Photos by Tom Rivers: A crowd stands in awe watching floats, including this Lyndonville fire truck, pass by while glowing with numerous lights. There were 45 floats in the 10th annual Parade of Lights.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2018 at 11:45 pm
Takeform Architectural Graphics followed up last year’s grand prize float with one celebrating a Tropical Christmas.
Fireworks burst over Main Street just before the parade.
Fire trucks, including one from Middleport at left and one from Medina at right, were decorated with lights. They are in the staging area at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue just before the parade.
Members of the Albion FFA pose for a photo before the parade. They used 11,500 lights in their float, “10 Reasons to Farm.” Participants in the parade were encouraged to use the number 10 in their floats in recognition of the the 10th anniversary of the parade.
Laura Bentley of Bentley Brothers joins 10 Kubotas from Bentley Brothers in the parade. The Kubotas were all decorated and some were named for reindeer.
Cub Scout Pack 18 gets a wave from the crowd, including Frosty the Snowman.
The 4-H Heelers Dog Club made a big effort with its float.
Two girls on the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund float see someone they know in the crowd along Main Street.
The Medina youth football team soaks up a warm reception from the crowd.
The Medina FFA had a Wizard of Oz theme.
Prime Time Brass of Rochester plays for the judges in front of the review stand on Main Street.
Mary Lou Tuohey, left, and her daughter Nicole served as grand marshals of the parade.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The first float in Medina’s Parade of Lights carried a 1,500 bronze statue that is a memorial to the 550 local soldiers who trained at the former Medina Armory and fought in wars on behalf of the United States. The soldiers enlisted and trained at the Medina Armory for conflicts from 1898 to 1945 including the Spanish-American War, Mexican-American, World War I and World War II.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2018 at 9:57 pm
Statue will be installed in spring atop monument at YMCA, the former Armory
A community fundraising effort for $65,000 paid for the statue, which will be installed in the spring on top of a monument by the former Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA. The monument includes the names of the 550 soldiers who trained in Medina and then went off to war.
Brian Porter of Lockport created the statue after a 2-year effort. Members of the Company F Monument Committee picked up the statue on Monday from a foundry at the University of Buffalo.
The statue resembles World War I doughboy from a century ago.
David Kazmierczak, a veteran from Medina, gets a close look at the statue.
The Company F Monument Committee rode in the parade with the statue. The committee was led by the late Bill Menz, who passed away at age 86 on July 16. Menz spent more than a decade working on a monument and memorial outside the former Medina Armory.
Bill Menz is pictured in April 2015 with the monument by the former Armory. That’s where the 7-foot-tall statue will be installed this spring. Menz didn’t want the original purpose of the building to be forgotten, as a training site for soldiers who served in several wars. Menz helped build the monument that was unveiled in 2008 by the Armory. Menz sent out letters, knocked on doors and made numerous phone calls to raise funds for the monument and the new statue.
The statue heads down Main Street in front of thousands of people. The parade route is the exact opposite of that taken by those troops when they marched from the Armory to the train station in October 1940.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Mary Beth Germano and her mother Betty Menz snuggle up in the viewing area as they wait for the 10th annual Parade of Lights to begin. A feature of the parade was introduction of a statue of a World War I-era soldier, which Menz’ husband Bill was instrumental in having sculpted to be placed on the Company F monument in front of Medina Armory.
Lynne Menz, left, and daughters of Company F soldiers Kathy Whittleton Iorio and Cathy Fox ride on the float bearing the statue of a World War I-era soldier. Menz’ father Bill Menz had the idea and led fundraising to erect the monument and commission the statue.
MEDINA – There were 105 finishers in this morning’s 6th annual Home for the Holidays 5K in Medina, including Jennifer Arnold of Medina.
Many of the runners wore Santa hats, Christmas lights, crazy socks and other decorations to celebrate the holidays.
The event is sponsored by Medina LOYAL Baseball with proceeds from the race going to Medina LOYAL Baseball and the Warrior House in West Shelby. The Warrior House provides a hunting retreat and other services for wounded veterans.
Sullivan Barth, 19, of Lyndonville was the first male finisher in a time of 18:21 and Anna Rickard, 16, of Middleport was the first female to cross the finish line in a time of 21:49.
Jeff Gray of Buffalo pushes his sons, Jeffrey and Andy, in a double jogger stroller. Gray runs with Team Red, White and Blue. RWB has a mission to connect veterans to their community through physical and social activities.
