Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Tuohey: Nicole Tuohey holds some of the paper chain she calls “elephant links” which are sold at her mother’s store, Case-Nic Cookies, to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Both of Nicole’s grandparents died of Alzheimer’s Disease.

MEDINA – Each year, Nicole Tuohey and her family have a goal – to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Both Nicole’s maternal grandparents died of Alzheimer’s, so the disease is no stranger.

Nicole’s mother Mary Lou Tuohey owns Case-Nic Cookies, where she is always eager to support a charity, and the Alzheimer’s Association is a special one to the family.

In addition to loaning the use of her store’s front windows for a basket raffle, Mary Lou also helps Nicole raise money in other ways.

As elephants are associated with memory (it is said an elephant never forgets), in 2008 Nicole and her mother came up with an idea to sell links of construction paper at the cookie store for $1.

Nicole calls them her “elephant links.” Then Nicole tapes them together and anyone who buys a link gets a frosted elephant cutout cookie which Mary Lou baked.

It has always been Nicole’s goal to sell enough links to stretch down the entire block of downtown Main Street. Last year, she sold enough to almost reach the end of the stores down to Five Star Bank, raising a record $1,639.

Mary Lou also devised a unique way to make the basket raffle accessible to everyone. She places a bucket in the entryway of her store at 439 Main St. Inside are envelopes with a paper listing all the baskets.

Donors put their money in the envelope for the number of tickets they want, then mark after each item how many of those tickets they want placed on each basket. Then the envelope is sealed and dropped through a slot in the door. That makes is possible for people to participate in the raffle whether the store is open or not.

The money raised is donated to the Alzheimer’s Association the day of walk, which this year is Oct. 8, starting in State Street Park. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. followed by the walk at 11:15 a.m.

MEDINA – The restoration of Bent’s Opera House by Medina native and businessman Roger Hungerford has opened up a lot of new possibilities for the area.

Not only has the historic opera house brought swing dancing and the return of opera to Medina, but its first floor restaurant named Harvest is opening new doors in fine dining.

The upscale restaurant recently began offering seven-course wine pairing meals, created by chef Lionel Heydel, who came from the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School.

Roger and his wife Heather who manages Bent’s said the dinners are amazing, not only for the food, but the friendships and conversation they foster.

Roger explained tables are put in a long row across the dining room, and it doesn’t take long before the room is a buzz of conversation.

“They are an experience,” he said. “You meet a lot of new people, but sometimes see old friends – people you haven’t seen in a while. Everything you have to eat is usually something you never had, but very, very good.”

Three long-time friends were among the first to arrive at the dinner Sept. 25 – Kathy Blackburn, Cheryl Tuttle and Gabrielle Barone, all of Medina.

Blackburn has attended a wine pairing dinner before. Tuttle and Barone have both been to Harvest for dinner, brunch or drinks, but this was their first wine pairing dinner.

“It’s a wonderful experience,” Barone said. “It’s really a benchmark.”

The wine pairing dinners, which take place the last Sunday of each month, not only feature a different theme, but a noted sommelier. At the most recent dinner, the theme was Around the World, featuring food from seven continents, and the sommelier was from a major cruise line. His wine selections were chosen to complement each course – and there turned out to be nine of them, after the chef added a couple of surprise courses.

The first was the “chef’s surprise,” a peppadew filled with a spicy cream cheese.

Next was Som Tum, a classic Thai street food. Third was African gumbo with chicken and okra, followed by a fall harvest salad of arugula, roasted Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries and toasted pecans. There were two meat dishes – baked seabass from Europe and lamb chops from Corfu.

Just like the sommelier explained each wine served, Heydel came out of the kitchen to explain each course. He said wine can be paired to food or it can be done the other way around. It used to be a tradition to serve white wine with fish and red wine with meat, but that isn’t the case any more, he said.

The lamb, served “the Aussie way,” and acquired from a farm in Corfu was a blend of the “new world and the old world,” he said.

The cheese course was followed by two desserts created by pastry chef Mary Sandy. The first, called “Best Kept Secret,” was a sachertorte, a traditional Austrian dessert to which Sandy added her touch by using cherries. It was accompanied by wine from Freedom Run Winery. Also served was a pinot noir from Oregon.

The final course was an East African doughnut, similar to a beignet.

The coffee cart was wheeled out at the end for the diners who lingered to continue their conversations.

Jonathan Amoia and his guest came from Clarence for the dinner.

“It was very unique,” he said. “I’ve been to similar ones in New York City and Florida, but there’s nothing like this in the Buffalo area. It was quite an experience, and I’d definitely do it again.”

