Medina

Vandals damage train cars by Railroad Museum

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2016 at 2:52 pm

Medina Railroad damaged train

MEDINA – Six windows on historic train cars were smashed with rocks about a week ago. The train cars are from 1946-47 and are owned by The WNY Railway Historical Society.

That group leases the train cars to the Medina Railroad Museum for excursion rides, including the popular Day Out with Thomas in May, wine tours during the summer, fall foliage rides in the fall and the Polar Express during the holiday season.

The rides bring tens of thousands of people into the Medina community.

Historical Society volunteers said the windows were smashed on either July 14 or July 15. The trains are parked on a secondary track down from the Railroad Museum behind the Olde Pickle Factory.

Cody Catlin

Cody Catlin, 17, of Carlton is one of the volunteers with the The WNY Railway Historical Society. He and others are working to put in new windows after six were broken recently.

Catlin urged the Medina community to report suspicious people near the trains and on the tracks to the police.

Volunteers will replace the broken glass with polycarbonate sheets that need to be cut to size. One polycarbonite window held up from being hit by a big rock about a week ago, but the frame of the window was bent and needs to be fixed.

“It’s upsetting because they are vandalizing other people’s property,” Catlin said.

Medina Railroad damaged train

These windows in the doors to the train cars were shattered by vandals throwing rocks.

Thomas the Train

Some kids wave out the windows during the Thomas the Train event in May. Nearly 10,000 people rode the train for the event.

Medina’s Farm-to-Table Dinner is a sell-out

Staff Reports Posted 15 July 2016 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The village’s first annual Farm-to-Table Dinner event is a sell-out with 125 tickets sold for the Aug. 4 dinner that will be served on Main Street in the village’s historic downtown district.The meal will be a full five-course dinner, prepared by chef Michael Zambito of Medina’s Zambistro restaurant. Each course will feature pairings from local Niagara Wine Trail wineries, 810 Meadworks and a WNY brewery.

“We made provisions for one-hundred tickets only, with an extra twenty-five in reserve in case demand was high,” Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, said on Thursday. “As of this morning, all one- hundred and twenty-five tickets have been sold. We want to thank everyone for their amazing and generous support of this landmark event which has generated Medina buzz from Rochester to Buffalo.”

The Orleans Renaissance Group is organizing the the dinner, which is a fund-raiser for the the Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The ORG started the farmers’ market last year. It now draws about 500 people every Saturday at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.

The farm-to-table event will be located on the north end of Main Street, between Pearl and West Center Streets. Guests will arrive at 6:30 p.m. with the first course scheduled to be served at 7. A rain date is scheduled for Aug. 11.

To promote downtown Medina and local ag bounty, dinner will be served on Main Street

Staff Reports Posted 8 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Downtown Medina

Photo courtesy of Chris Busch – Medina’s historic Main Street and Downtown Historic District will be the site of the 2016 Farm-to-Table Community Dinner on Aug. 4.

Farm-to-table meal will be fund-raiser for farmers’ market

MEDINA – Farm-to-table community dinners are growing in popularity across the country. Soon, Medina will welcome one of its own.

The first farm-to-table community dinner will be held Aug. 4, with a rain date of Aug. 11. The event is sponsored by Zambistro along with Pride Pak, Inc., which is building a vegetable processing plant on Maple Ridge Road.

According to organizers, Medina’s event will deliver a locally-sourced meal in the middle of Medina’s Main Street Historic District. Proceeds will support the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.

The meal itself will be a full five-course dinner, prepared by chef Michael Zambito, owner of Zambistro. Each course will feature pairings from local Niagara Wine Trail wineries, 810 Meadworks and a WNY brewery.

Farm-to-table dinners often take place on the farm in an intimate field or orchard setting, but many have developed into larger community events.

One such gathering inspired a small group in Medina to formulate plans for their own dinner. Their inspiration came from a captivating photograph published in “Grit” magazine depicting a farm to table dinner in Jonesborough, Tennessee: a long table, white linens, fresh flowers, and soft summer evening light, right down the center of a 19th century historic Main Street with dozens of Jonesborough locals enjoying a fabulous chef prepared meal.

Farm to Table dinner in Jonesborough, Tennessee

Provided photo – This photograph in “Grit” magazine inspired Medina’s dinner event. It shows the farm-to-table dinner in Jonesborough, Tenn.

The Medina group formed with farm market manager Gail Miller, including Medina Business Association President Cindy Robinson, Orleans Renaissance Group President Chris Busch, and Zambito, who has become a well-known WNY chef.

