Photos courtesy of Medina Marching Band: The varsity guard consists of 15 students in grades 9-11. This year their show is “Metamorphosis” about the decision to conform to what is around us or become the person you truly want to be. In the varsity class, Medina took third place with a score of 55.83.
MEDINA – Medina Mustang Winterguard competed for the second time this season on Saturday, with Medina’s two guards coming in second at Victor.
In the Regional A class, Medina’s varsity earned a score of 61.49, which was bested by Gates Chili, 64.48.
In the Scholastic A class, Medina’s junior varsity guard was second with a score of 60.14, which was topped by Batavia, 62.23.
Winners in the other classes were Victor JV in the Cadet class, 60.94; Lancaster in A1, 58.86; Luminosa in the Senior class, 61.06; Gates Chili in Independent A, 66.95; and Victor in Scholastic Open, 63.0.
The Medina guard’s next competitions are Batavia on Feb. 15, Marcus Whitman on Feb. 29, Lancaster on March 7 and Medina’s home show on March 14.
The junior varsity guard consists of 16 students in grades 5-9. Their show this year is “Reach for the Stars” and is about how each one of us has a big dream, places it in a star and sends it into the sky. In life you add more stars in the sky and reach for the ones you realize in life.
MEDINA – A fire in the front bedroom of a Medina duplex caused an estimated $25,000 in damage to a house and contents at 184 State St., the Medina Fire Department is reporting.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 12:32 p.m. with a report of an upstairs fire. Fire Chief Matt Jackson arrived on location simultaneously with Engine 11 in under two minutes and reported smoke showing from the 2 ½-story duplex.
The only occupant home at this address at the time of the fire was outside with the family dog on the Fire Department’s arrival. Crews made entry and began search operations on the second floor. They initially encountered poor visibility and then found fire in the front bedroom, the department said on its Facebook page.
The fire was quickly extinguished and contained to the room of origin. Crews on scene began overhaul and salvage operations and the fire was declared under control at 12:52 p.m.
There is smoke damage to the rest of the second floor with water damage to the room of origin and the front part of the first floor. Crews remained on scene assisting fire investigators until 4 p.m.
Besides the Medina Fire and Police, other departments on scene included the Ridgeway, Lyndonville and Carlton fire departments. The cause of the fire is under investigation by fire investigators from the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
Both families at this duplex are being assisted by other family members at this time. Damage estimates are tentatively set at $15,000 to the structure and $10,000 to the contents.
There were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters at the scene.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jim Hancock, left, head of Medina’s Tourism Committee and organizer of the Parade of Lights, presents the Grand Prize trophy to Caitlyn Klotzbach with the Medina Railroad Museum. The trophy also came with a check for $1,000. At right are Dave Miller and Cathie Valley, members of the parade committee.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 February 2020 at 10:21 am
MEDINA – The Medina Railroad Museum’s first efforts to enter a float in Medina’s Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 earned them a Grand Prize trophy and a check for $1,000.
On Friday, Jim Hancock, Dave Miller and Kathie Valley, members of Medina’s Tourism Committee which sponsors the Parade of Lights, presented the trophy to Medina Railroad Museum personnel. Accepting the award was Caitlyn Klotzbach, director of group sales for the museum and daughter of the museum’s director Janine Klotzbach. Caitlyn is also the granddaughter of the museum’s founder Marty Phelps.
Hancock is head of the Tourism Committee and organizer of the parade. Valley and Miller work with the judges and Valley escorts them through the staging area prior to the parade.
On hand for the trophy presentation were volunteers and personnel who helped work on the float. Michael Greybill works on buildings and grounds at the museum, Amanda Majors runs the ticket booth and gift shop, Brodie George is the layout operator and conductor on special trains and Grace Stewart is volunteer coordinator.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Railroad Museum’s float is shown Nov. 30 during the 11th annual Parade of Lights. The museum was named the grand prize winner in the parade that included about 45 participants.
The float was a miniature replica of a railroad station. It was originally designed by Phelps and constructed by the Amish. For several years, it has been towed to train events to promote the railroad museum. It also doubles as Santa’s house at the North Pole during runs of the Polar Express.
