Provided photo

MEDINA – Roger Hungerford met with the Medina Lions Club on Tuesday to discuss the renovation projects at the Bent’s Opera House and the former Medina High School. Hungerford was invited by Lions Club member Dave Belluci to share about the projects.

Hungerford, CEO and founder of Talis Equity, discussed “Impact Restoration,” an initiative to build on the momentum in the community and the string of recent development projects in Medina’s historic downtown district. Impact Restoration focuses on restoring buildings of community and cultural significance to positively impact the surrounding area.

Some of the current projects include the restoration of the Bent’s Opera House and the old high school in Medina. Contingent upon approvals from the state and village, the buildings will be restored and renovated, over the next 18-24 months, with intentions to bring it back to its original luster for modern day use.

This rendering shows how Bent’s will look after renovations.

Plans for the old Medina high school include adapting it into a loft community known as Mustang City. Built in 1922, the building is solid and full of unique details, including hundreds of beautiful windows, wood floors found in the classrooms and interesting staircases throughout. Mustang City presents an opportunity to build apartments with amenities currently not offered in the area.

Bent’s Opera House is remarkably well preserved and will be brought back to its original luster. While the third floor will be restored faithfully into one of the most unique wedding and event venues in New York State, the first and second floors will experience a dramatic redesign into a restaurant and modern boutique hotel space. The building next door, also included in the redesign, will be home to a market serving healthy options.

Readapting historic buildings to preserve rich history and redesigning the space into meaningful use is one aspect. The Impact Restoration developments compliment the area’s overall resurgence. Bent 360°, a component of the Bent Opera House project, spotlights interesting places and authentic experiences in a charming small town.

This is an exciting time in Medina’s story. Impact Restoration is proud to contribute to the many influences elevating the area, Hungerford told the Lions Club.

Return to top

Courtesy of John Dieter, Cub Master, Pack 35 in Medina

MEDINA – This past weekend Cub Scouts Packs 28 & 35 spent time canvasing the Village of Medina putting door hangers on every house door in the village. Scouts are asking for non-perishable food donations to benefit local food pantries for this upcoming Saturday, November 11.

This is an annual event that the BSA Scout Troops & Cub Scout Packs performs. These service projects are part of the Scouts’ rank advancement, and also teaches the Scouts to be active and involved in community service.

Village residents are asked to put the non-perishable foods in a grocery bag in a visible spot by 9 a.m. this Saturday, so the Scouts can easily pick up the food donations. Members from Boy Scout Troops 28 & 35 will be picking up the food donations and taking it to the local food pantry.

The attached picture is of Pack 35 assembling at the Company F-Troop Memorial by the YMCA where they held a flag ceremony and learned about the memorial in preparation for Veterans Day this Saturday. After the ceremony they went out to the neighborhood and handed out the door hangers.

Return to top

Julie Berry visits Medina students, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library to discuss ‘The Emperor’s Ostrich’

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Julie Berry, a Medina native, returned to her hometown on Thursday to discuss her latest children’s book, “The Emperor’s Ostrich.”

She met with Medina middle school and high school students to discuss her books and share tips on writing earlier n the day before doing a book reading and discussion at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Thursday evening. (She is pictured at Lee-Whedon reading from her latest book in the top photo.)

Berry, a 1991 Medina graduate, now lives in Los Angeles. She said she is grateful to have grown up in a small town with a demanding school district and supportive community. She said her teachers prepared her for academic rigor, and she felt the love and support of the community as a student.

“I was so fortunate to grow up here and have a childhood where I had the peacefulness of the countryside,” she said at Lee-Whedon.

Medina offered her a “world-class education” from teachers who were “phenomenal, deeply committed educators.”

Julie Berry signs copies of her books at Lee-Whedon. She is an award-winning author of youth adult literature. “The Passion of Dolssa” is a 2017 Michael L. Printz Honor title, a New York Times Notable Book and a Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

“All the Truth That’s In Me”  and “The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place” have also been recognized with prestigious awards.

“The Emperor’s Ostrich” was released in June from Roaring Brook Press. Berry said it is “light and fluffy” compared to some of her more recent works.

Julie Berry signs books for fans at Lee-Whedon, including Mila Molina of Medina, second from left.

Berry will be at Albion Central School today, leading writing workshops for students.

Berry is one of 46 authors who will be at Monroe Community College in Rochester on Saturday for the 20^th annual Rochester Children’s Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Berry discusses her latest book at Lee-Whedon. She has made several local appearances in recent years when she has a new book out.

Berry is working on a new book set during World War I. She also has written a Christmas picture book. Those two books are expected to be released in 2019.