“Medina has the setting, the chef and the farm-fresh ingredients to make such an event happen locally,” said Cindy Robinson. “Medina is the perfect place for a farm-to-table dinner and Chef Zambito is going to create an epic dinner.”

Additionally, organizers expressed their excitement to have Zambistro and Pride Pak, Inc. as corporate sponsors of the event.

“We are extremely pleased with Pride Pak’s comittment, not only to Medina but to this extraordinary community event.” said Chris Busch, ORG President. “And it goes without saying that we are thrilled that Chef Zambito is comitted as well. Pride Pak and Zambistro are perfect partners for Medina and this farm-to-table dinner.”

Pride Pak’s will soon open a state-of-the-art 64,000 square foot facility, across from the GCC campus in Medina. The company is spending about $15 million for the new fresh vegetable processing facility and expects to hire 85 to 100 people in 2016.

Zambistro has received numerous celebrated reviews from both Buffalo and Rochester publications and a devoted clientele from around the region.

Aside from providing a historic dining experience in the heart of WNY ag country, the farm-to- table dinner will raise operating capital for the Canal Village Farmers’ Market and showcase the markets’ location in the heart of Historic Downtown Medina.

Medina’s event will not only deliver 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.

The Orleans Renaissance Group operates the market under its auspices.

“We all felt a farm-to-table dinner in the heart of downtown would be a great way to showcase Medina, the market, and at the same time, raise funds for the market,” said Busch, the ORG president. “ORG would like to further develop both the market and the market site, with the end goal of having a more permanent and legitimate market presence year-round in downtown.”

The market is located at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue. Throughout its first season in 2015, the market drew an average of 500 people every Saturday morning to downtown Medina.

The farm-to-table event will be located on the north end of Medina’s historic Main Street, between Pearl and West Center Streets. Guests will arrive at 6:30 with the first course scheduled to be served at 7 p.m.

Tickets are limited to 100 at $100 each. They are available online at bentshall.org/tickets, by calling 585-210-9674, or at the English Rose Tea Shoppe, 527 Main St., Medina and at Zambistro, 408 Main St., Medina.

Old Hippies will again play music from boat in concerts that start Friday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Band will play six concerts in four days

The Old Hippies in the Medina canal basin

File photos by Tom Rivers – The Old Hippies play a concert from on top of a packet boat last July in Medina. The band is calling itself itself “The Traveling Towpath Troubadours” for the canal concert series.

MEDINA – When the canal was mostly drained in Orleans County last week for emergency repairs to a culvert in Hulberton, Bill McDonald worked on a backup plan for a series of concerts he had planned by boat.

McDonald and the other members of the Old Hippies were performing in Albion last Thursday for the village’s canal concert series. McDonald said the band could tell the canal was slowly refilling. The state Canal Corp. and its contractor made the fix in Hulberton.

McDonald and the band wouldn’t have to drive to concert sites after all. That was the back up plan. They will travel to the canal communities from a house boat and perform from the vessel.

Those concerts start Friday in Lockport and continue until Sunday with performances also in Middleport, Medina, Albion and Holley.

This is the second straight year McDonald, a Batavia resident, has organized the concert series. The Old Hippies will be the  “The Traveling Towpath Troubadours” for the concert series, which this year has expanded to two performances in Lockport.

“The canal is so underutilized,” McDonald said today. “We want to promote it and try to get more utilization out of it.”

The Traveling Towpath Troubadours will be back performing in Medina’s Canal Basin on Sunday at 3 p.m. A grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is helping to fund the concerts.

The schedule starts on Friday with 6 p.m. concert at Lockport Historical Society, followed by another concert in Lockport at 11 a.m. Saturday for the Lockport Farmers Market. The music moves to Middleport for a concert by the canal at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The Troubadours first perform in Orleans County on Sunday with a concert in Medina’s Canal Basin at 2:30 p.m. The band then travels by house boat to Albion for a 6 p.m. concert on Sunday.

The music concludes on Monday with a concert in Holley at 6 p.m. at the village’s canal park.

McDonald said the concerts were popular last year, with Medina drawing the biggest crowd. The band received such good feedback and is back for another series along the canal, with an expanded slate of concerts including the two in Lockport.

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Tour will highlight exceptional gardens in Orleans County

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 3 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Eileen Sorochty of Albion shows off the blooms on one of the clematis vines which grace her home garden in Albion. Her garden is one of six featured on this year’s Garden Path Tour on July 16.

Orleans County Master Gardeners will host their 2016 Garden Path Tour on July 16, featuring six gardens, mainly in Albion and Medina.

Master Gardner Eileen Sorochty is helping to organize the event and her garden in Albion is one of the six “Garden Stars” included on the tour.

