By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2022 at 12:27 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Tom Keefer of Celtic Cross strolled around the Canal Village Farmers’ Market today for opening day of a new season at the market, which goes every Saturday at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.
The market is open year-round with today the return of many of the vendors during the busier summer season.
Hannah Pollard, owner of the Catherine Street Bakery, discusses some of the baked goods she has available with customer Pat Payne.
This is Pollard’s third season a vendor. She started selling home-made masks in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and then shifted to making pies, cookies and other baked goods.
“I like the customers and being outside,” Pollard said. “This is basically my storefront.”
Ron Human of Human Farms in Appleton is starting his sixth season as a vendor. He has flowers today and will soon have many vegetables with lettuce, green beans and sweet corn almost ready.
Human said the market is busy with people through the morning and early afternoon. The market tends to draw 300 to 400 people on Saturdays, said Gail Miller, the market manager. The crowd for opening day was about 500.
The market is sponsored by the Orleans Renaissance Group.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2022 at 9:52 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Lance Mark, a member of the Medina Lions Club, passes out maps of yard sales in Medina as part of the Community Yard Sale Day. There are at least 20 yard sales in Medina today.
The Lions Club will also have a chicken barbecue at the Olde Pickle Factory beginning at 11 a.m.
The Lions also have a roving mobile hot dog stand that will be travelling through the village.
Medina Lion Jim Punch distributes map of the yard sales. There were four Lions passing out maps at the intersection of Main and Center streets.
Jarred Saj gives out a directory of the yard sales in Medina. The Lions Club accepted donations for the maps.
File photo by Tom Rivers: A Mercy Flight helicopter takes off on Aug. 7, 2018 during the fourth annual National Night Out in Orleans County, which included a bounce gym. This year the event will move from Bullard Park in Albion to Wise Middle School in Medina on Aug. 2.
Press Release, Medina Police Department
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department, with the assistance of the Medina Police Advisory Committee, are co-organizing this year’s Orleans County National Night Out.
We are proud to give an update on this year’s event that will take place on Tuesday, August 2nd, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Medina’s Clifford Wise Intermediate School, 1016 Gwinn St.
National Night Out started in the 1980s as a way to bring law enforcement and citizens together nationwide on the same night each year. We have expanded on that principle and put together an event that focuses on bringing many agencies and organizations together for the annual National Night Out date each year.
Participants in this event will include law enforcement from throughout the county, fire agencies, EMS responders, civic organizations and other groups that will be providing activities and giveaways. Some of the big hits from past events have been the “Battle of the Belts,” K-9 demonstrations and the bike rodeo.
Our mission is simple. We want an event where families can come for a night and be entertained at no cost, eating and having fun in an environment that is free of violence, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We hope citizens can meet members of our local organizations and get to know the services they provide to our community.
We are currently in the process of reaching out to many local organizations to coordinate participation. In the past it is the efforts, participation and donations of these local organizations and businesses that make National Night Out possible. These sponsoring organizations will be highlighted throughout our event.
Registration and donation information will be distributed shortly through mail, email, and social media. For more information you may contact either Heather Jackson at NNOOrleans@gmail.com or Lt. Todd Draper at tdraper@villagemedina.org.
We will also be providing regular updates through our Facebook pages.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 June 2022 at 10:50 am
MEDINA – The summer parks and swim program will be starting July 5 and run through Aug. 12, a free program for children ages 6 to 12 in the Medina school district.
There will be in-person signups o June 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Butts Park pavilion.
The program this year is being directed by Michelle Capstick, a Medina teacher the past 29 years. She stepped into the role for the first time after seeing a notice that the program would be cancelled if there wasn’t a director.
“I feel very strongly about the Medina community,” said Capstick.
Her father is the late Don Kennedy, a former Medina mayor and businessman who Capstick said instilled the importance of service.
Capstick said the program has good leaders in place with Hayden Woodroe serving as the park supervisor and Hannah Kenward the pool supervisor. Other swimming instructors and aides will be hired.
The parks program will be run at the Oak Orchard Elementary School campus with the pool program at the middle school.
The Village of Medina and towns of Ridgeway and Shelby all contribute to funding the program.
The parks program is for children ages 6 to 12. That program will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and until 3 p.m. on Fridays. Besides games, the program will include bowling, field trips, a carnival and other activities.
