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.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Terry Buchwald, an Elvis Presley impersonator, arrives in downtown Medina on a motorcycle during last year’s Super Cruise on Sept. 5, when a section of Main Street was blocked off for the car show.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2019 at 4:51 pm
MEDINA – A new season of classic car shows will begin this Friday in Medina’s Canal Basin. 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. Terry Buchwald, an Elvis Presley impersonator, usually performs on a stage in the downtown for that event.
On the regular cruise-ins on Friday evenings, DJ Hank Nevins will be playing music.
The car shows typically attract a few hundred people to the downtown.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 May 2019 at 7:33 am
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2019 at 9:15 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2019 at 3:19 pm
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.
MEDINA – Students at Oak Orchard Elementary recently participated in a poster design contest.
The theme was bus safety and students were asked to create something that represents what being safe and making smart choices on the bus means to them.
Medina Central School’s Transportation Department judged to entries and a winner was chosen at each grade level.
Front row, from left: Elizabeth Dresser, Sophie Kroening, Annaliese Lindsey and McKenna Gamet. Back wow: Oak Orchard Principal Julie Webber, Transportation Department representatives Debbie Faltyn and Kim Heschke, and Director of Transportation Rob Dennis.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Thomas the Train heads out of Medina for a train ride last Saturday, during the three-day event hosted by the Medina Railroad Museum.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 May 2019 at 8:13 am
MEDINA – Weekend with Thomas is all over but the shouting.
And it was something to shout about for the Medina Railroad Museum.
After a drop in attendance last year, the Medina Railroad Museum decided to scale down to one three-day visit this year, which proved to be very successful, said Museum director Janien Klotzbach.
This was the 15th year the storybook train, owned by Mattel/Fisher Price, has made tracks to Medina. Over the three-day visit May 17, 18 and 19, 7,000 people rode the train.
“It takes a lot of work and expense to put on an event like Thomas, and we had to condense our efforts,” Klotzbach said. “But it was extremely successful.”
Klotzbach also said the success assures them that Thomas will be returning next year, which is a special anniversary for Fisher Price.
With this year’s Day Out with Thomas came other changes, including not letting anyone on the grounds unless they had a ticket to ride the train. In other years, numerous events on the grounds were open to the public at no charge, but that was not cost effective to the Museum or Fisher Price, said a representative from Fisher Price.
The museum grounds had many inflatables, bounce houses and fun activities for children and families.
In addition to the usual storytelling, Imagination Station activities (face painting, temporary Thomas tattoos, Legos, coloring station, train play tables and bean bag toss), there was a caricature artist and very popular balloon artist and miniature train ride next to the Sodor maze. Also, there was entertainment, such as a musician and magician in the tent next to the Senior Center, and an additional bounce house.
It takes many volunteers to pull off an event like Thomas, and Klotzbach said they recruited volunteers from local non-profit groups, such as churches and Scout groups. The organizations will then be paid for the hours their volunteer worked at Thomas.
“Thomas has always been a very exciting experience, not only for the children, but for the museum and its staff,” Klotzbach said. “It’s so rewarding to see the children and their parents and grandparents when they get so excited about Thomas. There are still many adults who come without children, because they love the event.”
Klotzbach said the same is true of Polar Express, which annually sells out at Christmas time. While they are still wrapping up from Thomas’ visit, they are already planning future train events, including the annual fall foliage and wine trains and Santa train. A new event this year will be a Blues Festival Oct. 19, with a blues band, winery and brewery on the grounds and wine tasting on the train.
The Museum has also scheduled another Memorial Train to pay tribute to Klotzbach’s father and Museum founder Martin Phelps, who died two years ago. Funds from the ride on Oct. 12 will be donated to a veterans’ organization in his memory.
Tickets are already on sale for these events and information is available on the Museum’s website or by calling 798-6106.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2019 at 12:20 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Shoppers check out the newly renovated and expanded ALDI in Medina. The store was closed for seven weeks for the construction and remodeling project. ALDI reopened today at about 8:30 in the morning, with customers getting free tote bags and a chance to win $500 in produce throughout the year.
The ALDI store on Maple Ridge Road in Medina reopened after a 2,062-square-foot expansion on the front side of the building. The building was 16,567 square feet before the expansion.
The addition gives ALDI more space for about 150 to 200 products, including cooler and freezer items, and more produce.