For more on Julie Berry, click here.

Return to top

Courtesy of Brian Kozody, brother of Jennifer (Kozody) Holbrook

Jennifer Holbrook

MEDINA – The Medina Class of 1980 are keeping the memory of one of their classmates alive through a newly formed scholarship. The first Jennifer (Kozody) Holbrook Memorial Scholarship will be awarded in the spring of 2018 to a Medina graduate who is seeking higher education while conquering obstacles.

The brainchild of Kathy Ridenour, she along with classmates Debbie (Cook) Morse and Angela (VandenBosch) Waldriff wanted to keep the memory of Jennifer alive by raising money for the scholarship honoring a woman who, despite facing serious medical challenges, always kept an optimistic attitude and smile on her face.

Jennifer was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in 1979 at the end of her junior year in high school. She immediately had a splenectomy and for almost a year, she received radiation treatments. Despite her weakened state, she continued a full active high school workload. In addition to being an “A” student, Jennifer, the class vice-president, was active in the Mustang Band, the acapella choir, cheerleading, daisy chain as well as other school organizations. She also was first runner-up for homecoming queen and was the 1980 winner of the Orleans County Junior Miss pageant.

Following a brief respite, the cancer returned during her freshmen year at college at Clarion State University in Pennsylvania. This time, she received chemotherapy for a year which caused her hair to fall out and further weakening her, but again, this did not deter her. She continued her education and graduated on time.

Eventually Jennifer received a clean bill of health but her immune system was compromised due to the treatments she received over the years. She continued her education and received her master’s degree from Nazareth College and taught in the Rochester area for 25 years as a Speech Language Pathologist working mostly with children with special needs.

In 2010, Jennifer contracted meningitis, was rushed to the hospital and was given last rites. Once again, she made a miraculous recovery. Her life would take another turn a few years later as her husband, Randy, was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away last year following a two-year battle with the disease. His final weeks were at home with Jennifer providing his primary care.

On July 6^th Jennifer went into the hospital for a routine procedure. During that operation, surgeons discovered other abnormalities which needed to be addressed. During the next 40 days, Jennifer remained her optimistic self, greeting all visitors with smiles and the warmth that she exuded her whole life. She passed away on August 15^th.

“Jennifer was a teacher, a friend, a woman of great faith, a bright light to all who knew her. Never did she give in, lose hope, complain or stop smiling through her life’s journey,” Morse said. “It seems befitting someone of this much character, joy and determination would be the first to encourage a student to chase their dreams no matter what comes their way. I’m sure Jennifer would be very humbled by a scholarship in her memory, but more so happy to see a young mind given a helping hand to reach their goals.”

The committee is hoping that this scholarship will become an annual award for future Medina graduating classes. Any person or organization wishing to contribute to the scholarship may do so by sending donations to: Jennifer Kozody Holbrook Scholarship, C/O Medina Central Schools, 1 Mustang Drive, Medina, NY 14103; Attention Christine Griffin.

Checks may be made to the Medina Central School District and it is required that Jennifer Kozody Holbrook Scholarship be placed in the “for” line.

Return to top

Provided photo

MEDINA – Joey Robinson presents a check for $1,200 on Monday to Catherine Cooper, vice president of the Medina Historical Society.

Robinson led four ghost tours last month at $10 a ticket. The proceeds were turned over to the Historical Society.

He gave a history of buildings on the tour, shared ghostly encounters from people’s experiences at the sites, and also presented evidence of paranormal activity at some of the locations.

Robinson, 23, is a Medina native who is currently a University at Buffalo law student.

He and some of his friends started the Medina Area Paranormal Society.

Return to top

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Emma Lilleby, 2, of Medina and Zach Allen, 2, of Medina hold hands as they head down Main Street for Beggar’s Night. Emma was a lion with  a witch’s hat and Zach was Batman.

It was another big turnout for Beggar’s Night in downtown Medina this evening when Medina businesses handed out candy to hundreds of children.

Kathy Bogan, an attorney, dressed as the scary clown from It. Her husband Kevin Bogan, a local funeral director, wore a shirt that declared him the undertaker. Their dog, Roscoe, is a rescue dog from Puerto Rico.

Kathy Blackburn is dressed as Snow White. She is at the start of the Beggar’s Night line. Blackburn is one of the leaders of the Medina Business Association and owner of Meggie Moo’s.

Madelyn Elliott, 8, of Medina is dressed as Hamilton. She handed out candy at her parent’s business, Brushstrokes.

Rebecca Hunt wears a banana costume while handing out candy to Riley Holmes, who is dressed as Princess Poppy from the Trolls.

Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward directs traffic in the downtown during the popular Beggar’s Night.

Ely Howard enjoyed scaring people in this gorilla costume.

Sandi Beneway, 8, of Medina is Princess Leia from Star Wars and Lukin Szatkowski, 6, of Medina is a biker.

Danette Oakes (left), the owner of Filomena’s Favorites, and Linda Dennis hand out treats to kids.

Return to top

New flags will be put out in spring before Memorial Day

Provided photo from Gary Hill

MEDINA – Guy Eaton of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 204 in Medina removes flags from Boxwood Cemetery there were tattered and worn.

The Sons of the American Legion removed about 1,100 flags and retired them in a flag-burning ceremony this evening.

The Sons will put new flags out in the spring before Memorial Day.

Return to top

File photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion FFA was grand champion of last year’s Parade of Lights. Local organizations are urged to start planning their floats for this year’s parade on Nov. 25.

Press Release, Medina Parade of Lights Committee

MEDINA –  The 9^th Annual Parade of Lights is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 25, beginning at 6 p.m. Planning is well under way for this spectacular event.

Back again this year is the “Light Up Park Avenue” contest.  Residents are asked to decorate their homes along the parade route on Park Avenue. The winner receives $100 with $50 for the runner up. Committee member Kathie Valley is coordinating this project.

Also back again is the beautiful fireworks display prior to the parade. Young Explosives from Rochester will again put on a beautiful display at approximately 6 p.m.

New this year is a Community Christmas Tree in Rotary Park donated by the Decorate Medina Committee. It’s going to be amazing when our Grand Marshal throws the switch. This will take place prior to the start of the parade. There will also be music in Rotary Park compliments of Prime Time Brass from Rochester at 5:30 p.m. So come early and get your spot to see all these events.

The parade caps off a day-long Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration in the downtown business district sponsored by the Medina Business Association and the Village of Medina Tourism committee. A noon parade on Nov. 25 will welcome the arrival of Santa on Main Street..

The Parade Committee urges residents, organizations, businesses and fire companies to get their parade entry forms in to reserve their spot in the parade.

In addition to Jim Hancock, the Parade Committee includes Kathie Valley, Mark Irwin, Dave & Gail Miller, Dave Stacey, Dave and Trudi Schwert and Rienhard & Betty Rogowski.  For more information go to www.christmasinmedina.com.

Return to top

MEDINA – Firefighters from Medina delivered the third baby born this year in the back of an ambulance on Sunday morning.

Steve Miller and Daniel Scanlan delivered a baby boy at 5:38 in the morning. The ambulance was on the way to Unity hospital in Rochester. The baby’s grandmother cut the cord in the ambulance, Fire Chief Tom Lupo told the Village Board on Monday.

Each firefighter who helps deliver a baby receives a stork pin. Mike Young leads with three pins in recent years, Lupo said.

Since Medina Memorial Hospital closed its maternity wing in 2011, the fire department has been transporting women in labor to hospitals in Batavia, Lockport, Buffalo and Rochester.

The Medina Fire Department has responded to 2,301 total calls so far this year. Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said the babies are heart-warming, feel-good stories. Firefighters provide critical care in many other calls, often working with the police department, Sherman said.

Return to top

Village Board wants trucks to use Bates and Salt Works roads

MEDINA – The Village Board approved a 5-ton weight limit on village streets, a move intended to direct tractor trailers to Salt Works Road on the western end of the village and Bates Road on the east side.

The village did have some streets with 8-ton limits, but now all village streets will have a 5-ton limit for vehicles.

The board made the change on Monday, following a public hearing that drew no dissenting voices.

“Hopefully this will eliminate some of the trucks coming through the village and ruining our streets and sidewalks,” said Mayor Michael Sidari.

The weight limit does not apply to emergency vehicles or for local deliveries, Sidari said.

The board has had heard complaints from residents in recent months, especially about trucks that use Park Avenue early in the morning through the evening.

The board wants trucks to stay off Park Avenue and instead take Maple Ridge Road to Salt Works Road. From there they have access to Associated Brands and companies in the Olde Pickle Factory.

Mayor Sidari said the village has notified companies that provide GPS directions about the weight limit change. The village also wants to put up signs along the state roads, directing trucks to either Salt Works or Bates roads. Sidari said Medina will need permits from the state Department of Transportation for those signs.

Tractor trailers in the village have run over some signs and damaged curbs while making turns.

The mayor said the new laws for truck traffic will also help the Police Department better monitor the truck traffic in the village and eliminate confusion about weight limits on village streets.

(Editor’s Note: This article was updated to say emergency vehicles and local deliveries are exempt from weight limit.)

