By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 March 2020 at 12:32 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Jill Pettigrew, an artist from Batavia, shows off a transformed room this morning at the Orleans County YMCA to Greg Reed, the Y director.
Pettigrew painted the mural that shows animals having a picnic in the forest. The wall used to be white on top with blue on the bottom.
Pettigrew worked on the mural for a few weeks. This past weekend she worked long hours to create a radical new space in the child watch room at the Y. This morning was the big reveal to Y staff and parents.
Here is how the wall looked before Pettigrew’s artwork.
Gavin Gursslin, 3, of Medina tries the new basketball hoop that is mounted by the wall. The room has artwork and many other stations to encourage children to be active.
“To see the transformation is just incredible,” said Allison Gursslin, Gavin’s mother and one of the staff at the child watch room.
That room is open from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It is free to Y members who want supervision for their children while the Y members work out or participate in a class at the Y on Pearl Street.
Ivy Wroblewski, 2, of Medina looks through a magnifying glass. Pettigrew created a nature scene on a cabinet with removable magnetic insects.
Pettigrew was hired last year to paint artwork on the Y’s sidewalks and stairs. Some of the designs resemble obstacle courses, a balance beam, swings and other scenes popular at playgrounds.
The YMCA received a $51,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to transform the sidewalks and steps by the Y with art. There was grant money left over from that project to pay Pettigrew to work on the child watch room.
These children play at the kitchen scene, which includes a slot for the mail. The transformed space includes the furniture for the role playing.
“We’re giving kids more opportunities to play together,” said Greg Reed, the Y director. “Kids learn through play.”
Nora Gursslin, 8 months, explores the watch room this morning at the YMCA.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 February 2020 at 7:21 pm
Photos courtesy of Lionel Rhim
MEDINA – Lionel Rhim took these photos of a small owl this morning sitting on the tire of a Chevy Silverado 2500HD. The vehicle is for sale at Hartway Motors on North Main Street in Medina.
Several people have commented on the Orleans Hub Facebook page that this looks like a screech owl.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 February 2020 at 9:35 am
Dorothy Cox, a teacher who later married a jeweler, wrote of her adventures
This is an early picture of Dorothy Roberts Cox, whose life story was shared in a presentation Monday by Catherine Cooper at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
MEDINA – The Medina Historical Society has planned a season of programs designed to create interest in the organization, but the one Monday night at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library will not soon be forgotten.
Historical Society president Reinhard Rogowski welcomed the crowd which gathered at Lee-Whedon to hear library director Catherine Cooper give a presentation on the life of former Medina resident Dorothy Roberts Cox. While her life had its exciting moments, it is the circumstances under which a notebook from her family literally “fell into our laps,” which are truly intriguing, Cooper said.
“Each of us leaves a paper trail of documents that attest to our existence,” Cooper said. “We have photos, newspaper clippings, wills, birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates, some all neatly organized and others in envelopes or boxes at the back of the closet. But what if we had no close relatives? What are the chances some kind person would come in and gather your papers? And what are the chances this person will parcel them up and arrange for them to be sent to your second cousin in Australia? Then what are the chances, 35 years later, the child of that second cousin will feel compelled to save your records, arrange them, decipher them, figure out the relatives, digitize them and then reach out to your home town because he believed they belonged back where you spent your life?”
Cooper explained what happened in March 2017, when she was made aware of an e-mail on the Medina Historical Society’s website from Australia. She made contact with the person, the son of Vera Colley, Dorothy Cox’s second cousin, who lives in Western Australia. He wrote that he had this giant notebook full of pictures, newspaper clippings and other information on the life of Dorothy Roberts Cox. They had been sent to Vera after Dorothy died in 1982. Vera had visited Dorothy in Medina several times.
The fires in Australia were just becoming a worry and Vera’s son Brad decided to ship Cox’s belongings to Medina, where they would be safe and could be viewed by people who knew her.
