By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 January 2026 at 10:20 am
Jimmer’s brother Andrew will attempt 50-mile ‘Beast of Burden’ run in Lockport as fundraiser
Jimmer Szatkowski and his brother Andrew of Medina are shown at Fenway Park when the two went to a Pearl Jam concert in September 2024.
A Medina native who was diagnosed with ALS about five years ago has now raised more than $500,000 for ALS research.
Jimmer Szatkowski, 53, was diagnosed in March 2021. He has raised $532,633, which has been directed to the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital. To donate to ALS research through Jimmer Szatkowski’s fundraising page, click here.
His brother Andrew Szatkowski of Medina has helped with several of the fundraisers and is planning another one when he attempts running the Beast of Burden 50-mile run on Feb. 7 from Lockport to Middleport, running the loop twice that day. That race is known as one of the most challenging in Western New York.
Jimmer graduated from Medina in 1990. He now lives in Central New York and opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Upstate New York in 2018 in Cicero. He continues to be a part of the restaurant’s daily operations.
Jimmer responded to a few questions about living with ALS. He said he is most grateful for being able to see his daughter Samantha and son Jack graduate from college. He also watched Jack become an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jimmer also is grateful to see younger son Hunter grow up.
He is very thankful to have experience five more Christmases and see so many more thrilling Buffalo Bills games since his diagnosis. ALS has taken his mobility and ability to verbally speak.
He remains deeply motivated to remain active and present for his wife, Betty, and their children, and to continue “fulfilling my purpose as a Chick-Fil-A operator.”
ALS has taught him valuable lessons in patience and humility, Jimmer said.
His experiences growing up in Medina, helped make him strong to withstand the battle with ALS.
“Dying is easy, Living is Hard,” he responded when asked about a life lesson from living with ALS.
Provided photos: The varsity winterguard involves includes 14 students in grades 9 to 12 and their show is “Dreams.”
Courtesy of Medina Mustang Boosters
Medina opened its winterguard season on Jan 17th with a competition at Marcus Whitman HS in Rushville, Ontario County.
Winterguard is a hybrid art form that combines elements of music, dance and military-like precision marching in a competitive arena for a total entertainment package. WG started about 30 years ago and involves the manipulation (spins, tosses, flips) of equipment (flags, rifles, sabers) while moving around the performance space.
Medina is sponsoring 2 guard units this season – junior varsity and varsity.
Both guards competed at Marcus Whitman on Saturday. The JV guard came in 1st in the cadet class. The varsity guard came in 2nd out of 3 in the A1 class.
Both will compete again on Saturday, Jan 24th at Orchard Park.
The junior varsity winterguard includes 14 members from 5th to 8th grade who started practicing in mid-November. Three students have joined for the first time. Their show is “The Big Cheese” about a day at the races.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 January 2026 at 10:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Breakout Band performed on Friday night to about 125 people at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
The band plays many classic rock songs. From left include Gary Withey, Timothy Stoll and Alan Biano. John Lynch, not pictured, plays the drums.
Lee-Whedon has offered the “Finally Fridays!” concert series during the winter since 2002.
The season usually goes to early March but this year will only be during January due to the library’s expansion project that is under construction.
The Breakout Band kept the crowd entertained on a wintry Friday night.
The Creek Bend Band opened the series on Jan. 2, followed by Tom Keefer & Celtic Cross on Jan. 9.
There are two more concerts that begin at 7 p.m. with the Hennan Brothers on Jan. 23 and Doc’s Pocket Change on Jan. 30.
There is no charge for admission. The concerts received funding from the New York State Council on the Arts. Go Art! administers that funding for the state.
This group worked together on a puzzle while listening to the music. From left include Georgia Thomas and Barb Hancock with Fred Cavers at right. Thomas said sometimes “The Puzzle Group” can put together a 1,000-piece puzzle in an hour. This trip put together a 300-piece puzzle on Friday evening.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 January 2026 at 8:41 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Ian and Claudia perform on aerial silks at the Clifford Wise Intermediate School. Billy Martin’s Cole All Star Circus did two shows on Friday at Clifford Wise with some of the proceeds going to the Orleans Community Health Foundation.
