By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Contractors arrived in Medina this morning to begin the task of replacing rotted structural support beams on the Bent’s Opera House.
The 150-year-old timbers will be removed and replaced with 7-foot-long steel beams in the next two to three weeks if the project goes to plan, contractors said this morning.
Matthews House Movers in Rochester has been hired to replace the beams. Matthews workers were rigging or installing “cribbing” that will serve as a temporary support so the rotted beams can be removed and the new supports installed.
The Orleans Renaissance Group, owner of the Bent’s Opera House, secured a $100,000 emergency loan from the Preservation League of New York State. The funds will be used immediately to address the main structural support timber on the building’s southeast corner.
The removal of the faux stone and facia last year revealed a critical concern: the condition of the main support timber on what was the former Armstrong’s Drug Store has rotted to the point where the structural integrity of the building could be compromised, said Chris Busch, ORG vice chairman.
The rotted timbers caused “dramatic settling” in the corner of the building with some cracks visible in the wall.
“It’s a miracle the masonry wall on that corner had not suffered a much greater and more calamitous compromise,” Busch said.
The horizontal wooden beams in the lower corner of the Bent’s building will be removed and replaced with steel supports.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Pictured today at a ground-breaking for Medina Memorial Hospital’s new helipad include, from left: Randy Neiswonger, MMH chief operating officer and chief nursing officer; Dolores Horvath, MMH interim CEO; Ruth Bane, a member of the Orleans Community Health Foundation board; Jill Bakeman, Foundation executive director; Medina firefighter Jonathan Higgins; and Jennifer Hill and Art Hill of Art Hill Excavation.
MEDINA – It was about two months ago when Jonathan Higgins went to introduce himself to Dolores Horvath, the newly hired interim CEO for Medina Memorial Hospital.
Higgins, a Medina firefighter, wanted to meet the new CEO and also pitch a plan about a new paved helipad.
Higgins and Medina firefighters often help transport critically injured patients from an ambulance to a Mercy Flight helicopter that lands in a field next to the intersection of Ohio and North Academy streets. The grass field often has been muddy, or firefighters might have to lift the stretcher over a snow bank.
Higgins and the Fire Department told Horvath they could line up donations to reduce the cost of a paved pad for helicopters. Horvath gave the $25,000 project her blessing. None of costs will come out of the hospital’s budget.
Higgins and the fire department lined up about $15,000 worth of donations or discounted services and materials. The Orleans Community Health Foundation contributed the other $10,000.
“This will just be wonderful for the patients of Orleans County,” Horvath said today following a ground-breaking ceremony for the helipad.
The new helipad includes a driveway so ambulances can pull off the street to move patients.
Art Hill Excavation of Medina is building the 40-by-40-foot helipad, which includes a curb cut and 80-foot-long driveway. The company donated an interwoven geo-technical fabric that went above the soil. Then about 8 inches of a stone base has been applied. Art Hill Excavation expects to add the binder and the black top this week to complete the project.
Shelby Stone and Keeler Construction also contributed materials for the project.
Art Hill Excavation was eager to help with the project, said company owner Jennifer Hill.
“These are the most critical patients,” she said about the patients that use Mercy Flight. “You want to help them out.”
Higgins said a helicopter transports patients about 50 times a year from the spot. Not only is the field sometimes muddy or covered in snow, but firefighters had to stop their ambulance on Ohio Street to then move patients to the helicopter. Now the ambulance can pull off the street and on the driveway leading to the helipad.
“It’s been fairly unsafe,” Higgins said. “This is a busy street and people would get distracted looking at the helicopter.”
Provided photo – This photo shows the deteriorated main structural beam on the southwest corner of Bent’s Opera House in Medina.
Press release
Orleans Renaissance Group
MEDINA – The Orleans Renaissance Group, owner of the former Bent’s Opera House, announced today that they have received $100,000 emergency loan from the Preservation League of New York State. The funds will be used immediately to address the main structural support timber on the building’s southeast corner.
Chris Busch, vice president of ORG, said the organization is “extremely grateful” for the support of the Preservation League.
“They recognize the regional importance and viability of this project, and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude for their advocacy,” he said.
The removal of the faux stone and facia last year revealed a critical concern: the condition of the main support timber on what was the former Armstrong’s Drug Store has rotted to the point where the structural integrity of the building could be compromised.
