By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Carol Bellack was among the volunteers working Saturday to set up the lights and decorations at the State Street Park in Medina.
The Medina Lions Club and other volunteers decorate Christmas trees and set up a Nativity scene and other signs of the upcoming holiday season.
Lions Club members Dave Denny, left, and Dave Bellucci, right, work with Ben Kaiser, a volunteer, to set up one of the animals. Kaiser’s father Pete supervises the set up and tear down of the display.
Pete Kaiser installs a star at one of the displays. The decorated park is on Route 31 on the east side of the village.
Diane Mazur, right, strings lights on some of the Christmas trees. Her sister Robin Dubai, left, also helped with the task.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Matt C.M. Contracting is grand champion again
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Matt C.M. Contracting was grand champion in the Parade of Lights on Saturday, taking the top prize for the lighted floats in the parade.
Matt C.M. Contracting owner Matt Mundion created the “Medina Express,” a train with four units.
The Medina Express heads down Main Street. It was one of 41 floats in the seventh annual Parade of Lights.
Other winners, announced today by Parade Chairman Jim Hancock, include:
Best in class for Commercial/Business: 5 Star Bank (featuring Bumble from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer)
Not-for-profit: Medina Band Boosters (with Winnie the Pooh theme)
Religious: Red Rose Landscaping
Service Club/Organization: Albion FFA (with a theme from the movie, Frozen)
Fire Company: Lyndonville Fire Department (photos show front and back of Lyndnville fire truck decorated for parade)
Other category: Waterport Float
Little Elf Award: Little Bits Miniature Horse 4-H Club
The Star Award: Medina Sandstone Society (tribute to Robert Waters)
The Community Spirit Award: Shelby Volunteer Fire Company
Santa’s Pick Award: Orchard Manor Rehab & Nursing Center (with Grinch themed float. Orchard Manor Administrator Dave Denny dressed as the Grinch and assistant director Katie Rich dressed as Martha May.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Two giant snowmen greet people on the parade route during the seventh annual Parade of Lights in Medina today. The snowmen were part of a float by Bentley Brothers in Albion.
There was a record 41 businesses and organizations in the parade that started at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and concluded in downtown Medina.
A float from Lake Alice and Waterport was near the front of the hour-long parade.
The Medina Mustang Band Boosters joined the fun with a Winnie the Pooh themed float.
Matt Mundion, the defending champion, outdid last year’s effort by creating a train, The Medina Express, that included several different units that were lighted up for the occasion.
The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company had a message with its float. Firefighters urged people to shovel near fire hydrants once the snow hits.
Bumble, a character from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, was part of the float created by Five Star Bank. Bumble is shown in the parking lot at the Olde Pickle Factory. Fireworks are going off in back. There was a fireworks show at 5:45, just before the parade started at 6 p.m.
The Medina Sandstone Society created a float in tribute to the late Bob Waters, the Sandstone Society’s former president. Pictured, from left: Andrew Meier, Adam Tabelski and Aaron Grabowski. The trio sang several songs.
The Medina FFA created a float with a Radio Flyer theme.
Kelsee Soule plays the character Elsa from Frozen as part of the Albion FFA float.
The Medina Mustang Band dressed in lights for the parade.
Medina Police Chief Jose Avila served as honorary grand marshal for the parade. He is retiring next month after 17 years as leader of the Medina Police Department.
Orleans Hub will have more photos on Sunday from the parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photos
MEDINA – Parents in the Head Start program spent last Saturday decorating a float for tomorrow’s Parade of Lights in Medina.
It will be a spectacle of light and small-town pride on Saturday for the Parade of Lights. Organizations have been busy working on their floats for the 6 p.m. parade which starts at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and heads into downtown.
(Police Chief Jose Avila, the honorary parade grand marshal, will flip the switch to light up Rotary Park at 5:30 and there will be fireworks at 5:45, just before the parade.)
Parents in the Head Start program met at the Head Start site on Ensign Street in Medina to work on the float.
Last year, Head Start won the “Littlest Elf Award” for the best float for involving youths and adults.
Here is how Head Start’s float looked last year during the parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Construction is moving along for the new Family Dollar store on Maple Ridge Road. This photo shows how the 8,320-square-foot building looked on Monday.
Village officials expect the store will open in early 2016, but no date has been set thus far.
The Durban Group, which is based in North Carolina, is managing the building project at 11300 Maple Ridge Rd. The company wanted to have the shell of the building, the parking lot and other site work done before winter.
