By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2017 at 9:13 am
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2017 at 8:20 am
Village Board also welcomes Hydrobikes in Canal, upscale dinner on closed off section of Main Street
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2017 at 10:37 pm
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.
Posted 18 June 2017 at 10:08 pm
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
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.
Photo and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band
The Medina Mustang Band participated in Gorham’s 56th annual pageant of bands on June 2-3. This pageant is particularly special to Medina because it was started by Robert Steele, father of Jim Steele, the Medina band director.
In jazz, Medina’s Jr. High and Sr. High took 1st place in their respective classes. Both Jr. High and Sr. High received recognition for Best Brass, Best Rhythm and Best Woodwind. Lacey Kenward received recognition for her trumpet solo.
In concert band, both Jr. High and Sr. High won 1st place.
Medina had a perfect score of 100 in the parade competition along with recognition for Best Drum Major and Guard, and received the overall Class Grand Champions.
This pageant concludes this season’s competitions. However, following the band banquet the music for the fall season will be distributed, practices begin and band camp is scheduled for August. Looking forward to another challenging and exciting year!
Courtesy Village of Medina: This rendering shows the Main Street façade for Gypsy’s, which is expected to open in mid-summer.
Staff Reports Posted 13 June 2017 at 11:11 am
Planning Board also supports Dog Park on Gulf Street
MEDINA – The Village of Medina Planning Board is backing projects that the board sees as a big boost to the downtown, and also the quality of life in the community.
The board met last week and approved Certificates of Appropriateness for work to be done on buildings within the Downtown Historic District. The Planning Board also functions as Medina’s Architectural & Historic Preservation Review Board.
The board approved Certificates of Appropriateness for both Fitzgibbons Public House at 429 Main Street and a new business – Gypsy’s – at 435 Main Street.
Fitzgibbons Public House requested a review of plans for a rear facade renovation which will include a new balcony.
Gypsy’s requested a review of proposed plans to renovate both the front and rear façades, with the rear façade seeing a balcony as well.
The rear façades of both buildings face the Erie Canal.
This rendering shows the back of the building for Fitzgibbons and Gypsy’s, which face the Erie Canal.
“These proposals are a game changer,” said Marty Busch, Medina’s code enforcement officer. “They are exactly the kind of changes that will cause boaters to take a second look and tie up in Medina.”
Fitzgibbons Public House opened in January as an authentic Celtic pub. The operation is run by Tony McMurtrie and Amy Cefelli.
Gypsy’s will be a “wine, coffee and dessert bar” with a second floor space for small events. The business is also run by Tony McMurtrie who plans a mid-summer opening.
The Planning Board also issued Certificates of Appropriateness to the following businesses in the Downtown Historic District:
412 Main Street for color changes
127 East Center Street for a window sign
345 Main Street for work to windows and a door.
The Planning Board also sent two items for review and action to the mayor and Village Board. They include:
Planned Residential Development – changes to the local Zoning Law to address issues related to accommodating the adaptive reuse of larger structures located within a residential area.
Proposed Dog Park – local law for the establishment and operation of a dog park in Gulf Street Park in the village.
“Communities are often ranked by the quality of life that they offer their residents,” said Chris Busch, Planning Board chairman. “We believe a dog park will offer a number of important benefits to dog owners, families and local residents, and contribute to a growing number of reasons pointing to why Medina is a desirable place to live, work and grow.”
The next Planning Board meeting has been rescheduled from the first Tuesday in July (July 4) to the second Tuesday, July 11.
Provided photo: Deputy James DeFilipps (back left), Deputy James Burke (back right) and Medina police officer Brian Marsceill (front right) are pictured with Medina 6th graders on May 19.
Posted 1 June 2017 at 10:14 am
Courtesy of Medina Central School
MEDINA – Three local police officers led a boating and water safety program on May 19 with sixth graders at the Clifford Wise Middle School.
Medina police officer Brian Marsceill teamed up with James Burke and James DeFilipps, both Marine Unit deputies with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
They presented a detailed boating and water safety assembly for Medina’s Clifford Wise Middle School 6th Graders. The program highlighted accident prevention and the importance of age appropriate Personal Flotation Devices/Life Jackets. They reminded students about the boating regulations pertaining to their age group.
Officer Marsceill showed the students how to develop a “float plan.” He insisted that a detailed float plan should be written up prior to any boating trip. It should include the names of all passengers on the boat, as well as a contact number. The plan could be used as a tool to assist authorities in locating boaters if reported missing. Float plan templates can be found online.
Deputies Burke and DeFilipps presented a hands-on demonstration to the students on how to size a PFD for themselves. They emphasized to the students that all children 12 years of age and under are required to always wear a PFD on a boat. Multiple styles of throwing lines were available for the students to view.
