Photos courtesy of Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition
MEDINA – The Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition held a free family roller skating event on Thursday afternoon at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina.
There were over 250 youth and parents who attended what has become an annual event just after Christmas.
This year a Hawaiian Luau theme was included in the event with prizes awarded to youth who dressed up Hawaiian. Youth could also have some fun at the free photo booth with Hawaiian props included.
Volunteers from Medina Area Association of Churches attended and helped collect a total of 225 non-perishable food items from attendees to donate to the two food pantries in Medina.
New this year, participants also had the opportunity to watch a showing of the Disney movie “Moana” during the event sponsored by Tobacco Free GLOW.
The Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition said the event would not be been possible without the support of Medina Area Association of Churches, Orleans YMCA and Tobacco Free GLOW.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2018 at 9:16 am
Photo courtesy of Kathy Blackburn
MEDINA – A Medina business is temporarily closed after it was hit on Christmas Eve by a vehicle, breaking the front door and window, and causing some structural damage.
Meggie Moo’s was hit at about 9:30 p.m. Kathy Blackburn, owner of the business at 114 East Center St., said an inexperienced driver slid off a slick road and hit the building.
Besides the damage to the front window and door, a cast iron pillar was knocked out. That pillar is a big concern, she said.
She said a regular building contractor may not be able to make the repairs. Meggie Moo’s may need a restoration crew that specializes in historic buildings.
She is reaching out to her insurance company. For now, the business will have to be closed until the repairs are made.
Blackburn opened the ice cream parlor and grill with her family in the summer of 2014. Meggie Moo’s includes a game room and has been a popular place for children’s birthday parties and other events.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 December 2018 at 9:34 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Santa arrives with a bag of toys for all the girls and boys on the Santa/Reindeer train Saturday at Medina Railroad Museum.
18,000 also rode the Polar Express for Railroad Museum, which followed busy fall foliage rides
MEDINA – The magic of Christmas was in full swing Saturday at the Medina Railroad Museum, where throngs of people came for the first ever Santa/Reindeer train.
Also in attendance was a train full of veterans who were given free tickets to ride the train through a grant from the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program.
Veterans’ services director Earl Schmidt secured the grant to provide recreational and entertaining events for Orleans County veterans. Saturday, 56 veterans and their families rode the train.
Catherine Schmidt, center, volunteer coordinator of the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program, poses with an elf and Lincoln Pace on the veterans’ car during the Santa/Reindeer train ride Saturday from Medina Railroad Museum.
Catherine Schmidt, who is the volunteer coordinator for the Peer-to-Peer program, purchased mugs and chocolate suckers from Della’s in Medina for each veteran.
Among the veterans were the Strickland family of Lyndonville. Ace Strickland, an Army veteran, took the ride with his wife Rebecca, their children Ava and Aksel and Rebecca’s father, Ed Schmidt, an Air Force veteran.
“It’s so wonderful they are actually paying attention to veterans now,” Schmidt said. “When I got out, you didn’t want people to know you were a vet.”
On the two dining cars on the train, first-class passengers also received a mug for their hot chocolate and the chance to visit Santa by a Christmas tree in the cars.
Children were given a stuffed animal which Santa plucked from his big red sack.
Conductors Brody George, left, and Cody Catlin hug “Kat” Schepis, dressed as a cat for the Christmas/Reindeer train Saturday at Medina Railroad Museum.
This is the first year the Railroad Museum has attempted a Santa/Reindeer train, coming off the heels of the most successful Polar Express run ever. During its eight-day run of six trains per day, more than 18,000 people rode the Polar Express, said museum director Janien Klotzbach. She is also daughter of the museum’s founder, the late Martin Phelps.
Polar followed a record-breaking sell-out of every fall foliage train, Klotzbach said.
Terry Hendry, volunteer/group sales coordinator at the Medina Railroad Museum, sorts hats and Christmas decorations for volunteers on the Santa/Reindeer train Saturday.
The museum grounds were all decked out for the holidays, from an antique sleigh on the deck, to the grounds with a human size snow globe capable of holding 14 people, and a petting tent with reindeer Dasher and Dancer. A faded ticket shack was converted into a snack shack, where snacks and hot chocolate were served.
