By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2020 at 8:30 pm
Firefighters are busy pumping flooded basements
Photos courtesy of Justin Niederhofer
MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department pumps out a basement from Beach Street. There was flooding in Medina and Albion especially this afternoon after at least five inches of rain fell.
Medina firefighters had about 100 calls to pump out basements, including some with several feet of water.
Firefighters from Lyndonville, Shelby, East Shelby and Ridgeway were assisting with the pumping efforts.
The Albion Fire Department also has been busy pumping water from basements.
This photo shows a flooded backyard on Beach Street.
Part of West Center Street is flooded as water pours into a storm drain.
Photo courtesy of Dale Banker: This rain gauge showed that more than 7 inches of rain fell in Medina.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 July 2020 at 2:38 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jacquie Chinn stands in her new store, Lyric and Lizzy, which she recently opened at 335 North Main St., Medina, selling baby clothes and pet supplies.
MEDINA – Selling baby clothes and pet supplies may seem like an unusual combination, but for Jacquie Chinn, it makes perfect sense.
Lyric and Lizzy is a new store Chinn recently opened at 335 North Main St., selling just that – baby clothes and pet supplies.
She said it is truly amazing how her store came about.
Jacquie Chinn holds a pacifier from Nookums, a company in Middleport. The store also has a pet section.
Chinn was working, but lost her job and knew she had to find something. She was also doing credit clarity consulting, but when a friend who had graduated from Orleans Economic Development’s Microenterprise Assistance Program told her about it, she decided to check it out.
“I took a leap of faith,” Chinn said.
She graduated from the class last year and starting planning to open her own business.
“I grew up with Blissetts,” Chinn said. “I went to the store and she gave me her blessing.”
Her concept for a store is quite simple.
“Children always need clothes, and when you have children or grandchildren, you almost always have a pet,” Chinn said.
Hence, a store selling baby clothes and pet supplies.
The store is named for her grandchildren, 5-month-old Lincoln and 5-year-old Lizzy.
She suffered a setback when, just as she was ready to open, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. She had stocked winter clothing for the cold weather, and then couldn’t sell it. But she rode it out and is now thrilled to be open to the public.
She strives to offer affordable, quality clothing, and buys local where she can. One item is a pacifier with stuffed animal, called Nookums, which is made in Middleport. She also has a complete selection of diaper bags. She said if anyone is invited to a baby shower, her store is the place to shop.
She buys baby clothing in one of each size, so no one is going around town wearing the same thing.
Her sizes range from newborn to teens, and pet supplies are limited to small items, such as feeding dishes, treats and dog suits.
Lyric and Lizzy is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 July 2020 at 1:36 pm
Groups want to promote commerce in community
MEDINA – After being shut down for all the spring and part of summer, downtown Medina businesses have decided it’s time to get things going again.
Medina Area Partnership took the reins and is partnering with Medina Lions Club and a group of local businesses to sponsor a downtown sidewalk sale and chicken barbecue on Aug. 8.
Scott Robinson, who owns the Shirt Factory Café with his wife Alix, is president of MAP and an ardent promoter of his home town. Both he and Alix are Medina natives and members of longtime families in the area. Robinson traces his roots in Medina back to the early 1800s, and his wife, the former Alix Kozody, claims beloved Medina High School art teacher H. Gilman Williams as her grandfather. The couple had been working in Washington, D.C. for 10 years when they decided it was time to move back and do something for their hometown community.
It was Robinson who pitched the idea a year ago to dissolve the Medina Business Association in an attempt to get some new faces involved and expand the footprint of the organization beyond the downtown.
The MBA board bought into the idea and the Medina Area Partnership was formed with the goal of involving businesses and organizations which might not be located within the village limits, but which had an interest and/or impact on Medina. MAP has membership categories for businesses, such as Takeform on Maple Ridge Road, on the outskirts of Medina, and the village of Lyndonville. They want to help any area community which is struggling, because a local community which is not excelling is not good for Medina, Robinson said.
