MEDINA – Austin Mosher, a Medina firefighter, is part of the new graduating class from the State’s Recruit Firefighter Training program at the Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls.

Austin Mosher

Mosher, 19, was hired as a career firefighter for Medina on Feb. 15, after volunteering the previous 18 months with the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company.

The 86th Recruit Firefighter Training class represents graduates from 18 different fire departments across the state.

The rigorous 15-week residential program provides extensive fire service training in an environment similar to a full-time fire department. Upon graduation, all recruits will begin to serve as career firefighters in their respective fire department.

“Today’s ceremony celebrates the achievements of New York’s newest career firefighters as they begin their path in public service to protect their fellow New Yorkers,” said Jackie Bray, commissioner of NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. “Following the completion of the Academy’s course, these firefighters have the necessary training and are well-equipped with the knowledge to keep our communities safe from fire danger and the many emergencies they are asked to respond to day in and day out.”

The Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Recruit Firefighter Training Program provides basic training for recently hired career firefighters, as well as volunteer firefighters. During the 15-week program, recruits participate in more than 600 hours of training in both classroom and practical settings.

Classes focus on areas such as structural, vehicle and flammable liquid firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, hazardous material emergency incident and basic rescue technician operations. Recruits also participate in daily physical fitness training in preparation for the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Upon completion, graduates receive national certification from the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications in Firefighter I, Firefighter II and Hazardous Materials Operations.

The graduates received training in areas such as operating aerial devices; traffic incident management to keep firefighters safe on roadways; health and safety; firefighter rescue; hazardous materials response, and technical rescue. During the training program, students use iPads to provide them with greater access and flexibility to testing, as well as study materials.

Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation

MEDINA – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that the bridge carrying State Route 63 over the Erie Canal in the Village of Medina will close on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 7 a.m. to accommodate bridge repair activities. The bridge is anticipated to reopen by 4 p.m. later that day.

Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions. Motorists may experience delays during this time and are advised to seek an alternate route.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: The MAAC Thrift Depot is located at 536 Orient St. Volunteers and donations are always needed.

MEDINA – The Medina Area Association of Churches, which runs a thrift store at 536 Orient St., has distributed about $20,000 to the community since May this year.

Sue Metzo, one of the leaders of the MAAC Thrift Depot, provided an update on the donations given by MAAC recently.

The Thrift Depot is run by volunteers, who organize and sell donated items from the community.

MAAC has used some of the thrift store proceeds to donate $10,000 to Community Action of Orleans to assist residents in the Medina area; $5,000 to Growing Orchard Backpack Food Program to supply food for weekends for children in need; $1,500 to His Healing Presence Veterans’ Christmas Program; $500 to each of two families who had fires during the summer; $500 to the Parade of Lights; and $250 for United Way of Orleans County’s gala fundraiser.

In addition MAAC annually gives a $1,000 scholarship to a student at Medina High School, the Orleans Christian School, or a student going into the military or a trade school.

The thrift store is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings from April through October.

In 2020, during the pandemic, MAAC gave out $20,760. In 2021, donations to various organizations and causes totaled $41,703.

At the October meeting, MAAC leaders approved gifts to help with the increased price of shipping Christmas shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, $750 for BOCES GED program and $1,000 for the veterans’ dinner sponsored by the National Honor Society at Medina High School.

Metzo said it is the generous donations of merchandise from the community and the dedication of their volunteers who make it work.

They accept donations of clean clothing and footwear, outerwear, small household items (including small appliances), linens and bedding, holiday items and games, toys, puzzles, books, CDs and DVDs.

MAAC is made up of representatives from all the Medina area churches, including Alabama Full Gospel Church, Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, Faith Bible Baptist Church, Faith Covenant Fellowship Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Gateway to Heaven Church, Glad Tidings Baptist Church, the Grove United Methodist Church, Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, New Life Alliance Church, Oak Orchard Assembly of God, OneChurch, St. John’s Episcopal Church, St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church of the Abundant Harvest.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Georgia Thomas of Medina has been chosen as the grand marshal of the Parade of Lights in Medina on Nov. 26. She stands here next to a poster at the English Rose Tea Shoppe advertising the parade.

