By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2022 at 5:51 pm
MEDINA – Corning Museum of Glass will bring its Mobile Hot Shop to Medina for three days from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, showcasing its glassmaking artistry as part of the On the Canals initiative.
Corning’s Mobile 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.
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.
‘We are hoping to bring back family nights, more field trips and other fun activities for our students and families.’ – Principal Jennifer Stearns
Provided photos: Courtney and Dr. Aaron Slack are pictured with their son Brendan as he starts his first day in universal Pre-K.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Oak Orchard Primary welcomed 366 students this week in universal prekindergarten through second grade. Of those students, 74 are in Pre-K.
District Superintendent Dr. Mark Kruzynski, Oak Orchard Primary School Principal Jennifer Stearns and her staff greeted students and their families on the opening day of the school year on Wednesday.
“So much planning and preparation went into this,” said Mrs. Stearns. “We hired new staff, trained teachers and administration with an Early Learning Specialist from BOCES and did curriculum writing all focused around play-based learning.”
Dr. Mark Kruzynski, Medina Central School district superintendent, assists students to find their homerooms.
Students were excited to enter the building, and even those who were hesitant to leave their parents, were smiling in no time as they made new friends and met their teachers. By the time the morning announcements began everyone was happy to be starting a new school year.
“I really can’t thank the staff and families for helping us have such a successful first day,” Stearns said.
Oak Orchard Principal Jennifer Stearns and clerical staffer Heidi Albone get ready to greet students and their families.
The Oak Orchard staff said they are looking forward to an exciting school year that will include new clubs like Glee Club, STEM and Upstanders. They also have Art Club and Student Council in place.
“We are hoping to bring back family nights, more field trips and other fun activities for our students and families,” Stearns said.
Students enjoying the balloons on the front lawn of Oak Orchard.
Photos courtesy of Medina Tree Board: A crew from Draves Tree Service works to install a 12’ Black Hills spruce in State Street Park, Medina. The two trees will grow to replace the current aging “village Christmas trees.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 September 2022 at 7:49 pm
Press Release, Medina Tree Board
Tom Draves, owner of Draves Tree Service, operates the lift required to install the big spruce trees.
MEDINA- An early Christmas gift arrived in State Street Park this morning! After a successful fund-raising campaign, two huge Christmas trees arrived on site and were installed by Draves Tree Service of Corfu. The two 12’ Black Hills spruce trees will eventually grow to replace the current aging “village Christmas trees” in the park.
The project cost approximately $4,000 and was made possible through generous donations from citizens and organizations to Releaf Medina. All donors will be listed on a Donors Plaque that will be on display later this year in Medina’s Christmas HQ– the Santa House in Rotary Park.
“To secure trees of that size, the trees had to be specially dug and shipped East Amherst. From there, Draves Tree Service transported the trees to Medina for the specialized installation,” said Chris Busch, Municipal Forestry Coordinator for the village. “As you can see, it’s quite an undertaking.”
The Black Hills spruce is described as a dense evergreen tree with a strong central leader. It has a distinctive and refined pyramidal form and is highly tolerant of urban pollution. According to Busch, the tree is drought tolerant once established and can live for nearly 100 years.
“This is a big day for Christmas in Medina,” said Kathy Blackburn, Chair of Medina’s Tree Board. “On behalf of Releaf Medina and the Village Tree Board, an enormous ‘thank you’ to everyone who so generously supported this effort!”
Medina has gained a reputation far and wide for its annual Christmas displays and celebration.
“Every year, people come from miles around to experience a real, old-fashioned, hometown Christmas in Medina, and these two magnificent trees will at the heart of our celebration for years to come,” Blackburn said.
She also encouraged citizens and organizations to continue supporting tree plantings in the village and stated that Releaf Medina accepts donations throughout the year. All money collected go towards tree plantings in the village. Tax deductible donations can be sent to Medina Releaf Fund c/o ORG, PO Box 543, Medina, NY 14103, check payable to: ORG/Medina Releaf Society.
A specialized installation in Medina by Draves Tree Service of Corfu.