Olivia Sweet, 10, of Lancaster finished in 28:57 and won the 14 and under age group for girls.
Colleen Dinitto of Albion has a strong finish. The race started in the Canal Basin, went on State Street to the canal, before a turn on the Route 63 lift bridge for a finish on North Main Street in front of the American Legion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2018 at 1:56 pm
10th annual Parade of Lights will go at 6 p.m. as planned
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Santa Claus walks down Main Street during the noon parade today for Olde Tyme Christmas in Medina. Santa is joined by Emma Underhill, 7, of Elba and Seth Hodgins, 1, of Medina.
It is a busy day in Medina for the annual Christmas celebration. It was raining hard during the parade. The rain is expected to go away and parade officials say the 10th annual Parade of Lights will go on as planned at 6 p.m. today.
Sophia Albone of Medina walks her dog Stella in the pet parade down Main Street.
Emma Underhill, 7, of Elba is one of the winners in the littlest elf contest.
Seth Hodgins, 1, of Medina is held by his mother, Erin Hodgins. Seth was all smiles despite the wet weather. He won the littlest elf contest.
Rhinehart Rogowski dons the Frosty the Snowman costume.
Emily Pellicano hold a luminary that will be used to light up Park Avenue during the parade this evening. The luminaries are being distributed by the Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund. People are encouraged to include the name of a loved one on the luminary. The late Richard Knights is the grandfather of Pellicano. He is one of the people who is memorialized with the fund. Sue Kaderli is the other. The fund supports Orleans County residents who are battling cancer.
Jim Punch and Ross Thompson cook hamburgers and hot dogs for the Medina Lions Club.
The Medina Marching Band played Christmas songs in the parade.
Medina Police Lt. Todd Draper wears a festive hat while directing traffic during the parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2018 at 7:15 pm
Medina man urges others to connect with groups in Orleans County
Provided photos: Wayne Litchfield is pictured at the Hospice of Orleans County sign, one of the many organizations where he is an active volunteer.
MEDINA – A Medina man who retired five years ago as an Orleans County public safety dispatcher has poured himself to many local organizations as a volunteer. His service has been critical for many of the groups to serve Orleans County residents.
Wayne Litchfield, 67, said he is grateful to be a part of so many organizations. When he retired after 28 years as a dispatcher, he embraced the chance to use his many connections in the community to help local not-for-profits.
Litchfield isn’t just a member of local groups. He does a lot of work on their behalf.
He is a list of some of his commitments:
• Direct care volunteer at Hospice of Orleans, and also will wear a Gingerbread costume to lift people’s spirits.
• One of the leaders in the Orleans-Recovery Hope Begins Here organization, which offers assistance to people fighting addictions.
• Member of the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force, and a member of the Orleans United Drug-Free Coalition and the National Night Out planning committee.
• Member of the VALOR Medical Reserve Corps for the Orleans County Health Department.
• Director of media and technology at the Albion Free Methodist Church. He also runs the church’s website and Facebook page.
• Mentor in the Just Friends program through the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern.
• Member of the planning committee for the Metro 10 race, and helps with the organization, set up and manning of water stations, and will spring into action when needed.
• A consistent volunteer at the Community Kitchen in Albion and the Hands 4 Hope Ministry on Saturdays.
• Master gardener with the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
• He also helps at Care Net of Greater Orleans, Gotta Dance at Miss Amy, the Ride 4 Life and the Ride for Roswell.
Litchfield wears the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man costume to make the Trunk or Treat event more fun at the Albion Free Methodist Church.
Litchfield grew up in Holley and was an active volunteer firefighter and member of the rescue squad before becoming a dispatcher.
He was hospitalized in July with congestive heart failure. He has rebounded and said he welcomes the chance to serve others.
“It’s about a better community,” he said. “It’s about a love of people and a love of God.”
Litchfield was at the Lakeside Beikirch Care Center for a year until July 2013. He needed extensive rehab so he could walk again.
He retired from his job as dispatcher and went home to Medina, using a walker to get around. It was quiet in his house.
“Wayne this isn’t you, sitting home staring at a wall,” he recalled. “I got to be out there with people.”
Paul Pettit, the Orleans County public health director, called Litchfield and asked him if he would be coordinator of the VALOR program, which seeks volunteers to be trained and ready to respond in case of a public health issue, such as a mass vaccination clinic.
Litchfield agreed to take on the role.
“I knew Wayne from his role with the county as a dispatcher,” Pettit said. “He has a good background in talking to folks. He has really embraced and thrived on that human communication.”
