By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 September 2022 at 9:49 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Chris Busch, left, and Rob Robinson look at one of the T-shirts designed for the entertainers participating in the first ever Busker Festival in Medina, scheduled to coincide with Ale in Autumn this Saturday.
MEDINA – A tradition which dates back to the Medieval ages is about to make its debut in Medina.
A busker is a street performer who entertains crowds with their musical, unusual or comedic acts for tips in public areas. Busking has a long history dating back centuries when local merchants would invite buskers to their storefronts, plazas or public squares to attract new business.
On Saturday, Medina’s annual Ale in Autumn will be enhanced by 17 buskers throughout the downtown.
The idea was brought to the Orleans Renaissance Group before Covid by Rob Robinson, a local musician, said Chris Busch, president of ORG.
Robinson said he has buskered a lot, in places including Toronto and Olcott.
Once things got back to normal after Covid hit, the idea was brought up again. Robinson laid out a map of downtown and determined places where a busker could perform.
“We started reaching out to businesses and made 17 Xs on the potential spots on the map,” Busch said. “Buskers will be spread out throughout the downtown.”
The buskers will provide a variety of entertainment, including country, blues and gospel music, hula hoop girls and magicians. They will be on the streets from 1 to 6 p.m. and people are encouraged to visit downtown and tip the performers.
“It’s going to be fun,” Busch said. “It’s unusual and people will like it. It’s another first for Medina.”
Robinson said the only other time he knew of anything like this was in the early 2000s, when Middleport had buskers at their Labor Day celebration.
“I could just see its vision,” Robinson said. “It’s an old idea, but new in Medina. I see it becoming an annual thing. There are a lot of street performers in Western New York, but no actual buskers.”
The annual Ale in Autumn will be from 1 to 6 p.m., with time slots staggered at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to prevent congestion. Check-in is at the Medina Senior Center on West Avenue, said event coordinator Ann Fisher-Bale. Twenty-one local businesses have signed up to take part.
Beers and ciders have been ordered from around the world, Fisher-Bale said.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The former Grace Baptist Church on West Avenue has been purchased by OneChurch, which was holding services at the Sacred Heart Church site on Ann Street.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 September 2022 at 9:23 am
‘We wanted a more central location. Our goal is to connect with the communities of Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby and Lyndonville.’ – Kevin Weigel, site pastor at OneChurch in Medina
MEDINA – A long-standing church at the corner of West Avenue and Park Avenue is now home to a new congregation, after Grace Baptist Church sold the building in May.
OneChurch has had a presence in Medina since 2017, when they came from Akron and held their first service Christmas Eve at the former Sacred Heart Church on Ann Street.
Kevin Weigel, site pastor for OneChurch, said they transitioned the former Catholic church site to a Free Methodist Church, and their congregation grew to 130 attendees before Covid hit.
“After Covid, we realized we had to change locations, as our lease was coming due,” Weigel said. “We wanted to be more in the center of town.”
When One Church discovered the former Grace Baptist Church was available, OneChurch purchased it in May.
Attempts to locate someone from Grace Baptist Church for a comment have been unsuccessful, and even Weigel isn’t sure what happened to the congregation.
According to Grace Baptist Church’s website, “A group of faithful believers were led by the Spirit to walk away from a liberal denomination and unite into an independent Baptist church which came to be known as Grace Baptist Church.” That was in 1931.
OneChurch spent the summer painting and remodeling the building, and on Sunday held their first service there.
Weigel wanted to emphasize how great their landlord Skip Draper was to them at the former Catholic church site.
“He treated us fantastically,” Weigel said. “But we wanted a more central location. Our goal is to connect with the communities of Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby and Lyndonville.”
They have services for children through eighth grade and worship at 10 a.m. Small “Connect” groups to dig deeper into Scripture are held throughout the week. Amanda Kroenig of Medina is the children’s director. Production coordinator is Caleb Cudzilla of Medina. A new director, Morgan Ellis, has been hired for the high school ministry. She is also the teen center coordinator for the YMCA in Medina.
“We are a very casual church,” Weigel said. “Our worship is contemporary with messages relevant and practical, based on Scripture.”
OneChurch enjoys partnering with associations in the community and looks forward to intensifying those relationships going forward, Weigel said.
The original OneChurch is based in Akron, with another site in North Tonawanda, in addition to Medina.
