Photos by Ginny Kropf: State Sen. Rob Ortt chats with residents of The Willows. In front are Arden Dick, left, Joan Roberts and Charlie Ralph. At rear, from left, are Laura Ianni, Dave Nixon and Residents’ Council president Beverly Schultz.

MEDINA – The Willows, an assisted living facility for seniors, welcomed a visit from State Sen. Robert Ortt last week.

The Willows administrator Jacquie Morgante and administrative assistant Jordan Banaszak greeted the senator and his district director Andrew Dugan. Ortt then met the residents, answered questions and toured the facility.

Banaszak said the visit was precipitated by the New York State Health Facilities Association and New York State Center for Assisted Living, who encourage lawmakers to visit these organizations in their district to learn more about adult care facilities and the different levels of care available in the area.

“The Willows is on the lowest level of adult care, meaning we provide supervision and medication management, but no nursing,” Morgante said. “We have a nurse who checks medications, orders meds and communicates with doctors.”

(Left) State Sen. Rob Ortt shakes hands with Sue Luxon, who last year was named “New York State’s Noble Caregiver of the Year.” (Right) Ortt is joined at The Willows by administrative assistant Jordan Banaszak, left, and administrator Jacquie Morgante as he greets residents during a visit last week.

Morgante said The Willows was just recently licensed as a respite care facility, meaning they have four beds designated for respite care for up to 120 days.

“It is private pay only, but we work with families to make it happen,” Banaszak said.

Since purchasing The Willows in November 2023, Morgante said they are trying to do more events for residents. They have purchased a trishaw bike (with seating in the front for a passenger).

Cycling Without Age Through Orleans County comes and takes residents for rides. Other Events include having magic shows and visiting animals, ordering out from local restaurants, ordering Polish food from a Clarence restaurant on Dyngus Day, visiting McDonalds, ordering treats from Hans’s Bakery and on Veterans’ Day giving out menus for Zambistro’s. A local minister comes once a week to do Bible study, which is popular, Banaszak said.

Ortt said getting out to see what’s available in his district helps him to learn what’s going on and make the right decisions when he has to vote on issues that come up in Albany.

“I’d rather be here than in Albany any day of the week,” he said. “I enjoy outreach, and it helps me out.”

Staff of The Willows posed with State Sen. Rob Ortt in front of the facility during his visit last week. From left are administrative assistant Jordan Banaszak, caregivers Mary Schaal and Sue Luxon, administrator Jacquie Morgante and caregivers Tanya Adams and Caren Eckerd.

Ortt toured the rooms, met the staff and chatted with residents, who had a myriad of questions. He was introduced to Sue Luxon, who last year was named New York State’s “Noble Caregiver of the Year.” Luxon is an original employee, who has been with The Willows for 28 years.

Resident Charlie Ralph shared his desire to see a tour boat on the canal, prompting Ortt to stress the benefits the Erie Canal provides.

“Any community which is not utilizing the canal for growth is missing the boat,” Ortt said.

The Willows is a 24-bed facility, of which 16 are now filled, Morgante shared.

Honorary pitch goes to leader of the 136th Attack Squadron at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station

Provided photo

BUFFALO – Justin Cecchini was picked to throw out the honorary first pitch before the Buffalo Bisons game. He threw a fastball for the first pitch on Friday, a strike right down the middle.

Pictured from left include Joseph Cecchini (son), Olivia Henning, Buster Bison, Julie (wife), Jenna (daughter), Justin and Jack Cecchini (son).

Lt. Col. Cecchini has been the squadron commander of the 136^th Attack Squadron since Jan. 20, 2024. The 136th Attack Squadron (Air National Guard) is based at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. In this role Cecchini plays a pivotal role in ensuring effective planning, coordination, and execution of all training and combat flying operations.

He is responsible for overseeing the operational readiness and leading 97 personnel while providing strategic guidance to the 136th Squadron and 107th Operations Group Commanders that ensures the alignment of operational activities with the Combatant Commanders’ objectives.

Lt. Col. Cecchini began his journey with the 107th Attack Wing back in March 2001 as an aircraft mechanic. His career progressed through significant roles within the 107th Operations Group, holding key positions such as Flight Training Officer, Assistant Chief of Tactics and Assistant Director of  Operations.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Taylor Schrader, president of the senior class at Medina, leads her excited classmates on Friday evening in moving their tassels from the right side to the left to signify their graduation.

There are 93 grads in the Class of 2025. The ceremony was held outside at Vets Park just after a downpour.

