Provided photo: Volunteers join students with disabilities as they parade in the Special Tracks event Thursday at Wise Intermediate School.

MEDINA – The 2026 Special Tracks event took place at Wise Intermediate School on Thursday afternoon, with 49 kids signing up to participate.

Special Tracks for children with disabilities has taken place in Medina since 2006, with the exception of 2020 because of Covid restrictions.

Mary Lou Tuohey, whose daughter Nicole was born with Triple X Syndrone, first learned about Special Tracks when Nicole attended Summit Educational School in Amherst.

“They did Special Tracks there, but there was nothing like that here then for special education kids. I talked to the school here, but they said they couldn’t afford it,” Tuohey said. “Then the PTSA stepped in and did fund-raising for the event.”

Now Debbie Tompkins, secretary at the High School, funds it, Tuohey said.

Travis Phillips and Alex DiLaura now coordinate the event, and Tuohey supports it in the background, she said.

Tuohey said participation in Special Tracks has steadily increased. Students get to choose three events in which to take part. Choices are 40-, 60- and 100-meter runs, softball throw, distance kick, standing and running long jump and relay race. Favorite events are the 40-meter run, distance kick and softball throw, Tuohey said.

Each student gets a ribbon for each event in which they participate, a medal and certificate with their name, event and date on it. Participants also get a cookie from Hans’s Bakery and free pizza.

Buddy volunteers are sought for each child.

“It’s a lot of fun to see the kids’ faces when they compete,” Tuohey said. “Even if they don’t win, they get a ribbon and a T-shirt which reads, ‘Special Tracks’”. They get so excited.”

Originally, Special Tracks was managed by Pam Maryjanowski, retired gym teacher at Medina Central School. Maryjanowski has always had an interest in children and adults with special needs. Early in her career, she was instrumental in getting sleds built by inmates at the prison for sled hockey participants. She also ran the Special Olympics for a number of years. She just returned from Nassau County where she attended their physical challenge games. She directed the special games at Brockport for 14 years. As a graduate student, it was her job to organize the games at Brockport, she said.

Maryjanowski retired from the Medina School System six years ago, but continues to support games for the physically challenged.

“I’m happy to see Special Tracks still going,” she said. “I am thrilled there are still people willing to organize and recruit volunteers for this program.”

Provided photo: The Mini Mustang Marching Band was formed to allow fifth- and sixth-graders to become familiar with marching band before they become eligible to join the Mustang Marching Band in seventh grade. They are shown by the Olde Pickle Factory before the Memorial Day parade a week ago.

MEDINA – A new group of musicians has joined the band program at Medina High School – the Mini Mustang Marching Band.

Two music teachers – Andrea Busch, music teacher at Oak Orchard School, and Kyla Leno-Denise, assistant band director at the Junior-Senior High School – worked together to start the Mini Mustang Marching Band this year.

“Kyla and I wanted to find a way to get young students excited about marching band,” Busch said. “This gives them the opportunity to try it out before they are eligible to join the Mustang Marching Band in seventh grade.”

She said fifth and sixth grade students were invited to join, and 24 signed up.

“We didn’t know what to expect, this being the first year,” Busch said. “We are hopeful more will become involved next year.”

The Mini Band has already performed for their parents on a special preview night and in Medina’s Memorial Day Parade. Parents are also welcome to come to rehearsals to see what students do. They will perform again at Oak Orchard Elementary School and Wise Junior High on Flag Day.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Mini Mustang Marching Band heads down main Street and gets ready to make the turn on East Center Street during the Memorial Day parade.

The Mini and regular Mustang Marching Band got to perform their spring shows for each other during warmup for the Memorial Day Parade.

“It was a wonderful moment to see the high school students supporting the younger students, and then to see the younger students in awe of the older students,” Busch said. “We hope this helps build excitement in our music program and encourage more kids to join the Mustang Marching Band when they are finally old enough.”

“They are not a competitive group,” Busch said of the Mini Marching Band. “This just gives them a platform to have fun and perform before a crowd before joining a competitive group.”

The Mini Marching Band students practice from 5 to 6 p.m. two nights a week. Many have already signed up for fall marching band, Busch said.

“Kyla and I are so proud of the students,” Busch said. “We really are excited about their bright future with the regular Mustang Marching Band.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jim Hancock helps Barb Gorham ready the Tourism Visitors’ Center for its season opening on Tuesday. The booth is now open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays until Labor Day, after which it will be open on Saturdays through September.

MEDINA – The Medina Tourism Committee is anticipating a record-breaking visitors’ season this summer, as they open the Visitors’ Center in Rotary Park.

Jim Hancock, chair of the Tourism Committee, and Barb Gorham who oversees volunteers for the Visitors’ Center, officially opened the booth for the season on Tuesday. Assisting them were Dawn Borchert, Orleans County Tourism director; Isabella Zasa, Tourism assistant; and Maureen Sanderson, tourism booth volunteer.

