Photos and information courtesy of Community Action
MEDINA – The 6th annual Parade of Lights Toy Drive resulted in 16 big bags filled with donated toys and $160 in donations. Canalside Tattoo was the collection point for the donations.
Pictured from left include Matt Rolfe; Shawn Ramsey, owner Canalside Tattoo and organizer of the effort; Megan Furness; CJ Cruickshank; James Christian and Andrew London.
The toys and money were given to MAAC and Community Action, which then distribute the toys to many local children and families for Christmas.
Pictured left to right include Community Action of Orleans and Genesee representatives: Melinda Daniels, Richard Standish, Jacqualyn Dunham, Ernest Gurrslin, Quarmaine Winters and Sherry Touhey of MACC, representing Medina Area Association of Churches.
We are extremely grateful to the community and to Canalside Tattoo for making sure more children will experience a better Christmas this year, every gift and every penny is appreciated. Community Action and MAAC representatives said.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Trust, a community endowment, just completed its eleventh year of making small grants to local programs, projects and organizations and the total in grants over that period comes to nearly $55,000 plus $8,000 in scholarships.
We’re pleased to announce the organizations selected in 2022 – each receiving $500 for their projects.
• Beds from Brian, Inc. to provide Pack n’ Plays, fitted sheets, pajamas, blankets and bed pillows for children in need through Care Net Center, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern and Holy Trinity Outreach requests for the 2022 holiday season.
• Boxwood Cemetery Commission to help offset the cost of rehabbing the stained glass window in the Silas Mainville Burroughs Memorial Chapel at Boxwood Cemetery.
• Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern to their client services fund which provides assistance with services including prescription co-pays, personal hygiene items, dental care and short-term emergency housing.
• Joint Recreation Commission to help with the cost of summer programs which include Arts & Crafts and several field trips.
• OCALS Learning Services to purchase advertising and public relations materials to be used in seeking new students and volunteer tutors.
• YMCA to assist in covering the costs of scholarships, funding for field trips, special events and guest speakers for youth in the YMCA Summer Day Camp and Kinder Camp.
• Orleans Renaissance Group to erect an interpretive sign in State Street Park to honor the Burroughs family who resided on the property in the nineteenth century.
• P.Raising Kids Child Care Center to help with the cost of installing a CCTV security system.
• Go Art! to help with the cost of the 2023 Day of the Dead Celebration.
• Medina Historical Society for funds to cover historical program speaker and publicity costs.
Donations to help grow the Medina Sandstone Trust can be made at any time to the Sandstone Society, Post Office Box 25, Medina, NY 14103. Or, make an online donation at our website’s Gift Shop. Gifts to this 501(c)(3) are tax deductible.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2022 at 8:26 pm
MEDINA – The Village Board will take comments during a public hearing on Jan. 9 for making the intersection of West Avenue and West Oak Orchard Street a 4-way stop.
The village currently has a traffic light there. But resident Mat Mosher told the Village Board on Monday that light doesn’t seem to be needed, especially since the school district put in a road linking the campus, keeping some traffic off village streets.
Board members think many in the community may agree with Mosher and set a public hearing for 7 p.m. on Jan. 9.
The board changed one of the intersections nearby from a traffic light to a 4-way stop. The board in October 2020 made Gwinn and West Oak Orchard a 4-way stop, making the traffic light blinking red and adding stop signs.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Pack 18 of Gasport makes its way down Main Street during Saturday’s Parade of Lights, when about 40 different floats were part of the spectacle.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2022 at 9:47 am
MEDINA – The annual Parade of Lights, which drew several thousand people to Medina’s downtown, was more than a popular community event.
The parade also showed a community with lots of pride, and that display is noticed by developers looking to come into Medina, said Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
She commended the village – its officials, employees, the organizations, businesses and residents – for Saturday’s Christmas festival.
“It is very important,” she said about well-run and well-attended festivals. “For some of the companies, it is very significant. You can tell they are impressed.”
Mahar Excavating & Septic in Gasport was back with another big effort with its parade float.
The parade was an hour and 15 minutes. It was preceded by fireworks and a full day of activities in the downtown, as well as the popular Polar Express train rides at the Medina Railroad Museum.