Sorochty’s garden surrounding her home on East Avenue is a mix of relaxed borders and beds which feature spring bulbs, perennials, flowering shrubs, and garden art and ornaments. Additionally, Sorochty grows vegetables and has plantings devoted to attracting and hosting butterflies as well as other pollinators.

The house she lives in is her childhood home, and some of Sorochty’s mother’s plants – including iris and a clematis – are still part of the garden.

A bright red Monarda or Bee balm blossom in Eileen Sorochty’s garden welcomes pollinators.

She grows heirloom tomatoes which she calls, “different and tasty,” as well as vegetables completely new to her like bok choy.

The garden features a small patio pond and solar night features and Sorochty says she is working towards all organic gardening practices and a new composting system.

Other 2016 Garden Stars are Sharon Sugar, who is a neighbor of Sorochty’s. Her garden is child-friendly with play equipment, a pond garden, outdoor rooms and seating areas.

The mostly shaded garden of Sharon Sugar in Albion features several outdoor seating areas and a rose garden.

The English gardens of Brandi Zavitz on Center Street in Medina feature perennials and a pond; Ruth Shewan’s country garden on West Shelby Road in Medina includes perennial beds and a greenhouse. A memorial garden honors the Native American relics said to be buried on the property.

Ann and Stephen Bunch’s garden on Howell Parkway in Medina is a relaxed English garden that is bird-friendly. Additionally, the Bunch’s have many trees and a Pagoda garden.

Jeannette Riley has an eclectic garden at her home on Braley Street, by the canal in Albion.  It is filled with re-purposed glass/metal/gates/doors/ knobs and more. Riley grows perennials and flowering shrubs and her garden features a mini guest house with a patio.

Eileen Sorochty uses an old wooden wagon bed for a fairy garden. She stores the elements indoors during the winter.

“You can start where ever you want, we will have a map of the gardens for you,” Sorochty says regarding the tour.

The Garden Path Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine on July 16. Tickets are are available at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension – 12690 Rt. 31 in Knowlesville. Call 798-4265 for more information. Tickets are also available the day of the tour at any of the featured gardens. Sorochty requests that you bring correct change for tickets if purchasing day-of. Participants will receive a hand-stamp to show that they have paid and will have their names entered in a drawing for a gift certificate from Sara’s Garden Center in Brockport.

Gallagher barn hosts first wedding today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Jenna and Martin Bruning turn iconic barn into events center

MEDINA – After more than a year of hard work with lots of imagination, Jenna and Martin Bruning hosted their first wedding today at The Gallagher, one of the area’s most iconic barns.

The barn on North Gravel Road has been transformed into an events center. Today Alex Shuknecht married Kate Eberlin in an outside ceremony next to the barn. The couple is having the reception inside the barn, which has room for 250 people.

Alex Shuknecht and the his wife, the former Kate Eberlin of Holley, walk down the aisle after getting married today in a service outside the Gallagher barn on North Gravel Road.

The Shuknechts looked at the barn about a year ago. It was in rough shape then, but the Brunings assured them they would have the barn repainted, and redone inside in time for the wedding.

“It looked pretty rough a year ago,” Mr. Shuknecht said today before the wedding. “Kate and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. We wanted a rustic look. I love this place. I wish them all the success in the world.”

The barn has been a landmark on Route 63 since the 1880s. The Brunings had the barn repainted to its original colors last year, with large painted letters, WM J. GALLAGHER STOCK FARMS.

The Brunings each grew up on dairy farms. Jenna’s parents, Mike and Cyndi Van LieShout, own a dairy farm in Barre. Martin grew up on a dairy in Waterport. The couple was married in a barn at the Van Lieshhout farm on Route 98.

Barns have become popular as wedding venues in recent years. Kate Eberlin grew up in Clarendon. She was a student in GCC’s vet tech program with Shuknecht’s brother, who introduced Kate to Alex. That was in December 2011.

Kate now works as a vet tech at the Brockport Animal Hospital. Alex owns a dairy farm in Pavilion with his brothers, Eric and Adam.

They looked at barns for their wedding in Rochester, but those sites were booked two years in advance, and they didn’t give the couples options for catering and DJ services.

The Brunings say they are fortunate several friends and family helped create “The Gallagher,” including Tyler Palmer of Lyndonville who made the tables using reclaimed wood from three other barns that had fallen down due to neglect. Palmer also used wood from rotted fence posts for some of the table legs.

The Brunings allow people to pick their own caterer, DJ, photographer and anyone else they want to provide services at the wedding.