Medina’s Tourist Visitors’ Center in Rotary Park opened for the season on Tuesday. Tourist personnel on hand to help with the opening are, from left, Jim Hancock, chair of the Medina Tourism Committee; Barb Gorham, who oversees volunteers for the season; Dawn Borchert, Orleans County Tourism director; Isabella Zasa, tourism assistant; and Maureen Sanderson, volunteer.

Tourism is on schedule to have one of the busiest seasons in Medina this summer, with the return of 650 cyclists in July and the first-of-its-kind event in a small town – the Medina Triennial. The Triennial itself is predicted to bring 50,000 people to Medina from June 6 though Labor Day.

Hancock said they have 16 volunteers signed up for the season, but still welcome anyone who would like to become a volunteer.

“We can always use substitutes,” Gorham said.

This summer, the Arc GLOW is sending volunteers under the guidance of Tracey Hendrick with Arc’s Pre-Vocational Program and Terry Kingdollar with a Self-Advocacy group.

“This is a wonderful way for them to get volunteer experience and gain social and leadership skills,” Gorham said.

Gorham started as a volunteer five years ago, and last year offered to take over scheduling volunteers.

“I was surprised how many people come here, not only from all over the United States, but the world,” Gorham said. “We have had people from Argentina, France, England and Australia, as well as other countries.”

Maureen Sanderson is one of the dedicated volunteers.

“I love meeting people,” she said. “They always have an interesting story to tell.”

The Visitors’ Center first began in 2009, when they shared space with United Way on Main Street, then were located at City Hall for a time. Their move to Rotary Park came about after Tourism got permission from the village to use the Santa House as a Visitors’ Center during the summer.

The move proved to be a popular one, with hundreds of tourists visiting the site each year. Last year, 328 visitors signed the book, and there were many more who did not.

Volunteers work three-hour shifts, either from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Labor Day.

Last year, for the first time, the booth stayed open on Saturdays during September, and that proved very successful, Hancock said.

“We will do that again this year,” he said.

Dawn Borchert, Orleans County Tourism director, and Jim Hancock, chair of Medina’s Tourism Committee, compare notes while assisting with the opening of the Tourism Visitors’ Center in Rotary Park on Tuesday.

Arts initiative expected to bring 50,000 visitors from June 6 to Sept. 7

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Quincey Miracle, co-artistic director of the Triennial, works on a model of the Erie Canal, titled “Diversion”, in the Triennial Hub headquarters, located in the former NAPA building at the foot of Main Street. When complete, it will be filled with filtered water from the canal.

MEDINA – There’s been a buzz in the air around Medina for the past year, and it centers around what is being called “The Medina Triennial,” which the nation’s premier art publications Art in America and ARTnews have featured as one of the best art events to visit in the country this summer.

In the fall of 2025, the Triennial was announced and the former NAPA building on North Main Street was identified as the Medina Triennial Hub. Headquartered there is Federico Rosario, community engagement and program coordinator for the Triennial, and in the back space is a giant project in the works called “Diversion.” It is a replica of the Erie Canal with filtered water from the canal, in which people may walk.

Sculptors Tim Noble and Trevor Gross from the University of Buffalo are collaborating with James Beckett on this exhibit on digital quarrying on the lawn of Mustang City (former Medina High School).

In spite of many articles on the Triennial, many people are still asking, “Just what is this Triennial?”

Basically, it is an initiative of the New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation who was looking for a way to re-imagine the canal by creating a contemporary arts event with a triennial structure which would tie in with the canal’s 200th anniversary, according to Lielle Berman, Sustainability Project Manager at the New York Power Authority.

The inaugural 2026 Triennial is titled “All that Sustains Us,” and features more than 100 artworks across 10 sites in Medina, curated by Kari Conte and Karin Laansoo. Sites include Rotary Park, State Street Park, Mustang City (the old Medina High School), Medina Railroad Museum, Triennial Hub (former NAPA Auto Parts), floating barge in the Erie Canal basin, YMCA, Sacred Heart Church, Medina Memorial Hospital and Medina Theater.

At its core, the Triennial asks, “What essential efforts and commitments are required to sustain life in our fractured world?”

Of course, “triennial” means three, and the Medina Triennial, the first of its kind in the United States in a small town, will return every three years for two more times. Previous triennials in the nation were held in Boston, New Orleans and St. Louis.

One question on everyone’s mind is, “Why was Medina chosen?”

Berman’s answer was, “Medina is the widest part of the canal’s 363 miles. It has the only aqueduct, Medina Falls and the culvert. This is a very rich spot,” she said. “Medina is going through a renaissance, with culinary arts and community events.”

Conte explained the curatorial approach grew from close attention to Medina’s landscape and material culture – its historic sandstone, canal infrastructure and agricultural traditions. She added her experience with the village has been extraordinary.

