Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – There was a fireworks show this evening in Medina for 15 minutes before the big Parade of Lights.
Young Explosives set off the fireworks, one of many activities as part of Medina’s Old Tyme Christmas Celebration.
The village is decorated for the holidays, especially on Main Street.
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Cutest Little Elf (Emma Lilleby, 7, of Medina) wave to the crowd along Main Street during a parade at noon today.
The parade featured little elves and pets in costume.
Emma Lilleby won the Cutest Little Elf contest and won the prize to walk the parade route with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Three generations joined for the Pets on Parade, which included Shea Masse with Bea, a Bernese Mountain Dog; her mother Carissa Masse, with Duke, a Pyrenees Lab; and Shea’s grandmother and Carissa’s mother Sue Van Buren, with Carl, a Golden Retriever that is also a therapy dog. Carl makes weekly visits to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
Sue Van Buren moved to Medina in June after eight years in Georgia. She likes the atmosphere in Medina.
“It’s very friendly and welcoming,” she said. “This is a happening town. There is always something going on.”
Rayna Balaban, 8, of Medina poses with Ginger, a Chihuahua. The dog is owned by Scott Schmidt. Rayna pushed the dog in a stroller during the parade.
Gabe Brice, 7, of Albion keeps his rabbit Ruby close for the Pets on Parade.
Aurora Owczarczak, left, and her mother Katy Owczarczak wore Grinch pajamas while walking their dogs, Meredith with Aurora and Gabe with Katy, in the parade.
The Medina Marching Band played some holiday favorites along the parade route.
Medina’s Parade of Lights is today at 6 p.m. with fireworks before that at 5:45.
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Aidan Paul, 17, of Medina wears the Santa suit in today’s Home for the Holidays 5K in Medina. He is running down the last stretch of the 3.1-mile course with Kathy Jurs of Albion, who is pushing her son Mason in a stroller.
There were 113 participants in today’s 5K, which was the 10th anniversary of the event.
Jim Schuler of Newfane won the male division in a time of 18:45 while Payton Smith of Hermosa Beach, Calif. was the first woman in a time of 22:32.
Photos courtesy of Marsha Rivers
Debbie Tompkins, co-director of the race with Teresa Wilkins, served as the starter for the race that began in the Canal Basin and headed east and north, before making a turn near the Bates Road canal bridge and heading back east.
Lathan McEwen-Miller, 13, of Medina is off to a fast start at today’s Home for the Holidays 5K.
Jeremy Weakland of Gasport carries the American flag while finishing the 5K this morning on North Main Street in front of the American Legion Post.
Photos by Tom Rivers
Christopher Richard of St. Catherines, Ontario, is dressed in holiday cheer for today’s Home for the Holidays 5K.
Santa feels victorious in today’s 5K. He circled back a couple times and high-fived some youngsters along the course.
Proceeds from today’s race will be given to Cat by Cat Inc., led by Shannon Blount in Medina. The group in Medina works to humanely “TNVR” cats through targeted trapping. Those cats are then neutered, vaccinated and either returned or adopted out.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Metz’s Family Christmas won the grand champion and the $500 top prize in last year’s parade on Nov. 27, 2021. The Medina Railroad Museum was the grand champion the previous two years.
MEDINA – There are about 40 entries signed up for Saturday’s Parade of Lights in Medina. This is the 14th annual parade.
The parade starts at 6 p.m. and this year will include the debut of an extravagant new sleigh carrying Santa. That sleigh has been created by Takeform.
Takeform representatives will present a key to the sleigh to Mayor Mike Sidari at 5:15 p.m. at Rotary Park. The sleigh will be given to the village to be used in future parades.
Georgia Thomas is the parade’s grand marshal. She will help light the community Christmas tree at 5:30 p.m. At 5:45, there will be a fireworks display and then the lighted floats will start their journey at 6 p.m. from Park Avenue to Main Street.
Click here to see the full day’s schedule for Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration.
The float for the Metz’s Family Christmas is shown in the staging and setup area at the Olde Pickle Factory before the start of the parade about a year ago.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Paige Moroz of York, S.C., formerly of Medina, shows off her engagement ring while wearing her great-grandmother Virginia Kropf’s wedding gown. The gown is one of those in a display of vintage gowns at the Medina Historical Society during Christmas in Medina on Saturday. (Right) Georgia Thomas, who created a display of wedding gowns at the Medina Historical Society Museum, holds the wedding gown worn by Catherine Cooper when she married Tim Cooper June 22, 1991.
