Provided photo

MEDINA – The Fillipelli family, which owns Tim Hortons in Medina, is shown with members of the Szatkowski family, who are raising money for ALS research and services. Medina native Jimmer Szatkowski in April was diagnosed with ALS.

Pictured from left include: Jennifer Fillippelli, Joey Fillipelli, Giuseppe Fillipelli, Betty Szatkowski (Jimmer’s Wife), Jimmer Szatkowski, Andrew Szatkowski, Sara, Lukin, and Wyatt Szatkowski

The Szatkowski family sold ‘Team Jimmer’ bracelets at Tim Hortons on May 25. The Fillippelli family agreed to donate $1 for every Team Jimmer bracelet that was sold that day. The Fillippellis donated $716 toward the cause. Altogether, the fundraising effort totaled $8,545.50 on May 25.

“It was an awesome day,” said Andrew Szatkowski. “Medina really showed up, and the Tim Hortons crew really shined! I really cannot thank the Fillipelli family enough, they have been incredibly generous, and we are blessed to call them friends.”

Jimmer Szatkowski is Andrew’s brother. Jimmer, 48, is a Medina native. He now lives in the Syracuse area and owns two Chick-fil-A restaurants, with sites in Cicero and Clay.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

“We have hope that there will be a cure; however ALS research is underfunded,” the “Team Jimmer” cards stated that were included with the bracelets. “We need funds to make this Cure possible!”

YMCA will run program for 8 weeks this summer, renting kayaks and hydro-bikes for free

Photos by Tom Rivers: Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul rows in a kayak this afternoon in the Erie Canal in Medina. She was helping to promote a program for 8 weeks this summer with free rental of kayaks and hydro-bikes.

MEDINA – There will be free rentals of kayaks and hydro-bikes this summer in Medina, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said today during a stop at Medina’s Canal Basin.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said the state is pushing to make the canal a bigger impact in the canal towns.

She also went kayaking in the canal and was joined by Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Greg Reed of the Orleans County YMCA, and Brian Stratton, director of the state Canal Corp.

Medina is one of five canal communities offering free “On the Canals” outdoor excursions this summer as part of the state’s Reimagine the Canals initiative. The other communities in the program include Macedon, Waterloo, Savannah and Amsterdam.

Hochul said the state is making a big tourism push to get New Yorkers and out-of-staters to vacation and experience sites all over the Empire State. She believes Medina will appeal to many people, especially with a historic downtown filled with local businesses.

“Medina has everything anyone can look for in a mini-vacation,” she said.

She has visited the Parade of Lights several times, which is held in late November, and has come to the community many times, including by boat, just for a getaway with her husband.

“Medina oozes charm,” she said. “It is an untapped jewel.”

In the new program offering kayaks and hydro-bikes, the New York Power Authority (which oversees the canal) will partner with the Orleans County YMCA. The hydro-bikes and kayaks will be available to rent with appointments made online. The YMCA will lead excursions at Glenwood Lake and the Canal.

Greg Reed of the YMCA said the programs will be twice a day Friday through Sunday at Glenwood Lake, and three times a day in the canal on Tuesday through Thursday. The program starts June 25. The website isn’t activated yet for appointments.

“As New York continues to reopen and New Yorkers get outside to enjoy everything our State has to offer, we are pleased to provide free recreational opportunities to explore our State in a way that has never been done before,” Governor Cuomo said in a news release this afternoon. “The ‘On the Canals’ excursion program will breathe new life into the Canal system, inviting both residents and visitors to kayak, bike, and fish along our historic waterways. I encourage all New Yorkers to come out and celebrate the natural beauty of our State’s Canals and support our local canalside communities and economies.”

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during a news conference at Medina’s Canal Basin. She praised the Medina community for creating a destination. Pictured from left include Greg Reed, Orleans County YMCA director; Dawn Borchet, Orleans County tourism director; Medina Mayor Mike Sidari; New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton; and New York Power Authority Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Kessler.

