Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA — Tom Snyder, right, represents the Navy and holds wreath to be placed at a veteran’s grave at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina today as part of the Wreaths Across America tribute. He is joined by other local veterans as well as State Sen. Rob Ortt and Eileen Banker, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Medina has participated in Wreaths Across America since 2013 when it started with seven wreaths at Boxwood. It has grown each year to 315 today, up from 261 a year ago. Community members cover the cost of the wreaths at $15 each.

Chloe Luxon, 9, of Medina carries two wreaths up the hill at Boxwood to be placed on veterans’ graves.

Many local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts join other community members in volunteering to place wreaths at graves today.

State Sen. Rob Ortt salutes after setting a wreath at a grave in the veterans’ section at Boxwood in honor of soldiers missing in action or prisoners of war. Seven others laid wreaths during a ceremony, paying tribute to a veteran from each branch of the military including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force,  Space Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

The American Legion and VFW joined in the ceremony honoring veterans. Pictured from left include Dave Morien, Dave Berry and Dave Wells.

State Sen. Rob Ortt speaks at the ceremony. Next to him is Kathy Blackburn, coordinator of the effort in Medina, and local veteran Dave Kusmierczak, who offered the opening prayer. Ortt praised a group of 100 who attended the ceremony in freezing drizzle. He said the wreaths are a remember that “freedom isn’t free.”

David Thom carries wreaths to veterans’ graves at Boxwood. He joined many other volunteers in the duty.

David Barhite lays a wreath in honor of those who served in the Marine Corps.

Kathy Blackburn, coordinator of the Wreaths program in Medina, braves the bitter weather in sharing about the Wreaths program which is part of 2,700 communities across the country.

Lyndonville also placed wreaths on veterans’ graves today, with 438 wreaths placed at Lynhaven and other cemeteries in the Lyndonville community. Anna Stelianou funds the effort in appreciation for the community’s kindness to her parents, Ary and Konstantina, during the lean years of the Great Depression. They emigrated to Lyndonville from Greece after WWI. Stelianou also donated the money for the wreaths in honor of her five brothers who served in WWII and the Korean War.

Provided photos

MEDINA – Linda Moore of 405 Park Ave. (above) has been declared Grand Champion of Medina’s Village of Lights contest.

More than a dozen homeowners and several businesses entered this year’s competition.

Pat Payne, who coordinated the contest, has announced the winners in Residential and Business categories.

In the Residential Category, Sara Paige of 500 South Academy St. won Christmas Spirit – Traditional; Julie and Joe Granchelli of 121 Zacher Drive won Christmas Spirit – Innovative; Cindy Watson of 935 Gwinn St. was named Most Whimsical; Amanda and Dan Costich of 421 West Oak Orchard St. won for Best Use of Lights; Michelle Wiseman and Christine Nenni of 169 State St. won Probably Visible from Space; Kellie Watson of 528 Bates Rd. won Contemporary; and the Grand Champion prize went to Linda Moore of 405 Park Ave.

Runners-up were Gary Lamar of 900 West Ave.; Travis Farewell of 104 Roseland Ave.; Diane Arndt of 1150 Gwinn St.; Kody and Paige Clark of 518 West Center St.; Alisha Schwarzott of 425 Park Ave.; and Terri Moriarty of 607 West Center St.

In the Business Category, ATB Staffing at 534 Main St. won Christmas Spirit; and Modern Mercantile at 135 East Center St. won Community Spirit.

Pictures of all the winners can be found on 2021 Village of Lights website.

Julie and Joe Granchelli won Christmas Spirit – Innovative in the Village of Lights contest for their home at 121 Zacher Dr.

This home of Michelle Wiseman and Christine Nenni at 169 State St. was named Most Visible from Space in the Medina’s Village of Lights contest.

The home of Sara Paige of 500 South Academy St. won in the Christmas Spirit – Traditional category.

Modern Mercantile at 135 East Center St. won Community Spirit.

Cindy Watson of 935 Gwinn St. won Most Whimsical.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Kaylee Lacey, a senior from Medina High School, is among 25 in New York State to be nominated for the US Presidential Scholars Program.

Kaylee Lacey

State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa made the announcement on Thursday.

The recognition is one of our nation’s most prestigious honors for high school students.

“We were extremely excited to find out that one of our 12th grade AVID students, Kaylee Lacey, was selected from our district,” said Medina High School Principal Michael Cavanagh. “We know Kaylee has worked extremely hard and definitely deserves this incredible honor. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Director of School Counseling Audralee Doll for nominating her to the state.”

“Kaylee is one of our most outstanding students at Medina High School,” Mrs. Doll said. “Going above and beyond in every way possible, Kaylee is not only salutatorian among her cohort, but she will also graduate with a New York State Honors Regents Diploma with an Advanced Designation in Science – a title so rare that only few have reached this distinction in previous years.”