Medina village officials pushed to have the store to have a brick appearance and black trim, giving the building a more classic look.
Here are the renderings the Durban Group presented to the Village Planning Board back in February, when the site plan was approved.
Contractors today started work on the exterior that will look like brick, said Marty Busch, the village code enforcement officer.
Village Planning Board members said dollar stores in other communities often resemble block and steel pole barns. Medina has design standards for new construction in the commercial and business districts.
The Family Dollar in Medina will have 28 parking spaces, and will include trees and other landscaping improvements. The project also includes a 25-foot-high pylon sign.
The store will move out of the Tops Plaza and go about ½ mile east to a site across from Tim Hortons.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Chad Kenward
MEDINA – The next police chief in Medina is a familiar face to many in the community.
Chad Kenward worked several years as the school resource officer in Medina Central School. In that role, Kenward was an officer with the Medina Police Department spending much of his time in the school district. (Jason Barnum is working as school resource officer this school year after Kenward served about eight years in the position.)
Kenward, a Medina native, will take over as police chief in late December, succeeding Jose Avila, who is retiring after serving 17 years as chief.
The Medina Village Board appointed Kenward chief on Monday. He will lead a department that has seen several veteran officers retire recently.
Kenward is also a member of the Orleans County Multi-Agency SWAT Team. He met with the community on Oct. 4 during an open house at the Medina Fire Department, an event that was part of fire prevention week.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Todd Eick, Medina’s agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, sits on a new pedal tractor he won from Case International in a contest of best Instagram photos using a key chain with a tiny tractor.
Eick is pictured with students, from left: Raymond Beneway, Mitchell Wienke, Alden Cayea and David Ayhart. They are in the ag production class taught by Eick.
Eick led a group of Medina students to the FFA National Convention in Lousiville last month. Case International gave away key chains with tractors and encouraged people to take photos of the key chains and post to Case International Instagram account.
Eick used coffee grounds to create a scene where it looks like the tractor is plowing a field. The photo won first place in the national contest.
The pedal tractor arrived on Nov. 11 and Eick and some of his students assembled it. He will decorate the new tractor in lights and ride it in Saturday’s Parade of Lights in Medina beginning at 6 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Ruth Verrantti of Gasport helps unload a truck full of food that will be given to Medina families on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.
Medina area churches, businesses, organizations and residents all donated enough food for 141 families for Thanksgiving. The food will be shared with the families at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 203 West Center St.
Cindy Curtin has been coordinator of the effort the past 11 years. It has been growing in recent years, up from 128 families last year. Most of the families are connected to the effort by word of mouth.
Curtin and her husband John gather the food with the help of many volunteers over about six weeks. They keep most of it in their garage on Slade Road. Today volunteers showed up to move the food to the Baptist Church.
Tim Verrantti of Gasport helps move the food from the Curtin garage this afternoon. Verrantti and his wife Ruth are in a small group ministry with the Curtins.
The Veranttis attend church at the Chapel at CrossPoint in Getzville. The Curtins go to church at Community Fellowship in Johnson Creek.
Cindy and John Curtin read Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Church, 11 years ago and decided to push for the Thanksgiving food effort for local families.
“This has grown into such a wonderful thing,” she said.
John Curtin carries in cans of green beans. He and his wife help lead the Thanksgiving food ministry. Families with three or more people get an assortment of food, including a turkey while others with one or two people in the household will receive chicken and other food.
Cindy Curtin said other families struggling to provide Thanksgiving can reach out to a Medina church and she would try to make sure there is food for them on the big holiday this Thursday.
Christian Hahn, a local Boy Scout who also attends First Baptist Church, helps get the food out of boxes and on to tables at the Baptist Church.
MEDINA – Oak Orchard Elementary School teachers helped gather food for their Helpful Harvest donations. The group includes, from left: Katie Ames, Natalie Scott, Roberta Culver, Sue Anderson, Sue Lehman, Judy Jennings, Wendi Fuller, Barb Merritt, Allison Harmon, Tammy VanDeGenachte, Andrea Roland, Sandy Southworth, Julie Granchelli, Liz Allis, Paula Kwandrans, Debbie Congelli, Tracey Fike, Tricia Stacey, Andrea Lonnen, Nicole Miller and Nicole Goyette.
Members of the Medina Teachers Association held the Helpful Harvest food drive from Nov. 1 through Nov. 13. Teachers filled grocery bags donated by Tops Markets in Medina. The drive completed with more than100 bags of food being donated to the local food pantry.
