Provided photos
MEDINA – Carpentry students from the Iroquois Job Corps in Shelby created a memorial bench in honor of the late Jeff Evoy, who served as Medina Central School superintendent for five years.
Evoy passed away at age 50 on June 22, 2016 after battling a serious illness.
The bench was presented on Tuesday during the Medina Board of Education meeting. The bench is in front of the district office next to the high school.
Provided photo: The elected officials from the western Orleans County municipalities are working together on a comprehensive plan and survey. Pictured, from left, include Medina Mayor Michael Sidari, Ridgeway Town Supervisor Brian Napoli and Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon. The Town of Shelby and Village of Lyndonville also are part of the effort.
Residents in Western Orleans County are urged to fill out a survey asking them to rank priorities in the community and give their views on other quality of life issues.
The towns of Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates, as well as the villages of Medina and Lyndonville are working together on a comprehensive plan for the western end of the county.
The surveys are being sent out to about 6,000 households and landowners. They are asked to complete the questionnaire by Aug. 4.
“The survey is a critical step in the update of the Western Orleans Comprehensive Plan,” said Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon, chairman of the committee responsible for revising the comprehensive plan. “It is through our stakeholders – the residents and landowners receiving the survey – that we gain insight into their values and priorities for formulating public policies affecting quality-of-life issues for the next 10 to 15 years.”
The eight-page survey seeks input on many issues, including economic development, youth programs, where people shop, views on development (heavy industrial, commercial, residential and light industrial), condition of streets and sidewalks, drug abuse in community, affordable housing, walkability of communities, public safety and many other topics.
Residents in western Orleans County were last surveyed in 2002 when a comprehensive plan for the five municipalities was prepared.
“My fellow chief elected officials and I strongly encourage all to complete and return the survey,” Simon said. “The greater the response rate, the more the results represent the entire community.”
The survey can be dropped off at any one of 17 different locations in western Orleans County, all of which are listed on the first page of the survey form. Additional survey forms can be obtained at any town or village clerk’s office in western Orleans County.
“Those who participate in the survey do so anonymously,” Simon said, “and the collective results will be presented publicly and reported in both the Comprehensive Plan and on-line.” Questions about the survey can be directed to the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development, which is assisting in the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan, at (585) 589-3198.
Provided photo
State Sen. Robert Ortt is pictured with Catherine Cooper, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, with a new automated external defibrillator (AED).
Ortt helped to fund the life-saving device by securing $5,000 for the library as part of the 2016-17 State Budget.
A defibrillator aims to prevent death from a cardiac arrest. Defibrillators shock the heart to restore a normal rhythm in individuals suffering from a heart attack or other heart irregularities.
Lee-Whedon Memorial’s defibrillator is located behind the circulation desk at the library’s front entrance. The library purchased the defibrillator to ensure public safety.
Cooper said there is an increase in the number of people visiting the library during the summer months.
Last year’s state funding was also used to implement a computer coding class and a Music for Tots program this summer.
Medina High has earned an inaugural New York State Public High School Athletic Association School of Excellence Award for having at least 75 percent of its varsity teams earn a state Scholar-Athlete Team Award.
In all 15 of Medina’s 19 varsity squads earned the Scholar-Athlete Award over the past academic year. To earn a Scholar-Athlete Team Award 75 percent of the team’s roster must have an average of at least 90.
“It’s pretty impressive,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley. “It was a pretty impressive year both academically and athletically.”
The Medina squads which earned Scholar-Athlete Team Awards include Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Field Hockey, Golf, Cross-Country and Football Cheerleading during the fall season; Girls Basketball, Girls Swimming and Boys Swimming during the winter season and Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Girls Track and Tennis during the spring season.
One other N-O school, Wilson, also earned the School of Excellence Award.
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Pedal and Paddle Medina opened at noon today in Medina, renting out Hydrobikes and kayaks.
This trio was among the first customers to use the Hydrobikes.
Victor and Heather DiGiacomo of Middleport (pictured) own the new business. They said Medina is ideal for the Hydrobikes and kayaks because of the big Canal Basin, the available docks and energy in the downtown business district.
