Medina

Tattoo business celebrates move to bigger site on Main Street in Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers: Shawn Ramsey, owner of the Canalside Tattoo Company, is pictured inside the new location for his business. He had a grand opening today at the site of the former Curvin’s News, 540 Main St.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2017 at 7:04 pm

MEDINA – Shawn Ramsey, 41, took a chance on his hometown in 2015.

After two decades in Pittsburgh, he came home to open Canalside Tattoo Company on East Center Street. It proved popular. In March, he moved to a bigger location on Main Street at the former Curvin’s News.

Ramsey has a degree from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He started his career with a sign company and then worked in web design and software development. For the past 12 years, he has also been a tattoo artist.

“The quality has gone up exponentially,” Ramsey said about tattoos in general. “It has become more artwork. The colors and quality last better. There are better tattoo machines, and needles and pigments.”

Ramsey has seen a surge in the general public’s acceptance, even embrace of tattoos.

“The culture has made them more popular,” he said. “The 20-somethings are looking for more ways to individualize themselves and set themselves apart.”

Ramsey, center, has added two tattoo artists to Canalside Tattoo Company: Tyler Vercruysse, left, and Joshua Schutrum

Ramsey moved the business from a 750-square-foot spot to 2,500 square feet. He also added two tattoo artists – Tyler Vercruysse and Joshua Schutrum.

Ramsey was the lone tattoo artist in the business but added the two because of demand. The business starting next week will also be open seven days a week.

“The visibility of Main Street is second to none,” Ramsey said.

Canalside Tattoo also sells body jewelry, apparel (shirts and socks), and stickers.

Today’s grand opening celebration included Medina’s “Worst Tattoo Contest.” Ramsey had judges consider the worst tattoos, and prizes went towards helping to remove the unwanted tattoos, which typically included the name of a former significant other.

A panel of judges deemed the worst tattoos in a special grand opening contest at Canalside Tattoo’s new location. The judges pictured include, from left: Jeremy Hogan, owner of O’Briens; Mike LaVoice, co-owner of Into the Enigma; Nick D’Angelo, owner of Ink & Style Tattoo & Salon in Lockport; and J.J. Heideman, owner of BAD-AsH-BBQ.

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Thomas proves popular, bringing several thousand visitors to Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2017 at 5:23 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Thomas the Tank Engine has brought thousands of people to Medina this weekend to see the popular train that is much loved by young children.

This photo shows the crowd of people in front of the train by the Medina Railroad Museum on West Avenue. Thomas will be back next weekend as well.

About 10,000 to 12,000 riders are expected to take 25-minute train ride on Thomas.

The train engine is making his 13th stop in Medina. Thomas has 42 events this year in the United and Canada. Medina is the lone stop in New York.

Jameson Cooper, 2, of Buffalo plays with a toy train on the railroad tracks. His parents said they had a lot of fun riding the big train.

Brody George, 18, of Clarence, left, and Cody Catlin, 18, of Carlton are both serving as safety conductors for the train rides.

A section of West Avenue is blocked off near the museum grounds.

Claire Zgaljardic of Orchard Park holds her son Ryan, 2, while he waves to Thomas as the train leaves for a short trip down the railroad tracks.

Gary Lamar of Shelby worked his way through a maze with his grandson Benjamin Strife, 3, of Sanborn.

Rick Hughes, a member of the Medina Lions Club, cooks hot dogs and hamburgers at the food booth run by the Lions Club. His daughter Gracie (left), 14, also is helping.

Many of the families stopped inside the railroad museum.

The museum has a 204-foot-long model train layout, which includes this scene of the Erie Canal in its early days. The HO scale layout is one of the largest in the nation.

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Thomas the Tank Engine expected to draw 10,000-plus to Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2017 at 2:56 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Thomas the Tank Engine is covered up today behind the Olde Pickle Factory in Medina.

He will be busy the next two weekends in Medina, with 10,000 to 12,000 riders expected to take 25-minute train rides on Thomas.

The train engine is making his 13th stop in Medina. Thomas has 42 events this year in the United and Canada. Medina is the lone stop in New York. Thomas is hosted by the Medina Railroad Museum, and many activities are planned on May 20-21, and May 27-28.

