Photos by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Parents, Scouts and veterans stand at attention as they prepare for their annual flag-retirement ceremony on Flag Day at the Scout camp on School No. 10 Road.

Demonstrating the proper way to dispose of the American flag has been a tradition on Flag Day for Cub and Boy Scouts in Medina for nearly a decade.

Steve Johnson from the American Legion, left, watches a Scout place flags in the fire during a flag retiring ceremony Friday night at the Scout camp on School No 10 Road.

Dozens of Scouts, their parents and members of the American Legion and VFW in Medina gathered at the Scout camp on School No. 10 Road Friday night to burn piles of worn and torn flags.

As Scouts unfolded one flag and demonstrated how the stripes were separated from the blue field of stars, they were reminded this was not a “flag burning,” but a “flag retirement.”

Piles of flags lay on the ground waiting to be properly disposed of Friday night by Scouts in Troop 28 and 35, and Pack 28 and 35 at their Scout camp on School No. 10 Road in Medina. Also participating were members of the American Legion and VFW. Talking in back are Gary Blackburn of Ridgeway and Dave Kusmierczak of Medina, a member of the American Legion and VFW.

This giant flag supplied by Veterans Services Agency Director Earl Schmidt was among the dozens of flags burned in a flag-retirement ceremony Friday night by Scouts and veterans in Medina.

Scouts separate the stripes on an American flag to demonstrate the proper way to dispose of it at a flag retiring ceremony Friday night.

Three of the Scouts who read the meaning of each part of the flag were Tyler Miller, Cade Miller and Jon Thomas. They explained the red stripe signifies the blood shed for our freedom; the white stands for the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons; and the blue field is for truth and justice, like the stars that fell from heaven. The stars also represent the 50 sovereign states of our union.

Dave Kusmierczak, a member of the American Legion and VFW, said he has been coming to this ceremony on Flag Day for at least eight years. He said they also retire flags at the Conservation Club on Memorial Day weekend.

Flags which have become too worn to use can be dropped off all year at the VFW on East Center Street, the American Legion on North Main Street, Ace Hardware on East Center Street or the Veterans’ Service Agency office on Route 31 in Albion.

Alicia Vanderwalker, chaplain for Troop 28 and Cubmaster of Pack 28, helps a Scout deposit a flag in the fire.

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Provided photo: Ronan Tynan, an acclaimed tenor, first performed in Medina on Sept. 17, 2016.

MEDINA – The Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the return of one of the world’s great voices to Medina. Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will be back in Medina on Oct. 5 for a concert at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

He performed to a sold-out crowd of 650 at St. Mary’s on Sept. 17, 2016.

“Dr. Tynan absolutely electrified a sold-out, capacity audience in 2016,” said Chris Busch, chairman of the ORG. “People came from as far away as California to see him perform here. Experiencing one of the world’s great tenors in the incredible setting of St. Mary’s sanctuary was absolutely breathtaking. This is a must-see concert event and will sell out very quickly.”

The ORG has worked to promote cultural events and preservation projects in the community for more than decade, putting on first-rate concerts highlighted by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the world-renown a cappella quartet, Anonymous 4.

Tynan’s performance in 2016 was ORG’s biggest event to date. The concert sold out with 650 in the historic church. Extra chars had to be retrieved from the balcony and other rooms to accommodate everyone. Tynan’s powerful voice filled the church, and he had the audience laughing with some of his stories. He was joined by his accompanist, Bill Lewis.

Tynan has performed at historic events around the world. His memorable renditions of “God Bless America” have been heard at the World Series, The Belmont Stakes, and other momentous events.

He is a Sony recording artist who has released more than 10 titles, four of which have achieved platinum status. Additionally, between 1981 and 1984, Tynan amassed 18 gold medals and 14 world records while participating in the Paralympics. Nine of his records haven’t been surpassed.

Tynan has also performed for four U.S. Presidents. He performed as a single soloist at the funeral of President Ronald Reagan and most recently at the funeral of President George H. W. Bush. As well, Tynan has sung for two Popes– Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica and Pope Benedict at the Concert of Hope.