“We think Medina has a growing social vibe,” Mr. DiGiacomo said. “We think our business complements the other activities on Main Street.”
Mrs. DiGiacomo is the former Heather Schlegel, who grew up in Medina.
The Hydrobikes and kayaks drew many onlookers to the docks in the Canal Basin.
Pedal and Paddle Medina plans to stay open until the canal closes for the boating season in mid-October. There are currently four kayaks and four Hydrobikes for rent.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Main Street was closed off last Aug. 4 for the first Farm-To-Table dinner, which included a five-course meal on Main Street. The event returns on Aug. 3.
Press Release, Orleans Renaissance Group
MEDINA – Preparations are in full swing for Medina’s second annual Farm-to-Table Dinner. The event is hosted by the Orleans Renaissance Group as part of the annual activities of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market, a Medina enterprise also sponsored by ORG.
“It’s hard to believe that nearly a year has past since our first Farm-to-Table Dinner in historic downtown Medina.” said Chris Busch, president of the Orleans Renaissance Group. “The event generated ‘Medina buzz’ from Rochester to Buffalo for weeks.”
Medina’s event delivers not only a sensational meal in a historic and memorable setting, but also a chance to see and learn firsthand how farmers and local chefs capitalize on Orleans County’s number one industry: agriculture. Medina is literally surrounded by fields and orchards brimming with agricultural bounty at this time of the year.
The fine dining experience on Main Street last August had to be expanded from 100 tickets to 137 due to the demand. This year’s event has room for 200 people.
This year’s dinner event will be held on Thursday, August 3, at 6 p.m., with a rain date on Aug. 10. Due to the demand for tickets – the event is expanding from 100 to 200 seats and the table will stretch nearly the entire length of North Main Street.
This year’s event will a few changes. In addition to a 200-seat table, arriving guests will be treated to a complimentary glass of champagne, courtesy of Fitzgibbons Public House. Their full bar will also be open for cocktails.
The dinner again will deliver a locally-sourced meal, served in the middle of Medina’s Downtown Historic District. The meal itself will be a full five-course dinner, prepared by renown Medina chef, Michael Zambito of Zambistro.
The 2017 dinner will see Chef Zambito joined by Chef Lionel Rosario of Mariachi De Oro, Medina’s popular Mexican restaurant. Mariachi De Oro has received rave reviews from area metro publications and attracts patrons from across WNY.
“Last year’s event was amazing and we are working to surpass expectations in every way,” said Cindy Robinson, chairman of the Medina Business Association. “The total experience last year was indescribable. We are going to have another epic dinner event.”
Each course prepared by Zambito and Rosario will feature pairings from Niagara Wine Trail wineries, 810 Meadworks of Medina and RG Brewery of Brockport. All ingredients will be locally sourced and farm-fresh, provided almost entirely from the vendors at Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina.
A glass of water is pictured on a table on Main Street, which the Fitzgibbons Public House in the background.
An official live music event “after-party” will be hosted by Brian and Larissa Degraw at 810 Meadworks on West Center Street in Medina.
“We are thrilled to be able to present this exceptional culinary event yet again,” said Busch. “But it’s something we could not do without our generous, community-minded sponsors.”
Corporate sponsors of the 2017 Farm to Table Dinner include Zambistro with chef Mike Zambito; PridePak Inc. with Mr. Steve Carr, CEO; and Takeform with Mr. William Hungerford, President.
Limited tickets are on sale now and are $100 each. They are available online at www.medinaalive.com; at (585) 210-9674; the English Rose Tea Shoppe, 527 Main St., Medina (585) 798-4410 and at Zambistro, 408 Main Street, Medina (585) 798-2433.
Courtesy of Orleans EDA: The 300-plus acre Medina Business Park is the largest shovel-ready business park in Western New York. The site includes land north and south on Maple Ridge Road, just west of the Bates Road intersection.
MEDINA – To take the Medina Business Park to the next level, the Orleans Economic Development Agency needs a plan for putting a turning lane on Maple Ridge Road by the park, managing wetlands, removing trees, and getting infrastructure deeper into the park.
