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.
Provided photo – Hundreds of Medina school children participate in Medina’s annual Arbor Day celebration. This year’s Arbor Day celebration will be a State Street Park.
Press Release, Medina Tree Board
MEDINA – Arbor Day 2016 will mark 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.
Overall, this year Medina will plant 61 trees, mostly along areas of West Center Street with additional plantings on West Avenue, Gwinn Street and State Street Park.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, and the USDA Forest Service. Tree City USA is a national designation.
“We commend Medina’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”
Medina’s annual Arbor Day Celebration is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 29, at State Street Park, corner of State Street and East Center Street in the village. Hundreds of K-2 school children from Oak Orchard School are expected to attend and participate. Mayor Mike Sidari will read the annual Arbor Day Proclamation.
Newly elected, Sidari is looking forward to his first Arbor Day as mayor. A long-time supporter of tree planting in Medina, he is pleased to be part of the annual event.
“J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day 144 years ago and during a speech he was quoted ‘This Arbor Day generations will come together to plant trees for future generations to enjoy.'” said Sidari. “I have said previously that we have a great Main Street and now we have to improve our side streets. With the ongoing urban forestry efforts on our side streets, these too will become a show place for generations. I am pleased that the Village of Medina will be taking part in this tradition.”
This year, a large number of the 61 trees being planted were made possible through a generous gift from Candlelight Cabinetry in Lockport and Kitchen World in Williamsville. Several of the trees being planted in State Street Park are representative of the hardwoods used by the company in their cabinet making operations. Those trees include maple, birch and cherry.
Medina resident Robert Sanderson approached Tree Board Chairman Chris Busch with the idea of sponsoring tree plantings. Sanderson is vice president of marketing and a managing partner at Candlelight Cabinetry.
“The Tree Board was absolutely thrilled with Bob’s offer and the generous support from Candlelight and Kitchenworld,” Busch said. “It made perfect sense to have such a great woodworking company sponsor tree plantings. As budgets grow tighter, we were extremely grateful for the support.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photos – The new owner of the former United Methodist Church in Medina had a crane brought in on Tuesday morning to remove the church bell.
MEDINA – The 4,500-pound bell was removed from the tower in the former Medina United Methodist Church on Tuesday morning.
The church building was recently acquired by The Church of God Pentecostal, a Hispanic congregation that has been meeting in Medina for about three years. The weight of the bell was causing some structural problems in the building, said Sergio Rosario, the church pastor.
He said the bell is about 120 years old. Some community members have offered to buy the bell, but Rosario said he and the church plan to keep it for now.
The church was built in 1876 and originally had a steeple. It toppled after a windstorm in 1889.
The congregation of about 20 to 25 people is working “little by little” to improve the building and make it a viable church for years to come, Rosario said.
The former congregation held its last service at the site, 222 West Center St., on Oct. 27, 2013. The United Methodists moved to the former Apple Grove Inn, following nearly $1 million of renovations to the former restaurant.
The United Methodists moved out of the historic church, built in 1876, due to its deteriorating condition. It sold the building, with all of its contents, as is to The Church of God Pentecostal.
MEDINA – Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina hosted a luncheon on Thursday for its volunteers in recognition of National Volunteer Week (April 10-16).
The following were recognized, from left, front row: Robin Dubai and Jan Pritchard. Back row: Ray Levesque, Gail Nellist, Laurie Seager (volunteer coordinator) and Paula Banazwski.
The theme was “Volunteers, Our Greatest Natural Resource.” Residents also created a decorative mural to show their appreciation. Anyone wishing to learn more about volunteering at Orchard Manor should call Laurie Seager, Volunteer Coordinator, at (585) 798-4100.
Event in Knoxville considered Celebration of Creativity in the World
Photo courtesy of Medina Central School – Medina’s Destination Imagination team includes, from left: Jack Masse, Layna Valoria, Mary Flores, Abigail Newman, Margaret Klotzbach, Elle Gross and Nate Sherman.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – After achieving honors for creativity, teamwork and innovation in regional and state academic tournaments, Medina High School has earned the right to compete in Destination Imagination’s Global Finals, the world’s largest celebration of student creativity, to be held May 25-28 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Medina team members include Jack Masse, Abigail Newman, Layna Valoria, Margaret Klotzbach, Elle Gross, Mary Flores and Nate Sherman.