Photos and information courtesy of Medina Band Boosters
The Medina Mustang Marching Band competed for the first time this season on Saturday at Hilton High School.
Seven schools performed in four classifications. In SS1, Medina earned 1st place with a score of 78.35 followed by East Irondequoit at 77.60. The Pride of Rochester performed in exhibition. The LS3 class had three competitors and Greece earned 1st with 75.5 followed by Hilton at 70.35 and Auburn with 62.75. Corning Painted Post was the only band in the LS2 class and they scored 73.4.
The Medina Marching Band is under the direction of Matthew Jaeger and assistant directors Kyla Leno and Diana Baker. All three are graduates of Medina and participated in the marching band. Their show this year is “Take to the Skies.” This year’s band consists of 91 students of which 27 are seniors and 23 rookies.
Medina’s next performance is our home show – the “Fall Festival of Bands” – this Saturday. It’s a great opportunity to see these young people and all their talents and skills.
The Mustang band members include from left: Gabbi Flores-Medina (guard captain), Mia Hobbs (drum major), Gabe Mark and Seagan Majchrzak (assistant drum majors).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2022 at 10:44 am
Photos courtesy of On the Canals: Corning Museum of Glass will bring its Mobile Hot Shop to Medina for three days from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
MEDINA – Mayor Mike Sidari is looking forward to Corning Museum of Glass coming to the Canal Basin for three days.
Corning will have a “Mobile Hot Shop” in town from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. The Hot Shop uses unique glassmaking equipment to recreate a state-of-the-art studio environment.
At venues around the world, in conjunction with exhibitions, events and art and design initiatives, Corning’s gaffers demonstrate complex hot glassmaking techniques, the state’s Reimagine the Canals said in a notice about the upcoming event.
“I am excited to welcome Corning Museum of Glass back to Medina and Orleans County,” Sidari said. “The event was sold out with standing room only for most of the demonstrations when the event was on the barge a few years ago. If anyone did not have the chance to see it then, do not miss it this time!”
The event at Medina’s Canal Basin is free to the public and people of all ages are welcome. Demonstrations take place every 45 mins throughout the day. To sign up, click here.
“You Design It; We Make It!” demonstrations take place the following dates and times:
Sept. 29 at 10:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.;
Sept. 30 at 11 a.m.;
Oct. 1 at noon.
The protocol for “You Design It; We Make It!” includes:
Arrive early and pick up a drawing sheet.
Make your own unique drawing using the colored markers provided.
Include a description or “artist’s statement” – it helps our team understand your idea – and submit your design 30 minutes prior to the show.
Our glassmakers will choose one idea and make that piece live on stage.
On the Canals is a year-round program of free recreational and cultural activities highlighting the many ways you can enjoy the canal water ways and trails across New York State.
The Orleans County Tourism Department and Orleans County YMCA are working with the Reimagine the Canals and Corning on the event.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 September 2022 at 11:03 am
David Bogden delivers the meals after morning chores at his farm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: David Bogden of Medina loads his car with containers of hot and cold food for delivery to Meals on Wheels recipients.
MEDINA – David Bogden was still farming full time when he saw an ad in the paper for drivers for Meals on Wheels.
That was 34 years ago.
Bogden was working on the family’s 700-acre farm at the time, milking 72 cows and also hauling fertilizer. But the cows were milked early in the morning and late in the afternoon and he figured he could spare a couple of hours around lunch time to help out. And he could always use the extra money.
So he called Nutrifair in Albion and the woman who answered said she needed him quick. He went right down, and that started what would become a 34-year routine, that continues today.
His route takes him to 12 homes in Shelby, West Shelby, part of Ridge Road and the muck. It covers about 48 miles and takes about two hours, Bogden said.
He still farms 100 acres and raises 30 head of beef cattle on his farm north of Medina, but he looks forward to his job at Nutrifair.
David Bogden of Medina gets his containers of meals at Nutrifair in Albion, ready to begin his 48-mile route. He has been a driver for Meals on Wheels for 34 years.
Meals on Wheels in both Orleans and Genesee counties is praised as being not only beneficial for providing nutritional meals to seniors and/or shut-ins, but as sometimes being a vital contact with the outside world for seniors who are alone or have no relatives in the area.
Bogden’s experiences are proof of that. He has found three clients deceased. Another woman was confused and couldn’t talk, so 911 was called to send an ambulance, and another time he found a man who got stuck under his bed and pulled him out.