The graduates toss their caps and celebrate near the end of the ceremony on Friday.

Medina used to have graduation in the auditorium but moved it outdoors in the Covid pandemic in 2020. That location has been the preference for the district and the senior class since then. The bleachers at Vets Park can accommodate more people than the auditorium.

Medina school officials kept a close eye on the weather and could see the rain would stop at about 6:30 p.m. That gave the district about a half hour to set up for the ceremony and try to get the bleachers dry.

Kevin Czaja, director of facilities for the district, wipes down some of the bleachers after a heavy rain. Czaja said Friday wasn’t the first time rain hit right before the outdoor commencement.

Medina school employees Steve Miller, front, and Dylan Weese, up high on bleachers, used leaf blowers to dry the bleachers.

Sofia Gagliardi accepts her diploma and is congratulated by Mollie Mark, junior-senior high school assistant principal, and Michael Cavanagh, the school principal.

Makenzie McGrath, center, and her classmates received their diplomas on the field at Vets Park.

Matthew Kennedy Jr. shows his joy after getting his diploma.

Dan Owen DeVera, the valedictorian at left in front, and Cameron Kenward, the salutatorian, both gave prerecorded speeches to their classmates.

DeVera and Kenward both thanked their families, friends and teachers for all the love and support during their 13 years in school.

DeVera said he has already changed his career plans several times since he was a little kid, from initially wanting to be a doctor to then shifting to aspiring to be a writer. Now he is focused on studying computer science at the University at Buffalo. He said he may ultimately pick a different career path.

“Things will change in the future,” he said. “The real question is can you, too, and by how much?”

DeVera was in the school’s marching band and he referenced a line from “New York, New York,” which was part of the band’s fall show. “If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere.” DeVera said the graduates have made it through Medina, and are ready for their next challenge.

“This is not the end because we are not done,” he said.

Kenward shared about three famous people – basketball star Michael Jordan, filmmaker Steven Spielberg and entertainment mogul Walt Disney – who didn’t let initial rejection derail their dreams.

“Failure is not the end, hut a step,” Kenward said. “Will you learn from it, and strive and succeed?”

He said he appreciates people helping him through his failures and mistakes. He urged his classmates to follow that example of offering kindness and mentorship to others.

“Whatever path you pursue there is one thing we will all encounter – failure,” Kenward said. “These failures don’t make us unsuccessful or losers.” They opportunities to learn and grow, he said.

Roberta Culver, a retiring kindergarten teacher, also gave a keynote address, “Big and Small, We’ll Celebrate Them All.”

Culver had several of the graduates as kindergartners about a 12 years ago. She recalled their exuberance in celebrating holidays, even in making their hand=print turkeys around Thanksgiving and helping to plant trees at Arbor Day.

The class celebrating birthdays, losing a tooth, coloring contests, reaching reading milestones, and remembering their take-home folders.

Culver urged them to celebrate achievements in life – getting their first apartment, bringing home a pet for the first time as an adult, and reaching other goals.

“Life is full of the joy of the little things,” she said. “Celebrate with the joy of a kindergartner.”

Honesty Hill smiles after getting her diploma.

Konner Smith is pleased to celebrate commencement.

The daisy chain tradition continued on Friday. The top 16 girls in the junior class and the top 2 boys made the chain of daisies, which has been part of Medina’s graduation since 1922.

Daisy chain members include Emiliana Batista, Darlene Beach, Ava Blount, Lilah Class, Molly Cook, Madison Farley, Allie Frentz, Bellaflor Gomez-Hernandez, Mahri Harmer-Owen, Natalie Herbert, Caden Kingsbury, Maggie Lonnen, Rhoswyn Oakes, Aleeyah Martinez, Paisley Pasnik, Penelope Schalck, Allie Smith and Hunter Walczak.

Brady Christiaansen walks in the processional at the start of the program.

Mason Eick, left, helps Brennan Hinckley look spiffy just after a deluge of rain fell.

These five graduates include, from left: Brooke Stewart, Josephene Pollock, Makenzie Alvarez, Evelyn Phillips and Cameron Davis.

Class Vice President Kylee Howard, in front at right, and Addison Paul, the class secretary at left, lead the group in walking off the field at Vets Park following the ceremony.

Chris Hughes taking different job in district as the director of wellness and community engagement

Provided photos

MEDINA – Wednesday was a special last day of the school year at the Clifford Wise Intermediate School.

Many of the teachers dressed up as inflatable characters, and the students and staff signed a giant card for principal Chris Hughes.

