By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 October 2021 at 12:31 pm
This photo – “Medina Falls Sunrise” – of the Erie Canal includes the waterfalls on the north side of the canal near Horan Road. The photo was taken by Neil Ferguson of North Tonawanda and won second place in the “Along the Trail” category of the 2021 Erie Canalway Photo Contest.
This is the only picture in Orleans County among the 12 winners in the contest, which included about 300 submissions.
The winning photos will be featured in a 2022 calendar. The calendar will be available for free at libraries, visitor centers, and by request beginning in December.
“These remarkable images showcase the beauty, history, and diversity of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. They remind us that the NYS Canal System is a national treasure worthy of preservation and celebration,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
Winning images in the 16th annual contest can be viewed online by clicking here.
Winners hail from across the Canalway Corridor and include images taken in all seasons.
“I applaud the deserving winners of the Erie Canalway’s annual photo contest who each uniquely captured the natural beauty of this iconic waterway,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “The Erie Canal’s history has been well-documented for centuries through images and photography, and these photos will serve not only as a reminder of the Canal’s great presence in our State, but also of the timelessness of the Erie Canal and its past, present, and future legacy.”
This photo – “Heaven Splits” – shows the Adams Basin and was by Joe Pompili of Spencerport and won first place in the Classic Canal category.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 October 2021 at 3:23 pm
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department has released the name of a Niagara County resident who died in a car accident Saturday after hitting a tree off South Main Street.
Earl Maines, 34, of Lockport died in the one-car accident just before 2 a.m. The SUV he was driving sustained heavy front-end damage. The vehicle was in the yard of 1025 S. Main St.
Maines was the sole occupant. He was extricated from the vehicle by emergency responders, who determined that he did not have a pulse and attempted resuscitation efforts.
The accident remains under investigation, said Lt. Todd Draper of the Medina PD.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Participants in the 2019 Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run head for the starting line last October. This year’s event will take on a different look, due to the Covid pandemic. For the 32nd annual 5K Walk/Run, participants are being asked to walk in their own neighborhoods and make a donation to the Knights-Kaderli Fund.
MEDINA – For 32 years, the community has gathered for a walk/run to support the patients living with cancer in Orleans County.
Last year, participants walked in their own neighborhoods for the 32nd annual 5k Virtual Walk/Run. The Covid-19 pandemic forced us to cancel in-person events. Registrants were asked to make a donation to the fund and were offered a Knights-Kaderli cloth mask in lieu of the usual race t-shirt
This year, we can gather again for the 5k on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. at the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall. With only a few changes, the event will feel like we are getting closer to what supporters have experienced in previous years.
Registration (click here) will be online only to minimize congestion at registration. To keep people moving, we will have several check-in tables where registrants can pick up their T-shirt and race bibs. Participants are encouraged to participate in our basket raffle. This year we will have a special raffle of a donated item from the talented students in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering class at Orleans-Niagara BOCES.
Lunch will be served immediately following the race and guests may eat outside under the pavilion. When outside, participants are encouraged to use their discretion regarding mask-wearing. Whenever participants are inside the building, we ask that they wear a mask to protect young children, patients and other participants. The safety of our supporters is our top priority. Please remember to photograph your event and tag us on Facebook and Instagram for some fun prizes. #KnightsKaderli5K
The Richard Knights-Sue Kaderli Memorial Fund is a tax-exempt organization, under the Internal Revenue code section 501(c)(3), which is run by a board of directors. Money raised is used for the benefit of Orleans County cancer patients.
This foundation was founded in memory of our loved ones, Richard Knights and Susan Kaderli, two lifelong residents of Orleans County. We raise funds through annual events and various contributions made by individuals, organizations and memorials. Funds thus far have assisted families with nutritional supplements and prescriptions, as well as medical supplies and bills. Run by a board of directors, there are no administrative costs. Thereby allowing almost 100% of money raised to be used to assist Orleans County cancer patients and their families.
For more information or financial assistance, please contact: Mary Zelazny at 585-746-8455, Melissa Knights Bertrand at 716-983-7932 or Stacey Knights Pellicano at 716-998-0977.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2021 at 10:17 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Mitchell Kwandrans, owner of the Hemp House in Medina, presented posters full of information to the Medina Village Board on Monday evening, urging the village to opt in and allow marijuana dispensaries.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board heard from many community members on Monday evening during a public hearing about whether Medina should opt in or opt out of allowing legal marijuana dispensaries.
