Medina

MAAC red barrels get redesign ahead of next Christmas season

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Sherry Tuohey, who heads MAAC’s Red Barrel program at Christmas, holds one of the newly designed barrels which will be distributed throughout the Medina community this holiday season.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 May 2020 at 1:51 pm

Sherry Tuohey applies decals at the Methodist Church at the Grove to one of the 40 MAAC Christmas barrels, which have been redesigned in preparation for the Christmas season.

MEDINA – The MAAC Red Barrels, which have been a tradition for decades in Medina, will greet the holiday season this year with a new look.

Sherry Tuohey, who has headed the Red Barrel program for two years, thought it was time to update them and decided this summer was a perfect time to address the idea.

The Red Barrels are how MAAC collects toys and gifts to give to less fortunate families at Christmas time. The program evolved out of a toy drive started about 40 years ago by the Medina Fire Department. Every year, several dozen red barrels are placed at businesses, churches and the library in Medina by local firefighters, who still volunteer to distribute and collect the barrels.

Tuohey had received comments last year about the appearance of the barrels and expected some came back empty because businesses didn’t want to display them.

She brought the problem up at a MAAC committee meeting, saying she thought the barrels should be updated.

“We had noticed we were getting fewer and fewer donations and decided a change might be warranted,” Tuohey said. “We envisioned the barrels with a picture that would catch the attention of the public and encourage them to donate.”

So she contacted Ken Daluisio at the Print Shop, who agreed to work with her. They contacted Renee Vicknair Lama, a Medina native and graphic designer, with whom Daluisio has worked. Lama now lives in Hilton, where she and her husband George run RG Lama Studios. Lama has designed promotional material for many Medina area businesses.

Lama designed a series of designs which feature inspirational sayings and children with their holiday gifts. Daluisio then printed them on large decals.

In the meantime, Tuohey singlehandedly carried all the barrels, up from the basement of the United Methodist Church at the Grove in Medina. Church secretary Bonnie Sutch was able to obtain some extra barrels, bringing their total number to 40 from the previous 36.

Tuohey scrubbed and sanded them and repaired holes and rough spots. Then Daluisio showed her how to apply the decals by measuring the middle point, folding it over and peeling back half of it, in a process called the “hitch technique.” Then after smoothing the first half down, she peeled off the backing on the second half and smoothed that down. The result is new-looking barrels which convey the Christmas spirit.

Tuohey expects there may be many more families in need of assistance this Christmas and she hopes the new-looking barrels will encourage everyone to donate a toy, gift or cash. Every item dropped in a red barrel stays in the area to meet the needs of Medina families, she said.

“Working with Ken and Renee was a wonderful experience, and MAAC is so thankful small business owners in Medina support our Christmas Box Program, by allowing us to display barrels in their establishment,” Tuohey said.

Daluisio said he was happy to give MAAC a deal on the cost to promote this very worthwhile program.

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School bell from 1850 now displayed at Medina HS lobby

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2020 at 12:39 pm

Provided photo: A school bell from the Medina Free Academy is now on display in the lobby at Medina High School.

MEDINA – The lobby in Medina High School now displays a cast-iron bell that used to ring at Medina’s first public school – the Medina Free Academy on Catherine Street.

That school opened in 1851. The bell was made a year earlier in Buffalo. When the Medina Academy opened in 1851, it was only the third school in the state to offer free education for students. Most academies then were tuition-based, Lacy said.

The school was knocked down in 1922 and a new school was built there and served as the high school until 1991. When the Academy building was razed in 1922, the bell was stored in the basement of Central School, an elementary school on South Academy Street.

After fire destroyed Central School in 1967, contractor Carl Petronio Jr. was hired to clean up the rubble and discovered the bell. He removed it to storage and recently donated it to the Medina Historical Society.

Craig Lacy, former Historical Society president, realized the significance of the 700-pound bell. He contacted Barnes Metal Finishing Company, which restored the bell.

Mark Kruzynski, the Medina school superintendent, is happy to have the bell on display in a prominent location in the high school. The district had a base made to display the bell as part of a current capital project. The base looks like Medina sandstone but is actually cultured stone. The district used similar stone with the upgraded entrance to Vets’ Park.

