By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Thomas Follman, right, plays Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Leif Isaacson is Benny Southstreet, both gamblers, in Guys and Dolls.
A cast of 53 students from Medina and Lyndonville will perform the musical today at 7:30, Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m. All of the performances are at Lyndonville’s Stroyan Auditorium.
Jennifer Trupo is director of the musical. She said the cast includes several strong male leads.
“There is a great crop of guys this year and this is a guy-heavy show,” she said.
Lyndonville-Medina also performed shows with fairy tale characters the previous two years with Shrek and Into the Woods. “This time they can play regular people,” Trupo said.
Salma Huzair plays Sarah Brown and Joseph Mangiola is Sky Masterson. Huzair’s character leads the Save-a-Soul Mission, trying to get sinners to repent. Sky initially wooed Sarah in a bet, but the two develop genuine affection for each other.
Some of the gamblers are pictured during a dress rehearsal on Thursday. The musical is set in the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Cora Payne plays the lead role of Miss Adelaide and Abel Zavitz is Nathan Detroit. The two have been engaged for 14 years. Nathan runs an illegal crap game. Brian Cunningham plays the gambler, Big Jule.
These gangsters include, from left: Brian Cunningham as Big Jule, Thomas Bummer as Harry the Horse, and Devon Allen as Lt. Brannigan.
William Bellan portrays Arvide Abernathy, Sarah Brown’s grandfather and a bass drum player. He is a member of the Save-a-Soul Mission.
Hot Box Dolls include, from left: Grace Masse, Shelby Green and Cora Payne.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Medina Memorial Hospital, pictured today on Ohio Street, will be the focus of capital projects, including a lobby and emergency department renovations.
MEDINA – The $6.2 million announced for Medina Memorial Hospital and its parent organization, Orleans Community Health, will reduce the hospital’s debt and allow capital projects to move forward.
Gov. Cuomo on Friday announced $6,275,528 was approved for Orleans Community Health. The funding is part of $1.5 billion for 162 health-related projects state-wide.
Orleans Community Health plans to use $2,691,329.40 for debt relief and $3,584,198.60 for capital projects, said Wendy Jacobson, president and CEO of Orleans Community Health.
The debt relief funds will go towards paying off loans, including mortgages for the hospital and a health care center that opened in 2012 on Butts Road in Albion. The state funds will also go towards repaying loans from the hospital’s foundation, and a loan from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
For the capital projects, Orleans County Health is planning to renovate the hospital’s lobby and emergency department. It is also working on a new project to increase outpatient services, and a co-located primary care and behavioral health site that follows guidelines through the state’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program. DSRIP is the main mechanism that the state uses to implement the Medicaid Redesign Team Waiver Amendment.
Jacobson said Orleans Community Health has 180 days to submit the Certificate of Need to the state Department of Health for the capital projects.
Some of the state funds will be used to pay off debt for building the health care site at the corner of Butts Road and Route 31 in Albion. The site opened in November 2012.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The American flag by the VFW Lincoln Post in Medina is at half-staff this afternoon in honor of Nancy Reagan, the former First Lady who died on Sunday at age 94.
President Obama directed the flags at half-mast or half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo also has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Reagan.
“Born in Queens, Nancy Reagan was committed to improving the lives of others, and her legacy will no doubt be felt for decades to come,” Cuomo said. “As we mourn the former First Lady’s passing, I am directing that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff to honor her life and her many contributions to our nation.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 March 2016 at 12:00 am
NY also awards $105,000 grant to Community Health Center
File photo by Tom River – Medina Memorial Hospital has been approved for state funding for capital projects.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health, parent organization of Medina Memorial Hospital, has been approved for $6,275,528 from the state for “essential capital projects” and debt restructuring.
The funding was announced today, part of $1.5 billion for 162 health-related projects state-wide.
“The Orleans County Legislature couldn’t be more pleased with Governor Cuomo’s decision to make such a significant investment in our community hospital,” said Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature vice chairwoman and also a member of the hospital’s board of directors. “Orleans Community Health is such a vital part of the Orleans County health system. Our county is a medically underserved area and such a substantial investment by the state helps to keep our system sustainable and couldn’t come at a more crucial time.”