David Barone, a wedding photographer from Buffalo, said barns are becoming popular as wedding venues. He has taken wedding pictures at barns before. The Gallagher is much bigger than other barn venues he has been in for weddings.

“This is one of the biggest barns I have seen,” he said. “I like the rustic look. I like the light inside.”

He expects The Gallagher will be very popular for weddings.

“People like the originality,” he said. “They want to step out of the box.”

Alex Shuknecht holds his daughter Avery, who served as a flower girl at her parent’s wedding today.

The Brunings worked diligently on the property while juggling their own full-time jobs and raising three young children. Mrs. Bruning is a district manager for Aldi and Mr. Bruning is a  milk truck driver.

They cleared brush, redid masonry work, installed new support poles, put in bathrooms and a bar, and redid a third of the wooden floor, as well as numerous other projects.

The Gallagher has new bathrooms and other modern features while preserving a rustic look. James Kyle put in the bathrooms, a bar, a dance floor and back doors.

“We had a lot of great people help with this,” Mrs. Bruning said.

The new Mrs. Shuknecht said the barn setting exceeded her expectations.

“I’m beyond happy,” she said. “It’s gorgeous in here.”

The table is set for guests at today’s wedding at The Gallagher. The table is made from reclaimed wood from another barn on the property.

The Shuknechts are the first of 10 weddings already set for this year at The Gallagher. Three more are booked for 2017.

Mr. Bruning said he sometimes questioned if the project was too much for the young couple. But Medina residents always seemed to stop by at the right time, offering encouraging words. Family and friends also stepped up to help get the barn ready for its first wedding.

Mr. Bruning went without a haircut from October until early this afternoon. He said he wasn’t go to get it cut until the barn was ready. He showed up at the wedding with much shorter hair.

Martin and Jenna Bruning turned a dilapidated barn into an events venue. They are pictured inside the barn before today’s wedding.

“Everything that we wanted it turned out better than we expected,” said Mr. Bruning, 31. “There is more to do. The wish-list goes on.”

The Brunings have church pews outside the barn for people to sit during the weddings. The pews were acquired less than two months ago from a Lutheran church in Wolcottsville, which Mr. Bruning attended as a kid.

The Brunings also added a barn door and wrought-iron gates as a backdrop for the weddings.

“We’ve been able to make a lot of things beautiful that originally had a utilitarian purpose,” Mrs. Bruning said.

The ring bearers, Camden and Norah Eberlin, make their way down the aisle during today’s wedding.

The wedding as pictured through one of the side barn doors.

The Gallagher property includes 14 acres, including space next to the barn for weddings.

Alex and Kate Shuknecht kiss after being pronounced as husband and wife.

Medina teachers wore ribbons in honor of Evoy at graduation

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Nearly 100 Medina teachers wore ribbons with Notre Dame blue and gold and a green ribbon as well in honor of Jeff Evoy on Friday during graduation ceremonies.

MEDINA – There were nearly 100 Medina teachers at graduation on Friday night and they were wearing ribbons in tribute to Jeff Evoy, the district’s superintendent who died the day before.

Evoy was a big Notre Dame fan and he loved his Irish ancestry. Teachers made ribbons in Notre Dame blue and gold, with a green ribbon for Evoy’s Irish roots. It was a way for teachers to show respect for a man who was loved by the staff, said Joe Byrne, a Medina teacher and president of the Medina Teachers’ Association.

“He was truly a dream superintendent, who cared genuinely about people,” Byrne said today.

Evoy served as superintendent for nearly five years. Byrne has been the teachers’ union president for six years. They met every Monday to discuss district business, and soon became friends as Evoy asked about Byrne’s family and insisted on seeing his son’s hockey schedule. Evoy surprised the family by showing up at a practice one day.

One of Evoy’s goals, he told Byrne, was to have a big showing of teachers at graduation. Evoy attended college commencement ceremonies where many professors where their academic robes adding more grandeur and importance to the event.

Many Medina teachers wore ribbons in memory of Jeff Evoy on Friday. They are pictured in the cafeteria before commencement.

Byrne said only about 15 to 20 teachers attended graduation before Evoy started as superintendent. Friday was the biggest turnout yet with nearly 100 teachers from the elementary, middle and high schools. They were there to support the graduates, but also to show respect for Evoy, Byrne said.

Friday, the day of graduation, tends to be superintendent’s day when teachers meet with the superintendent of schools earlier in the day. It’s also a day when retiring teachers are recognized at a luncheon.

“Jeff always loved the luncheon,” Byrne said. “He enjoyed sending off his colleagues. He would always give a great end-of-the-year speech thanking the teachers for working hard and getting the students across the stage at graduation.”

