By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2019 at 10:27 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Kyle Ruggeri speaks Saturday at State Street Park in medina about how his use of painkillers from football injuries led to his drug addiction.
Ruggeri, 31, played football for Webster Thomas and was the Section 5 Defensive MVP in 2005. He then played for two years at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.
He sustained multiple concussions and had pain in his neck, when he started to abuse painkillers. He became addicted and used cocaine and heroin, and was in state prison for 3 ½ years after a crime spree that included burglaries.
He is now sober and speaks out about opioids and pain management.
“Recovery is so much better than addiction,” Ruggeri said Saturday at State Street Park at a “Recovery Day” organized by Orleans – Recovery Hope Begins Here.
Ruggeri said using drugs “is 30 seconds of pleasure followed by hours of misery.”
He urged people fighting addiction to reach out to many groups in the region that are their to help addicts or those in recovery.
“The programs work so well,” he said. “You can talk to other people who have been through it.”
Ruggeri said addiction is a community problem that needs everyone’s efforts, including parents and teachers.
“It’s up to us,” he said. “We can’t arrest or legislate our way out of it.”
Ruggeri runs the SoberDogs.com website to connect people to resources. He said his dog was a source of unconditional love that helped him in his recovery.
The band Midnight Cruisers performed at the event. Doug Gagne, left, and Neil Gagne are part of the band. Neil is the husband of Sue Gagne, coordinator of a community recovery center in Batavia for the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
Tami Ashton, one of the Orleans – Recovery Hope leaders, said the organization wanted the first-time event to help break the stigma of addiction.
“It’s a celebration of recovery because people work hard everyday in their recovery,” Ashton said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 September 2019 at 7:54 pm
Photo courtesy of Greg Reed
MEDINA – Children ham it up on the new sidewalk art in front of the Orleans County YMCA on Pearl Street in Medina.
The YMCA received a $51,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to transform the sidewalks and steps by the Y with art.
The funding was announced in July by KaBOOM! and the Built to Play initiative, which are supported by the Wilson Foundation. The Play Everywhere Challenge awarded a total of $1 million for 22 projects across Western New York and Southeast Michigan.
Photos by Tom Rivers
This photo is taking of the artwork looking towards the Y. The Y hired artist Jill Pettigrew to create 3-dimensional-looking designs on the sidewalks.
Some of the designs resemble obstacle courses, balance beam, swings and other scenes popular at playgrounds.
Greg Reed (pictured), YMCA director, said the organization wants to make the sidewalks and steps more inviting for children, especially about 25-30 kids who wait for the bus on school days.
“We want to make the YMCA a community hub and not just a fitness center,” he said.
Brandi Zavitz, a Holley art teacher and Y volunteer, painted the front steps in an aquatic and solar theme.
“The goal of the grant is to take ordinary spaces and bring play and social interaction into life,” Reed said.
The artists started work on the project about three weeks ago and have more to do, including on the crosswalk on Pearl Street. Reed said the Y needs a permit from the village to paint the crosswalk.
The front steps have been repainted in a colorful way to also include the Y logo.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Local veterans serve as the Honor Guard during a dedication ceremony on Saturday for a bronze statue at the former Medina Armory, which has been a YMCA for more than three decades.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 September 2019 at 8:28 am
‘Let this statue serve as a representative for the boys who fought for the freedom and liberties for us and future generations. And let it be a symbol of peace.’ – Lynne Menz
MEDINA – A bronze statue, made to represent the young men who trained in Medina and then went off to war, was dedicated on Saturday, culminating a 13-year effort to create a monument for local residents who trained to be soldiers at the site.
The Armory opened in 1901. In 1977, it was closed by the National Guard.
Agnes Pescara of Rochester takes a picture of the names of World War II veterans who trained at the Armory, including her father, Garry Pescara. Her brother Gerry Pescara of Albion would later serve in Vietnam.
