Ambulance crew delivers baby boy by roadside this morning

Press Release, Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley

MEDINA – The Village of Medina Fire Department Ambulance crew delivered a baby roadside this morning. This is the second baby that crews have delivered since Friday night.

Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Baxter and Firefighter/EMT Paul Urquhart delivered a 5-pound baby girl Friday night at 7:28 p.m.

This morning at 10:05 while enroute to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, Firefighter/Paramedics Steven Long and Brian Bates delivered a healthy baby boy on the side of the I-390 near the I-490. The baby weighed 6 pounds, 14.9 ounces and is 19 1/4 inch long. After delivering the baby boy, the crew resumed transport and turned over care to the teams at Strong.

This is Long’s second field delivery and the first delivery in the field for the Bates.

Congratulations to both mothers and both crews this weekend for their exceptional work!

As you may remember, we had a crew deliver twins on July 4. That’s four babies delivered in just over 3 months!

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Heather Smith sits in the conference room of Velocitii, the company she purchased three years ago with partners Brian O’Neill and Jeff Brandt. Velocitii has been named Business of the Year by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

MEDINA – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year is proud of its accomplishments during only 11 years in existence.

Velocitii was founded by Roger Hungerford as a business process outsourcing company which provides customer service, technical support and back office work on behalf of other companies, said Heather Smith of Webster, chief executive officer.

“Roger wanted to create a company that was about job growth in the area,” Smith said.

Smith joined the company in 2020 as chief operating officer and rose to CEO six months later. She purchased the company three years ago with her partners Brian O’Neill and Jeff Brandt. The company has grown from 55 employees when Smith started to 180 now, most of whom work from home.

“We have tapped into the market of people looking for virtual work,” Smith said. “It works for us.”

Velocitii’s customers are from all over the United States, Smith said, one of which is from the local area.

Among their customers are a waste management company in the Northeast and a regional health care company in the Northwest.

The services they provide their clients include customer service, technical support and customer support, such as processing health care claims and accounts payable and receivable.

Velocitii has won a Top Workplaces Award for the last three years, based on a third-party survey of employees’ engagement and satisfaction.

Smith said she is proud to have tripled their size since joining the company. She praised her entire team for their efforts in building a culture where clients want to work with them and employees want to work for them.

“It’s an honor to have built a culture that has been recognized by an external organization,” she said. “Our goal is to keep growing. Our entire team is very excited about this Chamber award. It was a pleasant surprise.”

YMCA starting new programs for cooking, chess and winter rock wall climbing

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Andrew Houseman, new senior program director at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina, stands in the newly-remodeled kitchen, where the Y expects to start cooking classes soon.

MEDINA – Andrew Houseman has been preparing himself to take on the role of leading a YMCA.

“This has been my goal all along,” said Houseman, who began his duties as senior program director of the Orleans County YMCA on Oct. 6. “I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. I’m very happy to be back in my home town.”

Houseman, a Medina native and son of Shawn and Lacy Houseman of Medina, formerly worked as lead trainer at the GLOW YMCA in Batavia and is passionate about revitalizing local programs and expanding opportunities that help strengthen families and promote healthy living. He brings renewed focus on community connection, family engagement and accessible wellness for all ages.

“The YMCA was a big part of my childhood,” said Houseman, a former YMCA youth athlete. “I grew up playing sports here, and it’s incredible to now give back in my leadership role. My goal is to ensure everyone, from kids to seniors, feels welcome, included and excited to be part of what we’re building.”

In Batavia, Houseman helped manage several successful projects, including the rollout of EGYM, which quickly became one of the region’s most successful member engagement initiatives. With a background in mechanical engineering and an MBA from the University of Buffalo, he brings a data-driven and people-first approach to program development.

Under his leadership the Orleans County YMCA is expanding its offerings to serve a wider range of interests and activities. He has several new programs ready to launch, including chess and cooking classes.

The cooking classes will be Bible-based, focusing on foods that were eaten in the Bible.

“Our focus on the Bible is a return to the ‘Christian’ origin of the YMCA,” Houseman said.

Another initiative is a winter program to use the rock wall.

Andrew Houseman stands by the chess tables at the YMCA, where he hopes chess games will become a popular pastime.