Ian and Claudia showcased strength, flexibility and balance in their performance on the aerial silks.
The circus is led by Billy Martin, who is now in his 49th season of leading the circus. He and his group of a dozen perform go to about 150 schools each year. Their 2026 season started on Jan. 9 in Coudersport, Pa.
They have three more shows in Orleans County:
Albion Elementary School on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Holley Elementary School on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Kendall High School Gym on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Children 12 years and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Adults at the door are $20 each. Each school offers a special $5 discount on advance adult tickets, which reduces the cost to $15 per adult.
Sophia performs a juggling routine.
These kids are delighted watching a performer in the show ring.
Jake McPherson of Medina and his son Connor, age 9, get their photo taken with one of the circus’s stars, Slinko. This year marks Slinko’s 25th season.
Tatyana Johnson, 9, gets her face painted as the Lady Bug character during intermission at the circus.
The Fudi sisters juggled hats, pins and hoops as part of their routine.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 January 2026 at 7:59 am
MEDINA – Clementine Gold Group, which is fielding a survey on the Western New York Digital Coalition’s behalf, will be at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market on Saturday.
With the support of a grant from the New York State ConnectAll Office, the WNY Digital Equity Coalition is conducting the regional survey of digital literacy across all of Western New York’s eight counties.
This survey will give them community-level information about digital skill levels which is not available from any other source, and will guide digital literacy programs, support grant applications and provide information which advocates can use to ensure everyone in Western New York has the ability to make full use of computers and the internet.
Mark Glasgow, director of Engagement and Strategic Insights for the Clementine Gold Group, requested permission to have a presence at the market this week, said Chris Busch, chair of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market.
Glasglow explained the brief survey helps measure digital skills across WNY, especially among groups most impacted by digital exclusion.
“Your event is a strong opportunity to reach residents whose experiences should be represented,” Glasglow said in an e-mail to market manager Gail Miller.
Along with the brief survey, Glasglow said they will have raffle tickets and candy to offer visitors.
The Canal Village Farmers’ Market supports local nonprofit organizations by providing them with free space at the market, Miller said.
“We recognize it can be challenging for nonprofits to reach the community members who most need their services,” Miller explained. “By offering a no-cost space at the market on Saturdays to share information, we hope to strengthen community connections and ensure valuable resources are more accessible to those who need them.”
Some examples of non-profit groups which have taken advantage of free space at the market are Orleans Community Health, Hospice of Orleans, PAWS, Friends of Iroquois Wildlife Refuge and many more. Space may be reserved by contacting canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.
Market hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the basement of the former NAPA building at 345 North Main St. Ample parking is available in the canal basin and on Main Street.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2026 at 1:36 pm
2 towns together have been billed about $60,000 by Medina last 2 years for ad valorem charges
Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo from Aug. 8, 2016 shows a worker from DN Tanks putting a second coat of paint on Medina’s 3-million-gallon water tank. DN Tank also made several repairs to the water tank that was initially built in 1959 on Route 31A. The tank holds water from the Niagara County Water District. The Village of Medina’s water system also feeds water districts in Shelby and Ridgeway.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board isn’t backing off collecting money from the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway with their shares of an ad valorem charge from the Niagara County Water District.
The NCWD supplies Medina, Shelby and most of Ridgeway with its water. The NCWD bills Medina about $136,000 annually in an ad valorem charge as an out-of-district user. That charge helps pay for infrastructure and operations of the Water District.
Village Attorney Matt Brooks told the Village Board on Monday it is obligated to collect the ad valorem charges from Shelby and Ridgeway, and may need to take legal action if the towns continue to not pay the bill.