All three officers stressed the importance of acquiring boating certification and shared important resource information to the students. This seasonally appropriate assembly will equip these young students with safety awareness while they are around our local waters, whether fishing or boating.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2017 at 10:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Frank Berger served in the Honor Guard during today’s Memorial Day observance at State Street Park. Berger and the Honor Guard are watching the American flag be raised to start the ceremony.
A big crowd packed downtown Medina and a route that ended at State Street Park for the annual Memorial Day Parade.
A Medina police car leads the parade, followed by veterans in the Honor Guard.
These Boy Scouts head down Main Street. Many community organizations were part of the parade.
These two friends waves mini American flags. Jameson Mickley, left, is from Chicago and is visiting family in Medina. Lanie Feder, right, lives in Medina.
Hannah Sones waves to the crowd. She is headed to Girls State as a representative from Orleans County.
A group from P.raising Kids joined the parade participants.
These members of the youth baseball program tossed candy to kids along the parade route.
The Medina FFA pulled a float with an old tractor.
Mark Watts drives a 1933 fire truck that was used by the Medina Fire Department until 1972, when it was taken out of service. The truck was purchased by Joe Conley and he owned it until Watts bought it in 2007.
Devin Taylor acknowledges people in the crowd while driving an East Shelby fire truck in the parade.
Chase Mahnke and other members of the Medina Mustang Band pause on Main Street while waiting for the alumni marching band. After the alumni band passed, the students followed them on the parade route to State Street Park.
The color guard, including Danielle Schmidt (center), perform on Main Street.
The Medina Mustang Band capped off the parade.
The crowd salutes as the American flag is raised at State Street Park.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Wendy Hall Scharlau, Class 1991, joins the Medina Alumni Marching Band during today's parade that included 168 participants from 47 different classes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2017 at 4:30 pm
Joe McKain, retired Medina band director, is pictured with sisters Debbie Stack, left, and Shelly Smith.
MEDINA – They marched, played music and smiled along the parade route, getting loud applause and shouts of, “You still got it.”
The alumni members of Medina’s Marching Band were nearly 200 strong for their 50th anniversary reunion celebration, capped with a performance in Medina’s Memorial Day Parade.
Joe McKain started the program in 1967. At the time there was little money for the program, and no drums, flags or equipment – or instructors.
“Orleans County has a hub for marching bands when I was hired in 1967,” McKain said today.
Holley was a perennial state champion, and Albion and Kendall also had strong marching bands.
Medina started in 1967 with 24 kids. The band would grow to 150, and played in Washington D.C., the Kentucky Derby, Toronto, and the Indianapolis 500 track, which is 2 ½ miles. The band became a strong source of pride for the community, and remains so.
McKain joined the alumni band in the parade today. Their participation is a tribute to the program and strong ties they feel for Medina, McKain said.
The band makes its way down a packed Main Street.
McKain addressed the band before they marched down Park Avenue, through downtown on main Street and down East Center Street to State Street Park.
“Your presence here is obviously an honor to me,” he said. “But as far as I’m concerned it’s also a tribute to the program that you helped build in your own special way.”
McKain thanked the community and the students for their support of the program. He also praised the Medina Band Boosters which started in 1968 and helped take the band to new heights.
“It took years and years to build it up,” he said about the program.
Traci Phillips Culver, Class of 1987, enjoys being part of the reunion parade.
The horn section is loud and enthusiastic.
The drumline acknowledges a cheering crowd.
Jim Steele, current band director, watches the alumni band. He offered lots of applause as the group passed by on Main Street.
Julie Waters and other alumni head down East Center Street and are close to the finish at State Street Park.
The alumni band and current band (behind them) march and perform in the parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2017 at 10:46 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Thomas the Tank Engine pulls away from Medina for a 25-minute train ride today as part of the Day Out with Thomas event. Thomas spent two weekends in Medina in a visit hosted by the Medina Railroad Museum.
Thomas drew about 10,000 people to Medina for the two weekends. The train engine made his 13th stop in Medina. Thomas has 42 events this year in the United and Canada. Medina is the lone stop in New York.
Brennon Castle, 4, of Wheatfield plays at one of the activities, which includes Harold the Helicopter. This display allows kids to simulate putting coal in an engine.
Nasier Wooten, 3, of Buffalo gives Sir Topham Hat a high five.
This family poses for a photo in front of Thomas.
There was lots of Thomas merchandise for sale.
A young passenger looks out the window of the train as it heads out of Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2017 at 3:36 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Medina graduates who played in marching band are out rehearsing today for Monday’s Memorial Day Parade at 11 a.m. from downtown to State Street Park. The marching band is celebrating 50 years of competing in competitions, including many state championships.
Joe McKain was the band director in the fall of 1967.
“He took it to a whole new level,” said Alana Kozody Koneski, a 1973 graduate.
She has been helping with the reunion plans, and will be part of the band’s performance on Monday in the parade.
