This Journal-Register photo shows the founding members of the Medina Historical Society. From left: Frank R. Berger, Treasurer; Miss Margaret Shannon, President-elect; Ciel White, President; and Miss Marian Perry, Secretary.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans – Vol. 1, No. 30

MEDINA – On November 30, 1971, a group of twenty people attended a meeting at Oak Orchard School in Medina and officially organized the foundation of the Medina Historical Society.

Ciel White, Village of Medina Historian, was named President, with Miss Margaret Shannon as President-elect, Clifford Wise as Vice-President, Miss Marian Perry as Secretary and Frank Berger as Treasurer. A constitution was adopted.

The purpose of the newly formed society was to: “discover, procure and preserve whatever may relate to the history of Western New York and particularly the Village of Medina and Townships of Ridgeway and Shelby, to gather statistics of commerce, manufacture and business, publish reports, essays and other historical material, maintain lectures and studies, engage speakers, raise funds, buy or lease property or construct buildings for future historical society uses, and other related activities.”

The Society can justly be proud of its steady accomplishments over the past 50 years. Following several years of fundraising and searching for a suitable location, the Society achieved its long-term goal of securing a suitable location for a museum in 1979, when members reached an agreement with the Town of Ridgeway for the use of 406 West Ave., Medina. This sturdy red brick building built in 1841 by LeVan Merritt had been used as offices by the Town of Ridgeway since 1960.

Board members and volunteers worked to renovate the building. Members of the community generously donated cherished items. The Monitor Clock in the entryway belonged to Ciel White, as did two glass lamps. The Victorian furniture in the parlor was given by Louise Brownell. The Estey parlor organ has Shelby connections. The G.E. refrigerator and early stove were donated by Ward Bramer. Agricultural tools, a wooden sewer pipe, a WWII POW bed, military uniforms, the list goes on. The most recent donation is a voting booth from the Medina Central School District. Indeed, each item in the collection has a local connection and resonance.

In addition to establishing a fine museum and hosting visits and group tours, the Society also began a quarterly publication, The Bugle, which features articles on topics of local interest. Annual calendars showcasing some of the collection’s unique photographs have helped raise funds.

The Society has presented a varied slate of programs each spring and fall. Recent offerings include the Orphan Trains and the History of Polio. Character reenactors have brought Mary Jemison, Surly Sal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to life. The January “Show and Tell” is an annual favorite.

Members have organized elaborate Old Home Days with artisans demonstrating traditional skills such as weaving and chair caning. The “stone soup” cooked over an open fire on that day was always popular. Fashion shows, wedding dress galas, parades, floats, afternoon teas, Victorian mourning customs, Santa Claus – are some of the imaginative events presented.

This wealth of activity was all organized, promoted and provided by volunteers. The yearly membership in 1971 was $2. Fifty years later, it is a modest $15. Residents of the Village of Medina, the Townships of Ridgeway and Shelby have been well served for 50 years by the dedication of the Medina Historical Society and its stewardship of their memories.

Takeform creating display at Rotary Park and accepting messages on Saturday during Olde Tyme Christmas celebration

Photos by Tom Rivers: Takeform in Medina will be giving out thousands of cutout ornaments on Saturday during the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in Medina. Takeform will have a booth outside the Presbyterian Church, where it will give out ornaments and accept messages about gratitude as part of a display that will be up from mid-December through mid-January.

MEDINA – A Medina company will be creating a display of gratitude to be displayed at Rotary Park from mid-December through mid-January.

Takeform has been a big part of Medina’s Parade of Lights and holiday celebration in recent years. It twice was the champion in the Parade of Lights, and donated typography decorations for Rotary Park to celebrate the Christmas season.

This year, Takeform decided it wanted to emphasize a feeling of gratitude, especially during a time of suffering and disruption from Covid-19.

Andrew Szatkowski, director of operations; Shannon Dent, production graphics coordinator

Takeform employees have volunteered to be at a booth on Saturday during the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration. They will be outside the Presbyterian Church on Main Street, and want to hear from the community what they are thankful for. It could be said in a word or phrase. The company will create a display that shares those messages and words of what people are thankful for.

“We want to fill it with beautiful messages,” said Andrew Szatkowski, Takeform’s director of operations. “It will be different fonts, sizes and colors. It will be a display of our entire town’s gratitude.”

Takeform has already received some submissions from employees. One person is grateful for hunting season. Another said he loves his dog.

Those who submit a message or word of gratitude on Saturday will be entered in a drawing for a dinner in one of the igloos at the Zambistro restaurant.