These teachers pictured below also helped with the drive.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – More than a hundred Teddy Bears, stuffed animals and dolls received medical care this week from Medina Memorial Hospital in the return of the Teddy Bear Clinic.
The top photo shows Jeanine Corbett from the hospital checking on a monkey owned by a kindergartner from the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion.
The hospital used to have the clinic and welcomed kindergartners to bring in toys that would receive bandages, X-rays, Band-Aids and other care.
But when local schools cut back on field trips about a decade ago, the Teddy Bear Clinic went away. The hospital is bringing it back and Albion kindergartners were the first to give it a try.
Mary Dunham, a nurse a Medina Memorial, looks over some of the stuffed animals brought in today by kindergartners.
The hospital hopes the Teddy Bear Clinic helps children to feel more comfortable if they ever need to go to the hospital.
Erika Keyes shows students the X-ray machine.
Mary Dunham shows students a X-ray of a Teddy Bear with a penny in its stomach.
Jonah Elsenheimer brought in his stuffed animal of a dog. Mary Dunham puts a bandage on the dog’s leg after Jonah said it fell off its skateboard. The students were welcome to make up injuries for their stuffed animals.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Barbara Waters addresses Medina High School students on Friday when she was inducted into the school’s “Wall of Distinguished Alumni.” Waters has been active in the community, owning several businesses and serving on the board for Medina Memorial Hospital. She shared about hard work, and meeting her goal of getting a college degree – at age 60.
MEDINA – High schoolers looking for inspiration for the future don’t have to look far for examples of Medina students who have been successes, pouring their lives into the local community or leaving their mark elsewhere in the country and the world.
The school has a “Wall of Distinguished Alumni” and five more graduates were inducted into that select group on Friday.
Michael Cavanagh, high school principal, said the school wants to honor alumni, promote school spirit and pride, and provide an incentive for current students.
“The people we honor today are proof that we are all capable of greatness and making a difference in society,” he told about 600 students in grades 8 through 12 during an afternoon program in the auditorium.
The school inducted Barbara Waters, Class of 1948; Lee Eick, Class of 1969; Dr. Hugh McElwee, Class of 1960; Wilford Gratrick, Class of 1930; and Edwin Caleb, Class of 1965.
Barbara Waters was first to be inducted. She graduated during an era with fewer opportunities for women. However, she would own five family businesses and became an influential leader in healthcare for the community. She built and opened the 120-bed Orchard Manor in 1972, the 24-bed Willows, the Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park, and bought and remodeled many homes.
She credited her father, Frank Balcerzak, for instilling a work ethic in his children. Barbara shared with students about how she and her twin sister, Marcia Tuohey, would work on a muck farm as teen-agers.
“It wasn’t glamorous work for two young girls but it was enough to buy clothes,” Waters said. “The lesson that hard work never hurt anybody we learned at an early age.”
She was active on the board of directors for Medina Memorial Hospital for 22 years, and was able to recruit many long-time physicians to the community.
Waters and her late husband Robert were long-time community dynamos, pushing projects in the Medina area. Mr. Waters wrote the nomination for his wife to be considered for the Wall of Distinguished Alumni before his death on July 29. Mr. Waters was inducted into the group in 2003.
His wife shared with students about her dream of going to college and earning a degree. When she graduated from high school in 1948, not many women were in college, and there wasn’t much financial aid for students.
After achieving business success, Mrs. Waters went to college at Niagara University. When she was 60, she graduated after being in classes with students ages 19 and 20.
“Everyone has a dream,” she said. “I wanted to receive a degree.”
Waters told students there are job opportunities locally. She told the girls “the glass ceiling has been cracked” and they should aim high. She told the students to cope with changes throughout life.
Bill Eick, an Orleans County legislator, accepts the award on his brother’s behalf.
“There are so many opportunities now,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to really work hard.”
Waters was the only one of the five inductees to attend the program on Friday. Two inductees are deceased and two others live across the country.
Lee Eick enjoyed a career as a successful structural engineer after earning a degree from Purdue University in 1974. He worked on projects around the world, building bridges, dams, water turbines and renovating historic properties for Ch2m Hill Companies, Ltd. He lives in Oregon and has been an influential mentor for engineers and an active church member in his community.
Lee’s brother, Bill Eick of Shelby, accepted the award on his behalf. Bill read a statement from his brother, who credited family values and a work ethic from the family’s dairy farm for helping him attain success and strive to serve others.