Dorothy was born in 1896 in Rome, a daughter of Robert and Catherine Jones Roberts. Both her parents were Welsh and her father came to Medina as a quarryman. He worked as an engraver with Thomas Platt and bought the business. His shop was on East Center Street, which later was a monument business and a lawyer’s office. It was just recently purchased and remodeled by Alex and Pat Greene as an artist’s studio and space to do psychic readings.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Catherine Cooper talks about the extraordinary circumstances in the life of the late Dorothy Cox and how a notebook chronicling her life history came from Australia to Medina, during a presentation Monday at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
In a picture from one of the slides from Dorothy’s cousin, there is the engraver’s shop next to the brick building on the corner of Main and East Center Street, on which can be seen the words “Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco,” and “EAT,” referring to the diner which operated there until the mid 1900s’.
The Roberts bought a house at 119 Maple Ave. in 1894, and also bought two lots on Roseland Avenue, where they built a home in 1911.
Dorothy attended Medina High School, where she graduated in 1914. Graduation was held at Bent’s Opera House. At a time when many stopped going to school at grade eight, her mother insisted Dorothy continue and get an education. One year at Brockport State Teacher’s College qualified her as a teacher, and she taught in several different schools.
Her reminisces in the notebook recall World War I, war bonds and dating officers.
In 1918, she was in bed a month with the flu when armistice was declared.
Dorothy went on to complete additional training at Harvard Summer School in 1922 and 1923, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Columbia in 1937. Her first teaching job was on Long Island.
In 1923, she spent five weeks in Mount Vernon Hospital with a perforated appendix. Two nurses working 12 hour shifts attended to her at a salary of $50 per week. Her total hospital bill was $975. She came home to Medina on a sleeper car.
During the 1920s, Dorothy was involved with Camp Nundawaga at Thirty Mile Point on Lake Ontario. She was depressed when it was sold during the Depression.
Before her hospitalization, Dorothy had been saving her money to take a trip to Wales. When her doctor told her she was susceptible to tuberculosis and should go to a warmer climate, she moved to Florida.
After her mother died in 1938, she finally went on the trip she had saved for. She traveled to Toronto to catch her ship, the SS Montrose, to Liverpool. She wrote there were whales blowing quite a way to the north of the ship, then suddenly a big one appeared on the other side, about as far as Ensign Avenue was from their back window.
“Right after that, we saw a good sized iceberg,” Dorothy wrote. “I always thought they were the color of ice and hard to see, but they are the whitest things I have ever seen.”
Dorothy was in Wales when war was declared and the ship she came home on was also used for soldiers. The ship Athenia was the first English ship torpedoed by the Germans on Sept. 3, 1929, and several passengers from that ship were onboard the ship SS Importer bringing her back to America. There were 211 passengers, 28 of them Americans, on the ship with a capacity of 80. Husbands and wives were separated and the men were stuffed anywhere, Dorothy wrote in a letter home.
Lee-Whedon Memorial Library director Catherine Cooper holds a notebook she received from Australia on the late Dorothy Cox, wife of Medina jeweler Harry Cox.
“There are 18 in the barroom,” she wrote. “They have to put up their own cots after the passengers are shooed out at 10 p.m. and they have to get out early in the morning.”
They described the lifeboat drill as very realistic. There were four lifeboats for 200 passengers. Four survivors of the Athenia group were making comparisons. They said when the whistle was blown on the Athenia, the boat lurched violently and two lifeboats were slowly lowered over the side and swung out.
In the disaster, they said the boats were lowered by passengers, who bungled things. The boat just nicely swung out when the ropes supporting one end broke and dropped 30 feet, tossing all onto one end of the boat. Two members of the crew received broken arms, leaving only one able-bodied man to row. The boat was overloaded and water was up to their knees. Woman bailed with toeless, heelless shoes.
Dorothy’s father, who died in 1942, had been a friend of Lloyd George, one-time prime minister of England. Lloyd George once visited Niagara Falls and Robert Jones traveled up to see him.
Dorothy worked at Curry’s Dress Shop on Main Street at one time. She married Medina jeweler Harry Cox on Sept. 3, 1944 at the First Presbyterian Church, after his first wife had died.
Harry and his first wife had an interesting connection to the Orphan Train. They had adopted two sisters from the train. One girl, Barbara, married Armand Bacon, who owned parts stores in Medina and Lockport.
Dorothy loved to golf at Shelridge Country Club. She took many trips with the Senior Center in Medina.
Another interesting connection to Medina was that with the Tony and Rose Napoli family.