Barone spoke at Monday’s Village Board meeting and said the entire package in Medina was impressive and will help the EDA in its pitch to prospective businesses considering Medina.
“They see the sincerity of it,” Barone said about the parade and the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration. “I know it takes a lot of effort, but you should be proud of yourselves.”
Several fire departments, including East Shelby, decorated trucks in lights.
Mayor Mike Sidari said he received compliments “all over Western New York” about the parade and events on Saturday.
He said the village employees put in a long day’s work, setting and cleaning up, and also providing traffic control and other services.
Trustee Owen Toale said Saturday’s events, in 50-degree weather, showcased a busy downtown.
“It was magical with people going from store to store during the day and with the parade,” Toale said. “I only hope we are building even more for next year.”
Toale praised Jim Hancock, the parade committee chairman, and other volunteers for all of the work.
Beyond Mobility in Medina was among the businesses that decorated floats for the parade. Beyond Mobility installs wheelchair ramps, lifts, grab bars and other equipment to help people with mobility.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 November 2022 at 3:38 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: The snail at Pine Street Park, and another one at Butts Park, were sold through an online auction with the bids accepted on Monday by the Village Board.
MEDINA – The Village Board accepted five bids on Monday through an online auction, including one for the snail jungle gym that was at Pine Street Park.
The snail sold for $2,025. It was purchased by an undisclosed buyer from Medina, village officials said.
An online auction run by Government Deals also sold a 1990 Vermeer 1250 brush chipper for $4,550; a straight blade snow plow for $651; another snail jungle gym that was at Butts Park for $310 (this one didn’t have its eyes); and the merry-go-round at State Street Park for $111.
The total for the five items was $10,472.
The village moved to sell the snails from the playgrounds after the village’s insurance carrier said any claims from people who were injured on the snails would not be covered by insurance. The snails were removed in the summer.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 November 2022 at 9:51 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Faye Conley is the events coordinator for Bent’s Opera House, which houses Harvest Restaurant and 10 boutique hotel rooms as well as the performing arts and events space on the third floor.
MEDINA – Faye Conley, new event coordinator at Bent’s Opera House, is excited about all the new activities she is planning for the historic remodeled opera house.
The opera house has already hosted an opera singer and baroque musician, a band, a singing duo and swing dancing. The swing dancing has proven so popular, dancers are coming from Buffalo and Rochester. They will continue one Thursday a month.
Several new events are planned for the holidays. The Polar Express on Saturday was played on the large screen in the upper-level performing arts and events center.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4, children are invited to have brunch with Santa at Harvest Restaurant, located on the first floor of the opera house. Santa will have a small gift for each child. Reservations may be made by visiting www.harvestatbent.com.
Finally, the public is invited to spend New Year’s Eve at Bent’s Opera House and enjoy an evening of The Great Gatsby. The event will run from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and feature a night of music, dancing, food and beverages. Attendees are encouraged to wear attire of the 1920s era.
Live music will be provided by The Swooners. The evening will include desserts and a cash bar, welcome champagne and the live ball drop from New York City shown on the large screen.
Party goers are also invited to make it a one-stop evening. Dining at Harvest Restaurant will feature a special New Year’s Eve menu, with serving from 5 to 9 p.m. Then after dancing all evening in the opera house, attendees can go to their room on the second floor and spend the night in one of the 10 uniquely designed hotel rooms. Reservations are encouraged early, as tickets are limited.
Photos by Tom Rivers: This float in Medina’s Parade of Lights was created by the “Medina Misfits” who are led by Tom Snyder, a seven-year veteran of the Navy and owner of Medina Lumber and Hardware. Snyder gave a sizable donation to allow for 1,000 wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves in Medina cemeteries on Dec. 17.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 November 2022 at 8:28 am
MEDINA – A generous donation by a Medina businessman and Navy veteran will result in 1,000 wreaths being placed in Boxwood, St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Cemeteries on Dec. 17, Wreaths Across America Day.
When Kathy Blackburn, president of Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, started Wreaths Across American in 2013 in Medina, her goal was to have a wreath for every veteran in the three cemeteries.
The American Legion and VFW joined in a Wreaths Across America ceremony honoring veterans on Dec. 18, 2021 at Boxwood Cemetery. Pictured from left include Dave Morien, Dave Berry and Dave Wells. There were 315 wreaths in Medina last year for Wreaths Across America.