MEDINA – With the first early bird entries signed up for the 2022 Parade of Lights, the committee has announced its grand marshal for the parade on Nov. 26.

Jim Hancock, chair of Medina Tourism Committee, which sponsors the parade, said they have chosen Georgia Thomas to be this year’s grand marshal.

Thomas has done so much for the Medina and Orleans County communities, Hancock said. She has been a board member of the Medina Historical Society, where she has served as a docent many times at their local museum. She is also a board member of the Cobblestone Society and has been a docent for them. In addition, she has found time to serve as a volunteer tutor for the Orleans County Adult Learning Services.

She loves history and loves the village of Medina, promoting it at every opportunity. Most recently, she is involved in a program at the Medina Historical Museum entitled “Winter Wedding Wonderland,” with wedding dresses from as early as 1860 on display.

In addition, she fills in regularly for Cindy Robinson at the English Rose Tea Shoppe, where she loves greeting customers.

“I am totally honored to have been asked to be grand marshal,” Thomas said. “I can think of so many deserving people. I love Medina and I love history. I have visited four continents and lived in North and South America, but I chose to come back home to Medina to live. Medina is the best small town anywhere, and I am honored beyond belief.”

The former Georgia Ramming, she graduated from Medina High School and married Medina native, Terry Thomas, who she followed across the world and the United States as a career Army officer.

“We are thrilled that Georgia will serve as our grand marshal this year, and encourage everyone to come out to the parade,” Hancock said.

Eleven floats have already been entered as a result of an early-bird bonus, and Hancock said many more have expressed an interest. He is hoping for 40 to 45 floats. The record number is 52 floats in the first 13 years of the parade. Entries will be accepted until Nov. 23.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Medina firefighters line up by the MAAC red Christmas barrels before delivering them throughout Medina on Wednesday morning. From left are Lt. Jacob Crooks, Lt. Steve Cooley, firefighters Andrew Cheverie, Paul Urquhart, Fire Chief Matt Jackson, and firefighters Chris Seefeldt and Bailey Schubmehl.

MEDINA – The Medina Area Association of Churches’ annual Christmas Red Barrel drive is underway.

Wednesday morning, the Medina Fire Department showed up at the Grove United Methodist Church with two ambulances and a pickup truck to deliver the 40 barrels to stores, libraries, schools, medical offices, restaurants and churches in the Medina area.

Next, it is up to the community to show their support by filling those barrels with toys and gift items for all ages, including games, puzzles, books, arts and crafts, stuffed animals, hats, scarves, mittens and socks.

Gifts are always needed for teenage boys and girls, and no gift cards are given out.

Medina Fire Chief Matt Jackson loads a barrel into an ambulance for delivery to start the MAAC Christmas Barrel Program. The barrels will in local stores and organizations through Dec. 7.

MAAC asks that no food items be put in the barrels, as food for needy families is supplied by the food pantries.

Sherry Tuohey heads the Christmas Barrel Program, and said without the support of the community, the fire department and volunteers, it wouldn’t be a success.

The cooperation between the Medina Fire Department and MAAC has been ongoing for an estimated 40 years, starting back when the firefighters used to collect toys and distribute them. Then they joined with MAAC and the program continues to grow.

Families must sign up in advance for assistance during the second and third weeks of November. Applications for holiday food boxes and gifts can be made from 10 a.m. to noon and t to 7 p.m. Nov. 8 and 15 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave., Medina;  and from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 10 and 17  at Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, 11031 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina.

Applicants must show proof of household, proof of residence and proof of income. Income guidelines or more information is available at MAAC’s Thrift Store, 536 Orient St. or by calling Tuohey at (585) 356-8346 or (585) 798-6657 and leaving a message.