Medina has been bearing the full bill itself, even though a study from 2013 called for Ridgeway to pay 5.02 percent of the bill and Shelby to contribute 17.98 percent. That is their share of the bill based on their water usage back in 2013. (Medina officials expect the towns are using a higher percentage now after adding water districts since 2013.)
Medina, however, didn’t seek to collect the ad valorem charge from the two towns until September 2024.
Shelby was billed $23,554.81 and Ridgeway was billed $6,576.48. Neither has paid.
They were billed again in September 2025, with Shelby’s amount at $23,193.84 and Ridgeway’s at $6,475.70.
The Medina Village Board is determined to get those funds, and will be assessing 10 percent late fees as it does with all of its water customers who don’t pay on time.
Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said she has reached out to the town supervisors at both towns to tell them the money is owed, per their contract with Medina. The village sells water to the two towns that comes from the Niagara County Water District.
Sherman said Brian Napoli, the Ridgeway town supervisor, doesn’t think Ridgeway needs to pay. Jim Heminway, the Shelby town supervisor, has asked the town attorney to review the issue, Sherman said.
Village Attorney Matt Brooks advised the board on Monday that the village may need to take legal action if the two towns continue to refuse payment.
“This is an issue of a contractual breach,” he said. “It’s in violation of a contract.”
The Medina mayor said she is trying to reach an amicable agreement with the two municipalities.
“It’s not out of spite,” Sherman said about the bills from the village to the towns. “We want to be good neighbors but we are obligated to collect this amount based on the contract.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2026 at 8:50 am
Medina Triennial trying to finalize sites for big art initiative from June to September
Photos by Tom Rivers: Leaders of the Medina Triennial attended Monday’s Medina Village Board meeting to ask the board for its approval to place three art installations at village sites – State Street Park, Rotary Park and Gulf Street Park. Matt Hollenback is the Triennial’s head producer and Karin Laansoo is the co-artistic director.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of the article listed four of the artists’ names. Those names have since been removed because the Medina Triennial said it could jeopardize the sponsorships for the installations. The names of the artists will be released in March or April.
MEDINA – The village will be hosting a major arts event from June to September that is expected to bring 50,000 visitors to the community.
The debut of the Medina Triennial will feature works from 35 different artists at 12 sites in the community.
Leaders of the Triennial want at least three of the installations to be at village parks. The Medina Village Board will decide at its Jan. 26 whether it approves having installations at State Street Park, Rotary Park and Gulf Street Park.
The Triennial will have insurance for the installations during the event from June 6 to Sept. 7. Some of the artists would be willing to have the installations stay permanently in Medina, said Karin Laansoo, co-artistic director for the Triennial.
Karin Laansoo, co-artistic for the Medina Triennial, said several renown artists have projects coming to Medina. Laansoo is working to firm up all the locations to house the art installations. She wants they all within a 15-minute walk of each other.
She and Matt Hollenback, the Triennial’s head producer, attended Monday’s Village Board meeting to ask for the board’s approval for having the installations on village-owned land. The board will decided on Jan. 26 and also take comments from the public.
At State Street Park, the Triennial wants to have barnacles resting on top of four slate boulders. Barnacles are strong indicators of water quality and the sculpture symbolizes the power of natural materials to filter and purify water. The sculpture will be created in Buffalo and transported into Medina.
The artist making this sculpture created a similar piece for a biennial in the United Kingdom, Laansoo said.
At Gulf Street Park, an artist wants to create a sculpture stacked with stone pillars. The artist is working with students from the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. They want to locate unused Medina Sandstone, scan that in 3D and assemble the stone into precise sculptures through computational processes.
Mark Prawel, a Medina village trustee, said the sculpture will result in extra work for the DPW to mow around the objects.
At Rotary Park, the Triennial wants to feature a shed-like sculpture filled with handmade objects for birds, including nesting materials and perches.
The shed is 7 feet tall and about 4 ½ feet wide. The sculpture will have a protective plexiglass screen attached to the front to protect the contents inside. Laansoo said this sculpture is whimsical and shows the artists’ sense of humor.