MEDINA – The Medina Historical Society is opening its doors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas on Saturday.
In honor of the celebration, Georgia Thomas has created a display of vintage wedding gowns, loaned by members of the community and each having a story to tell.
Alice Zacher’s gown was also worn by her sister and her best friend. It was given to the Niagara County Historical Society, who loaned it back for this exhibit.
Thomas’ gown hangs next to her husband Terry’s dress blues in the Museum. Terry, who was a career Army man, served during the Vietnam War era. They were married near Christmas on Dec. 19, 1964 at St. Mary’s Church. Georgia’s gown was white silk organza over taffeta with a long train with Chantilly lace border.
Francis Folsom is the most famous bride represented. She is the only bride to be married in the White House. She and President Grover Cleveland are the only couple to have a baby in the White House. Folsom lived for a while with her grandmother on North Main Street in Medina.
The exhibit includes a picture of Folsom in her wedding gown and a picture of the Christmas ornament from the White House Historical Association commemorating their wedding. Reports describe her gown as having real orange blossoms cascading down it. It is said that after her wedding, she made adjustments to her gown and wore it several occasions.
Catherine Cooper wore a gown of ivory lace with a handkerchief hem when she married Tim Cooper June 22, 1991 at St. Mary’s Church.
Other gowns on display are the green gown Gloria McCauley Fierch wore for her marriage to local author Frederick Fierch, and the ivory satin sheath with square neckline, cummberbund with bow and matching train worn by Rose Anderson to her marriage to the owner of the local Ford dealer.
Another gown on display is that worn by Virginia Kropf of Medina at her first wedding Sept. 13, 1958. She purchased it at Carr’s in Batavia. It is white satin with a mesh overlay adorned with sequined medallions, a mandarin collar and chapel-length train.
A gown of light olive green from 1860 is the oldest gown on display. It features an A-line skirt with train and ruching at the sleeves and hem. The gown was donated to the Historical Society more than 20 years ago by the late Nancy Berger.
The final gown in the collection is the newest arrival at Blissett’s, which loaned it to show what the bride of 2023 will be wearing.
Thomas explained that extreme care is taken when handling the vintage gowns. Gloves are always worn, because the oil in your hands can do permanent damage to the fragile fabric.
Punch, cookies and a wedding cake by Hans Rosentreter will be served during the day.
(Left) Georgia Thomas stands next to her wedding dress she wore when she married Terry Thomas in in a Christmas wedding Dec. 19, 1946 at St. Mary’s Church. Terry was a career military man and his Army dress blues uniform represents the Vietnam era at the Medina Historical Society Museum, where an exhibit of vintage wedding gowns is on display. The Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Christmas in Medina on Saturday. (Right) This wedding gown from 1860 is the oldest in the display at the Medina Historical Society.
Rendering and design by Barton & Loguidice: An addition to the Medina fire hall would have tall enough bays with a building long enough to accommodate a new ladder truck. The current fire hall only gives about 2 inches of clearance in the garage doors. The fire trucks would go to the new addition while the ambulances are moved to space where the fire trucks are currently housed.
MEDINA – The village has received a design and layout plan for additions to the Medina fire hall and village office, projects that the Barton & Loguidice firm estimate could cost $6 million.
The Village Board last week briefly discussed the design and layouts submitted by Barton & Loguidice. Representatives from the firm will attend a meeting in the near future to go over the project in detail.
“Everybody read it, digest it,” Mayor Mike Sidari said to the other board members.
Barton & Loguidice met with village officials to assess the needs for the two buildings. The fire hall addition could be $4.5 million with the addition to the village office at up to $1.5 million.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The current fire hall is too small for a bigger ladder truck. Currently there is only two inches of clearance from the top of the truck to get in and out of the bay in the fire hall.
With furnishings for the two buildings, the total cost could be close to $7 million, Sidari said.
The plan for the fire hall includes an addition approximately 62 feet, 8 inches by 88 feet, 8 inches.
