Medina

YMCA, Fast Fitness team up for fitness challenge

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

Provided photo

MEDINA – Fast Fitness and the Orleans County YMCA joined forces for a 12-week “Boot Camp Challenge” that was completed by 50 people. The challenge also raised $350 for the Y’s “Strong Communities” scholarship program to make the Y affordable for families.

The photo shows Kim Lockwood, left, owner of Fast Fitness with Mike Eaton and Shauna Parkinson of the Y.

Eaton had the idea for the Y and Fast Fitness to partner on the Boot Camp Challenge.

“The turnout for this challenge was very impressive,” Eaton said. “Bringing two gyms together and watching the progress made by everyone shows how much this community is committed. It was truly a joy to work with everyone and I look forward to more challenges.”

The Y and Fast Fitness plan to offer the challenge again in late summer or early fall, said Parkinson, the Y executive director.

“Enhancing the health and wellness of our community is our mission,” Parkinson said. “It was incredible the we were able to collaborate with Fast Fitness to provide an exceptional program, developed by Mike Eaton, that improved the lives of over 50 people.”

The Boot Camp Challenge was open to members and nonmembers of both facilities, and classes were held at both sites. Utilizing the resources of both the Y and Fast Fitness, Eaton developed a comprehensive and challenging program that engaged over 50 people, Parkinson said.

“A testament to Mike’s leadership and success as a fitness instructor, hundreds of pounds were lost and the quality of participants lives were improved through their participation in the program,” she said. “Both organizations benefited from the collaboration, Fast Fitness had several people participating in a program and getting exposure to new programs and services in the women’s-only facility. The same was true for the Y and a donation was given to the Y to benefit our scholarship assistance program.”

Jocelyn Beach won the challenge by losing the most weight.

“It was great for two organizations to come together to support the health and wellness of our community,” Lockwood said.

Medina hospital plans Dangerous Person drill for May 18

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2016 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health next Wednesday, May 18, will have a “Dangerous Person” drill at Medina Memorial Hospital, preparing staff and law enforcement in case a gunman or somebody else threatens the site.

Hospital officials have been preparing for the drill for several months. It follows an incident on Saturday when a 24-year-old man went to Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport at 5 a.m., demanding drugs. The man said he had guns and a bomb. He was later arrested and charged with first-degree robbery.

Police had the hospital and surrounding neighborhood on lockdown until 10 a.m. Saturday. The suspected guns and bomb were a fake, The Buffalo News reported today.

Wendy Jacobson, CEO and president of Orleans Community Health, said there has been an increase in “drug-seeking behavior” at hospitals, in general.

Medina Memorial and the Urgent Care site in Albion have both bolstered security. Medina Memorial wants staff and law enforcement to be prepared in case a dangerous person is on site.

A dangerous person could be someone seeking prescription narcotics, or perhaps a partner of a staff or patient with a restraining order.

The hospital in the past has been the site for large drills for hazardous materials and mass casualties, but never for a “dangerous person.”

“Unfortunately it is necessary,” Jacobson said about the emergency drill. “We’re well ahead of it.”

Medina residents and hospital visitors should expect a large police presence at the hospital on May 18 from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The hospital’s leadership staff also will be in a four-hour training on May 17 with a certified instructor to prepare and respond to dangerous situations.

Medina teachers take part in Reclaim Our Schools Day

Posted 9 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina staff and students are pictured in front of the high school on May 4, when teachers across the United States staged walk-ins for Reclaim Our Schools Day. The walk-in was a demonstration of support for public education and the fight to make sure that every child gets the school they deserve.

Medina Central School District’s staff and some of their students walked into school together to show their support for their students and their schools. Teacher Joe Byrne said it was a great way to unite educators, parents, support staff, community members and students.

“As we entered our schools we want to show how we advocate for the public education that all children deserve,” Byrne said. “It was a positive experience and a great way for our staff to show solidarity.”

Medina Band Boosters pick leaders for 2016-17

Staff Reports Posted 9 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo, Medina Marching Band

MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band Boosters picked leaders for the 2016-17 school year at the Boosters’ May 2 meeting. These individuals will serve the organization for the 2016-2017 year.

Sitting, from left: Kelly Allen/Treasurer; Trisha Laszewski/Past President; Mindy Kenward/President; Julie Granchelli/Vice President; Holly Roush/Secretary.

Standing: Doug Waild/Transportation; Amy Strickland/Chaperones; Diane Grosslinger/Uniforms; Ellen Eaton/Delegate; Karey McMullen/Delegate; Kelly Squire/Student Accounts; and Kathy Dreyfus/Publicity.

The Boosters will continue to hold meetings during the summer to begin organizing the fundraising events through the summer and fall. These meetings are held on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the band room. While these people are elected to head up the various committees, the Boosters welcome parents and friends to join the effort.