Kruzynski said the bell is an important artifact in the community’s public school history. He also hopes the bell can be used in future graduation ceremonies in the high school. Perhaps the bell could be rung to kick off the commencement ceremony, he said.

“We wanted it to be seen by a lot of people and also to be protected,” Kruzynski said about the location in the school’s lobby.

This image shows the Medina Free Academy, which opened in 1851 with the average attendance of about 300 to 400 students. The bell tower is at top.

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Food Pantry shows appreciation to Aldi grocery workers

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2020 at 8:52 am

Provided photo

MEDINA – Denny and Robin Dubai, volunteers at the Medina Emergency Food Pantry At St. Peter’s, donated a sheet pizza to manager Dan Leverenz, left, and the workers at Aldi for their dedicated work during the pandemic. The store is located on Maple Ridge Road.

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Veterans from Medina spent morning paying tribute to fallen on Memorial Day

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 May 2020 at 8:36 am

Photos by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Veterans from Medina spent the morning on Memorial Day visiting local cemeteries and memorials, offering a gun salute and playing Taps. The top picture shows the Honor Guard by the American Legion Post on Main Street and Glenwood Avenue.

The veterans assembled a small group and continued a Memorial Day observance, trying to stay six feet apart due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

These six Marine Corps veterans stand in front of the Vietnam War memorial at the American Legion in Medina. From left are Randolph Wells, Jim Freas, Tom Walders, Nick Fitzak, Don Hinman and Dave Morien.

Jim Freas, leader of the Honor Guard, joins the veterans at St. Mary’s Cemetery for the gun salute and playing of Taps.

Tom Walders plays Taps at Boxwood. Walders recently joined the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Glenn Whitmore, left, and Dave Kusmierczak are pictured by the Vietnam War Memorial by the Erie Canal.

Lance Cpl. Nick Fitzak, left, and Tom Snyder, a veteran of the Navy, are pictured at the VFW post. Fitzak works for Snyder at Medina Lumber & Hardware.

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Photos from Memorial Day ceremony in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2020 at 9:46 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Steve Johnson salutes after he presented flowers at State Street Park during a Memorial Day ceremony today at about noon.

It was a smaller service today due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Local veterans insisted on having a service to honor veterans who have served the country.

To see a video of the gun salute and Tom Walders playing Taps at the service, click here.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley reads the names of veterans from the Medina area who have died since last Memorial Day. Jim Freas, one of the organziers of the service, is in back.

That roll includes:

• Donald Durow, Army; Charles Marcinowski, Army; Raymond Callard, Army; Walter Hird, Air Force; Kenneth Schaal, Marines; John Baron, Navy; Charles Sutliff, Navy; Jack Bellack, Army; Leonard Balcerzak, Army; Douglas Birch, Army; Eugene Schwarzott, Navy;

• Steven Sills, Army; Robert Holtz, Air Force; William Ames, Navy; Frank Nicometi, Army; Robert Simpson, Army; David Watts, Army; Curtis Bentley, Army; James Johnson, Marines; Leonard Levandowski; Frederick Grant, Air Force; Peter Hallows; Jake Grehlinger, Army;

• William Brazzell, National Guard; Charles Marcinowski, Army; Roger Seefeldt, Army; William Renouf, Navy; Joseph Nieboer, Navy; Charles Sutliff, Navy; Gordon Tooley, Army; William Arnett, Army;

• Lavern “Bud” Fuller, Army; Eugene Schwarzott, Jr., Navy; Leonard Balcerzak, Army; Curtis Bentley, Air Force; and David Watts, Army.

Bernard Nowak, a former Navy chaplain, shared a prayer during the service. Nowak now serves as the priest for Holy Trinity Parish in Medina and Middleport.

Veterans gather by the World War I cannon at State Street Park. That cannon was refurbished and rededicated at last year’s Memorial Day.

Steve Earl carries the flag for the American Legion from State Street Park to the VFW after today’s Memorial Day service at the park.