Takeform will also be giving away cutout ornaments in celebration of the 2021 Parade of Lights.

Once the company receives the gratitude messages, it will create a display that will be about 12 feet by 24 feet.

Takeform employees wanted to do something to be part of Medina’s holiday celebration, but wanted to do more than a one-day display.

“During a time when everyone is distanced and separated, we wanted to bring people together,” said Phil Duggar, director of corporate branding.

Szatkowski and Shannon Dent, Takeform’s production graphics coordinator, said employees pushed for the gratitude display to show their appreciation for the community in supporting Takeform. The company has 200 employees and is hiring.

Szatkowski said he is grateful to work for a company that gives back to the community, and wants to be a part of medina’s Christmas celebration.

Dent said she looks forward to seeing the messages of gratitude.

“Everybody will have something they connect with,” she said about the upcoming display.

Szatkowski said the display should remind people there are still many good things in their lives, even during challenging times.

“There are blessings everywhere,” Szatkowski said. “Just look around.”

Takeform created the typography decorations that emphasize the holiday season at Rotary Park. This photo is from December 2020.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: At right, Sue DeHollander and Jaye Sullivan put up bows and garland around the Santa house in Rotary Park on Saturday.

MEDINA – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Medina.

On Saturday morning, the Decorate Medina Committee transformed Rotary Park into a Christmas wonderland, with holiday greetings, cutouts of a reindeer and sleigh, candy canes, garlands and lights.

The committee is headed by Jaye Sullivan and Jim Watson, assisted by a dozen or more volunteers.

The Decorate Medina Committee was founded more than 25 years ago by the late Rev. Burton Entrekin, and has continued and grown ever since.

Jim Watson, center, sets up a reindeer in Rotary Park with help from two volunteers from the Decorate Medina Committee.

Sullivan remembers back when Ernie Orgar, owner of Muchow’s Florist, and chiropractor John Gantner were involved in the project.

“It started with the Advent Wreath in State Street Park and grew from there,” Watson said.

Current members of the committee, in addition to Sullivan and Watson, are Jason Watts, Ben Lacy, Kevin and Sue DeHollander, Hunter DeHollander, Peter Kaiser, Matthew Kennedy, David Sevenski, Charles Smith, Eric Watson and Mary Woodruff. Helpers at Rotary Park were Amanda Woodruff and Brennan Woodruff.

Tricia Daluisio decorates the fence in front of the Santa house in Rotary Park.

The village of Medina will have the village decorated for Medina’s Christmas extravaganza on Saturday. The day features “Christmas in Medina,” with activities throughout the village, including a parade and arrival of Santa Claus mid day, followed by fireworks at 5:45, a tree lighting in Rotary Park and the spectacular Parade of Lights at 6 p.m.

The Decorate Medina Committee is always looking for donations to keep the decorations upgraded. Checks can be sent to Decorate Medina, P.O. Box 86, Medina, NY 14103.

The pathway to the Santa house is lined with candy canes, in preparation for Christmas in Medina and the Parade of Lights on Saturday.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Doug Pratt of Lyndonville holds a booklet he will give out to those who attend his safety seminar “Refuse to be a Victim” at 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at HeBrews Coffee on East Center Street, Medina.

MEDINA – Doug Pratt of Lyndonville, a technical writer with an extensive background in many areas, will lead a discussion at 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at HeBrews in Medina, called “Refuse to be a Victim.”

Pratt, a Lyndonville native, returned to his family home six years ago after acquiring Robin Hill, the estate founded by his grandfather William Smith.

Ten years ago, while living in Virginia, Pratt was certified as an NRA instructor and has since taught basic pistol safety and firearm safety in the home.

His talk at HeBrews will focus on what is appropriate for your self defense in a variety of situations, including techniques for people in wheelchairs or passengers riding on a bus. He will provide information on mental preparedness, home security, travel security, physical security, psychology of criminals, automotive security, cyber security and personal protection.

Pratt has done two similar seminars at the United Methodist Church in Lyndonville, which he said were well received.

He said the one thing which assures a positive outcome in a threatened situation is to have a plan.

“The most important thing is to have developed a plan and thought it through,” Pratt said. “In New York, you have to provide a reason to carry a gun.”

He said it is much more difficult to own a gun in New York state than others. In Virginia, the crime rate is much lower because criminals know their target might have a gun, Pratt said.

“Every mass shooting in the United States since 1951, with the exception of the shooting of Gabby Gifford, has happened in a gun-free zone,” Pratt said.