Gregory McCarthy, a local resident, was the first speaker during a public hearing and said the dispensaries would allow regulated products to be sold without unknown dangerous products, such as fentanyl.
A local dispensary would also allow close access for people currently going out of town for medical marijuana sites, he said.
Mitchell Kwandrans, owner of the Hemp House in Medina, said his store is popular for CBD oil and other products. He said marijuana could be a big tax revenue generator for the village with Medina getting a 3-percent tax on the dollar.
He estimated that could be $300,000 annually for the village, based on 20 percent of the county’s 40,000 residents spending about $2,500 per year annually on marijuana. That comes out to over $600,000 a year in tax revenue in Kwandran’s projections. He expects Medina would get half with another community the other half.
The state has approved a 13-percent excise tax on marijuana with a breakdown that includes 9 cents for each taxable sale to the state, 3 cents to the municipality that has the dispensary, and 1 cent to the county.
Village Trustee Owen Toale said the figures from Kwandrans were projections that couldn’t be counted on. It is also unknown if there would be increased demand on the Medina Police Department if the dispensaries were allowed, Toale said.
Village Board members said they want more time to study the issue, and see if the state comes through with any regulations for the dispensaries. The state has empowered municipalities to opt in or out, but hasn’t provided details about the dispensaries.
That bothers Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman.
“They are forcing our hand and I’m disappointed in that,” she said about the state.
The state has given municipalities until Dec. 31 to opt in. But if they opt out, they could always opt back in. But if they opt in before Dec. 31, they can’t then opt out.
Mayor Mike Sidari said he is still reading information about the issue, and isn’t ready to make his own decision. He expects the board will decide possibly next month. By then, there might be regulations from the state.
“I want to opt out until I see what the rules are,” he said. “If it’s something we can live with, I’ll opt in.”
Gregory McCarthy tells Village Board members there are many benefits to the dispensaries, including a regulated product with tax revenue for the village. He said many residents would benefit from having the product legally available for anxiety, pain management and other medicinal purposes.
Residents still urged the board to move forward with opting in, saying the state regulations will be similar to the many other states that have already allowed dispensaries.
Tim Zeiner said Medina could use the revenue to help push down a very high tax burden on local property owners.
Bryan DeGraw said marijuana has long not been regulated. The state regulations will be forthcoming. He said the village needs the revenue, even if that total can’t be predicted for certain.
Several others spoke in favor of the dispensaries, saying it would be a safer product and would help people with pain management and other issues.
Kwandrans, owner of the Hemp House, said there are 24 locations in Medina where alcohol can be legally purchased. He said alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana, with a large role in criminal activity, violence and car accidents.
Kathy Bogan, an attorney with an office on Main Street, said she is concerned about the impact a dispensary could have on the downtown, which boasts numerous small, family-owned businesses. But the lack of fine print from the state is a major concern, she said.
“There are many why I’m against this, but the biggest reason is there are no state regulations for this,” she said during the hearing.
If Medina decides to opt out, village residents could petition the village to put the issue to a vote in a public referendum. They would need to turn in a petition by at least 10 percent of qualified voters within 45 days of the Village Board’s decision to force a public vote.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 September 2021 at 8:14 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Class of 1961 from Medina High School met at the White Birch in Lyndonville Saturday to celebrate their 60th reunion. Seated, from left, are Russell Young, Raissa Zolin Semanchu, Jessie Eckerson Green, Jackie Gardner Nicolay, Margo Riemer Schuner and Linda Hudson Hansler. Second row, from left, are David Green, Dale Bacon, Paul Barnes, Don Pritchard, Dianne Pask Domoy, Joyce Hill Cook, Ellyn Keller MacCornell, Ward Crafts, Charles Slack and Marvin Sills. Third row, Richard Hellert, Sue Bliven, Nicki Rogers Fredericks, Marlo Neal Huer, Patty Waters Blackburn, Dave Ehrenreich and Bob Young. At rear are John Slack, Jack Beedon, Everett Harmer, Arnie Canham, Ron Thomas and Peggy Hart Nelson.
MEDINA – The Medina High School’s Class of 1961 has remained a close knit group since they graduated, getting together every five years to renew friendships.
On Saturday, 29 members of the class and their guests met at White Birch in Lyndonville to celebrate their 60th reunion.
Dave and Jessie Green of East Shelby became class sweethearts in seventh grade, and have been together ever since, she said. They, Nicki Fredericks, John Slack and Peggy Hart Nelson have been to every reunion.