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Honor Guard marches the parade route in Medina – with no parade

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2020 at 6:48 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Honor Guard carries the flags down Main Street in Medina during a procession from the Olde Pickle Factory to State Street Park. Pictured from left include Lance Cpl. Nick Fitzak, Adam Johnson, Steve Earl, Greg Stanton and Tom Snyder.

The walked the usual route for the Memorial Day parade in 80-degree heat. Normally the veterans are joined by the Medina Marching Band, youth sports leagues, fire departments and the community organizations.

This year the parade was cancelled due to concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic.

The five veterans decided to continue the Memorial Day tradition, carrying the flags from the United States, the American Legion and the VFW post.

The Honor Guard heads out on the walk from the Olde Pickle Factory on park Avenue, for a mile to State Street Park on Route 31.

Greg Stanton carries the American flag next to Tom Snyder as part of an Honor Guard procession down East Center Street today just before noon.

A man removes his hat and salutes while the Honor Guard walks by on Main Street.

The Honor Guard heads down Main Street. Tom Snyder, right, wore his Navy uniform.

Snyder said today’s march on Memorial Day was much quieter than the usual Memorial Day parade. He said it was a more reflective walk, and he thought of two of his friends from the military who were killed in service to the country.

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Medina adds nearly 70 new banners of Hometown Heroes

Photos by Tom Rivers: This banner recognizes Chief Master Sgt. Terri Santoro who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 2018.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2020 at 9:52 am

This banner displayed by City Hall features Dell Stork, who served with the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He later served as Medina’s fire chief.

MEDINA – There are banners of more than 100 “Hometown Heroes” on display in Medina.

The portraits of soldiers, some currently in the military and some going back to the Civil War, are in the downtown and have spread to some of the side streets.

Last year, was the debut of the banners with 38. The banners from last year are back and are on West Avenue with a few on North Main close to Prospect Street.

Mary Woodruff, a Ridgeway town councilwoman, has coordinated the effort the past two years. The banners are proving popular. Families or sponsors pay $200 for a banner, which has the portrait on both sides. The banners are expected to last for three years, being displayed just before Memorial Day to just after Veterans Day in November.

After three years, the families or sponsors can keep the banner, or sooner if they don’t want to do a three-year cycle.

Woodruff said that the display of 107 banners looks “spectacular” and is giving the community a needed morale boost during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We need our spirits lifted and bringing our heroes home will do it!” she posted on Facebook.

She thanked the Medina Department of Public Works for getting the banners up this week. The Village Clerk’s Office led by Clerk Debbie Padoleski and Deputy Clerk Jada Burgess handles the money for the banners.

“I have to say this village is wonderful,” Woodruff said this morning. “This community is so appreciative of the return of the banners and featuring the heroes. Just walking around and seeing all of them, it gives me energy.”

Last year there was a banner unveiling inside the Orleans County YMCA, which used to be the Medina Armory, where soldiers trained. That reception was planned for May 16 but was cancelled due to the 10-person limit on social gatherings.

The new banners this year are in the downtown on Main Street, and East and West Center streets, and on Park Avenue. New locations have been added this year farther down on East and West Center streets, Park Avenue, Pearl Street, West Avenue and South Main Street.

Woodruff said there will be more banners next year. She wants input from Joe Perry, the DPW superintendent, on how many additional spots would be suitable for more banners. She thanked National Grid for its cooperation in allowing the banners on some of the company’s poles.

“The public is loving it,” she said about the response to the banners. “It’s building patriotism and celebrating the real heroes.”

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Orleans County Christian School surprises 3 soon-to-be grads with signs, gifts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2020 at 9:58 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Madison Bale is hugged by Emma Herman this evening when a caravan from the Orleans County Christian School stopped with signs and gifts for seniors at the school.

Madison and Emma are both seniors at the school, which meets at the Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship Church on Route 63 in Shelby.

There are three seniors in this year’s class at the school and they all live in the Medina area. There will be a small graduation ceremony on June 11 at the church for the three students and their families.

Madison Bale has been attending the Orleans County Christian School the past four years. She likes the close-knit community at the school.

“It was a great place for me,” Bale said. “It gave me the one-on-one with teachers. Everybody is great there.”