In addition to riding the train, there is an imagination station at the Railroad Museum with crafts, photo opportunities, giveaways, storytelling and other live entertainment.

Thomas the Tank Engine is pictured in May 2015, when the train drew big crowds of children and families to Medina.

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Albion, Medina school budgets easily pass

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2017 at 8:40 pm

Wadhams and Harling elected in Albion, while Keppler, Pawlaczyk and Sevenski elected in Medina

The school budgets in Albion and Medina received wide support in budget votes today.

• ALBION – The district’s $34,796,676 budget passed 526 to 123. The budget includes a 1.4 percent tax increase, only the second time school taxes are going up in last 11 years.

Voters elected retired teacher Wayne Wadhams, 513 votes, and Kathy Harling, 491 votes, to five-year terms. Marlene Seielstad wasn’t re-elected. She received 211 votes.

A proposition for $460,000 for bus purchases passed, 559 to 91, and a proposition to collect $687,211 for Hoag Library was approved, 469 to 177.

• MEDINA – The proposed $36,620,793 budget received 91.2 percent support, 423 to 41. The budget reduces taxes by 0.22 percent, down from $8,660,915 to $8,641,861, or $19,054 less in taxes.

The district has steadily been reducing taxes in recent years. The 2013-14 budget had a $9,135,636 tax levy. Medina has now reduced school taxes by $493,775 in four years, a 5.4 percent decrease.

A proposal to reduce the size of the Board of Education from 9 to 7 seats passed, 259 to 198. The board will remain at nine seats in the 2017-18 school year, with the reduction taking effect beginning July 1, 2018.

Four ran for three open seats. The following were elected: Bill Keppler, 329; Arlene Pawlaczyk, 299; and Dave Sevenski, 292 votes. Mary Hare received 267 votes.

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Kendall, Medina make U.S. News list of top high schools

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2017 at 5:17 pm

Kendall and Medina both earned “Silver Medals” and made the list of high-performing high schools in the latest ranking by U.S. News and World Report.

The news publication posted its annual ranking of the 22,000 high schools in the country, and Kendall placed 2,295th and Medina 2,468th, which puts them near the top 10 percent.

In New York, Kendall was ranked 181st and Medina, 195th. The U.S. News’ Best High Schools List is compiled by first analyzing how well students performed on qualifying high school state assessments such as Regents Exams in Algebra 1 and ELA.

The high schools identified as over performing were then ranked nationally in terms of college readiness, using participation and success in the Advanced Placement program. U.S. News then awarded more than 6,040 gold, silver, and bronze medals to the top-performing schools.

“This is great validation at how well our staff does in preparing our students for post-secondary education and careers,” said Mark Kruzynski, the Medina school district superintendent. “We are very proud to once again receive this honor and be able to recognize the dedication of our students, staff and the community to make Medina High School one of the best high schools in the country. This award is truly an achievement that the entire district can celebrate, as the success we have in the high school builds upon the foundations our students have received at Oak Orchard and Clifford Wise Intermediate Middle School. Congratulations to the entire Medina Central School District.”

Kendall is also a repeat winner.

“This honor respects the hard work and commitment by the entire staff and community of Kendall,” Julie Christensen, Kendall Central School superintendent, said when Kendall was recognized last year.

To see the breakdowns, visit www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools.

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After Gary Withey had a heart attack, his family gave his home an extreme makeover

Photos by Tom Rivers: Gary Withey is back home in Medina after having a heart attack on April 1. After recuperating at his brother and sister-in-law's in Albion for more than a month, Withey came home to a house that was repainted inside, with new carpet and many new furnishings. Withey is pictured with a family portrait that shows him with his late wife Denise, and their daughters, Allyson and Kelsie.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2017 at 11:22 pm

MEDINA – After a difficult six weeks, following a triple-bypass for a heart attack on April 1, Gary Withey came home on Friday. His house on East Center Street had an extreme makeover, courtesy of Withey’s family. They repainted rooms, put down new carpet, cleared out some extra belongings and added some new furnishings.Withey was caught off guard. Today there was a welcome home celebration, and many of his friends, including bandmates, were there for the party.

When Withey’s sister, Barb Withey Williams, heard her brother had been taken by Mercy Flight on April 1, she drove up from Florida. She hasn’t left, spending about six weeks working on his house.