Oak Orchard Health, a community health center, has several healthcare sites, including in Albion, Lyndonville, Brockport, Warsaw and Hornell. Oak Orchard was approved for a $105,000 grant to “create integrated delivery systems that are focused on evidence-based medicine/population health management, and create a medical village using existing hospital infrastructure.”
Governor Cuomo said the state funding will dramatically transform and improve the delivery of health care in the state.
“We have a responsibility to continue to make critical capital and infrastructure improvements that transform our health care system into one of sustainability with a deep focus on improving patient care and delivery of vital services,” Cuomo said. “This funding allows them to do just that and is yet another example of how New York is leading the nation in adapting to meet 21st century health care needs.”
The awards are being made through the Capital Restructuring Financing Program and Essential Health Care Provider Support Program, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Both were created by Cuomo to support the goals of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Program, the main mechanism for investing the $7.3 billion in Medicaid savings that resulted from the groundbreaking waiver between New York and the federal government in 2014.
The goals of DSRIP include reducing health care costs, improving the health of New Yorkers, reducing avoidable hospital admissions and emergency room visits by 25 percent by 2020, and ensuring the financial sustainability of safety net health care providers, Cuomo’s office said.
Provided photos – Seventh-graders Kylie Hinman, left, and Faith Ann Vanderwalker are in a new digital media class taught by Mr. Justin Mergenhagen.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – There are some aspiring Steven Spielbergs at Clifford Wise Middle School thanks to a new component to the Technology Program.
Teacher Justin Mergenhagen is offering a 10-week course to 7th graders on digital media.
“This is something I have done in the past with high school students working with their TV studio,” Mergenhagen said. “This is the start of technology application so that they can learn from doing a variety of media projects where they will be going from pre-production, production to post-production. They will be learning everything from the storyboard process, scriptwriting, filming and how to edit their projects.”
The students started with a simple slideshow in the program Movie Maker and now they are starting on their next activity using an HD video camera.
“They are starting to learn the different camera shots, what they are called and what they look like,” Mergenhagen said. “They have 25 sample shots in this activity that they have to work through with a partner by setting them up and recording them. They are going to put those into Movie Maker, where for the first time they will import video, learn how to trim and edit clips, add captions and titles, make transitions and add music to their projects.”
Students will eventually work on a one-minute public service announcement on various issues.
“They are going to pick topics that are challenges and adversities for students their age like bullying, homework, recycling, how to have a successful day, etc. They will be planning it from start to finish with the whole creative process.”
Sarah Sones, left, and Jordyn Rosenberg are both taking the class.
Mergenhagen thinks 7th grade is a perfect time to start students on digital media.
“I think they are at a mature enough level to look at the issues and do research for the project,” he said. “If they are doing something like obesity in pre-teens they will need to look up information and facts and question experts about their topic. Their last project will be a 30-second commercial that will allow them to use their creativity and just have fun. It will also teach them about advertising and persuasive techniques.”
The students seem to be enjoying the chance to use their creativity and learning new skills.
“I think it is a lot of fun,” says Faith Ann Vanderwalker. “This is stuff I could not learn at home because I don’t have a camera.”
Classmate Kylie Hinman says she finds it a good learning experience. “I think it will help anyone who wants to go into a career behind the camera.”
“We get to do a lot of cool stuff,” says Sarah Sones.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health’s Comprehensive Medical Rehabilitation Unit has received a three-year accreditation for its inpatient rehabilitation program for adults at the hospital.
The latest accreditation is the sixth consecutive three-year accreditation given by the international accrediting body, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, to Orleans Community Health.
This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards, Orleans Community Health said in a news release.
An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.
Orleans Community Health is a non-profit organization with offices at 200 Ohio St., Medina. It has been providing comprehensive medical rehabilitation services in the Medina area since 2001. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services are also offered on an inpatient, outpatient, home health, and sub-acute basis.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 March 2016 at 12:00 am
School district, all 3 buildings now in ‘Good Standing’
Photos by Tom Rivers – A Medina Mustang banner hangs outside at the district campus.