They will compete with other teams in Get A Clue, one of seven, open-ended challenges that require students to apply science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, in addition to their talents in improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication, innovation, teamwork, community service and social entrepreneurship.
“The team is so excited,” said Nicole Goyette, district coordinator. “They have worked since second grade as a team toward this goal. We are extremely proud of them.”
The Medina team is among more than 8,000 students representing more than 1,400 teams that will advance to Global Finals, which will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville May 25-28.
“It’s amazing to see students from all over the state come together to showcase their talents and teamwork,” said Julie Webber, Medina High School Principal. “It was awesome to see the teamwork displayed by our Medina students over the past several months of preparation. I know their excitement and energy will continue to the Global competition.”
This year, 150,000 students have participated in Destination Imagination tournaments throughout the U.S. and 30 countries in hopes of earning a spot at the Global Finals competition in May.
“The Destination Imagination program is a fun, hands-on system of learning that fosters students’ creativity, courage and curiosity,” said Chuck Cadle, CEO of Destination Imagination. “Quantitative reasoning, collaborative problem solving, risk taking, collaboration, presentations and thinking on your feet are some of the important skills learned in the program.”
Destination Imagination is a leader in project-based learning opportunities that blend STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education with the arts and social entrepreneurship. Its academic challenges are designed to teach kids how to think, not what to think, and then present their solutions at regional and state tournaments.
Each year, DI competitions begin with a regional tournament, where team solutions are assessed by a panel of trained appraisers, ranging from educators to artists to engineers. Each team solution is scored on a variety of elements, including originality, workmanship, presentation and teamwork. Teams with the highest scores advance to the Affiliate (state or country) tournaments. The top-tiered teams from the Affiliate tournaments advance to Global Finals.
For more information about Global Finals, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Kasiah Jones, a fourth grader, is moving to Atlanta to be close to doctors
MEDINA – Kasiah Jones, 9, (center) is pictured with her mother, Jennifer Chinn, this afternoon along with other students that ride Bus 142 in the Village of Medina.
Kasiah has Sickle Cell Anemia and Type 1 Diabetes. She is undergoing a medical trial at a hospital in Atlanta, Ga. She has been travelling back and forth each month since January and her family, including five other siblings, are planning to move to Atlanta this summer to be closer to the hospital.
Her friends on the bus collected money with a bucket for loose change last month. That added up to $125 and Rob Dennis, the district’s transportation director, agreed to match what the students raised, making the total donation about $250.
Rob Dennis holds one of the jars used to collect change for Kasiah and her family to help them with the cost of relocating to Atlanta.
Kasiah was born with Sickle Cell Anemia and was diagnosed at age 4 with Type One Diabetes. The diabetes has become more severe. Kasiah’s mother said no hospitals in Buffalo or Rochester do bone marrow trials for the problem affecting Kasiah.
“These kids felt helpless when they heard what Kasiah was going through,” said bus driver Cindy Ames. “This is what they accomplished with pennies, nickels and dimes.”
Kasiah is presented with jars of change from her friends, from left: Elijah Nottingham, Miyah Horn, Kasiah and Zackius Chinn.
Kasiah’s family and friends also organized a benefit last Saturday at Medina Theatre. There were 105 baskets with items up for bid and several bands played.
Jennifer Chinn said she appreciates the support from the community helping the family with their relocation expenses.
“On my God it has been magnificent,” she said about the donations and support. “I just want to say thank you for going above and beyond.”
There is a GoFundMe created to help Kasiah and her family. Click here for more information.
Another donation came in for Kasiah and her family today from her friends on Bus 142. Justine Fitzsimmons, second from right, and Marie Morehouse, right, present a bag full of change to Kasiah.