“I think it’s absolutely amazing,” she said about the monument. “I will always be proud of my father and brother for what they did.”
The names of 550 soldiers are on the monument. They trained at the site and served in the Spanish-American War, the Mexican Border Incursion in 1916, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War from 1947 to 1977.
Local veterans Glenn Whitmore, left, and Dan Anderson raise the American flag. The monument includes three flag poles. The New York State flag and POW/MIA flag also are usually displayed.
Lynne Menz thanks the many supporters of the project. Her late father, Bill Menz, had the vision for the monument and pushed to get it done.
Families look over the monument on Pearl Street in Medina following an hour-long dedication ceremony on Saturday.
The late Bill Menz pushed to create the monument and statue. He trained at the building in 1953, when he joined Company C of the 174th Armored Infantry. He was promoted to corporal before transferring to active duty in 1956 to the US Army National Guard. He would come back to Medina and work about 40 years in construction as a plasterer/mason.
When the Armory closed, Menz was on the committee that helped it find a new use as a YMCA. Menz, who died at age 86 on July 16, 2018, wanted the community to know the building’s historical role in preparing soldiers to fight on behalf of the country.
He teamed with his friend John Fuller to create a sandstone monument in front of the Y that listed 550 soldiers who trained at the Armory and were then deployed in wars. Menz and Fuller cut the stone and built the monument.
But it wasn’t done. Menz wanted a bronze statue of a soldier on top. He pushed for nearly a decade to raise the $65,000 for the statue. He was able to see it in pieces at the foundry before his death.
Lynne Menz pushed the project following her father’s death, working out the details to have the statue moved from the foundry to Medina and then be installed atop the monument. She also had the statue in Medina’s Parade of Lights for its public debut on Nov. 24 last year. The 7-foot-high statue then spent the winter inside the YMCA.
On April 17, it was installed atop the monument. It was officially dedicated on Saturday to help kick off the fourth annual Orleans County Heritage Festival, which continues until Sept. 15.
“Let this statue serve as a representative for the boys who fought for the freedom and liberties for us and future generations,” Lynne Menz said. “And let it be a symbol of peace.”
Charlie Nesbitt, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War and later a state assemblyman, said the statue and memorial will tell the story to future generations of the Armory’s role in training soldiers.
He praised the late Bill Menz for not wanting the building’s original purpose to be lost to the community, to honor the sacrifice of the young men who served from the local small towns.
“On this day we honor those who came before us and the vision of Bill Menz and the committee,” Nesbitt said.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said the statue stands strong and resilient like the soldiers who trained at the Armory. He praised the 13-year effort from volunteers to make the monument a reality.
A Patriot Guard Rider holds an American flag during the ceremony.
Cathy Fox, secretary of Company F Memorial Committee, would later become the group’s co-chairwoman. Fox’s father Robert Raymondjack and grandfather, Vincent Raymondjack, are listed on the monument among the names of 550 soldiers.
Cathy Fox said Bill Menz made the project a mission.
“This monument wouldn’t be here without the passion, insight, perseverance, dedication and hard work of one man: the chairperson of the Company F Memorial Committee, Bill Menz.”
Fox said 12 of the men listed on the monument were killed in action.
Since the bronze statue was put in place in April, some of the additional work at the monument included five Medina sandstone benches, including this one with the flowers on top. The benches were made by Jordan Rath, a mason in Medina.
The five benches by the monument will have plaques to recognize the contributors to the project.
There will be bronze plaques on each bench.
One plaque will be for Bill Menz: “In honor of William A. Menz for his dedication to preserving our military history.”
Another plaque will note Carl Petronio, a member of the National Guard, who made a large donation early in the fundraising process that gave the effort strong momentum.
Medina VFW Post 1483 will be recognized for a $10,000 donation to the project.
Bob Waters, original member of the Armory Action Committee and Medina Sandstone Society, also was a key supporter of the project and to finding a new use for the Armory.