Pictured from left include Booker Edgerson, Ed Rutkowski and Paul Maguire.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 September 2022 at 12:23 pm
Players will share insights, sign autographs in benefit for prostate cancer awareness
MEDINA – Expectations are high for the Buffalo Bills this season with many top sports prognosticators picking the team to win the Super Bowl.
The Bills remain the only team to ever play in four straight Super Bowls. They didn’t win any of those from 1991 to 1994.
But the team has won two league championships, in 1964 and 1965, when they conquered the American Football League. The AFL would merge with the NFL in 1970.
Players who helped build the foundation for the franchise, including those on the the AFL title teams, will be in Medina on Saturday at the Medina Theatre as part of a benefit of Prostate Cancer Awareness.
Attendees can hear from Booker Edgerson, Ken Jones, Marlon Kerner, Paul Maguire, Lou Piccone and Ed Rutkowski. They will sign autographs, share key moments in Bills history and answer questions.
The event includes a spaghetti dinner, autograph-able program, door prizes, silent auction, live auction, 50/50 drawing and photo opportunities. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children under 12.
“This is a great opportunity to learn about the history of the Buffalo Bills and meet some outstanding individuals,” said Joe Cardone, owner of the Medina Theatre and also the Orleans County district attorney. “All six have unique stories that will be inspiring to kids and their parents.”
The Buffalo Bills alumni featured at the event include Booker Edgerson, a member of the AFL championship teams in ’64 and ’65. He is on the Bills Wall of Fame. He played cornerback for the Bills from 1962 to 1969 and was assigned the other team’s top receiver, which included Hall of Famers Lance Allworth of the Chargers, Otis Taylor of the Chiefs and Fred Biletnikoff of the Raiders.
Edgerson is the president of the Buffalo Chapter of the NFLPA Retired Players Association. He also is a prostate cancer survivor and leads a campaign to “Cure the Blue.” He said proceeds from the event in Medina will support prostate cancer awareness and research at Roswell Park in Buffalo and other organizations.
Pictured from left include Lou Piccone and Marlon Kerner. Ken Jones, not pictured, will also be at the event in Medina.
Edgerson wants to see the Bills and NFL put more into prostate cancer education, including the importance of early screenings. He said the league has embraced breast cancer awareness but hasn’t put that kind of support behind prostate cancer.
“No one wants to talk about it,” Edgerson said.
As part of the “Cure the Blue” initiative, men who are minorities are urged to be regularly screened for prostate cancer beginning at age 40 while white males should do annual screenings beginning at 45.
“It should be treated just like mammograms,” Edgerson said.
Early detection dramatically increases the chances of survival, he said.
He is now in his 26th year since he was first detected with prostate cancer.
“If you get screened and treated early there is a very good chance you will survive,” he said.
Most of Saturday’s presentation will feature Edgerson and the former Bills talking about their time on the team, and the changes in professional football.
Edgerson said the AFL and its pass-happy playcalling brought more entertainment to professional football, changes that were followed by the NFL with the merger.
“We were the MTV of that era,” Edgerson said. “It was fast football with a lot of throwing.”
The players in the 1960s earned a scant amount compared to today’s stars. Edgerson said he was paid $7,500 his first year in 1962 and peaked at $25,000, even though he was among the top cornerbacks in the league. Tre’Davious White, the Bills star cornerback, is set to earn a base salary of $9,950,000 this year.
Edgerson is grateful the Bills have stayed in Buffalo, the league’s second-smallest market. Only Green Bay has fewer people. Los Angeles, where the Bills open the season on Thursday against the Rams, enticed that team to move from St. Louis.
Edgerson credits the Bills late owner Ralph Wilson for refusing to uproot the Bills. Terry and Kim Pegula, the current owners, also are committed to keeping the team in Western New York.
Edgerson said he is proud of the community service over the years by the Buffalo Bills alumni. That group has donated $2.6 million to many different causes in the region.
Edgerson continues to live in the Buffalo area.
“I’m so thankful I’ve stayed here in Western New York,” he said. “It’s because of the Buffalo Bills and the people of Western New York.”