There were 138 original members in the Class of 1961. They have lost 38. Robert Crafts was president, Dick Stimson was vice president, Susan Albright was secretary and Jessie Green was treasurer. Edward Devlin was principal at the time.
The class boasts the first Foreign Exchange student in Medina, a boy nicknamed Chico from Italy. He lived with the Jim DiGuilio family. On Saturday afternoon, the class was delighted to contact him on Zoom.
The classmate who traveled the farthest to the reunion was Bob Young, a missionary from Africa. Others came from Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Texas.
The committee who organized the reunion has done it every year. They included Dave and Jessie Green, Nicki Fredericks, Patti Blackburn, Diane Domoy, Ellyn MacConnell, John Slack, Linda Hansler and Ron Thomas.
“This is a very good class,” Jessie Green said. “Everybody gets along.”
Dave and Jessie Green, seated, look over a yearbook from when they were in school.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 September 2021 at 8:53 am
Photos courtesy DeSales Catholic School
LOCKPORT – Arthur Barnes, an Orleans County artist, donated a painter’s box of late Nunzio Maiorana to DeSales Catholic School in Lockport, which will be opening a new art center next month as a memorial to Maiorana.
Barnes found the painter’s box at a yard sale years ago. He used the box in his own art studio.
Barnes noticed the signature inside, Nunzio Maiorana (dated Aug. 14, 1956) and resolved to someday find and give the painter’s box to Maiorana’s family.
Barnes read about construction at DeSales for the Nunzio T. Maiorana ’58 Art Center and wanted to give the box to the site. DeSales reached out to Nunzio’s children, David and Ann-Marie, to return the box.
“Thank you, Arthur for bringing us this most wonderful gift!” said Kim Knuutila of DeSales.
The dedication for the Nunzio T. Maiorana Art Center will be on Saturday, Oct. 16th, from 1 to 3 p.m. at DeSales, 6914 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Lockport. Guests will have to RSVP to Mary at (716) 870-4340 by Oct. 4th. Ribbon cutting will be immediately followed by dedication and reception.
Maiorana was a long-time Medina educator. He was a popular teacher and school administrator at Medina as well as the athletic director.
DeSales Catholic School is renovating an area on their campus to create the Nunzio Maiorana Art Center, in honor of a beloved alumnus who graduated from DeSales in 1958.
Maiorana was a highly respected leader in both education and athletics throughout Niagara and Orleans counties.
He was also an accomplished self-taught artist who specialized in pen and ink drawings of historic lighthouses and buildings from across the world. Each of his drawings was hand-drawn using jeweler’s glasses and each art piece contained over 500,000 fine lines and dots. He won his first art show in 1957 sponsored by the Lockport Industrial Management Club.
After graduating from DeSales High School, Maiorana went on earn his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Detroit. He began his teaching career at the Diocese of Detroit at St. John Berchmans School. In 1963 he came back home to WNY to teach at Medina Senior High School.
This was followed by multiple roles throughout his tenure in Medina starting as a teacher and retiring as superintendent of curriculum and finance. He started in Medina in the fall 1963. His career spanned over 36 years until his retirement in 1998.
At Medina, Maiorana taught pre-vocational studies, English, and history; served as an assistant high school football coach, assistant principal, director of athletics, director of maintenance, grounds, and transportation; principal of Wise Middle School; and superintendent of curriculum and finance. He also sat on state and national committees for athletics and academics to ensure safety, wellness, and rigorous academic instruction for all students.
He remained an influential educator up until the day he passed away on Jan. 22, 2018.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Medina Mustang Marching Band performs a colorful routine celebrating “Together” for the crowd at Veteran’s Memorial Park Saturday night.
Posted 26 September 2021 at 6:13 pm
MEDINA – For a while Saturday night, it looked like rain might put a damper on the Mustang’s Fall Festival of Bands.
But about 10 minutes before show time, the rain let up and in spite of a few sprinkles, the show went on.
The Covid pandemic has impacted marching bands everywhere, most of whom didn’t meet at all last year, and others who are smaller in number because students are hesitant to gather in large numbers.
Six bands were scheduled to perform at Veteran’s Memorial Park Saturday night, with only Jamestown canceling at the last minute due to an outbreak of Covid.
The Pioneer Marching Band from Yorkshire performed under a brilliant night-time sky Saturday during the Fall Festival of Bands.