Turning it into an award-winning float took hours of work. The crew worked from noon to 9 p.m. one day just covering the roof with lights, then it took another day to put lights on the sides.
“They did a tremendous job on their float,” Hancock said. “It was absolutely fabulous.”
Judges were representatives from major sponsors of the parade. Entries were judged on the number of lights, crowd appeal and creativity, Hancock said.
Volunteers and employees of the Medina Railroad Museum pose with the Grand Prize trophy the museum won for its entry in the Parade of Lights in November. From left are Michael Greybill, who works on buildings and grounds; Amanda Major, who mans the ticket booth and oversees the gift shop; Caitlyn Klotzbach, daughter of director Janine Klotzbach and granddaughter of the museum’s founder Marty Phelps; Brody George, layout operator and conductor on special trains; and Grace Stewart, volunteer coordinator.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 February 2020 at 9:35 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Frank Ferri pours wine for Kimmie Martindale of Kendall during Saturday’s Wine About Winter event in downtown Medina. There were 24 stops for people to taste wine, including this location, the Wallflower Studio.
More than 800 people bought tickets for the event, which was organized by the Medina Area Partnership. There were 110 VIP tickets sold, plus another 700.
This was the Partnership’s first big event. It took over Wine About Winter following the dissolution of the Medina Business Association. The Medina Area Partnership includes many MBA members as well as businesses outside of the village.
John Shera, owner of Wallflower Studio, opens a bottle of Arrowhead Red wine from Arrowhead Spring Vineyards in Lockport.
Shera opened the art studio in December. He welcomed the chance to be a host site for the wine-tasting event.
“It’s wonderful to have 600 to 700 people coming inside here,” he said.
Each person was given a souvenir glass for Wine About Winter.
Medina Theatre hosted the VIP reception, which included music by Dave Viterna.
Dave Viterna took center stage and entertained the crowd at the Medina Theatre.
Mary Lewis, owner of Creekside Floral, pours wine for Chelsey Vick of Albion, left, and her friend Hannah Forder of Medina. Forder said she was impressed with the vibrant downtown in Medina. The wine-tasting event took her inside many businesses.
“There are stores I didn’t know were here,” Forder said.
Lewis is pouring Barry’s Red wine from 21 Prix in Portland, Chautauqua County.
Tyler VerCruysse, left, and Shawn Ramsey, owner of Canalside Tattoo Company, get wine ready for the crowd.
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By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2020 at 4:34 pm
Teddy Bear Clinic has expanded to all districts in the county
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Joanna Miller, left, puts a Band-Aid on this Albion kindergartener’s Teddy Bear. Medina Memorial Hospital hosted four kindergarten classes from Albion today for the Teddy Bear and Doll Clinic.
Students brought along stuffed animals and visited different stations at the hospital. Medina Memorial hopes the event will help children to feel more comfortable if they ever need to go to the hospital.
Joanna Miller puts a bandage on this Teddy Bear’s leg. Miller works as the risk management director for Orleans Community Health, parent organization of the hospital.
The students were asked how their stuffed animals were injured, and most of the kids said the Teddy Bears were jumping on the bed and fell off and broke a leg.
Miller urged the kids to keep the stuffed animals’ limbs elevated and give them lots of rest and relaxation while recovering from the injuries.
Miller also had a few requests for flu shots.
Nicole Helsdon tends to the needs of this Teddy Bear. Helsdon works as an office manager. She got to be a nurse for the stuffed animals that needed care.
All five school districts in the county – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – attend the Teddy Bear Clinic and nearby Elba also brings students to help familiarize them with a hospital.
The students also hear from a pharmacist, see the X-Ray machine and learn about good nutrition.
Nicole Helsdon checks the vital signs on this stuffed animal.
Students in Mrs. Lang’s kindergarten class at Albion put their stuffed animals on the X-Ray table.
Erica Chutko, an X-Ray technician and manager of the radiology department, shows the students an X-Ray. She showed them another X-Ray where a child had swallowed a small dinosaur toy.
Nicci Moore, a social worker at the hospital, greets these students.
Joanna Miller was busy putting bandages and Band-Aids on the wounded stuffed animals.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2020 at 11:56 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: This house at 1018 South Main St. is boarded up after a fire last night in Medina.