The band will be competing in the Seneca Falls Pageant on May 20-21, and the Gorham Pageant on June 3-4. The Band Banquet is June 11.

Medina Rotary provides Flat Stanley book to second graders

Staff Reports Posted 9 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Oak Orchard second graders with Medina Rotary

Provided photo

MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club last week provided copies of the book “Flat Stanley” to second graders at Oak Orchard Elementary School. Medina teacher Tammy Vandegenachte (back, second from left) and her second grade class received books from Rotarians, including Edee Hoffmeister (back left) and President Bill Bixler (back, third from left). They joined students and Principal Dan Doctor in this photo. The Rotary Club also presented Flat Stanley, a Scholastic book, to other second graders.

The Medina Rotary Club uses fundraisers throughout the year to support community projects, including scholarships.

Medina junior takes first in state for esthetics

Posted 4 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Marissa Pecorella is pictured with her gold medal.

Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Medina junior Marissa Pecorella took first place in the Esthetics category at the New York State SkillsUSA competition.

Marissa competed against eight other BOCES cosmetology students from across the state for creating a makeup look that incorporated a bird theme. It was the first time that the New York SkillsUSA competition has held this particular contest.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry that work together to ensure America has a skilled workforce while encouraging students to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.

Marissa Pecorella created this winning design in a bird theme.

Marissa, who attends the Cosmetology program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, designed the makeup look on her model around the New York State bird, the bluebird.

Marissa is already working freelance as a makeup artist and says she will continue to do so to put herself through law school after graduation. She will represent New York State in Louisville, Kentucky at the National SkillsUSA competition at the end of June.

Acclaimed author, a Medina grad, visits Medina students

Posted 4 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina High School English teacher Karen Jones recently had an honored guest in her classroom. Medina High School alumni and author, Julie Berry, paid a visit to Mrs. Jones’ 7th and 9th period seniors to discuss her book, “All The Truth That’s in Me.” The students had just finished reading it for an assignment.

The book is about a young woman named Judith and what happens to her after her best friend and she disappear from their small town. She returns permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those around her and eventually finds her voice again.

The book has won critical acclaim and has an Edgar Award nomination, A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten Title, A Junior Library Guild Selection, A School Library Journal Best Book of 2013, A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book for 2013, A Horn Book Fanfare 2013 title, a 2014 TAYSHAS Top Ten Pick and was on the short list for the Carnegie Medal.

“It was such a pleasure to have Julie in my class. We went to school together,” says Mrs. Jones. “It was a great opportunity for my students to be able to discuss the book with her. She also shared with them her new book that has recently been released. I am very appreciative she came in and spent time with all of us.”

Medina school budget lowers tax for 4th straight year

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

MEDINA – The school district’s budget for 2016-17 reduces taxes for the fourth straight year.

The Board of Education approved a $35,825,184 budget that goes before district voters on May 17. The budget is up about $1 million from the $34,802,870 in 2015-16.

The state has boosted aid by nearly $900,000 and Medina is tapping some of its reserve funds to lower taxes in 2016-17, Mark Kruzynski, the district’s business administrator, said.

“We’re in a great spot with our reserves and we’re going to use some,” he said this morning.

The new state budget boosts aid to Medina from $23,769,997 to $24,860,152. That increase is a big factor in Medina’s ability to cut taxes by 1.3 percent, from $8,774,760 to $8,660,915.

The budget keeps all existing programs and also boosts the gifted and talented offerings.

Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. on May 17 at the District Office.

The vote includes the Board of Education election. There are six people running for three three-year terms, including incumbents Lori Draper and Wendi Pencille.

Retired Medina school administrator Alberta Suozzi also is running for the board along with Timothy Dunham, Virginia Nicholson and Brenda Lindsay. (Draper and Pencille are seeking re-election and John McCarthy opted against seeking another term.)

Medina celebrates Arbor Day by planting 71 trees

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Students join in tree planting at State Street Park

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Village of Medina celebrated Arbor Day today with help from students from Oak Orchard Elementary School. The village held a tree-planting celebration at State Street Park.

The village has planted about 1,500 trees in the past 15 years. This Arbor Day marks the ninth 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.

Medina is planted 71 trees this spring, mostly along areas of West Center Street with additional plantings on West Avenue, Gwinn Street and State Street Park.

Aidyn Jackson, a Medina first-grader, puts the final shovel of dirt on a flowering pear tree at State Street Park. The village planted six flowering pear trees along the park’s perimeter.

This first grade class poses for a picture in front a newly planted tree.

Dan Doctor, the Oak Orchard principal, gets a picture of students by a new tree. Doctor told the kids to “Say Trees!” when he took the picture.

Medina Mayor Michael Sidari is pictured with Tree Board Chairman Chris Busch on a stage during the Arbor Day celebration. Sidari said saplings will go to be tall trees. He told students to return to the park often as adults and take pride in the new trees.