“This huge wooden timber is nearly 150 years old,” Busch said.“Prior to removing the faux stone, we were only guessing as to what caused the dramatic settling around the southeast corner of the building. Once the stone was removed, we saw that we needed to act quickly in professionally assessing the deterioration.”
The deterioration has been an issue for decades.
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Bent’s Opera House opened in the Civil War. The building was built with Medina sandstone.
“It’s a miracle the masonry wall on that corner had not suffered a much greater and more calamitous compromise,” Busch said.
ORG engaged engineer Don Jensen of Jensen Engineering in Rochester who determined that the vast majority of the old beam was fine and in remarkable condition. The entire southeast section, however, requires immediate replacement with steel using a specialized process called “needling.”
“The most pressing concern right now is addressing the beam,” Busch said. “No further work on the façade can take place until that has been corrected.”
ORG has engaged Peter Matthews of Matthews House Movers in Rochester to replace the beam. Matthews will be in Medina today to begin installing rigging or “cribbing” to stabilize the building prior to repairs.
“We hope to have this phase of façade work completed soon and to possibly effect some additional façade restoration as well,” Busch said. “ORG wants folks to know that important progress is being made everyday in bringing Bent’s back to life.”
The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council last month included the Bent’s restoration as a recommended project for state funding. ORG is seeking state assistance for a major roof repair for the building. An announcement from the state is expected in December.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The fire at 108 Starr St. displaced 14 people who lived at the house. The Red Cross is working to locate temporary shelter for the residents.
MEDINA – A fire this afternoon on Starr Street has left 14 village residents, including seven children, homeless.
A fire call was reported at 4:53 p.m. when smoke was observed pouring out of four sides of the house. Firefighters were quickly on scene and had the fire under control in about a half hour. They doused flames in an upstairs bedroom and removed windows and vented the roof to let out trapped gases.
The house at 108 Starr St. is split into four apartments. It owned by Rosie Taylor of Lockport. She has three tenants, with one family renting two of the four apartments. Taylor has insurance and she said she will work to repair the house so it can be lived in again.
“I’m sorry about it but I won’t let it get me down,” Taylor said.
It took about a half hour for firefighters to have a fire under control at his four-unit apartment house at 108 Starr St.
Power has been out in the house since yesterday when tenants suspected the circuit was overloaded.
“It’s an old house with old electric,” said Robin Cheatham, one of the residents.
Her husband bought a new fuse today, but the house was on fire before it could be installed.
Medina firefighters and Orleans County fire investigators are looking at many possible causes of the fire, and didn’t want to speculate about the cause this evening.
Firefighter Steve Cooley said the blaze could have spread and caused more extensive damage. The house was built with a balloon frame style, which makes it easier for fire and smoke to spread between floors, he said.
“There are no fire stops,” Cooley said. “You could have a small fire and it travels between the walls.”
Orleans County Fire Investigator Walter Batt holds a charred electrical box that was retrieved from a house in Medina. Josh Wolck, a Medina firefighter, is next to Batt.
The fire was contained to one room, but there was extensive smoke damage throughout the house. Medina Code Enforcement Officer Martin Busch tagged the building after the fire and said it cannot be occupied until a new certificate of occupancy is secured.
The Red Cross is assisting the 14 residents with temporary shelter.
Medina Fire Department was assisted at the scene by firefighters from Shelby, Lyndonville and Ridgeway fire companies. In addition, Middleport, East Shelby, Albion and COVA were on standby at the Medina firehall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 October 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Howard and Clara Lake last month opened a liquor store with wine and spirits at the corner of Park Avenue and Salt Works Road. The store has a grand opening celebration on Saturday with a wine tasting from 1 to 3 p.m.
MEDINA – Howard and Clara Lake see a business district growing on the west side of Medina, in the Park Avenue and Salt Works Road area. The couple is right in the heart of that area that includes several big manufacturing companies and other businesses.
In May 2012, the Lakes moved their computer business, C & H PC, from a building behind their house on Laurel Street to a bigger building at the corner of Park Avenue and Salt Works Road.
This spring they opened The Park Grille, a concessions stand that serves Sahlen’s hot dogs, black angus hamburgers, French fries and ice cream. That will be a seasonal operation from mid-May to Labor Day. It’s located right next to C & H PC.