Kaylee will also be presented with two District awards, the James Perry Craft, Jr. School of Mathematics and Science and the John Ryan School of Historical Excellence.  Her school activities include Drum Major of the Marching Band, Impact Club, Conservation Club, Swim Team and Softball Team.

After graduation, Kaylee plans to attend school to become a pharmacist.

Scott Robinson says many services offered by Orleans Community Health

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Scott Robinson stands next the plaque in Medina Memorial Hospital which pays tribute to his great-great-grandfather, George A. Bowen, who founded the hospital in 1925. Robinson just accepted the position as director of marketing, communications and outreach at Community Partners.

MEDINA – Working at the hospital his great-great-grandfather founded is something Scott Robinson never thought he’d be doing.

Robinson is the great-great-grandson of George A. Bowen, who in 1910 decided there should be a local hospital in the area. His son had been trampled by a horse and spent time in a Buffalo hospital, which prompted Bowen’s idea to have a hospital here.

Then employed by S.A. Cook in Medina, Bowen spent the next 15 years fundraising. He obtained a home at the corner of Prospect and Eagle streets, which was purchased and remodeled into a hospital. It opened in 1925.

Robinson, who with his wife Alix Gilman are two of the four owners of the Shirt Factory, had been working remotely in Washington, D.C. as director of public affairs for a non-profit in the construction industry.

“It was a fun job, but there was nothing personal about it,” Robinson said. “I left in September. I thought there were a couple of jobs in this area that would intrigue me. Then this job just appeared. I went downstairs, checked my computer and received an e-mail about this job.”

His family has a long history with Medina Memorial Hospital, other than his great-great-grandfather. He said he had multiple relatives throughout the last 100 years who had connections to this hospital. His About 30 years after his great-great-grandfather served as president, his grandfather Jack Zimmerman was president of the board. His grandmother was a nurse there for many years.

Robinson is excited about his new position. He takes over for Jessica Capurso, who is moving out of the area. Robinson said she has been extraordinarily helpful during the transition.

Robinson is determined to see that the public knows how much Medina Memorial Hospital has to offer.

“Even I didn’t know all we offered here,” he said. “It falls on me to reach out to those people who drive an hour for medical services rather than come here.”

He explained Orleans Community Health encompasses five locations, the hospital in Medina, dialysis centers in Medina and Batavia, a walk-in clinic in Albion and a lab at Dr. Stahl’s office in Middleport.

“This hospital is a cornerstone of Medina, like the Medina Railroad Museum and our vibrant downtown,” he said.

He explained the hospital employs more than 300 people, 100 of whom live in Medina. Sixty-one percent live in Orleans County and 18 percent come from Eastern Niagara County.

“This is very much a local community hospital,” Robinson said.

Robinson reiterated the state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment Medina Memorial Hospital has available. Their breast screening machine is one of the top in the industry and usually found in a much bigger hospital. They offer the best in CAT scans, cardiology and lab work.

“We are a critical access hospital,” he said. “How lucky to have this hospital in our back yard.”

As part of his new job Robinson is dedicated to showcasing the employees who work at the hospital.

“One thing I will definitely focus on is making sure people feel a part of the hospital,” he said. “Its employees and the community are personal to me. For every person who has one reason why they won’t go to Medina Memorial Hospital, I want to make sure they hear five reasons why they should. In many ways we are one-stop shop.”

He said you can’t view the hospital as a building. It is its people who make it what it is.

He praised CEO Marc Shurtz, who has said he plans to be there until he retires.

“He’s committed to the hospital,” Robinson said.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Heather Smith, left, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, and Jeanne Crane, president of the Twig Association, hang angel ornaments of the Christmas tree in the lobby of Medina Memorial Hospital. The ornaments are available as a fundraiser to support the hospital.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation is again offering the public a chance to remember loved ones by purchasing their 2021 memorial ornament.

The ornament this year is a pair of angel wings in bright blue with silver and white feathers on top.

“It is a beautiful ornament that sparkles with glitter and sequins,” said Heather Smith, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation.

The ornaments will be hung on the holiday tree in the lobby of Medina Memorial Hospital through Jan. 2. They will be ready for pickup or shipping after Jan. 3.

There was a delay in shipping the ornaments this year, however, the remainder of the order was due to arrive today.

Ornaments cost $10 each plus $5 to ship one or $8 to ship two. Click here for the web link to order ornaments. Checks should be made payable to OCH Foundation and mailed to 200 Ohio St., Medina, 14103.

When ordering, remember to include the name of the loved one in whose memory the ornament is being purchased.

To make arrangements for picking up the ornament or for more information, call (585) 798-8426.

