Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Trinity Lutheran Church will celebrate its new organ with a 7 p.m. concert on Friday at the church, 1212 West Ave.

The organ actually isn’t new. The 28-rank organ was in Christ Episcopal Cathedral of Cincinnati. That church donated the Holtkamp pipe organ to Trinity in 2014. Chesapeake Organ Service was hired to clean, rewire, and reinstall the organ at Trinity.

The organ replaces one from 1925 with eight ranks or eight sets of pipes and two manuals or keyboards. Trinity’s new organ has three keyboards.

The organ, located in the balcony, debuted for the church on Easter Sunday on April 5, but only became near fully functional in the past three to four months.

“It’s had a marked change in the energy of the service,” said Andrew Meier, the church organist.

Friday’s concert will feature Tim Smith, founder and executive director of the Portageville Chapel in Wyoming County. That site offers retreats for organ musicians and has been booked every weekend from April through November.

Smith also owns Chesapeake Organ Service, the company that took out Trinity’s old organ and put in the much-improved instrument, which is distinguished by its exposed pipes, limited casework, and bright, assertive voicing.

Admission to the concert on Friday is no charge with a free-will offering.

Andrew Meier, organist for Trinity Lutheran, plays the instrument last week.

Meier said Medina has several high-quality organs. St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina also is putting in a new one.

The organs could add to Medina as a destination, said Meier, who is also Medina’s mayor. More importantly, the instruments add to the worship expeirence at local churches.

He said some churches shifted to electronic instruments, but now the organs are becoming more desired by some congregations.

“In the ’60s and ’70s, the trend was toward electronic organ technology,” he said. “But the pendulum is going the other way. It’s a bonus now when you have a pipe organ.”

Trinity’s organ has about three times as many pipes as the previous one that had about 500.

“There is a real presence a pipe organ has during a service that you don’t get with an electronic instrument,” Meier said. “Electronic is one-dimensional, but a pipe organ hits you from many levels.”

The concert on Friday includes a mix of traditional and classical Christmas music and carols.

Provided photo – Pictured include from left: Clifford Wise Middle School Vice Principal Chris Hughes, Corrections Officer Kenny Gold, Dean of Students Eileen Regan, Social Worker Elaine Ryan, Counselor Kelly Linnan, Guidance Counselor Lindsay Fassel, Corrections Officer Matt Lamar, NYSCOPBA Business Agent Dave Tessmer, NYSCOPBA Regional Vice President Joe Miano and NYSCOPBA Business Agent Al Mothershed.

Press Release
Medina Central School

MEDINA – Santa arrived early to the Medina Central School District to make the holidays a wonderful time for many families in the district.

For the past three years, employees from the Orleans Correctional Facility have looked to adopt a family from the area for the holidays. When Corrections Officer Matt Lamar reached out to some counselors at the school district he was saddened to hear there were so many needy families, it was hard for them to just pick one to single out for their generosity.

“The Western New York NYSCOPBA (New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc.) adopts five families each year,” Lamar said.

Guidance Counselor Elaine Ryan says the staff at the district usually takes up a collection of clothes, toys and money for their Angel Tree, to make the holidays a little brighter for some of their families, but they were about $500 short of being able to take care of all of them.

“We had more less fortunate children than we usually have,” Ryan said. “There are a lot of families that are struggling right now.”

When Lamar shared the news with the NYSCOPBA Regional Vice President Joe Miano, he approved enough money to make sure that the district had everything that it needed.

Mrs. Ryan said the district is very grateful to NYSCOPBA representatives and what they are doing for their students.

“Our kids are going to have a better Christmas and that is what we all care about,” she said. “We are so pleased that they helped us out with this. They are wonderful.”

Provided photo – Medina High School students are pictured with Paul Fulcomer, a representative for the American Legion, during the recent oratorical contest. Medina students include, from left: John Kelly, Tristan Sanders, Amanda Lunden and Kyla Leno.