The Triennial is looking for a location for a footprint walkway that will be a pathway with a message. While the walkway is constructed, there will be performers singing the popular Erie Canal song, “Low Bridge Every Down.”
The Triennial is an initiative of the New York Power Authority and the State Canal Corporation as part of an effort to revitalize the Erie Canal. This year will be the debut of the Medina Triennial, with a second triennial to follow in 2029.
An initial group of artists will be announced in early March, with the complete list released in April. More than a third of the included artists will be from Western New York and the Rust Belt, Medina Triennial officials said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2026 at 11:09 am
Group will make debut performance at Memorial Day Parade
MEDINA – The school district will be starting a the Medina Mini-Mustang Band in early March, with the group of fifth- and sixth-graders to make their debut performance during the Memorial Day Parade on May 25.
Medina typically has 80 to 100 students in the marching band in grade 7 to 12. The Mini-Mustang Band will give the elementary students a taste of the marching band, and hopefully encourage more of them to join the Mustang Band as they get older and enter seventh grade.
The Mini-Mustang Band will be led by Kyla Leno-Denise and Andrea Busch, who are both assistant band directors of the Mustang Band.
Leno-Denise is the junior high band director and a general music teacher. Busch teaches primary school music and also directs the Glee Club.
The Mini-Mustang Band will rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. They will wear a uniform T-shirt for Memorial Day.
Leno-Denise and Busch said the band gives students two more hours a week on their instruments and will prepare them to join the band, which they said is a source of community pride for Medina.
The Board of Education on Tuesday approved the Mini-Mustang Band. Leno-Denise and Busch said they will be reaching out to students and families about being part of the new band.
Medina music teachers went over their very active music program at the district during Tuesday’s board meeting.
They also highlighted another new initiative, a jazz performance at Lyndonville on April 24. “A Night of Jazz” will feature performances by Lyndonville, Medina and likely other districts in the county. It is a concert put on by the Orleans County Music Educators Association. Some of the teachers also are expected to perform.
The jazz concert is expected to be hosted by other districts in the county in the future.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2026 at 10:06 am
MEDINA – The Medina unified bowling team, which has won several Section 6 titles since it started in 2018, is welcoming Roy-Hart students on the team.
The Medina Board of Education on Tuesday approved an intermunicipal cooperation agreement with Roy-Hart, allowing R-H students to be on Medina’s unified bowling team this school year.
The season is starting now and runs until mid-March. There will be 18-20 students from both school districts on the team, which includes special education and general ed students.
Roy-Hart will be responsible for transportation for its students and will also pay Medina school district $337 for each student-athlete on the team. This is the first time Roy-Hart students will be on Medina’s unified bowling team.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2026 at 10:41 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Eric Valley, Medina’s athletic director and head football coach, shares his reasons for supporting a merger with Albion for football at the modified, junior varsity and varsity levels. Next to him, from right to left, are Board of Education members Donnell Holloway, Jennifer Buondonno, Kristin Grose and Annette Allis.
MEDINA – The head football coach and athletic director at Medina made his pitch to the Medina Board of Education for a partnership that once was thought unthinkable: joining the Medina and Albion football teams.
The two school have been bitter rivals at football going back to the 1890s. But the rivalry has faded in recent years as both schools have struggled with student participation to field teams.
Now the two schools are discussing a merger of their football programs at the varsity, junior varsity and modified levels.
“Yes, it’s our rival but it makes a lot of sense for us,” Eric Valley, the Medina coach and athletic director, said during this evening’s Medina Board of Education meeting. “The opportunity is great.”
Joining the programs would give them enough athletes for teams at varsity, junior varsity and modified levels, Valley said. They would have enough for scrimmages and majority of players wouldn’t have to play both offense and defense, nearly every play of the game. The players could be at their own grade levels and not be needed to move up. Playing at their own grade level, and not necessarily both offense and defense will be safer for the players, Valley said.