Klotzbach attempted to secure local food vendors during all the holiday events. Zambistro was on site for one weekend, and Hojack’s Bar & Grill in Carlton came through for the remainder of the season.
“Having the Hojack here was so appropriate,” said Klotzbach, referring to the ice cream/snack bar in Lyndonville which was named after the old railroad which used to run through the town.
Volunteers on the Santa/Reindeer train were mostly teenagers, including Lincoln Pace, 15, of Medina; Nick Mitchell, 15, of Le Roy; Catherine Grossman of Oakfield; Danielle Schmidt of Medina; and Noel Vasquez of Barker.
The teens all said they had friends who previously volunteered and had such a good time. They embraced their elves costumes, peaked hats and necklaces of blinking Christmas bulbs.
As the train headed out of Medina for the “North Pole,” the teens bounced down the aisles as they led the singing of Christmas songs. Then it was time to pour the hot chocolate and pass the Christmas cookies from Case-Nic Cookies in Medina.
The train made a brief stop at the North Pole, where Santa disembarked to return to his workshop.
The North Pole is Santa’s final destination on the Santa/Reindeer train from the Medina Railroad Museum on Saturday. Here, Santa waves goodbye to passengers as he heads for his workshop.
The South Main Attractions Band plays Christmas music in the Medina Railroad Museum during the Santa/Reindeer train on Saturday. From left are Dona LaValle of Batavia, Scott Schramm of Middleport, Dave Armitage of Batavia and Scott Schildwaster of Batavia.
Even big kids like Terry Boyle of Medina got a hug from Santa on the Santa/Reindeer train Saturday at Medina Railroad Museum.
Photos courtesy of Lynne Menz: A 7-foot-tall bronze statue of a doughboy from World War I was moved inside the Orleans County YMCA on Thursday. The building on Pearl Street in Medina was originally an Armory and was used to train soldiers. The Medina Armory opened in 1901 for Company F, which formed in 1891. In 1977, the National Guard left the Medina Armory. The site has been used as a YMCA for more than three decades.
Posted 21 December 2018 at 2:57 pm
Company F Memorial bronze statue will be installed by former Armory in spring
Press Release, Company F Memorial Committee
MEDINA – After approximately 4 years in the making, we are excited to announce that the newest military history icon, the Company F Memorial bronze statue, is home! It was revealed to the public by leading the Medina Parade of Lights celebration on Nov. 24 and was kept in storage until it was moved on Thursday to its temporary “winter retreat” inside the Pearl Street entrance of the YMCA (former Medina Armory). (The entrance is closed due to the deterioration of the steps outside. A new main entrance is on Prospect Street.)
The idea of putting it on display temporarily was a result of the late Bill Menz’s mission to educate future generations of the sacrifices our veterans made for our freedoms. The display is part of the Company F historical panels that Orleans County Historian Matt Ballard commissioned a few years ago and located outside the Children’s Watch room and Cardio Room. The display allows visitors to get an up close and personal look at this 7-foot-high work of art, take a selfie and learn the history of the Medina Armory before it became the community activity center and YMCA.
The Company F statue is on temporary display at the YMCA in Medina until it’s mounted to the monument in the Spring.
The Company F Memorial committee wishes to express it’s deepest appreciation to all those that have supported us to make Bill’s vision a reality.
Sculptor Brian Porter and the University of Buffalo’s Foundry Director Chris Serano who created this masterpiece. Brian and Chris were exceptionally accommodating by inviting us to witness it’s evolution.
John Brown of Select Collision in Batavia who transported the statue from UB to Medina and lent his trailer for the Parade of Lights for our big reveal. He and set designer Carl Hicks devised and built the means to not only support and secure the 1,400-pound statue to the trailer for the parade, but modified the support for the display at the YMCA.
The statue was delivered to the YMCA in Medina on Thursday.
Shelby Highway Superintendent Mike Fuller and the Town of Shelby for providing the crew and necessary equipment to raise the statue from its horizontally packaged position to its upright position on the float trailer.