Press Release
Medina Central School

MEDINA – Four students from Medina High School showed off their knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution at a contest at the American Legion.

The students gave eight- to 10-minute speeches on the topic, “What the Constitution Means to Me.”

Amanda Lunden won first place at the annual event and John Kelly took second place. Both advance to the Orleans County competition Dec. 12 at Clifford Wise Middle School in Medina.

“It is a great way for the students to get public speaking experience while teaching them leadership qualities and the history of our nation’s laws,” said Social Studies teacher Todd Bensley.

Judges were teachers Todd Eick, PJ Bell and Dawn Morse, American Legion representative Paul Fulcomer, attorney Ed Grabowski and Lubna Zaidi, Academic Director of the Medina Language Center and Gavel Club Advisor.

Provided photo – Medina Choral Director Lisa Roeseler practices with the A’Cappella Choir.

Press Release
Medina Central School

MEDINA – The Medina High School A’Cappella Choir, under the direction of Lisa Roeseler, has been diligently practicing for one of their biggest concerts of the year.

The annual Christmas concert for the community will be 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the corner of West Avenue and Eagle Street.

“It is an amazing event that attracts people from all over WNY,” says Mrs. Roeseler.

The tradition began decades ago with the former Choir Director Robert Connor.

“I remember attending in 1975, when my brother was in the choir, at the Presbyterian Church in Medina,” says Mrs. Roeseler. “It was amazing and such a wonderful thing to do for the community. When I became the choral director in 1986, I knew it was a tradition that I wanted to continue. It has become a beloved event in our community. It became so popular, that we eventually outgrew the Presbyterian Church and moved the performance to St. Mary’s.”

Every concert has been something special, but a highlight was when Mr. Connor returned to Medina to see the concert last December.

“It meant so much to me, the choir and the community,” Roeseler said. “Everyone gave him a standing ovation. Unfortunately, Mr. Connor passed away soon after that concert. A scholarship has been established to honor his memory and what he has brought musically to Medina. Since we do not charge admission for the concert, we are asking for a goodwill offering to support the Robert Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund at Medina High School. We would love to assist a student to continue to pursue a college education, while honoring a man who has done so much for Medina.”

The concert will be an hour-long and contain many sacred and secular pieces by the acclaimed choir. Mrs. Roeseler does recommend that anyone attending arrives at the church early to secure a seat.

“We always have great support from the community and it is going to be a fantastic concert,” she said. “The students have really put their hearts into it. I am sure it will put everyone in the holiday spirit.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – We have a lot of photos from the Parade of Lights and already posted some of the winning floats.

Several other groups also put a lot of effort into their displays but didn’t win awards in what must have been a tough decision for the judges on Saturday. The top photo shows the float created by the Orleans County YMCA.

Here are some additional photos from the parade.

Head Start

Medina Fire Department

Girls Scouts

Daughters of the American Revolution

Orleans Community Health Rehab Unit

Mark Time Marchers

Grace Baptist Church

Case-Nic Cookies

Medina FFA advisor Todd Eick

Hartland Carriages

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A new Christmas tree went up in Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Saturday, a tree that was months in the making and will find a new use after the holidays.

Library patrons and some staff spent several months knitting or crocheting 10-inch squares for the tree. The finished tree has 175 of the squares. After New Year’s, the squares will be used to create blankets for cancer patients at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.

Joy Cameron, a library staff member and five-year breast cancer survivor, is pictured with Library Director Catherine Cooper (right) by the tree.

Cameron and library staff member Lisa Pritchard were big cheerleaders for the project, promoting it to patrons. About 30 people made squares for the tree.

Cooper heard about a similar effort from a friend who was visiting from Ireland. That friend shared with Cooper how a library in Navan, Ireland, made a Christmas tree with squares that were then turned into blankets for cancer patients.

The Lee-Whedon tree also includes hand-made ornaments. Cameron said it takes about 10 of the squares to make a blanket.

She said she hopes the hand-made gifts will provide comfort to people battling cancer.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Provided photos

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.