There is a $20 fee to join in Pratt’s seminar and space is limited to 10. Reservations may be made by e-mailing Pratt at dad@pratt-hobbies.com.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Georgia Thomas, a member of Medina Historical Society, is dressed in her reindeer costume as she fills the Historical Society with nearly 300 of her stuffed animals. They will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27 to celebrate Christmas in Medina.

MEDINA – Georgia Thomas would be the first to admit she’s just a kid at heart.

As proof, she recently dressed up in a reindeer costume to show off most of her collection of nearly 300 stuffed animals which she has set up throughout the Medina Historical Society, for viewing on Nov. 27.

“People often think of museums as ‘stuffy,’ but I want everyone, especially children to know we are not stuffy, we are ‘stuffed.’” Thomas said.

The museum will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Christmas in Medina celebration on Nov. 27.

It’s the moose’s time to dine at the Medina Historical Society. Each room is filled with Georgia Thomas’ collection of stuffed animals.

Thomas’ collection includes everything kind of stuffed animal, including Teddy bears, Nemo, unicorns, Clifford the Dog, moose, Disney characters and superheroes.

Every spare inch of the museum’s entry way, three exhibit rooms, dining room, kitchen and back entry are outfitted for Christmas.

As visitors walk in the front door, they are greeted by an animated moose, a stairway full of small stuffed animals and a chair draped with a Santa suit, originally worn by Medina’s Santa and made by Elizabeth Babcock of Albion. Babcock is famous for making the Santa suits for the late Charles Howard, founder of the world’s only Santa Claus School.

In the parlor, stuffed animals are nestled among all the artifacts and a porcelain doll with a mink cloak Thomas got in Canada sits on the mantle over the fireplace. Next to it are two dolls made by Medina’s Elizabeth Cooper.

This room at the Medina Historical Society is filled with a variety of stuffed animals, some of nearly 300 belonging to Georgia Thomas.

On a display case in the military room sits a row of action figures and superheroes.

The dining room table is enchanted with a stuffed moose in every chair.

Thomas said she has liked stuffed animals since she was a child and had Teddy bears.

“I started collecting stuffed animals when I was living in Maryland in the 1980s and taught sign language,” she said. “Stuffed animals help children learn sign language faster. Then my friends started giving me stuffed animals, and it just snowballed.”

Three Nemos are positioned throughout the house, and children will be given a piece of paper on which they can write the rooms in which they find all three Nemos. The family of the winner chosen will receive a year’s free membership to the Medina Historical Society and Museum.

This is the second time Thomas has filled the Historical Society with her stuffed animals for Christmas. The first time was in 2019, and last year they didn’t open because of Covid.

Georgia Thomas stands next to a case holding her collection of action figures and superheroes at the Medina Historical Society.

Provided photos: Scouts and leaders from Troop 35 in Medina assemble at St. Mary’s church parking lot to get their assignments routes for the village.

MEDINA – Scouts from Troop 35 and Troop 28 on Saturday held their annual Scouting For Food Event.

Cub Scouts from Pack 35 and Pack 28 walked through the Village of Medina on the previous week putting door hangers for the Scouting For Food event.

Then the scouts from both Troop 35 & Troop 28 went this past Saturday door to door to pick up any donated food from the community and delivered the donated food to the local area food pantries.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Medina Emergency Food Pantry and Calvary Tabernacle split this year’s donation. Historically the Troops would switch off every other year between the two food pantries but with last year, not being able to do this event due to the pandemic it was decided to share between the two organizations.

Troop 35 Scouts Mason Cook and Steven Gobeli are pictured collecting food from residences in the Village of Medina.

Scouts for Troop 35 deliver collected food to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.  Scouts left to right are Joseph Reese, River Jones and Ryder Jones.

MEDINA – Sherry Tuohey, coordinator of the MAAC Christmas program, has announced there are new income guidelines for families applying for food and gifts at Christmas time.

The guidelines are higher than in previous years, meaning more people will be eligible to receive holiday assistance.

The guidelines for monthly income are as follows:

• Family of 1 – $2,729.
• Family of 2 – $3,569.
• Family of 3 – $4,409.
• Family of 4 – $5,249.
• Family of 5 – $6,088.
• Family of 6 – $6,928.
• Family of 7 – $7,086.
• Family of 8 – $7,243.

These new guidelines are based on income eligibility for HEAP, Tuohey said.

Eligible families must live in the Medina School District with zip codes of 14103 and 14479.