Litchfield attends concerts at the Orleans County Marine Park and uses that venue to share information to the public about VALOR and the organization’s role. He is good at connecting with people.
Litchfield, in back, is shown in 1981 when he was a member of the Holley Emergency Squad.
Pettit isn’t surprised that Litchfield keeps a busy schedule as a volunteer, assisting many groups in the community.
“He has a passionate heart for giving and volunteering,” Pettit said. “He really wants to give back to the community. We could use more people like Wayne to volunteer.”
Litchfield last month was honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with the Community Service Award.
He credits his mother, the late Ruth Litchfield, for making him sensitive to serving others. She died at age 36 from severe arthritis. Wayne was only 12.
“She really instilled in me a love for other people,” he said.
He grew up in Holley and was a volunteer firefighter and a member of Holley’s Emergency Squad before he took the job as dispatcher.
He said the loss of his mother at a young age, and overcoming some health problems, including recent congestive heart failure, has made him appreciative of the chance to help others. He has made many friends by volunteering, and he believes his efforts make a difference for the organizations and the people they serve.
He is up early in the morning and comes home in the evenings after a packed schedule of appointments in his volunteer capacity.
“People tell me to slow down and cut back,” Litchfield said. “I’m back at full blast right now. These groups need more volunteers. I say give me one more volunteer and I will find a place for you.”
Litchfield manned a table on Oct. 27 at Medina Fire Department for drug take-back day.
Patricia Crowley, director of Orleans United Drug-Free Communities Coalition through GCASA, said Litchfield has continuously stepped up for her organization and others in the county. When Orleans United wanted to make graphics and snazzy signs to relay the results of a drug and alcohol use survey, Litchfield offered to take on the project. He produced many graphics that are easy to understand.
Litchfield has compassion for everyone, including people battling addictions.
“He is quite an advocate,” Crowley said. “He is a great guy. I really can’t say enough about him.”
Litchfield in his 20s battled an alcohol addiction.
“There by the grace of God go I,” he said.
He has become a trained peer advocate and mentor to assist people trying to break free from drug and alcohol addictions. He joined the new Orleans-Recovery Hope Begins Here organization, which connects people with addictions to services and raises awareness about the opioid epidemic locally.
Don Snyder, a retired prison chaplain, is president of Orleans-Recovery. He praised Litchfield for joining the group on the board of directors and doing some hard work in the background to get the organization started.
“We needed people like Wayne to help us and to establish a board of directors,” Snyder said. “He is one of those people who has a heart for the disadvantaged or the perceived disadvantaged. He’s not afraid to get involved.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: Frank Bennett, a product engineer for Takeform, considers how to best light up the waves for the Takeform float.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2018 at 8:39 am
10th annual Parade of Lights set for 6 p.m. Saturday in Medina
MEDINA – It officially started in September, when a company-wide email went around looking for ideas for the float in the Parade of Lights. Takeform Architectural Graphics entered for the first time last year and won the grand prize, creating a display of Medina landmarks that were lighted up on a flatbed trailer.
Takeform employees enjoyed making the float a year ago, and giving the community a glimpse on what the company makes at its Maple Ridge Road manufacturing plant. Takeform designs signs and creates architectural graphics for many hospitals and other businesses. The company started in 2003 with nine workers and now has 175.
“It brought awareness in the community to our company,” said Ellen Eaton, who works in human resources for Takeform and is on the parade committee. “We want to show the community that we’re here and this is what we do.”
Claire Owens, a Takeform employee, uses strips of clear tape to thatch grass on the roof of the tiki bar.
The process for a new float started with that email in September, soliciting ideas. However, many employees have been thinking of themes after last year’s parade ended in late November.
Employees sent in ideas and a parade committee liked the concept of a Tropical Christmas. Lindsay Minar, an experiential designer for Takeform, submitted that idea.
Takeform designed these characters for the tropical-themed float.
The committee saw a lot of possibilities with a Tropical Christmas. In the past two months, the Takeform employees have been designing pieces for the float, which will include a Santa on a surf board, riding a giant wave. They have created a tiki bar, palm trees and many other Christmas characters wearing Hawaiian shirts and shorts.
“Last year we built a float that was focused on the judges,” said Andrew Szatkowski, quality control manager for Takeform and one of the parade committee members. “This year I am excited for the children. This will be a bright and brilliant float.”