His sister-in-law, Debbie Withey, devoting about 80 hours a week on the house. She said her brother-in-law has spent a lifetime giving to others.

“He’s a wonderful guy,” said Debbie Withey. “Do you know how many in this community love him? He would give you the shirt off of his back.”

Gary Withey, back row center, is pictured with his family outside his Medina home this evening. The group includes, front row, from left: Debbie Withey (married to Kurt), Kathy Sharp, Barb Withey Williams and Mary Beth Withey (married to Carl). Back row: Georgia Withey (married to Eric), and the Withey brothers, Eric, Gary, Kurt and Carl.

Withey is a well-known local musician who owned Fischer’s Newsstand in Albion for more than 20 years until the business closed on April 30, 2015. His wife was also well-liked. She was often at Fischer’s and worked in community relations for the Arc of Orleans. Denise battled a kidney disease and died on Feb. 27, 2015.

She and Gary married on Aug. 1, 1987 and have two grown daughters, Allyson and Kelsie.

After his wife’s death, Withey had a new roof put on the house, replaced the furnace and fixed up a bathroom. But he didn’t have enough money for more renovations. He admitted he felt overwhelmed with the house.

His family, led by sister Barb and sister-in-law Debbie, decided to take charge and give the house a makeover.

“We did it because we love him,” Debbie said. “The road has been bumpy for him. He needs it.”

Photo courtesy of Wayne Litchfield: Gary Withey plays the keyboards during a jam session this evening with some of his fellow musicians. Withey plays in three bands, as well as the worship band at the Albion Free Methodist Church.

Withey was home on April 1 after working that day as an aide at he Orleans-Niagara BOCES. It was late afternoon when he knew something was wrong. He was sweating profusely, and passed out twice in the upstairs of his home.

Withey tried to stay calm, and made it downstairs to his phone. A friend called, and Withey said he wasn’t feeling right. Then he slumped to the floor, and called 911.

He was having a heart attack. Medina Memorial Hospital gave him a clot buster so he was in good enough shape to fly by helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Withey praised the local hospital.

“I will credit Medina Memorial for saving my life,” Withey said.

He spent a week in the Rochester hospital and then about five weeks staying with his brother Kurt and sister-in-law Debbie in Albion. He praised the care from his family.

Gary Withey was happy to have some many friends and family over at his home today.

While in the hospital he was also diagnosed with stage 3 of a kidney disease. Withey changed to a strict low-potassium diet the past six weeks, and has been out walking and exercising.

Today, doctors told him there are no signs of the kidney disease.

“They are calling it a miracle,” he said.

He also returned to driving two weeks ago and is scheduled to return to work on June 5.

His sister, Barbara Withey Williams, is thankful her brother survived the heart attack. The family grew closer the past six weeks, even when they were painting or putting down carpet in his house.

Williams lives near Tampa. She is amazed how everyone seems to know her brother in Medina.

“Gary is like a little kid who is always smiling,” his sister said. “He always seems to bounce back no matter what happens to him. We just wanted to show him that we love him. We want him to live in a nice, cheerful environment.”

Withey is a big Boston Bruins fan, and his family made him a hockey room.

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Medina Scholarship Fund gives out $6,000 annually; welcomes donations

Posted 10 May 2017 at 9:18 am

Provided photo: Anna Blount (center) receives her check from committee members Kathie Valley and Pat Bellucci. Anna is a student at Kent State University who plans to graduate in 2019 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Media Studies. Anna won a partial scholarship for the fall of 2017 to study abroad at Kent State’s Florence, Italy Fashion School for Tech and Design. In the spring she will attend Kent’s New York City Fashion Studio.

Press Release, Medina Scholarship Fund

MEDINA – The 2017 school year is soon coming to an end and the Medina High School Honor’s Convocation is just a few weeks away.

It is a time to honor Medina students for their hard work and dedication. The Medina Scholarship Fund would like to thank our generous donors for their support. Without them the Medina Scholarship Fund would not be able to help so many college-bound seniors.

The Medina Scholarship Fund is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 by a group of business, school, and community representatives. Its purpose is to increase opportunities for MHS students to receive a post-high school education.