Lisa Tombari and Talis Equity for providing us a temporary home to store and create the float until we could move it to its permanent location at the YMCA.
The statue is in the corridor by the Pearl Street entrance of the YMCA.
The Village of Medina Parade of Lights committee for allowing us to lead the parade to introduce the statue to the public and bestowing us with the “Community Spirit Award” for our presentation.
Greg Stanton of Stanton signs for providing the beautiful signage for our float and a generator to power our lights in the Parade of Lights.
Michael Walsh for assisting us in building the float and engineering the A/V equipment and lights.
Cliff Fuller for also lending us his carpentry skills for the float.
Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan for giving us permission to use his rendition of “God Bless America” in the video that we played on the float. And, Chris Busch for connecting us to Dr. Tynan (who will be performing in Medina 10/5/19!)
Medina Mayor Michael Sidari and the Village DPW crew for assisting with the move and installation to the YMCA.
LeChase Construction for providing us the necessary equipment and operator to move the 1,400-pound statue from the trailer and into the YMCA.
Mark Zacher of Zacher Construction for assisting us with an engineering analysis and structural support to insure the YMCA floor could withstand the weight of the statue.
The YMCA Board of Directors and Y director Greg Reed for allowing us to display the statue inside the YMCA until its installation in the spring.
We would be remiss to not include all of our financial contributors who have made Mr. Menz’s dream a reality. Thank you, supporters!
And thanks, Bill Menz for leaving our community this beautiful, moving legacy. We hope we did you proud!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2018 at 9:15 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Tops store on Maple Ridge Road in Medina is pictured in September. The store is part of a plaza assessed at $3,471,000.
MEDINA – The Orleans County Legislature voted today to have the county join three other municipalities in a legal fight over the assessment for the Tops plaza in Medina.
The site on Maple Ridge Road is assessed for $3,471,000. It is owned by Medina Center LLC, which along with Tops is seeking a lower assessment. They want it lowered to $2,665,800. If successful, the $805,200 reduction would lower the taxes by $41,903 from $180,630, based on the tax rates in 2018.
The Town of Shelby, Village of Medina, Medina Central School and now the county are joining together to defend the assessment in court. Shelby sets the assessed value with its assessor.
Shelby also has the lowest of the tax rates and the least amount of money at stake.
Three years ago Orleans County approved a new policy where towns don’t have to bear the full burden of an assessment challenge by themselves if the assessments are over $3 million. The villages, school districts and county are all asked to help finance a legal battle, with the percentage share based on their tax rates, which include the Medina school district ($21.12), Village of Medina ($17.18), Orleans County ($10.09) and Town of Shelby ($3.65).
Tops is also challenging its assessment in Albion, where its store at 408 West Ave. is assessed for $2,750,000. Tops wants the assessment lowered to $1,775,660. Because that site is below the $3 million threshold, the town is alone is the court fight over the assessed value.
Photo courtesy of John Dieter, Cub Master of Pack 35
MEDINA – Cub Scouts from Pack 35 in Medina sang Christmas carols to the residents of Orchard Manor this past Saturday. Two of the scouts, Colton Smith and Jimmy Dieter, played solos with their instruments. Once done with the caroling the scouts handed out Christmas cards to the residents.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: A veterans’ honor guard and VFW member Jim Freas stand at attention while Kathy Blackburn reads a prayer during a wreath-laying ceremony Saturday in Boxwood Cemetery.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 December 2018 at 2:07 pm
Assemblyman Stephen Hawley pauses to salute after placing a wreath in Boxwood Cemetery Saturday in honor of all veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.
MEDINA – Four years ago, when Kathy Blackburn learned about Wreaths Across America and wanted to involve the Medina community, she received donations for seven wreaths to place on veterans’ graves in Boxwood Cemetery.
On Saturday, the number of wreaths donated for the project was 135.
Wreaths Across America was an idea of Morrill Worcester, owner of a wreath company in Harrington, Maine. As a young boy, he had visited Arlington National Cemetery, an experience he never forgot. So in 1992, when his company found itself with a surplus of wreaths, Worcester saw an opportunity to honor the country’s veterans.