He is taking a different job in administration with the school district. Hughes will be Medina’s director of district wellness and community engagement.

He will succeed Dan Doctor, who is retiring from the position.

Many of the students spoke on the school announcements thanking the principal for greeting them every morning  regardless of the weather, his frequent high fives, encouragement, empathy and his joy in celebrating their milestones and achievements.

On Wednesday, the students from each grade level held up signs, saying “Thank You Mr. Hughes” for being such an outstanding leader at Wise.

Hughes is shown with his wife Anita, who is a school nurse.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Part of Main Street in Medina, north of Center Street, is shown on Monday evening. This is part of the target area for Medina’s $4.5 NY Forward grant.

MEDINA – Building owners in the downtown have until 4 p.m. July 3 to submit an application for part of the $270,000 in the Small Project Fund.

This is money from Medina’s $4.5 million NY Forward grant. Medina and the state opted to carve out the $270,000 so more building owners could access some of the funds. Most of the $4.5 million goes to larger-scale projects.

The Small Project Fund supports building renovations, facade improvements, interior build-outs, permanent equipment acquisition for businesses, public art installations and other improvements.

The village is looking for projects in the $25,000 to $50,000 range. They could be higher or lower. The maximum share from the grant is 75 percent.

Bigger projects could tap into the Small Project Fund but might not get the full 75 percent reimbursement rate.

Medina will form a selection community of downtown and community stakeholders to pick the projects for the grant funds.

The building owners have until Dec. 31, 2027 to complete the projects but they will likely be done well ahead of that because these are smaller-scale efforts, said Lauryn DaCosta of LaBella, who is working with the village to administer the grant.

The proposed projects will need to pass an environmental compliance and also get the State Historic Preservation Office’s approval. LaBella can assist in preparing bids and selecting contractors, she said.

Several downtown building owners have expressed interest in submitting an application, DaCosta said.

Applicants will be asked to detail the proposed building improvements, provide proof of their financial support for the project, state any conflict of interest (whether they work for the village or have family who are village employees), and provide other property information on ownership.

Completed applications can be dropped off at Village Hall (119 Park Ave, Medina, NY 14103) during business hours or e-mailed to Lauryn DaCosta at ldacosta@labellapc.com. Click here to see the application.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Jr.-Sr. High School counselor Audralee Doll shared her inspirational story at Medina High School’s baccalaureate service Sunday, telling how she grew up in a toxic household and forged her parents’ names to enter the Air Force at 17. (Center) MHS senior Mackenzie McGrath introduces keynote speaker, Jr.-Sr. High School counselor Audralee Doll at commencement ceremonies Sunday at the high school. (Right) A closing reflection and prayer for graduates was offered by Pastor Wes Cantrell at Medina High School’s baccalaureate service on Sunday.

MEDINA – Medina High School’s annual baccalaureate service sponsored by Medina Area Association of Churches took place Sunday afternoon at Medina High School.

The Rev. Vince Iorio, vice president of MAAC, welcomed graduates on behalf of president Sue Metzo.

“Baccalaureate is a tradition intended to lift your soul,” the pastor told graduates.

The program included reflective readings from the Bible by seniors Logan Trillizio and Sophia Goyette and a special offering by the A Capella Select Choir, under the direction of Rachel Trillizio.

Senior Mackenzie McGraph introduced keynote speaker Audralee Doll, director of counseling and a high school counselor at MHS. She is also a spin instructor and executive board member with the YMCA.

Medina High School’s A Capella Select Choir, under the direction of Rachel Trillizio,  sang a special offering at baccalaureate.

Doll stated she was taken aback when senior Ryder Jones asked her to be keynote speaker.

“Why would you want to hear your counselor speak?” she asked. “However, it reminded me of a few years ago when a former student, who happened to know a little about my background, suggested I share my story with students. It is because of that, every year before I begin our annual presentation where we give information on preparing for life after high school, I start off by giving my experience growing up in a tumultuous household.”

Due to such, at 17 she joined the Air Force, she said.

During the next seven years, four of which were served overseas, she rose to the rank of staff sergeant and earned more than 10 awards and commendations. Also during her enlistment, she earned her associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force and attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She later served with the 146th California Air National Guard, while completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University in Malibu.

Returning to New York, Doll earned a master’s degree in human development and school counseling with a concentration in leadership from the University of Rochester. She has since added K-12 school building and district leadership certifications to her credentials.

Fast forward to today, Doll shared she has earned more than half a million dollars in education and is a few courses shy of her doctorate, all the while having zero debt.

