By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 October 2016 at 10:33 pm
MEDINA – The storefront windows in many downtown businesses are decorated for Halloween, with skeletons, grave markers and other ghoulish displays, including this one at English Rose Tea Shoppe showing skeletons having an afternoon tea.
There are about 15 businesses in the second annual All Hallows’ Eve Window Decorating contest organized by the Medina Business Association. The community is welcome to vote for their favorite display through Facebook (Click here).
Voting continues until Oct. 27, with the winner announced on Oct. 28 at the annual Beggar’s Night in the downtown, which runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
ATB Staffing Services is decorated for the spooky holiday.
The Book Shoppe also has a Halloween themed front window.
Other participating businesses include: Medina Veterinary Clinic, All Inclusive Process, Into the Enigma, Case-Nic Cookies, Celebrity Day Spa, Brushstrokes Studios, NAPA Auto Parts, Rosenkrans Pharmacy Inc., Creekside Floral, Meggie Moo’s Ice Cream Parlor, Della’s Chocolates and Katherine K. Boga Law Office.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The new inductees of the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame are pictured today after an induction ceremony at Medina City Hall, where the Hall of Fame is located in the main meeting room. The inductees include from left: Emma Flower Taylor Mansion in Watertown, owned by Katherine and Richard Pyne; Hillside Cemetery Chapel in Clarendon (Erin Anheier in front and Melissa Ierlan from Clarendon Historical Society); Sonnenberg Manor in Canandaigua (David Hutchins, executive director of Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion, and Deborah Kelly, program manager); and the First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo (Christina Banas, front, is the church business manager and Elena Delgado in back is the church pastor). Takeform Architectural Graphics in Medina donated the plaques for the Hall of Fame.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 October 2016 at 7:52 pm
2 mansions, a towering church, and a cemetery chapel all recognized
MEDINA – Four exceptional structures made of Medina sandstone were inducted today into the fourth class of the Hall of Fame for the Medina Sandstone Society, with two mansions, an enormous church and small cemetery chapel all recognized for their enduring significance to their communities.
The Medina Sandstone Society created the Hall of Fame in 2013 to recognize outstanding sites made of the local stone. The Hall of Fame is located inside Medina City Hall in the main meeting room. City Hall is a prominent Medina sandstone building on Main Street.
The initiative has proven an eye-opener for the Hall of Fame committee, which has travelled throughout Upstate New York, and even to Erie, Pa. to see some of the nominated sites.
“There are really some gorgeous, gorgeous buildings,” said Hall of Fame Committee member Jim Hancock during today’s induction ceremony.
He is on the committee with David Miller and Don Colquhoun. They travel together to visit the nominated sites. They look for architectural significance and uniqueness, overall beauty, longevity and maintenance.
The following were inducted in the Class of 2016 (Descriptions courtesy of Medina Sandstone Society) :
• Hillside Cemetery Chapel in Clarendon
Located just outside the village of Holley, Hillside Cemetery is an active town cemetery established in 1866 and developed between 1866 and 1938 at 4065 Holley-Byron Rd. An elegant Gothic Revival style chapel was built in 1894 for $3,350 and is a primary feature of the cemetery.
Originally constructed for burial services at the cemetery, the 20-by-32-foot chapel was designed by Rochester architect Addison Forbes and features Medina sandstone construction, a slate roof, and decorative glass windows. The chapel and cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
In 2014 the Landmark Society of WNY selected the chapel for inclusion as one of their Five to Revive properties. In 2015 the Town of Clarendon was awarded $126,210 from the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council to help fund much-needed repairs to the cemetery chapel.
The Clarendon Historical Society was praised for pushing to raise awareness of the chapel and secure the funding for repairs. Erin Anheier, one of the Historical Society members, said the grant documents were signed today and she expects much of the work to happen next year.
She is hopeful the chapel will be used for community events, including art shows, musical events and even small weddings.
“They’ve brought the chapel back to life,” said HOF Committee member David Miller.
Anheier thanked town officials, and local residents for supporting the efforts to save the chapel.
• Emma Flower Taylor mansion in Watertown
Built in 1896 as a wedding present to his only surviving child by then NYS Governor Roswell Pettibone Flower, the Emma Flower Taylor mansion in Watertown is an outstanding example of the Queen Anne architectural style, one of the most recognizable of the Victorian styles. It is located at 241 Clinton St.