The addition would be on the current fire hall on the west side in an area that is currently a parking lot. That addition is needed to house a new ladder truck. That truck could be $1.5 million. Fire Chief Matt Jackson said the lead time for a ladder truck is 39 to 42 months.
The village hasn’t yet moved forward with replacing a ladder truck from 1996. That truck has a ladder that is 75 feet long. That truck barely has clearance in the garage. The ladder truck has a clearance of 10.4 feet but the space in the garage is 10 feet, 6 inches, Jackson said.
The new ladder trucks have a clearance of 13 feet. The design for the new hall addition would have bays that allow up to 14 feet.
“There is no getting around need for a fire house,” Trustee Marguerite Sherman said.
With a new space for fire trucks, the ambulances could be moved to the current fire house. The space for the ambulances right now could be used for police cars or perhaps as a meeting area, Sidari said.
The Barton & Loguidice reports also details plans for:
This site plan shows additions on the west side of the fire hall and village office, as well as additional parking by the village office. The fire station is on the right and the village office is on the left.
The village is considering a 42 by 48 foot addition with a vestibule on the side that is 7 feet by 10 feet, 8 inches. That addition primarily would include meeting space.
The project would include two fully accessible restrooms and drinking fountains, as well as more parking. A window would be eliminated in the employee breakroom, and a hallway reconfigured to the new addition.
Barton & Loguidice said the village office addition presents infrastructure challenges similar to the fire station addition. Although there is no underground electrical service, there may be utility work associated with the construction of the new restrooms to connect into the sanitary piping within Park Avenue’s right of way, the report states.
The adjacent green space to the west is being purchased by the village, and provides room for the addition as well as more parking for the village office.
The Village Board is looking to expand the village office and add some parking in the greenspace area west of the current village office on Park Avenue.
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch: Tracy Jennings (left) of Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels and Rose Baker of Baker Farms in Medina chat in the comfort of an indoor winter farmers’ market in Medina. The Canal Village Market has moved into the former NAPA Auto Parts store on North Main Street, in space donated by Craig Lacy.
MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market has a new home for the winter. The market has moved into the former NAPA Auto Parts Store on North Main Street, in space loaned to them by owner Craig Lacy.
“For a few years, the market has taken place at their summer site on West Center Street and West Avenue,” said Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market. “A few hardy vendors have braved the cold conditions to continue the market through the winter months. While not entirely unsuccessful, the summer site has not been ideal for winter operations, given limited sheltered space and little heat.
“It’s been a real challenge,” said Gail Miller, who has been market manager since it started in 2015. “For the summer, the entire corner site is great, and each week the summer market has a festive atmosphere. However, for winter, the site is lacking indoor space. The building was built as a gas station and has little sheltered space with heat.”
Craig Lacy came to the rescue, offering his historic, sandstone building on North Main Street, that has been in his family for decades. It is, in fact, the very same building where Grover Cleveland, a former U.S. president and New York governor, was allegedly held in the basement jail in a case of mistaken identity, Busch said. For many years, the building housed NAPA Auto Parts store, but when NAPA decided to relocate their store to Maple Ridge Road, Lacy’s building was left empty.
“Craig offered us use of the site for the winter market,” Miller said. “His incredibly generous gesture is a game changer for the winter market. We’re thrilled and grateful to have a huge indoor space with heat. The space is just incredible.”
The new indoor site has allowed Miller to retain all of the summer market vendors through the winter, along with numerous holiday vendors for the special market during Olde Tyme Christmas on Nov. 26.
Miller said they are able to host a large number of crafters and any non-profits who want to come in. More than 20 vendors are signed up for this Saturday, she said.
Heartland Organics of Gasport is one of the regular vendors who has moved to the Canal Village Winter Farmer’s Market new indoor space, beginning this month.
Two new vendors, Stone House Farm Bakery from Middleport and the Whole Empanada will join regulars Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels, Catherine Street Bakery, Baker’s Farms, Human Farms and Greenhouse, Heartland Organics and Gardner’s Gardens.
Special holiday vendors are Tastefully Simple, Dust and Rust Fabrication, Granny’s Gotcha Covered, Potholder Weaving, Laurels by the Creek, 3BeesWax, Eleanor Delilah Laser Engraved Ornaments, Pugbully Studio, Towpath Trading, Collen Creates, Usborne Books, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and Mountain Mule Ciderhouse.