An avid chess player, Houseman has already started the YMCA Chess Club and had one evening of chess, and while participation was small, he hopes it will pick up. Play is open to all ages and players may bring their own board and pieces. Games are at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Rec Room. Play is free for members and $5 for non-members.

On Oct. 25, the YMCA will welcome all to an open house to meet Houseman and the staff. The day will feature free popcorn, no-join fees for new members and a chance to register for new programs. The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Starting Oct. 29, a six-week program of hockey drills and skills will begin for ages 6 to 13. Participants will build skills, practice drills and scrimmage every night – from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost is $50 for members and $80 for non-members. Players can register at glowymca.org.

Other events include pickleball at 8 a.m. Sundays, starting Nov. 9. Play is free, but members and non-members must register to play.

Other upcoming highlights include new group exercise classes designed for all fitness levels and schedules, and the continuation and growth of the YMCA’s highly praised youth sports programs, including efforts to collaborate with local schools to introduce more kids to the benefits of teamwork and physical activity.

“We want the Y to be a true community hub – a place where families connect, kids develop lifelong habits and friends, and adults feel supported in their health journeys,” Houseman said. “There’s truly something for everyone here.”

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Rita Zambito has been honored with the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

MEDINA – Receiving the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award next week is a surprise and an honor, said Rita Zambito, founder of Zambito Realtors and now co-owner with son Mark of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Zambito Realtors. Their home office is located at 11228 Maple Ridge Rd.

Information on her website states she has built her business by providing consistent, top notch service regardless of sale price. By doing so, she would reach sales volumes previously deemed unobtainable in her market and build long-term relationships that would grow her business exponentially for years to come.

Zambito raised her three children in Elba, and moved to Medina in 1978 to work at Fisher-Price. She started selling real estate for another broker in 1995. At the age of 50, she decided to go into business for herself and started Zambito Realtors.

Her son, Michael Zambito, is the very successful restaurant owner of Zambistro on Main Street in Medina, and daughter Mandy Gotham is manager of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Western New York Properties in Orchard Park.

As her business grew in addition to the Orchard Park location, Zambito opened an office in Lockport in 2019 (the same year they moved their Medina office to Maple Ridge Road), a Batavia office in 2022 and a Monroe County office in 2024.

In 2021, Zambito bought into the nationwide Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

She currently employs close to 89 sales associates and is one of the highest ranking realtors in the region.

 “The secret is to take your eyes of yourself and help other people become successful,” Zambito said. “We are like a family, and I’m successful because of them.”

File photo: Rita Zambito is pictured with her son Mark and her daughter Mandy Gotham. They are shown in 2021 when Zambito Realtors  connected with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Photo courtesy of Scott Robinson: This photograph of a maple tree in fall colors is the kind of picture Medina Area Partnership is looking for in its new photo contest focusing on the season.

MEDINA – Medina Area Partnership has announced a new photo contest, to begin Monday and focusing on the fall season in Medina.

Scott Robinson, past president of MAP and a member of the Marketing Committee, said they developed the photo contest over the past few months as a way to highlight Medina throughout the year. A new contest will be announced each season.

“With so many community members sharing beautiful photos on Facebook, we wanted to showcase Medina through their eyes,” Robinson said. “The entire committee worked on the details and the board of directors gave their blessing and support to run with the idea.”

This week, MAP’s Facebook page will post a couple of photos showcasing Medina in its fall glory. To participate in the contest, entrants just have to comment with a photo in the thread under the original photo. By posting the photo, they agree to allow MAP to use the photo to showcase Medina, Robinson said.

The contest will run begin on Monday and run until Nov. 7, with winners announced on Nov. 10. Prizes will be awarded by the three major sponsors as follows: Hart House – $50 for Hart House Hotel, Factory Expresso, Newell Lounge or Shirt Factory; $25 for Rosenkrans Pharmacy; and $25 to Creekside Floral and Gift Shop.

As long as there is strong participation, the winter challenge will kick off the week of Thanksgiving to incorporate Olde Tyme Christmas, Small Business Saturday and all of the initial holiday festivities.

“Our plan is to continue this contest each season, helping to keep Medina’s community spirit front and center,” Robinson said.

File photo by Tom Rivers: River Jones, left, and Madelyn Elliott perform with the Medina Mustang Band during their home show on Sept. 20.