With aid of his local senator, arrangements were made for him to donate wreaths to be placed in one of the older sections at Arlington, which had been receiving fewer visitors each year.
As plans were made, other individuals and organizations stepped up to help. The owner of a local trucking company provided transportation for the wreaths to Virginia. Volunteers from the American Legion and VFW posts gathered with community members to decorate each wreath and members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. helped to organize the wreath-laying, which included a special ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The annual tribute continued quietly for several years, until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered with snow, was circulated on the internet. Suddenly, the project received national attention.
Requests began pouring in from all over the country from people who wanted to help at Arlington, to emulate the Arlington project in their local cemeteries or to just thank Worcester for honoring the nation’s heroes.
Todd Bensley, Village of Medina historian and member of the Boxwood Cemetery Association; Assemblyman Stephen Hawley; Dave Barhite, a member of the American Legion; and Kathy Blackburn, who chairs the Wreaths Across America project, talk prior to a ceremony Saturday in Boxwood Cemetery, in which 135 wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves.
Unable to donate thousands of wreaths to each state, Worcester began sending seven wreaths to each state, one for each branch of the military and one for POW/MIAs. By 2006, with the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations, simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies took place at more than 150 locations around the country.
The Patriot Guard Riders volunteered to escort the wreaths going to Arlington, thus beginning the annual “Veterans Honor Parade” which travels the East coast early each December.
The annual trip to Arlington and volunteers eager to participate continued to grow each year, until it became evident the desire to remember and honor the country’s fallen heroes was bigger than Arlington and bigger than Worcester’s one wreath company.
In 2007, the Worcester family and others who had helped them with the annual wreath ceremony at Arlington, formed Wreaths Across America, a 501(c)3 organization to continue and expand this effort.
Volunteers wait to place wreaths on the graves of veterans representing all branches of the military during the Wreaths Across American project Saturday at Boxwood Cemetery. From left are Rodney Casey, Todd Bensley, Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Dave Barhite, Shirley Whittleton (partially hidden) Sandra Fenton and Tom Fenton.
By 2008, more than 300 locations had wreath-laying ceremonies in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 oversees cemeteries. More than 60,000 volunteers placed more than 100,000 wreaths on veterans’ graves. That year, Dec. 13 was voted by the U.S. Congress as “Wreaths Across America Day.”
In 2014, Wreaths Across America volunteers laid more than 700,000 memorial wreaths at 1,000 locations in the United States and beyond, including at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Bunker Hill and Valley Forge, as well as the sites of the Sept. 11 tragedies. Also in
2014, Wreaths Across America’s goal of covering Arlington National Cemetery was met with the placement of 226,525 wreaths.
For the first time in Medina this year, Girl Scouts from the Cobblestone Service Unit volunteered to help place the wreaths.
Leader Pauline Bachorski said she discovered the Wreaths Across America project when she was searching online for something the Scouts could do for their community.
Dozens of volunteers, which included 13 Girl Scouts from the Cobblestone Service Unit in Albion, place wreaths on veterans’ graves throughout Boxwood Cemetery during the national Wreaths Across American project.
Community members who volunteered to lay the seven wreaths, one for each branch of the military and one for those missing in action or prisoners of war, were Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Tom and Sandra Fenton, Dave Barhite, Shirley Whittleton, Todd Bensley and Rodney Casey.
The ceremony included a prayer by veteran Dave Kusmierczak, a three-gun salute by a veterans’ honor guard and playing of Taps by Earl Schmidt.
Anyone wishing to sponsor a wreath may visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org and click on “sponsor locally,” “find a location” (New York or 14103) or contact Blackburn at (585) 735-5801.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 December 2018 at 11:23 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Local veterans gathered Saturday morning in front of the VFW in Medina to collect gift bags for delivery to shut-in veterans, in cooperation with an annual Christmas drive started 11 years ago by Allan Kepner. From left are Glenn Whitmore, Dave Morien, Fred Heschke, Orleans County Veterans’ Service Agency director Earl Schmidt, Steve Johnson, Dave Kusmierczak, Dave Higgins, Dave Barhite and Eric Delano.