The mayor also read a proclamation about Arbor Day.

Sidari and Busch presented a “Friend of the Urban Forest Award” to Bob Sanderson, a Medina resident who donated $5,700 to plant many of the new trees. Sanderson owns Candlelight Cabinetry and Kitchen World in Lockport, employing 230 people. The company uses lots of wood, and Sanderson said the business is committed to planting new trees through several “Tree Hugger Initiatives.” Sanderson said Medina is becoming known as “the town that plants all of the trees.”

Medina third-graders Garrett Koch, center, and Elizabeth Thompson read a poem about Arbor Day. They are joined by teacher Nicole Goyette.

Mayor Sidari poses with elementary students after planting trees at State Street Park.

Students from Orleans/Niagara BOCES clean up canal for Earth Day

Posted 26 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Students from the Orleans/Niagara BOCES spent part of Friday picking up trash along the Erie Canal in Medina. The group includes, front, from left: Haley Fronczak, Noel Mireles, Catherine Bruscino and Matthew Johnidas. Back Row: Mrs. Wiley, Justin Wargala, Brandon Mazur and Brianna Reilly.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Orleans/Niagara BOCES students from the Orleans Learning Center headed out to Lions Park in Medina to lend a hand in honor of Earth Day.

Teacher Kim Wiley and her class have been discussing the significance of Earth Day and decided they would like to do something to honor the day. The students headed to the park, armed with trash grabbers and trash bags, and spent a sunny afternoon cleaning up litter from the canal area.

“We had a great day,” says Mrs. Wiley. “When we got back to our classroom the students all wrote about how helping out made them feel. They all said they were happy to do their part and liked being outdoors.”

Medina passes village budget with tax rate up 17 cents

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

File photo Tom Rivers – The Worthington Cylinders plant, which closed on July 31, 2014, had its assessment lowered from $2,397.400 to $925,700 in 2016. That has shifted more tax burden to other village property owners.

MEDINA – Village Board members on Monday unanimously approved the village’s budget for 2016-17, which barely raises taxes.

The $5,045,818 budget increases spending by only $8,727 or 0.17 percent. The village will collect $2,855,336 in the tax levy, which is up only $6,728 or 0.23 percent.

Village property owners, however, will see their tax rates rise by 1.0 percent or 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed property because of the continued shrinkage of the village’s overall tax base. The tax rate will increase from $17.13 to $17.30 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The village’s tax base is down by $1,255,721 or 0.76 percent (from $166,252,163 to $164,996,442). That decline was driven by a reassessment of the Worthington Cylinders plant in Medina, which closed on July 31, 2014, putting 152 people out of work at the former Bernz-O-Matic site. The property’s assessment was reduced by more than $1.4 million from $2,397,400 to $925,700.

The village’s tax base would have been up slightly if not for the Worthington reassessment, Mayor Michael Sidari said. He sees the stabilization of neighborhood values as a good sign. Future budgets will also show tax revenue from the new Pride Pak vegetable processing plant and village may work out a contract for tax revenue for providing sewer service for the STAMP site in the Town of Alabama, in addition to sewer charges.

Sidari and village trustees on Monday praised the village department heads for working hard to contain costs in their budgets. That helped prevent a bigger tax increase for 2016-17, a fiscal year that starts June 1.

“It was a very difficult budget with the lost taxable value from Bernz-O-Matic,” said Trustee Owen Toale. “I’m very pleased with the budget. This year we’re going to find more ways to be responsible with taxpayer money.”

The budget appears to be below the tax cap, which generally allows for about a 2 percent increase in taxes. However, a complicated formula from the state sometimes means the tax cap will be less.

The Village Board unanimously voted to override the tax cap on Monday, “just to be on the safe side,” said Village Clerk-Treasurer Debbie Padoleski.

Mustang band plays at Disney

Staff Reports Posted 25 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos courtesy of Medina Mustang Band

MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band kicked off its Spring Street Season traveling to Disney World in Florida with 130 students performing in the Magic Kingdom’s Grand Parade on Friday.

The repertoire was a selection of themes from Disney movies. The parade is about 1/2 mile long and 9 bands perform per day. A band has to be approved by Disney to perform in the parade and that is done by sending a video to them for their review.

While there is no scoring or rating system, Band Director Jim Steele said the kids did a great job. There were many positive comments from the crowd afterwards, and that included people who were not from Medina. There was a large contingent of Medina people there to cheer the kids on. The chaperones did a great job as well.

The next opportunity to see the band perform is the Seneca Falls Pageant May 20-21.