A local committee determines the scholarship recipients. Applications are evaluated anonymously. The focus is on financial need, class placement, extracurricular and volunteer activities. The Fund awards approximately $6,000 in scholarships annually and contributes $500 to the school’s Presidential Scholarship.

At present, this fund is supplemented by an annual mailing, soliciting donations. Local donors receive a tax deduction and memorials are encouraged.

To make a donation please mail your tax deductible check to: Medina Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 185, Medina , NY 14103.

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200 from Medina school spend afternoon doing service projects

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 May 2017 at 5:26 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Kathy Allen, a Medina math and English teacher, and eighth-grader Bobbie Evers paint over graffiti under the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge in the village this afternoon.

There were 145 students and 55 teachers/staff members doing service projects in the community and at the school campus this afternoon. The district had an early release day, and the students tackled the projects as volunteers in “Mustangs Make An Impact Day.” This is the third year the school has run the community service projects. The supplies were donated by local businesses and community members.

Students and teachers also worked at village parks, Boxwood Cemetery, the Medina Historical Society and at the school grounds.

The group from the school covers up some of the graffiti under the canal bridge.

Sebastian Jackson didn’t mind spending the afternoon making the bridge look more appealing.

Jody Sargent, a high school business teacher, uses a roller to paint underneath the Glenwood Avenue bridge.

Anya Bloom picks up some of the many sticks and branches at Boxwood Cemetery.

These students are giving the Civil War Cannon a fresh coat of black paint. The cannon has been at Boxwood since 1903. It came from the Brooklyn Navy Yards, Village Historian Todd Bensley said. He is also a Medina teacher who helped with some of the service projects today. These students include, from left: Avery VanDerWerf, Laura Washak, Allysen Snook and Dillon Snook.

Allysen Snook works on painting the cannon at Boxwood.

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Hospital CEO newest member of Medina Rotary

Staff Reports Posted 8 May 2017 at 9:39 am

Provided photo from Medina Rotary

MEDINA – The Rotary Club of Medina inducted a new member during its meeting on May 3. Wendy Jacobson, CEO of Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital, is excited to become a Rotarian, again. As a high school student, Wendy was a member and has volunteered throughout her life supporting Rotary.

Jacobson, left, is pictured with Medina Rotary President Bill Bixler and Melisa Shrock – Rotary District 7090 District Governor Nominee for 2018-2019, who conducted the new member orientation.

Medina Rotary meets at the United Methodist Church, site of the former Apple Grove, on Wednesdays at noon. Contact any Medina Rotarian for further details.

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Medina Scouts fill sandbags to help with flooding

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 May 2017 at 7:56 am

Photos courtesy of Robert Schuck

LYNDONVILLE – A group of Boy Scouts from Troop 28 in Medina spent an hour filling 150 sandbags at the Lyndonville Department of Public Works on Sunday evening.

Those sandbags will be used to help fight the flooding from the high Lake Ontario.

These Scouts and adults helped with the effort. They include, back row, from left: John Thomas, Fionn Greiner, Jimmy Pelton, Tim Miller, Travis Gotts, Aaron Thomas and Louis Caldwell. Front row: Chris Caldwell, Joe Bruckner, David Pelton, Tyler Miller, Cade Miller and Jackson Caldwell. Front, sitting down: Nick Robinson.

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Medina community, elementary students celebrate Arbor Day

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 April 2017 at 10:41 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Medina community held its annual Arbor Day celebration this morning with about 500 students in grades K through 3 at Oak Orchard Elementary School.

The students helped plant four trees at Rotary Park on Main Street. The students also sang three Arbor Day songs.

This year Medina is planting 83 trees, mostly along areas of Eagle and Pearl Streets with additional plantings throughout the village. The village has been recognized with the Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The award honors Medina’s commitment to community forestry.

Ava King (center), a kindergartner, tosses some dirt on a newly planted tree at Rotary Park. This is one of four new trees in the park that are the Musashino Zelkova variety. These trees are ideal for street use. They have tightly upright branches that allow good vehicle and pedestrian clearance.

This group of kindergartners poses for a group photo after the Arbor Day celebration.

Chris Busch, the Medina Tree Board chairman, joins the kids for the photo. This is the 13th year Medina has held the Arbor Day celebration. Busch and the Tree Board presented a “Friend of the Urban Forest” award to Oak Orchard Elementary School for their participation in the Arbor Day program.