Building on last year’s successful “NY Canal Staycations” program, which featured kayaking on the Canal system and cycling on the Empire State Trail, this year’s “On the Canals” itineraries will expand the types of activities offered to also include birding tours, hydrobiking, and fishing. The “On the Canals” locations and itineraries include:

• Cruise the Canal by Kayak & Hydro-bike in Medina: Free guided kayak and hydrobike tours on the Erie Canal at the Medina Canal Basin
• Fish & Kayak at Medina Falls: Guided fishing excursions on Glenwood Lake to see Medina Falls and the historic aqueduct
• Off Road, On the Water: Bike & Kayak in Palmyra-Macedon: Paddling on the Erie Canal and pedaling along the Empire State Trail
• Biking & Boating in the Finger Lakes Wine Country: Bike and water taxi loop via the Cayuga-Seneca Trail and Cayuga-Seneca Canal
• Montezuma Wetlands: In Search of the Bald Eagle: Guided birding tour via kayak in the Montezuma Wetlands
• Travel a Lock: A Kayak & Bike Adventure in Amsterdam: A trip between Port Jackson and the historic Yankee Hill Lock

Brian Stratton of the Canal Corp. said the state is committed to seeing the canal be a vibrant part of upstate. The Canal Corp. will celebrate the 200^thanniversary of the canal’s opening in 2025.

“We have a responsibility to protect and honor its historic legacy,” Stratton said.

He wants to see the Canal Corp. and local communities better utilize the canal for fun activities and to give businesses a boost.

The Village of Medina wants local residents and visitors to have more fun experiencing the Erie Canal.

The Canal Corp. last fall kept water in Orleans for an extra month and released it to increase water flow in streams, helping the local fishery, which has a $29 million annual impact in Orleans County, said Dawn Borchet, county tourism director.

She praised the Canal Corp. and the local leaders “for constantly looking for ways to reimagine the canal.”

Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton tries a hydro-bike at the canal at Medina.

The canal is now under management of the New York Power Authority, which is spending $140 million annually on the 524-mile system.

Joe Kessler, New York Power Authority executive vice president and chief operating officer, said many people discovered the canal and the small canal towns last year through “stay-cations.”

The new initiative announced today will bring more people to the canal communities to experience the canal and other nearby attractions, he said.

Through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, Cuomo and NYPA committed $300 million over five years to revitalize the Erie Canal corridor as a tourism and recreation destination while simultaneously boosting economic development and improving the resiliency of canalside communities.

“As an upstate New Yorker who lives near the Erie Canal and is a frequent visitor to canal communities, I know how vital the Erie Canal is to generating economic activity for local businesses and creating jobs,” Hochul said. “With the free ‘On the Canals’ excursion program, many New Yorkers will be able to experience the Erie Canal for the first time, while visiting the many charming communities along the Canal and providing a tourism boost for local businesses. There is no better time to explore what New York State has to offer.”

Provided photos: Patrick’s Weissend’s foursome stopped for a picture at United Way’s golf tournament June 4 at Shelridge Country Club. From left are Mickey Hyde, James Tee, Greg Budd and Weissend. A record 36 teams registered for the tournament.

MEDINA – United Way of Orleans County’s annual golf tournament was a huge success, according to executive director Dean Bellack.

A record 36 teams registered for the event, which Bellack estimates will result in a profit of about $18,000.

“It was a very good day,” he said. “We had volunteers from Baxter, Velocitii, the community and several of our board members.”

Bellack commended former board member Melinda Rhim who spent the entire day on the golf course, taking pictures of the players, which she has printed out in preparation of sending each team their picture.

Bellack also said the staff at Shelridge stepped up to pitch in. He credited United Way’s financial coordinator Dawn Winkler for coordinating and organizing events of the day.

Mark Doel putts while Lionel Rhim holds the pin during United Way’s golf tournament at Shelridge Country Club.

Before teeing off in the morning, the golfers were welcomed with remarks from Bellack, United Way’s board president George Bidleman and Nyla Gaylord, former director of Ministry of Concern, who recently joined United Way as fundraiser.

Winners announced were:

• 1st in Men’s Division – Don Roesch Joe Medicamore, Eric Jaszka and Scott Peters.

• 1st in Mixed Division – Raymond Daniels, Patrick Hinkson, Doug Clark and Chelsi Clark.

• 1st in Women’s Division – Mary Guzik, Lynn Evans, Sherry Palmeri and Joni Wetherwax.

• Contest Holes: #8 Closest to the pin (men) – Pat Hinkson; #8 Closest to the pin (women) – Chelsi Clark; #12 Closest to the pin (men) – Marc O’Hearn; #12 Closest to the pin (women) – Jeanne Whipple; #5  Longest drive (women) – Mary Guzinski; and #18 Longest drive (men) – Marc Strain.

