Groups were ‘flawless’ in accepting surrendered baby

Photos by Tom Rivers – Timothy Jaccard, president and director of the AMT Children of Hope Foundation, presents “Torch of Life Awards” to Denise Polovick, a registered nurse at United Memorial Medical Center …

… and Mark Schoell, the CEO of the hospital in Batavia.

BATAVIA – The Medina Fire Department and United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia were both honored with “Torch of Life” awards today for their work in accepting a surrendered baby last month through the state’s Safe Haven Law.

A newborn baby girl was dropped off at the Fire Department on May 25. Firefighter Dennis Pollock was working when a woman, “Kathy Hope,” showed up with the baby after being directed to the fire hall from the Safe Haven crisis hotline. She surrendered the newborn who was then taken by the Fire Department to UMMC in Batavia.

The Safe Haven Law allows mothers to surrender babies, up to 30 days old, without charges of abandonment. The law has saved nearly 3,000 babies, said Tim Jaccard, president and director of the AMT Children of Hope Foundation – Baby Safe Haven.

He drove from Long Island on Tuesday to be in Batavia and Medina today to present awards to hospital and Fire Department staff.

Pollock and Medina Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich both received “Torch of Life” awards. Jaccard praised the Fire Department for its awareness of the law and the firefighters’ sensitivity to the situation.

Firefighters transported the baby to UMMC in Batavia. The baby is healthy and currently in foster care. Jaccard presented “Torch of Life” awards to Denise Polovick, a registered nurse, and Mark Schoell, the hospital CEO.

“She was flawless,” Jaccard said about Polovick and her handling of the situation.

The hospital deserves credit for preparing its staff for a baby surrendered through the Safe Haven Law, Jaccard said.

Jaccard worked as the medical officer in the 1980s for the Nassau County Police when he responded to calls of babies not breathing. Some of those calls were for babies who had been drowned in bath tubs, left in plastic bags, and sometimes discarded in dumpsters or buried in back yards.

Before the law took effect in 2001, Jaccard said 29 babies were killed the previous year in New York by mothers who feared they couldn’t care for their baby.

Last year, three newborns in New York were killed by mothers who were in unwanted pregnancies, said Jaccard, who is the state Safe Haven coordinator.

“This gives a birth mother in a crisis situation an alternative to relinquish a baby in a safe manner,” he said.

Jaccard said there have been 2,878 “Safe Haven” babies in the U.S. since the law was passed, with the most recent one born Tuesday in Florida.

His organization also distributes Safe Haven signs and logos for hospitals, fire houses and ambulances, to let pregnant women know about the Safe Haven option.

Jaccard said many firefighters and hospitals still aren’t trained in how to respond to a surrendered baby. That’s not the case with the Medina Fire Department and UMMC.

“The way they responded, it went so smoothly,” Jaccard said. “I felt they should be honored.”

Sandstone Society marks bank’s milestone anniversary

Photos courtesy of Dave Miller – Medina Savings and Loan celebrated its 125th anniversary on Saturday. As part of the celebration, the Medina Sandstone Society unveiled a sandstone plaque by the bank’s front door. Pictured, from left: Medina S & L President Tim Moriarty, Sandstone Society President Bob Waters, and Charles Slack, chairman of the board for the bank.

The plaque celebrates the bank’s longevity as a local institution.

MEDINA – The Medina Savings and Loan marked its 125^th anniversary on Saturday during a customer appreciation day at the bank on Maple Ridge Road.

The bank has been critical to growth of the community for more than a century, providing capital for businesses to open and expand, and residents to purchase homes.

Medina S & L was the only bank in Orleans County to survive the Great Depression. In 2006, the bank opened a second location in the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Albion.

The Medina Sandstone Society unveiled a plaque by the front door, praising the bank for “providing a rock solid foundation for community growth since 1888.”

Photos by Tom Rivers – The P.Raising Kids Child Care Center celebrated the re-opening of its playground with several improvements to the area at the Medina United Methodist Church. Julianne McGrath, director of the P.Raising Kids, stands at left with children and staff involved in the program during a ribbon-cutting on Friday.

The playground includes new equipment for children.

MEDINA – New equipment. A smoother sidewalk. Safety improvements. The new playground next to the Medina United Methodist Church opened on Friday and immediately was embraced by children.

The church runs the P.Raising Child Care Center, serving about 40 kids on Mondays through Fridays.

Their playground has been off limits because of old equipment and glass shards that were discovered on the ground. The church replaced the dirt and base for the playground, installed new equipment, expanded the fenced-in area, and changed the sidewalk so it no longer has a step. That makes the site handicapped accessible.