The employees have worked on the float when they get a few spare moments. It’s been busy at Takeform as the company is expanding. Takeform just moved into a new 15,500-square-foot addition to a 30,000-plus-square-foot building at 11601 Maple Ridge Rd.
Eaton said the company is always looking for talented and dedicated employees. Some applicants this past year said they learned about Takeform from last year’s float, Eaton said.
Andrew Szatkowski and Frank Bennett discuss how to best light up the panels for the float.
Designing and building the float is also a lot of fun, Szatkowski said. Employees will bring their children today and Saturday to set up on the float on the flatbed trailer. They are coming in on their own time because the Takeform factory is closed during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Szatkowski said Takeform encourages team-building among the employees. The company has a bowling tournament, 5K run, corn hole tournament and tailgate parties to boost camaraderie.
Takeform’s parade committee gave a sneak peek of the float on Wednesday to the Orleans Hub, but they didn’t want to show too much until the 6 p.m. parade on Saturday. They are also working through some challenges.
They have translucent panels mounted on 2-by-4’s. They are figuring out the best way to put lights in the panels.
Today and Saturday about 15 to 20 employees will be volunteering to set up the float on a 32-foot-long flatbed trailer.
“It has truly been a team function,” Szatkowski said.
Takeform won the grand prize in last year’s Parade of Lights by creating a scene of Medina on a flatbed trailer.
You’re here checking the site, so you know: Orleans Hub is a vital resource for our community. Day in and day out, we share information and insights that matter to those who live and work in the towns, villages and hamlets of our county. Local advertisers help make the Hub possible, and so can you.
Donate today to keep Orleans Hub healthy and accessible to all. Thank you!
Photos by Tom Rivers: Max and Olivia Falker of Medina have created Avery’s Pearls, a place in front of their home on Pleasant Street, where people can leave prayer requests, read the Bible and seek solitude. Many people left the couple sympathy cards after the death of their daughter on Nov. 4.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2018 at 8:58 pm
Falker family creates Avery’s Pearls, where people are welcome to leave a prayer request
Photo courtesy of Falker family: Avery Falker was born without kidneys and functioning lungs on Nov. 4. She was alive for about 2 hours after her birth. Many people have given elephant-themed gifts in her honor.
MEDINA – A Medina couple is grateful for the many cards and kind gestures they have received from the community since the death of their newborn daughter on Nov. 4.
“It helps to know you’re not alone and that people love you,” said Olivia Falker.
She and her husband Max Falker became parents on Nov. 4 to daughter Avery. She was born without kidneys and functioning lungs. She also had a tumor on her head.
Before the birth, doctors detected the lack of kidneys and the tumor. They feared her lungs weren’t developed because there was low amniotic fluid.
She was born a month premature and weighed 4 pounds, 9 ounces. She was able to breathe for about 15 minutes on her own after her birth at 11:21 a.m.
She passed away at 1:05 p.m. Her funeral service was Nov. 11. Mr. Falker dug his daughter’s grave at East Shelby Cemetery, an act of love for Avery.
In August, the couple learned Avery wasn’t expected to live long after her birth. The Falkers last month announced their plan for Avery’s Pearls. It’s a spot in a wooden hut in their front yard on Pleasant Street in Medina where people are welcome to leave a prayer request, read the Bible and seek peace. They are urged to note a Scripture in the Bible that helped them through a difficult time. The Falkers will often have hot chocolate and coffee for the visitors.
Avery’s Place was unveiled on Nov. 4 and will be available through the Christmas season.
The Falkers have a Korean fir next to the hut and people are welcome to leave an ornament on the tree in memory of a loved one. The tree will eventually bear purple pine cones. Mr. Falker will give the tree a permanent spot on the property.
People have left ornaments, cards and many prayer requests since the Avery’s Pearls was made available about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Many say they are praying for the Falkers. Many have shared their own stories of loss, including the death of a newborn.
Mrs. Falker, 23, said she didn’t know so many people in the Medina area have endured the loss of a child or suffered other heartache.
Many people have left ornaments, cards and other signs of love for the Falker family.
She believes Avery has brought together many people in the community, and inspired them to share some deep wounds. Falker is hopeful those people can find healing, too.
“It’s about helping other people because we have had so many people help us,” she said today at her home.
The couple has received at least 200 cards since their daughter’s death. Many people have dropped off meals, ornaments for the tree, and helped in other ways to honor Avery’s short life. Mr. Falker cited the efforts of one friend who worked overnight to create a wooden cross for Avery’s grave.