The event is drawing international interest. Thirty-nine artists from around the world were invited to participate in Medina’s Triennial, and only two declined.

“That is incredible,” Conte said.

While several participating artists are from across the globe, some are from Western New York, Toronto and Detroit. A participating artist from Ireland is showing her work in America for the first time.

Some of the Triennial’s highlights are Mary Mattingly’s “Floating Garden,” a barge-based living artwork in the canal; James Beckett, who is working on “digital quarrying” of Medina sandstone; Selva Aparicio, whose residency is in collaboration with Medina Railroad Museum; and Michael Wang, who is researching maple sap production in the region.

Working at the Railroad Museum is Lina Lapelyte, who recently won the Golden Lion Award, the highest prize given in the Venice Biennale. Her workers are constructing a Medina sandstone walkway and singing while they work. Their performances at 2 p.m. on Saturdays are tentatively scheduled to air on Medina’s downtown speakers.

“So much of this is behind the scenes,” Conte said. “The artists are coming to Medina because they want to show their work here. This is first and foremost about art.”

At Medina High School, Beckett’s project is dominating the front lawn. There, he is collaborating with Tim Noble and Trevor Gross from the University of Buffalo in building a sculptural wall, using limestone slabs sandwiched with a top layer of Medina sandstone. All the material is reclaimed building pieces from across Western New York, Noble said. Its total weight is in excess of 60,000 pounds.

The Triennial officially opens to the public on June 6 and will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Regular hours throughout the summer will be from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays to Sept. 7. Programs, maps and other information on the Triennial will be available to visitors at the Triennial Hub on North Main Street.

Mary Mattingly walks away from the barge in the canal basin, which she is transforming into a floating garden.

Press Release, Orleans Renaissance Group

Dave Viterna Group, Eric Weinholtz Band, The Growlers Blues Band will be performing at State Street Park in Medina as part of the Blue Thursdays concert series.

MEDINA – Blue Thursdays, the highly anticipated summer music series in Medina, is returning in 2026 with a lineup– six of the top blues bands from Buffalo and Western New York, featuring nationally touring musicians.

The free summer blues concerts take place Thursday evenings, June 18 through August 6 at the State Street Park Pavilion in Medina. The event attracts between 600 to 1,000 each week.

The Print Shop of Medina partners with the ORG/Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc./medinaalive.com in producing the series, booking and coordinating top blues talent from the Buffalo/Niagara region.

As before, this year’s slate of bands feature a mix of returning Blue Thursdays favorites along with bands not previously seen at Blue Thursdays.

The artists booked for the event are highly acclaimed, award-winning blues bands from the Buffalo/ Niagara area, many of whom have toured nationally.

“We’re committed to bringing top-tier, exceptional talent that people would otherwise not have had the opportunity to experience locally,” said Chris Busch of ORG/medinaalive.com. “Many of these artists are hall-of-famers, nationally acclaimed, and award-winning musicians, songwriters, and recording artists. They’ve been performing alongside some of the biggest names in the industry for decades, and we’re thrilled to bring such high-caliber bands to Medina.”

June 18: Opening Night – Dave Viterna with the Dave Viterna Group. Performing since 1979, legendary guitarist and recording artist Dave Viterna and DVG have been defining the WNY band scene for decades! DVG brings a high-energy performance, soulful vocals, skilled guitar work, and a mix of originals and classic rock covers! Always drawing one of the biggest crowds of the series, the hometown boys Dave, Scooter and Marty know how to kick it off with a bang!

June 25: Growlers Blues Band – recognized as a top band in Buffalo, awarded “best traditional blues band” and “best cross over band. The Growlers Blues Band are hotter than ever– headlined and opened for several national acts at The Tralf, including contemporary blues masters Brandon Santini and Watermelon Slim. The band has performed at the Red White and Blues Festival, The Crossroads Festival, The Blues and Roots Festival at Riverworks.

Grosh, Miller and The Other Sinners, Pat Harrington Trio will be performing as well in ths year’s concert series.

July 9: Miller and The Other Sinners – nationally touring band from Buffalo and a staple at Buffalo’s Sportsmen’s Tavern, bringing a blend of gut bucket delta grit, Memphis soul, and funky rhythm and blues. David Michael Miller, founder, lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter has shared the stage with artists such as Tedeschi Trucks Band, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr., Jimmie Vaughan and others.

Miller represented the WNY Blues Society in 2013 and 2014 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in both the Band and Solo/Duo categories. In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, he was presented with the best Male Blues Vocalist Award by Buffalo’s Night Life Magazine and in 2015 was presented with the Arts Services Institute award for “Artist of the Year.”