Those who competed were Pioneer Marching Panthers from Yorkshire in Small School 3, Hilton Crimson Cadets in Large School 3, West Seneca in Large School 2, Medina in Small School 1 and Lancaster in National Class.
As there was only one school in each class, everyone went home a winner, the announcer said.
Pioneer scored a 69.55; Hilton, 74.25; West Seneca, 78.35; Medina, 83.6; and Lancaster, 80.65.
As with last week, the defending New York State Field Band Champion Medina earned the highest score of the evening.
Awards were handed out by Medina School Superintendent Mark Kruzynski.
The Mustang’s next competition will be Oswego on Saturday, followed by Webster on Oct. 9, Victor on Oct. 16, Greece on Oct. 23 and, finalizing the season, the Field Band Championships Oct. 31 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Although smaller in number than in previous years, the Mustang Marching Band performed their award-winning routine for visitors and the home crowd Saturday night.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Author’s Note celebrated its grand opening Saturday morning with a ribbon cutting, from left, by Erica Caldwell, Olivia Marchese, and store owner Julie Berry and her husband Phil. Holding the ribbon are author Ginger Johnson (not shown) and Isaac Pace, a store employee.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 September 2021 at 9:51 am
MEDINA – A group of people started gathering at 9 a.m. Saturday morning for the grand opening of Author’s Note, the former Book Shoppe purchased by New York Times Best Selling author Julie Berry.
A Medina native, Berry said when she and her husband Phil decided to pick up their family and move from Los Angeles to buy the former Book Shoppe, she had no idea what she was getting into.
“I wondered how the community would receive me, but the support has blown me away,” Julie said before cutting the ribbon.
She commended store manager Erica Caldwell and book seller Olivia Marchese for their expertise in helping open the store.
Julie Berry and her husband Phil pose by the cake celebrating their grand opening of Author’s Note bookstore at 519 Main St. in Medina on Saturday morning.
She and Phil started remodeling in February, making dynamic changes in the store. Partitions were removed and ceilings raised, creating an open and airy shopping space. Phil spent hours leveling, sanding and refinished floors. Lounges and benches placed throughout the store create pleasing little nooks in which to sit and chat or browse through a book. Sid Eick of Basom built new bookshelves, which are now stocked to the fullest.
One of the first to line up for the grand opening was Mary Dunn of Medina.
“I’ve been coming here for years,” Dunn said. “I love supporting all our small local businesses. Julie is such a sweetheart. You can feel it when you walk in the store. You get the feeling you are family. The children’s section is beautiful. And anything they don’t have, they get for you.”
Mayor Mike Sidari said he was happy to welcome the Berrys to the village.
“It is a testament to our business community that she’s shown interest in opening up her store here,” Sidari said. “We wish her many years of success. She’s a great addition to our community, and it’s wonderful she has come back home, where everything started for her.”
From rear, Esme, Isla and Linnea Coleman of Le Roy site on a worm in the newly-remodeled children’s section of Author’s Note book store. Their mother Erica is store manager.
Medina native and County Legislator Skip Draper said the book store is part of a vibrant Main Street.
“When you look at all the stores downtown, it’s like a giant bouquet that keeps on blooming,” Draper said.
County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said she was so proud of the great turnout for the opening.
The Green family were among the many who came for the event.
Bronwyn Green said she was so proud of her grandson, 5-year-old Hollis Green.
“When we walked in the store, Hollis looked around and said, ‘This my favorite store, because they have so many books.’”
Hollis Green, 5, loves to read. He visited the grand opening of Author’s Note on Saturday morning with his mother Sawyer Green and grandmother Bronwyn Green.
Hollis’ parents, John and Sawyer Green, are both teachers at Albion Central School. She teaches English and her husband, social studies, so they know the importance of reading. Sawyer said they have brought Hollis to the book store several times, and she already has a list for Julie to order.
“Hollis, who just started kindergarten in Medina, would stay here all day if he could,” she said. “We spend a lot of time reading with Hollis.”
Participating in Author’s Note grand opening was author Ginger Johnson, a Buffalo native and friend of Julie’s. Hers was the first book the store celebrated with a book signing on Sept. 18.
Julie wrote a poem to commemorate her grand opening, and it is posted in the store window.
“We’ve loved being your book store this summer,” she wrote in an e-mail to friends and customers. “What you’ve seen from us thus far is only a dress rehearsal for what we’re about to be.”