The swim program starts with a “mommy and me” class for children 6 months to age 2, classes for 3- and 4-year-olds, and then classes for levels 1 to 6. The full swim schedule will be available at registration.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 June 2022 at 9:17 am
Site also has turf floor for athletic drills
Photos by Tom Rivers: John Brabon, left, and Nick Joy are co-owners of the Hustl House gym in Medina. They also have a site in Albion that they opened about a year ago. The Medina gym has a turf floor for lunges, sprints and athletic drills.
MEDINA – John Brabon and Nick Joy, cousins from Lyndonville, have opened a second gym. They started the Hustl House last May in Albion at the former Albion Fitness Center on Main Street.
The Hustl House drops the “e” in hustle for no excuses. They gym has been popular in Albion, and that success made the cousins confident a second Hustl House would be popular in Medina.
Nick Joy and John Brabon are pleased with the success of the Hustl House in helping people become stronger and healthier.
“We bring an attitude and a culture,” said Brabon, a former wrestler who is in the Niagara Community College Hall of Fame for his mat success. He works full-time as the sales manager for Orleans Ford.
The Medina site opened on Wednesday and has more space at 119 Pearl St. They have added turf in part of the building. Those 2,300 square feet of turf are an ideal surface for lunges, sprints and other athletic drills.
Joy was up late Tuesday night installing the turf. Joy, 31, has a master’s degree in exercise science. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist who wants to help people get stronger and be healthier. The Hustl House offers exercise programs, weight resistance and now a supplement line with protein, hydration and energy nutrition.
Joy is willing to work with everyone in the community. He has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for professional athletes, including the L.A. Galaxy. For 11 years he ran the Shed Express, a business hauling sheds for the Amish and Mennonite communities.
But Joy said his passion is fitness and he is fully committed to the Hustl House and its members. His goal is to start a youth athletic performance program, working with local high school athletes. The Hustl House can help the athletes improve their strength and skills.
“The offseason work makes a difference and takes you to the next level,” Joy said.
The gym will offer dual memberships to both the Albion and Medina sites.
They share space with the Hometown Wellness Center which is run by Pam Eaton. Hometown Wellness offers group fitness, personal training and nutrition programs.
Eaton said she is happy to welcome the Hustl House to the building.
“Now we can to do a full-service place,” she said. “We have everything.”
The Hustl House will soon be available 24-7 in Medina. The gym has a wolf in its logo.
“The wolf is alpha, just like us,” Joy said. “You got to be confident.”
For more information on the Hustl House, click here.
Photos courtesy of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center: Johnny Johnson, left, and Phyllis Johnson enjoy ice cream cones today that were provided for free by Twisted Treats Ice Cream.
Staff Reports Posted 1 June 2022 at 5:40 pm
MEDINA – Residents and staff at Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center enjoyed a cold treat from Twisted Treats Ice Cream truck this afternoon.
Jessica Taylor of Medina started the business about a month ago. Having a food truck has been her dream. When there was a delay in getting a required fire suppression system for a food truck, she switched and converted an old SWAT truck into a pink ice cream truck.
Her brother, Christopher Doxey, wanted to do something nice for Orchard Manor, so he called his sister and they made arrangements to come to Orchard to treat residents and staff to ice cream.
This photo shows Elijah Doxey, Christopher Doxey and Jessica Taylor in front. In back are Alexis Brege, Nikea Taylor, Adrianna Brege and Billy Jo Taylor.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Some of the gravestones at Boxwood Cemetery in medina are toppled over or in bad condition. The Boxwood Cemetery Commission would like access to perpetual care funds to help reset and repair some of the monuments and gravestones.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2022 at 8:51 am
MEDINA – The Boxwood Cemetery Commission sees a lot of need at Medina’s historic cemetery with some of the larger monuments fallen over or in disrepair. Many of the gravestones are well over 100 years old and in need of attention.
But the cemetery commission doesn’t have easy access to money to make the repairs. There is $89,000 sitting in a perpetual care fund but the commission hasn’t been able to use any of that money.
The local commission has reached out to the Village Board and the state Division of Cemeteries. The Village Board would like to give access to the perpetual care funds, but in a staggered way.