“Before there were a lot of issues,” said Tony Hipes, the church pastor. “It was old and falling apart.”

The improvements cost about $3,000. The Medina Area Association of Churches chipped in $1,500. The MAAC wants to support the P.Raising program, which was started about four years ago.

“They are serving community children,” said Sue Metzo, the MAAC president and a member of the Presbyterian Church. “They are doing something that is very important in this community. Anytime there are churches doing things in the community, we try to help in any way that we can.”

The United Methodist Church also is working to renovate the former Apple Grove Inn down the road on West Center Street.

“We’re in full construction mode,” Hipes said.

He hopes the congregation can move into the building in late summer or early fall. After the move to the Apple Grove, the P.Raising program will continue to be run out of the existing church at 222 West Center St.

Nathan Brabon, 4, of Medina finds the smooth sidewalk good for riding a tricycle.

Provided photo – The student staff for the 2013-14 Medina Mustang Band are pictured after Friday’s awards banquet.

Press Release
Medina Mustang Band Boosters

MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Marching Band honored band members on Friday during a banquet. In addition to honoring students, the band and Mustangs Boosters honored Larry Meyer with the “Harry L. Dinkle Band Booster Award.”

Instructional staff were recognized including Roxanne Morgan (Twirlers), Jeanette Sheliga (Drill, marching instructor and instrument repair), Katie Toub (Assistant Band Director and Pit instructor), Jeff Pask (Percussion instructor), Diana Baker and Lindsey Little (Colorguard Instructors), Vinnie Monacelli (Visual Design and Colorguard instructor), Kristen Costa (Colorguard Design and instructor), Jerry Kelsey and Joe Organisciak (Music Arrangers), Joe Guadagnino and Brian King (Percussion instructors).

Band members were recognized for their achievements.The NYSFB Conference Scholarship was given to Maggie Laszewski. The Mustang Band Booster Memorial Scholarship was given to Matt Stanton, while the Mustang Band Booster Service Scholarship was presented to Rene Miller.

Medina’s Winterguard, Dance Team and Twirlers were recognized for their first place standing at the Gorham pageant.

Once again Medina students participated in NYSSMA solo festival in April 2013 in Penfield. The elementary school sent 22 students, the middle school sent 32 and there were 35 from the high school. Overall these students received scores ranging from Excellent, Outstanding, A-, A, A+ and two students, Jimmy Jo Soha and Cameron Morgan received perfect scores of 100.

Outstanding Band Member awards were given in three categories. Outstanding Rookie to T. Kiebala, M. Johnson, B. Zakes and J. James. Most Improved went to J. Phillips, M. Bellan, J. Houseman and C. Donley. Most Valuable went to Z. Roeseler, C. Gardner, C. Morgan and C. Doherty.

Director’s Awards were given to James Wisniewski and Emma Fox by Mrs. Pritchard and to Tyler Soha and Kelsi LaSpada by Mr. Steele.

The Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award was presented to Drum Major MaggieLaszewski, and Matt Stanton and Zach Roeseler, both assistant drum majors.

The Joseph C. McCain Award was given to Adam Wengryzcki (a junior) and Maggie Laszewski (a senior).

Students were also recognized for perfect attendance and service. Graduating Seniors were given their medallions.

Another highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 2013-2014 student staff:

Drum Major – Cameron Morgan; Assistant DM – Matt Prawel and Jenna Brien; Flute Section leader – Samantha Wendling; Clarinet SL – Shannon Allen; Saxophone SL – Jenna Brien; Mellophone SL – Kelsey Evoy; Trumpet SL – Marc Vanderlaan; Low Brass SL – Barry Rogenmoser; Pit SL – Hannah Pask.

Band Managers – Adam Wengryzcki, Cody Taylor, Jon Carlo Gonzalez, Tessa White and Emilee Austin; Attendance officer – Julie Brien; Uniform Manager – Addison Zavitz and Andrea Toussaint; Secretary/Librarian – Bailey Allen and Tristan Sanders; Colorguard managers – Victoria Rice and Krystal Kerstetter; Colorguard Captain – Melissa Oosterling and Head of Percussion – James Soha.

The Fall Field Show for 2013 will be “The Pursuit of Gold” about the Olympics. Work begins immediately as the students learn their music before Band Camp in August. Fundraisers also begin this summer with 4-H Parking in July, and Car Wash and Chicken BBQ in August.