MEDINA – Students at Medina Central School on April 2 put on a carnival, spaghetti dinner and basket raffle to benefit the family of Karissa D’Ambrosia, a 9-year-old who sadly passed away on March 4. The former Oak Orchard Elementary student was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
The top photo shows the basket raffle with, from left: Christina Rivera, Emily Silversmith and Sherri Bensley.
Karissa was initially diagnosed with AML in late August 2013. She did not complete her planned therapy course due to life-threatening infections. She had a relapse of AML in March 2015, and received a bone marrow transplant in May 2015. Then in January 2016, Karissa’s leukemia returned. The benefit on April 2 raised enough money to pay for a headstone for Karissa.
The JV lacrosse team helped with the benefit on April 2. The group includes, front: Mason Eick. Second row, from left: Colby Petrie, Wesley Hughes, Blair Prest, Zach Blount, Christian Silversmith, Chase Prest, Da’Ron Bellan, Joe Gates, Ethan Leonard, and Alex Strickland. Row three: Rhett Wagner as Maverick, Kyson Bellan, Luke Wilson, Bobby Geiger, Dylan Weese, Mason Pecoraro and Tim Roy.
Ian Joseph, Medina FFA Co-Treasurer, serves beverages.
Monica Silversmith, one of the benefit organizers, thanked the Medina community for supporting the benefit.
“The community had given so much,” Silversmith said. “So many businesses, teachers, friends and family had donated. Anywhere from spaghetti to sauce and paper products to drinks and baskets were donated. Most everything was donated. We had well over 115 baskets for the raffle.”
Silversmith also said many students volunteered to make the event a success.
“We had a free carnival for the kids that the FFA and JV lacrosse team took care of it all,” she said. “They cooked, cleaned and played with the kids. There is no way we could have done it without them. Mr. Eick, whom is the FFA teacher and JV Lacrosse coach, made it mandatory but the fun those kids had I think they enjoyed it just as much.”
FFA member Jake Bensley runs one of the carnival games.
Provided photo, Congressman Chris Collins’ Office – Brittany Bearss of Medina is congratulated by Congressman Chris Collins for her honorable mention in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition. Collins met with students Saturday during a reception at GCC in Batavia. Another Medina student, Grace Flores, was unable to attend the reception.
Two Medina students were among four honorees in the 2016 Congressional Art Contest for the 27th Congressional District.
Grace Flores of Medina High School won the runner up in the contest, behind only Angelina Miconi of Batavia High School, the first place winner. The honorable mentions went to Brittany Bearss of Medina High School and Alexis Mele of Clarence High School.
“The Congressional Art Competition is the perfect opportunity to see firsthand the qualities of creativity and originality that our local high school artists demonstrate in their artwork,” Collins said.
This year’s Congressional Art Competition displayed the artwork of 85 high school students in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery at Genesee Community College. The 2016 winner, Angelina Miconi, will receive a round trip flight to Washington, D.C. and will join hundreds of high school artists nationwide to see their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
Collins extended his appreciation to Genesee Community College and President James Sunser, the art competition judges, Roz Steiner Art Gallery Director Mary Jo Whitman and Photography & Art Instructor Joe Ziolkowski, and all of the teachers, parents, and students who participated in this year’s Congressional Art Competition.
Provided photo – Sue Birch, director of environmental services at Medina Memorial Hospital, reviews an infection control monitoring report to validate cleanliness.
Press Release, Medina Memorial Hospital
MEDINA – Infections acquired in health-care settings are the most frequent adverse event in health care. Even those facilities that follow recommended infection control and antibiotic use practices are at risk if they receive patients who carry these germs from other facilities or enter the hospital with an already existing infection.
Late last year, a local public report, based on hospital acquired infection data collected from October 2013 through September 2014 (data that was a year old) showed Medina Memorial Hospital to have a higher than normal number of hospital acquired infections.
This generated an intensive performance improvement in 2014 to review and identify the source of the high numbers. Our efforts have resulted in the implementation of cutting-edge processes.