She plans to work at Voss Manufacturing in Sanborn after graduation. She has been doing a co-op internship at Voss in Automated Manufacturing and Engineering through the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

Emma Herman poses with her sign in her front yard. Emma plans to start a dog-walking business.

Amy Herman and this group helped greet the seniors. Amy is Emma Herman’s mother. The caravan of greeters included a fire truck from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

Ben Bielisky received balloons and a graduation gift. He wants to be a video game programmer.

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Medina’s classic car cruise-in expected to return in July

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2020 at 4:02 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: Some of the classic cars are shown during the Super Cruise on Aug. 28, 2019.

MEDINA – The classic cars should return to Medina’s Canal Basin on Friday evenings, but likely not until the second Friday in July.

The cruise-in normally starts the first Friday in June. But with social gatherings currently limited to no more than 10 people, the cruise-ins have been pushed back to July.

By then, organizer David Green hopes some of the restrictions will be lifted on the size of social gatherings.

Green, the retired Orleans County sheriff, has helped organize the cruise-in events for about 20 years.

They usually draw about 80 to 100 vehicles on Friday evenings, as well as crowd of people who like to look over the cars.

When the series starts, Green said DJ Hank Nevins is expected back. There will also be weekly 50/50 raffles to benefit the Orleans County United Way.

Green also would like to continue the Super Cruise to close out the season in late August. Elvis impersonator Terry Buckwald typically performs at the Super Cruise. Green said the event may be scaled back this year.

Local businesses usually donate to bring in Buckwald, but Green is reluctant to appeal to businesses for funding because many of them have been closed or scaled back to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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2 young cadets in Medina thank frontline workers during pandemic

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2020 at 8:06 pm

Provided photos

MEDINA – Austin Tompkins, 15, of Medina stopped by several places in Medina on Thursday to show his appreciation to frontline and essential workers in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Austin stopped by the Medina Memorial Hospital, Medina Fire Department, Bank of Castile and Aldi grocery store to thank the workers for their dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Austin is Petty Officer 2nd class with the Sullivans Division of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps. The Cadet Corps were out in WNY communities thanking workers for their dedication during this pandemic.

The Cadet Corps are based out of Buffalo. They have regular drills one weekend per month all year. They also have summer and winter trainings for the Cadets that range from 5 to 13 days. They drill on the Little Rock and The Sullivans ships at Buffalo Naval Park from May through October.

They arrive Saturday morning, spend the night, and leave Sunday afternoon. In winter, they drill at the Navy Operational Support Center on Portage Road in Buffalo.

Aidyn Jackson, 10, also is a cadet. He visited the Medina Fire Department, where his father Matt Jackson is the fire chief. Aidyn is a LC2 in the League Cadets, a division of The Sullivans for kids aged 10-13.

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Farm to Table dinner cancelled in Medina but will return in 2021

Posted 14 May 2020 at 6:53 pm

Canal Village Farmers’ Market will open for season on June 6

Photo by Tom Rivers: A crowd of 225 people enjoyed a five-course meal last Aug. 8 for the fourth annual Farm to Table Dinner. The event is hosted by the Orleans Renaissance Group.

Press Release, Orleans Renaissance Group

MEDINA – What would’ve been the fifth annual Farm to Table Dinner in Medina has been cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns.

The annual August event is organized by the Orleans Renaissance Group with Zambistro of Medina. The dinner features a gourmet five-course meal using as many local ingredients as possible from Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market.

The table is set for over 200 guests and stretches the entire length of North Main Street in Medina’s Historic Downtown District.

“It’s a monumental undertaking,” said Chris Busch, ORG President. “Given circumstances as they currently stand, it would be logistically unfeasible. I have no doubt that we’ll be back better than ever in 2021.”

The Canal Village Farmers’ Market is currently open with limited offerings, and will open for their summer season on Saturday, June 6, at 9 a.m.

“The market has remained open with limited offerings throughout the winter and spring,” said Busch. “Market Manager, Gail Miller, with Ken and Rose Baker of Baker Farm have done an absolutely amazing job providing local meats, eggs and more to customers during the Covid crisis. When the crisis hit, they stepped up in a big way. They’ve done an incredible service to the community for many, many weeks.”