Lou Piccone also is a featured former Bill at the event. Piccone was an undersized wide receiver and kick returner who played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Jets from 1974 to 1976, and then the following seven years with the Bills retiring in 1982.
He will share how he overcome obstacles to make an NFL team, and then was able to stay on a roster for a decade, despite weighing only 168 pounds. He caught 100 passes in his career, gaining 1,380 yards. He led the NFL with 39 kickoff returns and 961 kickoff return yards with the Jets as a rookie.
He was a teammate of two of the biggest stars in the NFL in the 1970s – Joe Namath with the Jets and O.J. Simpson with the Bills.
Other Bills in Medina on Saturday include:
Paul Maguire, who may be best known as television sportscaster, was a punter and linebacker. He first played for the San Diego Chargers in 1960 and then joined the Bills, playing with Buffalo from 1964 to 1970. He was a member of three AFL Champion teams, two with Buffalo and one with the Chargers. He twice was an AFL all star.
Ken Jones was a tackle in the NFL for 12 seasons, playing with the Bills from 1976 to 1986, then a final season in 1987 with the Jets.
Marlon Kerner played cornerback with the Bills from 1995 to 1998.
Ed Rutkowski was a wide receiver and backup quarterback on the Bills from 1963 to 1968. He may be best known for serving eight years as Erie County executive from 1979 to 1987.
“This is a chance to learn about the formative years of the AFL and building the NFL up to what it is today,” Cardone said.
File photo by Tom Rivers: More than 100 people walked 2 miles on Oct. 13, 2018 to raise funds to support people battling Alzheimer’s. Some of the walkers pass the canal bridge by State Street Park and head to the towpath by the Erie Canal.
Press Release, Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter
MEDINA – The Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter, is inviting Orleans County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 8 at State Street Park in Medina. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the Walk commencing at 11 a.m.
“The Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s is our signature event for awareness and we are thrilled to bring the Walk back as a completely in-person event this year,” said Lynn Westcott, senior director of development at the WNY Chapter.
Covid-19 concerns prompted the Alzheimer’s Association to hold a virtual Walk in 2020 and a hybrid version in 2021.
(Editor’s Note: The Alzheimer’s Association has set a $28,000 fundraising goal for the Medina event and has already raised $12,645.)
On walk day, participants come together to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and raise funds that ensure the programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association are free to all who need them. In addition, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony, with the colors of the Promise Garden flowers representing people’s connection to Alzheimer’s – their personal reasons to end the disease.
Mary Lou Tuohey, a member of the Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee, shares, “I’m excited to serve on this committee of this year’s event because I know how devastating this disease can be, and the funds raised by the Walk will help bring us closer to a cure. I’m walking in remembrance of my Mom, Jane, and my Dad, Don, and I invite everyone in Orleans County to join us for this fun, family-friendly event in support of a great cause.”
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. 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.
This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is presented by Uniland. To register and receive the latest updates on the Orleans County Walk, visit act.alz.org/orleans. To learn more about the planning committee or sponsorship opportunities, contact Lynn Westcott at lwestcott@alz.org or 716.440.4251.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 September 2022 at 9:16 am
James Parisi, 4, lives a very active life with congenital muscular dystrophy
LEFT (Provided photo) – Anthony Parisi of Tonawanda holds his son James, who has Lama 2 congenital muscular dystrophy. RIGHT –Anthony Parisi, who is riding his bicycle from Syracuse to Buffalo to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy, stands with his bike in front of Bent’s Opera House on Saturday.
MEDINA – A Tonawanda father whose son has Lama 2 congenital muscular dystrophy spent Saturday afternoon and night in Medina during a 200-mile bike ride from Syracuse to Tonawanda.
Anthony Parisi works at Ingram Micro in Williamsville with Wendi Pencille of Shelby, and when Pencille learned about the bike ride, she arranged to meet with him when he arrived in Medina.
Provided photo: 4-year-old James Parisi flies a kite from his electric wheelchair, while twin sisters Caroline and Lucy run behind. Their dad Anthony and mother Molly are determined Michael should be active and have lots of fun. Dad will attempt to complete a 200-mile bike ride from Syracuse to Tonawanda today to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy.