During her pregnancy, Mrs. Falker would dream about elephants, a symbol of strength, honor and stability. Many people have left elephant-themed ornaments and gifts in Avery’s honor.
Falker, 30, said he is amazed by the kindness of so many in the community.
“There’s a lot of good people out there,” he said. “We have met so many good people.”
He praised the efforts of the doctors and staff in the neonatal intensive care unit at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.
“The doctors and nurses in the NICU are some of the best people you’ll meet in your life,” Falker said.
The Falkers met at the East Shelby Community Bible Church, where they remain active members. The church has been very supportive in consoling the couple and honoring Avery, they said.
The Falkers will move Avery’s Place to their backyard after the holidays, and then they expect to bring it to the front yard again next year so people can again leave their prayer requests.
“My hope is we can do it yearly and honor Avery,” Mrs. Falker said. “It can be useful to others. We want to continue to encourage people to leave prayer requests and to read the Bible.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Lynne Menz, whose father the late Bill Menz pushed to erect a monument in front of the Medina armory to pay tribute to the men who trained there for several wars, gets a close look at details on the bronze statue which will be placed atop the monument. The statue, which was nearly two years in the making, was picked up today at UB’s foundry and returned to Medina. It will appear in Saturday’s Parade of Lights and then be stored until spring for its installation.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 November 2018 at 5:01 pm
This rendering shows how the statue will look when it is installed atop a monument by the former Medina Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA.
MEDINA – The Parade of Lights this Saturday will feature a very special float.
Those who attend the spectacular parade will get the first glimpse of a statue which will be erected atop the monument in front of Medina Armory (YMCA).
The existing monument was an idea of Medina native Bill Menz and pays tribute to the 550 men from Orleans County and the surrounding area who were members of Company F and trained there.
The final piece of the monument, the life-size bronze statue of an infantryman, was delivered to Medina this afternoon by a family friend, John Brown of Batavia, accompanied by Menz’ daughter Lynne Menz, Cathy Fox (whose father was a member of Company F), Kathy Iorio (whose father Butch Whittleton was a member of Company F) and Ginny Kropf, who has covered the story for the media from day one. Meeting them at the University of Buffalo’s foundry was Lynne Stewart, whose father was a member of Company C and also trained at the armory.
Sadly, Menz, at the age of 86, died in July, four months short of seeing completion of his dream.
A veteran himself, Menz first pitched his idea in 2006 to a local World War II veterans’ reunion.
He thought there should be a monument in front of the Medina Armory which would pay tribute, not only to the men who trained there for four world conflicts from 1898 to 1945, but to veterans from all wars. This also included Company C, which trained there from 1947 through 1977, when the National Guard stopped using the building.
With the support of the Sandstone Society, of which Bill was a member, and two years of fundraising, in 2008, the five-sided monument was dedicated, with several World War II veterans and their families in attendance.
Bill’s vision didn’t end there, however, and he began planning for the next phase of his monument – the bronze statue.
Chris Siano, president of the Foundry Group at the University of Buffalo, loads the bronze statue of a Company F statue onto the trailer to be brought back to Medina.
More fundraising ensued to raise an additional $65,000 and on Jan. 16, 2017, sculptor Brian Porter of Pendleton was commissioned to do the statue.
In the following months, Bill, Lynne, Fox and Kropf made visits to Porter’s home to view his progress.
Menz, in a wheelchair, also got to visit the foundry at UB were the firing was done, just 11 days before he died.
Menz may not have been physically present to see the statue returned to Medina, but he was there in spirit. Lynne wore her dad’s Company F sweatshirt, and as her dad insisted every time they visited Lockport, the group stopped at Ted’s Hot Dogs for lunch.
The Company F soldier will be the first where Porter incorporated 3-D imaging to create molds for the cast bronze statue. In the new process, a miniature clay model was scanned with the 3-D technology and data sent to a CNC machine, which cut out thin plywood slices which were then glued together. This wood structure became a subframe on which clay was applied.
From left, Chris Siano, president of the Foundry Group at the University of Buffalo; John Brown, family friend of the late Bill Menz who delivered the Company F statue to Medina; and sculptor Brian Porter of Pendleton work to secure the statue for its ride to Medina, where it will appear in Saturday’s Parade of Lights.
Porter is also an assistant professor of art at Erie Community College, and has created such masterpieces as the United States Seabees Memorial in North Tonawanda. He has also worked with the University of Buffalo to create two statues of graduates to be installed at their North Campus.