Medina has had partnerships with other districts before, with Lyndonville and Barker both having students on the Medina Mustang team. Albion and Medina are discussing creating a new program that would have a new mascot and colors.
Valley and Medina Superintendent Dr. Mark Kruzynski have met with their Albion counterparts – coach David Skrip, superintendent Mickey Edwards and athletic director Lauren Kinard.
They support a merged program but it will go to their boards of education for a vote with Albion to make a decision on Feb. 9 and Medina to follow on Feb. 10. If they approve it, Section 6 will also need to give its OK.
Courtesy of Eric Valley: A name and colors aren’t finalized, nor is the merger, but the uniforms could have maroon colors with two shovels on the helmets to represent the two communities that both grew after the digging of the Erie Canal.
The merged team would likely be in the Class B division. Right now Albion and Medina are both C schools.
The following schools currently compete in the B division: Pioneer, Lake Shore, West Seneca East, Lackawanna, East Aurora, Iroquois, Lew-Port, Williamsville South, Dunkirk, Ocean, Maryvale, McKinley, Amherst, Depew and Cheektowaga.
Teams need to have a minimum of 16 players. The projected participation for 2026 with a merged team includes 29 at varsity, 40 at junior varsity and 35 at modified.
Valley wants to building a new program while maintaining a connection to each community. That’s why he endorses calling the team the “O.C. Rivals.” Caledonia-Mumford and LeRoy merged their programs in 2024 and they call their team the Rivals. They had been bitter rivals since 1900.
The Medina and Albion high school football rivalry dates back to the 1890s, making it one of the oldest football traditions in the country.
Valley showed a look for the team’s uniforms and helmets. The logo includes two shovels that Valley said show a connection for both communities to the digging of the Erie Canal, which initially was completed in 1825.
Valley went over other highlights of the merged program:
Each school host two games at all levels
Each school host their own homecoming
Sectional playoff games will alternate from year to year between schools
Practices will be split as evenly as possible between the two districts (likely alternating each week)
Each district will be responsible for hiring coaches to represent their district per their collective bargaining agreements
Each level will have coaches from each district
Tentative plan is for 5-year commitment for the merger
Each district will be financially responsible for transportation, equipment, training services, coaching, supervision, police and ambulance coverage
Districts will split the cost of new uniforms, decals and helmets
Other issues to consider: cheerleading squads, booster involvement, fundraising, record books, traditions, and dual participation athletes.
A group from Albion and Medina discussing the merger like the name “O.C. Rivals” for a merged football program. They prefer to create a new look and name for the team, rather than trying to combine the purple and white for the Albion Purple Eagles, and the red and blue of the Medina Mustangs.
Medina board members who spoke at the meeting voiced support for the merger.
“The merger is a step in the right direction,” said Donnell Holloway.
He would like to see Medina’s youth program also be revived to help prepare kids to be part of the modified, JV and varsity programs.
He commended Valley and Dave Skrip, the Albion coach, “for putting whatever rivalry aside and doing what’s best for kids.”
Dr. Steven Blount, a board member, said he favors offering students a more competitive program, but he said he was a little leery about a five-year commitment to a merger.
Valley said the five years will help spread out the initial financial costs for new helmets and uniforms and provide some continuity while giving the new program a better chance to succeed.
He anticipates the students from the two schools will be great teammates and develop lifelong friendships.
Board member Annette Allis welcomes the chance for the two schools to field a combined team.
“The merger seems like a good idea,” she said. “We’re all the Orleans County community.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2026 at 11:13 am
Village Board not on same page for housing truck, putting it into service
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Medina Village Board met on Monday at the Shelby Town Hall and discussed several issues. Pictured from left include Trustee Deborah Padoleski, Trustee Jess Marciano, Village Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess, Mayor Marguerite Sherman, Trustee Mark Prawel, Trustee Scott Bieliski and Village Attorney Matt Brooks.
MEDINA – A new ladder truck for the Medina Fire Department may not find a long-term home in Medina.