Busch said hundreds of pre-packaged orders have been sold and delivered weekly via the market, and a similar system will be available during the regular market season. More weekly information can be found on the Farmers’ Market Facebook page.

Masks and social distancing are required to visit the market as per current NYS farmers’ market regulations. The market operates on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 127 West Center Street in Medina.

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Photo in Medina of WNY flyover to honor frontline workers during Covid-19

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2020 at 12:21 pm

MEDINA – Joyce McCabe took this photo of the U.S. Air Force flyover at about 11:30 a.m. in Medina.

McCabe took the photo from Salt Works Road as the planes headed towards the Lockport hospital, the beginning of a flyover over several hospitals in Western New York.

The planes include a KC-135 from the 914th Air Refueling Wing’s 328th Air Refueling Squadron at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and F-35s from the Vermont Air National Guard.

The flyover honors all of those working on the front lines during the Covid-19 crisis.

McCabe said it was quite a sight to see the planes in formation.

“It was so awesome,” she said. “It was absolutely an amazing experience.”

Jeff Andrews of Albion took this photo at 12:01 p.m. of the planes in formation over the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

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Albion, Medina announce plans to keep prom – in summer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2020 at 12:03 pm

Districts consider options for graduation ceremonies

Photo by Tom Rivers: Medina graduates move their tassels during graduation on June 22, 2018 in the high school auditorium. This year’s commencement is very much up in the air with the district considering an outdoor ceremony at Vets’ Park if a large indoor gathering isn’t allowed.

Albion and Medina were both planning the annual senior prom for June 12. But during a Covid-19 pandemic, with social gatherings currently limited to 10 people, that doesn’t look likely, even as the state begins phase 1 of reopening.

Medina has announced its prom has been moved to July 22 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Becker Farms in Gasport.

“Everything will remain the same except the date,” the district posted on its Facebook page. “We hope that by the end of July state guidance will enable us to host a proper gathering. We will continue to keep you posted if any other changes are necessary.”

The prom also will be on a Wednesday instead of a Friday.

“We know this year has brought many unforeseen changes and we are trying hard to create those final high school memories,” the school district posted on its Facebook page. “Your class officers, class advisors, teachers, and administrators are working hard to ensure that end of year events are as memorable as possible.”

Albion was again planning to have its senior prom at Hickory Ridge in Holley the second Friday in June.

The district is now looking to have the event on Aug. 6, which would be a Thursday.

Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, said he recently met with the senior class officers who said a top priority for the class is to have the prom, even if it is in the summer.

Moving to Aug. 6 still gives seniors, who at that point will have graduated, a chance to go to the prom before many start college.

“Most of the attendees will actually be alumni at that point,” Bonnewell said during Monday’s Board of Education meeting, which was conducted by Zoom videoconferencing.

The district also favored the Thursday option for the prom, to leave open a weekend date for graduation parties.

The prom dates in summer for Medina and Albion are contingent on approvals from the state and Health Department as the state begins to reopen some businesses.

Graduation ceremonies

Albion is looking to have a virtual graduation on June 26, while hoping there can be a large public gathering to honor the seniors later in the summer, Bonnewell said.

The district considered using the football stadium for an outdoor graduation, where students and the crowd could be spaced out. But Bonnewell said the restrooms at the stadium don’t meet the Health Department standards for such an event. The district will meet again soon with Health Department officials to look at options.

“We’re keeping an eye on the possibilities,” Bonnewell said.

But right now a large mass gathering looks unlikely anytime soon.

The district also is working to induct three seniors into the National Honor Society. They must be inducted before they graduate. Once they get their diploma they can’t be inducted into the NHS. The district is working on a ceremony for those three students on May 28.

School officials also are working on the details of Class Night, when scholarships are announced for the seniors.

Medina school officials said no final plans about graduation will be made until at least June 12.

“It is our hope to hold a ceremony containing many of our traditional components, however we do need to make decisions based on state guidelines,” the district posted on Facebook.