“That is all from someone who believed college was not an option for herself,” she said. “The goal of why I share this with seniors is to emphasize that if there is a will, there is a way, but it’s up to you to achieve that.”

(Left) Logan Trillizio leaves the podium after presenting the first reflective reading at Sunday’s baccalaureate service at Medina High School. (Center) Senior Sophia Goyette shared a selection of readings from the Bible during baccalaureate on Sunday. (Right) The Rev. Vince Iorio, vice president of Medina Area Association of Churches, greeted graduates at Medina High School’s baccalaureate service Sunday, which MAAC sponsored.

What Doll wants to stress is how to navigate life when something gets in the way of that will – because it is inevitable and it will happen.

The secret is to be humble and be grateful, she said.

“Throughout all of my experiences in life, I have never felt sorry for myself,” Doll said. “What has helped me is the mindset that ‘someone else always has it worse.”

To her, that means one is looking at the glass half full.

“Taking life in a positive psychology mindset means you recognize others do have a struggle that is greater than yours, and most importantly, it’s appreciating and recognizing the things you do have,” she said. “You cannot choose what happens to you, what people think of you or what goes on in the world. You can choose what you do about it.”

Life right now couldn’t be better for Doll, a proud resident of Medina with her husband Maximillan and their dog Charlie. They are happily hoping to expand their family.

Final reading of the afternoon was William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus” by senior Garrett Koch.

Pastor Wes Cantrell of One Church Medina shared a final message to graduates and a closing prayer.

“In the wink of an eye, the last 12 years have become history,” he said. “The decisions you make now will shape your years ahead.”

Others who contributed to the program were Ryder Jones, who designed the invitations; Amanda Kroening, who designed the programs; pianist Diane Stephenson who accompanied guest in singing “Take my Life and Let it Be”; Karen Jones, who assisted in program planning; River Jones for lights and sound; and Robyn Watts for being the liaison between MAAC and the school.

Students and guests enjoyed punch and cookies, courtesy of MAAC.

Bent’s Opera House covering costs this season for free use for public

File photo by Tom Rivers: These three people enjoy hydro-bikes on the Erie Canal in Medina in July 2023 near the Horan Road bridge. The hydro-bikes were offered for free in an “On the Canals” program where hydro-bikes and kayaks can be rented for free through the Orleans County YMCA. Bent’s Opera House is covering the cost for the kayaks and hydro-bikes to be offered free to the community and visitors this season.

MEDINA – This summer the YMCA will again offer its Canal Club program for people to have fun while exercising on Erie Canal with kayaks and hydro-bikes.

Beginning this week the Y will be allowing people to go kayaking and to pedal the hydro-bikes from Thursdays to Saturdays, from noon to 9 p.m. The program ends on Aug. 9.

People can sign up on Event Brite and rent them for free. (Go to eventbrite.com and search for kayaks and hydro-bikes to make a reservation.) The Y has 10 kayaks and four hydro-bikes from prior years. Bent’s Opera House is covering the costs of the Y’s staff time to run the program.

“We want people to get out and enjoy the summer and the canal,” said Coby Albone, who helps run the program for the Y. “It’s here and it’s free for them to use.”

No experience is needed. Participants need to be at least 12 years old. The Y will have the kayaks and hydro-bikes behind Captain Kidz at 143 East Center St.

The Y received the kayaks and hydro-bikes in 2020 through grants from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and the Erie Canalway Corridor’s Consolidated Fund.

The state covered the Y’s staffing costs to run the program with the “On the Canals” initiative in 2021 and 2022. About 1,200 people signed up to use the kayaks and hydro-bikes those years. Albone said the Y would like to reach 2,000 users this summer.

He thanked Bent’s Opera House for its financial assistance this year.

Some residents don’t want to see more rental units in village

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator who is part of a housing task force in the county, urges the Medina Village Board to support a zoning change to allow mixed use housing on 46 vacant acres at 450 West Oak Orchard St.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board was told 46 vacant acres near the school district on West Oak Orchard Street represents a great opportunity for much-needed housing development in the community.

Sieck Wholesale Florist owns the land off West Oak Orchard Street. The land is zoned light industrial which doesn’t allow housing.

Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale wants to use 46 acres for housing and keep the other 8.8 acres of the property as light industrial. That land is next to the railroad and includes a cell tower, an old boiler and another older building.

The Village of Medina Planning Board has recommended the zoning be changed for 46 vacant acres to planned residential community. That allows for mixed use housing and also gives the village more oversight in how the property is developed.