One key finding was that patients entering the hospital with an existing infection were not always being identified. This resulted in the infections being reported as a hospital acquired infections, even though they were not.
The hospital’s entire infection control protocol was reviewed. This includes the use of standardized protocols, performing blood cultures on admission to identify and begin treatment of exiting infections, following correct hand-washing procedures, cleaning of equipment such as blood pressure cuffs etc. between patients, the types of disinfectant being used, staff and patient education, and ongoing monitoring.
A cleaning verification system was also added to the infection surveillance program to verify the effectiveness of cleaning. Surfaces can be swabbed and measured by a device that measures any germs present and verify that optimal levels of cleanliness are met.
“This is a wonderful device to be added to our infection control surveillance,” said Karrie Mikits, RN, director of infection control. “Patient health depends on the cleanliness of the healthcare environment. This system can quickly and easily evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning materials and chemicals, and measure the effectiveness of standardized cleaning protocols. The software application that is part of the system allows us to track cleaning verification results, quickly identify problem areas, compare multiple facilities or areas, and generate reports for management and record keeping. We get objective measurement of surface cleanliness with on-the-spot feedback on cleaning effectiveness. We can even swab hands to determine the effectiveness of hand washing.”
This aggressive infection control protocol has produced exceptional outcomes. For the most recent reporting period this year, the highest level of improvement possible has been achieved – there were zero hospital acquired infections.
In the reporting period before this, after the aggressive approach to infection control was first initiated, there was a 71.4% improvement in hospital acquired infections.
This time we are at zero, demonstrating that our dedicated staff are continuing to work diligently every day to provide the best possible patient experience in all aspects of their stay with us.
MEDINA – Thirty-four students were inducted into the Arista Chapter of the National Honor Society on Wednesday at Medina High School.
Current members, under the direction of advisor Bronwyn Green, placed cords around the necks of the new members in a ceremony that honored a nearly century-old tradition.
This year’s inductees are: Coby Albone, Xion Baes, Brittany Bearss, Kathryn Bilicki, Nicholas Bogan, Teanna Cardone, Aeddon Cayea, Mallory Colton, Jadiel Flores-Medina, Taylor Frasier, Grace Fuller, Martha Gardner, Sarah Granchelli, Emily Green, Abigail Griffin, Molley Gross, Brandon Harris, Erin Hofmeister, Madison Holland, Taylor Hurrell, Kyla Leno, Chase McAdoo, Abbyleigh Osborne-Jones, Morgan Roach, Federico Rosario, Victoria Schicker, Carley Schultz, Kristian Snyder, Mikayla Soha, Emmanuel Sones, Paige Wagner, Nicole Waild, Madeline Winters and Kathryn Young.
Principal Michael Cavanagh welcomed honored guests and Medina Mayor Andrew Meier gave the keynote address.
In the 1920’s an exclusive scholarship club was held at Medina High School that invited students to join them based on their grade point average and formal recommendations. When Medina Central School District decided to charter its own chapter of the National Honor Society in 1964, the administration decided to honor the spirit of the existing club.
Grace Fuller is corded by Colm Cooper.
Emmanuel Sones receives the NHS cords from Allison Bensley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Renderings courtesy Medina Architectural & Historic Review Board Zambistro is planning an addition to 408 Main St., as well as facade changes allowing for expanded outdoor seating.
Tim Hungerford is planning facade improvements at 414-416 Main St. Hungerford lives in a loft apartment at the building with his wife. He is renovating the first floor for retail space.
MEDINA – Two building owners near each other on Main Street will tackle facade restoration projects.
Michael Zambito, owner of Zambistro at 408 Main St., is also planning for an addition to the building. His plans for facade restoration and an addition were approved Tuesday by the Village of Medina Architectural & Historic Review Board.
The changes in the facade will expand outdoor seating and patio space for the restaurant.
“It’s a big move for him,” Board Chairman Chris Busch said about Zambito.
Busch praised the restaurant owner for making a big investment in the downtown, a project in sync with the character of the historic business district.