Dan Leverenz (third from left), the ALDI store manager in Medina, cuts the ribbon this morning. ALDI didn’t lay off any employees during the store shutdown. The staff of about a dozen employees took vacation time or had a chance to work at ALDI stores nearby in Lockport, Brockport or Batavia, with the company paying their mileage.
The store upgrade also includes new shelves, freezers, coolers, and a resurfaced parking lot.
Ian Harrington, the ALDI district manager, thanked customers for their patience. He said the crowd of about 50 people, waiting to get inside the store, was the biggest he’d seen at a store reopening.
These Medina residents were at the store about a half hour before it opened today. They include, from left: Sheila Doty, Janice Dunn and Peg Sullinger.
They said they missed ALDI while the store was closed.
“I came here all the time,” Doty said. “They have quality products and the prices are good.”
The Medina store is part of the $1.9 billion ALDI investment to remodel and expand more than 1,300 stores nationwide by the end of 2020.
Photos courtesy of Medina Central School: Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward helps students navigate through a course while wearing goggles to simulate being impaired.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – As prom and graduation season approaches, the students at Medina High School took part in a program about the impact on poor decision making with alcohol and drugs.
More than 100 students were at the Ridgeway Fire Hall on May 15 for a discussion on drugs and alcohol prevention was held by GCASA (Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse). The prevention educator, Elizabeth Aldaco, talked to the students about the dangers of addictive substances and making healthier choices. She also informed the students that she is at the high school one day a week and her door is open to anyone who wants to talk to her.
State Troopers urge students to not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when they get behind the wheel.
The students were then brought outside where representatives from the New York State Police, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the Medina Police Department and the Ridgeway, Shelby and Medina firefighters had demonstrations set up that the students rotated through on the dangers of distracted and inexperienced driving.
Maddie Williams tries the driving simulator with Chief Deputy Michael Mele providing some guidance.
The students went into a driving simulator booth, operated by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and attempted to drive while texting. They saw how easy it was to have an accident or a near accident by taking their eyes off the road for just seconds.
State Troopers showed what happens in a rollover crash when someone is not wearing their seatbelts. Their simulator ejected a crash dummy out the window as it spun without it being buckled in.
Medina Police Department Lt. Todd Draper and Chief Chad Kenward led students on the simulator with the goggles.
The Medina Police Department had the students attempt to ride pedal cars wearing goggles that mimic being impaired by drugs or alcohol.
The final demonstration was given by local firefighters who showed one of their fire trucks and then showed the aftermath of a car accident using vehicles donated by Lyons Collision.
The demonstrations had a very real and meaningful impact on the high schoolers as they saw the dangers of being a distractive driver. The school district is very grateful to the first responders that spent time with the students to show them how one bad choice and can have affect their lives and the lives of others.
A Ridgeway firefighter shows students some of the extrication equipment used when someone is trapped in a vehicle.
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch: The newly renovated WWI Memorial in Medina, featuring the fully restored BL 60 Pounder British field gun, will be rededicated at noon on Monday, Memorial Day.
Posted 21 May 2019 at 7:35 am
Press Release, Orleans Renaissance Group
There is new granite and a refurbished bronze plaque for the cannon.
MEDINA – Since 1935, a B.L. 60 Pounder British field gun has been the centerpiece of not only the World War I memorial in Medina, but also of the village’s annual Memorial Day observances.
This year’s observance will be a historic occasion as the British field gun has undergone 14 months of extensive restoration and arrived back home in Medina just a few weeks ago. The local landmark was removed in March 2018 to Seed Artillery Reproduction & Restoration in Altoona, PA, where it was completely stripped, disassembled, and rebuilt using newly repaired and remanufactured parts.
Local benefactor and businessman, George Bidleman, covered the entire cost of the work to the cannon, donating $40,000 for the job. Additional site improvements were made possible through donations to the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. Concrete for the project was donated by Orleans Ready Mix LLC. Beauman’s Garage, Inc. of Lockport donated services to hoist the huge cannon onto its new concrete pad.
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.
Three new flagpoles have recently been installed on site – 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 will also be installed before Memorial Day.