During a public hearing on Monday, some residents said the village is saturated with rental properties and they don’t want more poorly kept rental units that could be a blight on the community. One resident said to keep the zoning as light industrial to allow for more business development in Medina.

Nyla Gaylord, the executive director of the United Way in Orleans County, said a housing shortage is threatening the community’s ability to grow. For businesses to come to Medina, there needs to be more housing for their workers, she said.

J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, said the owner of the acres wants to find out if the land will be rezoned before committing to a detailed plan for the property. Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale wants a mixed-use option for the property with single-family houses as well as multi-family town houses.

Orleans County overall needs more housing options from single family construction, to affordable rentals for young adults and senior citizens, Gaylord said.

“We have some scary data for our community if we don’t allow more property to be developed for housing,” Gaylord said.

A housing report shared last month by the United Way’s Housing Task Force included the following data:

• Orleans County population dipped from 44,178 in 2020 to 42,850 in 2010 to 39,124 in 2024.
• School enrollments at the five districts are down from 8,225 in 2010 to 5,505 in 2022. The enrollments for 2022 include 1,782 in Albion, 1,391 in Medina, 992 in Holley, 708 in Kendall and 632 in Lyndonville.
• The share of population ages 0 to 4 decreased from 5.3 percent in 2010 to 4.7 percent in 2022, while share of population 65 and older increased from 14.4 percent in 2010 to 20.2 percent in 2022.
• Building permits for new houses are trending down. The county had 83 permits for new houses in 2004 but that was down to 33 in 2020, 21 in 2021, 2 in 2022 and 16 in 2023.

Dean Bellack of the United Way said getting more units should be a high priority in the county so more workers can live locally.

“The big question is do you want to stay in a declining county?” Bellack said.

He said more workers in the county are coming from outside Orleans than those who live in the community.

“These are critical problems,” Gaylord said. “We need to make changes now.”

Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator who has been active with the housing task force, said the vacant acres within the village are a great opportunity for Medina to add housing to keep and attract residents.

Other residents said the developer should provide the detailed plans for the property before the zoning change is approved. Once the zoning is changed to housing, Medina will be limited in how it can influence what happens on the property, said Scott Carlton, a village resident.

“We’re getting ahead of ourselves,” he said.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the development would be subject to scrutiny and more public meetings if the zoning is changed to allow for housing. She said the zoning change is just step one in the process. A site plan would follow later.

J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, responded to concerns that the property may be contaminated. He said the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) shows there is no contamination on the vacant land. There was a spill from Fisher Price but a monitoring well hasn’t detected any contaminants in about 40 years, Swedrock said.

The developer will work on plans if the zoning change is approved, he said. There needs to be a mix of housing with some townhouses to allow more units so a project would be economically feasible, he said.

The board didn’t vote on the issue on Monday, opting to wait until Trustee Mark Prawel also can be at the meeting. The board may vote on the issue at its next meeting on July 14.

MEDINA – A floating circus will perform in the Erie Canal in Medina on Aug. 6 part of a bicentennial celebration for the canal.

The Flotsam River Circus is performing at canal communities beginning Aug. 1 in Buffalo. The group has performances lined up for six weeks, concluding in New York City from Sept. 9-14.

The tour in the western side of the canal includes Aug. 1-3 in Buffalo, Aug. 4 in Tonawanda, Aug. 5 in Lockport, Aug. 6 in Medina, Aug. 7 in Brockport, Aug. 8-9 in Rochester and Aug. 10 in Fairport. (The Medina performance will start at 7 p.m. in the Canal Basin.)

Flotsam includes a troupe of musicians, circus performers, and puppeteers who perform from a ramshackle raft. There is no admission charge to see the group.

The floating circus started in 2019 and has performed in 13 states and traveled over 2,000 river miles. Last year Flotsam traveled the entire Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Paducah.

The troupe members this year include performers skilled as gymnasts, puppeteers, balance artists, hair suspension and aerial hoop, juggling, clowning, sword swallowing and playing music.

Click here for more information on Flotsam.

Transformer to be offloaded from railroad in Medina, then headed to solar facility in Elba

Photo by Ginny Kropf: One of two giant transformers makes its way down Park Avenue in Medina on Oct. 6, 2021 after leaving the railroad at the Pickle Factory. The 800,000-pound transformer was taken to a new switching station on Route 93 in the Town of Royalton in a project by National Grid and the New York State Power Authority.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board wants some compensation to have a heavy load move through the village.