Medina grad, a cancer survivor, seeks to empower girls

Posted 22 April 2016 at 12:00 am

This photo includes back row, from left: Teacher Nicole Homme, Kathryn Young, Jamie Boyce, Taylor Hurrell, Hannah Sones, Alexandria Sargent. Front Row: Hailee Ogden, Bryanna Sikorski, Mercedes Wilson, Megan Dunn and Morgan Roach.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Mercedes Wilson is 2000 graduate from Medina High School. Recently she found herself back on campus with a new mission.

She spent several days talking with the high school girls about feeling confident in expressing themselves and being their own advocate when it comes to their health.

“When I was 28 years old I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer,” says Mrs. Wilson. “I thought I had a pulled muscle and when I discussed it with my doctor they assured me that I was too young to be concerned about anything. I was fortunate enough when I started to go to a new doctor that they insisted that I get it checked out. It was devastating to think if I had pushed to be tested earlier, I would not have had to undergo what I did.”

Her journey inspired her to start the organization For Our Daughters (click here). Its focus is to empower young women to break down communication barriers and become advocates for their own health and wellness.

“Our youth are under an immense amount of pressure and while they are developing, it is our job to teach them valuables,” she says. “Not only do we address self-esteem issues, but encourage communication with parent/guardians.”

Mrs. Wilson was invited to talk to the students during their gym period by teacher Nicole Homme. The girls ran different scenarios on how to communicate with their mothers showing a productive way to do that and a negative way. Mrs. Homme says she thinks the students respond better to hear these important strategies from someone on the outside.

“Her story is very personal and she has experience of what happens if you don’t learn communication skills earlier on in life,” Homme says. “She tells the students if they feel something is not right, they need to advocate and communicate what it is that they are feeling. It is a very valuable lesson.”

This group participated in Zumba led by Ashley Ramsey, owner of FIT Method in North Tonawanda. She is in front of photo. Other participants include second row, from left: Abigail Neuman, Abbigail Lilly, Kali Worley, Lillian Alberi, Regan Dole, Brooke Bearss, Paige Dunn and Shelby Weese. Back row: Syiera Dow, Alexis Greco, Jessica Lawrence, Nicole Cooper, Jelia Howard, Nodia Osby, Hannah Heil, Divere Brown, Brianna Bearss and Jizzell Banks.

As part of the workshop, a Zumba instructor, Ashley Ramsey from FIT Method in North Tonawanda, came in to teach a class to the students.

“Being active is a key to promoting a healthy life,” says Mrs. Wilson. “Hopefully it will instill a desire to do some sort of activity for the rest of their lives. We can do better, if we know better.”

Mrs. Wilson talks regularly to many local high schools and hopes to reach her goal of reaching 1,500 young women in the Western New York area.

“These girls deserve a world where they feel confident, empowered, and their voices are heard,” she said.

Medina students clean up school, community to make IMPACT

Posted 21 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos – Cattrianna Hernandez (left), Megan Seefeldt and Madison Kenward clean up on the high school campus on Monday.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Instead of leaving for their half day at school, many Medina High School students chose to stay behind and help to clean up around the school and the community on April 18.

Students, along with their teacher-mentors, divided into groups and kicked off the day with a luncheon and some team-building activities in the auditorium. Students had to work together with some string to make a star and had to see how long they could keep balloons afloat before they hit the ground. The teams then headed to their assigned locations, whether it was the high school or the community to help out for the afternoon.

Jon Sherman, Lillian Duffield, Lincoln Pace and Connor Berg assist with clean up outside the Medina City Hall.

The idea originated from the IMPACT (Influencing Many People As Concerned Teens) students themselves and the staff thought it was a wonderful idea.

“The students were picking up trash outside the school, fire station and police station and Medina’s parks, painting picnic tables, cleaning trophy cases and cubbies around the school,” said Assistant Principal Julie Webber. “They also wrote letters and put together care packages for our military. I am so proud of our students for helping out in the community.”

Nick Bogan, Melanie Hibbard, Trevor Luthart, Courtney Bailey, Ian Wagner and Madison Holland do team-building activities in auditorium prior to departing for day’s activities.

Medina grad, acclaimed author, has new book out

Staff Reports Posted 20 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

MEDINA Julie Berry discusses her latest book, “The Passion of Dolssa,” with the Medina Historical Society on Tuesday. Berry, a 1991 Medina graduate, is promoting her ninth novel with book launch parties, including Tuesday’s visit to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Berry now lives in Los Angeles. Her latest young adult novel is a historical thriller published by Viking Children’s Books. “The Passion of Dolssa” is set in 13th Century Europe. Dolssa is a mystic accused of heresy and sentenced to death. She flees and is chased by an inquisitor until she is rescued by a pair of peasant girls. Dolssa’s presence creates problems for the tavern-owning sisters and other village residents.

Her book is available at The Book Shoppe in Medina and Bindings Bookstore in Albion. For more on Berry and her books, click here.