MEDINA – A Medina businessman who started providing gifts to shut-in veterans at Christmas has been able to expand his ministry, thanks to support from the VFW and American Legion in Medina.
On Saturday afternoon, VFW and Legion members delivered gift bags to dozens of veterans in Orleans County who are homebound or in nursing homes.
The program was started 11 years ago by Allan Kepner as “His Healing Presence,” in which Kepner sought donations of gifts to deliver to veterans and their families.
At the same time, the VFW and American Legion were sponsoring their own veterans’ program at Christmas.
“All we could give was $5 and a pair of socks,” said Dave Kusmierczak, a member of both veterans’ groups. “Now that we have gone in with Allan, we provide gifts to all shut-in veterans in Orleans County, while he does veterans in Genesee, Niagara and Monroe counties.”
Gifts this year included blankets, a stuffed animal, hats or scarves, a plaque on an easel, word search book and an encouraging card with a flag. Extra gifts are provided for homeless shelters for veterans.
Anyone may still send cash or gift donations. For information, contact Kepner at (585) 356-8128.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 December 2018 at 8:57 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf
MEDINA – Sherry Tuohey adds hams to boxes of food and gifts to be delivered to 75 families on Saturday morning during the annual Christmas effort by the Medina Area Association of Churches.
Each family who applied received a gift, hat, scarf, mittens and socks for each member, toys for children, food for Christmas dinner and a bag of apples. Families with children received a ham, while senior citizens received ham steaks.
Tuohey chaired the holiday program for the first time this year.
Boxes of gifts and food are ready to be delivered by Medina area firefighters, who were first served breakfast Saturday morning at the United Methodist Church in Medina.
Firefighters from Medina and the surrounding area, including Shelby, East Shelby and Ridgeway, joined volunteers at the United Methodist Church for breakfast, before loading up boxes of gifts and food for delivery, a tradition which has been ongoing for several decades.
MAAC volunteers and local firefighters have breakfast Saturday morning at the United Methodist Church of Medina prior to the delivery of holiday gift boxes to 75 families. Clockwise from left are Sue Metzo, Pat Howe, Donna Johnson, Rose Ann Bensley, Sherry Tuohey and Sylvia Riviere.
A firefighter loads a red wagon onto his truck, to be delivered with holiday gift boxes to families in the Medina area.
Local firefighters load holiday gift boxes at the United Methodist Church as they begin the annual delivery to families in the Medina area.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2018 at 4:59 pm
MEDINA – The Village Board has approved a $799,200 contract with the Wendel firm for construction management, design work and bidding services for an upcoming construction project at the wastewater treatment plant.
The board on Monday approved the contract, which is part of an estimated $5.4 million project at the sewer plant.
The village last month was awarded a state grant for $1,331,545 for the project through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017.
Medina’s sewer plant upgrades will include a new Rotating Biological Contractor (RBC) and aeration and blowers; grit classifier replacement; pretreatment system (micro screens) replacement; gravity thickener building improvements; HVAC improvements in the main control room; and miscellaneous sewer line improvements.
Wendel will design the project components, prepare contract documents, submit design packages, submit drawings and updated reports to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, prepare final bid documents, conduct a pre-bid meeting, respond to prospective bidder questions, conduct the bid opening, review and tabulate buds, conduct pre-award meetings with apparent low bidders and prepare recommendation of award letters.
Those pre-construction services total $399,750.
The construction services total $399,450 and include issuing notice of award to contractors, reviewing contractors’ bonds and insurances, preparing contracts, issuing notices to proceed letters, conducting pre-construction meetings, conducting monthly progress and coordination meetings at the sewer plant, have staff on site to monitor construction, provide consultation during construction and issue necessary interpretations and clarifications of contract.