Dr. Hugh McElwee is a gastroenterologist in Fort Collins, Colo. He has been in practice for 43 years and has several breakthroughs in his field.
Cavanagh read a statement from McElwee who said he wasn’t the smartest student at Medina.
“I wasn’t the best at anything in high school,” McElwee said. “Patience and persistence are more important than intelligence or money.”
Edwin Caleb’s sister, Karen Larson, accepted the award on his behalf on Friday.
Edwin Caleb was born in 1947 and grew up in West Shelby. He earned a law degree in 1979 in Oregon and would serve 27 years as district attorney for Klamath County, Oregon, establishing Citizens for Safe Schools program, the Elder Abuse Task Force and the Domestic Violence Reduction Unit. He supervised the Klamath County Major Crime Team in the investigation and conviction of murderers and sex offenders.
He also was active in mentoring programs with local youth. Caleb was picked as “Citizen of the Year” in 2012 by his local newspaper for his professional and humanitarian work. He died on Jan. 29, 2015.
Wilford Gratrick earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Michigan State University and was in the ROTC program. He served as a company commander in the Army during World War II before returning to Medina in 1946.
He worked for the Medina Power and Light Company before joining the Army again in 1948. He would travel the world with the Army using his skills in nuclear technology. After he retired from the Army, he worked as a professor for four years at the University of California in Berkeley. He died in 1985 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Art Hill Excavation has been doing some of the site work for the new Pride Pak on Maple Ridge Road.
ALBION – Pride Pak, a Canadian company that is building a new 64,000-square-foot vegetable processing plant in Medina, is a new real estate owner in the community.
The company and the Orleans Economic Development Agency today approved a deal where the company will pay $130,000 for 13 acres along Maple Ridge Road. The EDA is selling the land at $10,000 per acre.
The agency will use proceeds from the sale towards infrastructure for the site. Jim Whipple, the EDA chief executive officer, said the $130,000 will cover a portion of the expense.
The Medina Village Board has committed $50,000 and the Shelby Town Board $10,000 to add a sewer line and build an access road. The Town of Shelby, Village of Medina and Orleans County highway crews will provide in-kind work on the road and some of the infrastructure work.
Construction equipment has been at the site for about two weeks with site work underway.
Steve Karr, Pride Pak chief executive officer, would like to have the new building done in late April and then equipment moved in for a June 1 opening. But he said last month that cooperation from Mother Nature over the winter will be a big factor in meeting that schedule.
The EDA board of directors on Friday also approved a 20-year tax savings plan that will save Pride Pak $1,737,75 in property taxes over 20 years. The PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) commits Pride Pak to paying $1,330,204 over 20 years to the Village of Medina, Town of Shelby, Medina Central School, and Orleans County.
The property has been tax exempt and hasn’t generated any taxing revenue. Pride Pak won’t pay any taxes in the first year and will then see its tax bill increase in 5 percent increments over 20 years until it is paying $157,421 in year 20.
The company plans to add 85 to 100 jobs in phase 1 of the project. It expects to add two more buildings after the first one is up and operational next year. Any structures after the first building are not part of the proposed PILOT and those buildings would result in additional tax revenue for the local governments.
Pride Pak says it would have 206 employees at full build-out, making an average of $25,000 the first year, $27,000 the second year and $28,500 after three years.
In addition to the $1,737,75 discount in property taxes on property taxes, the EDA approved a sales tax exemption for $320,400, and an exemption on the mortgage tax worth $65,000 or 1 percent of $6.5 million. That puts the total incentives over $2 million.
The EDA will administer the PILOT and will be paid an estimated $251,000 for its services with the project.
Photos courtesy of Eastern Niagara Post – Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni, left, and Sgt. David Mogle accept the Platinum Award from AAA Safety Advisor Terri Rae Anthony during an awards luncheon on Thursday at Donna Eick’s restaurant in Lockport.
LOCKPORT – Three police departments in Orleans County were recognized by AAA with traffic safety initiatives on Thursday.
Albion, Holley and Medina police departments were all honored during an awards luncheon in Lockport at Donna Eick’s restaurant.
Albion received the top award – the Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award. Medina was given a “Silver” and Holley a “Bronze” for their efforts.
The Platinum recognized departments for outstanding efforts and enforcement activities geared towards making communities safer over a consecutive three-year period, AAA said.
In addition to Albion, AAA recognized the Middleport Police Department, New York State Police in Lockport and Niagara County Sheriff’s Department.