“We are so incredibly grateful to Craig Lacy for his generosity,” Busch said. “Because of him, the community will have a great market throughout the winter season and a great holiday market on Nov. 26.”
“We’re looking to bring the summer gathering vibe indoors for the winter,” Miller said. “Papa Thom’s is going all out to create an atmosphere where market patrons can hang out, listen to music and enjoy a breakfast sandwich.”
Saturday Morning Spins features Thom Jennings spinning tunes on vinyl while customers enjoy a cup of hot coffee, bagel or egg and bacon breakfast sandwich, made with Papa Thom’s bagels and products from Baker Farms.
The Whole Empanada sells pre-cooked empanadas to take home or to purchase and eat there.
The Canal Village Winter and Holiday Market is located at 345 Main St. and operates from 9 to 1 p.m. Saturdays through May. More information is available on the market’s Facebook page.
Provided photos: The Wagner home at the corner of Gwinn Street and West Oak Orchard won last year’s village lighting contest in the residential category.
MEDINA – Medina residents and businesses are encouraged to decorate their premises and enter the Village of Lights contest, held in conjunction with Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration Nov. 26.
Contest chair Cindy Robinson said she is already receiving applications and is hoping for many more.
The contest was started in 2020 during the pandemic to give families something to do which would be safe and entertaining.
“Families could get in the privacy of their own car and drive around the village looking at the decorations,” Robinson said.
The contest was a big success, with 15 to 20 homes entering, and it continues to grow each year, she said.
Entries must be received by Nov. 28 and applications are available at the English Rose Tea Shoppe, 527 Main St., or on the Christmas in Medina website. Entrants must live within the Medina village limits, and decorations must be completed by Dec. 5. There is no entry fee.
Only decorations on the front face and lawn of the house will be judged. Judges will view and judge from the curb. Lights and animated displays must be turned on during the judging periods. Each participating home will have a yard sign with their entry number displayed on it.
Modern Mercantile on East Center won a prize in the commercial category last year in Medina’s Village of Lights contest. The contest is again taking place and business and home owners are urged to decorate their buildings and enter.
Businesses may decorate any and all parts of their façade. Categories are Christmas Spirit (Traditional), Christmas Spirit (Innovative), Most Whimsical, Best Use of Lights, Probably Visible from Space and Block Party.
Four or more adjacent homes on one side or across the street from each other may enter as a Block Party. Winners of each of these categories will receive $50. A runner-up prize will also be awarded to the above residential categories.
Prizes of $50 each will also be awarded for the Best Business (Christmas Spirit) and Best Business (Community Spirit). The Grand Champion will receive $200.
Judging will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 9, 10 and 11.
Winners will be announced and notified on Dec. 12. Photos of the winners will be posted on Medina Parade of Lights Facebook page, Christmas in Medina website and the Orleans Hub.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Santa and Mrs. Claus pose with one of their elves on a Santa Christmas train at the Medina Railroad Museum. This year’s Santa Train will run Dec. 17 and 18, after the Polar Express is in town Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11.
MEDINA – Families who want to experience the nostalgia and magic of the famed Polar Express can ride the historic train when it returns to Medina Railroad Museum for the 11th holiday season. The Polar Express has been an annual sell-out event here since 2011, with only 2020 missed because of Covid.
Trains are scheduled for six runs a day on Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11.
First-class tickets are all sold out, but some coach tickets are still available. A week ago, ticket sales had already surpassed this time last year by 4,000 tickets.
Passengers on the magical train will ride to the sounds of the hit motion picture soundtrack, reliving the classic story as the Polar Express whisks them down the tracks on a one-hour trip to meet Santa.
Once on board, the conductor will punch the passengers’ golden ticket, before hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie are served by the chefs. Passengers then read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. During the trip, characters on each car lead onboard entertainment.
After arriving at the North Pole, Santa will join passengers for the ride back to the museum. Each child will receive their first gift of the Christmas season – a sleigh bell. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride.
Tickets to ride also give passengers admission to the Railroad Museum, which boasts one of the largest model train layouts in the country. There will also be an opportunity to take a Christmas photo in Santa’s sleigh.