“They have been supporters from the very beginning,” Busch said about the school. “A celebration isn’t a celebration without the kids. They are also the future stewards of our village forest.”

Candlelight Cabinetry in Lockport also was honored as a “Friend of the Urban Forest” for the second straight year. The company makes a generous donation to support tree planting in Medina.

Talia Rupp, a kindergartner, helps with the tree planting. Nicole Goyette (left) is the Arbor Day Coordinator for the village and Creative Studies Teacher with the Medina Central School District.

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County planners approve additions for Medina bank, Albion church

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 April 2017 at 8:55 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board approved additions for Medina Savings & Loan and the Harvest Christian Fellowship church in Albion.

The Planning Board met on Thursday and recommended the Village of Medina give a variance and approve the site plan for a 768-square-foot addition to the bank at 11182 Maple Ridge Rd.

The addition will go on the western edge of the existing 3,480-square-foot building. The addition would have a 13.8-foot side setback, which is less than 20-foot minimum in the village code. Planners recommended Medina give the bank the 6.2-foot variance.

In Albion, Harvest Christian Fellowship wants to do a 5,000-square-foot addition to the east side of an existing 4,200-squre-foot building at 560 East Ave., across from Bullard Park.

The church said the addition is for a sanctuary. The current driveway will not be usable after the addition. A new driveway will be constructed on the west side of existing church building. A house is currently west of the church and will be removed as part of the project.

County planners recommended the Village of Albion approve the project, which is in a Single-Family Residential District.

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Marty Phelps, founder of Medina Railroad Museum, dies at age 75

File photos: Marty Phelps is pictured inside the Medina Railroad Museum with the largest model train layout in Upstate New York, at 200 feet long with 12 trains with more than 100 cars each.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2017 at 9:53 am

Praised for perseverance and developing a big attraction for Medina

MEDINA – Marty Phelps, the man who resurrected a train depot in Medina and turned it into a big attraction for the community as a railroad museum, died on Tuesday at age 75.

Phelps was a high-energy person who pursued big dreams. Before opening the museum in 1997, Phelps worked 25 years as a Batavia city firefighter, running a fire prevention program – “Lives Are Precious” – that was popular in the state and country. He was known to many as “Fireman Marty” in that role.

In 1991, he saw an opportunity in the 301-foot-long railroad depot in Medina. The building had been used for a furniture store for about 35 years. Phelps bought the building for $125,000.

Marty Phelps, dressed as the conductor, holds 1-year-old Connie Hoffman and her brother Jeffrey, 4, when they visited the Medina Railroad Museum in May 2015. Their mother, Melissa, brought them from Buffalo to see Thomas the Tank Engine

Phelps then started a six-year odyssey of long days, sanding and painting inside the building, often past midnight. 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.

It draws tens of thousands of visitors to Medina, especially for excursion rides with Thomas the Train Engine and the Polar Express.

“The Medina Railroad Museum is one of the big draws to Medina,” said Chris Busch, chairman of Medina’s Planning Board and president of the Orleans Renaissance Group. “It would be hard to think of Medina now without the Railroad Museum.”

Busch enjoyed talking with Phelps, who always had his sights on lofty goals.

“Marty always dreamed big,” Busch said. “He had more dreams and ideas. He would always shoot for the stars and I loved him for that.”

When I worked for The Daily News in Batavia, I did a feature on Phelps in May 2009. The gist of the article was the power of pursuing a dream, and the many roadblocks that need to be overcome.

A dream is a serious force that can seize a person’s spirit. Phelps felt the pull about 50 years ago, when he was working as a Batavia firefighter. He went to flea markets and started acquiring train toys and other railroad artifacts. Friends donated relics to him as well.

“I promised a lot of people I was going to build a small museum,” Phelps told me then, smiling when he emphasized the word small.

After opening the museum in 1997, the site limped along for five years, draining Phelps’ finances. The 1905 building needed a new roof, a refurbished deck, other repairs and costly insurance. Phelps hoped a federal Housing and Urban Development grant would relieve him of the financial burdens. HUD never came through and the museum building was auctioned off in 2002. Phelps was left bankrupt.