MEDINA – A Medina resident is displaced from his home after a fire last night at 1018 South Main St.
The fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage, with $30,000 estimated to the contents, said Lt. Steve Cooley, Medina’s public information officer.
“Working smoke detectors were present and activated properly alerting the sleeping resident to the fire,” Cooley said. “One dog and cat escaped the fire but sadly, one cat did perish. The resident will be assisted by family members.”
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 11:30 p.m. Medina firefighters arrived on scene with Engine 11 at 11:32 p.m. and reported a 2-story house with smoke showing, Cooley said.
Crews were advised by the lone occupant that no one was inside. Firefighters forced entry in the front door and found heavy smoke and flames on the first floor, Cooley said.
Additional Medina units under the command of Fire Chief Matt Jackson arrived shortly thereafter along with one engine from the Shelby Fire Company to assist with searches and extinguishment.
COVA EMS was requested to provide transport for the injured resident. His injuries are not life threatening and he was transported to Medina Memorial for evaluation, Cooley said.
The fire was called under control at 12:21 a.m. Crews remained on scene until 4:09 a.m., overhauling (searching and containing fire in void spaces) and investigating the cause.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by fire investigators from the Orleans County Emergency Management Office with assistance from the Medina Fire Department Fire Investigator.
Additional units on scene: Medina Police Department, Lyndonville Fire Company FAST crew (Firefighter Assist and Search Team), Ridgeway Fire Police, Carlton Fire Department Rescue for their cascade system (breathing air refill unit), Orleans County Fire Coordinator Dale Banker, NYSEG, National Grid and Village of Medina Code Enforcement Officer Dan Gardner.
“We would like to extend our thanks to all our public safety partners listed above for their assistance to us during this incident,” Cooley said.
(Editor’s Note: The tour by the Board of Education has since been pushed back to March due to scheduling conflicts.)
Press Release, Oak Orchard Health
MEDINA – The Medina Board of Education on Thursday will tour Oak Orchard Health’s Mobile Dental Unit, which will be at Oak Orchard Elementary to provide services to their students.
For the past 15 years, the Medina School District has collaborated with Oak Orchard Health to provide oral health services to students and their families. Since 2005, the Oak Orchard Health Mobile Dental Unit has traveled throughout Orleans County to various schools, providing dental cleanings and exams, dental treatment, and education to children and adults.
The Mobile Dental Unit travels to these schools on a rotating basis with visits lasting from two to eight weeks. OOH is excited to announce that they now provide vision screenings in addition to our dental services on the Mobile Dental Unit.
The Mobile Dental Unit visits the school district every year for a couple of months to provide cleanings, dental exams, x-rays, and fluoride applications for cavity prevention. If needed, they also provide fillings, extractions, sealants and stainless steel crowns.
A simple vision screen can help identify if a child has vision issues and needs further evaluation. To date, 45 students have used the new vision screening service.
For more information about this service or to schedule an appointment, contact Denise Beardsley, Mobile Dental Unit coordinator, at dbeardsley@oochc.org or call her at 585-267-9236.
Photos courtesy of John Dieter, Cub Master of Pack 35
MEDINA – Cub Scouts of Pack 35 in Medina competed in their annual Pinewood Derby on Sunday. There were 17 Webelos and Cub Scouts from the pack in the annual event to determine the fastest car made the Scouts.
In picture for top winners from left to right are Nate Surdel (First Place), Mason Berry (Third Place), and Sam Gray (Second Place).
Photos and article courtesy of Medina Mustang Band
MEDINA – Medina opened its winterguard season on Saturday, competing in Orchard Park. The varsity guard is shown in the top photo.
Winter guard is a hybrid art form that combines elements of music, dance and military-like precision marching in a competitive arena into a total entertainment package. Winterguard started about 30 years ago and involves the manipulation (spins, tosses, flips) of equipment (rifles, flags, sabers) while moving around the performance space.
Medina is sponsoring two guard units this season – junior varsity and varsity. Both guards performed in competition for the first time this season at Orchard Park. It was a large show with 26 guard units from around Western New York and Canada.
The junior varsity guard competes at Orchard Park.