The Lakes have added another business venture to the site. Last month they opened Lakes Wines-N-Spirits. The business includes wines, including many from the Finger Lakes and Niagara regions. There will be a grand opening this Saturday for the new store with wine tastings from 1 to 3 p.m.
“We’re right in the middle of a business district with a lot of businesses around us,” Mr. Lake said today at 11089 Park Ave.
Before the Lakes moved their computer business to the site, the building had been vacant for about a decade. They are now using two of the suites, with one still available. Mr. Lake, a former Medina mayor, wants to fill the other suite with another possible business venture in the future.
Lake, who is retired from the power plant in Somerset, said he likes putting the business projects together, and working with the public.
The liquor store is open seven days a week. The Lakes have added two part-time employees for the store.
Provided photo – “Andy” was the focus of attention during Cow Plop Bingo, a fund-raiser on Friday for the Medina Mustang Band.
Press release, Medina Mustang Band
MEDINA – The 4th annual Cow Plop Bingo raised about $2,500 for the Medina Mustang Band on Friday during Homecoming.
Andy, a 14-month-old Hereford owned by Ray Wendling, arrived at the high school at 3 p.m. Andy then grazed around a grassy grid for nearly three hours before making his “deposit” on square No. 130.
Dick Fry, who has had several grandchildren in the band, was the winner. Fry graciously donated $200 of his winnings back to the band.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 October 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo courtesy of Pamela Brower
MEDINA – In August, Buddy started to drag his back right leg. Pamela Brower thought her cat had pulled a muscle.
But then both back legs stopped working. The cat had to drag itself with its front legs.
A trip to the vet revealed the cat had a bulging disc and would need surgery in the thousands of dollars just to have a 50-50 chance to regain use of the back legs.
Brower, an aide at Medina Central School for the past 24 years, pitched an idea to some of the students in Michael Lepkyj’s technology class. Would they try to make a walker/wheelchair for the cat?
The students in the class came up with a contraption that is helping Buddy move inside and outside of the house.
“It is helping him to go out and get around,” Brower said.
The students are now working to make the wheelchair a little wider and higher to better fit Buddy.
Brower is impressed by the students for their ingenuity and their compassion.
“Kids don’t get enough credit these days,” she said.
Click here to watch the video on Facebook of Buddy using the new walker that was created by Medina High School students in their technology class.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 October 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Buffalo Touch, a polka band, performs on Saturday during the annual Accordion Fest, which moved from Hickory Ridge Country Club in Holley to the parking lot next to the Medina Senior Center and the Medina Railroad Museum.
Four groups performed during the festival, which was organized by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. In addition to the Buffalo Touch, C’est Bon Cajon Band, Accordions ’Round the World and Roland Demos performed.
The event was part of a busy day in Medina, which also hosted Ale in Autumn, the dedication of a firefighters’ memorial, and the YMCA’s Mud Run.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 October 2013 at 12:00 am
Massachusetts company expects stores to open in Albion and Medina in early 2014
Courtesy of CHA – JFJ Holdings added a turning lane leading to the drive-through based on a recommendation from the Orleans County Planning Board.
MEDINA – Dunkin’ Donuts is working to bring a store to Medina at the southeast corner of the routes 31A and 63 intersection. The site is outside the village in the town of Shelby.
Brian Bouchard, assistant project engineer for the CHA firm in Syracuse, presented a preliminary plan to the Shelby Planning Board on Tuesday. He expects the formal site plan to go before the Orleans County Planning Board on Oct. 24 with the town giving a final vote in early November.
The site is vacant and would have a 2,000-square-foot building, just like the project in Albion. That site on South Main Street next to Tim Hortons was given a final vote of approval tonight from the Village of Albion Planning Board.
Bouchard said JFJ Holdings will work to close on the property in the next two weeks. JFJ is based in North Andover, Mass. The company owns about 200 Dunkin’ Donuts, Bouchard said.
Both the Albion and Medina sites are close to two state roads. Medina’s would be at the intersection of 31A and 63 while Albion is on Route 98, four buildings north of Route 31.
The Albion site includes a big warehouse just south of the railroad tracks. Charles Breuilly of Albion owns the site. Bouchard said the company will likely have to do some asbestos abatement before the building comes down. He would like the site to be cleared in a month so contractors can work on building the parking lot and the foundation so the shell of the building can be up before winter.