At the end of the day, golfers enjoyed a buffet and basket raffle in the clubhouse.

Don Colquhoun’s team takes a break on the green at Shelridge Country Club during United Way of Orleans County’s golf tournament June. From left are Bob Martin, Colquhoun, Tim McMahon and Pete Kaiser.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Class of 2021 was celebrated this morning in a senior walk, with teachers and the entire students body applauding them for their upcoming graduation.

Ianah Drisdom and Sophia Cardone are in the senior walk this morning, when members of the Class of 2021 walked from the high school and then by the track, past the Wise Middle School and then past the Oak Orchard Elementary School. The entire student body from the elementary, middle and high schools formed a tunnel and applauded the class. They carried signs with their future plans. Drisdom aspires to be a pediatrician and Cardone is headed to Ohio University.

Savanah Burns and about 125 members of the Class 2021 participate in the senior walk this morning. In the past students have walked through the hallways in the three school buildings. Last year there wasn’t a senior walk. This year it was moved outside on the sidewalk from the high school to the middle school and the elementary school.

Devin Griffin and Abby Blount are both headed to college next year, with Griffin going to Cortland State and Blount off to Fredonia State.

Emma Carson and Sydney Watts enjoy the senior walk this morning. Carson is planning to attend Daemon College and Watts is headed to Oswego State College.

High School Principal Michael Cavanagh led the class in the walk along the sidewalk. They are wearing tie-dyed shirts that were donated by a parent group for the Class of 2021.

Parker Clewell and Makayla Heideman join their classmates in the parade of graduates this morning. Clewell is headed to Niagara County Community College and Heideman is going to Genesee Community College.

After the senior walk, the class was treated to a breakfast by parents at the Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall.

Tyler Chinn is in line for scrambled eggs and pancakes at the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

A Medina parent group with the Class of 2021 treated the class to breakfast this morning.

The parent group also raised money for a goodie bag that was delivered by teachers to each of the class members. The goodie bag included a yard sign, the tie-dyed shirt worn today, draw-string backpacks, and other donations from the community, including coupons for a free pizza at Mark’s Pizzeria.

The parent group used some of the donated money to help with prom costs last Friday, which was held at the Lockport Country Club.

Those donations covered prom favors, desserts and the cost for valet parking.

A group of parents decorated the fire hall for today’s breakfast.

Corinne Hill, one of the seniors, is grateful to be with her classmates for some activities as they close out their school careers. Hill has been a fully remote student since March 2020. She will be attending Daemon College to study to be a physician’s assistant.

“I’m glad we’re able to get back to normal,” she said after the senior walk and just before a senior breakfast at the Shelby fire hall. “It has been a disjointed year.”

She said the community and parents of the students have embraced the senior class to acknowledge a challenging year due to Covid-19. Medina’s High School was on a hybrid school until June 1, with one group of students in-person for two days, and another group on alternating two days. Wednesdays were fully remote for all students, with some students fully remote all five days.

The parent group sent goodie bags to students and Hill said that “homey feeling” was appreciated.

These seniors are happy to chat before the breakfast this morning. The class has;t been able to attend school together until June 1. Before that there was a hybrid schedule and many others were fully remote.

Jaden Pencille also appreciates the flurry of activities connecting the class the last month of their school careers. He was 100 percent remote until coming back for in-person classes on June 1.

“I really missed my teachers and classmates,” Pencille said. “Being here today is really bittersweet because I wish we had this all year. It’s really unfortunate that this is just a taste of what we could have experienced the past eight months.”

Pencille is headed to Fredonia State College this fall to study to be a music educator.

He said he is proud to be in the Class of 2021, which has shown resilience while excelling in sports, music and academics.

Some of the parents take a group picture of the class before breakfast was served.

Shannon Blount is one of the parents who pushed to help fund activities for the class at the end of the school year.

“The kids missed out on so much during their senior year,” Blount said. “We’re incredible grateful we were able to help make some of these special events possible.”

The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company sign welcomes the class for this morning’s breakfast.

Photo and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band

MEDINA – On Sunday, June 13^th, the Medina Band Boosters and the parents of the 2021 seniors hosted an abbreviated form of a band banquet to recognize this group of students who worked through an unusual and challenging year when they didn’t have an opportunity to perform or compete in any events.