“Bob Waters had pride in this community beyond measure,” Lynne Menz said. “His support for assembling a team of leaders to preserve the Medina Armory and make it into a community center for generations to enjoy is a benefit to us all.” Talis Equity donated anonymously in honor of Waters.
Another plaque will be in honor of all the contributors at large from the community.
“This community has an incredibly generous spirit so we are acknowledging all contributors that supported the creation of this monument,” Menz said. “It took a village and you came through.”
Cathy Fox holds a “Contributors’ List” that will be displayed inside the YMCA in the very near future.
Brian Porter of Pendleton created the bronze statue and was recognized with a “uniform,” a white sweatshirt with an image of the monument. Bill Menz wore a sweatshirt with the monument for several years. Porter gets an updated version of the sweatshirt, showing the monument with the statue on top.
The statue weighs 1,400 pounds.
Local dignitaries observe the playing of “Taps.” The group includes Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Medina Sandstone Society President David Miller, former State Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and County Legislator Don Allport.
Jim Freas served as master of ceremonies of the dedication and gave the welcome message.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 September 2019 at 12:14 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: The drum major for West Seneca Marching Band is pictured during the Fall Festival of Bands in Medina on Sept. 26 in 2015.
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Marching Band will host its annual Fall Festival of Bands on Sept. 21 at Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Nine bands will perform in competition, with the Mustangs debuting their new show in the recently renovated Vets’ Park. Title of their show is “Walk the Path,” an exploration of finding your path in life, taking action and walking the path forward.
The show will take the audience through three movements – “Finding the Path,” “Taking Action” and Walking the Path.”
The band will be led on the field by drum major Jada Draper, with assistants Lacey Kenward, Margaret Klotzbach and Miranda Zelazny. Color Guard captain is McKenna Callard.
Gates will open at 5 p.m., with the show starting at 6 p.m. Medina will take the field at 7:35 p.m.
Other bands are Le Roy, 6 p.m.; Pioneer, 6:13 p.m.; Northwestern, 6:26 p.m.; Orchard Park, 6:39 p.m.; West Seneca West, 6:52 p.m.; Webster, 7:05 p.m.; Jamestown, 7:48 p.m.; and Lancaster, 8:01 p.m.
There will be an intermission from 7:18 to 7:35 p.m., with award presentations beginning at 8:35 p.m.
The Mustang Boosters will again be selling food in the concession stand, as well as buttons, program books and candy grams. A 50/50 raffle will also take place.
Leaders of the Mustang Marching Band are Jim Steele, band director; Becky Botsford, assistant director; and Diana Baker, assistant director/guard caption head.
Others assisting are Mark Rider drill designer; Mike Heaney, visual consultant; Joe Organisciak, music director; Joe Guadagnino, percussion arranger; Jeff Pask, percussion caption head; Tiffany Organisciak, Matt Jaeger and Terry Steele, front end ensemble instructors; TJ Gray and Brian King, percussion instructors; and Kara Brown, guard instructor.
File photo by Tom Rivers: More than 100 people walked 2 miles on Oct. 13, 2018, including a stretch along the Erie Canal, to raise funds to support people battling Alzheimer’s.
MEDINA – The village will host a “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” on Sept. 28 at State Street Park.
More than 100 people are expected for the family-friendly program at 343 East Center Street.
Last year the walk in Medina raised about $24,000 for the Western New York chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The event includes local vendors, refreshments, photo opportunities and a Promise Garden.
The garden is filled with bright pinwheel flowers in colors that represent reasons people walk: purple to honor someone they lost to dementia, yellow for care partners, blue to honor those living with dementia and orange to show general support of efforts to end Alzheimer’s disease. The flowers are given to each registered participant who can then personalize them and carry them as they walk or plant them in the garden.
The event site opens at 9 a.m. with access to vendors, entertainment, food and fun. A short opening ceremony at 10:05 a.m. will be emceed by Randy Bushover, a Medina native and radio host on WBEN-AM in Buffalo.