If the weather cooperates, Bouchard said it’s possible the Albion store could open in January. If the weather slows down construction, the store may not open until March or April, he said.
The site includes driveways on Main and Platt streets. The Platt Street driveway will line up directly across a driveway that leads to the parking lot for CRFS.
The site plan was tweaked after last Thursday’s County Planning Board meeting when the board recommended JFJ add a turning lane near the Platt Street driveway. The lane will accommodate cars waiting to turn into the drive-through lane. Planners worried there could be a backup of cars waiting to get into the drive-through.
If the parking lot and driveways are congested, JFJ is willing to add a three-way stop near the drive-through to help facilitate traffic flow, Bouchard said. Village officials and the company will see how the site works before committing to the three-way stop.
“If it becomes an issue, we’ll do something,” Bouchard told the Village Planning Board tonight.
The new Albion store will have 30 seats inside, 46 parking spaces, a 230-square-foot freezer next to the building, and a drive-through lane that can accommodate 10 vehicles.
The site plan for Medina will be a little different because the site isn’t as long and narrow as the Albion location. The building, however, will be identical, Bouchard said.
He expects the Medina store will open about a month after Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 October 2013 at 12:00 am
Site is lone Orleans project recommended for state dollars
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council recommended state funding for the Bent’s Opera House, a building in Medina that is mostly vacant but is eyed for offices, a restaurant and performance venue.
MEDINA – A nine-county council has reviewed projects throughout the Finger Lakes region, which includes Orleans County, and recommended the state help pay for a new roof for the Bent’s Opera House in Medina. That is the lone project from Orleans to make the list.
The Orleans Renaissance Group wants the Main Street building, built during the Civil War, to have offices on the first floor, possibly a restaurant on the second floor, and a performance hall on the third level. The ORG applied for $500,000. The council didn’t specify a dollar amount when it recommended funding for the project.
Albion sought state funding to upgrade Bullard Park, while the county applied for state dollars for the Orleans County Marine Park. Other communities also sought funding for infrastructure projects. None of those were recommended for funding by the regional council.
The state is pressing communities to come up with projects that would create jobs. Just because the regional council didn’t recommend funding doesn’t mean the other local projects will be denied. And, just because Bent’s is on the list doesn’t mean the state will approve the funding. That announcement should come in December.
The Orleans Renaissance Group wants to restore the Bent’s Opera House, which includes a performance hall.
This is the state’s third year since it established 10 regional councils for municipalities and counties to first submit economic development projects. Orleans County, per capita, has not fared well in the new system. It has received the least state funding the first two years, $716,000, of the nine counties in the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.
On a per capita basis – the amount per resident – Orleans has been awarded $16.70 per person ($716,000 divided by 42,883 residents). I did a story about this last December when I was at The Daily News in Batavia, comparing how each county fared since the councils were created.
Genesee County actually ranked the worst of the nine counties in per capita funding through the council over the first two years: $15.27. Genesee has 60,079 residents and has been awarded $917,330 in state funds for economic development and community projects.
Genesee, however, could be a big winner this round.
The council has listed the STAMP project in the town of Alabama as a priority. Genesee is working to create a shovel-ready Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park. The 1,250-acre site would be used for nano-scale manufacturing.
Orleans County folks should be rooting for this project to come to fruition. If it happens, it would attract hundreds, perhaps thousands, of new high-paying jobs. Some of these new people may snatch up all of the grand old homes in our villages that could use an infusion of dollars.
These new people, with their high-paying jobs, would pump dollars into our businesses. We get the benefits of the STAMP without outlaying any local dollars to make it happen. Thank you, Genesee County, for working on this and investing millions of your own money. If you need water for this site, I think the folks in Medina would be willing to talk.
The regional council also wants to help make the Genesee Agri-Business Park “shovel ready.” That 211-acre site is in Batavia and already is home to two yogurt plants. That project has provided jobs to some Orleans folks while increasing demand for milk from our dairy farms.
Some local officials, including Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard, believe the new approach for doling out state dollars hurts the small, rural communities.
The money tends to go to mega-projects that tend to be few and far between in a rural area. The smaller communities also don’t have millions of dollars to plow into infrastructure, land acquisition, engineering studies, etc. (Genesee can pull it off because they get so much more sales tax than Orleans due to the Thruway and all of the Big Box stores.)