Photo courtesy of Chris Busch

MEDINA – A group of Buffalo musicians known as “The Healing Committee” performed Saturday night at the Boiler 54 outdoor venue at the back of the Shirt Factory Café building on West Center Street. The trio includes, from left: Alan Whitney, Kathryn Koch and Timmy P. Boiler 54 has live music most Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer.

Tom Rivers/Daily News – Carlene Stockwell worked her last day at Travel Horizons in Medina today after 23 years with the Main Street business.

MEDINA – Carlene Stockwell used to be part of a team of four full-time employees, arranging flights, cruises and other trips for local residents.

The travel agents at Horizon Travel would receive a commission from the airlines and tour operators. And customers would bring back trinkets from the trips, stone shamrocks from Ireland, dancing figurines from Hawaii, sea shells from the ocean and chop sticks from Tokyo.

Stockwell worked 23 years at Travel Horizons. She was the last remaining full-time employee. Owner June Seager decided to close the business today after 24 years at 511 Main St.

“It’s been a pleasure working in the business,” Stockwell said today. “We’ve built so many friendships.”

Stockwell said the elimination of commissions from the airlines, plus the proliferation of the Internet, which makes it easier for customers to book their own trips, has pushed many travel agents out of the industry.

“It’s a very different business now,” she said. “I don’t see a future for me in travel tourism.”

It used to be a promising career. She earned a degree in travel tourism from Genesee Community College more than two decades ago.  GCC no longer offers that major. It’s been adapted to “Tourism and Hospitality Management.”

James D. Swader

Press release
Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force

MEDINA – The manager of the Monroe Muffler and Brake in Medina has allegedly been selling narcotics from the location at 11334 Maple Ridge Rd., the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.

Police on Tuesday arrested the site’s manager, James D. Swader. The 52-year-old from Akron was charged with five counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and five counts of criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the fourth degree.

Swader was arraigned by Shelby Town Justice Dawn Keppler and committed to Orleans County Jail on $50,000 cash bail or a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Shelby Town Court at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Task Force and the Medina Police Department executed a search warrant on Tuesday at Monro Muffler following a three-month investigation into the sale and distribution of prescription narcotic pills in Medina.

As a result of the investigation, a search was executed after numerous narcotic buys were conducted inside the business. Police seized prescription narcotic medications, including morphine and oxycodone, which was located inside the manager’s tool box in the garage area of the business, the Task Force reported.

The investigation is ongoing and further arrests and charges are pending.

Photos by Tom Rivers – Howard and Clara Lake opened The Park Grille on Saturday at 11089 Park Ave. in Medina. They are pictured with three of their employees. Pictured, in back, from left: Matt Winans (Clara Lake’s son), Riki Culverwell and Ben Madafferi.

Howard Lake cooks hamburgers at The Park Grille today.

MEDINA – Howard and Clara Lake moved their computer business, C & H PC, last May from a building behind their house on Laurel Street to a site on Park Avenue.

The new location is busy, close to several big companies in Medina, including Associated Brands, Baxter Healthcare Corp., Credit Recovery Financial Services, and several others. Barnes Metal Finishing is across the street.

Mr. Lake, Medina’s former mayor, sees all the traffic and thought those employees might want a quick lunch close by.

Last Saturday, the Lakes opened The Park Grille, serving Sahlen’s hot dogs, black angus hamburgers, French fries and ice cream. The site has been busy, Lake said.

“It’s been very popular,” he said earlier today, just before the lunch rush. “We’ve been getting a lot of repeat customers.”

The Lakes purchased a 26-foot-long trailer that is equipped with grills, a fryer and freezers. They expect to stay open until September, but Lake said customer demand may extend their season. The Lakes also expect to add more to the menu.

Provided photo – Medina Mustang Band co-directors Jim Steele and Cheri Pritchard are pictured with seniors in the program and the trophies the band won on Saturday after the Gorham Pageant of Bands.

Press release, Medina Mustang Band

MEDINA – The Mustang band completed its season on Friday and Saturday, taking many first- and second-place awards in several categories at the 52nd Gorham Pageant of Bands. The Medina band won grand champion in the parade.

This year’s parade was spectacular with 10 schools strutting their stuff down the street for all to see. Besides winning grand champion, Medina took first place in Class A with a score of 96.75, the highest score of all parade participants. They also received a Specialty Award for Best Colorguard in the High School class and Class Champions.

The pageant is an opportunity for students from several school band programs to come together and perform in a number of different venues. Medina has been participating in this pageant since 1967.

As a year-ending event the students have worked hard to polish their performance and show their skills. It’s a day of pride and accomplishments. For the seniors it is the last time they will perform together.