July 16: Pat Harrington Trio – featuring Pat Harrington, lead guitarist with Grammy Nominated and Multi-Blues Music Award winning band Victor Wainwright & The Train as well as several other of the Blues world’s most notable names. Pat blends rock, jazz, and blues with “smoke-soaked solos” with improvisational fluency and high-octane blues. He has performed with artists including Bobby Whitlock and Gary Clark Jr. and has become a part of the national conversation as one of the most inspiring, versatile and distinctive players in the American Roots music genre today. The Trio features Owen Eichensehr (drums) and Paul L. Yates (bass). A BT favorite band!

July 23: Eric Weinholtz Band – Guitarist and recording artist Eric Weinholtz is described as one of the most talented musicians in Western New York. After releasing his first album, Same Old Mistakes, in March 2026, Eric won the prestigious 2025 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Yellen Songwriter Award for his song “Louisiana.” The band features a stand out lineup of some of WNY’s top musicians – Ed Croft, Nelson Rivera, Jason Moynihan, Tina Williams.

August 6: Grand Finale – Grosh – Back by popular demand– featuring the phenomenal award-winning guitarist, songwriter & recording artist, Grace Lougen. Described as “a force to be reckoned with”, power vocalist Megan Brown, guitarist Grace Lougen, bassist Dylan Hund, and drummer Josh English, bring tight musicianship, powerful vocals, and a “classic rock” sound for an electrifying performance experience.

Voted “Best Original Band 2024” (Grosh) and “Buffalo’s Best Blues Guitarist 2023” by Buffalo Night-Life Music Awards. Recognized by regional media and embraced by fans across the Northeast, GROSH continues to expand their touring reach and strengthen their presence as one of the region’s most compelling original rock acts.

All shows will feature professional sound provided by Curly Pfalzer of Pro Sound and Lighting.

The concerts are free and open to the public. Shows run from 6 to 8 p.m. A variety of food and beverages will be available on site. Food vendors include Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, Greenlief’s On The Go, Hazel and Honey Bakes, Nana & Papa’s, Big Dan’s Smokin’ Barbeque, and LuGia’s Ice Cream (1 day). Beverage vendors include Northridge Distillery and Schulze Vineyard & Winery.

“We recommend arriving by 5:30 or earlier to secure a good spot on the lawn and enjoy some of the many great food vendors we’ve booked,” said Mike Fuller of The Print Shop. “Kick off your weekend on Thursdays at BT– great food, drinks, chill vibe, family friendly and the best blues music in WNY! BT is the must see event of the summer!”

There are no rain dates. Event updates, any cancellations and venue information will be posted at ‘Blue Thursdays Medina’ Facebook page.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The flags are raised at State Street Park in Medina for a Memorial Day ceremony that started at noon. The flags were raised while the national anthem was played by the Medina Marching Band.

The ceremony is held by the World War I cannon at State Street Park.

The crowd stood at attention while the anthem was played.

The parade procession heads down East Center Street where American flags and Hometown Hero banners lined the street.

The Honor Guard provided a dignified presence at the ceremony and also did a gun salute.

Jim Freas served as the emcee of the service in Medina. The names of Medina veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day were read during the service.

Bill Morgan, a member of the American Legion and VFW, marched with a group of veterans in the parade, which started at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and went to State Street Park.

Carmen Stalker, drum major or the Medina Marching Band, leads the group down East Center Street.

The Medina Marching Band played patriotic music during the procession.

The marching band passes by the VFW on East Center Street.

The Medina Lions Club celebrated scholarship winners, Lilah Class (left) and Mackenzie Sword.

Jarred Saj carries the American flag in the parade.

Medina’s new Mini Mustang Band made its debut during the parade. The band includes students in grades 5, 6 and is co-led by teachers, Kyla Leno-Denise and Andrea Busch (in front behind banner).

Dave Sevenski marched with the Knights of Columbus and passed out treats along the route.

A big contingent from Medina youth sports teams marched down Main Street.

Rollin Hellner, owner of The Walsh, drove a vintage fire truck in the parade.

Vendors welcome for flea market at Olde Pickle Factory

Photo by Ginny Kropf: From left, Medina Lions Jason Cogovan, Jim Hancock and Pete Kaiser pose with the sign at the Olde Picke Factory advertising their chicken barbecue, community yard sale and flea market on June 6.

MEDINA – The Medina Lions’ annual Community Yard Sale first kicked off summer events in Medina more than 20 years ago on the first Saturday in June. The addition of a flea market and chicken barbecue at the Olde Picke Factory have made it a popular attraction which grows in popularity every year.

This year’s event on Saturday is co-chaired by Pete Kaiser and Jim Hancock, with help from Jason Cogovan, Randy Reese, Dave Bellucci, and Chris and Julie Keller.