“We are trying to be a resource during a troubling time,” he said.
Members of MAP knew how hard it has been for local businesses during the pandemic when stores were mostly closed down, and several annual events had to be canceled. These included the Medina Lions popular village-wide community yard sale, which brought hundreds to Medina, and the accompanying chicken barbecue.
So Ann Fisher-Bale, a member of MAP’s Event Committee, contacted Medina Lions and asked if they would like to partner with MAP and do a chicken barbecue in conjunction with a downtown Medina sidewalk sale. Of course, the answer was “yes.”
The sidewalk sale will take place at numerous stores in downtown Medina, while the chicken barbecue will be drive-through only at the Medina Senior Center on West Avenue.
The sidewalk sale hours will vary by store, while the chicken barbecue will be sold from 11 a.m. until sold out.
Tickets are available presale from any Lions member, Creekside Florist, Filomena’s Treasures and Herbalty Cottage. Some will also be available the day of the sale.
Lions member Jim Hancock said being allowed to use the Senior Center is a perfect setup for them. If it rains, they will be able to assemble the take-outs inside, while the public can drive in on one side, stay in their car and drive out the other side.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 July 2020 at 7:54 am
Safety precautions will be in place for event at Shelridge
Photo by Ginny Kropf: McCarthy Lang, an employee of Shelridge Country Club, holds one of the towels which will be included in gift packets for the record number of golfers signed up for Orleans County United Way’s golf tournament Aug. 14.
MEDINA – When United Way of Orleans County decided to go ahead with their annual golf tournament, they knew extraordinary measures would have to be taken to ensure everyone’s safety.
United Way director Dean Bellack and Shelridge Country Club’s manager Brett Decker knew they could pull it off.
The big question was, would golfers feel safe enough to come out and support it?
Bellack and the United Way board are ecstatic to report the golf tournament is a sellout, with a maximum of 32 teams signed up.
“I take my responsibility seriously and that includes the image of our agency in the county,” Bellack said. “Most other charities canceled their fundraising events this year. We are the only golf tournament to date, and because of that we have a very large event, which will be safe and will help us in our mission to serve the Orleans County community.”
After conferring with Decker, Bellack announced the following changes.
Golfers will not enter the building to be registered. Golfers will go directly to their carts upon arriving, where staff, with masks on, will sign them in. Carts will be spread out significantly so safe distancing is maintained.
A basket raffle is always part of the golf tournament, but tickets for the raffle this year will only be sold when golfers sign in. They will be able to enter the clubhouse to put tickets in the baskets when they move from the third to the fourth hole, and only one foursome at a time will have access to the baskets.
As an added note, United Way is still accepting donations of baskets, from any of our partner agencies or from anyone who wishes to support United Way’s endeavor. Anyone who would like to donate a basket may call Bellack at (585) 721-6716 and someone will pick it up.
Lunch will be served on course.
Dinner will no longer be a sit-down affair in the club house. It will be a chicken barbecue in a box to go. If some golfers would like to stay and eat, seating for about 45 people will be available.
Bellack added there are still opportunities for hole sponsorships and anyone who would like to support United Way by becoming a hole sponsor may contact him at the above number.
Prizes will be announced immediately after the tournament.
Bellack stressed how important this golf tournament is to United Way and its mission to help the agencies it supports in Orleans County. The golf tournament, which originally began decades ago as the Van Hungerford Memorial Golf Tournament, is United Way’s biggest fundraiser. The late Van Hungerford is credited for starting a community organization which eventually became United Way.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2020 at 2:13 pm
MEDINA – The Orleans County Legislature has accepted the construction bid for work on a bridge in Medina on East Oak Orchard Street.
C.P. Ward of Scottsville will do preventative maintenance on the bridge for $352,008. The county also approved a contract with Labella Associates in Rochester for up to $63,000. Labella will provide construction support, construction inspection, and estimating and technical assumptions for the project.