The statue’s unveiling at the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. will be in front of a crowd anticipated to be 10,000 people.
It is interesting to note the parade route is the exact opposite of that taken by those troops when they marched from the Armory to the train station all those years ago.
The statue was met at the Pickle Factory by Shelby Highway Superintendent Mike Fuller who lifted it off the trailer and placed it in storage, where it will be readied for the parade. In the spring, the Medina Department of Public Works will help erect the 1,500-pound statue on the monument at the Armory.
The statue of a pre-World War I doughboy is ready for its return to Medina from the foundry at UB, where it was fired.
Sculptor Brian Porter, center, gets a group hug from the ladies who have been involved with creation of a statue paying tribute to soldiers who trained at the Medina Armory in Company F. From left are Kathy Iorio, Cathy Fox, Porter, Lynne Menz and Lynne Stewart. The statue was returned from the foundry at UB to Medina this afternoon.
The late Bill Menz always had to stop at Ted’s Hot Dogs in Lockport when he went to visit sculptor Brian Porter in Pendleton to check on the progress of the statue being created of a Company F doughboy. In Menz’ honor, his daughter Lynne Menz, left, Kathy Iorio, center, and Cathy Fox stopped at Ted’s on their return from UB, where they accompanied the completed statue to Medina.
Photo from Medina Fire Department: Medina firefighter Matt Jackson is at the scene of a fire on Sunday morning at Pleasant Street in Medina.
MEDINA – Firefighters from Medina, Lyndonville and Ridgeway responded to a fire call at abut 10 a.m. Sunday at Pleasant Street in Medina.
Medina’s fourth platoon arrived on scene to find heavy smoke coming from a two-story residence. Once inside, crews encountered a fire in a front room of the structure and the fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes, the Medina Fire Department reported.
Crews remained on scene into the afternoon hours checking for extension as well as assisting the fire investigators. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Orleans County Fire Investigation Unit. One resident, who was not home at the time of the fire, is being assisted by family at this time. No injuries occurred at this fire.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2018 at 9:36 am
Albion and Holley PDs also recognized by AAA
Photo by Tom Rivers: Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward, shown on Friday, has pushed several traffic safety initiatives.
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department received the top award for the first time from the America Automobile Association.
AAA on Wednesday presented Medina with a Platinum Award for its traffic safety initiatives. The department has won two gold awards, a silver and a bronze. Now it has won the highest recognition from AAA.
“We’ve stepped up our game over the last few years,” said Police Chief Chad Kenward.
The department has participated in initiatives for stepped up enforcement for driving while intoxicated and “Click It or Ticket” for motorists not wearing seatbelts.
Medina police officers also do a bike rodeo for local children and have two pedal cars with simulators for impaired driving. Officers also have been going to Medina health classes to discuss traffic safety.
AAA presented awards on Wednesday to law enforcement agencies in Orleans and Niagara counties.
Albion also was recognized with the Platinum Award. The Holley Police Department was presented a Bronze Award.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office won a Silver Award. The Sheriff’s Office hadn’t applied for the award before from AAA. Sheriff Randy Bower said the Sheriff’s Office has several programs to promote traffic safety, including the addition of a STOP DWI Driving Simulator. That simulator made its debut in April and has been taken to local schools and also to community events.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office used a grant from the New York State STOP DWI Committee to purchase a driving simulator where students and other users can see the effects of driving while texting, drowsy or if they are impaired or intoxicated.
File photo courtesy of David Klafehn: Jeremy Browe, a kendall student, drives the new STOP DWI Driving Simulator on April 27 at Kendall during the Senior Bash. Sheriff Randy Bower, front left, Chief Deputy Michael Mele and other Kendall students and parents get a close look at the simulator.
Photo from Medina Central School: This year two names were added to the Medina High School Wall of Fame. Warren Beeton, center, and Binh Hua were recognized as distinguished alumni. They are pictured with Medina High School Principal Michael Cavanaugh, left.
Posted 16 November 2018 at 4:50 pm
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Two distinguished alumni from Medina were recognized on Nov. 8 and inducted into the school’s Wall of Fame.
The Distinguished Alumni Award was created to honor alumni, promote school spirit, foster pride in Medina High School, and serve as an incentive for current students.
Warren Beeton is a graduate from the Class of 1960 where he was the valedictorian. He went on to graduate from Cornell University with a master’s degree in Engineering. He had a successful career as an engineering manager, culminating as Vice President of Engineering for Emerson Climate Technologies, a leading manufacturer of air conditioning and refrigeration compressors. In this role, Beeton and his organization developed cutting-edge, high-efficiency compression technologies now common in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment around the world.