Kaiser has the added distinction of being “Weiner Man,” a title earned by loading a grill on his pickup truck and driving throughout the village during the yard sale selling hot dogs. The theory behind the “Weinermobile” is that shoppers don’t want to leave the multiple yard sales which dot the village streets just to get lunch. It is much more convenient to run to the curb and grab a hotdog, so as not to miss a big bargain.

The flea market annually brings up to 40 vendors who set up on the grounds of the Olde Pickle Factory. Anyone still wishing to reserve a spot may do so by contacting Randy Reese at (716) 471-0524.

The popular chicken barbecue by Chiavetta’s will again be served, beginning at 11 a.m. until sold out. Tickets may be reserved in advance by calling Jim Hancock at (585) 798-2118.

Proceeds from the event are used by Medina Lions for projects to support the community.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Kylee McMullen and her brother Kole McMullen clean a Medina school bus on Thursday as part of annual Medina Jr/Sr High School “Mustangs Make an IMPACT Day.”

There were 160 students from grades 7 to 12 involved in more than 30 service projects at the school and community.

Jeff Dole, a Medina math teacher, and Chad Kowalik, a special education teacher, joined the students in washing  buses. The students in the group included Kylee and Kole McMullen, Brandon LeBron and Kam Lewandowski.

The students and teachers gathered for a group photo in the gym before dispersing on their assignments. The students had the option of volunteering for projects or taking a half day of school and going home for the second part of the day.

This group cleaned up at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue. Gail Miller, the market manager, holds a large garbage bag at right and teacher Kayla Rosenbeck and is holding a garbage bag in back.

The students helping include, from left, Ashley Brown, Lily Eggleston, Kendra Anderson and Avery Twitchell. Bonnie Lotz, a teacher aide, is in back at left.

Ashley Brown said she enjoyed shoveling the old leaves and pulling weeds rather than in class.

“It’s relaxing,” she said. “You’re outside and you’re getting some Vitamin D.”

Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper shows this group of students the Medina Historical Society, including the dining room. Cooper pointed out the ingenuity of people from before electricity was common in homes. That cleverness was needed in baking food, cleaning clothes and doing many household tasks.

Alex Wilson, a senior, adds dirt around a grave at Boxwood Cemetery. He teamed up with Xavier Moyer and Chris Bissell to carry buckets of dirt to many of the gravesites, and then spread the dirt around. Many of the sites had dirt eroded away from the headstones.

Xavier Moyer works on spreading out dirt at gravesites.

Alyssa Johnston, left, and Natalie Herbert clean headstones at Boxwood. They scraped off moss and biological contaminants, then washed the stone and added D-2 cleaner which should have the gravestone looking very clean in about two weeks.

“I like helping out and cleaning up,” Johnston said. “It’s very satisfying.”

Savannah Jo Thompson and Brylee Christiaansen work on cleaning a headstone. Jenna Cecchini is in back. There were 13 students total doing projects at the cemetery.

Photos courtesy of NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: Mackenzie Rider-Work of the Medina Fire Department is shown at Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls.

A Medina firefighter is among the 25 graduates of the latest class at the Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls.

Mackenzie Rider-Work of the Medina FD completed a 15-week residential program that provides extensive fire service training in an environment like a full-time fire department. Upon graduation, all the recruits will serve as career firefighters in their respective fire departments. There are firefighters from 14 departments in the latest class.

“Congratulations to the graduates of the 93rd Recruit Firefighter training class,” said Terry O’Leary, acting commissioner of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. “Firefighters across New York put their lives on the line every day to keep their communities safe. Today, these men and women join the ranks of the thousands of brave and dedicated individuals who protect their communities — we wish them well as they begin their careers and thank them for their service.”

During the 15-week program, recruits participate in more than 600 hours of training in both classroom and practical settings. Classes focus on areas such as structural, vehicle and flammable liquid firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, hazardous material emergency incident and basic rescue technician operations, according to a press release from NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Recruits also participate in daily physical fitness training in preparation for the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Upon completion, graduates will have received national certification from the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Hazardous Materials Operations.

Today’s graduates received training in areas such as operating aerial devices; traffic incident management to keep firefighters safe on roadways; health and safety; firefighter rescue; hazardous materials response, and technical rescue. During the training program, students use iPads and physical books to provide them with greater access and flexibility to testing, as well as study materials.

The graduates represented the following departments: Brighton, Cortland, DeWitt, Dunkirk, Elmira, Fairview, Fredonia, Hornell, Ithaca, Lackawanna, Lockport, Medina, Middletown and Oswego.

(Left) The current sign for Butts Park at 1127 South Main St. is a wooden sign. (Right) The new sign will have a metal exterior with a portrait of John Butts, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery during World War II.

MEDINA – There will soon be a new sign along South Main Street for Butts Park.

The new sign will go over the current wooden sign. The new one will have a metal exterior and will include a portrait of Lt. John Butts, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during World War II.

Butts was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for “courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions” in Normandy, France on June 23, 1944.