MEDINA – For 4 ½ years, the State Education Department has put the “Focus” school label on Medina. It’s a tag the school district shed on Friday, and is now considered a district in “Good Standing.”
It’s been a lot of work from administrators, teachers, students and parents to raise academic performance.
“I’m extremely proud of all of our buildings for getting off of the list,” said Jeff Evoy, the district superintendent.
The district initially was on the list for low scores in student subgroups for state assessment tests in grades 3 through 8. Those grade levels include Oak Orchard Elementary School (grade 3), Clifford Wise Intermediate/Middle School (grades 4 through 7) and Medina High School (grade 8).
Oak Orchard Elementary and Medina High School were the first to raise their scores and be removed from the list and be considered in good standing. Clifford Wise, which includes four of the targeted grade levels, was the last one to satisfy the state.
Elaine Wendt, principal at the Clifford Wise Intermediate/Middle School, praised teachers, parents and students for raising the academic achievement and learning environment in the school.
Principal Elaine Wendt said student scores are now exceeding the state average. She commended the hard work from so many, from students to parents to staff and teachers, as well as strong leadership from Evoy and Denise Stappenbeck, who was hired as director of curriculum and instruction three years ago.
The district laid off about 30 teachers and staff during a budget crisis in 2010. The loss of those staff hurt student achievement. Some of the positions, including academic support and enrichment, have been added in recent budgets.
Stappenbeck said revisions in curriculum, instruction strategies, and professional development for teachers were part of the turnaround.
“We’ve come at it in a lot of different ways,” she said.
Parents have been more engaged, and there has been a “dramatic drop in bullying,” which has improved the learning atmosphere for students, Wendt said.
Medina staff members are pleased the district no longer has been labeled a “Focus” school in need of improvement by the State Education Department. 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.
Evoy said the multi-pronged approach yielded a higher graduation rate with 85 percent of students in the Class of 2015 graduating with their four-year cohort, about a 10 percent jump in 5 years, Evoy said.
The district added a credit recovery program to help students failing classes to stay on pace for graduation.
“We can’t stay complacent,” Evoy said. “Being a focus school is a label you don’t want to have.”
Evoy shared the news on Tuesday at the Board of Education meeting and handed out Mr. Goodbar chocolate candy bars to everyone in the room.
“All of our schools are in good standing,” Evoy said. “We’ve had so much buy-in from staff. It’s a been a change in culture where everyone is working together.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A new Family Dollar opened on Tuesday on Maple Ridge Road in Medina. This photo was taken today at about noon.
The store is 8,320 square feet. Family Dollar moved out of the Tops Plaza and went about ½ mile east to the new site across from Tim Hortons.
The Village Planning Board pushed for the store to have a brick appearance and black trim to give the building a more classic look. The site also has 28 parking spaces, and will include trees and other landscaping improvements.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch
MEDINA – Contractors started last week installing steel for the new 62,000-square-foot vegetable processing facility for Pride Pak. The building is taking shape on Route 31A (Maple Ridge Road) across from Genesee Community College.
Pride Pak has been eyeing a June opening for the facility that will have 85-100 employees in phase one of the project. Pride Pak expects it will expand from the 62,000-square-foot building in the future and employ 200 people.
These photos were taken today by Medina resident Chris Busch.
Here is a rendering of how the building will look when it is completed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2016 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – The Village Board was asked to pursue a federal grant that would pay the salaries for new full-time firefighters for the fire department.
The department currently has 14 full-time staff that respond to about 3,000 calls a year, with about 85 percent of the calls for ambulance services.
Medina has been providing the full-time ambulance service for western Orleans County for about a decade. Jonathan Higgins, a captain with the Fire Department, and other department leaders have pressed the Village Board in recent years to boost staffing for the department.