Tony was born in Italy. He served in the Navy during World War II and his ship was in Australia during the war. As there were not enough sleeping quarters for all the men, some of them were billotted out to homes in town. Tony ended up in the home of Vera Colley. Vera and her husband had a son named Brian.
Brad Colley indicated to Catherine that it was Tony who had arranged for Dorothy’s papers to be sent to Vera in Australia.
The story of Dorothy Cox’s notebook brought many comments from the audience.
Jack Wasnock remembers Dorothy was a member of the Medina Historical Society. He said he bought his class ring at Cox’s Jewelry, which was later Limina’s Jewelry Store and now houses Della’s Chocolates.
Cooper commented that the wooden chairs in the library would have been there when Dorothy used to visit.
Lynn Ambrose, who lives on Ensign Avenue, said the Cox’s back yard backed up to her front yard.
“I used to see her all the time,” she said.
Monday’s program was one of several events which the Historical Society hopes will help increase its membership.
“We have been trying for several years to raise our membership, with a goal of 100 members,” Rogowski said. “We are now at 75.”
Upcoming programs include a members’ tea in May, led by Georgia Thomas; an old-time bridal show in June; and a program by sculptor Brian Porter of Pendleton on creation of the Company F monument.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 February 2020 at 1:14 pm
Kate Messner is a Medina native won now lives in Plattsburgh. She has written 50 books for children and educators and sold more than 3.5 million copies.
MEDINA – Kate Messner’s love of books goes back to growing up in Medina, when she spent a lot of time visiting Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
“My favorite titles were Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books, but I also loved reading nonfiction, especially about natural disasters and dangerous animals,” said Messner, now living in Plattsburgh with her husband Tom.
A daughter of former Medina school superintendent Tom Schirmer and his wife Gail, Messmer has become an award-winning author, who has published 50 books for children and educators and sold more than 3.5 million copies. She has 12 books for children scheduled to come out this year.
Messner graduated from Medina High School in 1988 and attended Syracuse University, where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication. She spent seven years working as a television news producer and reporter at NBC affiliates in Syracuse and Burlington, Vt., before going back to school to get her master’s degree in education.
“Both of my parents were educators, my dad superintendent of schools, and my mom an elementary school art teacher,” Messner said. “Teaching was something that was also calling me.”
Chirp is a new book out by Kate Messner.
After getting her teaching degree, she taught middle school English in Plattsburgh for 15 years and earned National Board certification in 2006.
“It was while I was teaching that I started writing more seriously, mostly to share stories with my students and model writing and revision,” Messner said. “That’s when I published my first books. In 2012, I transitioned to writing full time, but I still love that time I get to work with kids in school systems as a visiting author.”
Messner’s husband, who is from Rochester, is chief meteorologist at WPTZ, the NBC affiliate in Burlington, Vt., where she met him when she worked there.
Ideas for her books come from all over the place, Messner said.
“That is why I always carry a writer’s notebook,” she said. “I’ve had inspiration strike on airplanes and in museums, on school field trips and in line at the grocery store. Mostly, I tell aspiring writers that the best way to court ideas is to be curious about people and the world around you. I talk to strangers and ask a lot of questions.”
She doesn’t know how to answer when asked what her favorite book is.
“That is always such a tough question for a writer to answer,” she said. “It’s a little like asking a parent to choose a favorite child. But I’m always excited about the newest books and the projects I’m working on at the moment, so today, I’d tell you that one of my favorites is my newly released novel, Chirp, which is a mystery set on a cricket farm, as well as a coming-of-age story about summer, friendship, family and finding your voice. I’m also really excited about a new series I’m writing for Random House, called History Smashers, which is aimed at undoing some of the lies and myths we teach young children about history. It’s illustrated by comic artist and graphic novelist Dylan Meconis, and the first two books – about the Mayflower and Women’s Right to Vote – launch in July.”
The Next President comes out next month, one of 12 books to be released this year by Kate Messner.
She is really excited about three books coming out in March. Tracking Pythons: the Quest to Catch an Invasive Predator and Save an Ecosystem is about a team of scientists researching South Florida’s invasive Burmese pythons, and comes out from Millbrook on March 3.
The Next President, illustrated by Adam Rex, is a picture book about where future presidents were when any given president took office. That comes out March 24 from Chronicle Books.