Three out of five Village Board members said they are open to selling the new $1.7 million truck which is too big for the existing fire hall.
Trustee Scott Bieliski said the truck turns into a $4 million expense when financing and an addition to the fire hall are all factored in. He said village taxpayers are already overtaxed to take on the added expense.
He would like to reach out to a broker to see what the truck would command on the market and instead have Medina purchase a smaller used ladder truck that would fit in the fire hall, or go without a ladder truck and rely on one from the neighboring Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Village Trustee Mark Prawel said taxpayers are already too stressed to take on payments for a new ladder truck and an addition to the fire hall to house it. Trustee Scott Bieliski, right, wants the village to look at selling its new ladder truck and finding a smaller used one that would fit in the existing fire hall.
Bieliski and trustees Deborah Padoleski and Mark Prawel all want to hold off on putting the new truck into service to maximize its value. Once it’s been used by the village, the value could significantly drop.
Village Attorney Matt Brooks advised the board that having the truck in Medina and not using it could open the village to a lawsuit. It could be considered negligence to have the equipment and not use it when there is an emergency.
The truck is currently in North Tonawanda after being built in Wisconsin by Pierce Manufacturing. The truck is being outfitted with specialized gear. Fire Chief Steve Cooley this morning said Medina firefighters are planning to begin training on the new truck in Medina on Feb. 13.
The truck doesn’t have a place to stay yet. Village officials are considering the compost facility on North Gravel Road, the DPW garage on East Avenue, or a lease from a private property owner.
The truck could also be kept outside next to the fire hall but wouldn’t be able to have water in the truck in case it freezes in the cold weather.
Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Trustee Jess Marciano said they are both committed to keeping the ladder truck and want to put a one-bay addition on the fire hall that is expected to cost $1.1 to $1.4 million.
Sherman said the village should spend $4,800 with an engineering firm to get more specific costs for the addition, figures that are needed for Medina to pursue grants and financing for the project. But she has been unable to get a full majority vote from the board to pay a firm.
“It is my charge to come up with a feasible way to get the truck and the addition,” she said. “I’m doing everything I can to make it affordable for the village.”
Padoleski said selling the truck is “a last-ditch effort” to spare Medina from taking on more debt.
“The taxpayers are not interested in buying this truck,” Padoleski said. “It’s too big and too much money. Not enough forethought was put into this.”
The annual debt payment for the truck will be about $130,000 over the next 20 years. Medina is scheduled to sign off on the financing Jan. 26 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA is giving Medina the $1,768,000 loan with a 4 percent interest rate.
Trustee Prawel also said he hears from constituents that the truck is too much of an expense for residents already overwhelmed with bills.
“We got people who can’t pay their water bill,” Prawel said.
He has been on the board for almost two years. He said the fire truck and addition have dominated village board discussions, preventing the board from other issues, such as upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure, and sidewalk replacements.
The board didn’t fill a position in the DPW in the current budget to try to minimize a tax increase.
“Our DPW is strained,” Prawel said. “We’re putting patches upon patches.”
Mayor Sherman said there could be unintended consequences to not having a ladder truck: higher insurance costs to residents and businesses. She said Fire Chief Cooley is trying to find out how Medina’s ISO ratings would be affected without a ladder truck in the village.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rates a community’s fire protection capabilities from 1 (the best) to 10 (the worst). A lower score typically means lower-cost insurance.
The mayor said the ISO information should be available soon to help the board make a decision on the full impact of keeping the ladder truck and having it in a new addition, or not having the truck and what affect that would have on fire insurance rates in the village.
Trustee Marciano said she wants to see the board come together soon and move forward rather than remaining at an impasse.
“I want to see us work toward making a decision rather than no decision,” Marciano said. “This inaction will get us nowhere.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2026 at 1:22 pm
Petitions signed by at least 100 registered voters are due by Feb. 10
MEDINA – The Village of Medina has three positions up in the next election, March 18.