This year that goal will come close to being realized with the purchase of 1,000 wreaths to be placed in the three cemeteries.
This is a big jump from the seven free wreaths received the first year and the 315 purchased last year.
The reason for the big increase this year is the donation from Medina businessman Tom Snyder, a seven-year veteran of the Navy and owner of Medina Lumber and Hardware.
Wreaths Across America Day is the third Saturday in December. After last year’s observance on Dec. 18, the national organization announced that anyone who bought a wreath for 2022 would get two for the price of one, as long as the purchase was made within 30 days of Dec. 18.
An unspecified number have still been purchased by individual donations from the community, but Snyder’s donation allowed Medina to more than triple the number of wreaths for veterans’ graves in the three cemeteries.
The challenge now is to get volunteers to lay the wreaths in the Dec. 17 ceremony, Blackburn said. She is asking school groups, Scouts, civic organizations, churches, clubs and families to come out and help with this project to honor all of the area’s veterans. She reminds everyone to wear warm clothing, boots and mittens.
Those who want to volunteer to place a wreath can call Blackburn at (585) 734-5801.
A short ceremony will begin at noon at Boxwood Cemetery and then the wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2022 at 5:50 pm
Metz’s Family Christmas takes grand prize for 2nd year in a row
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Metz family in Medina won the grand prize in Medina’s Parade of Lights on Saturday, committee chairman Jim Hancock announced this afternoon.
Judges awarded Metz’s Family Christmas the top honor and a $500 grand prize for a float that had 15,000 lights and tried to depict National Lampoon’s Vacation including “Cousin Eddie” from the movie.
The family tied a big Christmas tree to a car, paying homage to a famous scene in National Lampoon’s Vacation when the Griswold family tied a big tree to a station wagon. The Metz family is shown getting their float ready in the staging area at the Olde Pickle Factory’s parking lot.
Dan Metz said the family enjoys celebrating Christmas and wanted to share that passion with the community.
There were about 40 entries in the parade with floats, fire trucks and marching bands.
Best In Class – Fire Company – Shelby Volunteer Fire Company
Shelby decorated a fire truck and had a mini-house on a trailer with firefighters.
Best in Class – Not-For-Profit – Niagara County 4 H Equine Program
Best In Class – Service Group – Roy-Hart FFA
The Roy-Hart students dressed in penguin costumes. They sent a message to reduce, reuse and recycle and try to protect penguins from Global Warming.
Best in Class – Business – Eye of Oden K9 Training
Best in Class – Religious – Community Fellowship Church. The church had a float with a message about God, Country and Family.
Best in Class – Orleans Niagara BOCES
Santa’s Pick (the float that in the judges’ opinion they think Santa would pick) – Orleans YMCA, with a float highlighting the kayaking and electric bikes offered by the organization.
Littlest Elf Award (the float that best incorporates youth into the entry) – Cobblestone Girl Scouts
Star Award (for the float that is most creative) – Oak Orchard Yacht Club
Community Spirit Award (float that bests demonstrates a sense of spirit within the community) – Medina Misfits. This group is highlighting the Wreaths Across America program with a goal to have each veteran’s grave in Medina have a wreath. This year the Wreaths Across America ceremony is on Dec. 17.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2022 at 12:37 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: From left, Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Parade of Lights chairman Jim Hancock and Grand Marshal Georgia Thomas chat on the reviewing stand before opening ceremonies to kick off the 14th annual Parade of Lights on Saturday night.
MEDINA – Christmas in Medina on Saturday could go down in history as a record-breaker – from crowds of people and 50-degree temperatures to an impressive 40-plus floats in the Parade of Lights.
The day began with the 5K race, which exceeded sponsor’s hope of more than 100 runners, followed by a pet parade and arrival of Santa Claus at noon, sales and special holiday events in downtown stores throughout the day, and capped off with fireworks and the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m.
Throughout the day, people filled the streets and lined up to enter stores. At the Coffee Pot Café, where lines extended to the door, Dan Rosentreter and his husband Hans rushed to fill orders.
“It has been extremely busy all day,” Hans said. “This is exciting.”
Hans also works full time at Creekside Florist, where he said they were also very busy all day.