He also assumed worldwide responsibility for government affairs at Emerson Climate Technologies. In his role, he provided leadership for Emerson on the Board of the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, where he worked with the US Environmental Protection Agency, State Department and Congress on energy efficiency, stratospheric ozone depletion, and climate change.
He also worked with Congress on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which included a Cap and Trade provision to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009. Although it later failed in the Senate, it brought attention to the need for climate change action.
He has published numerous papers and is a frequent speaker on the topic pf energy efficiency and climate change. He is the recipient of the Richard C. Shultze Distinguished Service Award. He is the co-founder of the Prince William Virginia Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby and teaches the science of energy and climate change to continuing education students in Northern Virginia.
Binh Hua is a graduate from the Class of 1992 where he served as class president and was a member of the football, wrestling, lacrosse and soccer teams. He graduated from the University of Rochester (majoring in Economics) and was the recipient of the Xerox Award in the Humanities. He received his MBA in Finance from Georgetown University.
He worked on Wall Street and was one of the few students in the world to be hired by both Goldman Sachs and Soros Fund Management. Through his work in finance, he has advised the most powerful companies in the world, including Exxon, Mobil, Goldman Sachs, General Electric, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Bank of America.
He is currently the Managing Director for Falcon Capital Advisors, where he develops the strategy and execution plans for the development of public and private client companies, as well as U.S. government institutions. He is also the co-founder of a private equity company called Boca Capital Group and a former Board Member and Committee Lead for Bethesda Cares, a non-profit organization with over 500 volunteers. Their mission is to prevent, ease and end homelessness in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Mr. Beeton and Mr. Hua graciously took time out of their schedules on Nov. 8 to talk to students before the ceremony.
Provided photo: Mrs. Scott and her third grade class are shown with teacher Mrs. Keppler and Oak Orchard Principal Julie Webber.
Posted 15 November 2018 at 8:39 pm
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Some very generous students at Oak Orchard Elementary School in Medina decided to donate some of their Halloween candy to the men and women who are fighting for our freedom overseas.
“I have heard about how other schools have collected candy for Troops Overseas and I asked our principal, Mrs. Webber, if we can take on this great cause and she graciously accepted,” says third grade teacher Natalie Scott. “I was overwhelmed that the whole school joined together to help out and came up with 257 pounds of candy to send to our military!”
Mrs. Scott delivered the candy to Winning Smiles in Amherst, along with some cards the students made. Every year the dental office holds their Candy-Buy Back where they offer a $1 a pound to be able to send treats overseas to deployed troops. They drive the candy down to North Carolina for Packs4Patriots who also includes hygiene products, socks and shirts, protein bars, snack foods, coffee and cards and letters from children in care packages to brighten their day.
“This was just a great thing to do and the excitement behind all of this was just endearing,” says Mrs. Scott.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2018 at 6:57 am
MEDINA – The Village of Medina will be receiving a grant for $1.3 million to help with a $5.3 million upgrade of the village’s sewer plant.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the funding on Wednesday, part of $270 million announced state-wide for projects through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017.
Medina will be upgrading equipment at the wastewater treatment plant. The state will pay $1,331,545 of the $5,326,181 project.
Mayor Michael Sidari said the village is pursuing other state and federal funding t help with the improvements.
“I’m thankful for the governor to consider us with the grant,” Sidari said on Wednesday. “We’re looking forward to support from other agencies to lower the cost to Medina residents.”
To date, $750 million in Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Intermunicipal Grant funding supports nearly $2.65 billion in total project costs for vital drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide, Cuomo said on Wednesday.
Combined with 0 or low-interest financings through the State Environmental Facilities Corporation, New York taxpayers will save nearly $1.8 billion. Furthermore, these projects are expected to support more than 47,000 jobs in the construction, supplier and service sectors.
“Investing in our state’s water infrastructure is critical to regional growth and prosperity and maintaining safe, healthy communities,” Cuomo said. “By improving our water infrastructure, we are protecting our natural resources, laying the groundwork for future prosperity and helping to create a stronger, healthier, New York for all.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 November 2018 at 12:18 pm
Still time to enter a float in the Nov. 24 parade
Photos by Tom Rivers: Mary Lou Tuohey hugs her daughter Nicole at the kickoff on Oct. 13 for The Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Medina. They have been big fundraisers and advocate for the event for the past several years.