Tickets are on sale now and available online at www.medinaalive.com. All are general seating.

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MEDINA – There will be an open house, public presentation and opportunity for residents to comment on the future of the Maple Ridge Corridor. Medina High School is hosting the June 20 meeting from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will be in the school cafeteria. The session begins with an open house at 4:30, followed by a presentation at 5 p.m. The presentation will cover the project goals, history, and illustrate the alternatives under consideration.

An interactive session then will follow at 5:30 p.m. where residents are encouraged to share their opinions about the alternative futures for Maple Ridge Road.

The village was approved for a $50,000 grant to study pedestrian and bicycle accommodations on Maple Ridge Road, from Bates Road to the former Ames Plaza.

The study may help Medina make its case for a state grant to help pay for sidewalks on that stretch of Maple Ridge. The $50,000 grant from the Genesee Transportation Council includes a $5,000 local match from the village.

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Photo by Tom Rivers: This banner on Main Street features the late Vernon Toussaint, one of 38 put up last month in time for Memorial Day.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board approved a second round of Hometown Hero banners, although the number and locations are still to be determined.

The board, however, authorized Mary Woodruff to start work on the next group of banners. Woodruff, a Ridgeway town councilwoman, took the lead on the banners late last year.

The first group of 38 banners was installed by the Village Department of Public Works just before Memorial Day last month. Those banners will stay up until right after Veterans’ Day in November.

Most of the banners are on Main Street with a few on East Center Street.

Woodruff has already heard from about 15 people who want to purchase a banner for $200 with the image and name of a loved one who served in the military. The banners highlight veterans from World War II to current soldiers.

The first group of banners went on village-owned poles. As the banners expand to other locations, permission will be needed from National Grid to put the pole’s hardware on the Grid poles.

The Village Board approved the additional banners on Tuesday, with an understanding that National Grid permission will be needed. The board also wants Joe Perry, the DPW superintendent, to have input in where the banners will be going.

Woodruff would next like to focus on Park Avenue, which is on the Memorial Day parade route. She would like more banners on East and West Center streets, and some on Pearl Street, where the former Armory is located. That building is now the Orleans County YMCA.

The vinyl banners are double-sided and 5 feet tall by 2 ½ feet wide. Woodruff, a retired social studies and math teacher at Roy-Hart, pushed to start the Hometown Heroes effort in Medina after seeing a similar one in Alfred.

The Medina Village Clerk’s Office, and Shelby and Ridgeway town clerks helped take applications and funds for the banners for the first round. Woodruff wants to work with them again for the project but isn’t ready to take in applications until she gets the permission for the poles from National Grid, as well as feedback from Perry, the DPW superintendent.

Woodruff wants the new group of banners to go on Main Street and downtown for the first year, before then going to a secondary street the following year. This year’s banners that are currently on display will move to the secondary locations next year.

She expects the banners will last three years. After that, they will be given to the family of each highlighted veteran.

The Village Board suggested there be a cap of 100 banners, but that number wasn’t voted on. The board wants to first hear from National Grid and the DPW superintendent about the number of sites.

For more information about the banners, email Woodruff at curlqt@aol.com.

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Provided photo: Medina Sandstone Society members Rob Klino, Gabrielle Barone and Mary Zangerle join Medina High School John Ryan Scholarship winner Alissa Blount and Sandstone member Jim Hancock in front of the John Ryan Scholars Wall at Medina High School after Blount was presented with a John Ryan Scholarship for $1,000.

MEDINA – Alissa Blount, a Medina High School senior, is the recipient of the fourth annual John Ryan Scholarship, presented by the Medina Sandstone Society.

Sandstone Society members Jim Hancock, Gabrielle Barone, Mary Zangerle and Rob Klino presented the $1,000 award to Alissa last week at the high school. Alissa’s mom Shannon was also present, and like her daughter was very thrilled with the award.