Teachers were in mourning on Friday during the luncheon. They resolved to make the ribbons and wear them during commencement. Evoy’s death at age 50 after a serious illness has hit the staff hard, Byrne said.

Jeff Evoy addresses teachers during a luncheon last June at the Ridgeway Fire Hall. Evoy always made sure to thank the staff for working hard to help students meet graduation requirements.

The Medina district raises student test scores, boosted the graduation rate and partnered with Lyndonville with some athletic and extracurricular programs. The district did that while reducing the tax burden.

Byrne said Evoy was a focused person, pushing for excellence. But he also wanted to connect personally with teachers.

Byrne wrote a short speech for the Teachers’ Association luncheon on Friday. He shared it with the Orleans Hub.

“Humble, genuine, putting others first,” Byrne said. “For anyone who knew Jeff Evoy, you know that this was who Jeff Evoy was. This is a man who tried his utmost every single day to do the right thing. Five years with Medina isn’t a long time, but his impact was great, and we know his legacy will live on for a very long time. You would never know that Jeff Evoy wasn’t born and raised here in Medina, because he loved us as if he were. Medina and this community were his second family.

“Jeff and I met on Monday mornings, almost weekly for the past five years, and yes, we discussed the business of the Medina Central School District. His door was always open. And behind that door, we worked together to make his vision come alive for this school and this community. That was our job. It wasn’t our job, however, to get to know each other on the personal level that we did.

“Jeff and I came from similar blue collar backgrounds and we shared our lives with one another. And as our lives joined in that office every Monday, I realize now how lucky we are to have worked with a dream superintendent: one who cares about kids, about us, about Medina. Not every school gets the privilege of having a superintendent like ours. Because he was a teacher, he understood us. He was not one of those aloof superintendents that other districts have to deal with.

Jeff Evoy joined Medina teachers in running the Chase Corporate Challenge in Buffalo in June 2014.

“Tonight is one of the most special days of the year for our seniors. This day was special every year for Jeff Evoy. He looked forward to graduation like nobody’s business. When Jeff came onboard here, he talked about how impressive it was at college graduations to see professors walk down the aisles. Because of him, we have an incredible number of teachers from all three buildings who walk down the aisles before our graduation, and I know we’ll see a great turnout tonight, not just for our seniors, but for Mr. Evoy as well. We have that special memory of Jeff when he handed diplomas to his own children, Sean and Kelsey.

“If you were lucky enough to have his children in class, then it goes without saying that Jeff Evoy was beyond a great dad. And it didn’t take knowing Jeff on a personal level to recognize and appreciate the solid, unbreakable love between Jeff and Maureen. You knew they had each other’s backs. It is a rare thing in life in this day and age for two people to respect one another in love the way they did. Best friends doesn’t begin to cover it.”

In closing, you know how much Jeff enjoyed sports. He coached students and he cherished being involved with his own children’s athletic lives. Jeff asked me for my six-year-old son’s hockey schedule back in October when he first learned of his illness. He said he might stop by to watch a practice or game. And, you know what, he did. That meant the world to me and Aiden. How many superintendents would have done that? I know only one, Jeff Evoy.”

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Medina graduates celebrate at commencement, just as Evoy would have wanted

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Medina graduates, including salutatorian Zachary Harris (center), enjoy a light moment during commencement on Friday at Medina High School, when 120 students graduated as part of the Class of 2016.

MEDINA – The graduation program on Friday for 120 members of the Class of 2016 began with a moment of silence for Jeff Evoy, the district superintendent for nearly five years and father of two recent Medina grads.

Evoy died on Thursday at age 50 after fighting a recent serious illness. He had been hospitalized for nearly a month, but continued to check email and be in close contact with school leaders.

High School Principal Michael Cavanagh told the packed auditorium that Evoy “was our beloved superintendent who passed away unexpectedly.” Some people in the crowd gasped, and hadn’t heard the news before that moment.

The graduation program went on as usual with the the singing of the national anthem, the alma mater, and selections – “It’s Hard to Say Goodbye” and “The Halls of Ivy” – by the A’Cappella Choir.

Medina seniors Bradley McPherson, left, holds the U.S. flag and Stella Russo holds the school flag when the national anthem and Medina Alma Mater were sung by students and the crowd.

Salutatorian Zachary Harris delivered his speech, “What is Your Reason?” and was followed by Valedictorian Amanda Lunden’s “Reflect, Risk, Reward” message.

Mark Kruzynski, the former high school principal who is now the district’s business administrator, delivered the commencement address.

Kruzynski served as acting superintendent and joined Wendi Pencille, the Board of Education president, in presenting the diplomas to the graduates, degrees that were signed by Evoy.