Information courtesy of Medina Mustang Band Boosters

VICTOR – The Medina Mustang Marching Band traveled to Victor on Saturday for their fifth competition this season.

The event was held indoors due to weather conditions and therefore, ratings are “excellent,” “outstanding” or “superior” (highest) instead of numerical.

Medina competes in the SSI division and was judged as “outstanding” while East Irondequoit earned a “superior” rating.

In SS3, both Falconer-Frewsburg and Marcus Whitman received “outstanding” ratings.

The LS3 class had 5 competitors: Hilton and Syracuse received “outstanding,” while Indian River, Rochester and Rome Free Academy received “excellent.”

LS2 included Greece & Lancaster with both receiving “superior” ratings.

The National Class included Webster & Victor with both receiving a “superior” rating.

Medina’s next competition is Oct. 18tat Orchard Park followed by the championships on Oct. 26th in Syracuse at the Dome.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Andrew Meier sits on the steps of the Newell Shirt Factory building, which he purchased and restored. His efforts over the past 20 years have earned him the Phoenix Award by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

MEDINA – Receiving an award from the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is certainly an honor, said Andrew Meier, who will be presented with the Phoenix Award at ceremonies on Oct. 23 at the White Birch Golf Course.

The award recognizes Meier’s efforts over the past 20 years in restoring the former Newell Shirt Factory into three floors of thriving businesses.

A local attorney, Meier purchased the building at 113 West Center St. in 2005 and immediately started remodeling. In 2006, the first business, the Shirt Factory Café, opened. It has since been restructured and is a restaurant and cocktail lounge known as the Shirt Factory.

Several businesses, including 810 Meadworks and a salon opened there, but moved out, creating new opportunities for Meier to try other ventures, he said. The result was creating a coffee and snack shop called Factory Espresso, which opened in the spring of 2024, and a classic cocktail bar called the Newell Lounge which opened this spring.

Total remodeling of the second floor created space for Webster, Schubel and Meier to move their law offices there.

The third floor renovation is home to the Hart Hotel, with 10 boutique rooms.

Factory Espresso serves breakfast and lunch, as well as coffees.

(Left) The portrait of Robert H. Newell is a highlight of the Newell Lounge, located in the Newell Shirt Factory building, owned and restored by local attorney Andrew Meier. (Right) Second floor of Newell Building houses the offices of Webster, Schubel and Meier, where the original safe from Newell Shirt Factory is still a prominent fixture.

The Newell Lounge also serves food and is open Sunday through Wednesday nights.

The Shirt Factory is open the other nights of the week.

Meier said their plan is to eventually have the Lounge open every day. He is expanding the kitchen and adding an outdoor event space in back of the building.

While Meier acknowledged being recognized by the Chamber is, indeed, an honor, he wouldn’t be anywhere if it weren’t for the other businesses in town all pulling in the same direction.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – The Medina Lions Club is holding its annual Scarecrow Fest today at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Jennifer Slack of Medina makes a scarecrow with her children, Emma and Bradley.

There has been a good turnout so far for the festival. Last year there was a record 212 scarecrows made at the event. The Scarecrow Fest goes until 3 p.m.

Patti Parker and her son Zack of Albion make their scarecrow. Cindy Winters of the Medina Lions Club assists with a stapler.

Lions Club members visited the MAAC Thrift Shop to acquire most of the clothing for the scarecrows, including dresses, pants, shirts, blouses, neckties, hats and belts.

T-posts for scarecrow bodies were donated by Barden Homes, and Jen Scott’s art class at Medina High School painted 180 faces for cloth heads.

Straw for the scarecrows’ bodies was donated by Poverty Hill Farms in Albion and Dunham Farms of Knowlesville.

A scarecrow made by the Medina Lions Club greets people at the Fairgrounds.

Piper Glass of Medina, left, gets straw to stuff in a scarecrow she made with her cousins, Harlow and Henry Zacher of Medina.

The Master Gardeners in Orleans County also are having a “Pumpkinpalooza” event, with pumpkin decorating and pumpkin-themed activities. These are some of the entries in the pumpkin-carving and decorating contest.

Marie Phillips decorates pumpkins with her daughters, Mazie and Mallorie.

Debbie Fuller, the grandmother of Mazie and Mallorie, helps another granddaughter, Melanie Phillips, while she decorates a pumpkin. Fuller, a former Medina resident, made a surprise trip up from Florida to see her grandkids.