Jim Whipple, Orleans EDA chief executive officer, said it will cost about $70,000 for a study that answers questions on the park’s 300 acres for infrastructure and other issues.
The agency, through Orleans County, will be seeking a state grant for $50,000 for the project. The County Legislature on Wednesday agreed to seek the Community Development Block Grant through the state community planning program.
The study is needed to advance bigger projects for getting water and sewer lines into the interior of the Business Park, which is the largest shovel ready site in Western New York, Whipple said.
Last year, Pride Pak opened a new vegetable processing facility at the site. A developer is looking to open a new hotel next to Pride Pak, and a Chinese company has the Medina Business Park as one of its two finalists for a project in New York, Whipple told county legislators on Wednesday.
The Medina site, with its access to low-cost hydropower and village water and sewer, is attractive for companies. The Medina Business Park is conveniently located between Buffalo and Rochester, and is also within 45 minutes of the Ontario, Canada border.
But the EDA needs a detailed blueprint for developing the site, which has parcels ranging from 5 to 125 acres.
If the state grant is approved, Whipple said the EDA and its local partners will need to chip in $20,000 for the study.
Photos by Tom Rivers: This group of graduates and instructors are pictured outside the CNC Technical Solutions Training Center on East Center Street (Route 31) in Medina following a graduation program on Monday. The event also was a celebration of the CNC business, which came to Medina in 2008 after operating the first year out of owner John Nappa’s then home in Lyndonville.
John Nappa, CEO and founder of CNC Technical Solutions, shows a four-station work site the company just patented that trains people in mechatronics.
MEDINA – John Nappa says the time is right for people to work in manufacturing. He said businesses are investing in plants with new technology. They just need employees to run the machines, and trouble-shoot and repair them.
Nappa started his career as a controls technician for Gleason Works in Rochester and then worked as an electrical engineer for American Axle in Buffalo.
He saw manufacturing evolving with “high technology exploding.” However, companies struggled to train employees.
“We have a national skills gap,” Nappa said during a graduation ceremony on Monday, where 35 people earned certifications. “The plants have been saying they need more technical people to run and repair equipment.”
Ten years ago he started the CNC Technical Solutions Training Center at his then home in Lyndonville. He moved the business to Medina nine years ago in a building that was a former church.
He has invested in the property, as well as a former warehouse next door, cleaning up a blighted area on the east side of the village.
Nappa likes the location in Medina in between Rochester and Buffalo. He also has room to grow.
He was praised by leaders of Genesee Community College, Erie Community College, and the United Auto Workers during a graduation program on Monday at CNC.
Joshua Nearhood of Creative Food Ingredients is congratulated for completing the Phase 1 course in mechatronics taught at CNC Technical Solutions in Medina.
Nappa and his company of 20 employees train people in “mechatronics” – a combination of mechanical knowhow and electronics.
Very reputable companies in Western New York are sending employees to CNC in Medina, where they attend eight-hour classes once a week over 17 weeks. The graduates on Monday included workers from Ford Motor Company, United Steelworkers, Perry’s Ice Cream, Derrick Corporation, Rosina Food Products, Liberty Pumps, Bouduelle USA, Chassix Automotive, and several others, including nearby Brunner in Medina.
Nappa and his team have created a course where students have to practice the theories they are learning in the textbook. CNC on Friday filed a patent for a four-station mechatronics factory simulation system. Nappa is being wooed by other areas to run similar training programs.
“We are blown away by the quality of education here,” said Dr. Kathleen Schiefen, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs for GCC.
The college is signing an agreement with CNC where students can use the class towards college credits.
“They are training the manufacturing technicians of tomorrow,” she said. “It’s a magnificent way to do education.”
Kelly Kiebala, director of the Job Development Agency in Orleans County, welcomes graduates and officials to the ceremony on Monday CNC Technical Solutions. Job Development also is partnering with CNC for job training services.