Sign-up will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave., Medina; 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Senior Center, 615 West Ave.; and 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God Church, at their new location at 11031 Maple Ridge Rd.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Alden Cayea heads to the finish line in today’s Operation Honor 5K. The race started and ended on Bates Road by the Junior Wilson Sportsman Club.

Cayea, 21, finished the race in 17:24. He is a student in the ROTC program at Brockport State College.

The runners take off at the start of the race. There were 65 participants, the most for the race which is now in its fourth year.

Jennifer Thom, second from right, sends the runners off at the start of the race. Thom and Sarah Strudel organize the race. The proceeds, which is estimated at $3,000 to $4,000, will be used to assist local veterans.

A nomination form for friends and families of veterans will be available on the Operation Honor Facebook page. People can nominate a veteran to have assistance with rent or other bills paid from the race proceeds. Thom said the amount per veteran will depend on how many applications are received.

Sarah Strudel, wearing red and blue coat, thanks the participants for turning out on a chilly day.

Dana Goetze, 29, of Lyndonville was the first woman to cross the finish line in a time of 21:27. Goetze and Cayea received American flags and a $50 gift certificate to the Made in America Store.

District Attorney Joe Cardone was among the finishers who covered the 3.1-mile distance.

MEDINA – The Orleans Economic Development Agency on Friday approved spending $13,500 for a traffic study in the area near the Medina Business Park.

LaBella Associates will do the study. The company will reach out the state Department of Transportation for traffic counts and other input.

LaBella will be asked to determine if turning lanes, stop signs or traffic devices are needed, as well as possibly widening roads and looking at potential traffic flow at the Keppler site, which has about 125 acres south of Maple Ridge Road near Waterworks Road.

The EDA has pressed the DOT in the recent past for a left turning lane on Maple Ridge at the Bates Road intersection, but that hasn’t been approved.

The area will see more traffic with an expansion by Western New York Energy and the soon-to-open Cobblestone Suites hotel with 58 rooms on Maple Ridge. BOMET Recovery also has purchased 10 acres of land from the EDA for a new 37,000-square foot facility at 100 Marcia Tuohey Way, the northside of the road facing Bates Road.

The EDA also is promoting about 300 vacant acres of certified shovel-ready land at the business park.

The EDA expects those acres will have businesses with several hundred employees and many truck deliveries in the future.

The traffic study will look at the current situation and projections for the future, and what will be needed to ease traffic flow and make it safer.

County Legislator John DeFilipps, a member of the EDA board, said the study should be able to help the EDA and local governments with funding for some of the possible improvements to help accommodate the traffic.

Group visited vets at Orchard  Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

Photos by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Dave Kusmierczak, a member of the American Legion and VFW in Medina, greets veteran Frank Ranallo during a ceremony Thursday at Orchard  Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in honor of Veterans Day. Ranallo was formerly a member of the same veterans’ organizations with Kusmierczak.

Saluting its 24 resident veterans is a tradition at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, where on Thursday morning members of the American Legion and VFW presented a three-gun salute and playing of Taps.

The ceremony also included a prayer and patriotic reading by Legion and VFW member Dave Kusmierczak.

The veterans were in the entryway to watch the ceremony unfold before them in the parking lot. Previously, the annual ceremony took place in the courtyard, but because of Covid, visitors are not allowed to walk through the nursing home, said activities director Jamie Murphy.

Following the patriotic services, the veterans were treated to coffee and donuts donated by Tops. In the afternoon the residents enjoyed karaoke and patriotic songs.

Members of the Medina American Legion and VFW stand at attention before firing a three-gun salute at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Thursday morning. From left are Glenn Whitmore, Jim Wells, John Follman, Greg Smith, Eric Delano, Dan Anderson and Steve Earle. In front, Dave Kusmierczak offers a prayer. At far right is Jim Freas.

From left, Dave Morien and Rebecca Platt wait with bugler Bradley Nudd for patriotic services to begin Thursday at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina.

Amanda Luckman, finance coordinator at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, chats with veteran Larie Vagg, a former resident of Barre Center, prior to a Veteran’s Day service on Thursday morning.

Photos contributed by Lynne Menz

Following a Veterans Day ceremony at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, members of the Medina American Legion and VFW gathered at the YMCA to conduct patriotic services there. Bugler Bradley Nudd plays Taps at the site of the Company F Memorial in front of the former Medina Armory.

Members of the American Legion and VFW line up for a three-gun salute in honor of veterans at the Company F Memorial on Thursday morning.