The memorial will be re-dedicated as part of special expanded Memorial Day observance at noon in State Street Park, Medina, following the conclusion of the annual parade.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of Medina Lions Club are working on the annual Community Yard Sale with chicken barbecue and a flea market June 1. Here, they take time out from serving hotdogs and hamburgers at Day Out With Thomas to promote the June 1 event. From left are Sherry Wheatley, Judy Holbrook, Julie Roman, Dave Bellucci, Don Colquhoun and Jim Hancock.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 May 2019 at 6:07 pm
MEDINA – The Medina community is gearing up for its annual Community Yard Sale on June 1. Sponsored by Medina Lions, this is not “just another yard sale.”
The event June 1 is the 13th annual and a highly anticipated event in the village.
Not only do dozens and dozens of households participate in the sale, but more than 60 vendors have already signed up for space at the Olde Pickle Factory at 711 Park Ave.
Lions Club member Sherry Wheatley came up with the idea for the sale a dozen years ago after attending several in other villages. The event has gradually been expanded to include printed maps of sale locations, a flea market, a Chiavetta’s chicken barbecue at the Pickle Factory and a hotdog wagon roving throughout the village for those shoppers who don’t want to take the time to stop and eat.
Lions members will drive the hotdog wagon down village streets, selling hotdogs and pop. The Lions will also sell hotdogs and hamburgers at the Pickle Factory. Also new this year will be a 50/50 raffle at the Pickle Factory.
From 8 to 11 a.m. June 1, Lions members will be on the four corners of downtown Medina to hand out maps of the location of garage sales. There are always other sales throughout the village which aren’t listed on the maps, Wheatley said.
The yard sales bring hundreds of shoppers to the village, looking for bargains or “that special something.”
The chicken barbecue will be available from 11 a.m. until sold out. Tickets may be reserved by calling Jim Hancock at (585) 798-2118.
All proceeds from the Community Yard Sale help the Lions Club fund charitable projects throughout the community.
Photos by Tom Rivers: A banner for Frank Berger hangs in the gymnasium at the Orleans County YMCA, which was formerly the Medina Armory and used to train soldiers. Banners for Bruce Burns, left, and Kenneth Edward Baehr are next to Berger, a retired teacher who remains active in the Boy Scouts and American Legion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2019 at 5:47 pm
‘It’s very emotional seeing all of these faces’
Joe Cardone, the Orleans County district attorney, takes a picture of the banner about his father, the late Vincent Cardone, who served in World War II and returned to Medina to work as a lawyer.
MEDINA – There were many tears today in the Orleans County YMCA, when family and friends of 38 soldiers from the community gathered to see new banners with large photos of the local servicemen.
Mary Woodruff spearheaded the project after her father-in-law, Burr Woodruff, was featured in a banner last year in the Alfred community.
Mary Woodruff had a narrow window to get the banners ordered this year. They are $200 each. Many families and friends of the local veterans bought a banner. The deadline to order them was Feb. 15.
Woodruff said there is lots of interest in the community for a second round of banners. She expects to start the process again this summer, seeking Medina Village Board approval and accepting applications for banners from the community.
The first group will be up before Memorial Day with 32 banners on Main Street and six on East Center Street. Next year the new group of banners will get the Main Street and East Center locations, with the year 1 banners going on side streets.
The banners will come down just after Veterans Day in November. She expects they will last three seasons. The worn banners will then be given to the families of the featured soldiers.
Ken Schaal, a Shelby town councilman, is among the veterans highlighted on a banner. He served with the Marine Corps in the Vietnam War. His father, Kenneth Schaal Sr., is also on a banner, and so is Ken Schaal’s nephew, Robert Schaal, who is 28 and fought in the Global War on Terror.
Robert Schaal said the banners have brought together the community and the families of local soldiers. His wife and two children sponsored the banner with his photo from a decade ago, when he joined the Marine Corps.
Ken Schaal and his nephew Robert are featured in two of the banners.
Ken Schaal, who returned to Medina after the Vietnam War and worked at Kodak, thinks the banners will have an impact on the community once they are placed on the poles in two of Medina’s most prominent streets.
“This country needs to bring back patriotism,” he said. “We’ve lost sight of what freedom cost us. All these young people hanging up here on the banners gave up a lot.”
Schaal remains active in local veterans’ organization and serves with the Honor Guard. He appreciated Woodruff organizing the effort with the Hometown Heroes.