Another favorite of Messner’s is a title she co-authored with her sister Anne Ruppert, who lives in the Buffalo area and just retired from teaching high school science.
“She taught forensic science for years, so we teamed up to create a book for kids that puts them in the role of a forensic scientist, solving imagined mysteries,” Messner said. “Solve This: Forensics comes out from National Geographic Kids on March 17.”
Messner’s titles are frequently selected for One School, One Book and One School/One Author programs, according to her publicist. The novel Chirp has already received impressive five star reviews from critical journals, and her books have been New York Times Notable, Junior Library Guild, IndieBound and Bank Street College Education Best Books selections. Her novel The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. won the E.B White Read Aloud Medal, and her science picture books have been finalists for the American Academy for the Advancement of Sciences/Subaru SB&F prize for excellence in science writing.
In addition, Messner is a frequent speaker at conferences for writers and educators and visits schools all over the world to talk to students about books, writing and the power of curiosity.
Messner writes pretty much every weekday, unless she’s traveling for research or appearances. On a typical day, she writes for three or four hours in the morning, takes a break at noon to get some exercise and have lunch, then tries to get in another writing session in the afternoon.
When she’s not writing, she loves the outdoors. She has aspirations to climb all of the 46 Adirondack peaks, and so far has climbed 32.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2020 at 8:51 am
J-Co makes renovations to former Dan’s Cans
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jeff Colonna stands outside J-Co’s Can and Bottle Return, which is having a grand opening celebration this week.
MEDINA – Jeff Colonna this week is celebrating the grand opening of his new can and bottle redemption business at 718 S. Main St.
Colonna made significant renovations to the site, which was operated as Dan’s Cans for about seven years. Dan Gilhooly opened that business in 2009 and ran it until he passed away on Oct. 11, 2016.
Colonna acquired the property and he said it is a prime location in the village, with parking that makes it easy to get in and out. Employees can also easily see customers when they pull in. If they honk, Colonna said he and his crew will gladly help bring in customers’ bags of bottles and cans.
Colonna, 36, wants to run a clean operation that doesn’t reek of strong smells. He put in new stainless steel tables and a sorting tray that are easy to wipe down. The tables are connected to a drain and the frequent cleanings will fight odors.
“I don’t want it smelly or sticky,” he said.
J-Co’s employee Tim Ward sorts through cans that were dropped off on Wednesday at the site at 718 S. Main St. Jeff Colonna, left, is owner of the business.
He also put up a wall to separate the intake area with the sorting that goes on in the back. The cans and bottles are separated into about 50 different groups depending on the distributor, size of the cans and bottles, and color of the glass.
This week J-Co’s has offered an extra penny for the cans and bottles, for six cents. Colonna will keep that rate for firefighters, police officers and veterans.
Colonna is pleased with the steady business so far at the site. Customers bring in varying quantities of cans and bottles, from 8 to 10 to over 3,000.
Colonna also owns a driveway sealing business and works with his father, Rich Colonna, in a rental property enterprise.
Tim Ward and Jeff Colonna work together on Wednesday. Colonna put in new stainless-steel tables and sorting trays, as well as other upgrades. He wants the site to be as clean as possible.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 February 2020 at 5:53 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Lisa Moule, left, a 14-year employee of the Medina Post Office, was presented with the Postmaster General Hero Award this morning, for realizing one of her customers was having a medical emergency. Moule called an ambulance and waited until they arrived, quite possibly saving the woman’s life. With Moule are Gary Vaccarella, acting district manager; Scott Streebel, Medina postmaster; and Medina operations manager, Eugene Oyer Jr.
MEDINA – Lisa Moule is the first one to tell you she’s not a hero.
But that’s not what her superiors and fellow co-workers at Medina Post Office think.
Moule this morning was presented with the Postmaster General Hero Award by acting district manager Gary Vaccarella, for possibly saving the life of a customer on her delivery route.
“This was the first time I’ve encountered a situation like this, and it was scary,” Moule said.
A 14-year employee of the Postal Service, Moule started a recent day like any other, except that she had an express piece of mail which had to be delivered by noon.
“The piece was going to my sister’s best friend’s mom, and she was at the end of my route,” Moule said. “So I asked my supervisor if I could deviate and deliver that piece first, and they gave me permission.”