At 5:30 p.m., Prime Time Brass, a regular participant in the Parade of Lights, played Christmas tunes in the alley behind Rotary Park, where just prior to the 6 p.m. start of the parade, Tom Hungerford, vice president of sales at Takeform, presented Mayor Mike Sidari with the keys to a new sleigh the company made for Santa.
“It took two engineers, a designer and a year of work, but we have a new sleigh,” Hungerford said.
Sidari accepted the key, saying the sleigh will provide holiday cheer to the community for years to come.
(Left) Tom Hungerford, vice president of sales at Takeform, presents a key to Medina Mayor Mike Sidari for the sleigh his company made for Santa Claus. (Right) Georgia Thomas, Grand Marshal of Medina’s 14th annual Parade of Lights, talks about her love of Medina, after being introduced by parade chairman Jim Hancock, prior to start of the parade.
Parade Grand Marshal Georgia Thomas was introduced by parade chairman Jim Hancock, after which she shared why she was honored to be chosen as Grand Marshall.
“When I watch TV and they talk about the best small towns in America, they miss the really best one – Medina,” Thomas said. “In my opinion, Medina has it all. A Nationally Registered Historic Main Street, great shopping, and to borrow a word from the movie ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ ‘scrumpdelicious’ restaurants. This is a fabulous family town, with the YMCA, a fabulous skate park, a dog park and people parks.”
She named the village’s great schools, great football team and award-winning Mustang Band, as well as the Medina Historical Society and Museum, which preserves the past for future generations.
“Our community services, such as Lee-Whedon Library, public works, police, fire department and ambulance are wonderful in my opinion,” Thomas said. “We have friendly churches and service organizations, and let’s not forget all of you – super Medinaians.”
She went on to point out Medina has the only road that goes under the canal and a lovely, wide canal basin for visiting boaters and watercraft rental, plus a tow path for walking.
“Our local farms and yummy Farmers’ Market, I think, make this area the ‘Foodie Capital’ of the world, in my book,” Thomas added.
These are the reasons, in spite of having lived in two different continents and visited others, she chose the home town she grew up in – Medina – to come back to when she retired.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 November 2022 at 11:49 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Santa and Mrs. Claus ride in a new sleigh created by Takeform for the Parade of Lights. Takeform, a past grand champion of the parade, used its talents and resources to create the sleigh for Santa and Mrs. Claus. It is the culminating float in the annual parade that draws thousands into downtown Medina.
Before the parade, Takeform representatives presented a key to Mayor Mike Sidari for the sleigh which will be used in future lighted parades. The sleigh was given to the village by Takeform
“May this key unlock holiday joy for parade goers far and wide for many years to come,” according to the proclamation from the company to the village.
To see a video of the parade and festivities before the parade with a tree-lighting and fireworks, click here.
Some of the percussionists in the Pembroke Marching Band are shown during the 14th annual Parade of Lights. Pembroke had more than 90 students in the band performing for the parade. The temperature for the parade was an unseasonably warm 50 degrees.
The Metz family in Medina, grand prize winner from the 2021 parade, was back with another big effort this year. They used 15,000 lights for a float highlighting National Lampoon’s Vacation, including the character “Cousin Eddie” from the movie.
Albion Eagles Cheerleading made their debut in the parade and were joined by a friendly Grinch that waved to the crowd.
The Community Fellowship Church in Middleport puts the finishing touches on its float. There were about 40 entries in the parade. They used the parking lot at the Olde Pickle Factory as a staging area before the parade.
The Medina Fire Department heads down Main Street with the a big crowd gathered to watch the annual parade.
The Niagara County 4-H Equine Program created a North Pole scene with their float.
Mia Hobbs leads the Medina Marching Band as drum major. The band performed part of their show “Take to the Skies.”
The Oak Orchard Yacht Club had a float that highlighted a youth sailing program.
Community Action of Orleans & Genesee highlighted the Head Start programs in the two counties.
Sheriff Chris Bourke takes a photo with the Marine Patrol that was decorated in lights for the parade.
Shelby firefighters ride in a float.
The Orleans/Niagara BOCES promoted its programs, from cosmetology to auto repair and many others, with a float that included the Grinch.
Case-Nic Cookies have been in all 14 Parade of Lights events in Medina.