The Commission is going to draft by-laws for using the funds, with no more than 10 percent to be used in one year. That would give the Commission up to $8,900 to reset stones in the first year.
Last year a fallen tree knocked down and broke a large obelisk in the cemetery and that was about $5,000 to fix and reset. A lift needed to be brought in to the cemetery for the job.
The Village Board said with the by-laws in place it expects it would OK using the funds for the cemetery work. The board doesn’t think the state needs to give approval for tapping the perpetual care funds as long as there is a stated policy and process for utilizing the money.
Kathy Blackburn, the Commission chairwoman, said the perpetual care would focus on the gravestones and wouldn’t be used for taking down trees and planting new ones.
The Village Board said it will wait on a vote until seeing the language in the by-laws, including a description of how the funds can be spent.
The issue was brought up at last week’s board meeting. Blackburn was joined by Commission member Jake Hebdon, who said the cemetery needs the funds now to address some disrepair in the gravestones.
He said each gravesite has $100 set aside for perpetual care, and now is the time to do some of that care.
“I think we’re being cautious, which is good,” Hebdon said about spending funds from perpetual care. “But we could use it now.”
In other action from last week’s meeting:
• The Village Board voted to increase the pay for summer help from the $13.20 minimum wage to $15. The village has three summer help positions available for the Department of Public Works but only one person, Jacob Bensley, applied.
The board hired Bensley at $15 an hour and said it would eliminate the third position so the two jobs would be at $15 an hour. That might draw more interest in applications.
The summer workers help with mowing, brush pickup, watering flowers and other tasks with the DPW. Interested applicants can get more information from the Village Office.
• Gave the Girl Scouts permission to do gardening work at State Street Park and Gwinn Street Park. The Scouts want to leave little signs when they are done that says, “A Girl Scout was here.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2022 at 2:32 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – This girl waves an American flag while the Medina Alumni Marching Band performed and marched up East Center Street to State Street Park for the Memorial Day observance.
The Medina community lined the parade route today in the return of the Memorial Day parade after it was downsized in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
Scott Carlton, a member of the Sons of the American Legion, hands flags to Bridget McLaughlin and her children, 1-year-old Shawn on her lap and 3-year-old Maddie. The Sons handed out about 2,000 flags today.
The Color Guard carried flags at the start of the parade procession.
The Marching Band and the Color Guard makes their entrance on Main Street.
Nick Reese plays in the drumline for the Medina Marching Band.
Terri Moriarty of the Medina Lions Club tosses candy to kids lined up on Main Street.
Medina Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts were happy to be part of the parade.
Local Girl Scouts carry their banner in the parade.
Joshua Vacanti of Lockport, a star of The Voice on NBC, sang during the parade and promoted a singing competition on July 23 as part of The Salt & Light Festival in Gasport.
Brian Kozody and about 80 graduates performed in the Medina Alumni Marching. The group first performed five years on the 50th anniversary of the band. They expect to be back again in five years on the 60th anniversary,.
Scott Petry, a Shelby firefighter, drives a firetruck while his son Hank, 3, waves to the crowd.
The Cayea brothers promoted the Home for the Holidays 5K race on Nov. 26. From left include Alden, Alwyn, Arian and Aeddon. Alden won the last race on Nov. 27, 2021.
Village Trustee Jess Marciano hands out candy along the parade route.
This Army truck carries a casket to send a powerful message about the sacrifices of soldiers.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 May 2022 at 12:32 pm
MEDINA – Mayor Mike Sidari has received information this morning from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that the drums containing hazardous waste on the site of the former Starlite Cleaners are being removed this morning.
Gail A. Dieter, environmental chemist with the Division of Environmental Remediation, said a waste disposal hauler was at the site this morning. She said she asked that they secure the site as best they can after removing the drums, as they had to cut the present lock to gain access.
“Our consulting engineer will be sending someone out next week to double check the site security – particularly the fencing and put a new lock on the gate,” Dieter said.
The drums, which had been sitting there for weeks, concern many local business people.
The NYDEC plans complete remediation in the near future, but in a recent conversation with Dieter, she said she couldn’t say just when it would begin.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 May 2022 at 11:25 am
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch: Shoppers check out the wares at Black Button Distillery of Rochester’s booth at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market last year. The summer market begins June 4 at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.
