a wreath on a veteran’s grave, something he volunteers for every year.
Dave Kusmierczak stands at left waiting to give an opening prayer at the Wreaths Across America program in Boxwood Cemetery. The firing squad stands ready as Kathy Blackburn gives a patriotic reading.
Volunteers, which included many Scout troops, take wreaths out of the boxes to place on graves. Donations cover the cost of the wreaths at $15 each.
Three members of the Honor Guard who participated in the Wreaths Across American program Saturday in Boxwood Cemetery are, from left, Norm Slayer, Greg Stanton and Randolph Wells. The other members are Vic Vicknair, Steve Johnson, David Higgins, Larry Szatkowski, Glenn Whitmore, Eric Delano, John Pera and Dan Anderson.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 December 2020 at 9:00 am
Provided photo: Ric Jones of Medina conducts a rehearsal of the Genesee Chorale, which will present a virtual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Saturday.
MEDINA – A Christmas concert has always been a tradition for the Genesee Chorale, but when the pandemic made a live concert impossible, director Ric Jones of Medina and the chorale board made a decision to have a virtual concert.
Jones, a graduate of Medina High School and Ithaca College with a major in music, also runs Imagine Music Publishing out of his Medina home. In addition to writing music for artists across the country, Jones has been director of the Middleport Community Choir for 17 years, the Genesee Chorale for the 12th year and the Brighton Symphony Orchestra for the fourth year.
Jones, the board of Genesee Chorale and chorale members talked throughout the summer about the possibility of not being able to have their annual Christmas concert.
“We met in late August and I made a presentation to the board to have a virtual concert,” Jones said. “We were confident we could pull it off.”
Their performance titled “And on Earth, Peace” is meant to evoke a sense of calm, hope and peace in this time of uncertainty and fear.
“Our music is meant to be a welcome balm to our community and to extend glad tidings and heartfelt goodwill from Batavia’s own Genesee Chorale,” Jones said.
Selections will feature the entire Genesee Chorale, with Doug Hanson as accompanist, as well as select ensembles of its members, culminating in a full choir performance of “Let There be Peace on Earth.”
Jones said he is super pleased with the sale of tickets so far. In fact, he thinks the virtual concert is creating interest from many people, such as families and friends of the Chorale, who live away and couldn’t have attended a live concert.
Tickets for the 30-minute virtual performance are $5 and are available by clicking here. Ticket purchase provides access to the private premiere virtual concert. Purchasers will receive the link to the concert via e-mail at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The concert goes live at 7 p.m.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 December 2020 at 8:44 am
MEDINA – Saturday in Boxwood Cemetery, veterans and members of the community are invited to gather at noon to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families and teach the next generation about the value of freedom.
According to information from Kathy Blackburn, who started the national Wreaths Across America project in Medina, this gathering takes place in local and national cemeteries in all 50 states – most recently at more than 2,000 participating locations as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.
Medina will be placing 261 wreaths at veterans’ graves, the most since it joined the program in 2013. The first year there were seven wreaths at Boxwood. The wreaths cost $15 each.
Each year, a new theme is chosen to help volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities. The theme announced for 2020 is “Be an American Worth Fighting For.”
The inspiration for this year’s theme came from a keynote address by Sgt. Daniel Strong during the 2018 escort to Arlington welcome stop at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (Monty Tech) in Fitchburg, Mass.
As an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps, Strong lost 18 Marines during his service, three of whom were his friends when he was a lance corporal, six as their squad leader and the remaining nine as their platoon sergeant. Each impacted Strong in a unique way as he witnessed first-hand what true sacrifice was and experienced the ripple effect it has on all involved.
Suzanne McAllister would dress up in characters to make programs more fun for kids
File photo by Tom Rivers: Suzanne McAllister, the children’s librarian at lee-Whedon Memorial Library, passes out some Santa Dust for the kids to take home on Nov. 30, 2018. McAllister organized the annual Santa pajama storytime event at the library.
Press Release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina
MEDINA – The Lee-Whedon Memorial Library would like to announce the retirement of “Mrs. Mac” – our beloved Children’s Librarian for the past 22 years.
Suzanne McAllister has worked at the library since 1996, first as a library aide and then as the Children’s Librarian. Mrs. Mac, as she is known to her many, many children, has touched the lives of thousands of children every year.
Suzanne’s personality and passion were infectious – her story time programs often filled with laughter and smiles. Throughout the years Suzanne has contributed immensely to the library family whether dressing up as Clifford the Big Red Dog or Doctor Who for LibraryCon. She organized teddy bear sleepovers, invited all sorts of wildlife into the building, and rode out into the community on her bike-mobile to give away books.
Due to Covid-19, a large party to honor her cannot be held. However, the community is welcome to come in this week to show their appreciation. Please join us in wishing Suzanne the very best in the next chapter of her life!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2020 at 6:53 pm
MEDINA – The Fire Department had a sixth career firefighter test positive for Covid-19 last weekend. The department on Dec. 4 first reported that five firefighters were out with Covid.
Of the six who have tested positive, five have shown symptoms, but are recovering and no one needed hospitalization, the Fire Department posted on its Facebook page.
“The first five are set to be coming off their isolation period soon and will be coming back to work as per Health Department regulations,” the Fore Department stated. “The sixth firefighter will be off a little more time due to testing positive later than the others.”
The department has 22 full-time staff that responds to nearly 3,000 calls a year.
“We need everyone to realize this isn’t over for us or anyone else,” the Fire Department stated on Facebook. “Maintain social distancing, wear masks and wash your hands frequently to help prevent contracting this. Even if you do all of that, you can be exposed.”
The department thanked the community for its support while the six staff are out due to Covid.
“The emergency calls didn’t stop,” the department stated. “We handled a multitude of calls during this time, some extremely critical and complex. We couldn’t have done this without the remaining members stepping up and pitching in to fill the absences. Once again, teamwork and cooperation made our department shine.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2020 at 4:47 pm
MEDINA – The school district has faced an increase in the number of students and staff testing positive for Covid-19.
Those cases and the resulting mandatory quarantines for close contacts has the district near a shortage of staff for providing in-person instruction, Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent, wrote in a letter to the community today.
The district reported five new confirmed cases today, with two students and one staff member in the high school, and two students in the middle school.
Medina has had 13 students and 12 teachers/staff test positive for Covid this school year, according to a state website tracking the cases in public schools. The numbers on the state website were last updated on Dec. 9.
“With the rising number of mandatory quarantining of students and staff members in our district, Medina Central School is dangerously close to not being able to have enough staff to conduct in-person learning,” Kruzynski wrote in his letter today. “If we are unable to conduct in-person learning in the future, parents will be notified by our Remind system, and by a robe-call. Please make sure your student brings their Chromebook home daily, ‘just in case.’”
Lyndonville is going to remote-only next week through the holiday break due to staff members being quarantined due to possible Covid exposure. Lyndonville plans to return to in-person classes on Jan. 4.