In New York State, about 400,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Another 1.2 million people, usually family or friends, provide some kind of care for them. And at this moment, the disease cannot be prevented or slowed and it is, without exception, fatal, said the Alzheimer’s Association.
But there is hope for the first survivor of Alzheimer’s disease through the research funding efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association, the group said.
The WNY chapter has fund-raising walks and events scheduled, including: Sept. 14 in Buffalo, Sept. 21 in Batavia and Dunkirk, Sept. 28 in Allegany and Medina, and on Oct. 5 in Lewiston. For more information, click here.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Glen Whitmore, center, commander of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, welcomes Ohio bicyclists Buck Hickman from Dresden and Candace Lipton of Brunswick, while they wait in Butts Park for two other cyclists who stopped to take pictures at the culvert. The four cyclists spent the night camped in Butts Park during their overnight stop in Medina. The four are following the Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 August 2019 at 11:18 am
MEDINA – Four Ohio bicyclists stopped in Medina for the night Thursday on a tour riding the Erie Canal towpath from Albany to Buffalo.
Two of the riders, Dave Knight of Grove City, Ohio, and Peter Toomey of Rocky River are both veterans and they often contact an American Legion when they are passing through a town. Yesterday, Glen Whitmore, commander of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina, got a call from the cyclists asking if they could camp on the Legion grounds for the night.
Whitmore said yes and arrived at the post to wait for their arrival.
The pair, along with fellow cyclists Buck Hickman of Dresden, Ohio, and Candace Lipton of Brunswick have been riding together since they met a decade ago at the Great Ohio Bike Adventure.
“There were 3,000 people there, and it was karma that we met,” Hickman said.
All retired, all but Toomey recently rode the Greenbriar Trail in West Virginia. It was Toomey who suggested they ride the Erie Canal trail.
“I have stayed in Legions in Ohio and Texas and had wonderful experiences,” said Toomey, who was a master sergeant in the U.S. Army. He was been riding bicycle steadily since 1982.
Cyclists Dave Knight of Grove City, Ohio, and Peter Toomey of Rocky River, Ohio arrive in Butts Park, where they camped for the night with two other friends on their trip along the Erie Canal.
Knight is a Navy veteran of eight years. He started riding bicycle in the early 1950s when he was looking for a fun way to exercise.
After arriving at the American Legion Thursday afternoon, they discovered there wasn’t much lawn available to them, and Whitmore suggested Butts Park.
The riders have a vehicle with them, which tows a small trailer with their camping equipment and supplies. They take turns driving each day, while the other three ride. They drove from Ohio to Albany and began their ride back west along the canal trail.
“We thought we’d start at the farthest point and see how far we can get,” Lipton said. “Then if we don’t make it all the way back west, we won’t have so far to go if we want to come back and finish the trail.”
They camp out each night, as long as weather is good. They did spend one night in a hotel when it was raining. They look for facilities called Warm Showers, which is someone who opens up their home to travelers for the night.
Near Syracuse, they stayed at a Warm Showers home whose owners raised hops. They visited the Griffin Hill Brewery and ended up harvesting hops with their hosts.
“It was great fun meeting so many wonderful people,” Toomey said.
From left, Buck Hickman, Dave Knight, American Legion commander Glen Whitmore, Peter Toomey and Candace Lipton chat in Butts Park, where the cyclists camped for the night. The Ohio cyclists are riding along the Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo.
On Wednesday, Hickman and Lipton, who arrived first in their Suburban, waited at the park for Knight and Toomey, who spent time at the Culvert on the canal to take pictures. The historic landmark is listed in Ripley’s Believe it or Not and is the only place in the world where a road goes under a canal.
The brewery, culvert and Cohoes Falls have been highlights of their trip, the riders said.
The bikers had a beer at the Legion and supper in a downtown restaurant Thursday night.