Chad Kenward, a Medina police officer, accepts the “Silver Award” from Anthony for the Medina PD’s efforts to promote traffic safety.
The Lockport Police Department also was recognized with a Gold award, and Barker Police Department was given a Bronze.
“We are proud of all these departments for their achievement and participation in the Community Traffic Safety Program,” said JJ Miller, AAA East Central Safety Advisor. “They went above and beyond the call of duty by organizing projects to make their communities safer places for motorists and residents.”
To be eligible for the annual awards, a community must conduct traffic safety promotions and educate the public on safety topics.
Provided photos – Shown here in front of the new Wall of Heroes Memorial Plaque, include, from left: resident Robert Hale; Jamie Murphy, activities director; resident Anthony Stefaniak; resident Howard Brusie; and Dave Denny, administrator.
Press Release, Orchard Manor
MEDINA – Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center unveiled its new Veterans Memorial Plaque just in time for Veterans Day.
The idea to acknowledge and honor deceased Orchard Manor veterans with a plaque was submitted months ago as a suggestion by Lori Zdrojewski, LPN.
Dave Denny, administrator, assigned the project to Jamie Murphy, activities director. She sought out local sign maker Greg Stanton of Stanton Signs to create the Wall of Heroes plaque, designed by Wayne Dorpfeld D’Zines, which includes names of veterans who passed away at Orchard Manor.
To commemorate the event, members of Medina and Albion VFW & American Legion performed a gun salute in the courtyard, followed by the playing of Taps.
Orchard Manor veterans also joined in as the entire group recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Residents were then treated to coffee with donuts compliments of Medina Dunkin’ Donuts.
Veterans in an Honor Guard do a gun salute in the courtyard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Ronan Tynan
MEDINA – The Orleans Renaissance Group has worked to promote cultural events and preservation projects in the community for more than decade, putting on first-rate concerts highlighted by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the world-renown a cappella quartet, Anonymous 4.
The ORG, a volunteer-led group based in Medina, has announced its biggest event to date: a concert on Sept. 17, 2016 featuring Ronan Tynan, an internationally acclaimed Irish tenor, who also is a recording artist, physician and champion disabled athlete.
The concert will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which was largely built by the Irish community in the early 1900s.
“The thought of this incredible Irish tenor performing in an old Irish parish was exciting to think about,” said Chris Busch, president of the ORG. “Not since Medina’s own great tenor, William McGrath, has this community experienced a voice of such rich beauty.”
ORG leaders were brainstorming ideas for upcoming events, when Tim Cooper, owner of Cooper Funeral Home, suggested reaching out to Tynan.
“After some further conversations with Ronan’s people, we decided to make it happen,” Busch said. “The night will be historic – for ORG, the parish and the community.”
Tynan has sung at funeral for Ronald Reagan, during the World Series at Yankee Stadium and many concert halls across the United States and internationally.
“The Orleans Renaissance Group is both pleased and proud to be bringing this world-class performer to Western New York,” Busch said. “We are equally thrilled to be hold this landmark concert event in historic St. Mary Church – a soaring gothic beauty and an old Irish parish.”
Provided photo – St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina will host the concert on Sept. 17, 2016.
A Sony recording artist, he has released more than 10 titles, 4 of which have achieved platinum status. Additionally, between 1981 and 1984, Tynan amassed 18 gold medals and 14 world records while participating in the Paralympics. Nine of his records still stand.
Tynan has performed for four U.S. Presidents including George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and as single soloist at the funeral for Ronald Reagan. Tynan has sung for two Popes, Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica and Pope Benedict at the Concert of Hope. (Click here for more on Tynan.)
Busch said ORG has been working to bring Tynan to Medina for about a year.
The late William McGrath was a world-famous opera singer who was born in Medina and attended Medina High School and St. Mary Church. He attended Juilliard on a scholarship and was immediately placed in the graduate school because of his ability.
He sang with the Metropolitan Opera for many years and was well-known to Medinians and around the world.
“Ronan Tynan in Medina will be a historic event for the area,” Busch said. “All eyes will be on our community and people will be visiting Medina from miles around. We’ve already sold tickets from as far away as California for this event.”
Though the concert is a year away, ORG is offering special advance pre-sale tickets through Dec. 31 at the reduced price of $35 each, general seating. For more information, click here.
She credited her father, Frank Balcerzak, for instilling a work ethic in his children. Barbara shared with students about how she and her twin sister, Marcia Tuohey, would work on a muck farm as teen-agers.