The district is looking at five different options for graduation:

Traditional ceremony held in the high school auditorium on June 26 at 7 p.m.
If guidelines do not allow an indoor ceremony but would be OK for an outdoor ceremony, Medina will move graduation to Veterans Park on June 26 at 7 p.m. There will be a rain date of June 27.
If gatherings are not allowed in June, Medina will opt for a traditional ceremony on July 24 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
If gatherings are not allowable indoors but can be held in an outdoor location, Medina will then hold the ceremony at Veterans Park on July 24 at 7 p.m. with a rain date of July 25.
If Medina is unable to hold any gatherings in July, then the district will arrange a special event for diploma pick up with a parade in cars through the streets of Medina for graduates on July 24.

“We thank you for all your suggestions and input,” the district posted. “The Senior Class Officers and Senior Class Advisers are working hard to create an unforgettable occasion!”

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#MedinaStrong T-shirts will raise money for Orleans Community Health Foundation

Provided photo: This group includes, from left, Chris Kozody, Scott Robinson and Alix Gilman, and Shawn Ramsey. They are selling #MedinaStrong T-shirts with proceeds going to Orleans Community Health Foundation.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2020 at 11:45 am

MEDINA – T-shirts with the message “#MedinaStrong” are selling to build community spirit during the Covid-19 pandemic and also to raise money for the Orleans Community Health Foundation.

The owners of the Shirt Factory and Canalside Tattoo have teamed up in the #MedinaStrong T-shirt campaign. They are pushing the campaign from May 6 to May 12 during National Nurses Week.

Every year from May 6 to May 12, those in the nursing profession are recognized for their commitment and expertise to the healthcare profession during National Nurses Week.

Scott Robinson of the Shirt Factory said the two businesses partnered to produce the T-shirts “to show gratitude for these front-line healthcare workers who are tirelessly working during these challenging times.”

The shirts are $20 and are available at medinastrong.com.

The “#MedinaStrong” moniker has been promoted with signs around the community. The Medina Area Partnership has promoted that hashtag in its social media posts. The Shirt Factory even created a Medina Strong cocktail.

The Shirt Factory has created a Medina Strong cocktail and Chris Kozody of the Shirt Factory drives around town with a large #MedinaStrong sign on the side of his truck.

The Shirt Factory has been closed to the public since March 21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The business continues to host virtual cocktail parties on Facebook live. Tattoo businesses have also been closed in the state since March 21.

“For us, #MedinaStrong is a rallying cry that has moved mountains over the last month, and now we hope that it can continue to do good work by supporting a cause that is near and dear to our hearts,” Alix Gilman said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: There are several #MedinaStrong signs in the community, including this one in front of Walgreens in Medina.

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Historian creates series of walking tours around Medina

Posted 6 May 2020 at 9:14 am

Community encouraged to do neighborhood tours on their own

Press Release, Village of Medina Historian Todd Bensley

Provided photo by Jada Burgess: T.J. Burgess with his dog enjoy Tour 1 that starts at Gwinn Street Park.

MEDINA – As we continue our efforts to socially distance, yet feel the need to get outside and exercise, Village of Medina Historian Todd Bensley created a series of walking tours highlighting various neighborhoods in the village. Each tour is under one mile.

The idea was spurred by the rediscovery in his archives of a driving tour that was printed in The Journal-Register in 1972.

“Over the years Frank Berger would copy articles of historical interest and distribute it to members of the Medina Historical Society,” Bensley said, “and this one caught my attention recently as I was looking for projects to occupy my time in the evenings, since we are limited in what we can do.”

At this point three tours, and the original driving tour, are posted on the Village of Medina website. You can find them by scrolling down to the Community Events icon. There are clickable links to pdf files that you can download or print. According to Bensley, there are more tours in the works. When they are completed, they will be posted to the village website.

Jada Burgess and her son T.J. completed Tour 1 and she stated, “I think our favorite part of the tour was the statue at the YMCA. We spent a lot of time reading the names of those that served…. It really is something remarkable to have on display and I am glad T.J. was able to see it.”

Bensley added, “For those who are unable to get out and do the walks, there are a couple of options. You can drive the route or even use Google Street View to take a virtual tour.”

For those unfamiliar with Google Street View, Bensley included a link at the top of each tour that explains how to use it.

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