Federal funds are covering 80 percent of the total project costs, while the state contributes 15 percent through Marchiselli program and the county pays 5 percent.
The total project cost breakdown includes $411,408 from federal government, $77,083 from state and a county cost of $25,694.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2020 at 9:44 pm
‘I feel very fortunate to be able to see all of my friends again’
Photos by Tom Rivers
GASPORT – Thomas Vazquez and Morgan Greco make their entrance and walk down the red carpet during Medina’s senior prom this evening at Becker Farms in Gasport.
The event was planned for June 12 but was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions on crowd sizes. Medina capped this evening’s event at up 150 people.
Michael Cavanagh, the high school principal, said about 110 students attended the event, and there were also teachers and other chaperones.
He met with student leaders last month who were adamant they wanted the prom, even if it was pushed back into the summer.
“The voices of the students were loud and clear: they wanted one more chance to be together,” Cavanagh said.
There were some restrictions at the event, including no dancing.
A formal dinner was planned at Becker Farms, the crowning of prom royalty and each senior received a “swag bag.”
Trevor Luthart and Devin Griffen walk the red carpet and get their photo taken by many people.
Mary Flores checks a message on her phone while waiting for the event to start. She appreciated that the prom was able to happen when so many other proms were cancelled by other schools or venues due to Covid-19.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to see all of my friends again,” she said.
Kody Leno and Margaret Klotzbach are all smiles on the red carpet. Leno was the valedictorian of the Class of 2019, and Klotzbach is this year’s salutatorian.
Rylend Callicutt and Tessa Pecoraro make their entrance in front of the paparazzi.
Hannah Heil and August Pietrafesa were dates for the formal occasion.
Brilliance Johnson escorts Chloe Nashwenter down the red carpet.
Tyesha Robinson and Sarah Sones said they are grateful Medina found a way to keep the prom.
The red carpet as it appears after everyone made their entrances and settled in for dinner.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2020 at 4:02 pm
Photo courtesy of Orleans County 4-H program: Members of the Abundant Harvest 4-H Club made these clothing and other home economics projects. They are on display at Blissett’s Specialty Shop in Medina.
MEDINA – Orleans County 4-H kids won’t be able to display their work at the fair this year after the annual event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Trolley Building at the fairgrounds normally displays clothing and other home economics projects by children in the 4-H program.
With no fair, the 4-H program has connected with businesses in Albion and Medina to display the work by the kids. The exhibits will also be shown at some of the local libraries.
Blissett’s Specialty Shop on Main Street in Medina is the first site to show the 4-H work. More locations will be added the next three weeks, said Kristina Gabalski, the 4-H coordinator.
“This effort gives our 4-H members a chance to share their projects with the community, while still holding onto them for evaluation next year,” Gabalski said. “I think people enjoy seeing the projects at fair, and this allows them to safely view some of the projects this year with the absence of fair.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2020 at 1:49 pm
Planning Board will decide if mural stays, and if 2 more are appropriate
Photos by Tom Rivers: The new mural of the Canalligator has been popular on social media. The large painting is on the back of a building in an alley off Proctor Place, a block from Main Street.
MEDINA – A mural on a cinder block building in a Medina alley is already popular on the Instagram and TikTok social media sites. The “Canalligator” stretches out about 50 feet, and shows an alligator lounging by the canal, holding a “Go Bills” flag.
Tim Meyers, a Buffalo based artist, finished the project about two weeks ago.
“Everybody that has seen it loves it and says it looks amazing,” said Edee Hoffmeister, owner of Celebrity Day Spa.
The mural is partly on the back of her building and also a building owned by the Tom Fenton Trust. The total mural is about 75 feet long, and includes some boarded up windows.
The village code enforcement office said the project was done without a proper permit and notification to the village.
Provided photo: This is how the site looked before the project.