Just a few buildings from Zambistro, Tim Hungerford also is planning significant restoration work to the facade at 414-416 Main St. Hungerford lives in a loft apartment at the building. He is working to make the first floor attractive retail space.
The Architectural & Historic Review Board approved the project on Tuesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Main Street in Medina is pictured in this photo from March 2013. A state grant offers 75 percent of the funds for building projects in the downtown business district.
MEDINA – Building owners in downtown Medina have until April 29 to apply for grant funds through the NY Main Street program.
Medina in December was approved for a $335,000 grant. Those funds can go towards 75 percent of a building improvement project.
Kathy Blackburn is managing the grant for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, which applied for the funds for the Medina businesses. Blackburn expects building owners will submit applications the far exceed the $335,000.
A committee will decide which projects are approved for funding. That is the same committee that has been handling facade improvement grants for Medina. The group will use a scoring system for weighing the grant applications. The committee expects to pick the grant recipients next month, Blackburn said.
Strong interest from the building owners could prompt another application for a Main Street grant once the current one is complete, she said. The Chamber held an informational meeting on the grant Tuesday morning at City Hall, and about 35-40 people attended, Blackburn said.
Building owners can receive up to $50,000 in grant funds for building improvements. Some of the eligible projects include facade improvements, masonry, windows, doors, signs, awnings, interior work, plumbing, electrical, walls/floors/doors, roof, foundation and structural work.
The grant doesn’t fund additions, demolitions, landscaping and parking and residential projects with no commercial units.
The grant includes $15,000 for streetscape improvements. Blackburn said the committee is considering historic-looking garbage receptacles and new planters.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos courtesy of Owen Toale
MEDINA – Michael Sidari, the new mayor of Medina, is sworn in Monday evening while his wife Brenda holds the family Bible. Sidari served two years on the Village Board before being elected mayor on March 15. He was unopposed and succeeds Andrew Meier.
Sidari is an active member of the Medina Fire Department. He is retired as the food service administrator for the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion.
Two village trustees were also sworn in on Monday, including Marguerite Sherman and Tim Elliott.
Sherman, a special education teacher at Medina, was sworn in for her second two-year term. Elliott, co-owner of the new Brushstrokes Studios in Medina, served on the Village Planning Board.
Sidari and the Village Board made several appointments on Monday during the annual organizational meeting, including:
Naming Owen Toale as deputy mayor;
Appointing Deborah L. Padoleski to clerk-treasurer and Jada A. Burgess to deputy clerk-treasurer for two-year terms;
Naming Marguerite Sherman as fair housing officer for one year;
Naming Deborah L. Padoleski as registrar and Jada A. Burgess as deputy registrar for two-year terms;
Appointing Jamie Wagner and LuAnn Howe to three-year appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals;
Naming Christopher Busch to a five-year term on the Planning Board with Mary Lewis as an alternate;
Appointing Shirley Whittleton and Kathleen Blackburn to three-year terms on the Boxwood Cemetery Commission;
Naming Nicole Goyette and Jamie Wagner to three-year appointments to the Tree Board;
Naming James Hancock to a two-year appointment to the Tourism Committee;
Appointing Christopher Busch to a five-year term to the Minimum Standards Appeals Board;
Village trustees were appointed to the following committees or assignments by Mayor Sidari: Fire/Code – Toale, Elliott; Police/DPW – Sherman, Todd Bensley; Employee Relations – Bensley/Toale; Clerk-Treasurer – Sidari; Town of Ridgeway Liaison – Elliott; Town of Shelby Liaison – Sherman; MBA Liaison – Bensley; Orleans County Liaison – Toale; Boxwood Cemetery – Bensley; Joint Recreation – Toale, Elliott; Tourism Committee – Sherman.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Tamara Huzair, 14, of Waterport sings during Friday night’s debut International Music Festival at Medina Theatre. The event was organized by the World Life Institute Center for the Performing Arts.
Tamara’s father Bilal is president of WLI. She joined her siblings – Ayman, 22; Salma, 17; and Qasim, 12 – in performing with the group Dounya, which means “world.”
