File photo by Cheryl Wertman: Lt. Todd Draper and Kye, the Medina Police Department’s K-9, are pictured in January 2014 when they met children attended a local basketball game.

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department is trying to get a new vehicle for its K-9 handler and dog.

The current vehicle is from 2008 with 120,000 miles. The department welcomes donations, and will give a stuffed animal of a K-9 dog that resembles Kye for every donation at $20 or more. The stuffed animal shows a dog wearing a police vest.

Kye is a Belgian Malinois that works each day with his partner/handler Sgt. Todd Draper. Kye joined the department in 2012.

The dog’s main duties are tracking, drug detection, building searches and criminal apprehension.

“Hopefully many of you have met Kye during public events, school visits, or demonstrations,” Police Chief Chad Kenward and Lt. Draper wrote in a fund-raising appeal to the community. “He has become a well known member of our Department and is quite popular with citizens of all ages.”

Kenward and Draper said the Police Department has reached out to businesses and community members for donations, and wants to extend the opportunity to everyone to help with the new vehicle. (Kenward and Draper said the stuffed animal of Kye would make a nice Christmas present.)

Any donated funds will be deposited directly into the K-9 fund and only be used for expenses associated with the K-9 program, Kenward said. Cash or check will be accepted, receipts will be given for all donations.  Checks can be made out to the “Medina Police Department K-9 Fund.”  Donations can be made at the Medina Police Department, 600 Main St., or at the the Village Clerk’s Office, 119 Park Ave., or by speaking to Lt. Todd Draper.

For more information, call the Police Department at (585) 798-5602.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

RIDGEWAY – One of Orleans County’s most well-known landmarks, the Canal Culvert in Ridgeway, has numerous icicles hanging inside after the temperatures dropped below freezing in recent days.

The canal is currently full of water while the Canal Corp. checks on culvert repairs in other locations. The canal is expected to be drained again next week for the winter.

These photos were taken today of the Culvert, the only spot where you can drive under the Erie Canal.

The Main Street clock in downtown Medina also has icicles growing on it.

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Press Release, Canal Village Farmers’ Market

MEDINA – The Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina is well into its second Winter Market season and this year will begin a new holiday tradition, a Holiday market this Saturday.

“Our market continues to grow and develop,” said Gail Miller, the market manager. “Last year, we began a successful winter market and this year as part of the effort to grow that market, we’re adding a special Holiday Market on December 16.”

Market volunteer, Stacy Knights Pellicano, came to Miller with the idea of a special holiday market.

“It’s a concept we were playing around with this past summer as we were preparing for the winter market,” said Pellicano. “With the ever-growing popularity of Downtown Medina, a holiday market for the Canal Village Farmers’ Market would give a great opportunity to showcase all that Medina has to offer!”

The Winter Market is located on the same site as the market in summer (127 West Center St. across from the Post Office) and offers a surprising variety of products. So far, participating vendors include Human Farms & Greenhouse, Baker Farms, McB’s Hoof & Feather Farm, Stone Hollow Bakery, and Nice Farms.

“We offer Brussels sprouts, cabbage, winter squash, potatoes, garlic, onions, kale, eggs, bacon, local pork and sausage, locally raised chicken, duck, lamb, and goat; baked goods of all kinds including breads and scone, honey, jams and this Saturday we’ll have extra vendors and some Christmas treats,” Miller said.

Pellicano teamed with Nicole Goyette to organize the Canal Kids activities at the summer market. Pellicano said Santa will be making a special appearance at the market this Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

“Santa will be stopping by for a few photos and we’ll have hot chocolate and cookies for the kids,” she said. “We’re so lucky to have the best Christmastown USA in Downtown Medina and we hope to grow the Holiday Market tradition in the coming years.”

The market operates every Saturday morning thru May from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We may take some time off in January – we’ll see what the weather brings,” Miller said. “Other than that, we’re always here!”

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Ethanol output is up 30 percent from start decade ago

File photo by Tom Rivers: Western New York Energy’s ethanol plant is located at the corner of Bates Road and Maple Ridge Road in Medina.

Press Release, WNY Energy

MEDINA – On December 1, 2007, Western New York Energy (WNYE) completed construction and began producing clean burning, homegrown ethanol at its $90 million facility originally designed to produce 50 million gallons of fuel grade ethanol per year.

Ten years later, the company has added additional capacity through further investment, implemented new production technologies, and improved production efficiencies to be an industry leader.

Also in the first ten years, WNYE formed a transportation subsidiary, Shelby Transportation, LLC, to fill a logistics need for smaller farmers and WNY feed mills.

Today, the plant is capable of producing 30 percent over its original nameplate design while running more efficiently. Since the beginning, Western New York Energy has partnered with NY corn growers to purchase as much corn locally as possible. WNYE is projected to grind almost 21 million bushels of corn in 2018.