Naomi Slingerland accepts her diploma from Board of Education President Wendi Pencille and Mark Kruzynski, acting superintendent.

Students and Medina staff said after the program that Evoy and his family were in their thoughts and prayers.

Amanda Lunden, the valedictorian, showed her diploma bearing Evoy’s signature. She was in the school marching band with Evoy’s two children, Sean and Kelsey, who have since graduated.

“He was supposed to be up there with us,” Lunden said after the program when graduates met with their families outside the high school. “We all pictured being on the stage shaking his hand.”

Lunden, in her speech, urged her classmates to be reflective and not take people for granted. She urged her classmates to not “settle” in life, and take chances in better serving their families, attaining more success in their careers, and serving their communities. The focus shouldn’t be on attaining wealth and awards, however.

“When they lay you in the grave are people going to stand around reciting the fancy titles you have or are they going to stand around giving testimonials about the things you did for them?” Lunden said in her speech. “Will they list your degrees and awards or will they tell about what a blessing you were to them?”

Charles Enderby is congratulated after receiving his diploma.

Zachary Harris, the salutatorian, shared about how he had great expectations for his senior year, playing soccer and being active in numerous school activities. Harris, however, broke his leg in a soccer game in October.

He was out of school for about 10 days. When he returned he was behind in his classes and struggled to get around the school. He learned to appreciate his friends more for helping him get to his classes. Teachers also stayed after school to help him catch up on his schoolwork. Physical therapists pushed him to recover from the injury.

Now, eight months after the injury, Harris said he is nearly fully recovered. He was able to do throwing events in track, attend the winter formal and recent prom. He said he is thankful for all of the assistance he received and urged his classmates to pursue service occupations. Regardless of their careers, Harris told his classmates they should give back to the community and look for ways to help others.

“Doing something, no matter how minor it may seem to us, is not minor to the person you are helping, and it could make a huge impact on that one person’s life,” harris said.

Asazi Harris accepts her diploma from Pencille and Kruzynski.

Zachary Harris and Amanda Lunden had their speeches written before Evoy’s death. They stuck to their prepared speeches. Harris said Evoy was student-focused.

“He would have wanted us to go on just as if he was here,” Harris said.

The teachers, administrators and staff didn’t let their mourning disrupt preparations for graduation. Chris Keller, a Board of Education member and friend of Evoy’s, praised the school professionals for carrying on despite their grief over a very popular superintendent.

Evoy’s wife, Maureen, sent message to school on Friday morning that her husband wouldn’t want graduation to be a sad occasion. She urged the Medina community to celebrate the students’ achievements.

That was difficult to do when so many were in mourning, Kruzynski said after commencement.

“This is just terrible, it is devastating,” he said about Evoy’s death. “We’re all in shock.”

These Medina students, Troy Alexander, left, and Tyler Ames, are joining the military. Ten Medina students are enlisted in the armed forces. They were all asked to stand and be recognized during graduation.

The district had been planning to have Kruzynski function as acting superintendent for graduation because Evoy was hospitalized. But Kruzynski said Evoy’s death was a surprise and a painful loss.

“It’s impossible to fill his shoes,” Kruzynski said.

During his speech to the class, Kruzynski urged them to find careers they enjoy so their jobs don’t feel like work.

Afterwards, Keller said serving as district superintendent was Evoy’s “dream job.” He loved leading the district where he lived, helping students raise their achievement. Keller said he was expecting Evoy to stay in the job for another decade.

Keller and Evoy worked across the hall from each other when Evoy was a middle school social studies teacher in Albion. Evoy was a passionate teacher, leading students in service projects, including a Vietnam War Memorial in front of the middle school. In 2004, he was finalist for New York State teacher of the year.

The 54-foot-long daisy chain is set in front of the stage for graduation. The daisy chain has been a Medina commencement tradition for nearly a century.

Jared Zinkievich, the last Medina student to receive his diploma on Friday night, takes a selfie with his classmates in back.

Medina juniors carry the daisy chain out of the auditorium at the conclusion of commencement on Friday.

Medina continues Daisy Chain tradition

Staff Reports Posted 24 June 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

MEDINA – Some Medina juniors have been out picking daisies for the annual Daisy Chain tradition at commencement. This photo shows three high school juniors – Krista Nellist, left, Toby Kiebala and Sarah Granchelli. They were picking daisies Thursday by the canal at Dr. Peter Igoe’s on West Center Street Extension.

During commencement today at 7 p.m., 16 Medina juniors will carry a 54-foot-long chain of daisies into Medina High School Auditorium. It continues a nearly century-long tradition at Medina.