MEDINA – The National Honor Society at Medina High School will again be serving dinner to veterans and their families.

The annual Veterans’ Day Dinner will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, at the high school cafeteria.

The dinner will be catered by Zambistro. Veterans and their families who want to attend are urged to call the high school office at (585) 798-2700 by Oct. 31.

Reservations can also be emailed to NHS advisor Zachary Harris at zwharris@medinacsd.org.

Matt Punch recognized for service with Medina Medical Loan Closet

Photos from Medina Lions Club

MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club in late September installed a new sign for the Lions Park along the Erie Canal. This spot is just east of the lift bridge.

Chris and Julie Keller, left, installed the sign with assistance from Pete Kaiser and Jim Hancock. The Lions Club thanks Takeform for its work on the lettering and design.

The Lions Club also recently honored Matt Punch with the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to our community. Punch has been a driving force for the Medina Medical Loan Closet.

Provided photos of David Neth, writing as D. Allen, with the covers of two of his books.

MEDINA – On Saturday, Author’s Note will welcome Batavia author David Neth, who will sign copies of his two latest novels.

Writing as D. Allen, Neth will sign copies of At the Core and Home for the Holidays.

At the Core is a small-town romance set in Medina, featuring rivals-to-lovers, grumpy sunshine charm and the fight to save a family orchard.

Autumn Chapman is the fourth-generation owner of her family’s struggling apple orchard. Her uncles, who are co-owners, want to sell what’s left and walk away while they still can, but Autumn doesn’t want to let the legacy of her family’s business did with her. But, as the man who is trying to convince them to sell learns more and more about the orchard, Autumn and her family’s business, he starts to think maybe he is on the wrong side of the fight.

Home for the Holidays is a Christmas family drama set in Corfu about a mother who tricks her three adult children into coming home for Christmas without them knowing the others are coming. As they all slip into the roles of their former selves, the siblings agree to play nice to make their mother happy for the Christmas season. But as the week goes on. It becomes more and more apparent they all have their secrets, including their mother.

D. Allen is a nom de plume for David Neth, who writes heartfelt small-town romance like the Montana Beach and Small Town Christmas series. He also writes urban fantasy and superhero fiction under his own name. A school librarian with more than a decade in the book world, Neth lives in Batavia with his family.

Neth will sign copies of his books and answer questions during his visit at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Author’s Note is located at 519 Main St., Medina. For those who are unable to attend, signed books can be ordered for pickup or free shipping at authorsnote.com. For more information, contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642.

Sandra Nickel will sign copies of her new book, SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, during a book discussion on Oct. 15 at Author’s Note in Medina.

MEDINA – Sandra Nickel, a writer from Switzerland, will visit Author’s Note, Medina’s independent book store, to discuss and sign her new picture book, SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, at 6 p.m. Oct. 15.

Nickel’s visit to the area will also include visits to Oak Orchard Elementary School and Royalton-Hartland Elementary School to share her story with school children there.

SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon is a charming tale, paired with Aimee Sicuro’s endearing illustrations, which celebrates the different ways folks of all feathers navigate the world, said Author’s Note owner and New York Times Best-selling author Julie Berry. Booklist calls it a “soaring celebration of individuality,” and Kirkus Reviews calls it “an uplifting tale that celebrates difference.”

Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books and has two new books out in 2025 – SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, an uplifting tale that celebrates differences, and Making Light Bloom, Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Lamps, where Nickel continues her mission to celebrate extraordinary individuals who have been nearly forgotten by history.

Nickel holds a master of fine arts in writing for children and young adults. She is the winner of a Christopher Award, the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Author.

Nickel will read her book, sign copies and answer questions during her visit to the bookstore on Oct. 15.

Copies of the picture book are available at Author’s Note, 519 Main St., Medina, or online at www.authorsnote.com/events. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered for pickup or free shipping at www.authorsnote.com. Contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642 for more information.

Medina Lions organizes event which featured 212 scarecrows last year

Photo by Tom Rivers: Shea Hill of Albion and her granddaughter Lily, 4, work on a scarecrow at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds during last year’s Scarecrow Festival.

MEDINA – The annual Scarecrow Festival sponsored by Medina Lions is scheduled for Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to Jim Hancock, who chairs the Scarecrow Festival with Jason Cogovan.