Higgins referred to a study of the MFD that recommended 17 full-time staff for a department handling 1,700 calls. Medina is responding to more far more than 1,700 calls with a small staff, he told the board on Monday.
The federal Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grant would pay for additional staff, covering training, salaries and benefits for two years. Higgins urged the board to request three new firefighters in the grant.
Mayor Andrew Meier said he doesn’t think the grant provides a sustainable solution for staffing and funding the department. He doesn’t want the village to be in a position two years after the grant where several people could lose their jobs.
“It’s not a good long-term plan,” Meier said during Monday’s Village Board meeting.
Higgins said added staff would reduce overtime costs and “firefighter fatigue.”
The board last year voted to pursue the grant for two positions, but wasn’t successful with the application. The board needs to decide next month how many positions it wants to pursue in the grant.
Higgins said a grantwriter will put together the application for $500.
The board acted on a different matter for the Fire Department on Monday. It approved spending up to $14,765 for a new hydraulic stretcher with batteries for an ambulance. That stretcher is helpful for moving larger patients over 300 pounds. The new stretcher from Stryker will replace one that is 12 years old.
File photo by Tom Rivers – Congressman Chris Collins, right, visits with Captain Jonathan Higgins at the Medina Fire Department on May 8. The Fire Department was approved last year for a federal grant for $77,837 to purchase new fire hoses, nozzles and a thermal imaging camera.
MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department responded to 2,834 requests for service in 2015 with 2,558 of those for ambulance service, and the other 276 for fire or fire-related calls.
The average response time from call dispatched to arrival on scene for all calls inside the Village of Medina was 2 minutes, 45 seconds, said Steve Cooley, a firefighter/paramedic for the MFD and the department’s public information officer.
The total call volume is just below the 2,986 in 2014, the most calls ever for the Fire Department. In 2013, the previous high, the total calls were 2,755. That makes 2015 the second-most ever for the Medina Fire Department.
In 2015, the busiest months for calls were March (269) and July (263).
Several firefighters completed training programs last year, Cooley said. Two firefighters (Young and Wolck) completed Fire Instructor II School. Two firefighters (Lang and Jackson) completed Paramedic School, and two firefighters (A. Wengrzycki and Parker) completed their EMT Basic. Three firefighters (Herriven, Jenkinson and Lang) also graduated from the NYS Fire Academy Recruit Program.
Firefighter Young was chosen by the village to be the Municipal Training Officer. Young overhauled the department’s training program for both career and callman firefighters.
Cooley, in the departments annual report, said each career firefighter must complete at least 100 hours of fire training on top of the required EMS continuing education hours. Each callman firefighter also has an annual amount of required training that must be completed. Total training hours logged by all firefighters in 2015 was 4,187.
Firefighters participated in 60 hours of Community Education/Fire Prevention this year. All classes at both Head Start School and Oak Orchard Elementary School received a Safety/Fire Prevention Seminar.
The Fire Department also received a $77,837 grant from the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase new hose lines (supply and attack), new nozzles as well as a new thermal imaging camera.
“This past year we also witnessed the retirement longtime Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich. Chief Zinkievich selflessly served the department, the village and all of Orleans County faithfully for 21 years here as a firefighter,” Cooley said. “We wish Todd a very happy and prosperous retirement!”
Cooley said the new year has been busy with calls and training for Medina firefighters.
“It is our pleasure to serve you,” he said in a message to the community. “Rest assured, if you require our services you will receive highly trained firefighters, EMTs and paramedics in an expeditious manner.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2016 at 12:00 am
Chris Carr, 7-time national grand champion, attends Crusaders Motorcycle Club annual banquet
Photos by Tom Rivers – Chris Carr, a famed motorcycle racer, addresses about 200 people on Saturday during the annual meeting for the Crusaders Motorcycle Club.
Chris Carr addresses the motorcycle group at the Elks’ Club in Albion. After his presentation, trophies were handed out to the top riders for the 2015 season.
Chris Carr shares life lessons and highlights from his career. He was given a standing ovation by the Crusaders Motorcycle Club.
Jeremy Higgins accepts the award for rider of the year for 2015.