There were 20 seniors recognized at the event, which was held at the East Shelby Fire Hall. It started with a prayer offered by Terry Steele.

The NYSFBC Scholarship was given to Bailey Jackson; the Mustang Band Booster Scholarship to Amanda Woodruff;  the Mustang Band Memorial Scholarship to Chris Woodroe and Jaden Pencille; the Steele Family Award to Faith Ann Vanderwalker; the Joseph C. McKain award to Kaylee Lacey and Hannah Kenward; the Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award to Bailey Jackson, Mark Barcena and Chris Woodroe.

Each senior was given a plaque, a picture of the senior group, a medallion, 3 buttons with their picture on it, a DVD of their past 5 shows, and a 2′ x 3′ banner with their picture in uniform.  Mr. Steele recognized each senior and shared personal memories of his time with them and the growth and accomplishment he saw in each of them. A couple of past band performances were viewed along with a slide show.

The band has started practicing for a fall show and Medina is expecting to hold our Fall Festival Show on Sept. 25th. Band camp will be held the week of August 16th.

Harvest Restaurant on first floor expected to open June 24

Photos by Tom Rivers: The sign on the restored Bent’s Opera House was one of the last touches on the building which has been extensively renovated.

MEDINA – The public will soon be able to step inside the Bent’s Opera House after a three-year extensive renovation.

During a recent tour of the building, staff of Orleans Hub were able to see first-hand the spectacular transformation of the sandstone building at the corner of Main and West Center Streets.

Roger Hungerford spearheaded the ambitious restoration of one of Medina’s most prominent buildings. Roger and his wife Heather have announced the building’s upgrades are nearly complete, and an opening date of June 24th is planned for the farm-to-table Harvest Restaurant on the first floor.

Justin Bruce, restaurant manager at Harvest Restaurant in Bent’s Opera House, stands in the main dining room of the restaurant which is scheduled to open June 24.

Heather explained the monumental task of restoring the building, which began with a design phase in 2016.

“After going into construction, we realized the building walls were rotting,” she said. “The leaking roof had created so much damage it was surprising to our team the building had not collapsed years ago. Work was contracted to Le Chase Construction, with Charles Spencer of Clarendon as project manager. Having Charlie, with Dennis, Nate, and the team from Le Chase Construction, really made a difference in this project.

“The details they would point out to us through this entire project turned  this into an incredible outcome. The number of great contractors we had during this project was unbelievable. From the floors to the woodwork repair, every one of them had a hand in this beautiful building. I often call them artists, because the detail in all their work is like seeing the details in a piece of art.”

The restaurant will have several “soft openings” before June 24 for small groups of family and friends to train the staff, Heather explained.

Head chef is Lionel Heydel, whose background includes 10 years of teaching at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. He has been in the restaurant business since he was 14 and helped in his father’s Michelin star restaurant in France. Heather first met Heydel when she was attending Le Cordon Bleu.

“I realized there are so many amazing chefs out there, but to have a chef that is just as talented with his craft as he is at teaching it to others is a rare find,” Heather said. “Normally you would have to pay to go to a highly ranked culinary school to be able to learn from him. Now if someone is looking to get that level of culinary training, they can come work with him.”

Chef Lionel Heydel plates meals in the kitchen of Harvest Restaurant. Both main dining rooms have windows open into the kitchen so diners can watch the chefs at work.

The menus will be focused on the farm-to-table theme of fresh, local ingredients in season as much as possible.

“Chef Lionel is very excited to have so many great local farmers to work with here,” Heather said.

On the second floor of the building is the Boutique Hotel with 10 uniquely designed rooms, each having a different theme. The themes are: Mid-Century Twisted; Very Well “Read”, which is predominately done in red with a wallpaper of books; Purple Hazel, a Jimmy Hendrix themed room; Petal to the Metal; Green with Envy; Isabella’s Parisienne Apartment; Bohemian Crash Pad; Dark Arts; Study in Blue; and Color of Love.

The Color of Love is the master suite and can be connected to the Study in Blue room. Most of the rooms have king size beds, and their bathrooms are designed to complement the rooms.

“Every time someone comes to stay here, it can be a different memorable experience,” Heather said about the rooms that all have their own look.