Dan Gardner, the village code enforcement officer, sent a letter on July 10 to the Tom Fenton Trust and the Hoffmeister, saying the mural was out of compliance and failed to get a certificate of appropriateness from the Village of Medina Planning Board. The project shouldn’t have started without an application being submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer, who then submits the application to the Planning Board, according to the letter.
The village code states a certificate of appropriateness is needed for any exterior alterations in the Historic Preservation District when those alterations are visible from a public street or alley, and the project “affects the appearance and cohesiveness of the Historic Preservation District.”
The village Planning Board will consider the matter during its Aug. 4 meeting at 7 p.m.
The Form Foundation, a non profit devoted to public arts projects in Medina, spearheaded the project. The group would like to do two other murals this year in Medina in the area near Proctor Place, a block off Main Street. The group will ask the Planning Board to approve those projects on Aug. 4.
The mural includes several boarded up windows on the back of a building.
One of the proposed new murals would be on cinder blocks on the back of a building owned by Rita Zambito on Proctor Place, close to Pearl Street.
Another mural is planned for a cinder block building at the corner of Pearl Street and West Avenue.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari said the village current expectations for murals are they should have a historic theme, connecting to Medina’s past.
The Canalligator mural may fit the historic theme, anyway. There is local lore of an alligator in the canal at one time. Tim Meyers, who goes by “Murkedelic” in his social media, was able to create a mural of the canal and the alligator.
“I haven’t heard anything bad about it,” Hoffmeister said. “I love it. It looks way better than they did.”
The mural is in the back parking area for her employees. But she said people from Buffalo have been showing up to look at the mural.
The Form Foundation has raised $38,000 for public murals. The group would like to change them every two to three years with a yearly festival to planned around the painting of the murals.
The group says it wants to clean up blighted, non-historic structures “in a progressive way young families and professionals would be attracted to.”
Tim Meyers, who goes by Murkedelic with his social media, created the mural on the back of Celebrity Day Spa.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2020 at 9:33 pm
Governor shouldn’t punish entire industry based on violators, group says
MEDINA – A group of Medina business owners who serve alcohol have sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, urging him not to follow through with a threat on Monday that would order all bars and restaurants to shut down if there continues to be flagrant violations with social distancing and not wearing masks.
The coalition of Medina business owners said the governor would be “unjustly” punishing many businesses who have worked to follow the rules, and implemented numerous precautions to protect the public from Covid-19.
The letter is signed by Scott Robinson, president of Medina Area Partnership; Michael Zambito, owner of Zambistro; Alexandra Gilman, owner of Shirt Factory; Leonel Rosario, owner of Mariachi De Oro; Bryan & Larissa DeGraw, owners of 810 Meadworks; Brian Christiaansen, owner of Mark’s Pizzeria in Medina; Wendy Wilson and John Oakes of Leonard Oakes Estate Winery; Tim Hungerford and Teresa Misiti, owners of Mile 303, Brody Hoffmeister, owner of Rudy’s Diner; and Katie Misiti and Travis Hartway of Sourced Market & Eatery.
“Our Upstate New York community has been part of a vibrant renaissance in recent years, one we hope to maintain during these challenging times,” the group writes in the letter. “However, we all know it won’t be easy.”
The group said the prospect of restaurants being forced to close would be “unimaginable.”
The governor says many bars and restaurants are putting public health at risk with large social gatherings. Last Thursday he announced a new executive order where bars and restaurants can’t serve alcohol only. Customers also need to order food.
The governor said his goal was to prevent “hobnobbing” where customers don’t stay put at a table but instead move about the crowd.
On Monday, after seeing widespread reports and posts on social media of large crowds at bars and restaurants, Cuomo said the state is close to ordering those establishments close down.
“If you choose closure, it unjustly punishes those of us who are spending everyday to make sure our patrons, staff, and community remain safe. We don’t just think about those within our designated areas, but we’re constantly thinking about those around us.