Vicki Havholm, nutrition program coordinator at Nutrifair, said Bogden is their longest running driver in the history of the Meals on Wheels program. Nutrifair is run by the Arc GLOW.
Meals on Wheels delivers to about 128 homes, five days a week. They provide a hot and cold meal for a suggested donation of $3.50 a day, and they always need drivers, Havholm said.
The program operates with six paid drivers and only one volunteer driver. They also get help daily from the Arc.
Havholm said they used to have a very successful meal program at the Nutrifair site in the old Albion Academy, but people haven’t been coming on site for their meals. She said the meal site in Kendall is thriving and there is always great response to the Spring Jubilee and the Nutrifair lunch annually at the fairgrounds.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Roger Hungerford stands by a display that describes the renovation of a barn on his property on Mountain Road in Middleport, which he turned into an elegant guest home. It was on display at his 50th class reunion at the old Medina High School, which he plans to convert into high-end loft apartments.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 September 2022 at 10:18 pm
MEDINA – It has been little more than year since Roger and Heather Hungerford opened the doors on Bent’s Opera House, a historic restoration project more than three years in the making.
The building now boasts an upscale restaurant with a world-class chef on the first floor, themed and professionally designed hotel rooms on the second floor and the majestic opera house on the third floor.
The Hungerfords are focused now on promoting the opera house as an event/entertainment venue, hoping to encourage the community to think of the opera house when they are looking for a place for private parties or public events. They have just started having swing dance lessons and swing dancing there the third Thursday of each month.
File photo: Bent’s Opera House now houses Harvest Restaurant, themed hotel rooms and the restored opera house.
Heather said it is their goal to have two major events a month. People can register for swing dance lessons online or just show up at the door. The 45-minute lessons will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by open dancing at 7:15 p.m.
The most recent big event was an evening of music by the Easy Street Big Band on Sept. 9. Harvest also will be expanding its hours to include Sunday brunch and dinner. They are open Wednesday through Sunday. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
The Hungerfords are also excited about a new dining experience in Harvest Restaurant. Wine Pairing Dinners have been extremely popular and feature a seven-course dinner, with each course paired with a wine chosen by that evening’s featured sommelier. The next dinner Sept. 25 will feature the head sommelier from Disney Cruise Lines. Reservations can be made by calling (585) 318-2110.
Plans are already in the works for a New Year’s Eve Ball at Bent’s Opera House and information on making a reservation will be available soon. It will be a Great Gatsby theme and attendees are encouraged to dress in that time period. Three levels of tickets will be available – gold which includes a night in the hotel and dinner; silver, which is dinner and the dance; and black for those who just want to attend the dance.
Roger purchased the historic Bent’s building from the Orleans Renaissance Group, which had been given the building when Bank of America moved out of town. The design phase began back in 2016. Shortly after purchasing it, an architect’s inspection discovered the building was in danger of collapsing due to deterioration of a main beam holding it up. Roger said in a previous interview he might have thought twice if had realized what he was getting into, but how could he let a historic building in the center of his home town fall to ruin. The restoration would cost millions and take three and one-half years, counting shut-downs during Covid.
During this time, Roger, who had formed Talis Historic Restoration to focus with his historic properties, had purchased the former Medina High School and the Luther mansion on West Center Street. Plans were announced for the high school, which he renamed Mustang City, to convert it into high-end loft apartments. Travis Farnsworth was hired and employees brought on board to be trained for historic restoration work, especially windows.
It was decided to go ahead with work to make the high school environmentally sound and ascetically attractive from the exterior. The old windows in the high school were restored, rather than replaced.
“We became highly expert at window restoration,” Hungerford said. “We had three jobs of our own that involved woodworking, doors, windows and floors – in Bent’s, Mustang City and Stonehurst (the Luther Mansion).”
Windows are the most difficult because they involve glass, glazing and weatherproofing, Roger said.
In the meantime, work has been delayed on Mustang City and Stonehurst because Farnsworth and his company are in such demand for historic restoration work throughout Western New York.
Hungerford bought the former high school more than four years ago, with the intention of turning it into high end loft apartments, which would appeal to business people, teachers, engineers and medical professionals, who are being attracted to Medina by growing businesses.