It is a massive 2 ½ story mansion constructed of rock faced, random course Medina sandstone. The home was designed by Charles Rich of the NYC firm of Rich Lamb, which also designed Sagamore, the home of Theodore Roosevelt on Oyster Bay, Long Island.
It has many distinguishing features including a porte-cochere, tiled roofs, a wrap-around porch on the first floor, second floor porches, rounded corner turrets, large overhanging gables, an asymmetrical footprint and surfaces, and widow bays. Its most unique feature is the use of Medina sandstone which was quarried in Medina, moved to the site by rail, and cut on site.
The mansion was converted to eight apartments in 1940 after Mrs. Taylor’s death. The Sandstone Society said it is a magnificent structure which was built and maintained in the classic Victorian tradition both externally and internally. The present owners, Richard and Katherine Pyne, have stayed true to preserving this architectural gem in its original Queen Anne style. The Pynes have owned the mansion for 13 years. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
“This is a labor of love owning these structures,” Mrs. Pyne said. “We look after it with love year after year.”
• First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo
The First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, New York was established in 1819 and was the first organized church in Buffalo. The current building, made of beautiful Medina sandstone, was designed by Green & Wicks and was built by Jared Hyde Tilden. In addition to this wonderful church, a 163-foot tower was completed in 1897. In both cases the style is Richardson Romanesque. Upon the completion of this tower, the congregation formally dedicated the sanctuary on May 6, 1897.
When this church was first thought to be sited, the congregants and trustees wanted to be in the midst of the expanding population in Buffalo. As the city grew, so did First Presbyterian and its desire to grow their mission. As a result, they assisted in the formation of thirty-nine other congregations.
Today, almost 200 years after its formation, First Presbyterian and its beautiful sandstone edifice are examples of truly outstanding longevity, both in spirit and structure, HOF member Jim Hancock said.
The church is located at 1 Symphony Circle across from Kleinhans Music Hall. Houghton College uses the church for classes. The Village Church also has services at First Presbyterian.
Elena Delgado, the church’s pastor, said First Presbyterian is challenged to maintain “the brick and mortar” of the property due to a declining membership and aging congregation. The church has welcomed the other organizations to use the site.
“It’s an extraordinary jewel of architecture,” she said. “It’s very majestic and it means so much to the community.”
• Sonnenberg Manor in Canandaigua
Frederick Ferris Thompson, a prominent banker in NYC, and his wife Mary Clark Thompson –whose father, Myron Holley Clark, was governor of NYS in 1855 – purchased the Sonnenberg property in 1863, keeping the name which means “sunny hill” in German.
In 1887, they replaced the original farmhouse with a 40-room Queen Anne style mansion at 151 Charlotte St. The mansion was designed by Francis Allen, a noted Boston architect. Allen also designed and oversaw the remodeling of the mansion approximately 15 years after it was constructed.
The mansion’s facade is rusticated Medina gray and red sandstone. After Mary Clark Thompson’s death in 1923, the property was sold to the Federal Government who built a veteran’s hospital The government used the mansion to house doctor’s families and some nurses. In 1972 the mansion and its grounds were transferred from the Federal Government to a local non-profit organization formed to restore and reopen the property. It was opened to the public and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The property is now under the New York State Parks System.
“Not only is the building magnificent, but the grounds and the gardens are as well,” said Hancock, the HOF committee member. “You have to go visit.”
David Hutchins has been the site’s executive director for 11 years.
“It’s an incredible place,” he said. “I’m honored to be there and proud to be part of its legacy of preservation.”
The Medina Mustang Band travelled to Victor on Saturday night to compete in the 2016 “Music in Motion” Show. Thirteen bands were present on a beautiful harvest moon-lit evening. Thrilling a large crowd and continuing to perfect their show, Medina performed “The Matador” – a fiery show with high-energy Spanish music.
Medina competed against East Irondequoit in the top Small School Division, earning a score of 85.25 to East Irondequoit’s 80.80.
The Medina band will be busy next week with a performance at the Medina High School football game on Friday night, followed by another New York State Field Band Conference Show in Orchard Park on Saturday night, and then another NYSFBC Show in Webster on Sunday afternoon.
The following Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., the public is invited to the High School Auditorium to hear a show performance and honor the 23 seniors in this year’s band.