Alissa plans to attend Daemon College to pursue a career in nursing.

“This $1,000 will definitely help,” said Alissa, who is also the daughter of Eric Blount.

To apply for the scholarship, students had to write an essay about the village of Medina, titled “Roots in the Past. Eyes on the Future.”  Alissa indicated she learned so much about the village while doing her research.

“One of the purposes of the scholarship is to get young people to appreciate the history of the village in which they live,” said Hancock, head of the Sandstone’s Scholarship Committee.

The first John Ryan scholarship was awarded in 2015. The award is named for the Medina resident whose sandstone quarry was the first in Orleans County.

Students who receive a John Ryan scholarship have their name placed on the John Ryan Scholars Wall on the second floor of the high school and also have a special medallion attached to their diploma.

Hancock said the award is a joint effort between the Sandstone Society and the Medina High School History Department. He also said the late Robert Waters was the driving force behind establishment of the scholarship, which the late school superintendent Jeff Evoy supported wholeheartedly. Evoy was a member of the Sandstone Society’s board of directors.

The public is welcome to make a donation to the Medina Sandstone Society/John Ryan Scholarship by sending a check to Medina Sandstone Society or Sandstone Trust, P.O. Box 25, Medina, NY 14103.

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Photo by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – This 1956 Chevy belonging to Buster Wetherbee of Holley was among the 91 classic vehicles which attended the first cruise-in of the season in Medina’s Canal Basin on Friday night.

Wetherbee rarely misses a Friday cruise-in and helps organizer David Green with the weekly 50/50 drawing. Green said the Friday cruise-ins average between 80 and 100 cars and Friday’s turnout was very good for the first one. The season continues through late August.

The cruise-in series has been an annual tradition in Medina for more than 20 years. The classic car shows go from 5:30 to 8 p.m. They will be in the basin every Friday until the end of August, except on June 28 when the show shifts to the Orleans County Marine Park in Carlton and on July 26 when the cars are on display at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Knowlesville.

The season culminates with the Super Cruise on Aug. 28, when a section of Main Street is closed for the cars and there is lots of entertainment.

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Photos by Ginny Kropf: Maureen Sanderson, a volunteer at the Medina Tourist’s Center, and Jim Hancock, chair of the Medina Tourism Committee, stand in front of the Visitor’s Center which opened Memorial Day weekend in Rotary Park.

MEDINA – Memorial Day weekend is not only a sign summer is near, but it means the Medina Visitor’s Center is open and ready to greet visitors to the town.

The Visitor’s Center is run by the Medina Tourism Committee and first opened in 2009 in the office on Main Street shared by Western United Way and the American Red Cross. United Way’s director, the late Betty Hassall, was also the tourism person in the morning, and volunteers ran it afternoons, said Jim Hancock, chair of the Medina Tourism Committee.

In the early years, the Visitor’s Center was only open during July and August and had six volunteers.

Then came their move to the City Hall, where hours were expanded from Memorial Day to Labor Day. While that provided ample space, it was not the most ideal location because of its steep steps and distance from the canal. Many of its visitors are people boating or biking along the canal.

When the idea rose in 2018 to move to the Santa Claus house in Rotary Park, which was only used at Christmas time, the Tourism Committee jumped at the idea. The move was a positive one, as the number of visitors jumped from 90 the previous year to just shy of 200 in 2018, Hancock said.

Last year, visitors came from 29 states and three foreign countries.

The Tourism Committee is looking for more volunteers to supplement about a dozen who already run the Center.

Maureen Sanderson has been volunteering at the Medina Visitor’s Center for nearly three years. Here, she shows off one of Medina T-shirts for sale, which reads, “Barge into Medina. Get that Erie feeling.”

One of those volunteers is Maureen Sanderson, who is in her third year volunteering there.

“I love Medina and I like to talk to people about our town,” Sanderson said. “I always wanted to be a greeter.”

“People come from everywhere, and it’s nice to have someone in the Visitor’s Center who’s been around Medina all their life,” Hancock said.