Erie Community College also praising Nappa and CNC. ECC has referred 75 students to CNC since 2013, said Dr. Richard Washousky, the provost and executive VP for academic affairs at ECC.
“We’ve been receiving great feedback from all of the companies,” Washousky said about the program at CNC.
The community college leaders also commended the state for providing Workforce Development funding for the program.
State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, said the state should be investing in workforce training, especially for the manufacturing sector.
“These kinds of programs are so important to the future of our state and country,” Ortt said.
State Sen. Rob Ortt said businesses need more skilled technicians and labor for manufacturing to thrive in the state and country.
The state needs more businesses that “make things,” Ortt said. And those companies need employees with the right skill set.
Nappa said the vocational trades are in demand, and those workers can often start right out of high school and good-paying jobs without the burden of crushing student debt.
“Millions of good jobs exist for people willing to learn technical skills,” Nappa said.
Joseph Tomlinson, the apprenticeship coordinator for the UAW at Ford Motor Company, said the Ford employees trained by CNC do very well on the tests at Ford in Detroit.
He said the CNC system has employees mastering core competencies, even in electronics and mechanics aren’t in their background.
He said CNC has an important role in the region’s and country’s future by training people to excel in manufacturing.
“This country – the only way it will survive – is to start building things again,” Tomlinson said.
Joseph Tomlinson, the apprenticeship coordinator for the UAW at Ford Motor Company, said companies are putting more resources into training employees to run manufacturing sites that are becoming increasingly high-tech.
Photos courtesy of the WNY Railway Historical Society
MEDINA – Friends, family and railroad buffs gave Marty Phelps a final sendoff and salute on Sunday with a train ride from Lockport to Brockport, and then a ceremony at the Medina Railroad Museum, which Phelps opened in 1997.
Phelps served as the museum’s director and a dynamic leader for two decades. He passed away at age 75 on April 25.
On Sunday his ashes were on the train ride, which included about 250 people.
The Honor Guard carries Phelps’ ashes and an American flag for the man who was a United States Army veteran with the 4th Armored Division. He also worked as a firefighter for the City of Batavia. In his “retirement,” he developed the Medina Railroad Museum.
The museum created this display to help honor Phelps, who worked six years with long days, sanding and painting inside the building, often past midnight before the museum opened. He put his collection of railroad souvenirs and memorabilia, as well as a stash of firefighter helmets and gear, into the structure, which is longer than a football field. On April 17, 1997, he opened the doors of the museum.
People are lined up to sign the guest book in honor of Marty Phelps.
A banner – “Marty Phelps Memorial Train” – hangs on the train. Genesee Valley Transportation provided the engines and crew for free for Sunday’s memorial train ride.
The train is shown on its trip from Lockport to Brockport, and back to Lockport on Sunday.
MEDINA – Village officials are considering restricting access to the compost site at North Gravel Road after a brush fire on Thursday took two days to fully put out.
Residents have been welcome to drop off brush at the compost site. But Fire Chief Tom Lupo said the fire showed people are discarding garbage, tires, railroad ties, roofing materials and other debris, which proved challenging to put out once they caught fire.
Lupo said it looks like “spontaneous combustion” caused the fire on Thursday.
The compost site is currently wide open without a fence. The village could fence it in, or limit it to village residents. Many town residents currently discard brush there.
The site is only supposed to be used for brush, but some people have been using it as a dumping ground.
Mayor Michael Sidari said the village needs to discuss restrictions for the site.
“It’s something to think about for how we want to deal with this,” he told the Village Board on Monday.
Photo by Tom Rivers: A section of Main Street was closed last August for an upscale dinner, which was a fundraiser for the Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The dinner will return on Aug. 3.
MEDINA – The Village Board voted to make the alley off Main Street by Mark’s Pizzeria a one-way street.
The board voted unanimously on Monday following a public hearing. The board said making the alley, officially known as Proile Alley, as a one-way street will improve safety for pedestrians and motorists.
The alley will be one-way going east, or from Main Street towards the municipal parking lot. Mark’s Pizzeria is on the north side of the alley and the Medina Theater is on the south side.