Author’s Note also sells eBooks through the link Kobo Store. They recently participated in Wise Middle School’s book fair, and hope to work with other schools and community groups to construct a made-to-order book fair. Information is available at info@authorsnote.com.
Other items Author’s Note offers are candles, greeting cards, children’s toys, jigsaw puzzles and gourmet coffees.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Barry Flansburg presents a certificate on behalf of Assemblyman Steve Hawley to Julie Berry at the grand opening of her new book store Saturday morning, Author’s Note.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Representatives of Medina Area Partnership stand behind a table full of beer glasses as they wait for the first wave of visitors to Ale in Autumn on Saturday at the Senior Center. Front row, from left, are Amanda Pollard, Sarah Fisher, Ann Fisher-Bale, Cindy Hewitt, Grace Fisher and Cherie Scharping. At rear are Patrick Weissend and Tim Elliott. A record 400 glasses were sold.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 September 2021 at 8:42 am
MEDINA – Medina was a beehive of activity Saturday afternoon, attracting hundreds of visitors to town who participated in Ale in Autumn.
This is the 11th year for the event, and the first year it was sponsored by the Medina Area Partnership.
A record 400 engraved beer glasses were sold in advance to individuals who picked up their glass at the Senior Center, then left to explore the participating businesses on their own. Start times were staggered, beginning at 1 p.m., to prevent congestion along the way.
A Knowlesville family waits to pick up their glasses for the start of Ale in Autumn on Saturday in Medina. From left are Kathy Quackenbush and John, Marilyn and Marissa Colosangi.
Before leaving the Senior Center, participants could buy sheets of tickets on raffle baskets which were available in each store, then drop them in the baskets they chose along the way. A grand prize offered was a one-night’s stay at Bent’s Hotel in the Opera House.
Tim Elliott, a member of the Medina Area Partnership, picked out the alcohol, which represented a variety of ales from across the United States and several foreign countries. They included IPA, Porter’s, fruit, wheat, sour and even pumpkin.
Canalside Tattoo poured glasses of cranberry ginger beer; Creekside Floral offered Mississippi Mud; and Della’s Chocolate offered none other than Chocolate Peanut Butter. The Medina Historical Society’s beer was a very popular and mild Longboard Island Lager.
Jim Wells, a member of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, took advantage of the crowd at Ale in Autumn in Medina Saturday to sell tickets on a cash raffle to benefit the Warrior House. He is sitting outside Author’s Note book shop.
Other participating businesses were 810 Meadworks, who served their own beer; a lily and a sparrow; ellen j goods; Hemp House; Into the Enigma; Lyric & Lizzy Boutique; Mandeo’s Candy Shoppe; Mark’s Pizzeria; Mystic Dragon’s Lair; Poler’s Pub; Shirt Factory Café; Downtown Browsery; English Rose Tea Shoppe; and Vintage Cigar.
The event brought visitors from across Western New York, from Farmington to Hamburg.
Nicky Henion of Medina, Lindsay Monacelli of Albion and Veronique Flor of Albion were delighted not only at the beers, but the opportunity to see all the little shops they had not been in before.
“I’ll definitely do it again,” Monacelli said.
MAP reminds the public to save the dates for other upcoming events, including Beggar’s Night on Oct. 29; Moonlight Madness on Nov. 18; Olde Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights from Dec. 2 through Dec. 5; and Wine About Winter on Feb. 5.
Volunteers at Medina Historical Museum were thrilled with the crowd of Ale in Autumn participants who visited the museum Saturday. From left are Edith Grzywacz, Georgia Thomas and Catherine Cooper. Thomas holds a bottle of Longboard Island Lager, which they served, and one of the steins in her collection.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2021 at 9:30 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Jeff Taylor and Dennis MacDonald of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company were among the many firefighters out today from 9 a.m. to noon collecting donations for Make-A-Wish Western New York. They are shown on Maple Ridge Road, east of near the Route 63 intersection.
The firefighters collected about $8,500 today with more donations expected, said Tim Petry, one of the coordinators of the effort from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
There were firefighters from East Shelby, Lyndonville, Medina, Murray, Ridgeway and Shelby out asking people to “fill the boot” for Make-A-Wish.
They were at the intersections of 63 and 31A (Maple Ridge), Main and Center in Medina, and 63 and 104.
Hunter Salamaca, left, and Harris Reed of the Murray Fire District collected donations on Route 63, just south of Maple Ridge.