The junior varsity guard consists of 16 students in grades 5-9. Their show this year is “Reach for the Stars” and is about how each one of us has a big dream, places it in a star and sends it into the sky. In life you add more stars in the sky and reach for the ones you realize in life.
There were four guards in the junior varsity class and Medina took third place with a score of 50.66.
The varsity guard consists of 15 students in grades 9-11. This year their show is “Metamorphosis” about the decision to conform to what is around us or become the person you truly want to be. In the varsity class, Medina took third place with a score of 55.83.
Medina’s next competitions are Feb. 8 in Victor, Feb 15 in Batavia, Feb. 29 at Marcus Whitman, March 7 in Lancaster, March 14 in Medina for its home show, and March 21 in Jamestown. The championships are March 28 at Gates-Chili.
Photos courtesy of Scott Mason: Members of Medina Masonic Lodge No. 336 and Middleport’s Cataract Lodge No. 295 pose for the first time as the newly consolidated Towpath Lodge.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 January 2020 at 8:19 pm
MIDDLEPORT – Jan. 15 will go down in history as a date two local Masonic lodges will not forget.
On that date, Middleport’s Cataract Lodge No. 295 and Medina’s Masonic Lodge No. 336 consolidated to become the Towpath Lodge No. 1193.
Like many service organizations in this day and age, members are aging and membership is declining. The Medina lodge faced the reality several years ago when it gave up its vendor space at the Orleans County 4-H Fair because they no longer had manpower to run their sausage booth (which they built and took down each year for decades).
After selling their lodge building on West Center Street in Medina, they began to explore other options.
Herb Koenig, right, installing master for ceremonies Jan. 15 in which Medina and Middleport Masonic lodges consolidated to become the Towpath Masonic Lodge, introduces the new master Matthew Flammger. At rear is the Most Worshipful James Sullivan of Lockport, who presented the charge to the brethren.
The Cataract Lodge was founded in 1853, and the Medina Lodge in 1854. The merger of these two lodges will insure they continue for many years to come.
This is the second merger Medina has gone through, having merged with the Yates Lodge when it closed in 2007.
As talks of the merger between Medina and Middleport progressed, a committee was formed to choose a new name. Scott Mason of Medina, former secretary of Medina Lodge and newly-installed secretary of the Towpath Lodge, suggested the new name, which is fitting for both villages.
Herb Koenig of Gasport, a 65-year-member of Cataract Lodge and four-time master, said the new merger expands their membership base.
“I like the name of our new lodge,” he said. “It links Medina and Middleport. We’re getting to know people from Medina we didn’t know before.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Members of the newly formed Towpath Masonic Lodge are installed during ceremonies Jan. 15. Here, secretary Scott Mason, standing at left, takes the oath after being escorted to the Bible by installing marshal Kevin Luckman Sr. Waiting to be installed are, seated from left, junior warden Eugene Flammger, his son and master Matthew Flammger, senior warden Robert Donovan and, treasurer Allan Kropf (behind Donovan). Seated at right is Tim McGee of Albion, a member of Albion’s Renovation Lodge and the Towpath Lodge, and his wife Myrna, who were among the evening’s visitors.
Koenig was emcee for the installation ceremonies and was also the installing officer.
“This is a very special occasion, and I’m honored I was asked to be installing officer,” he said.
After welcoming guests and members, Koenig explained the history of Freemasonry, whose roots he said are lost in antiquity.
Robert Donovan of Medina, Senior Warden of the new Towpath Masonic Lodge, stands by the roster of previous masters of Medina’s Masonic Lodge No. 336, dating back to 1854.
“Our recorded history extends backward well over 600 years,” he said.
He continued to explain that Freemasonry is a moral institution, and is not just social or merely ritualistic, but is also educational and patriotic. It is neither a secret society, a religion or a substitute for religion, although Masons do have a few signs and words of recognition which they like to keep to themselves.
As the installing master for the evening, Koenig called each officer to come forward and be sworn in. One by one, they were escorted in front of the Bible by the installing marshal, Kevin Luckman Sr.