No deficiencies found for skilled nursing facility

MEDINA – The North Wing, a skilled nursing facility with 30 beds at Medina Memorial Hospital, recently received a deficiency-free report – with no issues of concern, following an extensive review.

“This outcome is a direct result of the planning, implementation and monitoring of the unit and the extraordinary care provided by our dedicated and compassionate nursing and support staff,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communications and outreach for Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital.

In March of 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began a new, targeted inspection plan designed to help keep nursing home residents safe in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The plan called for focused inspections on urgent patient safety threats (called “immediate jeopardy”) and infection control, Robinson said.

This fall, Medina Memorial Hospital had an unannounced survey, conducted by a New York state surveyor which centered around standard and transmission-based precautions and regulations; quality of resident care practices, including those with Covid-19; the facility’s surveillance plan; visitor entry and facility screening practices; education, monitoring and screening practices of staff; and facility policies and procedures to address staffing issues during emergencies, such as transmission of Covid-19.

The full day audit included staff and resident interviews and the review of a wide array of documentation.

MEDINA — The Medina Police Department has charged a 15-year-old after a social media post on Dec. 3 referenced violence at the Medina and Lockport school districts.

The post was widely circulated in the Medina community.

“This action caused several individuals to fear for the safety of their loved ones,” stated Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward and District Superintendent Mark Kruzynski in a news release.

Added security measures were put in place at the school district and law enforcement investigated the social media post.

Throughout the course of the investigation, Medina police and school officials worked with the Lockport Police Department, Lockport school district, Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force, Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, Orleans County Probation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation revealed there was no specific or credible threat to the Medina school district, Kenward and Kruzynski said.

Law enforcement identified the source of the threat and person was charged with aggravated harassment in the second degree. The name is being withheld due to the person’s age, Kenward and Kruzynski said.

The school cannot comment on any possible disciplinary action but will follow the school district’s code of conduct.

“It is important to note that the creator of the post did not threaten violence to the school, nor was there any reason to believe he may commit any acts of violence,” Kenward said.

Kenward and Kruzynski said the school district and police department take very seriously any mention of violence or threats made against the school district. They encourage the public to report any threats of violence to law enforcement and school administration.

“I would like to personally thank school resource officer Dustin Meredith, the Medina Police Department and all the law enforcement agencies involved for their thorough and detailed investigation,” Kruzynski said.

Photos and information from Medina Central School

MEDINA – In the past, the Student Association at Medina High School has collected canned goods for those in need in the community and donated them to MAAC (Medina Area Association of Churches).

Teacher and Student Association Co-Advisor Sara Cinquino says last year, with the unknowns of Covid transmission, the students took part in a peanut butter and jelly drive instead.

“This year we decided we would collect essential items like paper products and hygiene products for MAAC to distribute,” she said. “We were thrilled to be able to donate 1,971 items through our school drive.”

Members of the Medina Fire Department on Wednesday stopped at the school, where the students helped them load the donations into their ambulances.

Sherry Tuohey, a volunteer with MAAC says she is very grateful for the outreach project from the High School.

“The students did an outstanding job!” she said. “I couldn’t believe all the personal care and paper products we received. These will be so beneficial to families we are helping this Christmas. I want to thank them for making it such a huge success!”

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Passengers on the Polar Express at Medina Railroad Museum got a ride to the North Pole Saturday and Sunday. Near record crowds filled all six excursions. The event will return this Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 18 and 19, with nearly all but a few single seats sold out.

MEDINA – The Polar Express may delight children of all ages, but a couple who rode the fairy tale train on Sunday got to experience a little magic of their own.

Grace Stewart, event and volunteer coordinator for the Museum, was helping with crowds on the platform of the train when she spotted a man down on his knees in front of the holiday display on the deck of the museum.

She immediately rushed up the steps to learn that Jared Finn had just proposed to his girlfriend Ally Kirkey. In front of the couple were his children holding a sign which read “Will you marry our dad?”

Of course, she said, “Yes.”

In all the excitement Stewart failed to ask where the couple were from.

Provided photo: Jared Finn proposed to Ally Kirkey on Sunday and she said yes.

Also on Sunday, another family was noticed on one of the first-class cars celebrating a surprise birthday for a relative.

More than 5,000 people rode the Polar Express on Saturday and Sunday, a scenario that is expected to be repeated the next two weekends at the Medina Railroad Museum.

While most of the seats for the next two weekends are sold out, visitors are encouraged to visit the museum and see the extensive decorations staff has spent several weeks putting up, in preparation for the Polar Express.

Riders on the train get to enjoy hot chocolate, singing and story telling from the famed Polar Express book. Each child gets a gift, meet Santa and the hobo who board at the North Pole.

Plenty of Polar Express toys and gifts are available in the gift tent and museum gift shop.