Jim Hancock greets Marguerite Sherman, a new volunteer at the Medina Visitor’s Center. She showed up for her first day with grandson, 3-month-old Henry Rosenbeck.

Hancock himself couldn’t be prouder of Medina, and boasted for a town of only 6,100, it’s pretty incredible there are at least 10 great places to eat in the business district.

The Visitor’s Center has plenty of free handouts for visitors, including pamphlets, maps and rack cards. In addition, there is a small selection of tourist items for sale, such as Medina T-shirts, mugs and postcards.

“We have stuff I believe even residents of Medina would be interested in,” Hancock said.

The Visitor’s Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Anyone interested in volunteering for a day or just a few hours can contact Hancock at 798-2118.

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Provided photos from Medina Marching Band

The Sherburne community in Chenango County hosted its 70th Annual Sherburne Pageant of Bands from Thursday through Saturday.

This pageant is the oldest and longest running event of its kind in the state. The Sherburne community , the Volunteer Fire Department and the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District come together to sponsor this event.

There were 44 schools from around the state that participated and this was Medina’s first year at the competition. Medina was in Class AA for every event they performed in.

In concert band Medina competed against four other schools and won first place with a score of 96. In Jazz, the Mustangs competed against two other schools and won first place with a score of 97.5. In Small Ensemble, Medina performed a saxophone quartet and earned first place with a score of 96.5.

The parade is a big event with 44 schools performing and the people in town begin setting up their chairs on Friday night up and down the 3-mile route. In Class AA, Medina won first place with a score of 93.5,  first place in Color Guard  with 99 and 1st place in Drumline with 81.  Medina also earned awards for Best Overall Color Guard, Best in Class AA, Overall HS Award and the Band Director Award to Jim Steele.

This was the last competitive performance for the band in the 2018-2019 school year and the season will close with the Band Banquet on June 7.

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Photos by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Members of the VFW and American Legion in Medina prepare for a three-gun salute at veterans’ graves in Boxwood Cemetery on Monday morning.

The Honor Guard includes members of the American Legion and VFW in Medina. They annually do a ceremony at each of the veterans’ memorials and cemeteries in Medina.

Tony Vicknair, left, and Jim Freas put the firearms away after a ceremony on Memorial Day at Boxwood Cemetery, which included a three-gun salute.

Tinker Young, left, and Jon Little, who served with the U.S. Army, fold the American flag after Memorial Day ceremonies at Boxwood Cemetery.  Firing at veterans’ memorials in Medina has been a tradition for decades. The veterans repeated the ceremony at Sacred Heart Cemetery, the Company F Memorial at Medina Armory, the Korean Memorial on Park Avenue, the tank at Oak Orchard Elementary School and the John E. Butts Memorial in Butts Park.

Tom Walders, left, plays Taps in front of the Company F Memorial at Medina Armory. In the background is Mustang Band trumpeter Travis Gotts, who played Echo Taps. Saluting are Dave Kusmierczak, left, and Jim Freas.

Members of the Honor Guard from the American Legion and VFW in Medina annually do a ceremony at each of the veterans’ memorials in Medina. Here the firing squad, including Adam Johnson at right, gets ready for a three-gun salute.

At left, Jim Freas from the Medina VFW and Dave Kusmierczak from the American Legion, salute in front of the Vietnam Memorial at the American Legion, while Taps is played by Tom Walders. Trumpeter Travis Gotts from the Medina Mustang Marching Band, played Echo Taps.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – There was a big crowd at today’s Memorial Day parade in Medina, which included many participants from the community, including Logan Quackenbush, 8, blowing bubbles on a float by the P.Raising Kids childcare site at the Medina United Methodist Church.

For the second year, the Honor Guard escorted a casket draped with an American flag to send a powerful message about the meaning of Memorial Day.

Wayne Hale, a member of the Sons of the American Legion, handed out American flags, including one to Gail Miller. The American Legion distributed 1,500 flags before the parade.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari tossed candy to kids along Main Street and East Center Street.