Moule was familiar with the woman, as she was in a wheelchair and would get up in the morning and unlock her door, so Moule could bring her mail in to her. That particular morning, Moule arrived at the lady’s house three hours earlier than usual.
“I took her mail in to her, but that day I knew something was wrong,” Moule said. “She couldn’t find words to communicate with me. “I said, ‘Honey, I can’t leave you like this. I’m going to call an ambulance.’ The lady said no, and I told her I knew she would be mad at me, but I had to call the ambulance.”
Moule waited until the ambulance arrived, and told them something was wrong with the lady. She told Moule she had gotten up as usual and made her bed, but then became confused and couldn’t think. Moule knew she had had a stroke in November and her medications had been changed. She shared this information with the paramedics on the ambulance. They asked if the lady usually acted like that, and Moule told them, “Absolutely not. I’ve talked to her every day for the last two years and this is not normal.”
The lady ended up in the hospital for three weeks, after being diagnosed as having multiple strokes. After a week, Moule went to see her and met the lady’s niece, who looks after her affairs. The first thing the niece said was, “I want to give you a hug.”
The first thing Moule wanted to do was get the niece’s contact information so she could keep in touch.
“The niece told me she keeps thinking how different things might have been if I hadn’t gotten there when I did,” Moule said. “I’m happy things aligned just right so I could get there when I did. A week later, there was a fire on my route and I called it in. I don’t think of myself as a hero. I am who I am.”
Moule’s grandfather Ray Bates was a mail carrier in Lyndonville for many years. He always told her, “As long as you can sleep at night, you’ve done the right thing.”
Moule is the first employee in the history of the Medina Post Office to win the Postmaster General Hero Award. Participating in her presentation with Vaccarella was Medina Postmaster Scott Streebel, Operations Manager Eugene Oyer Jr. and Supervisor Scott Wackenheim, who submitted Moule’s name for the award.
Employees of the Medina Post Office pose on the steps with Lisa Moule, center, who was presented with the Postmaster General Hero Award this morning by acting district manager Gary Vaccarella, who stands beside her.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2020 at 3:28 pm
The state has approved projects for two school districts in Orleans County in the latest round of funding through the Smart Schools Bond Act.
Lyndonville was approved to spend $89,900 for classroom technology while Medina was approved for $339,234 in high-tech security.
The money is available through a $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act, which was passed by NY voters in 2014.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced the approval of 133 Smart Schools Investment Plans aimed at improving school security and reimagining teaching and learning for the 21st century. The approved plans, totaling $110.7 million, will help ensure safety, modernize classrooms across New York State, and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the global economy, Cuomo said.
The funding approved by the state in the latest round of Smarts Schools projects includes $19.0 million for school connectivity, $9,600 for community connectivity, $24.8 million for classroom technology, $3.1 million for Pre-K classrooms, $10.9 million to replace TCUs (Transportable Classroom Units), $51.5 million for high-tech security and $1.4 million for non-public schools.
In Orleans County, the five school districts were approved for about $7 million combined in technology aid as part of the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act. The state breaks that down to $2,238,441 for Albion; $1,311,463 for Holley; $967,959 for Kendall; $733,151 for Lyndonville; and $2,000,222 for Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2020 at 9:12 am
MEDINA — The Medina Village Board is urging the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to amend criminal justice reforms that started on Jan. 1.
The “drastic changes in the laws” are “overly broad and vague and having unintended consequences at the municipal level,” according to a resolution approved by the board on Monday evening.
The criminal justice reforms don’t allow judges to set bail in many cases where there used to be discretion for bail.
The state also overhauled the discovery process and now requires an expedited timeline to provide materials such as police reports, radio transmissions, body-worn and dash-cam video, laboratory test results and volumes of other materials and data related to prosecution. There is now a mandate to turn over voluminous trial-related material within 15 days.
The new laws were approved as part of the state budget last year, without public or law enforcement input.
The changes have put more demands on police departments, court systems and district attorney’s offices, forcing many of them to add staff to be in compliance with the laws.
The Medina board said the increased costs come without state aid during a time of a state-imposed tax cap of about 2 percent.