Parisi is making the journey to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy in honor of his 4-year-old son James, who was diagnosed with Lama 2 congenital muscular dystrophy when he was 5 months old.
“It took a month for my wife Molly and I to get out of shock, and then we made a decision we would do everything we could to make James happy, healthy and strong and to create a community that loves him,” Anthony said.
“When James wants to do something, his father finds a way for him to do it,” Pencille said. “That’s how it was when James wanted to fly a kite.”
Anthony and Molly took the family, which now included 3-year-old twins Caroline and Lucy, to Olcott, where they found a big field for James to fly his spaceship kite. Anthony took a video of the site, with the girls running behind and James crying, “I’m doing it,” when the kite became airborne.
Anthony got the idea to ride his bike from Syracuse to Tonawanda because he used to enjoy biking.
“In my 20s I didn’t have a car and used to ride 50 or so miles a day twice a week,” Anthony said. “You get to see the world from a different perspective on a bike.”
Molly dropped Anthony off in Syracuse on Thursday and he rode to Savannah the first night. Friday night he spent in Rochester and arrived in Medina a little before 1 p.m. He planned to stay Saturday night at Bent’s Opera House, where they donated the room and dinner for him and Molly, who drove down to meet him, at Harvest Restaurant.
The bike ride is something Anthony said he has always wanted to do.
“I’m an explorer by heart and I enjoy being by myself,” he said. “And I hope to raise some awareness along the way.”
He said people have been donating online to a not-for-profit in California called Cure CMD, a global leader in science and research for muscular dystrophy. Click here for a link about the Parisi family. They have topped $10,000 in fundraising for the long bike ride.
“Realistically, James can’t experience things like other kids can, but we want to make them the best experiences we can,” Anthony said.
“I think our community is very good at supporting people with disabilities,” Pencille said. “I think what Anthony is doing is as much for everybody as it is for James. It’s educating a populace of people who some day might be in a position to do something or make decisions to benefit the handicapped.”
One of the best things about his journey is all the people he got to know along the way, Anthony said.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Representatives of Sacred Heart Club gathered around Stanley Stack this afternoon, after recognizing him for 82 years of membership. From left are Kathy Hartway and her husband Mike Hartway, past president of Sacred Heart; JT Thomas, vice president; Jim Pinckney, president; and Stack’s great-niece and great-nephew, Nancy and David Bracey.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 September 2022 at 8:59 pm
JT Thomas of the Sacred Heart Club in Medina presents a plaque for 82 years of membership to Stanley Stack, 100, who lives at The Willows.
MEDINA – An organization that started in 1909 honored its longest standing member this afternoon.
Stanley Stack, 100, a lifelong Medina resident who now lives at The Willows, joined Sacred Heart Club when he was 18. He is the only person ever to be a member for 82 years.
Sacred Heart’s past president Mike Hartway presented Stack with a plaque which read, “For 82 years of service and membership.”
Also attending the presentation were Hartway’s wife Kathy, vice president John Thomas, president Jim Pinckney and Stack’s great-niece and great-nephew Nancy and David Bracey.
“We appreciate everything you’ve done for the Club,” Mike Hartway said.
“It’s so nice of you to do this,” Stack replied.
Stack said he and his late wife Mary enjoyed attending the dances at Sacred Heart, although he didn’t know how to dance. He soon learned, however, when Mary was dancing with other men.
Stack was on Sacred Heart’s board at one time. He recalls the bingo games, turkey raffles, Dyngus Day celebrations and Polish picnics.
What he enjoyed most, however, was the weekly euchre games, which went on for more than 50 years until the Covid pandemic hit in March 2020.
“They were started in 1947 to give the guys coming home from the war something to do,” Mike said.
Sacred Heart was formed in 1909 and incorporated in 1927.
Provided photo: Friends of Boxwood will be offering two tours of the historic cemetery in Medina on Oct. 1.
MEDINA – Ordinarily, people are only allowed in Boxwood Cemetery from dawn to dusk. However, for one night only, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery will be hosting a special event after dark.
“While Boxwood Cemetery is a cemetery like no other even in the daytime,” stated the event co-chairperson, Nicole Bensley, “guests can expect to see the cemetery in a spectacular new way.”