The group said the Orleans County community and state have worked hard to reduce the number of Covid-19 infections, deaths and hospitalizations.
“COVID-19 is not gone, New York is not in the clear, and we believe concerns of another wave hitting our state,” the Medina business owners write in the letter. “At this moment, we can only do our best to continue using the guidance your administration has provided and act as frontline workers to make sure others follow these safety mitigation measures.”
‘We implore you to continue using a regional approach throughout the state, rather than punishing some of us for the indiscretions of others.’
The Medina businesses have displayed “Wear a Mask” signs, posted frequently on Facebook with guidance for dining, posted Instagram images of staff wearing masks, put down floor markers outlining social distancing, and had nonstop discussions with patrons about staying seated.
The businesses have measured the distance between seats/tables/walkways, and countless other items have been added to the business operations.
“Your recent decision that mandates food accompanying alcoholic beverages was just another item we collectively added to our list,” the letter states. “The majority of us realized this step was to address a real concern that could set all of us back. If you think it’s frustrating that rules are being followed, imagine how those of us who are following them feel.”
The Medina business owners said it will take all establishments and their customers to adhere to the guidance and stop the spread of Covid-19.
“We’re not going to beat the pandemic as individuals, but by coming together as a team,” the business owners wrote to the governor. “While we’ll continue to look out for our neighboring businesses who are abiding by the rules, we need you to look out for us and allow us the opportunity to build ourselves back up.”
The group thanked the governor for his leadership and asked for his consideration during these challenging times.
“There is still a long road ahead and none of us know what the coming months will hold,” they wrote in the letter. “We implore you to continue using a regional approach throughout the state, rather than punishing some of us for the indiscretions of others.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 July 2020 at 12:15 pm
Kristine Mostyn says books remain popular, including with teens
Photos by Tom Rivers: Kristine Mostyn is the new director of the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. She was the assistant director for 10 years under Catherine Cooper, who retired last month after 33 years at Lee-Whedon.
MEDINA – The new director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library said the site on West Avenue has changed to offer more electronic materials and online programming. But she said books are still very popular, including among teen-agers.
Kristine Mostyn took over as director last month, following the retirement of Catherine Cooper, who worked at the library for 33 years.
Mostyn, 39, was the assistant director the past 10 years. She sat down for an interview on Friday in the “Teen Space” at the library, a spot with chairs and books for teenagers.
Question: Why stay here? It seems you have built up a resume and could go elsewhere?
Answer: I could and over the years there have been some offers from other libraries, asking me to apply there. But I really love the feel of Medina. It is a great community. It is very involved. All the businesses try to help each other. And the library and the people that work here are wonderful.
Question: Over the past 10 years this place has become more snazzy. How would describe these changes, how one big room has been several spots?
Answer: We made little spaces. We tried to do that because when you come in it is a giant room. It is nice to have that small feel, that it feels comfortable like you are at home.
Question: I’m sure people are wondering of the winter concert series, Finally Fridays, will keep happening?
Answer: I hope it will. We have plans to continue it as long as we are able to.
Question: That is an amazing thing that you get 200 people in here for those concerts on a Friday in February.
Is that unusual here at Lee-Whedon in creating the spaces, embracing artwork and having the concerts? It’s not just books and magazines.
Answer: We want to offer games and anything the people in the community want and need a space for. That is what we want to try to offer.
Question: I know you have a smaller meeting room. Is there local history in there?
Answer: There is. Right now it isn’t open. We call it the quiet room.
Question: What is your annual circulation and how has that been affected with e-Books, etc.
Answer: Our circulation is around 86,000. With electronics going up some of our print collections are going down. People are still borrowing materials, it’s just a different format.
Question: What do you see as the library of the future, or even the next five to ten years, if there will be big changes?