Evan Van Ameron is congratulated by Chris Carr for being the top driver in the 125cc class.
Kyle Tambe won the 250 Amateur division and also was awarded the Chris Miller Award for the driver that shows the most potential to go pro.
ALBION – Before he was a seven-time grand national champion, Chris Carr developed his skills on amateur flat tracks in Northern California.
Carr, 48, was a dominant rider in the American Motorcycle Association, and was inducted in the AMA Hall of Fame. He attracted major corporate sponsorship and set the record for fastest speed on a motorcycle at 350.884 miles per hour.
But it started at tracks similar to the one on Culvert Road in Medina. The Crusaders Motorcycle Club runs that track, and has raced there every year since 1957.
“That is to be admired for you guys keeping it going for so long,” Carr told about 200 people at the annual meeting for the club on Saturday night.
Carr remains a star among dirt track riders. The Crusaders handed out trophies and awards on Saturday for kids and adult riders. They all had their picture taken with Carr.
The Hall of Fame rider was invited to the banquet on Saturday by Dave and Rhonda Waters, long-time members of the Crusaders. Carr, who now works as commentator, said there has been a “rebirth” in flat track racing at the amateur and pro level. (The Crusaders have about 150 riders during their Sunday races.)
Carr first started racing as a 6-year-old. He lost more than he won as an amateur and as a professional.
“It’s OK to fall and crash,” Carr told the group. “But get yourself back up and finish the race.”
The drive to complete the course may be the most important quality a rider can have, which will benefit the racers in other facets of their lives, Carr said.
Riders need to show respect for other competitors and not put others at unnecessary risk, he said. Carr has been in 28 races in his career where another rider died, including the first time when he was 8 and as 12-year-old was killed in the same race.
“Have respect for each other,” Carr said. “That is someone’s son or daughter.”
Carr said he enjoyed the thrill of competition in racing more than he did playing baseball and basketball as a kid. He is grateful he made a career out of racing, with sponsors and many victories.
He said it is a difficult career to race as a professional and win enough to make money, and have corporate support.
“You’re not a pro unless you are making money at it,” Carr said. “A pro is a guy with more money in his banking account at the end of the year than when he started.”
Some of the youth riders are pictured with their trophies.
The Crusaders recognize the top riders at the local track for 2015, including Jeremy Higgins of Bergen, who was the track champion.
The top three riders in each division include:
50cc shaft: Brody Hazel, first; Braydon Blair, second; and Madison Davis, third.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Marcy Downey performed several popular songs from the 1950s and 1960s during a concert Friday at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, including Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley.
Downey of Albion performed for the first time in the Medina library’s “Finally Fridays” concert series, which is in its 15th season. The series started on Jan. 8 and includes concerts at 7 p.m. on Fridays.
About 200 people attended Downey’s concert. Upcoming performers include Emerald Isle (Celtic music) on Feb. 26, The John Cole Blues Band (blues, shuffle, swing and soul) on March 4, and the Dady Brothers (Irish music) on March 18.
One concert-goer takes a video of Downey singing.
A crowd packed the library, which includes a performance area that is used during story hours as well as the concerts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2016 at 8:20 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Firefighters put out a fire in an abandoned building along the railroad tracks and behind the Olde Pickle Factory in Medina this evening.
The former boiler house is believed to have been used for a former greenhouse operation, White Brothers Rose, next door.
Firefighters were dispatched at 6:07 p.m. with reports of smoke and fire coming out of the building.
Medina and Shelby firefighters responded, along with the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
The interior of the building included lots of graffiti. Two fires needed to be put out. Jonathan Higgins, a captain for the Medina Fire Department, said investigators are looking for the cause of the fire, but he said they appear “suspicious.” The building didn’t have working electricity or natural gas.
It was difficult to get fire trucks close to the building. Medina firefighter Steve Cooley used a plow on a pickup truck to clear a lane in an alleyway.
Firefighters carry hoses and equipment through the snow to reach the building.
Smoke comes out of the building after the fires were put out inside.