The Daisy Chain is a chance to honor the top 16 girls in the Junior Class. They are escorted by the top two boys in the class.

Medina community expresses grief over school superintendent’s death

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2016 at 12:00 am
Jeff Evoy

Jeff Evoy

MEDINA – The news of Jeff Evoy’s death shocked and saddened the community and many Medina students, teachers and community members turned to social media to praise Evoy’s service and genuine concern for students.

Evoy was the Medina school superintendent for nearly five years, leading the district to a dramatic improvement in test scores among students.

He started his education career at Albion and was a popular social studies teacher and baseball coach. He was finalist for the state’s Teacher of the Year in 2003. After Albion, he took a job in administration at Pembroke, leading the elementary school.

Orleans Hub posted a story about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday about Evoy’s death. Many people have since commented about Evoy’s commitment to students and staff.

Here are some of those comments:

“RIP Mr. Evoy. You were and always will be the best superintendent in my book. :(” – Hunter DeHollander

“Awesome history teacher, great school superintendent. He surely will be missed.” – Kellie Watson

“RIP to literally the nicest man I ever met. He stood up for me when I was getting picked on when he ran the YMCA summer program, he was my baseball coach and always believed in me even though I couldn’t hit the ball, and later on was the best superintendent Medina has had in a very long time. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t say hi and asked how I was doing while he worked in Medina. My thoughts go out to the Evoy family during this time, he was truly an inspirational man and he will be missed dearly.” – Matt Prawel

“Oh no! Such an amazing educator!” – Rachael Murray

“He was an amazing and inspiring teacher. I consider myself lucky to have had Mr. Evoy as my middle school social studies teacher. He’s one of the people who helped me develop a love of history which led me to become a social studies teacher myself.” – Ken Narburgh

Jeff Evoy and Medina teachers

Jeff Evoy is pictured with Medina teachers in March after the district was removed from the State Education Department’s list of “Focus” schools in need of improvement. Evoy praised the teachers, administrators, parents and students for all working hard to raise academic scores. This group is pictured in the middle school library and includes, from left: Becky Botsford, grades 6 and 7 band teacher; Kristen Phillips, librarian; Jeanette Sheliga, grade 4 and 5 band teacher; Principal Elaine Wendt; Superintendent of Schools Jeff Evoy; Denise Stappenbeck, director of curriculum and instruction; and Joette Oberther, library aide.

“I am at a loss for words and saddened by the news. Mr. Evoy was a kind, loving man. Our thoughts and prayers to his family.” – Tina Dennis

“An absolutely amazing and inspiring teacher and person. He will be greatly missed by many. Thoughts and prayers to his family.” – Lisa Marie

“So very sad. He truly loved this community and every student in it. His presence will be so missed.” – Shannon Gray Blount

“I am saddened to hear this news. He was one dynamic guy that made a difference in the students, educators, other employees and the community. My prayers are with his his family and all who cared about him.” – Brenda Sills

“I hope his wife and family know how much he was loved by students! Some of my very best memories of high school were in his class. He was one of kind and so caring. Many many thoughts and prayers to his family, his friends, colleagues, and the Albion, Pembroke and Medina school district families where he made such a huge impact. Rest easy Mr. Evoy.” – Laura Luft

“He was a kind man who inspired many to go into education to inspire future generations and/or to simply to do good wherever they could. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” – Angela Atwell

“I have no words for this loss of life. He was an incredible human being . One that we should hope to emulate. God bless his family.” – Jill Albertson

“It’s not fair! Very sad! I’m proud to have known him. He made such a difference in our education. He was also a great baseball coach for the kids. Love to the Evoy family. Graduation today will be tough. There won’t be a dry eye in the house.”  – Dar Schepis

“Very sad to say the least. Jeff was a great man, husband, father, boss but best of all friend. Always supportive and encouraging ALL teachers and students to be better people. He was truly inspirational to many and especially me. His family is an extension of his character and guidance. Mom and kids are what we all wish for kind gentle and helpful without reservation or question. Their love for each other was and will be their strength. My heart as well as many are very heavy today. Jeff you will be missed by all.” – Jimmy Steele

Jeff Evoy, Medina school superintendent, dies unexpectedly

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2016 at 12:00 am

District leader credited with raising student achievement

MEDINA – The Medina school district community is mourning the death of Jeff Evoy, the district’s superintendent for nearly five years.

Evoy died this afternoon. He had been battling a serious illness the past month, Board of Education President Wendi Pencille said.

“It’s just devastating,” she said this evening. “He was a very stand-up guy. He was so proud of every child in the district.”