The new sign will be made by The Print Shop and it is being funded by Rick Drilling. Chris Busch, chairman of the Orleans Renaissance Group, shepherded the project.

The Medina Village Board approved the new sign on Monday during its board meeting.

“That will be lovely,” Mayor Debbie Padoleski said about the new sign. “Thank you to Rick Drilling for that.”

Butts is one of five Medal of Honor recipients from Orleans County and the only one to be awarded it posthumously.

Butts was a Boy Scout and played right guard for the Medina High School football team before enlisting with the New York National Guard on Oct. 12, 1939.

Former Orleans County Historian Matthew Ballard researched the Medal of Honor recipients from Orleans County. He shared the following details in a previous column when he was historian:

When Company F of the 108th Infantry was federalized, Butts was 17 years old and lied about his age in order to join. He was sent to Hawaii in the months following the attack at Pearl Harbor and later returned to the mainland in November of 1942 to enroll in the Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Butts graduated from the school, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant at the age of 19; he was believed to be the youngest commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Ground Forces at that time.

His service overseas began in North Africa with the invasion of French Morocco as part of Operation Torch, where the 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion encountered heavy resistance from German forces at an ancient fortress called “the Kasba.” The 9th Infantry Division earned its first Presidential Unit Citation during the Battle of Sedjenane when the unit repulsed a four-pronged attack from two German infantry battalions. Butts was then sent to participate in the invasion of Sicily, landing at Palermo on August 5, 1943 and remaining on the ground there until November of 1943.

After seven months of training at Winchester, England in preparation for the Allied invasion of mainland Europe, the 60th Infantry Regiment landed at Utah Beach just five days after the D-Day landing. Butts was placed in command of four squads in Easy Company of the 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division charged with driving towards St. Colombe, France.

On June 12, 1944, 2nd Battalion progressed so quickly towards their objective that the remainder of 9th Division thought the 60th Infantry was lost. In fact, 2nd Battalion had pushed forward through heavy German resistance and established a bridgehead at the Douve River. Butts was wounded twice, first near Orglandes on June 14th and then at the Douve River just two days later; he refused medical treatment on both occasions in order to remain with his men.

On June 23, 1944, the 60th Infantry led the 9th Division’s advance from the Cotentin Peninsula as part of the breakout from St. Lo. While moving towards Flottemanville-Hague, Butts and his men encountered a German stronghold atop a hill, well defended with tanks, machine guns, and mortars. Butts was struck in the stomach by machine gun fire while progressing towards the objective. Pulling himself into the shelter of a nearby hedgerow, he planned a flanking maneuver with his Sergeants.

One squad was to progress up the left flank, another up the right flank, and the third was to remain in reserve. Holding one hand over his midsection and the other grasping his carbine, Butts charged the hill alone. The might of the entire German stronghold fell upon him directly, Butts falling approximately 10 yards from his objective. The distraction allowed the two flanking squads to outmaneuver the Germans while the third squad hit the hill head-on.

Awarded on July 19, 1945 by President Harry Truman, John Butts’ Medal of Honor citation references the two painful wounds he received in the days leading up to the deadly assault on June 23, 1944. His citation concluded by stating, “By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2d Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion’s mission.” His brother, Charles, who visited John’s body wrote home to their parents, “John’s life reached a glorious end. It terminated exactly as John hoped it would – while performing magnificently in the face of the enemy…in an effort to relieve pressure on his men and buddies.”

The body of John Butts was interred at the U.S. Cemetery at Ste-Mere-Eglise on June 25, 1944. On April 8, 1948, his body was disinterred and sent home for burial at Medina. His body arrived in Buffalo on July 7, 1948 at the Connecticut Street Armory along with the remains of two other Medal of Honor recipients, Pfc. William Grabiarz and Pfc. Charles DeGlopper. He was buried in the family plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Medina.

MEDINA – Signs recently went up on Ohio Street saying “No Parking” and that’s for both sides of the street.

The Village Board on Nov. 24 approved no parking on the street after a resident said people parking on the street often trapped him in his driveway and made it difficult to see and maneuver traffic. The parking restriction was added for 525 feet of the street between Park Avenue and West Center Street.

But at Monday’s meeting, other residents said they didn’t know the no parking regulation was even being considered, or they would have spoken out at the public hearing.

Patricia Stacey said not allowing parking will force many older people who may have mobility issues to park on other streets and then walk to Ohio Street. Stacey said the sidewalks are in rough shape in parts of the area.

Stacey doesn’t have a garage or a double driveway so shifting around cars for her family will be a “nuisance” if they can’t park one briefly on the street.

“This is not New York City,” she said. “It’s Medina.”

Two other residents said the parking ban makes it difficult for them if they need to shuffle cars in their driveway and can’t park on the street.

Jessica Whitehair also submitted a petition to allow on-street parking on Ohio Street.