Due to the pandemic, the hotel rooms have taken a lot longer to finish than they anticipated. A few furnishings still have not arrived, but Heather said they are optimistic that the rooms will be ready for bookings when the restaurant opens June 24th.

“Thankfully, a lot of furniture for the rooms we’ve had in storage since early 2019,” she said. “Unfortunately, the remaining furniture has been having exceptionally long lead times due to the after effects of Covid. One of the beds took almost a year to come.”

The Bent’s Opera House is a high-profile site in Medina’s downtown at the corner of Main and West Center streets. 

On the third floor, restoration of the Opera House is complete with just a few finishing touches remaining. A portable bar and food prep area have been installed so the space can be rented for parties, weddings and special events. An area off the south end of the stage has been named the “Green room.” In show business, the green room is a space that functions as a lounge area for the performers when they are not on stage. This room will not only serve that purpose, but also act as a hair and makeup room, with posh salon chairs and large lighted mirrors. (Photos of the second and third floors will be available after all the final touches are in place.)

A wall-size movie screen has been installed over the stage, anticipating movie nights, seminars, corporate events, and so much more.

When the three-dimensional tile ceiling of the Opera House could not be saved, an artist was hired to come in and paint the design on the ceiling. Special chandeliers were designed to complement the elegance of the space.

Unfortunately, tours of this building will not always be available due to the number of staff needed to openly give tours. There will be, however, designated times to book a tour, according to Heather.  This will be posted on their social media platforms soon. This way, everyone can take their time and really enjoy the experience.

“We are so close, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone,” Heather exclaimed.

Eileen McElwain helped start the Dollars for Scholars

Eileen McElwain

ALBION – Failing health and being on oxygen hasn’t prevented Eileen McElwain of Medina from promoting a cause very dear to her heart.

McElwain, 78, spoke from her bed at Supportive Care of Orleans County (Hospice) on Tuesday to talk about the Medina Scholarship Fund, formerly Dollars for Scholars, which she started in Medina 30 years ago.

McElwain was working at Medina Savings and Loan, where she was the first woman to hold the office and retire as vice president/secretary of the banking institution, when she was asked to become involved in Dollars from Scholars.

“School superintendent Dr. Gee had gotten the information in the mail on Dollars for Scholars and instructed high school principal Fred Snyder to get the program started,” McElwain said. “Roger Hungerford was on our first board, along with several of us from Medina Savings and Loan, including Sue Holland.”

McElwain retired from the Savings and Loan in 1996, after 22 years of employment.

At one point, former Shelby Town Supervisor Skip Draper came to McElwain and asked if she could help with the town’s financial record keeping.

“I was taking care of my mom at the time, but Skip said he could accommodate me and any hours I could work,” she said. “He did by giving me a key to the building so I could go in at my convenience. I got the books all in order and in 2000, Skip asked me if I would be interested in running for the position of councilman.”

She later became the first woman to be elected as a councilman for the town of Shelby. She changed her election signs by inserting “wo” into the “council-man” wording. She served her four-year term in 2000-2004, but wasn’t interested in running again, she said.

“I felt I worked much more comfortably on the other side of the bench,” she said.

McElwain was married to John McElwain, who passed away in 2012. He was a local electrician who was very active in the Medina Lions Club.

Through the years, Mrs. McElwain said the Dollars for Scholars program started to dwindle as board members dropped out.

“I didn’t know what to do,” she said. “I wondered if I should just keep going until the funds ran out, or what.”

The decision was made for her when in 2014 Dave Webster and Scott Schickling got it going again, and gave McElwain guidance and direction, she said.

Because of legal stipulations, a new name had to be given the program, and it became Medina Scholarship Fund.

Since then, the fund has given $6,000 annually in scholarships to Medina seniors.

Former Medina ophthalmologist Arthur Mruczek gave the fund a boost by donating money annually in memory of his daughter Marcy.

McElwain said to receive a scholarship students must write an essay and then the committee votes on the recipients. She said the names are blocked out so the committee doesn’t know who they are choosing. McElwain prefers giving it to a student based on their need.

“We have a wonderful board now, and this is a perfect time for me to turn over the reins to someone else,” McElwain said.

Current board members are President Lynn Woodruff and Kathy Iorio, Pat Bellucci, Diane Mazur, Karen Pane, Kathie Valley and Karen Pollard.