MEDINA – It’s not too late to enter a float in this year’s Parade of Lights Nov. 24.
Parade chairman Jim Hancock said they have extended the deadline for entries until Nov. 21.
In addition, the parade committee has announced the grand marshals for the 10th anniversary parade.
For the first time in its history, the parade will have two grand marshals – Mary Lou Tuohey and her daughter Nicole.
Mary Lou is a local businesswoman and true supporter of her community. Nicole, although born with a genetic disease called Triple X Syndrome, has surpassed all expectations as she grew into adulthood.
“We are pleased to have Mary Lou and Nicole serve as our Grand Marshals this year,” Hancock said. “They epitomize true volunteerism and giving from the heart.”
Mary Lou, who was formerly a nurse, opened her business, Case-Nic Cookies, on Main Street in 1995. Both she and Nicole have supported the Parade of Lights every year, plus many other community events and local fundraisers.
Nicole attended Rainbow Pre-School where she excelled, in spite of being told as a child she would never, walk, talk, run or ride a bike. She and her mom have been big supporters of the Alzheimers’ Association. Nicole lost both of her grandparents to the disease. The Tuoheys have raised large sums of money in the annual “Walk to End Alzheimer’s.”
Nicole Tuohey of Medina walks a 3.1-mile course on Sept. 16, 2017. The event in Elba was a benefit for The Arc of Genesee Orleans, helping to fund disability services and the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship for students in the two counties.
In fact, according to Hancock, Nicole herself raised more than $8,000 during the last eight years for the walk-a-thon.
Mary Lou said she was very surprised when Hancock came into her store to tell her.
“I am honored,” Mary Lou said. “I never expected it.”
Awards for this year’s parade include a $1,000 Grand Prize; six Best in Class categories; the Littlest Elf Award for best incorporation of youth and children in their float; the Star Award for outstanding creativity; the Community Spirit Award for the entry which best represents their community; and the Santa’s Pick Award for the float Santa would likely pick as the most whimsical.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Senior Center of Western Orleans were treated to a free Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, catered by Chap’s Diner from Elba. At left, owner Sandy Chappius, server Belinda Conners and Sandy’s husband Doug Chappius serve turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and squash to Jim and Sally Lindsay of Medina. Waiting in line at the end of the table is Charles Silvernail of Basom.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 November 2018 at 8:15 am
MEDINA – Members of the Senior Center of Western Orleans filled the Senior Center on Monday for the November board meeting and annual free Thanksgiving dinner.
The meeting included election of officers for 2019. Elected were Lynn Creasey, president; Lee Smith, vice president; and Sherry Tuohey, secretary.
After the meal catered by Chap’s Diner in Elba, K-9 officer Lt. Todd Draper with the Medina Police Department demonstrated the abilities of his dog Kye.
Kye is a Belgian Malinois, a breed raised in Holland for its ability to assist in police work. Kye is certified in patrol, tracking and narcotics detection.
The Belgian Malinois is the same breed which accompanied soldiers when they went after Osama bin Laden, Draper said.
Medina K-9 officer Lt. Todd Draper and his dog Kye presented demonstrations at the Medina Senior Center Monday after their Thanksgiving dinner. Watching at left is Senior Center president Lynn Creasey. Director Kelly Shaw is seated at right in the rear.
“A Belgian Malinois’ nose is 1,000 times more sensitive than a human’s,” Draper said. “We can smell a pizza, but Kye can separate every ingredient on it.”
A police dog can be trained in arson, bomb detection or narcotics. Kye is used for narcotics detection, such as marijuana, heroin, hash, cocaine and crack cocaine. Draper demonstrated how the substance they want Kye to detect is put in a towel and then hid. As in an actual situation, Draper gave Kye a sniff of a towel, then locked Kye in the kitchen while he hid the towel. It was only seconds after he was let loose before Kye discovered the towel in a cabinet.
Interestingly, Draper gives Kye his commands in Dutch. He only needs about six words (such as heel, sit, stay), and Draper said it was easier for him to learn Dutch than it would have been to teach the dog English.
Draper said he and Kye are a team. They work and live together (although Kye is kept in a dog house), and it is Draper’s hope when Kye has to be retired as a police dog, he will be able to keep him.
Lt. Todd Draper, K-9 officer with the Medina Police Department, watches as Kye, his Belgian Malinois, locates a hidden object during a demonstration Monday at the Senior Center of Western Orleans in Medina.