Answer: I don’t think there will be because overall electronic use has actually plateaued. The younger generation prefers books. There are times when they want a device when they are traveling for ease of use, but the teen-agers that are coming in are taking books so I don’t know that the print collection will change a whole lot.
Question: Why do you think that is?
Answer: It may have to do with them being on their devices so much that it’s a break from that.
Question: It looks like you still get a lot of new books. Have you had to shift some dollars away from books to electronics?
Answer: Our book budget has stayed fairly consistent. But how we divide it up between electronics and print changes. I know our Hoopla collection, which is online books and audio, with movies and TV shows on there, that used to be paid by the Nioga Library System. But starting in January, because the price has gone up so much, they can no longer do that. So we’re going to be taking on that cost which will be coming out of book budget.
Lee-Whedon has decals on the floor to encourage social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. This one near the entrance tells people not to proceed if they have flu-like symptoms. The library returned to its regular hours on July 6.
Question: I should ask you about Covid. I see the Plexiglass dividers at the circulation desk. I wonder what other changes you’ve made to be open to the public.
Answer: So we’ve purchased all of the floor stickers for social distancing. We’ve added additional hand sanitizing stations. We’ve provided face masks and face shields to our staff.
Question: Why face shields?
Answer: Some people don’t like having the mask on all day. Having the piece across their forehead is easier for them to tolerate. Also it is clear for people who are hard of hearing. They can at least see your lips to try to hear what you’re saying better.
We of course have to disinfect all the chairs and tables. We have carts in the foyer. We have to leave everything out there for three days before we can bring it in and check it in and put it back on the shelf.
Question: Is the idea that saves you from cleaning it with cleaning products?
Answer: Yes. They’re saying for the paper and plastic with books if you let them sit for 72 hours, anything that is on there should die.
Question: You reopened how recently?
Answer: Curbside started in May, then in beginning of June we started doing by appointment. You could come in for up to half an hour, and browse and leave. The second half hour we would take to sanitize everything.
On July 6, we started to be open for our regular hours and people could come and go.
Question: When I get up from this chair will someone have to come over and sanitize it?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Have you seen a significant drop in people coming in so far?
Answer: There is a significant drop. We’ve been talking about it. Some people aren’t aware that we are open. We have it up on social media, on our web site, and I’ve put an ad in the Pennysaver. We just added another sign outside that we are open, and please come on in.
We think some people are still afraid. They are just not sure. We have a lot of parents coming in without kids because they don’t want to take a chance with their kids being exposed to anything. So I think people are afraid.
Question: I think the interloan library program has resumed.
Answer: It has not resumed. They’re just not ready to start that yet. We are getting deliveries, but it’s just our books being returned to us, and we have to isolate those for 72 hours as well.
Kristine Mostyn is pictured with Samantha Covis, the new assistant director. Covis was a desk clerk the past three years. She has a master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois.
Question: Are you happy to be in this line of work?
Answer: I love it. I order books, I order the DVDs for the collection. I see the numbers for what people are borrowing. I get to talk to people about what they like and try to make sure our collection reflects the community.
Question: It seems like all the libraries in our county have stepped it up with their facilities and programs. They aren’t just passive sites.
Answer: Correct. We aren’t just stagnating. When we closed on March 16, we had no intention of having online programming for summer because we’ve never had to. We’ve always done in-house. While we were closed we instituted all new software that all the staff had to learn while they were home.
Now we’re offering on-line summer reading, which is actually turning out really well.
Suzanne (McAllister, the children’s librarian) and I were both doing videos on Facebook. Parents could in and pick up a kit for their kids, and bring it home and do it with us through a video. They log their reading online on our beanstalk site.
Question: What else is there to say?
Answer: We have hired a new assistant director, Samantha Covis.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Mark Cye, chief executive officer for Orleans Community Health, is pictured by Medina Memorial Hospital in this photo from April 2018. He has been the CEO of the OCH and Medina memorial Hospital since January 2018.