“This situation is particularly difficult for those living in apartments and households with limited driveway space,” she wrote in her petition. “The lack of street parking impacts the quality of life for many residents. Without easy access to parking, families may struggle with bringing groceries, lawn care, managing daily errands, or hosting social gatherings. The lack of street parking also compromises the safety of children as they are getting to and from vehicles and homes. Elderly and mobility-impaired residents are especially disadvantaged, as they might find it more difficult to walk from distant parking spots to their homes.”

Matt Anelli lives on Ohio Street and he supports the parking ban. He said Ohio Street is narrow, especially in the winter. If people park on the street it’s hard to get out of his driveway, he said.

There used to be a 2-hour limit on the street, but those limits can be difficult to enforce, village officials said.

Fire Chief Steve Cooley said there shouldn’t be parking allowed close to the intersection on Ohio Street because cars in the street would make it difficult for fire trucks to make the turn.

The Village Board will have a new public hearing at 6 p.m. on June 22 to repeal the law passed in November and change the street to parking on the west side of the street only.

Photo from shopgarage.com: Medina’s ladder truck is shown on an online site that sells fire trucks, emergency vehicles and equipment.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina’s ladder truck is officially for sale. It was listed this morning on an online site that sells fire trucks and other emergency vehicles and equipment.

The website, shopgarage.com, lists the 2025 quint fire truck with a 100-foot ladder for $2.4 million. That is about $700,000 more than Medina’s deal for the truck. Medina in March 2023 agreed to pay $1,698,995.

The Village Board on Feb. 9 voted to declare the truck surplus, to begin the process of selling it.

Medina listed the fire truck on shopgarage.com to get a big exposure for the truck, trying to get the biggest price possible, said Scott Bieliski, a Medina trustee. A broker also is helping Medina sell the truck and gets a 5 percent fee or $120,000 if the truck sells for $2.4 million. Garage isn’t the broker, but a marketplace to sell the truck. Garage also can help with freight shipping, warranty and secure payment for the transaction, the company said.

There is a lot of interest in the truck, Bieliski said during Monday’s Village Board meeting. He said a contingent from Rochester, Minnesota was in Medina on Friday to look over the ladder truck.

Three of the five board members on Feb. 9 voted to declare the truck surplus, saying the village can’t afford the truck and an addition on the fire hall to house it.

Shop Garage lists the following about the truck:

• 2025 Pierce Enforcer Quint
• Located in NY
• 1,095 miles
• Brand new, never used
• 100’ Heavy-Duty Steel Aerial Platform
• Engine: PACCAR MX-13
• Horsepower: 510 hp
• Front Suspension: TAK-4 Independent
• Rear Suspension Air
• Waterous Midship 2000 GPM pump
• 300 gallon tank
• Harrison Hydraulic 10 kW generator

The fire truck is currently being kept in the DPW garage but will soon be moved to the compost facility on North Gravel Road. The DPW garage is busy with a lot of vehicles coming and going this time of year, said Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent.

Provided photos

MEDINA – Jill Kelly, Julie Maryjanowski and about 20 members of the “Kindness Crew” were busy today painting a welcome message at the Medina Canal Basin and the bathrooms at Butts Park and State Street Park.

They also painted a few hydrants in the State Street area.

The basin wall got a major overhaul with paint and a message welcoming people to Medina.

Volunteers also painted the building at State Street Park and the bathrooms at Butts.

Mayor Debbie Padoleski said she appreciates the crew volunteering to help the community. Many of the volunteers aren’t even village residents, Padoleski said.

Some of the volunteers enjoy fellowship and some refreshments in the Canal Basin.

Becky Winans creates mandala art – ‘Sometimes I paint all night, I love it so much’

Photos Becky Winans holds her granddaughter, while looking at three pieces of mandala art, which are part of her first show at Marti’s on Main Street.

Becky Winans of Medina wears a Mandala necklace she made.

ALBION – Becky Winans, a wife, mother and grandmother, never aspired to be an artist, and it wasn’t until 2019 that she realized her talent and “let loose.”

She currently has her first show at Marti’s on Main at 20 South Main St. There is an opening reception on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the art gallery.

Winans grew up in Millville, the former Becky Pask. Her great-aunt was Esther Boyle of Medina, an artist and art teacher for the Medina School District for many years.

“She left an impression on me which sparked an interest in painting lake stones, like we did together when I was a small child,” Winans said. “I took up painting in 2018 and started out painting stones I collected from the shores of Lake Ontario.”

Gradually, she began painting on small canvas, and then larger canvas. One of her prized artistic accomplishments was painting a wooden clarinet which had been given to her at a yard sale a couple of years ago. Then a friend gave her an old ukulele and she decided it was a perfect piece on which to create artwork. Both are included in her show.

“I’m always searching for unique things to paint and dabble at a bit with decoupage art,” Winans said.