Greg Nellist, center, also has been working on the 50th anniversary celebration. Nellist graduated in 1975. The band was able to collect about 400 contacts of former band members. For the parade on Monday, 168 graduates have signed up to play with at least one representative from 47 graduating classes.
This will be the biggest reunion for the band. In 2005 and 2006, Nellist said smaller groups played during the homecoming football game.
Nellist would like to see the band get together for a bigger reunion every five years, with the possibility of forming a concert band that could perform during the year.
The drumline practices its music and formation int he high school parking lot and driveway this afternoon.
The band had a get-together on Friday evening at the Sacred Heart Club with about 175 people. They looked at old photographs of the band, watched videos of competitions and enjoyed some fellowship.
Today they are rehearsing for several hours before enjoying at picnic together at 3 p.m.
“Band members here share almost a spiritual connection,” Nellist said. “Once you’re a band geek, you’re always a band geek.”
Some of the band’s twirlers go over their steps during today’s rehearsal.
Alana Kozody Koneski, Class of 1973, remains a big advocate for the band.
“The band to me is one of the best organizations a child can get into,” she said. “It teaches discipline and how to work together as a unit.”
The band has stayed strong for a half century. Nellist said that is a tribute to the community, which has stayed behind the band.
Monday’s performance by the alumni band is also a chance for the band graduates to thank the community.
“They have supported us for 50 years,” Nellist said. “For as small as this community is, and for as this community is, they have always been behind us.”
Brian Kozody, a 1985 graduate, and Jim Lichtenthal, Class of 1989, enjoy today’s rehearsal for the alumni band.
Nellist, who now works as an industrial electrician, said the band has endured because it enjoyable for the kids.
“The main thing about the band is we wanted to have fun,” Nellist said. “We were no where’s near as good as the kids are today. These kids today are phenomenal.”
Buttons say the band members’ names, the year they graduated, and what instrument or role they had with the band.
Provided photo: The Medina Mustang Band traveled to New York City and New Jersey to perform in competition in the Music in the Parks Festival in Jackson, NJ.
This festival was started in 1981 and is a day-long event for students of choral, orchestral and band ensembles, held annually across the US. Music groups perform before adjudicators who rate the ensemble and then awards are issued at the end of the day.
There are many different categories in the Parks Festival, such as band, orchestra and choir. Each of these has a high school and junior high category. In parade, Medina won 1st place with a Superior rating and a score of 97. In Concert, they won 1st place with a Superior rating and a score of 95.5, competing against six other bands which came from larger schools. The jazz band took 1st place with a Superior rating and a score of 94. They competed against five other bands which also came from bigger schools.
Jim Steele, Medina band director, said the students did a great job in their performances. In addition to the competitions, the students and chaperones went sight-seeing around Midtown, took a boat tour around Manhattan and attended performances of “Wicked” and “Miss Saigon”. The chaperones are also to be commended for all of their diligence in keeping everyone on track with their busy schedule.
The next opportunity for the community to see the band perform their street show will be the Memorial Day parade on May 29th in Medina.
Provided photos: A "cannon" at State Street Park is actually British Heavy Field Gun. It is in need of rehabilitation.
Posted 21 May 2017 at 9:49 pm
Rare British artillery piece in need of rehabilitation
Press Release, Village of Medina Waterfront Development Committee
MEDINA – The day was October 3, 1935. About 300 persons gathered in what was then known as City Park to remember friends and family who served in the Great War. A cold rain fell on the crowd that day as an airplane dropped roses on the ceremony from above.
A monument had been erected through the efforts of local veterans and businessmen – a British artillery piece with a distinguished history of service on the Western Front had been procured and was prominently placed at the corner of the park.
A bronze tablet at the site bears the inscription: Erected by the James P. Clark Post of the American Legion in memory of those who lost their lives in the World War.
Every Memorial Day for over 80 years, citizens and veterans gather by the dozens at the World War I Memorial in State Street Park to remember in solemn ceremony.
Today, 80 years later, the centerpiece of this memorial is in dire need of rehabilitation and a local committee is spearheading that project.
Recently, the Village Board authorized the Village of Medina Waterfront Development Committee. The group has been meeting regularly to assess community assets along Medina’s considerable waterfront, and establish a comprehensive plan for development along the entire length within the village. The committee is chaired by Kathy Blackburn and draws its members from the village Planning Board, local businesses and organizations.
State Street Park, along with the World War I memorial, is included in that waterfront area.
“This site is one of the most hallowed, historic and important sites in our community,” said Chris Busch, member of the committee.
According to local archives, the “cannon” is a British Heavy Field Gun known as a B.L. 60 Pounder, manufactured in 1916 by Elswick Ordnance Company, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
It weighs 6 tons, is a 5 inch/127mm caliber, 21 feet in length and 6 feet in width.