The Medina board said prosecutors and courts are being consumed by the demands for misdemeanor and felony cases, making it impossible to prosecute vehicle and traffic infractions within the timeframes of the new discovery mandates.
The Medina board asked for the following amendments proposed by the New York State Conference of Mayors, which still meet the intent of the criminal justice reforms:
• Ensure that cities and villages are provided with additional financial and operational support to offset the cost of the mandated measures;
• Allow 60 days for prosecutors to disclose evidence to the defense for criminal charges;
• Excuse from the accelerated discovery requirements any charge not involving a misdemeanor or felony;
• Adjust the 20-day arraignment requirement to accommodate local courts that meet on a monthly basis;
• Allow prosecutors to withhold sensitive information, such as victim contact information, without having to obtain a court order.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2020 at 8:25 am
MEDINA – The Burger King on Maple Ridge Road in Medina wants to add an electric charging station for electric cars.
Burger King has talked with Dan Gardner, the village code enforcement officer, about the approval process for installing a charging station.
Gardner advised the Village Board on Monday about the charging station, which would be the first in Medina or Orleans County to be available to the public.
The village currently doesn’t have specific language in its code for electric charging stations. The board asked Gardner to work with Chris Busch, the Planning Board chairman, to consider how the village code could be amended to include electric charging stations.
Gardner said Burger King hasn’t made a formal application to install a charging station, but is serious in making one available.
Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said she would like to see a charging station in the downtown business district as well. She said the charging stations draw visitors to a community.
“People with those cars plan their trips around a charging station,” she said.
The state has offered grants for communities to put in charging stations.
Click here to visit the Medina Burger King online.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2020 at 10:11 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Fire Department’s ladder truck, shown at a fire on Marshall Road on March 13, 2016, is 24 years old. The Fire Department is seeking a federal grant that would pay about 95 percent of the costs for a new truck, estimated at $1,450,000.
MEDINA – The Village of Medina is applying for a federal grant that would pay about 95 percent of the costs of a new ladder fire truck.
The Village Board this evening authorized Fire Chief Matt Jackson to submit an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The new Quint ladder truck would cost an estimated $1,450,000 with Medina’s share about $70,000.
The grant application is due by 5 p.m. on March 13. The grants likely won’t be announced until November or December.
“I think we have a good chance with the age of our current vehicle and the condition it is in,” said Mayor Mike Sidari.
Medina’s current ladder truck is from 1996. The ladder is 75 feet long. Medina would like a truck with a 100-foot-long ladder.
If Medina is awarded the grant in late 2020, it would likely be another year from then before the new truck is ready because it takes about 11 months for a manufacturer to build the truck.
Village officials said Medina is already spending about $70,000 a year on the current ladder to keep it going.
“We’re being nickel and dimed with the mechanical issues,” said the fire chief.
Medina faces another issue if it gets a new ladder truck. The fire hall is too small for a new 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. The new trucks are 4 inches above the top of the door.
Fire Chief Jackson is suggesting the village consider a 75-by-50-foot addition to the fire hall with two taller bays to allow more space to get trucks in and out of the building.
An addition would be an estimated $1.3 million to $1.5 million for the building, and extending heating and other utilities, as well as engineering costs.
“With the size of the vehicles today it’s inevitable someday,” Jackson told the board about an addition to the fire hall.
Medina wants to have the building designed and ready to bid out if the grant for the new fire trucks comes in. Mayor Sidari said there would likely be grants to help with an addition, with the village likely having to finance some of the costs.
It will be a moot point though if the village doesn’t receive the FEMA grant. The fire department has received FEMA funds before for equipment and towards a fire truck.
(Editor’s Note: This article was updated. The original post said the current truck has a ladder that is 96 feet long. It is 75 feet long.)
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By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 February 2020 at 2:39 pm
MEDINA – Lenten lunches at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street will begin Feb. 27, hosted by the Medina Area Association of Churches.
Ecumenical in nature, the lunches are prepared by a different church each week.
MAAC has been sponsoring the lunches at the Presbyterian Church every Thursday during Lent for many years. Lunches begin at noon, followed by hymns and a short, meaningful reflection. They are done by 1 p.m. to accommodate those who have to go back to work.