It may take a week or two weeks before signage is out and the state is notified of the change.
In other action on Monday:
• The board voted to allow an A-frame sign for a new business, Pedal and Paddle Medina, which will have four Hydrobikes and four kayaks for rent in the Erie Canal Basin beginning on July 6.
The board also agreed to allow a designated parking spot in the municipal lot for the business’s owner, which has a trailer with the kayaks and Hydrobikes.
• The board set a public hearing for 7 p.m. on July 24 for a proposed dog park ordinance. That ordinance would allow Medina to establish a dog park at Gulf Street Park.
Mayor Mike Sidari said residents will need to help with creating the park and moving it forward.
• The board also is looking to establish “Planned Residential Development” zoning in case there is redevelopment of the old Medina High School and the Sacred Heart church complex. The zoning would allow for adaptive reuse of larger structures located within a residential area.
Medina is looking to establish a “floating zoning classification” for the two sites, which means the zoning wouldn’t be designated unless a project to repurpose the large buildings became a reality.
The board voted to send the zoning proposal to the Orleans County Planning Board for its review.
• Police Chief Chad Kenward informed the board that two police officers – Michael Forgione and Brian Marsceill – have resigned to join other law enforcement agencies.
Forgione is headed to the Gates Police Department and Marsceill is joining the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. Kenward said Gates has a starting salary about $20,000 more than Medina, while the Sheriff’s Office has a better pension program.
Marsceill’s resignation letter thanked Kenward for his leadership at the police department and the village for the opportunity to work in Medina.
The board authorized Kenward to pursue filling the two vacancies.
The board also authorized Kenward to pursue a federal COPS grant that pay most of the salary for a new officer over four years. That application is due July 10.
• The board agreed to close off a section of Main Street, between Center and Pearl streets, on Aug. 3 for the second Farm-to-Table dinner.
The Orleans Renaissance Group is planning the event, which debuted last year with 137 people enjoying the five-course meal.
The ORG hoped for 100 last year, but demand pushed the total to 137. This time, ORG is making 200 tickets available.
The section of Main Street will be blocked off from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 10 is the rain date.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Catherine “Connie” Caldwell accepts a Purple Heart earned by her brother, Baptist John “Buddy” Massar. Curtis Schultz, a chief warrant officer based at Fort Drum, presented the medal today at the VFW in Medina. Several veterans attended the presentation.
Baptist John “Buddy” Massar is pictured in his military uniform. His name is inscribed in the Wall of the Missing in the American Cemetery in the Netherlands.
MEDINA – For the past several years, Catherine “Connie” Caldwell wrote letters to Congressmen and Veterans officials, seeking her brother’s medals from when he served in World War II.
She never got a response until recently.
Caldwell’s brother, Baptist John “Buddy” Massar, went missing in Germany on April 7, 1945. He is believed to have been killed in action. His remains have never been recovered.
Caldwell, 90, said her parents spent many years after the war, hopeful her brother would return.
“My parents always thought that the knock at the door would be Buddy and he’d be home,” Caldwell said.
The family accepted his loss. But Caldwell wanted his medals.
Today she received her brother’s Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals. They were presented to Caldwell by Curtis Schultz, a chief warrant officer based at Fort Drum in Watertown.
“I’ve tried and tried every year,” she said.
Catherine “Connie” Caldwell thanked local veterans for attending a presentation today at the VFW in Medina, when she received her brother’s long overdue medals.
Caldwell reached out to Fort Drum earlier this year, and the base secured Massar’s medals. Besides the two prestigious awards today, the family last week’s received these medals for Massar: Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation & Oak Leak Cluster (large), American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Star attachment (single) & Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Belgian Fourragere, Netherlands Orange Lanyard.
Massar would be 97 if he were alive today. He was born Nov. 29, 1919. Thanksgiving was difficult for the family for many years after Massar’s went missing, Caldwell said.
She said her brother was quiet – “He was such a nice guy.” Buddy’s laid-back manner was a contrast to another brother, the boisterous Joe. Massar also had three sisters, Isabelle, Mary and Connie. (Connie is the lone surviving sibling.)