In Orleans, we don’t have grant writers on staff and enough other people to help put together projects, and move them along, while also working to line up local dollars.
We could use a community development director in Orleans County to help put together projects that excite the regional council. We need to spend a little to bring in more state resources to move the community forward.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 September 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – J.T. Thomas was among the 750 people who bought tickets to sample beer throughout downtown Medina on Saturday.
MEDINA – When the Medina Business Association first started Ale in Autumn in 2009, the organization hoped an event with beer tastings would bring in a few outsiders and get more locals to visit Medina merchants.
Ale and Autumn has done far more than that. It quickly sells its 750 tickets, and creates a buzz on Main Street.
“It’s about people coming together and spending the day together,” said J.T. Thomas, a local DJ who helps promote the event. He was an eager participant on Saturday, sampling 30 different beers at locations mostly in the downtown business district.
“This shows off our town and gets people going into all of our historic spots and our businesses,” Thomas said. “We’re trying to keep more things in the village, which is a special place.”
Ale in Autumn attracted many participants from outside Medima on Saturday, including this group, from left: Bob Slocum from Syracuse, Bill and Rosemary Rausch of Middleport, Joe Moll of Barker and Dottie Barr of Middleport. They are pictured inside The Bread Basket.
The event is a fund-raiser for the Medina Business Association. It uses proceeds to help pay for banners, the downtown sound system, bike racks, flower barrels and other projects.
Rollie Phillipps, co-owner of The Book Shoppe, poured beer and mingled with customers on Saturday. He was surprised how many from outside Medina were in town for the event.
“It’s good for the merchants because it gets people in the store,” he said. “A lot of the people say Medina has a lot going for it.”
Dottie Barr of Middleport joined several friends in sampling the beers. She has been to Ale in Autumn three times, and also comes to Medina for Wine about Winter, which features wine tastings.
“They’re both fun,” she said about the events. “You see people you don’t normally see and you see businesses you don’t normally see.”
Each participant in Ale in Autumn received a souvenir glass.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2013 at 12:00 am
‘Firefighters are the lifeblood and the backbone of our community.’ – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Medina firefighters Josh Wolck, left, and Matt Jackson serve as the honor guard for a new firefighters’ memorial in front of City Hall.
Photos by Tom Rivers – A crowd gathered at 11 a.m. today for the dedication service for a new memorial to Medina firefighters.
MEDINA – A stone memorial in honor of Medina firefighters was dedicated today in front of City Hall, a monument that includes the names of two firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Chief James Schooly died in 1934 and Lt. Darwin Ehrenreich perished in 1954 while on calls for the department. The Fire Department also has started a memorial brick walkway that includes the names of deceased firefighters who were either full-time paid firefighters or who were callmen with at least 20 years of service. Their names are inscribed in bricks.
Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich said the names of the honored firefighters “won’t be slid in a drawer and never heard from again.” Current firefighters often share stories about their predecessors, and speak with affection of the past generation of firemen.
“Please remember your family members will live in our hearts each and every day and will never be forgotten,” Zinkievich said at the dedication, which was attended by many friends and relatives of the honored firefighters.
Medina Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich addresses about 50 people during a dedication service for a new firefighters’ memorial.
Firefighter Jonathan Higgins helped plan the memorial. He said the current firefighters are grateful to have careers where they can serve the community. Medina has 13 paid firefighters who run an ambulance service that is the primary responder for those calls in western Orleans.
Medina Mayor Andrew Meier said the memorial is a reminder of the dedication of village personnel. The department dates back to 1832.
“All of us are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us,” Meier said. “This is a legacy we have inherited from our grandfathers and fathers.”
He called on current residents of the community to keep working in service, establishing a legacy that will keep Medina moving forward.
“We need to lay a foundation for future generations just like our predecessors did for us,” Meier said.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley was one of the speakers at today’s dedication. He praised the Medina Fire Department for protecting residents’ lives and property.
“Firefighters are the lifeblood and backbone of our community,” he said.
Don Marchner, a Medina firefighter, speaks at the podium during today’s dedication ceremony. Marchner said the names of deceased Medina firefighters who were callmen for at least 20 years. They each have their names memorial bricks in front of the firefighters’ memorial.
The fire department’s Benevolent Association paid for the monument, which includes an inscription of “The Firefighter’s Prayer.”