Jeremy Brandenburg and other members of the Medina Skate Society promoted a June 21 Skate Jam at Butts Park.

Brooklyn Garrow is a member of the Color Guard in the Medina Marching Band.

Maisie Griffin, the drum major, leads the band down Main Street.

Trenton Crews and the band were a patriotic presence in the parade.

These Boy Scouts from Medina carry their banner in the parade.

These youth baseball players shared candy with the crowd.

Aurora Owczarczak (left) plays for the Sharks in Medina’s youth softball league.

These Girl Scouts greet many of the community members lined up on Main Street.

There was a long line of fire trucks in the parade.

These kids were on top of one of the fire trucks. They acknowledge the crowd.

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Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A wreath was placed on a World War I cannon at State Street Park today when the cannon was rededicated following more than a year of restoration work by Seed Artillery Reproduction and Restoration, in Altoona, Pa.

Since 1935, the B.L. 60 Pounder British field gun has been the centerpiece of not only the World War I memorial in Medina and also village’s annual Memorial Day observances.

The cannon was removed in March 2018 to Seed Artillery Reproduction & Restoration, where it was completely stripped, disassembled, and rebuilt using newly repaired and remanufactured parts.

The display for the cannon now includes three new flagpoles – one for an American Flag, signifying the soldiers of Medina who served and gave their lives in France during the Great War; one for a British flag, signifying the gun’s heritage; and one for a French flag, signifying the theater of service for the big gun and our local soldiers.

A new granite slant was installed, featuring a refurbished bronze plaque that was originally with the monument in 1935. New lighting to up-light both the cannon and flags also has been installed.

Dan Anderson, left, is commander of the VFW and Glenn Whitmore is commander of the American Legion. They place the wreath on the cannon.

The rare and historic artillery piece was manufactured by the Elswick Ordnance Company, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in 1916 and saw extensive service on the Western Front during World War I, firing a total of 4,342 rounds in combat action. It weighs six tons and is a 5 inch/127mm caliber gun. There are few left in the world today.

George Bildleman, owner of Orleans Ford, contributed $40,000 to have the cannon restored.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley gives a glance to the refurbished cannon during his remarks today.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley was among the speakers during today’s Memorial Day service and rededication. He also noted this year is the 100th anniversary of the American Legion.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari also addressed the crowd. He said the community has several memorials for veterans — the historic cannons at Boxwood Cemetery, the tank at Vets Park, the bronze statue and monument outside the former Medina Armory, and Butts Park named for John Butts who was killed in World War I and awarded the Medal of Honor.

The mayor urged the community members, when they are passing by those memorials, to “remember those who fought and died for our freedom to gather and to live in this great nation.”

Sidari thanked Bidleman for the $40,000 donation, and others who contributed to the effort: the Orleans Renaissance Group, the VFW, the American Legion, Village of Medina DPW, Lyons Collision, Automotive Solutions, Orleans Ready Mix Concrete, BarnesMetal Finishing, Brigden Memorials and Anzalone Electric.

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson thanked veterans and their families for their sacrifice and service. That includes 1.1 million soldiers who have died during wartime in the country’s history, and about 2.8 million who have been wounded.

“These numbers should truly humble us, as they represent people – individuals – who were brothers, husbands, mothers, sisters, friends. These were people woven into the fabric of communities across the nation. They were loved. They were mourned. And they were missed.”

She urged the community to befriend veterans who are their neighbors, to visit veterans in nursing homes, and to volunteer as drivers in the van service that takes vets to medical appointments.

“Working together with friends, neighbors, veteran groups and entire communities, we can ensure that the sacrifices made by our nation’s finest and bravest never go unappreciated and that their memories are never forgotten,” Johnson said.

Jim Steele, director of the Medina Marching Band, directs the group in playing, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The Rev. Lambert Duncan, pastor of the Glad Tidings Baptist Church in Medina, gives the invocation.

Tom Walders plays Taps while local veterans stand at attention.

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