The election will be at the Senior Citizen Center, 615 West Avenue, from noon to 9 p.m.
The positions up for election include the mayor (currently Marguerite Sherman), and two village trustees (currently held by Deborah Padoleski and Mark Prawel).
The petitions to run for one of the positions can be obtained at the Village Clerk’s Office at 119 Park Ave. or online at the New York State Elections website, Petition Information (click here) or you can see a Village Independent Nominating Petition by clicking here.
Candidates need their petitions to be signed by at least 100 registered voters in the village. The first day a registered voter can sign an independent nominating petition was December 30.
The first day to file the independent nominating petition is February 3. Petitions must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Village Clerk’s Office.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 January 2026 at 8:54 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Sharon Breckenridge, a longtime volunteer at MAAC’s Thrift Depot, accepts a box of winter clothing collected by Medina Police Department and Orleans County YMCA.
MEDINA – Personnel from the Medina Police Department and Orleans County YMCA recently came up with the idea to join their forces and collect warm clothing for people in need during the cold winter season.
Medina police officer Brandon Brown is a cousin of YMCA director Andrew Houseman’s fiancée, and the two are friends. They recently thought it would be nice for the two organizations to build a partnership with each other to help the community, Houseman said. They began by holding a food drive, but with the cold weather this winter, Houseman said they decided to collect warm clothing through December.
On Monday morning, Brown and Houseman collected the more than 75 coats, hats, mittens and scarves which had been donated to their two agencies.
“The first day we posted the drive on Facebook, someone came in with a large bag full of hats, scarves and gloves,” Brown said. “It is nice to have a place like the Y where people could drop off their donations. It’s a great goal to have to help people in this cold weather. I remember as a kid how I liked to play in the snow, and hopefully these clothes will help keep those kids warm who want to play in the snow, but don’t have warm clothing.”
At the MAAC Thrift Depot, Sue Metzo, president of MAAC, said they were thankful for the donations.
“What we don’t use, we help other agencies with,” she said. “Our winter stuff goes fast.”
Houseman said this is the first year for the clothing drive between the YMCA and Police Department, but they plan to make it an annual event.
Medina police officer Brandon Brown and YMCA director Andrew Houseman stand next to a box of warm clothing they have collected for MAAC’s Thrift Depot on Starr Street.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 January 2026 at 10:15 am
Former Medina HS will host 20 artworks with 10 to 12 others in Medina
Photos by Ginny Kropf: A handful of guests enjoyed brunch at the Triennial Hub on Saturday and participated in a discussion on ideas for Medina’s upcoming inaugural Triennial this year. From left are Karin Laansoo, co-curator; Federico Rosario, Community Engagement and Program coordinator for the Triennial Hub; and Shirley Verrico, operations manager.
MEDINA – The Medina Triennial hosted a brunch and informative session Saturday afternoon at their hub at 345 North Main St., for the purpose of explaining the features of the initiative, getting ideas and to share the Triennial’s goals and opportunities for work and volunteers during 2026.
The brunch was hosted in collaboration with the Medina Area Partnership, Medina Railroad Museum and Orleans County YMCA. Leading the discussion were Federico Rosario, Community Engagement and Program Coordinator; Shirley Verrico, operations manager; and Karin Laansoo, co-artistic director with Kari Conte.
They explained the reason Medina was chosen for this inaugural initiative, scheduled to take place June 6 through Sept. 7 in various locations in Medina, was because Medina embodies the convergence of industry, agriculture, immigration and civic life. The town is also rich in cultural and ecological significance, situated between Buffalo and Rochester and surrounded by farmland, wetlands and canal infrastructure.
When the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation met to discuss what to do with an aging waterway, they began planning this event as a broader effort to revitalize the canal. They agreed 150% on choosing Medina for the location, said Verrico. She also added that Medina has an amazingly active antique community.
“We agree with their choice 200% and I hope everyone in Medina does as well,” Laansoo said. “I was so happy when people at the community brunch applauded and agreed with Medina being the best possible choice.”