The village was notified by Bay Crane Projects that it wants to off load a 375,035-pound transformer from the railroad. It would go on North Avenue, a small part of Gwinn Street, and then down South Main Street (Route 63). From there it goes down Lewiston Road to its destination at 6368 Graham Rd. in Elba.

The transformer would travel on a trailer weighing 152,965, bringing the total weight to about 528,000 pounds.

Village Board members said they were concerned the load could damage village streets. They are going to ask Bay Crane Projects for money, with the starting offer at $250,000. Bay Crane is managing the delivery of the transformer for Hecate Energy, which is building a 500-megawatt solar project over 2,500 acres in Elba and Oakfield.

Medina village officials said the transformer should be off loaded in Genesee County, where the municipalities are to receive about $73 million in revenue for the project over 30 years. Medina board members said the village should get some revenue having the transformer on village streets causing some wear and tear, and for the disruption to traffic.

“Why are we the ones being used for this?” Mayor Marguerite Sherman asked during Monday’s board meeting.

A heavier load went through the village on Oct. 6, 2021 when two transformers went from the Pickle Factory on Park Avenue on their way to Royalton. Those loads were about 800,000 pounds each.

Jason Watts, the village Department of Public Works superintendent, said the loads in 2021 didn’t damage village streets. The trailers had more than a dozen axles to help to spread out the load.

Watts said there is minimal impact on his department with the load headed to Elba because the Bay Crane Projects has arranged the details with escorts for the trip, which will go about 10 miles per hour.

Watts said if the streets are damaged, resurfacing could cost about $50,000.

Village attorney Matt Brooks said Medina should consider a “reasonable fee” for the instances when extremely heavy loads go through Medina. Brooks said it could be difficult to determine that amount.

Watts said he would reach out to highway associations to see if other municipalities have fees for allowing the loads that far exceed the weight limits on village streets.

Gabrielle Barone, the vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, urged Medina to seek some funding for use of village streets.

“There should be a fee,” she said. “There is a strain on your local resources and you should be compensated.”

Sherman said she didn’t receive a specific date for when the transformer would arrive in the area. She believes Bay Crane Projects is trying to work out all the details to get it done in July.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – These three were dressed up as faeries on Saturday for Medina’s “Enchanted Faery Festival.” Pictured form left include Natasha Abdurrafi of Medina, and sisters Amelia and Daisy Marr of Albion.

The Medina Area Partnership organizes the event which usually brings in about 75 to 100 kids dressed as kings, queens, princes and princesses.

Ann Fisher-Bale, one of the festival volunteers, distributes fairy dust at Rotary Park. Her son, Mason Bale, is next to her.

The event included a scavenger hunt. There were 12 faeries and 10 faery houses hidden in windows in downtown shops. There also was a parade.

Haylee Ferrington is dressed as a dragon mother faery while she does face-painting on Morgan Eaton of Rochester.

Photos by Natalie Baron: The Dave Viterna Group jams out at the State Street Park Pavilion on Thursday. Concert series performances run from 6 to 8 p.m.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

Dave Viterna is the lead singer and guitarist for the group. He sings and plays classic rock songs.

MEDINA – The summer concert series, Blue Thursdays, kicked off its first performance of 2025 on Thursday with The Dave Viterna Group providing a strong opening for the event.

The Dave Viterna Group is a local favorite, a blues and classic rock band that plays all over Western New York. The band members are Medina natives. The group includes lead singer and guitarist Dave Viterna, Marty Hobbs on bass guitar and “Scooter” Felice as drums.

Audience members travel from all over the Buffalo/Niagara area to listen to these bands perform. Hundreds of people attend each week. Darlene from Pembroke described what she likes most about the concert series. She said it’s “Just a nice evening out with good music!”

Pat from Medina reminisced on attending high school with the band’s lead singer. “I knew Dave Viterna when he was 17. It’s good to see him.” He added that Jony James is performing next week, on June 26. “He played at my birthday party when I turned 60!”

There is no admission charge for the concerts, which typically draw 600 to 800 people at State Street Park.

The Print Shop is underwriting the event, pairing with the ORG/Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc./medinaalive.com for booking and coordination.

Marty Hobbs plays bass guitar. The Dave Viterna Group is the first in the concert series lineup. The evening was filled with sound and energy.

A sizable crowd gathers at State Street Park. The Medina summer concert series attracts hundreds of audience members from all around Western New York.

The rest of the 2025 lineup features the following bands:

• June 26 – Jony James, a Buffalo-born, Chicago raised guitarist, songwriter & recording artist, who is often compared to Stevie Ray Vaughn and a true Buffalo icon!