Ethanol is a high octane, low emission fuel that is generally blended at a 10% or 15% rate in gasoline today (E10/E15). A recent USDA study shows that blending 10% ethanol in our gasoline today reduces harmful, cancer-causing emissions by 43%. The ethanol produced by Western New York Energy from grain grown by local farmers is the cheapest octane available and saves money for families and consumers at the pump every day.

The zero-waste ethanol production process produces several high-quality co-products in addition to fuel ethanol. No part of the corn kernel goes to waste. New York State prides itself on being a leader in the production of clean renewable energy and WNYE is proud to be doing its part towards that effort.

Western New York Energy began from John Sawyer, Jr’s vision of creating a business that would improve farming and agriculture in WNY. Following that vision, John and Michael Sawyer worked with a local ownership group and community leaders to build the first ethanol plant in NY resulting in an improved local corn market and agricultural economy.

Western New York Energy would like to thank all of our investors and employees for their faith, hard work and commitment over the past 10 years. As a proud and active supporter of our local community, we look forward to continuing our operations here in Shelby and Orleans County for years to come.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDNA – The Medina Fire Hall at the corner of Park Avenue and Main Street was recently given a new old-time fire hall look. Firefighters painted the doors and trim red. They were green and white.

John Lang, the father of firefighter Ashton Lang, created the door numbers. Ashton was a full-time Medina firefighter. He recently joined the Gates Fire District.

His father designs and fabricates metal art and sculptures. The Number 40 represents Medina’s ladder truck.

The Number 11 represents the primary engine for the fire department.

“It was a pleasure working with the Village of Medina Fire Department on this project. This type of functional art is very rewarding,” Lang said. “It was a great way for me to say, ‘Thank you for your service’.”

The red doors debuted in September. Firefighters also refurbished the bench by the red doors.

In addition, a historic hose cart was fixed last week with firefighter Chris Seefeldt taken the lead in having it sanded and rebuilt.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Parade of Lights in Medina on Saturday also included a contest for residents on Park Avenue to decorate their property for the popular parade.

Linda Moore of 405 Park Avenue won the $100 first prize for the “Light Up Park Avenue” competition. Her property is pictured in the top photo. Tom and Mary Robinson of 507 Park Avenue won the $50 for the runner-up award.

Other houses were decorated for the parade.

515 Park Avenue

504 Park Avenue

418 Park Avenue

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Parade of Lights on Saturday included nearly 40 organizations or businesses that created floats for Medina’s popular event. The top photo shows the Medina Marching Band, including current students and alumni. They are performing in front of the judges’ stand on Main Street.

Orleans Hub has already posted many photos from the parade. Here are some more.

PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion

N.O.E.L. Rock Youth Group

Baxter Healthcare in Medina

Hartland Carriage

Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina

Navarra’s Greenhouse in Albion

Orleans Community Health

State Sen. Rob Ortt

Bob Pastecki of the Mark Time Marchers

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Takeform takes the grand prize for its scene of Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The winners of the 9^th annual Parade of Lights have been announced with Takeform taking the grand prize. The Medina company designs signs and creates architectural graphics for many hospitals and other businesses.

Takeform put its skills on display with its float, which included a scene of Medina on a flatbed trailer. The company receives $500 for first place and a plaque.

Here is the other side of the Takeform float.

“There were so many good ones, it was particularly difficult this year,” said Jim Hancock, the parade chairman. He thanked judges from Pride Pak, the Bank of Castile and Western NY Energy for their work in determining the winning entries.

The other winners will receive $200 and a plaque. They include:

Star Award – Matt CM Contracting for a candy cane themed float

Littlest Elf Award – Cobblestone Girl Scouts

Phoebe Kirby, right, and the Girl Scouts looked like big presents on their float.

Community Spirit Award – Little Bits 4-H Club, which had a Whoville theme. The Albion FFA, pictured in back, also had a Whoville-themed float.

This member of Little Bits waves to the crowd on the parade route.

Santa’s Pick Award – Bentley Brothers, which also had two other units – giant presents on wheels.

BEST IN CLASS AWARDS

Religious – Calvary Tabernacle Church pulled a float with a lighted up cross and a manger scene behind. In back in photo is the Little Bits 4-H Club with their Whoville float.

Not-For-Profit – Knights/Kaderli Memorial Fund

The Knights/Kaderli’s float included a large present. The fund provides assistance to families in Orleans County where a loved one is fighting cancer.

Business/Commercial – Weedman Lawn Care

Service Clubs – Medina FFA, which a theme, “Green Acres is the place for me!”

Fire Company – Lyndonville Fire Company

Other – Orleans County Sheriff’s Dept.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Several local fire departments decorated fire trucks with lights and ornaments in Saturday’s Parade of Lights in Medina.