Buddy graduated from Medina High School in 1937, and attended Bryant and Stratton for two years, learning accounting. He enlisted in the Army on Feb. 6, 1941 and was deployed overseas in December 1942.
LuAnn Howe, right, is Buddy Massar’s niece. She shared his background and service history during today’s presentation at the VFW in Medina.
In September 1944 he was transferred to the A Company 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Buddy Massar crossed the Rhine River in an attack at Holdorf, Germany, his niece LuAnn Howe shared today.
The company withdrew to the other side of the river, but Massar was missing. The squad leader searched for Massar but had to leave due to enemy fire. A more thorough search was conducted but Massar wasn’t found. He was declared missing in action on April 8, 1946.
Caldwell, Howe and Massar’s nephew Jack Massar all submitted DNA samples earlier this year to Army Mortuary Affairs in the hopes there would be a match with Massar’s remains. That hasn’t happened yet.
Caldwell said she was grateful to have her brother’s medals.
Howe said the medals give the family some closure.
Press Release, Medina Waterfront Development Committee
MEDINA – When conjuring up a nostalgic “Norman Rockwell” picture of small-town America, one of the most iconic images that come to mind is the picturesque village park and the old bandstand.
They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Often nestled under stately trees on the village green or central park, they are gathering places for the community; a place where memories are made.
Citizens assemble to hear musical performances and public speeches or stop by for a shaded place to rest and watch the world go by.
State Street Park – “City Park” as it was once known – has long been that gathering place for the Medina community with one exception – no bandstand.
But that’s about to change.
As part of its ongoing review of Medina’s waterfront, the village Waterfront Development Committee has taken a keen interest in a short-list of “doable” projects that can be readily accomplished in the short term.
On that “short list” are projects in State Street Park. In addition to their efforts to rehabilitate the World War I Memorial cannon, the committee has been cultivating plans to develop the north end of the park, adjacent to the canal. Working with the Orleans Renaissance Group, the Mayor & Village Board of Trustees, Village Tree Board, Village DPW & Building Dept., Iroquois Job Corps and others, those plans are now coming to fruition.
“The north end of the park is really a beautiful and spacious area,” said Kathy Blackburn, chairperson of the committee. “It is an idyllic setting to develop as a community gathering space on the Erie Canal.”
Sugar maple, elm and cherry trees were planted at the site in 2016 in anticipation of adding a bandstand. Other site improvements will be made as funds become available.
“Once the site has been fully developed, it will be beautiful- something Medina is going to be very proud of,” said Blackburn. “The bandstand will be a multi-purpose venue, able to be used for a variety of events.”
Two years ago, The Orleans Renaissance Group began exploring the possibility of erecting a bandstand structure in State Street Park that could be used as a summer music venue and as a place to host outdoor movies. With the formation of the Waterfront Development Committee, the project has gained some steam.
“The structure will actually be much more than a traditional bandstand,” said Blackburn. “It will be a 20′ x 24′ timber frame pavilion with a raised concrete floor; a one-of-a-kind custom made in Ellington, Connecticut. With authentic post and beam construction, and timbers connected using mortise and tenon joinery, it will have a very historic look. It will definitely make a statement.”
One group that is very excited about the possibilities that come with such a structure is ORG.
“One of the things missing in terms of our ability to offer a wider variety of music events is a suitable summer venue for a blues concert series or film series,” said Cindy Robinson, secretary of ORG and president of the Medina Business Association. “We’ve been able to host many great concert events of a more classic style, but this will open up many new possibilities for us.”
According to Robinson, one of those possibilities is a family-friendly film series of kid-classics.
“We envision family movie nights in the park with some great classic kid films. We’re very excited about that.” Other possibilities being explored by ORG are summer concert series.
“We’ve been looking at the model used in Lewiston for some time,” said Chris Busch, president of ORG. “‘Blue Mondays’ in Lewiston’s Hennepin Park have been a community staple for years. They are very popular and are very successful. We’ve wanted to host a similar series for sometime now, but without a suitable venue we’ve been stymied. This new site will change that.”