“One thing about Medina is it has a lot of landmarks,” Rosario said. “And the canal has a strong presence in the area, with Medina Falls, the aqueduct and the culvert on Culvert Road.
Laansoo said the question gets asked a lot during meetings when they introduce the triennial and explain where Medina is.
“We usually say that historically Medina was the widest point in the Erie Canal where boats could turn around,” she said. “Medina has a lot going on for a village of 6,000 people – a well-preserved Main Street, it is rich in culture and ecology, surrounded by farmland, wetlands and infrastructure. Obviously, an amazing community, as well. “
Also announced on Saturday was the creation of a book club, which will meet every third Saturday, with the first one scheduled Jan. 23. The first book chosen is The Mezzanine by Nicholas Baker, and copies were available on Saturday.
Guests take part in a discussion on Saturday at the Triennial Hub on North Main Street, sharing ideas and asking questions about the first-time Triennial expected to bring 50,000 people to Medina from June to September.
A highlight of Saturday’s meeting was the announcement of a movie to be filmed by a renowned Mexican artist and composer. Filming will be on March 28 at Medina High School, 324 Catherine St. The are looking for singers, movers, vocal enthusiasts and attentive listeners. All voices, bodies and abilities are welcome to audition. No experience is needed. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 30 by e-mailing info@medinatriennial.org.
In addition, a plea was issued for housing for artists, preferably within walking distance from downtown and the high school, mostly in April and May.
In all, 400 volunteers from the community are going to be needed, including guides who will be trained to help visitors engage with the artwork. Opening hours for sites hosting artwork are still being finalized, but public spaces with artworks will, of course, be accessible 24/7, Laansoo added.
Twenty artists will show their work at the old Medina High School, while others will be at 10 to 12 other sites, all within walking distance of downtown. Light renovation and painting at the high school have already begun, and thanks was issued to Roger and Heather Hungerford for their generosity in allowing use of the building. Most of the artwork will be on the second floor, with some on the first floor as well.
Types of art represented will include a large variety of different mediums, such as video, sound, paintings, photos, textiles, sculptures, prints and even a floating garden.
One artist who has already been here is Mary Mattingly, who will develop a garden on a floating barge. The barge arrived in the fall and work will continue on it when the water returns to the canal this spring.
Among those who attended Saturday’s brunch were Medina historian Todd Bensley and his wife Nicole.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for Medina to showcase everything we have,” Todd said.
Funding for the Triennial comes from the New York Power Authority and the Canal Corporation, Laansoo explained. In essence, NYPA functions like a self-sustaining business, using its power generation and sales to fund operations, new projects and state initiatives, all without relying on state taxes.
“The Triennial still needs to fundraise quite a bit, because everything is very expensive and it is important for it to be free to the public, so we are working hard to get additional funds,” Laansoo said.
In closing Saturday’s event, Verrico said, “We want to be here for visitors. We want to collaborate with all of you. We know art. We don’t know Medina.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 5:55 pm
MEDINA – The Village of Medina will be hosting a major arts initiative this year, with 50,000 people expected to visit Medina to see works by 35 different artists showcased at 12 sites in the community.
The Medina Triennial is the first initiative of its kind in the region. It will feature artists from around the world from June 6 to Sept. 7 to see the exhibits and public programs.
The Triennial welcomes the community to see how they can volunteer and be a part of the event. There will be a complimentary brunch and information session at the Triennial’s headquarters on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. The Triennial “Hub” is located at 345 N Main St. (the former NAPA Auto Parts building).
“We’ll be answering frequently asked questions and announcing volunteer/employment opportunities in a very casual sit-down style conversation,” said Federico Rosario, Community Engagement & Programs Coordinator for the Triennial. “This event is an opportunity to hear about the Triennial’s goals and upcoming volunteer and work opportunities.”
The Triennial is an initiative of the New York Power Authority with funding from other sponsors, too.