The memorial brick walkway includes the names of the following past career firefighters:
Assistant Chief Joseph Stillwell, who served from 1923-1947; Edward Pahura, 1941-1953; Louis Button Sr., 1941-1960; Fred Board, 1941-1961; Chief Ralph Whiting, 1941-1969; Lt. Edward Ehrenreich, 1942-1968; William Board Sr., 1944-1965; Lt. Frank Eppolito, 1947-1969; Donald Cook, 1953-1976; Lt. Richard Clark, 1960-1986; Assistant Chief Alex Hewitt Jr., 1964-1988; Lt. Jason Drought, 1965-1987; Douglas Maynard, 1968-1995; Brian Kwiatkowski, 1985-2008; and Kenneth Dunn, 1994-2007.
The following past callmen were honored:
Lous Metz, Robert Fox, Trever Reynolds, Anthony Santillo, Carl Furness, Charlie Dutcher, Shane Ackerson, Floyd Harris, Raymond Riches, Percy Renouf, Harold Miller, Walter Dillon, Steve Champlin, Robert Foss and Berard Feltz.
Brian Kwiatkowski, a Medina fireifghter from 1985 to 2008, is among those honored with a memorial brick.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2013 at 12:00 am
Participants enjoy run through obstacles in debut Y event
Lisa Cox of Medina makes a “mud angel” near the end of today’s Mud Run. Her son Austin also completed the course.
Photos by Tom Rivers – Jenny McKenna descends a muddy slope near the canal as part of today’s Mud Run. Jenny completed the course with her sister Kerri and their mother Iva.
MEDINA – Skyler Smith turned 14 today. She told her father her wish: for the two of them to finish the Mud Run together.
So that’s what they did, running and crawling through mud pits, climbing over fallen trees, navigating through a field of tires and conquering a host of other obstacles.
“It was definitely fun,” Mr. Smith said. “It’s a really good family obstacle course.”
The Orleans County YMCA organized the event for 75 participants. It was the Y’s first Mud Run, events that are gaining popularity for their daring feats.
Skyler Smith of Albion leads her father Steve through the file obstacle course in a mud pit in today’s Mud Run to benefit the Orleans County YMCA. Skyler asked for the adventure on her 14th birthday.
Participants climb over logs, one of the many obstacles on the course.
Organizers were happy with the 75 participants, by Y leaders are already considering a shift to the spring, when they think more participants will be eager to conquer the course after being holed up during the winter.
Lisa Cox and her son Austin both completed the run, which took participants through fields, the towpath and trails in the woods. Cox, 34, made a “mud angel” in the volleyball court at Sacred Heart Club, where the race ended.
She didn’t mind all of the obstacles, including a slope off the towpath that was hosed down by firefighters to make extra muddy.
“It was pretty fun,” Cox said. “I just wish there was more mud. I hope we get to do it again.”
Runners head down a slick slope on today’s 3.1-mile trail of challenges.
Staff Reports Posted 28 September 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman
MEDINA – Austin Cox of Medina splashes through the last mud pit to complete his “Mud Run” today, when about 75 people took part of the first-time event for the Orleans County YMCA.
Press release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Today is the last day the public will see the inside of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina before the West Avenue site receives a $272,000 makeover.
Library staff have been busy boxing up the collection, which will be moved to six storage pods in the parking lot. The library will be closed beginning tomorrow for about five weeks.
In 1966, Medina opened a new public library. The inside of the 11,000-square-foot building hasn’t been altered much since then. But that will change over the next five weeks.
Lee-Whedon is paying Sicoli Construction Services of Niagara Falls $272,000 for a number of improvements, including the following:
A complete makeover of the interior including ceiling tiles, paint and carpeting. New colors, fabrics and textures will provide a pleasant and welcoming environment. Lighting fixtures will also be upgraded.
The Children’s area will be reconfigured to provide improved space for group activities. A new Teen Center will include a study area and improved technology access.
Computer capable study areas are planned. High-speed Internet access points with upgraded computer technology will assure improved speed, ease of use, and security.
The shelves and display areas will be reconfigured for increased accessibility and efficiency. All public sections of the building will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act.
Several mechanical issues will be addressed including improved exterior lighting, electronic controls for the heating and ventilation systems and upgrades to the electrical services.
Boxes are stacked on the shelves as part of the impending relocation to storage pods in the parking lot.