Blue Mondays are sponsored by the Lewiston Council on the Arts and occur every Monday in July from 7-9 p.m. in Lewiston’s Hennipen Park and are free to the public.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari added some “big picture” perspective to the park improvements.
“We’re seeing a great deal of positive resurgence across several areas of the village – within the business district, home sales in our neighborhoods and with industry expressing interest in either locating here or expanding current operations,” said Sidari. “The addition of these kind of amenities to our parks are part of that positive resurgence that improves the quality of life for all residents and makes Medina an attractive place to live and invest.”
According to Blackburn, the lion’s share of the funding for this project is in place, but additional community support is both welcome and needed.
“As the mayor said, there are many great things are happening in Medina,” said Kathy Blackburn. “But none of them have just ‘happened’- they happen because good people who care about their community make them happen. The projects we are working on need your support!”
Blackburn states the timeline for construction is late summer of this year.
Anyone wishing to support the construction of the bandstand may do so by sending a donation to the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc., PO Box 543, Medina, NY with the notation “bandstand project”.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Medina Marching Band heads down Main Street during the Memorial Day Parade last month.
Press Release, Medina Mustang Band
MEDINA – The 46th annual Medina Mustang Band Banquet & Awards ceremony was held Friday at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
It was an evening of awards and reflection on the many accomplishments in the 2016-2017 school year. Special guests included Kevin Lasky, Assistant High School Principal; Wendi Pencille, BOE President; the Evoy family and Jonathan Seiler, founder of the Steele Family award.
Also present were three members of our local VFW organizations – Fred Heschke, Glenn Whitmore and Dave Kazmerzak. These gentlemen gave recognition to the band and its support of the community, along with an award to Kyla Leno and Abby Griffin for playing taps at the Memorial Day ceremony.
The Booster organization was credited for their continued dedication and commitment to the band. Outgoing officers were recognized and thanked for their help as well as the incoming officers.
Instructional staff were recognized: Drill & Marching – Jeanette Sheliga; Color Guard instructors – Katie Granchelli ; Percussion Instructors – Jeff Pask & TJ Gray; Pit instructors – Terry Steele & Dave Stacey; Color Guard Design & Instruction – Vinnie Monacelli & Kristen Costa; Assistant Band Director – Becky Botsford; Assistant Band Director & Color Guard instructor – Diana Baker. Other staff who were not in attendance but credited for their work were Jerry Kelsey & Joe Organisciak – Music Arrangers; Joe Guadagnino & Brian King -Percussion instructors and Robin Wills – Visual instructor.
The band had a busy parade schedule, including Memorial Day in Medina.
The Harry L. Dinkle Award was established to recognize someone who is not a Booster Officer but who volunteers a great deal of personal time & effort to the program. This year’s recipients are Alan Bilicki & Doug Waild.
The Evoy family established a scholarship in memory of the late Jeff Evoy, our former superintendent and staunch supporter of the band program. This year’s scholarship was given to Kristian Snyder.
The NYS Field Band Conference Scholarship was given to Madison Holland. The Mustang Band Service Scholarship was established in honor of past boosters & donations were made in memory of deceased boosters. This year’s recipient is Victoria Schicker.
The Mustang Band Booster Memorial Scholarship was given to Kyla Leno. The Steele Family Award was established in January 2016 by Jonathan Seiler (Mrs. Steele’s brother) and is given to a Senior who has given their best throughout the year for the betterment of the program. This year’s recipient is Abby Griffin.
The Joseph C. McKain award is given to a Junior and a Senior in recognition of their dedication & commitment to the band. This year’s recipients are Devin Hogan (a Junior) and Kyla Leno (a Senior).
The band heads up East Center Street on the way to State Street Park during Memorial Day.
The Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award was started in 1968 in honor of a man who was a bus driver and always involved with the band. This year’s recipients are Madison Holland, Kyla Leno and Jadiel Flores Medina and their names will be engraved on the plaque that hangs in the band room.