The fall season finale is Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse for the State Championship. Medina will perform at about 7:00 p.m.
The Medina Mustang Marching Band competed for the fourth time this season when the band traveled to Liverpool on Saturday. There were seven bands in three categories, performing their shows.
In the SS1 class, Medina took first place with a score of 84.40 followed closely by New Hartford in 2nd place with a score of 84.35.
Marcus Whitman was a sole competitor in SS3 and was first with a score of 68.40. In National bands, Victor took first place with a score of 90.50, followed by West Genesee in second with a score of 89.65 and Baldwinsville in third with 87.70. Liverpool performed in exhibition.
There are three shows left for Medina before the state championship. The band will compete Oct. 15 in Victor, Oct. 22 in Orchard Park and Oct. 23 in Webster.
The championships are fast approaching on Oct. 30 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. For more on the state championship, go to the New York State Field Band Conference website by clicking here.
MEDINA – National Grid announced that the company has invested $97,000 in economic development funding to assist Pride Pak Inc. in its new 65,000-square-foot building on Maple Ridge Road.
The company is expected to begin the vegetable processing operation in November. Pride Pak is based in Ontario, Canada, and is a processor of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. The company supplies fruit and vegetables to retail, food service and ingredient users.
The $97,000 from National Grid was awarded through the company’s Electric Capital Investment Incentive Program. It will help Pride Pak in the construction of the new building, which will be expanded to 240,000 square feet over the next five years.
Pride Pak’s total capital investment is approximately $11.3 million and is expected to create 80 new jobs, with a projection of 200 new jobs once the full expansion is completed.
The Medina Business Park is 155 light industrial-zoned acres of land located in the Village of Medina. It is a New York State-Certified “Shovel Ready” site.
“We are pleased to work with New York State to bring new jobs in the growing food processing industry in the GLOW region,” said Kenneth M. Kujawa, regional manager for National Grid. “Our investment in Pride Pak will continue the growth and vibrancy of the Medina Business Park.”
Pride Pak, based in Mississauga, Ontario, exports 35 percent of its produce to the U.S. markets to customers such as Wegmans Food Market. Vegetables are packed fresh and not frozen.
National Grid’s Electric Capital Investment Incentive Program provides funding to businesses to help offset costs associated with upgrading utility infrastructure to accommodate a business expansion or new construction project. Specifically, the program supports business attraction or expansion projects located in National Grid’s upstate New York service territory. Information about National Grid’s suite of economic programs is available at www.shovelready.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 October 2016 at 10:07 am
Provided photo: Pictured from left includes: Lt. Col. Richard Glass, of Company C; Cathy Fox, secretary for Company F; Carl Petronio, Company C; Bob Weet, Company C; and Bill Menz, chairman of Company F Memorial. Glass, Petronio, Menz and Weet are alumni of Company C 174th Armored Infantry during the Cold War Era.
MEDINA – The push to have a bronze statue of a soldier mounted on a memorial by the former Medina Armory received a boost when Carl Petronio, a founding partner of Allied Builders in Brockport, recently donated $5,000 towards the project. Petronio also gave $1,000 at the beginning of the fund-raising campaign. He is the largest donor to date for the statue.
A group in Medina has been raising funds for a bronze statue. The Company F Memorial Committee now has raised $37,000 for a 7-foot-high statue of a soldier that will go on top of an existing stone base that is 6 feet, 10 inches in height.
In October 2008, the stone monument was dedicated with plaques listing soldiers who trained at the Medina Armory and fought wars on behalf of the United States.
The new fund-raising campaign includes repair two of the panels that were damaged due to vandalism, and making some name corrections and additions, said Bill Menz, the committee chairman. A new 30-foot-high flag pole will also be included.
Menz said the memorial efforts will cost about $65,000. Once the group can reach $43,000 in fund-raising, Menz said an anonymous donor will give $10,000, bringing the total to $53,000. At that point, the committee will sign a contract with artist Brian Porter, who will create the bronze statue,
If the committee can raise $6,000 this month, it will be possible to have the state in place in October 2017, the 100th anniversary of Company F’s service in World War I.
Menz welcomes donations for the project. Friends and supporters can send tax deductible contributions with the checks made out to the Medina Sandstone Society/care of Company F Memorial Fund, PO Box 522, Medina, NY 14103. Click here for more information.