“I had to file for personal bankruptcy,” Phelps said in 2009 while walking through the museum, which is now packed with artifacts and a mammoth model-scale layout. “It was embarrassing to me and my family.”

But rather than fade out of sight, Phelps and the museum’s dedicated corps of volunteers reacquired the building, and expanded the attractions, including the popular Day Out with Thomas event, which draws about 15,000 people to Medina for two weekends in May. That event is now in its 13th year.

Visitors are happy to see Thomas the Tank Engine in this photo from May 2015.

The museum also runs numerous excursion rides during the year that often fill 282 seats on the train. In 2008, the museum paid off the debt on the building.

“He could have put that anywhere,” said Cindy Robinson, president of the Medina Business Association. “He put that in Medina and we were darn lucky that he did. He was someone who thought Medina was worth it.”

Phelps was “a social butterfly” who loved to welcome people to the museum, especially for busy events, such as when Thomas was in town, Robinson said.

Phelps stayed active as the museum director, typically volunteering 60 hours a week.

When I spoke with him in 2009, he praised his close friends for sticking by him during the tough times.

“I bounced back,” he said. “I was bound and determined to prove to people this was something very worthy that needs protecting.”

The Railroad Museum’s Facebook page was filled with tributes for Phelps on Tuesday after the museum announced his death.

“I’m so sorry,” wrote Missy Schening, who runs the Memories of Medina Facebook page. “He brought such wonderful things to Medina.”

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Medina students will compete in national rocket launch competition

Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina students in teacher Mike Lepkyj’s advanced engineering class have qualified for the 15th Annual Team America Rocketry Challenge in Washington, D.C. on May 15. The group includes, from left: Max Poler, Ryan Goodin, Federico Rosario, Kristian Snyder, Nick Bogan, Carson Gates, Coby Albone, Kaela Grosslinger and Katie Bilicki. Vasillios Bitsas is missing from photo.

Posted 25 April 2017 at 11:00 am

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina Technology teacher Mike Lepkyj and ten of his students are heading to Washington, DC to compete in the national finals of the 15th Annual Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC).

The team’s name is Chris P. Bacon and they will face off against 99 of the top rocketry teams from across the country to claim the title of national champion on May 13. TARC is the aerospace and defense industry’s flagship program and is designed to encourage students to pursue study and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The competition challenges middle and high school students to design, build and fly a rocket that meets specific altitude and flight duration parameters. This year’s rules require a rocket to carry one raw egg to reach 775 feet before returning the egg to Earth, uncracked, all within 41 to 43 seconds.

“This is the first time we are going to the nationals in the five years I have taught here,” said Mr. Lepkyj. “We found out right before spring break and everyone is really excited. We have been learning new techniques every year and it just gets better and better each year. Every year we have come within a hair of winning, so this is great. Each student made a rocket and we narrowed it down to the best by testing them. The design was pretty sophisticated and difficult because each year the criteria for the design changes. We had people come to the high school to record our height and time and we got to a height of 775 feet in 41.43 seconds. It was great to qualify.”

Katie Bilicki assembles a rocket that has four engines. It won’t be used in the upcoming competition. Nick Bogan is at back left and Carson Gates is at right. The rockets in the competition can only have one engine. This rocket, with the four engines, is expected to go more than 2,500 feet high.

The rockets need to be 24.6 inches long. They have to fly and land without breaking the egg, and the rocket needs to be in good enough shape to be flown again.

Student Nick Bogan says he has been taking technology classes since he was a freshman.

“I was taking Advanced Engineering and when I heard they were doing rockets, I knew it would be a great class to join,” Bogan said. “We ended up being successful, so I am pretty happy about that. Going to DC is a great opportunity and this is the first year we have gotten this far. I am really excited. I am not sure how well we will do, but it will be a great experience any way.”

The team’s get three qualifying flights to see if they are eligible for nationals. However, at the national competition, each team gets only one try.

The lower a team’s score, the better. For every foot off 775 feet in height, the team gets a point. For every second off the 41 to 43 second goal, 4 points are added to the total.

There are 816 teams in the country, and only 100 qualify for nationals. Medina students design and make the fins on the rockets, experiment with length of the rocket body, as well as weights and measures.