Return to top

Photos courtesy of Chris Busch

MEDINA – This photo on Sunday shows trees that have been taken down on the canal embankment by the Marshall Road canal bridge in Ridgeway.

The Canal Corp. has begun taking down many trees on the embankment in Medina. The Canal Corp. hired Mohawk Valley Materials from Utica to remove vegetation on the Canal Corp. right of way.

The company started the tree clearing in Medina and will be headed east to Fairport, trying to clear about 140 acres before the end of the year.

Sections of the towpath are closed while contractors work to clear trees.

The Canal Corp. discussed the plan on Sept. 25 during a meeting in Medina at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. The Canal Corp. won’t be touching any trees on privately owned land. The trees have roots that can burrow into the soil, going under the towpath and reaching the canal walls. That can make the canal vulnerable to leaks and weaken the walls, Canal Corp. officials said.

After brush, vegetation and some trees are removed, the land will be seeded and mowed. That will make it easier for Canal Corp. officials to do inspections of the embankments, to make sure there aren’t any leaks or problems, Canal officials said.

Some of the wood is stacked after being cut down near the Marshall Road bridge.

Chris Busch, chairman of Medina’s Tree Board, said the tree clearing is upsetting to many residents, but he supports the effort to remove trees close by the canal.

“These trees were not a managed forest,” Busch said. “They were not planned and placed so as to be in harmony with the canal bank. Albeit beautiful, they have grown wild and random, creating a danger to the stability of the canal bank.”

Busch said a canal breach – a collapsed wall – would be catastrophic with the likely flooding.

“This is the beginning of managing the plant growth along the canal bank,” Busch said. “It’s a good thing.”

Return to top

Provided photos, Medina Lions Club

MEDINA – It just keeps getting bigger. The Medina Lions Club held its annual Scarecrow Fest on Saturday at the Orleans County YMCA. An estimated 400 people came through the door and 137 scarecrows were made by the children and families.

This event was the brainchild of Lion Sherry Wheatley who works each year to gather clothes, make Scarecrow heads and get the T-posts made.

For $10 a full-size scarecrow is made from scratch. The Lions surgical teams then tie together the loose ends and deliver the scarecrows to the happy children.

The YMCA provided the space, and a bounce house for the enjoyment of the families. The Medina Lions also offered free vision screenings and food to round out the day.

The monies raised by the Lions goes to back into the community to local charities, eye glasses for those in need, school scholarships, and decorating State Street Park for the holidays.

Medina Lions Club members Bob Holtz, left, and Pete Kaiser work on a scarecrow. If you have an interest in becoming part of our Medina Lions Club, message the club on the Medina Lions Facebook page, or call 585-721-6716 for Lion Dean Bellack.

Return to top

Press Release, GCC

MEDINA – For 10 years, Genesee Community College’s Campus Center in Medina has been educating and changing lives. On Oct. 23, in recognition of this milestone, the college is hosting a public celebration on site at 11470 Maple Ridge Rd.

The Medina Campus Center will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is welcome to come meet the staff and faculty and enjoy some refreshments, and also tour the 9,000-square-foot facility and see the state-of-the-art science lab, computer lab, video-link classroom and five SMART classrooms.

At noon on Oct. 23, Associate Dean Jim Simon will kick off a commencement ceremony by introducing James M. Sunser, president of GCC. Sunser will share the story of the campus center’s establishment and speak about the critical role GCC plays today in the Orleans County community. Also in attendance will be members of the Albion and Medina Advisory Committee. The public is invited to attend the ceremony as well.

Established in 2007 in response to the significant enrollment growth at the Albion Campus Center, the Medina Campus Center became GCC’s second college location in Orleans County. Its opening propelled one of GCC’s priorities: to expand access to educational opportunities for residents in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, which encompass GCC’s designated service area.

Since its opening a decade ago, the Medina Campus Center has served more than 2,500 students in credit classes. In addition, over the last 10 years, the facility has hosted over 3,500 community members from local businesses and organizations in on-site gatherings and non-credit BEST Center courses. It has also hosted numerous community events, Civil War encampments, history lectures, summer biotech camps and art gallery displays and it was one of the many stops on the Orleans County Heritage Festival for the past two years.

“It has always been and will continue to be critical for GCC to provide college close to home through its campus centers by offering not only educational, but also cultural experiences and business development services to the communities in the GLOW region,” Simon said. “We are excited to do even more in the next ten years!”

Today, with its beautiful campus centers, high-tech environment, online learning options, as well as the friendly and dedicated staff and faculty, GCC welcomes over 25 percent of the college-bound high school graduates in Orleans County.