Food trucks will be stationed on the Museum property and passengers will be able to sit at tables on the covered deck to eat.
After the Polar Express has left for the season, families can visit the Railroad Museum Dec. 17 and 18 and enjoy Santa’s Reindeer Story. This includes a one-hour train ride to the North Pole, during which hot chocolate and a cookie will be served and passengers can take part in a Christmas singalong.
Then passengers can read along with the children’s book, “Santa’s Reindeer Story, How the Reindeer Got Their Names.” The book tells how Santa got the names for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and “the most famous reindeer of all” – Rudolph.
At the North Pole, Santa will join passengers for the ride back to the museum, while he listens to each child’s wishes and gives them all a gift.
Children and adults are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas for the relaxing ride in cars adorned with holiday decorations.
Back at the museum, there will be live reindeer for children to visit, photos in Santa’s sleigh and free rides on a miniature train around the yard.
A food vendor will be on site with a variety of food options to choose from. All items purchased may be brought onto the train. No outside food or beverages are allowed.
For more information about tickets, click here or email medinarailroad@gmail.com.
File photos: The three-year restoration effort of the Bent’s Opera House in Medina has been recognized with the Barber Conable Award, the highest preservation award given by the Landmark Society of Western New York.
MEDINA – The Landmark Society of Western New York has recognized the ambitious transformation of the Bent’s Opera House with the organization’s top preservation award.
The first floor of the Bent’s Opera House has been transformed into a fine dining venue after the site was last used as a bank.
The project was a three-year effort led by Roger Hungerford and his wife Heather Farnsworth. Bent’s was honored with the Barber Conable Award, named for the late congressman from Genesee County. Conable supported the establishment of the Federal Investment Tax Credit Program for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings. He also served as president of the World Bank.
The building was mostly vacant for decades. The Bank of America used part of the first floor until closing and giving the building to the Orleans Renaissance Group, which did emergency repairs to a corner of the building that was in danger of falling into the street.
A total renovation was beyond the resources of the ORG. Hungerford committed to the restoration, which includes the first-floor Harvest restaurant, 10 boutique hotel rooms on the second floor and the restored opera house on the third floor, a space that can be used for performances, receptions and conferences.
“With this restoration, the owners of Bent’s Opera House have returned this Erie Canal village landmark to its historic role as a community gathering space and performance venue,” the Landmark Society stated in announcing the award. “Medina natives Roger and Heather have demonstrated a commitment to historic preservation and the long-term economic sustainability of the Village of Medina.”
This is the second straight year a project in Orleans County received the Landmark Society’s top preservation award. Last year the honor went to Home Leasing for a $17 million project at the former Holley High School, turning that abandoned site into 41 apartments for senior citizens and also the Village of Holley offices and meeting room.
The third floor includes chandeliers to complement the elegance of the space.
With the Bent’s project, the Landmark Society praised the team of professionals that helped make the project happen: Talis Equity, Le Chase Construction, Talis Historic Restoration, Kideney Architects, and Preservation Studios.
The building at 444 Main St. is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bent’s opened in 1865 and is a prominent “cornerstone property in the Village of Medina,” the Landmark Society said.
The Conable award was presented on Sunday during the Landmark Society’s annual awards program.
Bent’s Hall was built in 1864-65 by well-known sandstone builder and Medina native, Patrick O’Grady. Built at the height of the Civil War and the Lincoln presidency, it is one of the oldest surviving opera houses in the United States.
It was named for a local farmer who owned the property and had the structure erected. For many years it was a prominent venue for concerts, plays, shows, commencements, elections and other public functions. P.T. Barnum and “Buffalo Bill” Cody were among the hundreds of touring performers who entertained on Bent’s stage.
With the advent of movies, the opera house as a performance venue gradually fell into disuse. Over the years, Medina Elks Lodge had quarters on the second floor and beginning in 1970, the first floor became home to the first of several banks, the last of which was Bank of America.
Heather Farnsworth gives a tour of the third floor event space last month to members of the Medina Sandstone Society, which held its Hall of Fame luncheon at the first floor restaurant.
Here is how the top floor looked before a major renovation led by Roger Hungerford and his wife Heather Farnsworth.
The site at the corner of routes 31 and 63 was in rough shape before the major reconstruction project.