MEDINA — Mark Cye, CEO/CFO of Orleans Community Health, has resigned effective July 28. Cye joined Orleans Community Health as chief financial officer a little over five years ago and has held the duel title of CEO/CFO for over two years.
Cye, who was trained in finance, was presented with an opportunity to secure the CFO position at Warren General Hospital, which is an $80 million operation in Warren, Pa.
Cye has enjoyed his time and roles at Orleans Community Health and is excited to get back to the finance role. Cye credits the hospital’s movement in the right direction, over the past couple years, to the continuous support of the staff at Orleans Community Health.
In the past two years the hospital has been able to improve financially and has been able to provide new programs and services to the community such as the Wound Care Center, podiatry, and the nursing home achieving a four-star rating with the New York State Department of Health.
Mark Shurtz, the current chief information officer and corporate compliance officer, will be stepping up as the interim CEO. Cye is confident with Shurtz’s ability to fulfill this role as he has been working closely with Cye over the past year.
Shurtz has been with Orleans Community Health as the CIO and corporate compliance officer since 2014. He brings with him 20 years of management experience spanning across military, legal and healthcare backgrounds.
He is looking forward to the continued support of our staff and is excited at the opportunity to work with the community and find ways to keep Orleans Community Health a valuable asset for the community.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 July 2020 at 9:02 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Volunteers are ready to put three boxes of food in either car trunks or on truck beds during a food distribution at Medina High School today.
This was the first time the Foodlink distribution was at Medina High School. Previously, the old Medina High School on Catherine Street hosted the event, with Calvary Tabernacle Church leading the effort.
There were long lines in village side streets during the distribution last month at the former high school.
The boxes were stacked high at the start of the distribution.
Today, people entered the driveway at Oak Orchard Elementary School and followed an on-campus road past the middle to high school. That location kept the cars and trucks from waiting on village streets.
Volunteers were also able to split the line into two at the high school, which kept the process moving quickly.
Volunteers helped today from Calvary Tabernacle, the Orleans County YMCA, Office for the Aging, Medina Lions Club, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Orleans Community Health, Kalos Health in Niagara Falls, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina and the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Tom Robinson, a retired Medina school counselor, volunteered with the distribution. Susie Miller, Office for the Aging assistant director, carries one of the 25-pound boxes to a vehicle. Each vehicle received three boxes today – mixed dairy, cooked meat and produce.
The schedule until the end of August for the food distributions includes:
Wednesday, July 22 – at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 31 in Knowlesville (includes one box of produce), 10 a.m. until gone
Friday, July 24 – in Albion at Community Action Main Street Store, 9:30 a.m. until gone
Friday, July 31 – in Holley, location to be announced, 9:30 a.m. until gone
Friday, August 7 – in Albion at Community Action Main Street Store, 9:30 a.m. until gone
Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 31 in Knowlesville (includes one box of produce), 10 a.m. until gone
Friday, Aug. 14 – in Medina at school district, 9:30 a.m. until gone
Friday, Aug. 21 – in Albion at Community Action Main Street Store, 9:30 a.m. until gone
Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 31 in Knowlesville (includes one box of produce), 10 a.m. until gone
Friday, Aug. 29 – in Holley, location to be determined, 9:30 a.m. until gone
Kurt Strickland directs traffic to split into two separate lines.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 July 2020 at 3:45 pm
MEDINA – The school district welcomes applicants for a vacant position of the Boar dof Education following the resignation of Kellie Schrader-Hurrell.
Interested residents need to submit a letter of interest addressed to President Arlene Pawlaczyk, no later than July 31, at her email address: apawlaczyk@medinacsd.org. Or a letter of interest can be mailed to her attention at the District Office, One Mustang Drive, Medina, NY 14103.
Candidates will be interviewed by the Board of Education and could be appointed at the Aug. 10 Board of Education meeting. The individual will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
Candidates for the volunteer position need to be at least 18, a qualified voter in the school district and a legal resident of the district for a continuous and uninterrupted period of at least one year.