A self-taught artist, Becky Winans of Medina looks at the clarinet she painted. It is part of her first show which will debut with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Marti’s on Main Street in Albion.

When she discovered mandala, she was hooked. The majority of her exhibit is mandala, an art form which Google calls “a geometric configuration of symbols.”

Gallery owner Kim Martillotta Muscarella said mandala was done by monks as a form of meditation.

Winans explains mandala requires intricate work – exact spacing, texture and consistency of paint. She sometimes uses acrylics and, at times, paint pens.

She builds each piece through layers of patterns and colors, allowing her intuition to guide her hand. Her style, she said, often features bright colors that evoke a sense of joy and happiness.

“I draw inspiration from the intricate patterns of nature and spirituality when creating mandala art,” Winans said. “The circular form of the mandala represents the universe and the interconnectedness of all things, illustrating the importance of balance, wholeness and unity in life. This concept profoundly inspires my creative process.”

The clarinet she painted took a lot of work, she said. She first disassembled all the keys, then painted them individually and put them back together.

“Sometimes I paint all night, I love it so much,” she said.

“Mandalas create a calming and meditative space for reflection,” Winans said. “My hope is that my mandalas instill a sense of peace, contemplation and perhaps joy as you immerse yourself in each piece, allowing for personal interpretations that resonate with you.”

Also exhibiting in Friday’s show is Mark Weld of Middleport and Cindy Meal of Lockport.

Weld is a self-taught artist and welder. He creates metal art and has exhibited in regional shows, including the Allentown Art Festival and the Adirondacks National Exhibition.

Meal began painting in 1997. She had been writing poems and short stories in her spare time, but needed something more. She wanted to somehow paint to communicate, and when a friend told her to do it, she did. She learned about plein art, but also strives to paint more creatively using expressionism, impressionism and abstraction.

An opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, and the exhibit runs through June 13. Viewing is by appointment by calling (585) 590-9211, or communication may be sent to Marti’s on Main Street, P.O. Box 103, Albion, 14411.

District under tax cap for 17^th straight year

MEDINA – School officials have put together a $47,998,851 proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year.

District residents will go to the polls on May 19 from noon to 8 p.m. in the Oak Orchard Primary School Gymnasium, 335 West Oak Orchard St.

The budget increases spending by 2.89 percent from the current $46,648,693. The tax levy, what the district collects in property taxes, would increase by 1.97 percent – from $9,170,809 to $9,351,474.

State and federal aid are at $36,556,210 and covers 76.2 percent of the budget. Property taxes represent 19.5 percent of the budget.

School officials provided these highlights of the budget:

• Maintaining all existing programs, sports and extracurricular activities
• Continued commitment to providing school supplies for all students
• Review of current and future contractual obligations
• Purchases 2 full-sized buses and one half-sized bus.
• Support for district strategic priorities
• Providing students with the most up-to-date programming and facilities
• Development of a new 5-year staffing plan
• Use of available reserves and fund balance to balance the budget

The budget is again under the tax cap – for the 17^th straight year.

“The budget was developed with the Medina Central School District’s vision and mission in mind, guiding all budgeting decisions,” Board President Alissa Mitchell wrote in a letter to the community. “Additionally, the long-range fiscal planning of our Board of Education has allowed the District to submit a budget below the tax cap for the seventeenth straight year.”

There are three candidates for three open seats on the Board of Education:

Steven Blount – A physician assistant at Rochester Regional Health Medina Family Medicine, Blount has been on the board the past three years. Since 2023, he has earned a Doctorate in Health Administration and an MBA.

“I am running to ensure that our district operates with transparency and accountability while maintaining the excellence in education you have come to expect,” Dr. Blount state din the district newsletter. “I want to bring my experience in complex problem-solving and evidence-based practice to the Board to help navigate the challenges facing our schools, ensuring every child in Medina has the resources and support to reach their fullest potential.”

LuAnn Tierney – A retired teacher at Roy-Hart, Tierney currently is a track and field official for USATF, NCAA and NFHS. She has been on the Board of Education for six years.

“My goal is to help create an environment on the school board that is supportive of education, supportive of our staff, and our community,” Tierney said. “This will allow us to have the ability to weigh everyone’s opinion, come to consensus and respect the outcome. We have always worked to do our best to provide a quality education while keeping the tax rate increases to a minimum. We continue to explore new ways to improve and grow as a district.”

Mackenzie Sullivan – The nursing supervisor for Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital, Sullivan is a Medina graduate.

“I would like to serve in this role to help ensure that our standard of excellence continues well into the future,” she said. “As a parent of a current student in our district, I am also a personal stakeholder in the success of the Medina CSD. In my career as a registered nurse, I am well versed in NYS regulatory agencies and the struggles of navigating amongst them, bringing that experience and viewpoint to the board.”