• July 3 – Growlers Blues Band, one of the top bands in Buffalo, awarded “best traditional blues band.”

• July 10 – Grosh, featuring the phenomenal award-winning guitarist, songwriter & recording artist, Grace Lougen.

• July 17 – Pat Harrington Trio, featuring Pat Harrington, lead guitarist with Grammy Nominated and Multi-Blues Music Award winning band Victor Wainwright & The Train.

• July 24 – High Horse, recording artists and legendary classic rock/blues from Buffalo.

• July 31 – Rusty Fisher Band – high energy blues with a dose of Jimi from legendary guitarist Rusty Fisher.

• August 7 – The Thurman Brothers Band from Niagara Falls, presenting “an evening with” featuring the timeless music of the Allman Brothers.

All performances this year will be enhanced by professional sound by Sal Licata of Sound Factor.

Vendors and beverage providers at the concert series include Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, Greenlief’s On The Go, Oakley’s Ice Cream, Stone Hollow Bakery, NOLA Concessions, Blue Groove Coffee, Northridge Distillery and Schulze Vineyard & Winery.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: First-grade teacher Allison Woodburn and some of her students check out the food pantry at St. Peter’s Church during their visit on Wednesday. From left are Alex Moore, Xander Say, Caleb Martin, Emily Caraballo, Jason Wetherbee and Damien Swartwood.

MEDINA – The Food Pantry at St. Peter’s Church got a big boost on Wednesday with the annual visit of Angela Woodburn and Miss Gross with their first-grade class from Oak Orchard Primary School.

Eighteen students and their teachers and aide Lily Strickland walked from the school to St. Peter’s Church on West Avenue, wearing backpacks full of food items to donate to the food pantry.

It has become an annual tradition for the class to visit the food pantry, bringing food items and monetary donations for local residents in need.

The visit is part of the class’s community service project, called Kindness Counts, teacher Allison Woodburn said. As part of the project, students are encouraged during the school year to bring spare change from home to support a classroom initiative focused on helping others.

This year’s donation was a record-breaker for the class.

“We are thrilled to share that the students raised an incredible $336.50 for the food pantry, the highest total ever,” Woodburn said.

Diane Mazur, a volunteer at St. Peter’s food pantry, helps Azalya Elliott and Emily Caraballo select canned goods for a food basket.

 After the donation period ends, the students take part in meaningful lessons about money. They learn the names and values of coins, count the total amount collected and discuss how the funds can be used to make a positive impact in their community, the teacher said. Throughout the project, the class reflects daily on the quote, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

“Our goal is to inspire students to lead with love and compassion in all they do,” Woodburn said.

Together, the class created a list of needs and wants for the pantry. Families were invited to meet Woodburn at Aldi’s on Friday afternoon to shop for the items. With the remaining funds, they purchased gift cards to Aldi’s, which will allow the pantry to continue meeting needs as they come up.

When the class at arrived at St. Peter’s on Wednesday morning, they were greeted by Diane Mazur and Denny Dubai. Head of the pantry, Robin Dubai, had a conflicting appointment and couldn’t be there, but Mazur, her sister, and Denny, her husband, filled in for her.

Diane Mazur, a volunteer at the Emergency Food Pantry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, accepts a donation from Rylee Davis and her teacher Allison Woodburn. The first-grade class makes an annual visit in support of the food pantry.

At the pantry, the children presented Mazur with the gift cards, unloaded their backpacks, learned how to stack canned goods in the pantry and choose food for a family.

In return, Mazur and Dubai presented the children with bottles of bubbles and donuts to take back to school with them.

The students were Cyrus Bloom, Emily Caraballo, Cameron Cologgi, Rylee Davis, Azayla Elliott, Logan Foss, Quinten Mack, Caleb Martin, Tahlia Mendoza, Ryder Molina, Alex Moore, Xander Say, Magnolia Schroeder, Wrenyn Sheehan, Royal Spencer, Damien Swartwood, Jason Wetherbee and Ivy Wroblewski.

Robin commented the next day on the children’s visit, saying what a boost it gives the food pantry. She is very appreciative of the class and other grades who have done things for the pantry, including the Student Council at Wise Junior High School, who is donating peanut butter and jelly.

“That couldn’t come at a better time, as we just learned our supplier is out of peanut butter and jelly,” Robin said.

Robin said she also worries about the children whose families are struggling and wonders if they will have enough food during the summer.

Robin has been heading the food pantry for 30 years and always welcomes volunteers to help out.

Mrs. Woodburn’s first-grade class from Oak Orchard School unload the food items from their backpacks, which they donated to the food pantry.