“We’ve not run across anybody on this trip who hasn’t been hospitable,” Lipton said.
They don’t know where their next adventure will be, but they’ll probably discuss it on the drive back home, Toomey said.
Photos from Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
MEDINA – Residents of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center thoroughly enjoyed the concert by Terry Buchwald, an Elvis impersonator, at Medina’s Super Cruise on Wednesday.
This photo shows Patricia Mathews with her son, Kevin Hendershott, and Buchwald. Mathews is a huge Elvis fan and often sings Elvis songs during karaoke at the nursing home. She even has a life-size cut-out of Elvis in her room.
Millie Mruczek was among many residents at Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, formerly called Orchard Manor, who sat front and center for the performance by Terry Buchwald. He made a big entrance on his motorcycle and wore his bedazzled attire.
Elvis distributed leis and scarves, including one for Carol Ann Keppen. Buchwald also threw stuffed animals into the audience while singing “Teddy Bear.” All of the Orchard residents received something to remember the evening. Buchwald sang many of Elvis’s well-known hits and after a costume change, performed some country and rock and roll.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2019 at 8:16 am
File photo by Cheryl Wertman: A participant splashes through the last mud pit to complete the Mud Run on Sept. 28, 2013. The Orleans County YMCA is bringing back the event on Sept. 28.
MEDINA — The Orleans County YMCA is bringing back a Mud Run, a 5k with more than 15 obstacles on the course.
The Sept. 28 event starts and finishes at the Sacred Heart Club. The course includes Gallagher’s Farm and the Erie Canalway.
The Y first organized a Mud Run six years ago and had 75 people run and crawl through mud pits, climb over fallen trees, navigate through a field of tires and conquer a host of other obstacles.
“We are teaming up with the Medina Business Association’s Ale in Autumn event to ‘Make it a Day in Medina,’” said Greg Reed, Y director.
Registration for the Mud Run starts at 9:30 a.m. with the races beginning at 10 a.m. The first race will be a “Mini-Mudder” for ages 5-12. At 10:45, individuals, couples, families and teams of 5 will be released in waves to tackle the course.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2019 at 8:01 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Richard Cichocki of Medina looks over some of the classic cars and trucks on display in downtown Medina on Wednesday evening during the annual Super Cruise.
A section of Main Street, north of Center Street, was blocked off in the annual event, which usually draws about 250 to 300 cars for the show.
Terry Buchwald, an Elvis Presley impersonator for about 30 years, arrives in downtown Medina on a motorcycle (with a license plate, “ELVIS”). Buchwald performed for two hours on a stage.
A Corvette joins many other snazzy cars on Main Street on a sunny evening.
Terry Buchwald has been performing at the Super Cruise in Medina for about 20 years. The Super Cruise is a fundraiser for the Orleans County United Way.
There were many classic cars and trucks on display on Main Street, including this 1950 Ford.
The “Canadian 1940 Chevrolet” is a special deluxe 2-door Town Sedan. There were 27,270 built in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada with many exported to England and Australia.
The Medina Rotary Club served up hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages. Bill Bixler, left, and Gary Lawton are working the grill for the Rotary Club.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald performs with children from the audience during Super Cruise on Main Street.
Elvis fan Lee Smith of Lyndonville gets a hug from Terry Buchwald during Medina’s Super Cruise Wednesday night. The event marked the end of weekly summer cruise-ins in Medina.
Tinker Young of Lyndonville poses with his 1932 Ford Deuce coupe he restored. He said it is a replica graffiti car. Behind him is a 1957 Buick Super convertible owned by Carmen and Janice Strianese of Medina. He bought the car six years ago from a fairgrounds in Illinois, where it was used as a pace car on their race track. These vehicles were among more than 200 which filled Medina’s Main Street for the Super Cruise.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2019 at 8:46 am
MEDINA – The Village Board has approved a two-year contract with the school district where the Medina Police Department will provide a resource officer.