New officers of the Towpath Lodge are Worshipful Master Matthew Flammger of Middleport, Senior Warden Robert Donovan of Medina, Junior Warden Eugene Flammger of Middleport, Treasurer Allan Kropf of Medina, Secretary Scott Mason of Medina, Senior Deacon Pritchard “Jim” Anderson of Middleport, Junior Deacon Jack Hansler of Medina, Tiler Fulton Rogers Jr. of Medina and trustees Doug Hedges of Lyndonville (three years), Herb Koenig (two years) and Alan Kozody of Medina (one year).
In addition to Koenig and Luckman, others who participated in the installation ceremony were David Pynn of Lockport, installing chaplain; Right Worshipful John Krupp, chaplain of the Sutherland Lodge in North Tonawanda, who gave the charge to the wardens; Very Worshipful Joseph Daniels from Red Jacket Lodge in Lockport, who gave the master’s charge; and the Most Worshipful James Sullivan of Lockport, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York from 2012 to 2014, who gave the charge to the brethren.
Sullivan presented a decree from the Grand Lodge, dated Dec. 18, 2019, granting approval of the consolidation. He also conveyed wishes from the Grand Master, the Most Worshipful William M. Sardone.
Sullivan believes Masonry is on the upswing in New York state. For the first time in many years, he said there is positive growth in membership.
“There are so many good things in our fraternity,” Sullivan said. “We have a new program called Coats for Kids, and we are asking members throughout the state to bring slightly used coats for children. One thing Masons do is take care of our wives, our children and our families.”
From left, the Right Worshipful John Krupp from the Sutherland Masonic Lodge in North Tonawanda, newly installed senior deacon Pritchard “Jim” Anderson and treasurer Allan Kropf salute during the installation ceremonies of the Towpath Masonic Lodge.
The Masonic fraternity also has a Brotherhood Fund, to which members donate annually. Frank Berger of Medina has been a member of the Medina Lodge since 1960 and chair of the Brotherhood Fund for 25 years. He said they have 11 different benevolences to which members may designate their donation.
Matthew Flammger in his first address as master of the new Towpath Lodge, said he had been thinking for the past few weeks about this new beginning for both lodges.
“It’s strange this has happened at the dawn of a new decade,” he said. “We have a new name and a new lodge. I look forward to being able to give the charter of Lodge No. 1193 to the next master who will lead us into the future. It is an unforgettable experience to be the first master of Towpath Lodge.”
Matthew is no stranger to Masonry. His father, Eugene Flammger, is a member of Middleport’s lodge, as was his grandfather, the late Gordon Flammger. Matthew has been master of Cataract Lodge since 2015.
Matthew Flammger of Middleport kneels before the Bible as he is sworn in as the first master of the newly consolidated Medina and Middleport Masonic lodges, to be known as the Towpath Lodge. Standing near him is Kevin Luckman Sr., installing marshal.
Matthew can expect cooperation from Masons in other local lodges to perform his official duties, including James Horncastle, master of Albion’s Renovation Lodge No. 97.
Horncastle was among representatives from several other lodges who witnessed the consolidation and installation. He said he became a Mason for friendship and brotherhood.
“For a number of years, I never had a direction in which to put my energy,” Horncastle said. “I wanted to do something for myself and my community, and I began looking for a way. I had been to the homes of several of the Masons and they had visited mine, so I already knew some of them. I wanted to be a part of the sense of community this organization engenders. Matthew was one of the first people I met when I joined Masons and I wanted to see him installed.”
Horncastle said he looks forward to working with the newly combined lodges, helping with their fundraisers and degree work.
“I know 30 or 40 years from now, I can look at their charter and say I was there,” he said. “It’s a part of history.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2020 at 11:11 am
Courtesy of Village of Medina, DRI application: The Village of Medina wants to improve public access to the Medina Waterfalls by constructing an elevated platform from the towpath. That project was part of Medina’s application for $10 million in DRI funding.
MEDINA – Gov. Andrew Cuomo is making $10 million available again to 10 downtown districts around the state.
Medina has tried for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, but has been denied. Last year it was a finalist but missed out on the grant to Seneca Falls.
Medina Mayor Michael Sidari said Medina will try again for the funding.
“Absolutely we definitely are,” Sidari said today. “We’ll see what else we can do to make it a better plan.”
Sidari said the Medina team working on the project will look at the winning applications from other communities in recent years.