Donations may be sent to Medina Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 185, Medina. If in honor or in memory of someone, the name should be enclosed on a separate piece of paper.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Kathy Blackburn, left, president of the Medina Tree Board, shows third-grader Elizabeth Dresser how to throw the first shovel of dirt around the tree being planted in front of Gwinn Street Park on April 30 during an Arbor Day celebration.

MEDINA — The Village of Medina has been named a “Tree City USA” for its commitment to an effective urban forest management, the Arbor Day Foundation announced.

Medina has earned the distinction as a “Tree City” for several years. The village typically plants 40 to 60 trees a year.

Medina has a Tree Board and also has formed a “Releaf Society” to raise money to plant new trees to replace some of the old ones which have or will be taken down, especially at Boxwood Cemetery. The Tree Board helps to decides what kind and where trees can be planted and which need to be trimmed or cut down.

Medina meets the Tree City USA criteria with four requirements: a Tree Board or department; a tree care ordinance; and annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita; and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Medina are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life.”

With communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use and protection from extreme heat and flooding, the Arbor Day Foundation has launched an unprecedented goal to plant 100 million trees by 2022.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jake Hebdon is training his dog Thomas J., a Golden Doodle, to be a grief therapy dog to provide comfort to those visiting a funeral home.

MEDINA – Funeral director Jake Hebdon knows everyone has a different way of dealing with grief, and if there is any way he can make that process easier, he is willing to do it.

He thinks he may have found a unique way to help people feel less uneasy when visiting a funeral home.

Hebdon has owned Cooper Funeral Home since December 2018, and prior to buying it, he lived on the third floor.

“I knew I couldn’t have a dog living up there,” he said.

Jake Hebdon, owner of Cooper Funeral Home in Medina, is training his Golden Doodle Thomas J. to be a grief therapy dog. Here the dog responds to the command of “Place” and takes his place in his bed.

But after deciding to purchase his own home, Hebdon started thinking seriously about getting a dog. And not just any dog.

“I did some research to see if anyone had such a thing as a grief therapy dog,” Hebdon said. “I found that in all of Western and Central New York, there was only one – a funeral director in Orchard Park. I thought having a therapy dog in the funeral home would be a nice touch. Nobody knows what to say when they visit a funeral home, and having a puppy would be a great way to break the ice.”

Hebdon contacted the funeral home in Orchard Park and asked how they did it. He found they mostly kept the dog in the office.

So he did some more research and discovered Golden Doodles were hypoallergenic and didn’t shed, qualities which would be important for a dog that was going to be around all kinds of people.

He got Thomas J. as a puppy 2 1/2 years ago and immediately started him in training. Initial training is as a comfort dog, and eventually Thomas J. will be certified as a grief therapy service dog.

Thomas J.’s trainer is Sarah Reed, owner of Fort Hyde Kennels in Gasport. The dog has completed intensive in-kennel training, as well as specialized training at the funeral home.

“We understand not all people are dog people, so we plan to offer his presence at calling hours, only if the family wishes,” Hebdon said.

Thomas J. was named after a movie character in the 1991 movie “My Girl,” a fictional movie about a girl named Vada Sultenfuss, who grew up above her father’s funeral home. The movie is a coming-of-age story about Vada and her best friend, Thomas J., played by Macaulay Culkin, and the unique views on life of someone who grows up around the funeral business.

As Hebdon first got the dog while he was still living above the funeral home, he thought it was a fitting name.

Reed told Hebdon Thomas J.’s breed is great for this purpose, but it will take three years for him to outgrow the puppy stage.

After three weeks of in-kennel training, Reed came to the funeral home to work with him one day a week for a month.

Hebdon has invited friends in to have a make-believe funeral ceremony to see how Thomas J. reacts.

He said if people are stand-offish, they don’t have to have any interaction with the dog. He said most likely the dog would not be present at the actual funeral service, only calling hours, if the family approved.

Hebdon has been in the funeral business since 2007, when he came to work for Tim Cooper.

“Tim has been a tremendous mentor to me,” Hebdon said.

Hebdon said he thinks Thomas J. is getting very close to being ready to greet guests in the funeral home.

“I’ve been through some grief in my family and I’d do anything to comfort people who are in grief,” he said. “I’ve been in their shoes, and I know how awkward it can be. If having Thomas J. in the room eases their tension, then I’ve achieved my goal.”