The contract increases the amount paid to the village from $60,000 this past school year to $65,000 in 2019-20, and then $70,000 in 2020-21.
Medina police officer Corey Ambrose served as the school resource officer the past two years. This school year, Stephen Gross will be the resource officer.
The Medina contract is less than what other school districts pay for the service.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $100,000 to provide a school resource officer in Lyndonville and Kendall. In Albion, the school district is paying the village $81,250 annually for an officer.
In other action at Monday’s Village Board meeting:
• The board approved borrowing up to $50,000 for a computer overhaul for the Police Department. That includes a new server and laptops.
• The board also agreed to have Martin Busch continue in a part-time role as code enforcement officer. Busch has retired after 24 years in the job. He has agreed to work in a limited role helping to review building plans and do some inspections. Busch will be paid $30 an hour. He is expected to work about three hours a week.
• The village is giving about 20 water customers until the end of October to have new water meters in place. More than 2,000 meters have been replaced with a new software installed for reading the meters.
But about 20 water customers have the old meters. Most of them need to make plumbing upgrades for the new meters because their pipes are corroded or brittle.
The village has been working to replace meters the past three years. The village is paying extra expense keeping the old software system for the 20 meters.
The board voted to give those customers until the end of October to have the meters replaced or else their water will be shut off.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2019 at 4:31 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Zelaya, a mariachi band, performed during a “Day of the Dead” celebration in downtown Medina last Nov. 1. They are performing under a big tent that was set up in the parking lot on West Center Street across from the Post Office. This Nov. 1, many of the performers will be at the Orleans County YMCA.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board agreed to have some village streets closed to traffic for a short time to accommodate upcoming special events.
That includes demonstrations this evening at Lyons Collision on Orient Street. About 200 firefighters will be there from 6 to 8 p.m. to see extrications and other demonstrations.
The northern section of Main Street will then be blocked off on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. for the Super Cruise.
On Sept. 7., Prospect Avenue near the YMCA and Pearl Street will be closed to traffic for the dedication of the bronze statue in front of the Y, which was originally an Armory and training site for soldiers. The dedication will be from 11 a.m. to noon on Sept. 7.
Medina businesses last year teamed with the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council on Nov. 1 for the Day of the Dead, with many of the events under a tent at the parking lot on West Center Street across from the Post Office.
This time many events are planned downtown from 3 to 6 p.m., with a processional at 6 to the YMCA. The Y will host most of the performances. A section of West Avenue will be closed to traffic from approximately 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Karen Canning of GO Art! asked the Village Board for the short-term street closure. She expects there will be about 100 people in the processional.
Police Chief Chad Kenward said it will take about three police officers to keep the street closed and the participants safe. That will include some overtime for officers.
The board gave the OK for the overtime and blocked-off street.
“It’s something new and we want to encourage people to come into our town,” said Trustee Marguerite Sherman.
The board also approved use of Boxwood Cemetery for two Medina cross country meets, Oct. 1 and Oct. 8. The high school course is off-limits due to construction at the school campus.
Village officials said they would push to have some older trees pruned in the historic cemetery before the two races.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2019 at 11:10 am
Provided photo
MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department has a new 4-wheel drive Suburban, which the department can use to take a utility trailer to the many unsanctioned recreation areas in the community by the canal, creeks and Glenwood Lake.
Pictured from left include Fire Chief Tom Lupo, State Sen. Robert Ortt, Mayor Michael Sidari, Lt. Steve Cooley and firefighter Jacob Crooks.
Ortt secured a $64,000 grant through Dormitory Authority of the State of New York for the vehicle and a utility trailer. The trailer will house and haul rope rescue equipment as well as cold and swift water rescue gear.
Lupo, the fire chief, said there has been a big increase in kayakers using the local waterways.