The new application will likely be due in June. The governor announced Seneca Falls as the winner last Nov. 6.
Medina has hired Bergmann Associates to help with the application.
The state has been approving $10 million annually for a downtown in each of the 10 regions of the state. NY considers Medina and Orleans County to be in the Finger Lakes region/
This will be the fifth round of the DRI, where communities submit applications and the state decides the winner. Previous $10 million grant winners in the Finger Lakes region include the City of Geneva in 2016, the City of Batavia in 2017, the Village of Penn Yan in 2018 and Seneca Falls last year.
Medina put together an application last year with projects that that would have improved the downtown business district, the waterfront by the canal, created public access by the water falls, expanded housing opportunities, and added tourism amenities and attractions.
The governor’s budget also includes about $750 million to fund projects identified by the Regional Economic Development Councils. That program is now in its 10thyear.
“Our targeted economic development approach is working all across the State, creating new jobs, revitalizing communities and boosting local economies,” Governor Cuomo said. “This significant investment will be used to fund more rounds of the successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Regional Economic Development Councils and continue our State’s unprecedented growth.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 January 2020 at 10:25 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Ruth Hedges arranges merchandise in the newly expanded room of Hope Resales, the thrift shop she helped start at the Lyndonville United Methodist Church last March. The shop has become so successful they had to expand into another room in the basement of the church. Hedges said recent national surveys have shown more people are shopping in thrift stores.
Shoppers are setting a new trend in America, with more people buying at thrift stores.
A report by ThredUp said the resale market continues to grow at a rate expected to reach $51 billion by 2023. In fact the trend is becoming so popular, traditional department stores like Macy’s and JCPenney have started to team up with ThredUp to sell thrift finds in select stores.
Not only are they finding fine quality merchandise at drastically reduced prices, but the money spent at thrift stores usually goes to helping worthy causes in their communities.
Such is the case with the MAAC Thrift Depot in Medina, Community Action’s Main Street Store in Albion and Hope Resales in Lyndonville.
Annually, MAAC donates about $35,000 to local organizations such as Community Action, Vacation Bible School, Long Point Camp, Boy Scouts in Medina, Medina Police Department, Aglow, Orleans County Christian School, Hands 4 Hope, scholarships for Medina High School seniors, Oak Orchard Bike Rodeo, missions of local churches, fire victims, Tricounty Clergy Fellowship Workshop, Praising Kids Preschool, Senior Citizens of Western Orleans, Hospice, war orphans, GCASA roller skating, Christian Bowhunters, postage for Christmas Shoebox project, Medina National Honor Society veterans’ dinner, Orleans Recovery Hope, Parade of Lights, Veterans’ Christmas project, PACT, Empire State Special Olympics, MOPS, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Orleans County Summer Recreation Program, Camp Rainbow and National Night Out.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Community Action of Orleans & Genesee opened of the Main Street Thrift Store in October 2014 at the former American Legion at 131 South Main St.
The Main Street Store in Albion has targeted their profits for a job training program. Michelle George oversees the store at the former American Legion building. The store is a public resource for quality, gently pre-owned merchandise and apparel, and is a designated job skill training site for the community.
The profits from the store allow them to offer enrollment for “on the job” retail training, as well as partner with several local agencies for referrals. Store merchandise is donated and all proceeds from sales support employment services, including resumes, internet job searching, interview techniques, business and retail training and business communications. On completion of training, the store assists participants with job searches, work apparel (Dress for Success project) and references.
Hope Resales in Lyndonville has only been open about 10 months, yet sales have exceeded all expectations, said Ruth Hedges, one of the active volunteers who run the site.
Donations also have been so abundant the Lyndonville United Methodist Church has had to expand into another room in the basement.
During the past year, Hope Resales has given monetary donations not only to the church, but to Lyndonville Fire Department, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Camp Rainbow, Lyndonville Food Pantry, Care Net of Orleans, Lockport Cares Homeless Shelter, Hospice of Orleans and to a young missionary who traveled to India. They also are sponsoring on a monthly basis a United Methodist minister and her family in Cuba.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: he MAAC Clothing Depot moved from a spot in the former Medina High School to the former Mic-Jac store at the corner of Starr and Orient streets in July 2018. The new home has more space to display and sell merchandise.