Other services include reviewing and responding to technical questions from contractors and the village, review contractor progress payment requests, support construction coordination between village and contractors, engineer in charge with visit site to ensure phases of construction are in compliance, conduct interim and final inspection of construction, prepare a certificate of project completion for the village, work with village and the village’s financial advisors for documentation and technical assistance to support loan and grant requirements through the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jeremy Brandenburg, 24, of Medina goes up a ramp and does a 180-degree turn during the Skate Jam on Sept. 15 at Butts Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2018 at 1:32 pm
MEDINA – The Village Board is seeking a grant for up to $250,000 through the Tony Hawk Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.
The Medina Skate Society will write the application and do the fundraising for the local match for the grant, said Alex Feig, who is leading the effort to upgrade the skate park at Butts Park. (The Orleans Renaissance Group, a non-profit organization, has agreed to accept any donations for the skate park.)
He told the Village Board on Monday that $22,000 has already been pledged for the project from a local business owner who requests anonymity.
Feig, 32, said other fundraisers and donations, as well as grants can meet the local match. The grant through the Hawk and Wilson foundations requires a local contribution of at least $50,000. Medina’s grant, if approved would range from $50,000 to $250,000, depending on the local contributions Feig said the community would have a year to raise the local share from when the grant is announced.
Feig has highlighted deficiencies at the current skate park, which is used by skateboarders and scooters. Feig said the skate park has aging equipment and cracks in the asphalt surface. He wants to reduce the size of the skate park, and put in a concrete surface and obstacles.
Feig was the lead organizer of a Skate Jam on Sept. 15. He used the event as an opportunity to survey skate park users and highlight the need to upgrade the site. The skate park was built on a former tennis court and has 20-year-old ramps, ledges and quarter pipes. The asphalt is prone to deterioration.
He told the Village Board an improved skate park would appeal to people who aren’t tied to traditional sports. He said it would also draw people to the community.
Tony Hawk is one of the most famous skateboarders in the world, and Ralph Wilson is the late founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills. Feig said the two foundations are embracing skate parks to promote recreation.
“It may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Feig said about the grant funding. “An impressive new skate park will increase the quality of life for residents of all ages while attracting new visitors to our community.”
If Medina is successful with the grant application, Feig said the Medina Skate Society will lead public meetings to see what features the community would like at the park.
The current skate park is 13,200 square feet, about twice the size of other skate parks in Western New York. Feig would like to see a skate park with a surface of 4,000 to 10,000 square feet. He would like public seating, new landscaping, and a stormwater management system in the new design.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2018 at 9:46 am
Photos courtesy of Mary Woodruff: The late Willis Burr Woodruff, a former Medina resident, is honored on one of the banners in Alfred and Almond in Allegany County.
MEDINA – The Medina community next year may have portraits of veterans lining streets as a celebration of Hometown Heroes who served in the military.
Mary Woodruff, a Ridgeway Town Board member, is pushing for the displays. Her father-in-law is honored on a banner in Almond and Alfred, an Allegany County community that unveiled banners of soldiers this spring.
The late Willis Burr Woodruff served in World War II. He later ran the local Agway plants in Knowlesville and Batavia. He grew up at Alfred Station.
His family paid $200 to have him be recognized on one of the banners in Alfred and Almond, one of about 100 veterans who are highlighted.
Mary Woodruff said the banners are a powerful display. She wants to have a similar program in Medina.
“There are so many unsung heroes,” she said. “It’s something I want to see to honor veterans.”
She discussed the project with the Medina Village Board on Monday. Woodruff said she is willing to coordinate the effort. She would like assistance from the Village Clerk’s Office and the town clerks in Shelby and Ridgeway for people to fill out forms and pay to have a banner, which would include the hardware to have the banners be attached to a utility pole. The Village Board could create a Hometown Heroes account for the funds, she said.
The Medina Department of Public Works and the highway workers from Shelby and Ridgeway also would likely be needed to help hang the banners just before Memorial Day and then have them removed after Veterans Day in November, Woodruff said.
The Medina banners wouldn’t be on Main Street in the downtown business district. Woodruff said she would like to start with Park Avenue, a popular parade route, and also Pearl Street by the former Armory, North and South Main Street (away from the downtown), Orient Street by the VFW, and West and East Center streets.