Susan Christie created this artwork that will be featured in the 2017 “Art From the Heart” wall calendar.
Staff Reports Posted 30 September 2016 at 11:55 am
Provided photo: Orchard Manor Administrator Martin MacKenzie, left, is pictured with resident Susan Christie. Jamie Murphy, Orchard manor’s activities director, is in back.
MEDINA – Susan Christie, a resident of Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina, was recently honored at a reception to celebrate her artistic achievement.
Christie’s artwork is one of 13 chosen of 87 submissions that will be featured in the 2017 “Art From the Heart” wall calendar.
The art competition is sponsored by The Foundation for Quality Care with the New York State Health Facilities Association.
“Art From the Heart” is an opportunity for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in New York state to share their artwork.
Christie, a self-taught artist since the age of nine, said she has used artwork to help cope with abuse she experienced in her past.
“I express myself through my art,” she said. “The more I express myself, the more I blossom and heal.”
Jamie Murphy, Orchard Manor activities director, encouraged Christie to enter the contest. Murphy asked Christie what she enjoys most about creating art. Christie replied, “I like to start with a piece of paper and end up with a face staring back at me or a pretty picture.”
Proceeds from the Art From the Heart calendars will benefit the Foundation for Quality Care.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2016 at 10:48 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – State Sen. Robert Ortt shakes hands with Medina Fire Chief Tom Lupo on Tuesday when the state senator announced $64,000 in state funds would go towards purchasing an SUV and trailer for the Fire Department.
The money from the State & Municipal Facilities Capital Program (SAM funds) will allow the Fire Department to better respond to water and low-angle rescues at several unsanctioned recreational areas in Medina, Lupo said. The SUV will allow firefighters to take equipment closer to incidents, such as rescues at the Medina Waterfalls.
Some of the recreational sites are too narrow to bring in fire trucks. In recent years, firefighters have twice been called for rescues at the Waterfalls, including one time when a person suffered a broken leg. Lupo said firefighters had to improvise to make the rescue.
State Sen. Robert Ortt and Medina firefighter Steve Miller hold a T-shirt the Fire Department is selling to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research. Those shirts are available throughout the year at the Fire Department.
Ortt also said $76,800 in state funds would be going to the Orleans Economic Development Agency for infrastructure upgrades at Medina Business Park.
The new water and sewer lines will serve the new Pride Pak vegetable processing plant. Pride Pak is expected to open in November on Maple Ridge Road.
Ortt outlined other funds he secured in the state budget for Orleans County:
• Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, $10,000 for public protection efforts;
• Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, $15,000 for public protection;
• Medina Railroad Museum, $15,000;
• Orleans/Niagara BOCES, $50,000 for state-of-the-art equipment;
• Public libraries in Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina, $35,000 combined;
• Bullard Park in Albion, $50,000 towards new playground;
• Town of Shelby, $50,000 for Town Hall improvements;
• Town of Murray, new dump truck/snowplow with SAM funds;
• Clarendon, SAM funds to go towards painting the water tower.
In addition, Ortt said Holley High School is one of the school districts that are part of a “Sources of Strength” suicide prevention and drug addiction program for teens. A $1.5 million state grant will be shared by 60 schools offering the program.
Ortt also said state funds have been lined up to rehab the lift bridges in Albion and Brockport, projects that combined could be $7.8 million.
Photo by Tom Rivers: This section of Maple Ridge Road near Oak Orchard Creek doesn’t have sidewalks despite being a busy area with restaurants, manufacturing plants, GCC and a residential area.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2016 at 7:25 am
MEDINA – Village officials are putting together an application for state funding to add sidewalks on Maple Ridge Road.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Aug. 17 announced $98.7 million in state funds is available to support bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path and transportation-related programs as well as projects that reduce congestion and help to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
Medina wants some of those funds to make a busy thoroughfare safer for pedestrians. There are sidewalks near the Route 63 intersection on Maple Ridge Road, but most of the road lacks sidewalks from Bates Road to the former Ames plaza.
Mayor Michael Sidari notices many people walking along Maple Ridge Road or using motorized wheelchairs. He said the sidewalks would improve safety for many local residents.
The village is working with Labella Associates in Rochester to put together a grant application. Sidari said initial cost estimates are about $1.3 million to extend sidewalks from Bates Road to the Ames plaza. That includes a pedestrian bridge over the Oak Orchard Creek by the Mariachi De Oro restaurant.