In addition, Hope Resales has been able to provide free clothing to several families in need, who have been referred to the store, Hedges said.
Hedges quoted a study by The Wall Street Journal, in which they reported more than half of respondents said they would consider gifting second-hand presents, while 56 percent said they would welcome thrifted gifts.
Whether it’s called a thrift shop, second-hand store or consignment shop, Hedges shared several reasons for shopping at a thrift store.
They include supporting a charitable cause, saving money, reducing waste and helping to save the environment, obtaining gently or never used items at a bargain, acquiring hard-to-find items one might only use occasionally, discovering a hidden treasure and buying something you forgot on vacation without paying full price.
Hope Resales is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. A new feature is offering one-half off select merchandise in the store on the last Wednesday of every month. Other sales can be found on their Facebook page during the month.
The MAAC Thrift Depot moved into new quarters in the summer of 2018. They are located at the corner of Orient and Starr streets. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The first Tuesday of each month is “one-half price day.”
Drop-off chutes for donations are located outside the building on Orient Street. MAAC accepts good, clean clothing; shoes and jewelry; clean household items in good condition, including small appliances and small furniture; books, toys and linens; DVDs and CDs; kitchen items and holiday decorations.
The Main Street Store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 January 2020 at 3:28 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: A new group of card players gets into a game of euchre on a recent Friday afternoon at the Medina Senior Center. Clockwise from left are Isabelle Cotter and Dorothy Casey of Medina, Fred Brimmer of Lockport, Bill and Cindy Koepsel of Middleport, Sylvia Williams of Barker and Bev Woodward of Medina. Euchre and pinochle are also played on Wednesdays and Thursdays and new members are welcome to join.
MEDINA – Seniors looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon are being encouraged to join the Senior Citizens of Western Orleans.
Located in the historic New York Central Railroad depot, the Center is gaining in popularity as a meeting place for card players. They have sponsored euchre and pinochle games on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons for many years, but recently some seniors were looking for something to do on Friday afternoons.
That’s when Lee Smith of Lyndonville stepped up and offered to lead a euchre game on Fridays. Games each day are from 1 to 4 p.m. and each cost $2 to play for an afternoon. Players can also get into a loaner pot for $1.
Kelly Shaw of Gasport, formerly of Eagle Harbor, is director of the Senior Citizens of Western Orleans, and at the January luncheon meeting, she announced how important a role the card players play in the Center. Each week, half of the money collected from card players is put into a special fund and the other half provides prize money for the players. Last year, their $2 fee to play cards and donations in a special jug resulted in $2,530, enough to pay the fuel bill for the entire year.
The second Monday of each month is the dinner meeting at 11:30 a.m., sometimes featuring potluck and other times a prepared meal. Anyone who brings a guest to a prepared meal gets their meal and the guest’s at half price of $4. Often there is a program or speaker at the lunches.
Lady Dispatchers meet the last Tuesday of each month, with the Jan. 28 meeting featuring pizza, chips and ice cream. New members are always welcome.
It costs just $10 a year to become a member of the Senior Center, and anyone 50 or older is eligible to join.
Members are then eligible to take part in exercise classes for $1 each Wednesday. Leader is Michele Sargent from the Orleans County Office for the Aging.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 January 2020 at 10:58 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Crikwater, a band from South Buffalo, performed on Friday evening at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina for the Finally Fridays concert series during the winter. Finally Fridays is in its 19th season.
Crikwater made its debut in the series on Friday with about 200 people in the crowd. For its final song of the night, the band weaved through the crowd. Crikwater performs many Irish American traditional folk songs.
Band members include from left: Peter Zalocha, Liam Caulfield, Charles Coughlin and Matthew Sperber.
This year’s Finally Fridays series started on Jan. 3 with Creek Bend Bluegrass followed by “A” Blues Band on Jan. 10.