MEDINA – Opening day of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market is a sure sign of summer, and shoppers can look forward to the opening on June 4.
“Our winter market had a very good season, but we’re always fired up for opening day of the summer season,” said Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market. “The Saturday morning gathering of vendors, musicians and friends under sunshine and blue skies is a welcome sign of summer. After a long winter and more Covid, people are ready to enjoy summer life. We’re excited to be able to provide this great weekly summer event for the community.”
Gail Miller is manager of the market.
“I am looking forward to a great summer season the Canal Village Farmers’ Market,” Miller said. “As always, there’s a lot packed into the Saturday market, including regular and rotating vendors, food trucks, live music, kids’ scavenger hunts and more. Weekly updates can be found on the market’s Facebook page.”
Returning anchor vendors include Baker Farms, Roberts Farm Market, Human Farms, Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels, LynOaken Farms, Gardner’s Gardens, Catherine Street Bakery, Heartland Organics, HateCuddler Craftworks and Flower Fields Forever.
Products to be found at the market include local beef, pork, chicken, garlic, garlic powder, eggs, mushrooms, cheese, numerous fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, bagels, herbs, barbecue sauce, herb blends, tea blends, fudge, jam, jellies, sea salts, cookies, pies, cakes, breads, scones, muffins, honey and many other items.
New regular vendors this year include Shirt Factory, Lock Ridge Apiary and Barn Owl Blacksmithing.
Wineries, mead and spirits will return, along with local beer. Scheduled throughout the season will be 819 Meadworks, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Mountain Mule Ciderhouse and Schulze Winery and Vineyard. Black Button Distillery will also be back every month, along with a new vendor from Batavia, Eli Fish Brewery.
“We are super excited to welcome Eli Fish Brewing to our family of vendors,” Miller said. “It’s great to be able to add a local beer vendor to the market.
Tom Keefer of Celtic Cross will perform from 10 a.m. to noon on opening day of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.
The market also has a great lineup of food trucks, with a nice variety for all tastes, Miller said.
“If there are other food trucks interested, we still have some Saturdays open,” she said.
Food trucks rotate throughout the season. In addition to the weekly anchor food truck, El Gran Burrito, other food trucks scheduled are Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza from Albion, Some Like it Hot from Buffalo and Greenlief’s on the Go from Middleport. Dubby’s will be on site for opening day.
Artisans and crafters include Between the Vines, Stillwater Pottery, HateCuddler’s Crafts/HHC and Laurel’s by the Creek.
“We’ve been contacted by quite a few artisans and crafters, and some spots are still available,” Miller said.
The weekly kid’s scavenger hunt will be sponsored by Maureen Hungerford this year, Miller said.
“Each week, kids can play by answering five market-related questions to win a prize from a box full of cool kid stuff,” Miller said.
Miller said the scavenger hunt is a very popular attraction, and they are grateful to Hungerford for her sponsorship.
“We have many kids play each week and they really love a choice from the prize box,” Miller said.
Live music at the market will be sponsored this year by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services-Zambito Realtors.
“We’re incredibly grateful for live music sponsorship,” Busch said. “It really makes the market vibe something special, and thanks to Berkshire Hathaway Home Services-Zambito Realtors, we have a full slate of musicians.”
Entertains scheduled so far are recording artist Barry DiGregorio, Rob Robinson, Thom Jennings, Thomas Keefer solo, Steve Novak, Zach Busch and Dark Road Duo.
The community tent is also back, according to Miller.
“The tent is for community organizations, such as tourism, veterans’ organizations, health and wellness organizations, Master Gardeners, charitable organizations and the like,” Miller said. “This gives these organizations a helpful outlet to share information about their services.”
Opening day will see the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services at the Community Tent. They will be answering questions and handing out Fresh Connect Check Coupon books to veterans.
“Any community-oriented organization who feels they might be appropriate for the market should contact us,” Miller said.
Miller encourages customers to check the Canal Village Farmers Market Facebook page for products available each Saturday.
The market has multiple options for making sales transactions. These include, besides cash, credit via Square, PayPal and VenMo.
The market accepts Senior Coupons, WIC, SNAP and Fresh Connect Checks and will soon be able to offer Double up Food Bucks to SNAP recipients. More information is available at the market manager’s tent.
The market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday. Miller can be reached at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.