This year, speakers will explore the theme of “Suffering and Sacrifice,” according to Jim and Barb Hancock, members of MAAC.
Everyone is invited to stop in and share a meal and fellowship. Take-outs are also available.
The first meal on Feb. 27 will be chicken casserole, prepared by the First Presbyterian Church. March 5 will be spaghetti and sauce prepared by Holy Trinity Parish. March 12 will be pulled pork prepared by Alabama Full Gospel Church. March 19 will be beef-on-weck prepared by the First Baptist Church. March 26 will be sloppy joes prepared by the Methodist Church of Abundant Harvest (Millville and Knowlesville). The final meal April 2 will be chili prepared by Oak Orchard Assembly of God.
There is a suggested donation of $5 per meal, with all proceeds going to Orleans County Meals on Wheels and Crop Walk.
Provided photo: Author Sarah Klaiber is shown with students Robert Lewis, Jr., Isabelle Perkins, Kamaryon Warren, Hailey Session, Patrick Grollmes and Erin Allis.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Author Sarah Klaiber says her battle with depression inspired her to write her book, Treasures.
“It was about my journey about appreciating the positives in my life and helping to improve my mental wellness with more natural means,” she said.
She recently read her book to students at Medina’s Oak Orchard Elementary. “I want them to know that it is OK to feel blue sometimes and to look to the things in their lives that make them happy, their treasures so to speak. There are so many people, young and old, who suffer from depression and I think it is great that schools are now focusing on that and how to help students cope with these emotions.”
Studies show that one in five young people will experience a mental health challenge each year, with issues like depression and anxiety acting as significant impediments to academic success for students. There is a campaign in many schools to promote mental health understanding and dialogue, and decrease shame, prejudice and point students and parents to available resources like guidance counselors and social workers.
School librarian Molly DeBottis appreciated the message that Klaiber shared with the students. “Her message is so important about happiness and mental health,” DeBottis said. “It is good that we are starting at a younger age discussing this with them.”
The school librarian also is grateful that Klaiber discussed the writing process with the Medina classes.
“It helps them to see the possibilities about being an author and what they are capable of,” DeBottis said.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Calvary Tabernacle Church hopes to open its doors by summer. The new church is located on 36 acres of land on Maple Ridge Road, just east of Salt Works Road.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 February 2020 at 10:19 am
MEDINA – Building a new church is a dream come true for the Rev. Vincent Iorio and his congregation.
Twenty-five years ago Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God purchased the former Medina High School building on Catherine Street, where they have held services ever since, welcomed the Orleans County Christian School and rented space to the Medina Area Association of Churches clothing depot.
About two years ago, the church began to plan for a new, modern edifice and they sold the high school to local businessman Roger Hungerford. Hungerford plans to turn the building into upscale apartments, but he has allowed the church to continue holding services there until they can move into their new church.
The Rev. Vincent Iorio, pastor of Cavalry Tabernacle Church, stands in the entryway of his new church which is being built on Maple Ridge Road. The church is now reaching out to the community for donations to finish the project by summer.
Iorio and his congregation began making plans for their new church and purchased 36 acres of land on Maple Ridge Road, between Tops and Salt Works Road. Construction began a year ago on the 10,400 square-foot building, where to date all utilities are in, and rooms are all framed and insulated.
Sale of the old high school provided funds to construct the church to its present state – 70 percent complete, the Rev. Iorio said.
“Now we are asking the community to help us,” the pastor said.
The Rev. Iorio said the church started fundraising five years ago. They have spent half a million to date, most of which came from the sale of the high school, but another $400,000 is needed.
The new church will seat 150 and have a sound booth, kitchen and fellowship hall, classrooms, a youth room, nursery and area for their Foodlink ministry.
The stage takes shape in the sanctuary of Calvary Tabernacle Church, which is being built on Maple Ridge Road.
“We are the largest Foodlink supplier in Orleans County,” the Rev. Iorio said. “In 2019, we served 1,488 families via our Food Pantry, and an additional 150 to 200 area families per week through the Mobile Food Pantry distribution, which takes place the second and fourth Thursday of every month.
The church also offers counseling services through their “Still Waters Counseling Center,” at no cost to clients. In 2018, 550 counseling sessions took place, assisting many local individuals, couples and families.