The Scarecrow Festival, which has been a major fundraiser for Medina Lions for more than 15 years, involves a lot of people and a lot of planning. Prior to the event, Lions Club members visit the MAAC Thrift Shop and acquire a huge supply of clothing, including dresses, pants, shirts, blouses, neckties, hats and belts.

T-posts for scarecrow bodies were made and donated by Barden Homes, and Jen Scott’s art class at Medina High School painted 180 faces for cloth heads. Straw for the scarecrows’ bodies was donated by Ed Neal of Albion and Dunham Farms of Knowlesville. Last year, a record 212 youngsters made scarecrows to take home.

The day of the event, youngsters choose a post, face and clothing, and after stuffing their scarecrow, they take it to the “surgeons” who sew it together.

The cost to build a scarecrow is $12, and arrangements have been made this year by the Lions to accept credit cards.

Hancock said the event attracts not only children who build a scarecrow, but their parents, grandparents and friends, who love to watch the activity.

“Everybody loves it,” he said.

As an added attraction this year, the Master Gardeners are having a “Pumpkinpalooza” event, with pumpkin decorating and pumpkin-themed activities.

 Also, the 4-H rabbit youth will have some rabbits at the Scarecrow Festival.

“Kids love to pet rabbits,” Hancock said.

Food will be available to purchase, including hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chips and soft drinks.

“The Scarecrow Festival is a lot of work, but it’s worth it when you see the joy on kids’ faces,” Hancock said. “All the money we raise goes back into the community. The Lions give $10,000 to $12,000 annually to charities, such as Seeing Eye Dogs and School for the Blind in Batavia.”

Press Release, Medina Sandstone Society

MEDINA – The Sandstone Trust of Medina is accepting grant applications from not-for-profit organizations and/or programs in Orleans County, which benefit the residents of Medina, Ridgeway and Shelby.

The community endowment program will make several thousand dollars available in December; funding is intended for purposes that clearly benefit the community. Grants generally range from $500 to $1,000.

Grant application forms can be obtained: in person at Michael Zelazny CPA, 511 Main St.; by regular mail request sent to Sandstone Trust, P O Box 25, Medina, NY 14103; or electronically by clicking here.

Completed applications are due by Nov. 7. They should be mailed to Sandstone Trust, PO Box 25, Medina, NY 14103.

For more information, email sandstonesociety@gmail.org or call Michael Zelazny at 585-798-1006.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Midha and Jaotin are co-presidents of the Voice Gavel Club from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They performed a free concert titled “Leaves of Summer” at World Life Institute in Medina. (Right) The Voice Gavel Club member Hana sings “Dream a Little Dream of Me” during a concert Saturday at World Life Institute.

MEDINA – World Life Institute sponsored a free concert at their headquarters on West Center Street, titled “Leaves of Summer” and featuring the Voice Gavel Club from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Coordinator of the Club is Lubna Zaidi.

World Life Institute member Deborah Wilson said she has seen the group before, and they are a young version of Toastmasters.

“They have adopted World Life Institute as a project,” she said.

Wendy Zhou, a member of the Voice Gavel Club, was unable to attend World Life Institute on Saturday, so a video was shown of her playing a pipa.

Most of the young performers were known only by their first names and presented a musical program of song, poetry and instrumental offerings. This was their ninth annual concert.

Jaotin Ling is president and Midha Siddiqui is vice-president of the group. Midha said their performance was a celebration of music and talent.

The program included performances by Raheem on clarinet; Tatiana and her student on piano; Ekansh on guitar; Emma, Aman and Greig on flutes; Noah on violin;  Carol on a Gujheng (a zither-like instrument); and Wendy on a pipa, sometimes called a Chinese lute.

Also part of the program was Hana singing “Dream me a Little Dream” and “The Leaves of Summer,” and a poetry reading from “The Harvest” by Zehra.

A student named James paid a tribute to the late Dr. Asaf Durakovic, a doctor, professor of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, writer of poetry, a Colonel in the Army Reserves and founder of World Life Institute.

“He was generous with his time, wisdom and passion,” said James.

Bruce Carter, building superintendent at 229 West Center St. who hosted the concert, gave the young entertainers this advice, “Use your talent to take you as far as you can.”