The top photo shows a fire truck from the Medina Fire Department headed down Main Street.

Lyndonville’s fire truck was heavily decorated for the parade. The truck is shown in the staging area before the parade at the Olde Pickle Factory.

A Lyndonville firefighter is covered in lights and stands on the back of the fire truck for an added element in the the department’s display.

The East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company put lights on a fire truck and also had a sleigh with a reindeer on top of the truck.

The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company had multiple units in the parade with all-terrain vehicles serving as reindeer pulling a “sleigh.”

The Middleport Fire Department from Niagara County joined the fun.

Tim Cooper of Medina debuted this restored historic Medina fire truck in the parade.

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MEDINA – The Book Shoppe in Medina hosted two local authors for book-signings on Saturday.

Daniel Mault, left, is the author of The Cost of Gold, A True Fairytale. Jessie Miller, right, illustrated that book and also wrote her own book, Rooster Wore Skinny Jeans.

Mault lives in Cheektowaga and is a third grade teacher at Roy-Hart. His book tells the story of two children, Maggie and Henry, who meet a golden frog, which grants their wish to live in a castle and be royalty. However, they miss their family that they were forced to leave behind.

“This fairytale will leave you thinking about what really matters in life, and open a dialogue with children about what they cherish most in their lives,” according to a review on Amazon. Click here for more information.

Miller, 28, is a 2007 graduate of Medina High School who works as a freelance illustrator. She earned an animation degree at Edinboro University.

Her book is about a rooster that wears skinny jeans, despite some ridicule from its friends.

“It’s about not being afraid to be yourself,” she said.

For more on her book, click here.

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Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A one-day toy drive resulted in 500 toys being donated plus about $700. The toys were dropped off on Saturday at Canalside Tattoo on Main Street in Medina. Shawn Ramsey, left, is owner of Canalside. He is pictured with Andrew Szatkowski, organizer of the toy drive.

The toys will be given to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and the Medina Area Association of Churches, which will distribute them to families in Orleans County.

Szatkowski put together 20 packages to entice donations of toys or $5 that will be used to buy presents. With every donation, people were given a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of the 20 “Medina Experience” packages.

Szatkowski thanked the community for their generous donations.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Before the big Parade of Lights, Medina celebrated with fireworks in the downtown.

There was about a 15-minute show just before the parade at 6 p.m.

The fireworks and parade brought a throng of people to the downtown.

There were numerous activities throughout the day as part of the Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration.

Medina has Main Street decorated for the holidays.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – There were nearly 40 floats in today’s Parade of Lights in Medina. Some of the entries are shown in the parking lot of the Olde Pickle Factory, which served as a staging area for the floats.

This was the ninth annual Parade of Lights and the event continues to draw big crowds to downtown Medina and caps off Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration.

Matt C.M. Contracting made this giant candy cane. The generator stopped when the candy cane made it to Main Street so most of the crowd was unable to see it lighted up.

Matt Mundion of Matt C.M. Contracting tries to get another strand of lights working on his candy cane. Mundion is the three-time grand champion of the event.

Katelyn Schlager of the Little Bits 4-H Club gets her Grinch make-up on for her role in the club’s Whoville float. Brook Lux’s hand is showing. She was the makeup artist.

Bo Gobeli, a den leader for Cub Scout Pack 35 in Medina, adjusts the flag pole in the float. John Dieter, the cub master, also makes some last-minute adjustments before the parade.

Dustin Shaffer of Bentley Brothers works on stringing lights for the business’s float.

Baxter Healthcare in Medina participated in the Parade of Lights for the first time. Employees created a toy shop theme on the float.

Takeform Architectural Graphics also made its debut in the parade and featured several cutouts depicting Medina landmarks.

Teaghan Freeman of Le Roy is dressed as an angel for the Mark Time Marchers. She is joined by her parents, Yvonne Freeman, left, and Jeff Freeman.

Ian Becker of the Roy-Hart FFA puts a finishing touch on the sign, “Support Our Troops.” FFA students did all of the work on the float.

Several veterans joined the Roy-Hart students on the FFA float including a Marine, Bradley Mandaville of Barker, standing.

Weedman in Albion makes its way down Main Street during the popular parade.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Jim Hancock, chairman of the Parade of Lights, is pictured with Frosty the Snowman today at the Medina Historical Society.

The Parade of Lights starts at 6 p.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory and includes 38 participants, Hancock said. The parade heads down Park Avenue before reaching Main Street.

There will also be a tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at Rotary Park. Frank Berger, the grand marshal of the parade, will light the tree.

There will also be a fireworks display in the downtown at 5:45 p.m.

The Albion FFA won the grand prize in last year’s parade. The float had a Candy Land theme with about 10,000 lights.

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