Students need to consider angling the rocket launch to factor in wind strength. Being off by small percentages can make the rocket from going too high or too low.

Colby Albone said he loves class.

“I think it allows us to get creative and Mr. Lepkyj lets us use our imagination and design whatever we want,” Albone said. “It’s a lot of fun and we use a lot of math and science in hands-on projects.”

“Everyone is very excited about this,” says Mr. Lepkyj. “I have had former students come up to me and they are just as excited about this as my current students. Some of them even came over on the break. It’s a big deal for the students. They will meet and greet with our local elected officials in DC and then get to compete for $150,000 in prizes and scholarships.”

The winning team has the chance to represent the United States at the International Rocketry Challenge at the Paris Air Show in June.

For more on the competition, click here.

(Editor’s Note: Includes reporting by Tom Rivers.)

Medina will plant 83 trees this year

Posted 23 April 2017 at 9:12 am

File photos by Tom Rivers: Elementary students from Medina help plant trees in State Street Park during the Arbor Day celebration a year ago. Medina planted 71 trees in 2016.

Press Release, Medina Tree Board

MEDINA – Arbor Day 2017 will mark the tenth year in a row that the Village of Medina has been awarded the Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The award honors Medina’s commitment to community forestry.

Overall, this year Medina will plant 83 trees, mostly along areas of Eagle and Pearl Streets with additional plantings throughout the village.

This year the village will also plant several trees from citizens’ sponsored tree requests.

“Each year, we receive more and more applications from citizens looking to plant trees on the right-of-way in front of their home.,” said Chris Busch, Medina’s Tree Board Chairman.

“For $180, the village will plant an approved tree, sponsored by a citizen (provided the site/tree meet criteria).”

Applications for citizen- sponsored tree plantings are available on the village’s Municipal Tree Board website.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, and the USDA Forest Service. Tree City USA is a national designations.

Medina’s annual Arbor Day Celebration will held 9 a.m. this Friday at Rotary Park in Medina’s Downtown Historic District. Hundreds of school children from Oak Orchard School and Wise Intermediate School are anticipated to be in attendance.

Mayor Mike Sidari poses with elementary students after planting trees at State Street Park on April 29, 2016.

Nicole Goyette, Arbor Day Coordinator for the village and Creative Studies Teacher with the Medina Central School District, is quick to tell of the many benefits of planting urban trees.

“Medina’s students are very aware of the benefits provided by village trees. They know that trees reduce carbon dioxide and other air pollutants; they know that trees capture storm-water, lower summer air temperatures, and- most importantly- make our village a beautiful place to live. They are very excited for Arbor Day!”

Recent studies indicate a row of mature street trees has been shown to increase property values up to 18%.

Mayor Mike Sidari will read the annual Arbor Day Proclamation, declaring April 28, 2017 as Arbor Day in Medina. The Tree Board will also be awarding two “Friends of the Urban Forest” awards to citizens or groups who have gone above and beyond to support forestry in Medina.

This year, a large number of the 83 trees being planted were made possible for the second year in a row through a generous gift from Candlelight Cabinetry in Lockport and Kitchen World in Williamsville. Medina resident Robert Sanderson is vice president of marketing and a managing partner at Candlelight Cabinetry. He is a big fan of Medina’s tree program. Several of the trees being planted are representative of the hardwoods used by the company in their cabinet making operations. Those trees include maple and oak.

“The Tree Board is again thrilled with Bob’s generous support from Candlelight and Kitchen World,” said Busch. “Bob is a huge believer in what we do and it makes perfect sense to have such a great woodworking company sponsor tree plantings. The cost of trees has risen exponentially over the past few years, and we are extremely grateful for the support.”

The Sanderson family definitely have a stake in the Medina area. Three generations of the Sanderson family have lived in Medina for over 100 years. Randal Sanderson is the proprietor of Kitchen World on Transit Road in Williamsville and his father, Bob Sanderson, is majority owner of Candlelight Cabinetry manufacturing in Lockport.

Arbor Day is celebrated in Medina and across New York State on the last Friday in April. For additional information about the Medina Municipal Tree Board, how a community member can plant a tree, tree memorials, tree planting/growing tips, and other tree related information, visit the Municipal Tree Board’s website by clicking here or by contacting the Village Building Department at 798-0770.

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