Sidari said Maple Ridge has become busier with GCC, manufacturing plants, chain stores and a residential community. The Orleans Economic Development Agency also is working to develop a hotel on Maple Ridge next to the new Pride Pak vegetable processing plant.
The Medina Village Board last week approved a pre-application for the state grant. Sidari said the state is expected to provide feedback on the pre-application, and the village will then submit a final application by Oct. 21. If Medina is approved, it will need to provide a 20 percent local share for the project, which Sidari said could be provided with in-kind services from the Department of Public Works.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2016 at 9:58 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Jamestown Red Raiders presented a show called, “Crazy Train,” during Saturday’s Fall Festival of Bands at Vets Park in Medina.
There were 13 bands that performed for about five hours at the Fall Festival of Bands. The competition attracted about 800 spectators.
The Medina Mustang Band enters the field for competition. The band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this school year. There will be a 50th anniversary performance and reunion on May 29, 2017. Click here for more information.
Here are the scores from Saturday:
• Small School 3: 5th place – 59.9 – Falconer; 4th place – 61.05 – Marcus Whitman; 3rd place – 62.8 – Girard; 2nd – 64.3 – Pioneer; 1st place – 67.55 – Jordan Elbridge.
• Small School 2: 1st place – 74.15 – Northwestern.
• Small School 1: 1st place – 79.6 – Medina.
• Large School 2: 3rd place – 75.19 – Orchard Park; 2nd place – 75.75 – Webster; 1st place – 80.4 – Cicero-North Syracuse.
• National: 2nd place – 80.1 – Jamestown; 1st place – 80.55 – Lancaster.
Andrew Roof, drum major for Jamestown, leads the band before a big crowd at Medina.
The band from Cicero-North Syracuse gets in position at Vets Park. Cicero-North Syracuse had the top score, 80.4, for bands in the Large School 2 class. Only Lancaster, in the National class, had a higher score during the competition at Medina.
Cicero-North Syracuse presented a show called “Wild, Wild West.” Students travelled back in time to the Wild, Wild West with saloons, cowboys, outlaws a legendary sheriff who maintained law and order. Stephen Schermerhorn is drum major for the band.
The Mustangs take their positions on the field. Nick Bogan, back to camera, is the back field conductor, staying in sync with Drum Major Madison Holland.
Medina band members make their first move of the show, getting in position as a matador. This year’s show is called “The Matador.” The band took spectators to “the coliseum” to witness a bull fight.
The band used colorful props, flags and Colorguard costumes while playing fiery and exciting Latin compositions to tell stories of bullfighters. Madison Holland, on platform, is drum major for the Mustangs.
Medina Band Director James Steele is joined by his son Robert in leading the band onto the field. They have blowpops in their mouths because staff are not allowed to yell instructions to the band once the show starts.
Randy Allen serves as announcer for the competition and gives the Medina Mustangs and enthusiastic introduction.
Orchard Park performed a show called “Labyrinth.” The band marched in patterns as if attempting to get out of a maze. Student Alyssa Strade, far left, is drum major.
Orchard Park performs at Medina. The band finished third among in the Large School II Class.
The Webster Marching Band, led by Drum Major Bella Altieri, performs a show called “Autumn Sky Sketches.” Webster came in second among the large schools.
Built in 1896 as a wedding present to his only surviving child by then NYS Governor Roswell Pettibone Flower, the Emma Flower Taylor mansion in Watertown is an outstanding example of the Queen Anne architectural style, one of the most recognizable of the Victorian styles. It is located at 241 Clinton St.
The First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, New York was established in 1819 and was the first organized church in Buffalo. The current building, made of beautiful Medina sandstone, was designed by Green & Wicks and was built by Jared Hyde Tilden. In addition to this wonderful church, a 163-foot tower was completed in 1897. In both cases the style is Richardson Romanesque. Upon the completion of this tower, the congregation formally dedicated the sanctuary on May 6, 1897.
Frederick Ferris Thompson, a prominent banker in NYC, and his wife Mary Clark Thompson –whose father, Myron Holley Clark, was governor of NYS in 1855 – purchased the Sonnenberg property in 1863, keeping the name which means “sunny hill” in German.