“As a veteran, I thank Mary,” he said. “Everyone of these has a story. That’s what’s wonderful about it.”
Mary Woodruff, organizer of the Hometown Heroes, is shown with a banner of her brother-in-law, the late John McElwain, a local electrician who was very active in the Medina Lions Club.
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.
She was given permission by the Medina Village Board to pursue the project in January. She had 38 families step forward by a Feb. 15 deadline. The Medina DPW agreed to install the banners. The Village Clerk’s Office handled the money for the project.
The banners have red and blue borders with a portrait of the featured veteran, as well as the vet’s name, time of service, branch of military, and honors. It also states who sponsored the banner.
Rose Allard takes a picture of the banner with her late husband, Robert Allard. She said her husband was very patriotic and always stood at attention and would salute when he saw an American flag.
“It’s wonderful,” she said about the banners. “I’m so glad Medina did this.”
Many of Homer McPherson’s family members joined him at the reception in the Y for the unveiling of the banners. Homer, in white baseball hat, served with the Army from 1948 to 1954.
“I think it’s nice,” he said. “It’s wonderful.”
He also is happy the Y now has a bronze statue of a soldier on top of a Medina Sandstone memorial, honoring the soldiers who trained at the Armory.
“That monument is beautiful out there,” McPherson said.
Vince Iorio, pastor of the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God church in Medina, takes a photo of the banner of his late father, who served in World War II.
Iorio had tears, seeing the banner.
“It’s very emotional seeing all of these faces,” he said.
Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone also took photos with a banner of his father, the late Vincent Cardone, and his uncle, the late Frank Cardone. The two brothers served in the Army during World War II. Two other Cardone brothers – Joe and Bert – were in the Navy during WWII.
“It’s not everyday you can look into our past and see the faces of the people who contributed so much to our community and country,” Cardone said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2019 at 8:51 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Thomas the Train Engine heads out of Medina on Saturday for a 25-minute train ride. The Medina Railroad Museum is hosting Thomas for the 15th time this weekend.
The event draws several thousand people to Medina, including many from out of state. The three-day run in Medina continues today.
There are about 40 Thomas events in the United States and Canada this year. Medina is the one in New York hosting the attraction.
A family walks the museum grounds, carrying balloons about Thomas, a popular children’s book and TV character.
Marty the Magician entertains children. Marty is new to the event this year, travelling from Springfield, MO.
Families try to work their way through a maze with characters from the Island of Sodor, a fictional land that is the setting for Thomas and his friends.
A miniature train gives rides on a closed-off section of West Avenue near the museum.
Thomas is a friendly face on the train. His eyes move and the train lets out smoke when it gets ready to take off for the ride.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Melinda Grube of Medina is all decked out as Lady Hat as she volunteers to read Thomas the Tank stories to children during the Day Out with Thomas weekend at Medina Railroad Museum.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2019 at 3:38 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The ALDI store in Medina is pictured today with the new addition to the front of the building. The store will reopen on Friday morning.
MEDINA – The ALDI grocery store on Maple Ridge Road in Medina will reopen on May 24 after a 2,062-square-foot expansion on the front side of the building.
The addition gives ALDI more space for groceries and also backroom storage, the company said in its application. The building was 16,567 square feet before the expansion.
To celebrate the reopening of the Medina store, ALDI will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday at 8:25 a.m. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, shoppers can enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a year’s supply of ALDI produce.
The Medina store is part of the $1.9 billion ALDI investment to remodel and expand more than 1,300 stores nationwide by the end of 2020.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2019 at 12:33 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: A cyclist heads east on the Erie Canal towpath in Medina on Thursday near the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge.
The Erie Canal opened at 7 a.m. today for its 195th season.
The Canal Corporation is waiving tolls again this year for recreational vessels as the state continues to commemorate 200 years of Erie Canal history. The Erie Canal was under construction from 1817 to 1825.
The Canal Corp. also waived the tolls the past two years. Those tolls are normally $25 to $100 for a season pass, depending on the size of the vessel.
The standard hours of operation for the 2018 season are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lift bridges in Orleans County have extended hours until 10 p.m. from May 17 to Sept. 11.
The canal’s navigation season continues until Oct. 16.
Signs about the Erie Canal trail system are shown in Medina’s Canal Basin.
The same cyclist is on the towpath headed near the Horan Road canal bridge.