Evoy started as Medina district superintendent on Nov. 1, 2011 after working as principal of Pembroke Primary School. He started his career at Albion as a social studies teacher and was a finalist for the New York State Teacher of the Year in 2003. He was a key leader for Albion in starting the district’s character education program, which included the Vietnam Memorial in front of the middle school.

He welcomed the chance to lead Medina Central School, his home district where two of his children graduated. He helped push student achievement while the district reduced taxes, and also partnered with Lyndonville Central School on several athletic and extracurricular programs, including the musical.

Pencille said Evoy was highly visible in the school buildings, and was popular with students, staff and teachers.

“I am very concerned for both the students and teachers because they loved him,” Pencille said.

The Class of 2016 graduates on Friday evening. Pencille said a moment of silence will be observed for Evoy. She said Evoy wouldn’t want commencement to be a sad occasion.

“He would want us to celebrate the kids’ achievements,” she said. “We’re going to do what he would want us to do.”

Evoy would have turned 51 on Saturday. Pencille said he worked hard for the district, and remained active in community organizations, including the Medina Sandstone Society.

“He completely embraced every aspect of the district,” Pencille said. “Under his leadership the graduation rate went up, test scores improved. His goal was to improve education for the kids and he did it with integrity and hard work.”

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Fire at vacant Medina factory appears suspicious

Staff Reports Posted 21 June 2016 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The fire at the former S.A. Furniture Factory on Monday is considered suspicious, Medina Fire Department officials said in a news release.

Firefighters were dispatched to the site at 525 East Ave. at 11:49 a.m. Crews on scene under the command of Chief Thomas Lupo found smoke coming from the second and third floor windows of a large vacant commercial brick building.

Crews were able simultaneously find and extinguish fires on both the second and third floors as well as search the building for any occupants. Nobody was discovered and there were no injuries to any firefighters despite multiple hazards inside the building, said Steve Cooley, a Medina firefighter and public information officer.

Damage to the building is estimated at $2,000. The cause of the fire appears to be suspicious and is under investigation by both the police and fire department. The building was turned over to and secured by Village Code Enforcement officer Martin Busch.

Firefighters from the Medina Fire Department as well as one engine crew from the Ridgeway Fire Department and a RIT crew from the Lyndonville Fire Company responded. Also assisting on scene were staff from the Medina Department of Public Works.

“The quick response of the on-duty crew was supplemented with the response of seven off-duty career firefighters and two callmen firefighters who were training at Glenwood Lake with Engine 10,” Cooley said.

Medina lacrosse raises funds for Hospice by bench pressing pounds

Staff Reports Posted 21 June 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided Photo, Hospice of Orleans

MEDINA – Before classes ended at Medina High School, Hospice of Orleans received a generous surprise on a recent Monday morning.

Gordy Luthart, coach of the Medina High School Varsity Lacrosse team hand delivered a check for $593. Luthart explained that the members of the team had received pledges based on the amount of weight they lifted in the bench press (ex. 5 cents per pound), while others received flat rate donations.

He also shared that many of the players experienced Hospice first-hand, or had known someone that had been cared for by Hospice and were “excited to give to such a worthy organization!”

These donations are important to providing services and care for people that are facing serious illness, as well as family members/friends that find themselves in the role of caregiver.

For the pounds lifted during this fundraiser, it is the hope of those at Hospice that the team understands the weight they’ve lifted from someone else’s shoulders.

“The generosity they’ve demonstrated is inspiring and we are so thankful to have their support,” said Development Coordinator Brittany Dix.

Firefighters put out small fire at vacant Medina factory

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2016 at 1:55 pm

MEDINA – Firefighters were dispatched to a fire at 11:50 a.m. today at the former S.A. Furniture Factory, when there were reports of smoke coming from the windows. There was a small fire in the building that was quickly put out.

The site is vacant and has been up for the county’s real property tax auction. The site is 70,600 square feet.

The fire is under investigation. Firefighters from Medina, Lyndonville, Ridgeway and Shelby as well as the County’s Emergency Management Office all responded to the scene.

Medina woman killed in Texas crash during dust storm

Staff Reports Posted 16 June 2016 at 12:00 am

A Medina woman was killed in a accident on Wednesday in Texas. Tammy Page, 53, was a passenger in the back seat of a car that was pinned between two tractor-trailers in a 13-vehicle accident during a dust storm.

The accident was in northern Texas in Conway, which is in Carson County. Police say the dust storm created zero visibility, which likely caused the crash on Interstate 40, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The accident involved six cars, a motorcycle and six tractor-trailers. They were traveling eastbound about 8:45 p.m. when the dust storm blew through Carson County.