Recognition was given to the Winter Guard program. The Cadet Guard consisting of 23 students performed their show entitled “There’s No Place I’d Rather Be” by the Pentatonix. They placed 2nd & received a silver medal at the Championships on April 2nd. The Varsity WG performed in the Scholastic A class & their show was “Framed”. At Championships they placed 2nd & received a silver medal. Congratulations went out to Vinnie Monacelli, Kristen Costa & Diana Baker for their hard work & commitment to this season. Special thanks go out to the boosters led by Sean Callard who designed, made & hauled the guard props all season.
The NYSSMA Solo Festival was held in May at the Lewiston-Porter Central School. A number of Middle & High school students participated. Overall they achieved scores ranging from Excellent, Outstanding, A and A-.
Outstanding Band Member Awards were given in 3 categories. Outstanding Rookie went to Ben Griffin (brass), Victoria Potter (woodwind), Margaret Klotzback (percussion) & Destiny Jones (guard). Most Improved went to Erin Dunham, Bryce Quintern, August Pietrafesa & Izabella Zimmer. Most Valuable went to Kyla Leno, Brigid Keller, Ben Zakes & Grace Fuller.
Director’s Awards given by Mr. Steele to Kylie Hinman; given by Mrs. Botsford to Emory Seefeldt; given by Ms. Baker to MdKenna Callard.
Attendance Awards are given to students who have perfect attendance in Fall, Spring & both. Service Awards were given to students who had between 1 to 13 seasons of participation in the program. Graduating Seniors are given thei medallions.
The Junior Prologue was given by Shelby Green and the Senior Epilogue by Madison Holland. A slide show of the year’s events was prepared by Joe & Katie Granchelli and many parents who submitted pictures.
provided photo: The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 2017-2018 student staff (included in this photo).
Drum Major – Shelby Green
Assistant DM – Brigid Keller & Madison Kenward
Head of Percussion – Jacob Houseman
Color Guard Captain – Kaela Grosslinger
Flute Section Leaders – Kaitlin Washbon & Sarah Cochrane
Clarinet Section Leader- Brianna Meyers
Saxaphone Section Leader – Alyssa Beyer
Mellophone Section Leader – Madison Kenward
Trumpet Section Leader – Toby Kiebala
Trombone/ Baritone Section Leader -Kody Leno
Tuba Section Leader – JP Pietrafesa
Front Ensemble Section Leaders -Grace Masse & Devin Hogan
Head Band Manager – Ben Zakes
Band Managers – Shelby Martin, Jada Draper, Ray Paull, Jessica Granchelli
Attendance Officer – Kali Schrader
Uniform Manager -Maise Griffin & Libby Cook
Secretary/Librarian – Emma Baldwin &Devin Hogan
ColorGuard Managers -Erin Dietz, Alyssa McMullen, Talishiona Feitshans & Avery Vanderwerf
Assistant Guard Captain – Laura Washak
The Fall 2017 show is “With Every Heartbeat” which explores the use of music to portray the different paces of our heartbeat and how that changes with music’s intensity & calmness. While the school year is coming to a close, the Fall competitive season begins with the 1st rehearsal on June 21 and the distribution of music at that time.
File photo by Tom Rivers: The lift bridge in medina is pictured in the background of this photo that shows The Big Apple, a sculpture by Richard Bannister.
Press Release, NYS Canal Corporation
MEDINA—The New York State Canal Corporation announced today the Medina lift bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic from July 10-28.
The Canal Corporation is scheduled to make repairs and do maintenance on the bridge lifting system.
The pedestrian walkways will remain open during these repairs, except for a brief time after the bridge is first placed in the raised position. The pedestrian walkways will not be handicap accessible during the scheduled work period.
During the Medina project, a signed detour for vehicles will be posted utilizing Route 31E (West Center Street and State Street), North Main Street and Route 104 (Ridge Road).
Motorists using the detour routes are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly and leave extra time for travel. In addition, travelers should always remain alert and aware of their surroundings. This work will not affect navigation on the Canal System or the Canalway Trail.