In addition to Tuohey and the firefighters, others who help the program be successful are Kathie McMoil, who takes care of personal care donations and puts together personal care bags; Medina High School students (under the leadership of High School Student Association adviser Sara Cinquino) who donate the personal care items; Norma Jean Foster, who takes care of the food for each box; Barb Vreeland, who oversees donations of hats, mittens, scarves and socks; and Marilyn Hiwiller, who delivers mitten trees to local establishments.

For several years now, Lyndonville resident Bob Harrold scours the countryside all year, looking for little red wagons, which he restores and donates to the MAAC Christmas program. The wagons are not only loved by the children, but are appreciated by families who don’t have transportation and use them to give their children a ride to the store or to carry their groceries home.

This year, Harrold donated five like-new wagons to MAAC. Tuohey said she researches the families who might find the wagons most useful, and is careful not to give one to a family who already got one last year.

Tuohey expects an estimated 75 families, representing 200 children, will be applying for help from the Red Barrel Program. In addition to gifts for each child up to 18 years of age, applicants will receive a ham, boxed potatoes, stuffing, vegetable, brownie mix, canned fruit and cereal.

Eligible families must reside in the Medina Central School District with the Medina and Knowlesville zip codes.

To be sure every family had information about the program, Tuohey said she distributed 800 flyers to all the areas schools (through sixth grade), including nursery schools and the Orleans County Christian School.

Photo from Government Deals – The two snail jungle gyms that used to be at Medina parks are up for big on the Government Deals website. The auction ends Nov. 14 at 7:15 p.m.

MEDINA – There was some outcry when the Orleans Hub reported Oct. 25 that the two snail jungle gyms in Medina parks would be sold.

Many in the community said they didn’t want to see the playground pieces go. They have been in the parks for at least 50 years.

Mayor Mike Sidari said 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. The one at Pine Street Park is in better shape and still has its eyes. The other one at Butts Park was in rougher condition and missing its eyes.

The snails are listed for sale through an online auction by Government Deals. Bidding starts at $10 and continues until Nov. 14 at 7:15 p.m. for the Pine Street Park snail and 7:30 p.m. for the Butts Park snail.

The village also is selling a self-propelled paver, a brush chipper, a straight blade snow plow, and a merry-go-round. Click here to see the items up for bid.

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Mustang Band Boosters

The Medina band finished third on Sunday in the SS1 class at the championships for New York State Field Band Conference. Medina’s score of 90.0was bested Mineola in 1st at 93.67 and New Hartford in 2nd at 93.15. There were 9 schools in the SS1 class.

The New York State Field Band Conference celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday with the championships at the JMA Dome (formerly the Syracuse Carrier Dome).

A total of 53 schools participated from around all of NYS including Northwestern from PA.  The show in its entirety  ran from 8 a.m. and concluded at 10:30 p.m. In addition to the competing bands the UB Thunder of the East and Syracuse’s Pride of the Orange gave exemplary performances to entertain the crowd and show students that their marching band career doesn’t have to end after high school.

Medina band representatives are presenting with the third-place award.

The National Class consisted of 9 competitors with Cicero-North Syracuse earning 1st place with a score of 96.80.

Other winners were Division Ave in SS3 with  88.40; Roslyn in SS2 with 89.07; Sachem in LS3 with 86.15 and Hicksville in LS2 with 89.45.

It was a busy week for the Medina students with lots of practices, a Senior Recognition ceremony at the high school on Wednesday topped off with a Dome breakfast on Sunday morning as a form of pep rally.

Director Matthew Jaeger addressed his students beforehand with words of encouragement reminding them of their accomplishments from the start of band camp in August to their performance at the Dome.

Their success for the season isn’t measured just by their standing at the Dome, but by their overall growth in the season and how they represent the school and the Medina community.  They have much to be proud of. That sentiment was expressed by a number of people who were not from Medina but commented how much they’ve enjoyed Medina’s shows over the years.