The event is called, “Boxwood at Night: See the Cemetery in a New Light.” It will take place on Oct. 1. Tickets cost $10 and there will be two time slots – 7 to 8 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m.
“Guests can enter at any point during their time slot and are welcome to stay until the event ends at 10 p.m.,” Bensley said. “They can stroll through the cemetery at their own pace in a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere.”
All proceeds from the event will go toward the restoration of the memorial stained-glass window in the chapel. Robby Klino, the president of the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, emphasized that the “stained-glass window truly defines the Chapel and Boxwood Cemetery. It was a gift from a generous man – S. Mainville Burroughs – and we must preserve his generous gift so it can be appreciated by all present and future visitors to our beloved Medina Boxwood Cemetery.”
He encourages everyone to “please help us restore this window to its original beauty by attending our first annual Boxwood at Night.”
Tickets are limited to the first 200 people and there will be no admission tickets sold at the event, so you will want to get your tickets before they sell out.
Tickets are available during business hours at the English Rose Tea Shoppe, as well as at the Canal Village Farmers Market on Sept. 10 and Sept. 17. You can also purchase tickets online by clicking here.
Raffle tickets will also be available to purchase at the Farmers Market booth and again at the event. Concessions and glow-in-the-dark accessories will be available for purchase at the event to enhance your enjoyment.
If you are willing to volunteer at the event, send an email to friendsofboxwoodcemetery@gmail.com. There are many opportunities to help.
MEDINA – The Medina Central School District and the Medina Police Department last week hosted Retired FBI Agent David Budz on the school campus for a presentation to school and community personnel on prevention and response to violent situations.
Agent Budz was a part of the debriefing team after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., when 17 were killed by a teen gunman on Feb. 14, 2018.
He shared information to help other schools and agencies learn from mistakes that were made and capture effective efforts that were in place.
School administrators, Board of Education members and personnel were in attendance from Medina school district, as well as Lyndonville and Albion schools. Representatives were also in attendance from Orleans/Niagara BOCES, Orleans Community Health, Medina Police Department and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Photo courtesy of Ron Felstead: Twenty-nine of the original 100 members of the Class of 1957 at Medina High School attended the 65th class reunion Friday at Shirt Factory Café. Seventeen posed here for a picture. The class has had a reunion every five years since graduation.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 August 2022 at 1:36 pm
MEDINA – The Class of 1957 at Medina High School may have dwindled in number, but not in school spirit.
The class has met every five years since graduation, said Barbara Clark, who organized this year’s 65th reunion Friday at Shirt Factory Cafe. Many of them in the area had been getting together for lunch every year at Darrell’s in Middleport until the pandemic, she said.
They enjoy the camaraderie and catching up on old times.
“Mostly, we talk about our ailments,” Clark said. “We’re just happy to be together.”
Of 100 original class members 56 are deceased. Twenty-nine attended Friday’s 65th reunion.
The only surviving class officer is president Lee Schrader of Lockport, who has attended most of the reunions.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: The Class of 1957 at Medina High School had its 65th class reunion Friday at Shirt Factory Café. Clockwise from life are Barbara Clark, who organized the reunion; Dorothy Dutcher, Elaine Renouf, Janet Meier and Ron Felstead.
Among the classmates are lawyers, ministers and pilots. Ron Felstead of Medina learned to fly the year he graduated and got his pilot’s license the following year. He went on to a successful teaching career, while advancing his flying ambitions. He became a certified FAA instructor, and a few years ago he received the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot’s Award from the government for 50 years of safe flying with no accidents or incidents.
He took advantage of Friday’s reunion to catch up with classmates, including Rich Manley of Rochester and Edgar Wilkins of Albion.
Clark received correspondence from classmates in several other states, including Florida and Texas, but none were able to attend.
Clark presented each classmate who attended with a magnet on which there was a picture of the old high school and the words, “65th class reunion 1957.”
MEDINA – Corning Museum of Glass will bring its Mobile Hot Shop to Medina for three days from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, showcasing its glassmaking artistry as part of the On the Canals initiative.