Medina Mayor Michael Sidari said the Medina DPW could use help from the Ridgeway and Shelby highway workers if the project moves forward. He wants to check with National Grid to see if the company would allow banners on its poles.
Woodruff said she will finalize more details for the program, including a cost for the banners and how the money will be handled. She said she would present the project next month to Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway officials and look for their official support.
She would like it to honor veterans, current and past. She said the first year could start small with perhaps 25 banners and then grow.
“I think it will be pretty popular,” she told the Medina Village Board.
Three sons of Willis Burr Woodruff are shown with his banner. The sons include, from left: Roger, David and Paul Woodruff.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Volunteers at the First Methodist Church of Medina sort hats, gloves, scarves and socks which will go to every family who receives Christmas boxes from MAAC.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 December 2018 at 7:43 am
Medina firefighters Aaron MacKenzie and Tim Miller deliver filled red barrels to the First Methodist Church on Monday.
MEDINA – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the First Methodist Church of Medina, where on Monday volunteers began sorting toys and gifts for MAAC’s annual Christmas giveaway.
This year, 75 families will receive toys, gifts and free Christmas dinner, thanks to the generosity of the Medina community.
Each year in early November, Medina firefighters distribute nearly two dozen red barrels to local businesses, churches and organizations, where they are filled with donations.
On Monday, those firefighters returned to collect the barrels and deliver them to the First Methodist Church, where up to 25 volunteers will work for the next three days to sort and pack holiday boxes.
Each family who applied and was approved will receive gifts, hats, mittens, scarves, socks and Christmas dinner, said Sherry Tuohey, who took over coordinating the project from Sue Metzo, after four years as a volunteer.
In addition to a ham, potatoes, vegetable, stuffing and dessert, other food items will also be included.
Eligible families who live in the Medina School District applied before Thanksgiving at Calvary Tabernacle and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
MAAC also accepts monetary donations, which are used to buy meat.
Holiday boxes will be delivered to applicants’ homes by Medina firefighters between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday.
Sherry Tuohey, left, and Sue Metzo, organizers of MAAC’s Red Barrel program wait for Medina firefighters to bring back the red barrels to the First Methodist Church in Medina, where donations will be sorted.
Chris Horgan, left, and Hal Goodwin assemble boxes at the First Methodist Church of Medina, which will be filled with food and gifts for needy families.
Pastor Chad Wirth of Faith Covenant Fellowship in Medina delivers a red barrel full of donations to the First Methodist Church in Medina on Monday, where volunteers began packing holiday boxes.
Sherry Tuohey, coordinator of MAAC’s Red Barrel Campaign, accepts a check from Don Marchner on behalf of Jr. Wilson’s Sportsmen’s Club. The money will be used to buy hams and other food for Christmas dinner for needy families.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2018 at 9:31 pm
MEDINA — A man is expected to recover after being stabbed in the abdomen at about 8:30 p.m. in Medina, Captain Matt Jackson of the Medina Fire Department told Village Board members this evening.
Medina firefighters were able to treat the man on scene. He was then taken to the Erie County Medical Center.
“The individual will be fine,” Police Chief Chad Kenward told the board.
Medina police are investigating the incident. No arrests have been made. Kenward said police are seeking more cooperation from the victim.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2018 at 2:54 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: Wreaths are shown on veterans’ graves at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina last January.
MEDINA – Boxwood Cemetery will be part of Wreaths Across America on Saturday for the sixth time, and this year will include 130 wreaths, double the previous high.
There will be a ceremony at noon on Saturday at the cemetery on Route 63, north of the village. Assemblyman Steve Hawley will join local veterans in the presentation.
Community members and volunteers are welcome to the ceremony and then to help place wreaths on veterans’ graves, said Kathy Blackburn, the organizer and president of the Boxwood Cemetery Commission.
She thanked the community members and several local organizations for buying the wreaths at $15 each. The American Legion, VFW, Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club and Sacred Heart Club all bought wreaths which will be displayed throughout the winter.
Blackburn has organized the event since 2013, and it debuted with seven with colorful red ribbons.
“We started with seven and it has just kept growing,” Blackburn said.
For more on National Wreaths Across America Day, click here.