The Rev. Iorio invites the residents of Orleans and neighboring counties to come and see what they do every week.
“Please consider helping us complete the building so we can continue serving your neighbors right here in your own back yard,” the pastor said.
Everything is ready to go to finish the church, he said.
“We just need money and good weather,” he said.
He said any amount will be much appreciated. Donations may be mailed to Cavalry Tabernacle Church, P.O. Box 625, Medina.
Information about online giving and the church’s community outreach ministries is available at www.caltabag.org.
The Rev. Iorio stressed that his new church is being built by local contractors, such as Art Hill Excavating, Top Gun Construction, Heveron Electric, Superior Concrete, Albion Plumbing and Heating, Schuler Construction and NES Contracting.
He also added a thank you to the army of Calvary and community volunteers who contribute their time assisting with the food ministries, in particular. Anyone interested in volunteering can call the church office at (585) 798-3738.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2020 at 8:37 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Sarah Martin models a bridal gown from Blissett’s Specialty Shop on Sunday during a fashion show, featuring wedding gowns, prom and bridesmaid dresses, as well as tuxedos.
Medina: The Grove United Methodist Church hosted the second annual Blissett’s Specialty Shop Wedding & Prom Showcase. Besides the fashion show, the church hosted displays by many local businesses that offer services for weddings and proms.
Lindsay Fulwell models one of the bridal gowns. She walks through a circular arch provided by The Wed Shed of Lyndonville, one of the vendors at the show.
The bridal and prom showcase returned last year after a hiatus of about a generation. Jaye Sullivan, owner of Blissett’s, wanted to showcase the local businesses that provide high-quality services for formal events.
“Support your local businesses,” Sullivan said. “There is so much here that we offer.”
Darian Kinney models a formal gown in front of about 100 people during the fashion show at The Grove.
Kelsey Evoy models a wedding dress and Charlotte McGrath wears a dress for a flower girl during the fashion show.
Riki Lake models a formal gown on Sunday.
Alana Koneski wears a formal dress for the mother of the bride.
Jamie Fulwell models this wedding dress, with flowers by Creekside Floral.
Some of the models in the fashion show gather on the stage at the finale of the fashion show. Blissett’s provide the gowns while Ashlee’s Place provided the tuxedos. From left include Tyler Waldriff, Riki Lake, Kelsey Evoy, Darian Kinney, Jamie Fulwell, Lindsay Fulwell, Ellie Gross, Michelle Lewis, Sarah Martin and Tanner Waldriff.
Some of the vendors at the bridal and prom show on Sunday included: The Creative Studio in Medina, Case-Nic Cookies in Medina, Roots in Albion, Bent’s Opera House in Medina, Della’s Chocolates in Medina, Party Tents Plus in Medina, The Wed Shed in Lyndonville, The Gallagher in Medina, Creekside Floral in Medina, Brittany Ford Photography in Buffalo, Tupperware sold by Judy Szulis in Medina, LMR Entertainment in Medina, Village Spin in Medina, Blissett’s Speciality Shop in Medina and Zambistro Catering in Medina.
Provided photos: Medina’s varsity winterguard is shown during its competition on Saturday in Batavia. Medina finished in third place.
Courtesy of Medina Marching Band
BATAVIA – Medina’s winterguards competed for the third time this season on Saturday when they traveled to Batavia. The Batavia show consisted of 18 guard units from WNY and Canada competing in 7 different classes.
In the SA class, the Medina Varsity guard came in 3rd with 67.85, bested by Orchard Park in 1st with 69.32 and Batavia in 2nd with 68.65.
In the RA class, the Medina JV guard came in 3rd with a score of 67.48, topped by Orchard Park in 1st with 69.09 and Gates in 2nd with 68.01.
Winners in the other classes are Legacy in Novice class with 43.92; Venture Cadet with 61.31; Lancaster in A1 with 63.85; Luminosa in Senior class with 69.69; and Legacy in Independent A with 74.12.
The students continue practicing several times per week even through school breaks. Medina’s next competitions are Feb. 29 at Marcus Whitman, Lancaster on March 7, at home in Medina on March 14, followed by Jamestown on March 21. The championships are March 28 at the Gates-Chili school.
Medina’s JV winterguard came in third place at the Batavia event.