The schedule for the rest of the season includes:
Jan. 24: A Moment in Time
Jan. 31: Outofar Trio Jug Band
Feb. 7: Serendipity Swings
Feb. 14: Mr. Mustard
Feb. 21: Lyin’ Eyes Unplugged
Feb. 28: Hot Club of Buffalo
March 6: Dark Horse Run
The concerts all start at 7 p.m. and free to the public. The concerts are made possible through funding by Friends of the Library and state Council on the Arts funding through the Decentralization Program, which is administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
Liam Caulfield, left, and Charlie Coughlin perform with Crikwater on Friday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 January 2020 at 9:47 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: John Leible, the manager when Tops opened its store in Medina on Jan. 17, 1995, holds a copy of The Journal-Register which ran a story on the event. The newspaper was one of the items in a time capsule which was opened in ceremonies Friday.
MEDINA – Friday was a day for celebration at Tops Friendly Market in Medina.
The day marked the 25th anniversary of the day the store opened on Jan. 17, 1995.
In honor of the date, current employees, former managers and local officials gathered to watch a time capsule unsealed and opened by John Leible, the original store manager.
“John was here during the ground breaking and he was here when the store opened,” said Darlene Bowman, customer service manager, one of a handful of employees who has been with the store all 25 years.
This time capsule was sealed in the wall of Tops Friendly Market when the store was built 25 years ago. It was opened Friday in an observance of the store’s quarter century in Medina.
Leible spent 15 years with Tops and retired from the store which he opened.
Others who have been with the Medina Tops since it opened are Cheryl Gavenda, deli manager; Patti Farewell, overnight bakery associate; Jeff Farewell, grocery clerk; Don Barnard, dairy/frozen manager; and Peter Huth, fuel associate.
“This store is like my home,” Bowman said.
John Leible, left, manager of Tops Friendly Market in Medina when it opened Jan. 17, 1995, removes a time capsule from the wall, after Don Barnard removed the cover block. Barnard, dairy/frozen manager, has worked at the store all 25 years.
The anniversary celebration began with the small crowd gathering outside the front entrance, where Leible and Barnard unsealed and removed the time capsule in a block near the corner of the building, as current store manager Scott Fumanti welcomed the group.
“Special events like this allow us to reflect on past accomplishments, good times, bad times and moments that brought Tops workers together as a family,” Fumanti said. “Every journey becomes a milestone, and those milestones are an occasion for our celebration. This time capsule is now a piece of our history and a reason to reflect today.”
From left, John Leible, the original store manager of Tops in Medina; Don Barnard, dairy/frozen manager who has been with the store since it opened; and current store manager Scott Fumanti pose with the time capsule which was removed and opened on Friday.
Fumanti told the crowd to remember that a milestone is less of a date and more of a definition.
“What defines Tops in Medina is that the community of Medina 25 years ago welcomed Tops, and we in turn became the true definition of community, loyalty and especially family,” Fumanti said. “Our accomplishments at Tops for more than 25 years was measured by the community of Medina. And for that, we thank you.”
Items which were placed in a time capsule when Tops in Medina opened 25 years ago are pictured during the store’s 25th anniversary celebration on Friday. The items include a copy of The Journal-Register announcing the grand opening, pictures from the ground breaking until the opening, a copy of the grand opening ad, a coffee mug with Tops logo and a video tape of events leading up to the opening.
The celebration then moved inside the store, where Leible began removing items from the time capsule. There was a copy of The Journal-Register featuring a front page story on Tops opening. Leible pointed out the closing of Fisher-Price in Medina was announced in a smaller article in the corner of the paper. Other items in the time capsule included a coffee mug with Tops’ name, pictures, a copy of the opening ad and a video tape of the grand opening.
Local officials who were invited to witness the historic event included Medina Mayor Mike Sidari; police chief Chad Kenward; Kathy Blackburn, representing Medina Area Partnership; Michael Robinson, president of MAP; and Marguerite Sherman of the Medina Village Board.
Employees who worked at Tops in Medina when it opened on Jan. 17, 1995 posed for a picture after a time capsule was opened Friday commemorating the 25th anniversary of the store. From left are Cheryl Gavenda, deli manager; Sue Green, cake decorator; Jeff Farewell, grocery clerk; Patti Farewell, overnight baker; Don Barnard, dairy/frozen food manager; Darlene Bowman, customer service manager; and John Leible, store manager when Tops opened. He retired from there after 15 years with the grocery chain.