The gun was originally issued to battery in France, April 1917 and fired 2,871 rounds during its first tour. It was returned to England in 1917 for repairs and reissued to battery in France, September 1918, firing an additional 1,471 rounds.
The cannon is deteriorating at State Street Park.
“The United States procured a number of these batteries from Great Britain for use with American troops when the we entered the war,” said Busch. “This gun is likely part of those ceded to the U.S. and came back with the troops as war materiel.”
There are ten known possible surviving examples: five in museums, two in the U.S., and five parks or cemeteries in the U.S., including the memorial in Medina.
“There may be others, but we’re not aware of them. This piece is reasonably rare,” said Busch.
Through the years it has come to be know by all as “the cannon in State Street Park.” It has been the backdrop of thousands of photographs and memories. More importantly, it is a place of solemn remembrance.
During a review of waterfront assets by the committee, the question of the “cannon” came up. There had been reports that is was deteriorating despite having had some repairs made nearly two decades ago.
The committee decided that expert assessment was needed. After some research, the committee reached out to Dave Seedenberg of Seed Artillery Reproduction and Restoration in Altoona, PA.
Seedenberg is an expert in the field of restoring and reproducing functioning historic artillery pieces and has been practicing his craft for over eighteen years. His work is used in reenactments as well as at historic sites such as Fort Pulaski, GA. Seed Artillery has gained a national reputation as the “go to place for those who expect perfection.”
“In this day and age, people don’t realize how significant these war memorials are,” said Seedenberg. “The BL-60 was a very important piece to the Allies and we owe it to future generations to preserve it. We cannot afford to forget our history.”
Seedenberg traveled to Medina in February with two military historians. They were keenly interested in what they found.
“It was a great pleasure to have visited this monument- this cannon is rare in our country.” Seedenberg said. “Once I saw it, I was very concerned with the corrosion and structural damage we found. This is a very heavy artillery piece and corrosion has taken its toll. There are holes in some of the structural members.”
The rehabilitation process will require the gun to be transported to Altoona and stripped down. Parts will be repaired and actually re-manufactured if necessary. The gun will be primed and painted with epoxy primer and finished to match the original WWI paint scheme. The goal is to restore the piece to withstand exposure for another one hundred years or more. The entire process will take five to six months.
The gun will then be transported back to Medina and returned to the site where improvements will be made to the concrete base and landscape. New flagpoles and an interpretive sign will be added with the possible addition of benches.
Total cost for restoration and site improvements: $40,000.
Is it worth the cost? The committee, the Mayor and the Village Board think so.
This rendering shows how the memorial site could look with about $40,000 in improvements.
“This historic and rare cannon that has been used to memorialize those who served our community and nation over the last 80 years. Its preservation will safeguard the solemn ceremony at future Memorial Day observances for generations,” said Mayor Sidari. “I urge everyone to support the Medina Waterfront Development Committee in their effort to restore the cannon at State Street Park.”
Waterfront Development Committee Chairwoman Kathy Blackburn echoed those sentiments.
“This cannon has been in the park for as long as I can remember. It’s part of Medina’s past and future,” said Blackburn.
“We owe it to future generations to keep history alive; to be able to take our children and their children to see this piece of history and learn its lessons. If we don’t care for the artifacts of our history, they will turn to dust and our heritage along with it.”
“The piece is worthy of preservation for many reasons,” said Chris Busch, Planning Board Chair and Waterfront Committee member. “It is a rare and significant piece of military history. It is of interest to tourists, history enthusiasts, military buffs and is a well-known local landmark.”
According to Busch, every Memorial Day observance has been held at this site since the memorial was erected over 80 years ago. He calls it,”a hallowed part of the fabric of our community.” As part of the elaborate annual observance, the names of those who served and passed away that year are read aloud to a silent gathering of citizens.
“We neglect our history at our own peril,” said Busch “Life becomes easy. We forget the price that has been paid by generations before us on our behalf. Memorials like this one were erected to allow generations past to speak to us of the sacrifices that have secured our future.”
Blackburn said the project will not commence until enough funds have been raised to complete it . The committee has been quietly reaching out to community members to gauge support and have found enthusiasm for the project.
“We have several incredibly generous commitments for donations from community members and organizations at this point,” Blackburn said. “Now we’re appealing to the public at large. As soon as sufficient funds have been raised, the committee will begin the restoration.”
A little over one year away will mark a significant date for the memorial: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month when the guns fell silent.
“The one-hundredth anniversary of the World War I is coming up on November 11, 2018,” said Blackburn. “We are hoping that we can have the restoration completely finished in time for Memorial Day 2018 and for Veteran’s Day 2018.”
The Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. is facilitating collection of donations for the committee’s efforts. Donations can be mailed to: Orleans Renaissance Group, PO Box 543, Medina, NY 14103 with the notation “Memorial Restoration Project”.