Provided photos: Medina’s Canal Basin will host the Albany Symphony and other programs on July 2. The symphony will begin its concert at 8 p.m. with fireworks to follow.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina on July 2 will be hosting the Albany Symphony as part of a day-long celebration of the Erie Canal’s bicentennial, a day that will be capped with fireworks.

The New York Power Authority and NYS Canal Corp. have set five concerts from the symphony from July 2-6, events that will feature the debut of commissioned compositions.

Clarice Assad

At Medina, the symphony will perform outdoors in the Canal Basin beginning at 8 p.m., and play a composition by world-renowned, Brazilian American composer Clarice Assad. Her composition is on a “Sound Capture Journey,” as she began crafting a new orchestral work on the theme of the sound of nature and the environment and along the Erie Canal.

Assad visited Medina in March and she and others recorded sound snippets from around Orleans County, collecting personal stories about local connections to nature, the environment, and individual sense of place.

Assad’s composition will be performed by the Albany Symphony as the centerpiece of the “Water Music New York: More Voices Festival” on July 2. The free day-long event commemorates the bicentennial of the Erie Canal and celebrates the waters that connect everyone through local food, arts, music and outdoor fun.

The festival promises a special appearance by Orly the Ox, the Orleans County Bicentennial mascot, and concludes with a fireworks show. There will be yoga, face painting, wildlife displays, artisans, a history talk about the Medina Sandstone and the Erie Canal, performances by the popular local bands, and other activities.

The concert series continues July 3 in Utica, July 4 in Seneca Falls, July 5 in Fort Plain and July 6 in Schuylerville. M & T Bank is a sponsor of the events.

“As we reflect on 200 years of the Erie Canal and contemplate its next century of use, we’re focusing on revitalization, recreation, arts and culture,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton. “This partnership with the Albany Symphony Orchestra embodies all those themes by bringing people together at Canalside communities for free and inclusive concerts that celebrate the unique aspects of the communities where they are taking place.”

 The themes for the original compositions include environmental justice on July 2, immigrant communities on July 3, women’s rights on July 4, Indigenous stories on July 5, and Black experience on July 6.

“As the Erie Canal nears its third century of operation, we are so excited to embark on a grand new adventure with our wonderful partners at the New York State Canal Corporation,” said Albany Symphony MusicDirector David Alan Miller. “In anticipation of the Erie Canal’s momentous bicentennial season, we have engaged five brilliant composers who have immersed themselves in five gorgeous canalside communities and have created visionary new works for our orchestra and community collaborators exploring the vibrant history and culture of our great state.

“We cannot wait to celebrate with thousands of residents and visitors at free daylong festivals that include delicious food, fun outdoor activities, historical explorations, and family-friendly arts, culminating in fabulous orchestra concerts featuring these dazzling new works. It is our hope that our music will spark dialogue, expand perspectives, and inspire everyone to experience and cherish the beautiful canal system that flows through our state and is so much a part of New York State’s past, present and future.”

Click here for more information on the Water Music NY: More Voices Festival.

Photos courtesy of Medina Lions Club: from left include new Medina Lions Club president Mark Irwin, Melvin Jones Award recipient Carol Bellack, and Jason Cogovan, the Lion of the Year.

Press Release, Medina Lions Club

MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club recently celebrated the end of the 2024-2025 program year with a fantastic turnout at the Junior Wilson Sportsman’s Club. The evening was filled with joy and excitement, as we gathered to honor many of our esteemed members.

Pete Kaiser installed the 2025-2026 board members, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership. The president for the upcoming year is Mark Irwin, who is taking the reins of the club for the second time, a testament to his proven leadership and commitment.

Carol Bellack, a true pillar of our club, was awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Award, the highest honor a Lion can receive. Her dedication to managing our poinsettia sales and her seven-year tenure as the Club secretary are truly remarkable. She is an inspiration to us all.

Jason Cogovan was honored by outgoing president Thomas Robinson as the Lion of the Year. Jason is genuinely committed to the Medina Lions and assists in various areas, including the Medina Medical Loan Closet, Medina Lions Park cleanup, and the community yard sale, among others.

Our outgoing president, Thomas Robinson, concluded the evening by presenting the Lions Club scholarships to Josephine Pollock and Sofia Gagliard.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Thomas for his leadership and look forward to his continued support as a valuable resource to the Lions! GRRR!

Thomas Robinson, the club’s outgoing president, presents scholarships to Josephine Pollock and Sofia Gagliard.