“We’re losing in terms of where these people live,” Hungerford said. “They work here, but they live elsewhere. We want to entice people who work here to live here.”
Meanwhile, Roger and his team of medical professionals continue to work on projects in the field of medical technology. He said he has sold his interest in Talis Clinical at the Cleveland Clinic, where he was a major partner.
Readers will recall Roger’s involvement with the medical industry goes back to his father Van Hungerford, who worked at and later owned Sigmamotor. His father is credited with inventing the world’s first heart pump, and Roger’s contributions to the industry include inventing an intravenous delivery pump, a cardiopulmonary bypass pump and development of an advanced clinical guidance software tool, which electronically connects and integrates all manner of patient data. This is used especially for patients who are on multiple units, such as seizure pumps, patient monitors, infusion pumps and cardiopulmonary pumps.
His current project is a medical technology company that foresees will operate for future generations out of the Pickle Factory.
His days aren’t all work, though. He finds time for his favorite hobby, riding bike. He began riding while in college, where he raced bikes. During a recent week he shared he observed the 1,000th day of consecutively riding his bike, either inside or outside. He has logged 17,000 miles. Outside he typically rides 17 miles, and sometimes as far as 60 miles.
“That’s not my most important accomplishment, but it’s the most bizarre,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 September 2022 at 9:40 am
Village officials say some spend more than 2 hours visiting multiple stores; Limit is difficult to enforce
MEDINA – Village officials are considering ending the 2-hour parking limit in the downtown. Many people visit multiple stores in the downtown, including bars and restaurants and stay for several hours, Mayor Mike Sidari said.
The parking limit also would be difficult to enforce, tying up the police department, said Village Trustee Tim Elliott.
Business owners and their employees should be encouraged to not park on Main Street so those spots are available, Elliott said.
Owen Toale, a village trustee and former publisher of the Medina Journal-Register which was on Main Street, would like to see the 2-hour limit stay in place.
“I think you’re asking for trouble,” he said during Monday’s Village Board meeting.
Toale is concerned some business owners and employees would park on Main Street for eight hours or longer.
When he was in charge of the former newspaper in Medina, he had the employees park at the lot in the Canal Basin.
Trustee Marguerite Sherman said many people spend hours in the downtown.
“I wouldn’t want to get a ticket if I went to a restaurant,” she said.
Mayor Sidari said he wants to hear from Medina Area Partnership, which represents many of the businesses. For now, he wants to get the discussion going about whether the 2-hour limit should be eliminated.
Elliott said it would have an added benefit of removing the signs for 2-hour parking. The board has told by the state Department of Transportation there are too many signs in the downtown.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 September 2022 at 3:42 pm
Village should also push property maintenance as part of community appeal
Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, urged Medina village officials to boost the looks of the community’s gateway entrances and also properties that appear neglected.
MEDINA – The Village of Medina has experienced success in recent years with its downtown business district and several companies building in the Medina Business Park. The village could soon be seeing even more companies and investment coming to the community, said Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
Medina is a finalist for two big projects, and another developer is looking at a housing development, Barone told the Village Board on Monday.
She praised the foresight of village officials in the past who built a big sewer plant for Medina. That capacity is now a big factor for Medina being a finalist for companies.
However, Barone said the community falls behind others in some ways. She said the gateways – the main entrances into the village – need to be improved. And many properties appear neglected in the village and need paint or siding as well as other repairs.
“Medina gets on the short list for many projects,” she said. “There is a lot going on but we just need more attention to how things look.”
She also suggested the village modernize its website and list all of its committees, their meeting locations, agendas and past minutes of meetings.
The village also needs to have a modern meeting room that is handicapped accessible and includes up-to-date technology for presentations. That would be a big help for the EDA as it works with village officials to make the sales pitch to prospective companies, Barone said.
The Medina Business Park encompasses over 300 acres. It spans both sides of Route 31A in Medina. Barone said it is now the largest NYS-Certified “Shovel-Ready” business park in Western New York and the Finger Lakes.
The park has seen recent investments, including the opening of a new hotel. Barone said more companies will come to the site, partly because of the village’s ability to provide them with water and sewer.
“You’ve accomplished a lot, but we have more to do,” Barone told the Village Board. “I know I can be very demanding but there is a reason for it. People may not like it, but it works.”
Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman thanked Barone for her work and for applying some pressure on the board.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 September 2022 at 11:35 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Lynn Creasey, president of Senior Citizens of Western Orleans, introduces Lisa Wittmeyer at the monthly dinner meeting Monday. Wittmeyer talked about the Friendly Phones/Home Visitation program sponsored by Catholic Charities in Orleans and Genesee counties.
MEDINA – Members of the Senior Center enjoyed a potluck luncheon and welcomed a guest speaker at their September meeting on Monday.
After the regular business meeting, monthly prize drawings and lunch, president Lynn Creasey introduced Lisa Wittmeyer from Catholic Charities in Batavia, who talked about the Friendly Phones/Home Visitation program.
The program has been in existence for at least 20 years and is funded in Genesee County by the Marshall Fund Family of Programs and anonymously in Orleans County.
The program is available to any senior 60 or older who has limited ability to leave their home. Its purpose is to provide socialization, companionship and assistance, Wittmeyer said. No personal care, medical care or transportation services are provided.
Volunteer visitors are screened and matched to the senior they will visit. For instance, they might share like interests, such as past job experiences, or both played the organ.
Before a volunteer is assigned to visit a senior, Wittmeyer visits the home and does a case management, checking for adequate fire exits, working smoke detectors and no evidence of rodents.
The volunteer visits for an hour once a week, during which time they might play cards, cook together or fill out greeting cards. Visits may also include hobbies, crafts, reading, doing puzzles or listening to music.
There is no fee for a volunteer to visit under the program and hours are flexible. Seniors may request a home visitor themselves or be referred by an agency or faith-based community.
Benefits of having a regular home visitor include feeling less isolated and lonely. Catholic Charities has determined seniors look forward to simple acts of kindness and assistance that enable them to live independently. Also, seniors gain peace of mind and enriched living through their connection with a home visitor.
Anyone interested in becoming a home visitor or in receiving a home visit may call Wittmeyer at (585) 343-0614 or NY Connects (Office for the Aging) at (585) 589-3191.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 September 2022 at 10:07 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Four generations of Bernice Sheldon’s family gathered for her 100th birthday celebration Sunday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina. Sheldon was born Sept. 10, 1922 in Medina. Standing from left are great-granddaughter Tessa Poewers, 8, and granddaughter Heather Powers of Connecticut; and daughter Sally Grimm of Medina.
MEDINA – In all of her years growing up in Medina and raising a family, Bernice Sheldon never thought she’d live to be 100.
Sheldon turned 100 on Sept. 10 and was honored at a reception for family and friends on Sunday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina.
Sheldon grew up on Commercial Street in Medina, a daughter of Polish immigrants. Nieces and nephews still live in the family home. She recalls the family only spoke Polish and she was forced to learn English when she started school. She attended Sacred Heart School and Sacred Heart Church until it closed, then went to Trinity.
Sheldon has a ton of memories – of World War II, the family’s first automobile, their television and riding the lift bridge up and down when boats went though.
Her husband Franklin served in World War II on Omaha Beach and was taken prisoner of war in Germany. He was eventually freed by the Russians. Franklin died 25 years ago on Bernice’s 75th birthday.
(Left) Bernice Sheldon and her daughter Sally Grimm pose in front of Sheldon’s 100th birthday cake during a reception Sunday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. (Right) Bernice Sheldon gets a hug from Jeanne Upton on the occasion of her 100th birthday celebration at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina.
Growing up, Bernice remembers listening to the radio until they got a television. They got their first car when her mother learned to drive.
“But I really liked our first refrigerator,” Bernice said.
Until then, the family had an “ice box.”
Another memory is of the trolley and the tracks which went down Commercial Street in front of their house.
Bernice was a stay-at-home mom to their two daughters, Sally and Sue. After they were out of school, she went to work, first at Harrison Radiator, then the school cafeteria and finally, Fisher-Price.
Bernice’s 100th birthday celebration was planned by her family, including daughters Sally Grimm of Medina and Sue Finn of Fairport. Guests included grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends, who came from Connecticut and all across Western New York.
Bernice said she was surprised to reach 100, and doesn’t know what she might have done to contribute to her longevity.
“I always kept moving and drank lots of milk,” she said.
Today she passes the time watching television and playing solitaire.
Kevin Weigel, site pastor for OneChurch, said they transitioned the former Catholic church site to a Free Methodist Church, and their congregation grew to 130 attendees before Covid hit.