The village is paying about $3,000 towards the vehicle and trailer. Lupo said the new Suburban replaces a Durango from 2007 that has a lot of rust.
Photo courtesy of Cindy Perry: Tyler Fuller, a member of the maintenance and security staff at Orleans Community Health, directs people to the North Door of Medina Memorial Hospital on Monday.
Press Release, Orleans Community Health
MEDINA – The final phase of the parking lot repaving at Medina Memorial Hospital will continue this week through Thursday.
Maintenance and security staff have been available since 6:30 this morning to direct patients and visitors coming to the hospital. People will be directed to the North Door entrance (wheel chairs will be available).
On Thursday, the front circle (main entrance) will reopen for patients and visitors.
All deliveries will be directed to the Shop Door/Maintenance.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation in the final phase of the parking lot project. If you have any questions, please call Maintenance at 585.798.8012.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 August 2019 at 4:10 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Heather Smith of Gasport sits at her desk in Medina Memorial Hospital, after being named the new executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation has had a busy summer, with a number of special events, including the announcement of a new executive director.
After Angela DiRosa left to take another position, Heather Smith has stepped into the role of Foundation Director.
Smith began her association with the Foundation as a volunteer in 2002. Her mother, Barbara Jantzi, was on the board and Smith helped with plans for Treasure Island.
“I was getting a small piece of the action, when in 2012 I started working for the Foundation as administrative assistant,” Smith said.
In January 2016, she resigned to go back to college. She got a bachelor of science and master’s degrees in sports management, an unlikely path, but one which suited her goals.
“I wanted to further my role in fundraising, and sports management had a fundraising component in it,” she said. “Besides, I like sports.”
The timing for her new job was perfect, Smith said.
“I had graduated in January and was looking for a new job,” she said.
“Her passion has always been to work locally and help our community,” said Cindy Perry, director of Wellness, Marketing and Education at Community Partners.
Smith, who lives in Gasport, was raised in Medina and her roots go way back. Beach Drive is named after her grandfather.
“I am looking forward to reconnecting with the donors I’ve worked with in the past and forging new relationships,” Smith said.
In June the Foundation had its 33rd annual golf tournament at Shelridge Country Club. Smith said the weather attempted to dampen the day, but they held out and managed to have a successful event, raising more than $15,000.
Winners of the Men’s Division Flight were Will Condo, Alex Sutphen, Evan Gaesser and Steve Mazzacash. The Mixed Division Flight winners were Cindy Perry, Matt Bush, Tim McPherson and Rebecca Mannella.
In August, Orleans Community Health CEO Mark Cye presented his request for funding to support the ongoing need of bringing additional surgical services back to Medina Memorial Hospital. His request to the Orleans Community Health Foundation detailed the need for surgical equipment to serve the community more effectively.
“The Foundation board loved that Orleans Community Health is continually working towards expanding surgical services we offer the community, and therefore decided to approve the funding request,” Smith said. “To kick off this initiative, the proceeds from all 2019 events hosted by the Orleans Community Health Foundation will go towards this effort to provide the necessary equipment for these doctors to practice at Medina Memorial Hospital.”
Looking forward to the coming fall, Smith said they are excited to announce the Treasure Island benefit will take place Nov. 2 at Sacred Heart Club. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The event boasts an amazing assortment of donated baskets, trips, live auction items and, of course, various other opportunities to support Orleans Community Health that evening, she said.
“You can participate in Lucky Cork, where you draw a numbered cork out of a treasure box and are awarded a corresponding bottle of wine,” Smith said. “Sometimes they are wrapped with an extra treasure hidden inside.”
Treasure Island also offers a cash raffle and 50/50 drawing. Tickets for the event are available in the Foundation office located on the ground floor of Medina Memorial Hospital. They can also be purchased online at www.charityauction.bid/supportOCH2019.
Anyone who would like to sponsor the event or donate a basket may also do so through the website or call Smith at (585) 798-8426.