While the dinner was $225 a plate, those who attended this most recent one said it was well worth the once-in-a-lifetime experience and something everyone should try at least once.

Reservations for the wine-pairing dinners can be made on Bent’s Opera House website.

Internet-based station runs 24-7 with music, community updates

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Randy Reese of Medina shows the app on his phone where people can listen to his Medina-based radio station, now available 24 hours a day.

MEDINA – Medina native Randy Reese admits he is a man of many interests.

He has had his own comedy club in Buffalo, done improvisation comedy, worked as a state fraud investigator and written a novel and a couple of screen plays.

But his real love is radio. And that has led him to start a radio station in Medina.

As licenses are no longer given to low-power FM stations, Reese is broadcasting through the Internet on thecanalsideradio.com.

Reese’s interest in radio developed while he was in high school, and they had a high school radio station. He attended Penn State, but left after three semesters.

“It wasn’t because I bailed out, but because I was at the radio station all the time,” he said. “It was an AM station, and I fell in love with radio, eventually becoming a station manager.”

Eleven years ago, he moved to Boise, Idaho and he and his wife were driving through a town that had a low power FM radio station.

“I started going up once a week and doing a blues rock show,” Reese said. “Last year we moved back to Medina and I thought, ‘This is what Medina needs.’”

He knew the only way to do it would be on the Internet.

“That’s how a lot of people get their entertainment today, anyway,” he said. “I thought it would work.”

He has been up and running for six months now. He said it took a while to get the bugs out.

Reese said he loves old-time radio, and the format of his station is music from the 1960s to today. He plays songs not usually heard by musicians on other stations.

“They are good songs by good bands, such as the 1910 Fruitgum Company, today’s Canadian Indy Pop Band and the Monowhales,” he said. “I know people like to hear their favorite songs, but I like to expose people to songs they might not have heard before.”

During the day on Monday through Friday, he airs local news, courtesy of Orleans Hub, makes local community announcements and the weather, Reese said.

He also does a couple of specialty rock shows and a 1980s-themed show for an hour each. On weekends is going to try and do some specialty shows and syndicated shows, such as CBS Mystery Theater. A program called “Legislative Gazette” airs happenings in the New York State Legislature.

Another science program is called “Big Picture Science.” On Saturdays he offers Celtic Rock.

“I try to make it as community-centered as possible,” he said.

He also has the ability to cut in with late-breaking news.

He plans to have contests. People can also request songs from the website that are in his database. He is also planning local features, as well as a local history program once a month.

His long-term goal is to put the radio station in a store front downtown and have other DJs do their own show.

His target area is all of Orleans and eastern Niagara counties.

To keep the station going, he will have to solicit advertising. People can submit community events for non-profits free of charge, but those who want to advertise can do so for $50 a month, which buys them two spots a day.

They can sign up on the Canalside Radio’s website by clicking on “advertise with us.”

“I just love Medina and Orleans County,” Reese said. “I moved away and came back with my wife from Boise and stepson Alex.”

His wife Ann is studying to be a nurse and works part-time at Medina Memorial Hospital.

“She loves the hospital and the small-town feel,” Reese said.

The radio station also has an app that can be downloaded to a phone. Go to the app “Simple Radio” and search for “The Canalside Radio.”

While Reese is optimistic the radio station will be well-received, he plans to keep his day job in Federal Transit grant management.

Louise Nicholson known as ‘one of the best bartenders we ever had’ at the Legion

Photos by Ginny Kropf: From left, Valerie Wells, secretary of the Butts-Clark American Legion Auxiliary; Chris Barone, Auxiliary president; and Cathy Fox, right, president of the County American Legion, pose with Louise Nicholson who is a 67-year member of the Auxiliary.

MEDINA – The Butts-Clark American Legion Auxiliary recognized its longest standing member in a get-together Sunday afternoon at the local post.

Louise Heveron Nicholson joined the American Legion Auxiliary in 1955 under the wing of her late husband Pat, according to her sister Phyllis Allport. She had also joined the Medina VFW in 1946 under her brother Roy Cook.

Cathy Fox, president of the Orleans County American Legion Auxiliary, presented Nicholson with a plaque signed by Anne M. Baglio, 8th District president, and Nancy Babis, chair of the Department of New York Membership. The plaque recognizes Nicholson for outstanding service and dedication to the organization.

Nicholson and her first husband Pat Heveron owned the Maui Inn on East Center Street when the American Legion was located upstairs.