Medina’s Middle School Jazz band took second place with a score of 93.5. The High School Jazz band took second place with a score of 98.25 only to be bested by a narrow margin by East Irondequoit with a score of 98.75.

Specialty awards in Jazz went to Medina for Best Brass and to Medina and East Irondequoit for Best Rhythm. Medina also won Best Soloist recognition for Trumpet and Vibes.

The Dance Team took first place with score of 79.5, first place in Twirling with a 94.6 and Scholastic A Color Guard with a 91.3. In Percussion Standstill Medina and South Seneca tied for first place with a score of 87.5.

In Concert Band the Middle School took first place in Class B with 176.5 and the High School took first with 198 in Class A.

The Medina Mustang Marching Band and all its components are under the co-direction of James Steele and Cheri Pritchard.

MEDINA – Medina car dealers who pay local property taxes are complaining about an out-of-town outfit that sets up for 10 days outside the Medina bowling alley.

The village requires a license fee for the transient business, but it pales in comparison to the taxes the local dealers pay.

“They should be regulated so we can level the playing field,” said Mark Kuhmann, the used car manager for Hartway Motors.

Kuhmann asked the Village Board to pass an ordinance for “transient retail merchants” that would increase their costs to sell in Medina. That would make the operations on par with the local merchants paying property taxes. It would also bring in tax revenue for the community, Kuhmann said.

The proposal would require a local tax on retail sales. That tax would be the same as other merchants pay in the village, which is about $50 per $1,000 of assessed property for village, county, town and school taxes.

That could be significant for the auto dealer, Transitowne, which has now had several “tent sales” in Medina. The company is rumored to have sold 80 vehicles in its latest 10-day sales event in Medina earlier this month. If those used vehicles sold for an average of $10,000 that would be $800,000 in total gross. At a $50 tax rate, the local governments would be due $40,000, according to the proposal submitted by Kuhmann on behalf of Hartway and Orleans Ford.

Medina Mayor Andrew Meier said the village would consider the proposal, which doesn’t impact non-profits.

“We’ll discuss it,” Meier told Kuhmann on Tuesday. “We want to make sure we don’t over-legislate.”

The proposal would also establish a minimum 1,000-foot buffer from the transient business and one that is selling similar merchandise in the village.

Kuhmann said other communities have approved similar legislation for “gypsy dealers.” Village officials asked their attorney, Matt Brooks, to look over the proposal.

“We all support our local businesses, but we have to operate within the law,” said Trustee Mark Irwin.

Provided photo

Press release
Orleans Community Health

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health recently celebrated the renovations to the Mammography Department at Medina Memorial Hospital.

Community members stepped up to raise money for the project. The annual Pink Crystal Ball, in particular, played a major role in upgrades.

Hospital officials gathered May 14 for a dedication ceremony. Pictured include, from left: Bruce Krenning, OCH Board President; Sue Knutson, Lead Mammographer; Victor Vicknair from the Pink Crystal Ball; Jeanne Crane, OCH Foundation Board President; Renee Lama of the Pink Crystal Ball; Kathy Vicknair, Founder of Pink Crystal Ball; and Randy Nieswonger, vice president of patient care.

MEDINA – A day-old baby surrendered to the Medina Fire Department on Saturday is currently in foster care and in good health, said a spokeswoman for the United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

Medina firefighters took the baby to UMMC after the mother surrendered the child. The baby has been discharged and the case has been turned over to the Orleans County Department of Social Services, said Colleen Flynn, director of community relations for UMMC.

Tom Kuryla, the Orleans DSS commissioner, said confidentiality laws prevent him from discussing the case. He would neither confirm nor deny the Orleans DSS is involved.

Flynn would not disclose the baby’s sex or weight.

“We want to protect the mom, and we want people to feel comfortable to surrender the child if they don’t think they can care for the baby,” Flynn said.

She said other babies have been surrendered at the hospital.

“It’s not common, but this isn’t the first time,” she said.

The state’s Safe Haven Law allows a parent to leave a baby, up to 30 days old, “with any responsible person at a suitable location in New York.” A suitable location is typically a hospital, fire hall or police station. The parent needs to locate a person at the site before the child is surrendered.

“We hope that more people would choose to do this as opposed to something that’s not safe,” Flynn said.

She contrasted the Medina baby with an incident in China, where a 22-year-old woman gave birth to a baby in a bathroom. The baby boy was then found stuck in a sewer pipe. The baby is recovering in a hospital in a case that has become an international story.

Flynn said she is confident there will be good outcome for the baby from Medina.

“We believe the baby is in a safe environment and will be in a safe, loving home,” Flynn said. “There are many parents who are willing to adopt a baby.”