For more information on the position and the responsibilities of a Board of Education member, click here.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Cassandra Wengewicz and her father-in-law Scott Wengewicz are pictured inside Mystic Dragon’s Lair at 339 North Main St. They opened the business on Main Street in February.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2020 at 11:34 am
Metaphysical store has products at storefront, and runs popular Facebook Live sales
MEDINA — Scott Wengewicz has enjoyed mining rocks and crystal as a hobby for many years. The retired Border Patrol agent says rocks can be colorful, and they have energy which can have a calming effect on people, and also help them to work through grief or overcome fears.
Wengewicz, 58, is connected with other miners and he decided to sell quartz, gemstones, crystals and other products in a business from his basement.
He started in September and the business, Mystic Dragon’s Lair, quickly took off.
“We like dragons and we were selling from our basement which felt like a lair,” he said about the business’s name.
Cassandra Wengewicz holds a scenic quartz ball that has been cut and polished.
Mystic has nearly 5,000 Facebook followers. It’s Facebook live sale on Saturday had 1,400 comments. It does Facebook live sales on Tuesdays at noon and Saturdays at 10 p.m.
Those Facebook live sales fuel the business with buyers from all over the country, the United Kingdom, Australian and New Zealand.
Wengewicz needed more space for Mystic Dragon’s Lair. In February, he opened a storefront with lots of storage and packing space at 339 North Main Street in Medina.
The metaphysical store draws in-person customers from Western New York. They walk in and there is an aroma of incense, which is available for sale.
“The incense is calming and relaxing,” said Cassandra Wengewicz, Scott’s daughter-in-law who works with him in the business. “And it’s safer than a candle.”
Scott Wengewicz holds Mangano Calcite under ultraviolent light. The rock can help people let go of grief and fear.
Many people like to browse and see the crystals, rocks and other merchandise. Some of the crystals are cut and polished into the shape of crosses or skulls.
Not everything can be shipped. Mystic sells large clusters of quartz that needs to be handled with care.
Mystic sells dragon figurines, gargoyles, Buddha statues, bracelets with different properties, salt lamps, and about 50 types of rocks.
“Every rock has its own energy – whether people can feel it or not,” Scott said.
Mystic Dragon’s Lair sells about 50 different types of rocks.
Those rocks come in many sizes. Many of them are colorful and they look like giant jellybeans.
Those smaller rocks can be carried in a purse or pocket.
“It brings peace of mind,” said Cassandra, 29, a Lyndonville native.
She keeps a Healerite stone in her pocket and she believes it has helped her with her arthritic hips, reducing the pain.
Cassandra Wengewicz is shown with the “singing bowls” in the Reiki Room. The bowls send out pitches that help people think clearly.
Mystic encourages people to go to the doctor and follow medical advice. Scott Wengewicz said natural healing is a growing movement, with people seeking to better understand their bodies and how they can improve their health without totally relying on pharmaceuticals.
Cassandra has two bachelor’s degrees, in criminal justice and biology. The business allows her to be home more with her two children. And she said Mystic makes a difference for their customers.
“We want to help people and bring them happiness,” she said.
Mystic has another employee, Jennifer Storelli, who leads the Reiki Room, promoting natural healing and helping people to slow down, reduce stress and connect to positive energy.
The store also sells raw honey from Scott’s farm, Scokat Farms. He has been a commercial beekeeper for several years. He started working with bees when he was 15, making his own honey.
Mystic is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here to see its Facebook page.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2020 at 9:23 am
MEDINA – A male suspect is at large after robbing Crosby’s in Medina last night at 1 a.m.
The suspect displayed a knife and demanded cash, said Lt. Todd Draper of the Medina Police Department.
The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money. No employees were injured. Attempts to locate the suspect were unsuccessful and the investigation is ongoing, Draper said.