“The guys patronized us a lot and I wanted to show our appreciation,” Nicholson said. “When they moved to North Main Street, I came down here to have a drink with the boys.”

Nicholson eventually became bartender at the Legion, and retired from there on her 90th birthday. She will be 97 Dec. 10.

Gary Hill called Nicholson, “One of the best bartenders we ever had.”

While waiting to receive her plaque, Nicholson enjoyed a drink at the bar.

“It’s just a short vodka and tonic, a very short one,” she said. “It’s my favorite drink.”

(Left) Cathy Fox, left, gives Louise Nicholson an envelope with her membership renewal form for the American Legion Auxiliary. Fox also holds the plaque presented to Nicholson for 67 years as a member of the Auxiliary. (Right) Family friend Robin Boyle of Lyndonville gives Louise Nicholson of Medina a corsage in celebration of her recognition for 67 years of membership in the Butts-Clark American Legion Auxiliary. Nicholson was recognized for her years of membership Sunday afternoon at the Legion Post.

Canal officials have bigger plans to be part of Medina’s dynamic downtown

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Brian Stratton, state canal commissioner, was in Medina on Friday to promote the Corning Museum of Glass’ Mobile Hot Shop, which is in Medina for three days.

About 1,000 people have registered for the hot shop from Thursday through today. Medina is the only stop this fall in the state on the Corning Museum of Glass’ Mobile Hot Shop tour.

Brian Stratton, state canal commissioner, said the Corning visit in Medina state’s Reimagine the Canals, which funds free activities and attractions in canal communities. He noted the Corning hot shop is drawing people from Buffalo and Rochester who will discover other canal communities along the way to Medina.

Reimagine the Canals also funded kayak and hydro-bike excursions in Medina.

Stratton said the Canal Corp. is looking to partner with Medina in bigger projects, including a major art initiative that he said would make Medina an “art hub” along the canal and in upstate. The Canal Corp. has hired Interboro Partners, an architectural and design firm in New York City, to assist with the project in Medina.

Heather Hungerford, co-owner of the Bent’s Opera House, said the Canal Corp’s efforts in Medina are appreciated by residents and the business owners, especially as they work to come out of the Covid pandemic.

“This means so much to the businesses in Medina,” Hungerford said. “It gives us hope that Medina will continue to grow. Thank you for believing in Medina.”

Mayor Mike Sidari cuts a glass ribbon to welcome the Corning Museum of Glass’ Mobile Hot Shop to Medina.

Sidari said the community is grateful to be part of the Reimagine the Canals programs. Corning also brought a glass barge to Medina in 2018 with glass-making equipment.

Sidari said the hydrobikes and kayak excursions have brought in hundreds of visitors to Medina who then visit the Main Street shops and other local businesses.

“We are thrilled once again to be partnering with Canals,” Sidari said.

Greg Reed, a district executive with the GLOW YMCA, said the Y in Orleans County is happy to partner with the Canal Corp. in hydro-biking, kayaks and now the hot shop. The Y is facilitating the reservations and helping with the event set up and management. Reed said the Y is looking to partner with the Canal Corp. in other programs, including snow shoeing and fishing.

George Kennard, a Corning hot glass artist, works on a creation on Friday. Eric Meek, in back, is Corning’s manager of the hot shop.

The Hot Shop uses unique glassmaking equipment to recreate a state-of-the-art studio environment.

Most of the reservations were taken to attend the glass-making demonstrations. For more information on reservations, click here.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Craig Lacy, left, Medina businessman and active member of the Medina Historical Society, and Michael Cavanagh, Junior-Senior High School principal, stand by the historic 1850 bell which has been installed permanently in the lobby of Medina High School. On Thursday morning, Lacy presented the school with a stand and plaque describing the history of the bell.

MEDINA – A piece of Medina’s history has found a permanent home in the lobby of Medina High School on Mustang Drive.

On Thursday morning, local businessman and history buff Craig Lacy presented a plaque to the school to accompany the 1850 bell which originally rang in the first school building on Catherine Street.

A larger building of Medina sandstone was constructed in 1896 on South Academy and was later known as Central School. After a fire destroyed the building in 1967, local contractor Carl Petronio Sr. was razing the building and found the bell in the basement. He removed it to storage in his facilities in Albion, where it remained until Carl Petronio Jr. discovered it in 2017. Carl Jr. contacted Catherine Cooper, then director at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, and she then reached out to Lacy, thinking the Historical Society could better handle the bell than the library.