Anand Ramanujam plays the Tabla, a drum from India, during Friday’s concert. Anand Ramanujam is a Tabla artist who grew up, trained and taught in India. For more about him, visit www.aanandham.com.
This photo was taken from back stage and shows performers with The Jade Monkeys, a band from Toronto. The local band, The Who Dats, also performed on Friday.
Ayman Huzair sings during the concert.
This photo was taken from the sound booth. The Huzair family sings a song dedicated to the late Vincent Cardone, who worked to develop the Medina Theatre.
The World Life Institute also recognized three local journalists for their efforts in covering community news. WLI gave awards to Virginia Kropf of The Daily News in Batavia, Tom Rivers of the Orleans Hub, and Bob Confer who writes for the Greater Niagara Newspapers, the New American magazine, as well as the East Niagara Post.
WLI today at 1:30 p.m. will celebrate the opening of The Colonade, the former Masonic Temple in Medina. WLI will use the site at 229 West Center St. for arts and cultural programming, and other events.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2016 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – Members of the World Life Institute raise the American flag this afternoon outside The Colonnade, the former Medina Masonic Temple at 229 West Center St.
The Colonnade is the world-wide headquarters for World Life Institute, which runs humanitarian and educational programs in several countries.
World Life has been active in Orleans County for more than two decades. It built a school on Stillwater Road in Carlton about 20 years ago. That site is used for ESL classes, a pottery program for farmworkers, and other educational efforts, including Project Life, where children from war-torn countries spend summers with local host families and learn English, and take art and other classes.
Sisters Tamara, left, and Salma Huzair of Waterport sing the national anthem during a dedication program this afternoon. Their father, Bilal Huzair, is the current World Life president. Idris Salih, back right, was among about 50 people to attend the opening celebration.
World Life members stand at attention after raising the American flag. Chad Scott, left, and Ameen Ghani, right, both served in the military with Scott enlisted from 1999 to 2003 while Ghani served from 1964 to 1967.
Chris Wilson, center, is World Life’s communication director and international director of the Project Life program. The program is in its 20th year and has hosted about 135 children from war-torn Bosnia, Afghanistan and Chechnya. Some children also came one summer from Sri Lanka following a devastating tsunami. All of the children have lost at least one parent to war or tragedy.
World Life wants to push its humanitarian mission, Wilson said, and the new center in Medina will give it a headquarters for educational, humanitarian and cultural work.
The building was used by the Mormon church before the Masons acquired the site about a dozen years ago. Declining membership in the Masonic Lodge convinced the organization’s leaders to sell the building.
World Life added the new sign on Friday, just in time for today’s celebration.
“This is a very special building with a very special history,” Chris Wilson said. “We will continue the tradition of working to improve the human condition.”
Wilson addresses the group gathered for today’s dedication program. World Life wants to use the site for academic programs, and lectures open to the community.
The organization is developing the World Life College with classes in languages, religious studies, emergency preparedness and other subjects. World Life also wants to help high school students with college preparation and entrance exams.
Dr. Asaf Durakovic, director of World Life Institute, helped start the organization about 20 years ago. World Life has grown to an international scope. Durakovic shared a blessing for the headquarters today. He is next to Al Kropf, a member of the Medina Masonic Lodge.
Virginia Kropf, a long-time reporter for The Daily News in Batavia, shares remarks today during the opening ceremonies for The Colonnade. Kropf said Medina has a rich history, and World Life Institute is part of a new chapter. She also shared about becoming an airplane pilot at age 56.
“This building is being put to good use,” Kropf told the group. “We look forward to seeing what you’re going to do with it in Medina.”
Chris Wilson is in back at right, next to Amir Hassan Joosub, who is opening a new World Life site in Geneva, Switzerland.
Dr. Julianne Hazen discusses plans for the World Life College. She is an educator who focuses on contemporary Sufism in America, Britain, and the Balkans. She said World Life will work to bring more educational opportunities to the Medina community, including civic and ESL classes and other programs.