Through Carl Jr.’s generosity, the bell became the property of Historical Society, of which Lacy is currently treasurer. Arrangements were made to pick the bell up and Lacy stored it for a while in his auto parts store on North Main Street.

Then the Historical Society initiated efforts to have the bell restored. Barnes Metal Finishing in Medina did the refinishing of the bronze. Jeff Gay did the woodwork for the frame and Lacy did the cast iron painting and re-assembly.

The approximately 800-pound bronze bell was cast by the Adam Goode Brass and Bell Foundry of Buffalo in 1850, and was likely transported to Medina down the Erie Canal.

In 2019, after 169 years, it was loaned permanently to Medina Central School District, with approval by the Board of Education. First, however, it was put on display for several months at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, where Cooper offered the public a chance to ring the bell for $1.

The school did the stone foundation on which the bell sits and encased it in plexiglass.

Medina Junior-Senior High School principal Michael Cavanagh accepted the plaque from Lacy and expressed his appreciation.

“It’s awesome to have a piece of nostalgia here for the kids to see,” Cavanagh said. “It brings us back to our roots.”

Lacy led the efforts to have an informative plaque made to accompany the bell. The Print Shop made the plaque and Renee Lama did the layout of the text.

Photos from Medina Lions Club: People had lots of fun last year making screcrows.

MEDINA – The annual Scarecrow Fest sponsored by Medina Lions has grown more popular since its first one more than a decade ago.

“We sold 300 scarecrows last year and we are ready for 400 this year,” said Sherry Wheatley, a Medina Lion who came up with the idea as a fundraiser for the Lions.

The event started in the Canal Basin, then moved to Medina Armory, Roberts Farm Market and Forrestel Farm before moving last year to the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, where it might have found a permanent home. There is plenty of parking and lots of inside space, so weather will never be a factor.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 8.

The procedure for a make-it, take-it scarecrow involves the community, Boy Scouts and high school art students.

All year Wheatley collects clothes and sheets donated by MAAC’s Thrift Depot. Barden Homes in Middleport donates wood for the T posts and cuts them up. Albion farmer Ed Neal donates the straw. The Medina High School art students and Barb Jantzi paint the scarecrow heads, Wheatley said.

Children and families arrive on the day of the event, pay $12 for their post and choose either a sitting or standing version. Then they go to the rows and rows of shirts, pants, dresses, hats and scarves and make their selection. When the scarecrow is stuffed from the huge pile of straw, they head over to “operating” tables, where the Lions Club members have turned into “surgeons for the day,” and will tie the scarecrow together with baler twine.

There is no age limit and it’s a fun family event, Wheatley said.

Boy Scout Troop 28 and Cub Scout Pack 28 will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, corn chowder and smores.

A horse show will be going on that day at the other end of the fairgrounds, and children are encouraged to go watch with their families.

“What’s funny is no two scarecrows look alike and sometimes they are bigger than the kids,” Wheatley said. “Sometimes when I’m out driving I’ll go by a house with a scarecrow and think, ‘That looks like one of our scarecrows,’ and it makes me smile. It takes a year to prepare for this event and all proceeds go back to help our community. Come and support us, so we can give back to you. There is no age limit and it’s guaranteed lots of fun.”

MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department will have its annual open house this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the firehall on Park Avenue.

There will be a bounce house by Air Affair available for play, a K-9 meet and greet with the Medina Police Department, car seat safety checks from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, and fire prevention activities with Medina firefighters.

There will also be food from Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, Mann vs. Food and Lugia’s Ice Cream. There also will be representatives available from the American Red Cross, Orleans Community Health and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

Provided photo: : Nicole Tuohey is pictured with some of the links she sells for $1 to support the Western New York chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She has raised about $15,000 in the past decade-plus selling the links. She has 741 links so far this year and wants to break her record of 1,639 set last year.

MEDINA – A Medina woman is again selling “elephant links” for $1 in a fundraiser for the Western New York chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Nicole Tuohey, 32, already has sold 741 links. She is trying to break her record of 1,639 set last year.

The links are available at Case-Nic Cookies on Main Street in Medina, a business owned by her mother, Mary Lou Tuohey.

Nicole has Triple X Syndrome. She hasn’t let that disability prevent her from being a tireless advocate against a disease that took the lives of her grandparents, Don and Jane Bradley.

Nicole typically is part of the kickoff celebration for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This year’s event will on Oct. 8 at State Street Park in Medina. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the Walk commencing at 11 a.m.

That walk already has $15,511 raised for a $28,000 goal. Click here for more information.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In New York alone, there are more than 410,000 people living with the disease and 580,000 caregivers.