Photo by Ginny Kropf: Mary Mattingly’s “Floating Garden” will be leaving Medina’s canal basin and traveling the Erie Canal to New York City, where it will become a permanent display, indicating it is “Medina’s Gift to New York City.”

MEDINA – Medina’s first-of-its-kind Triennial has ended a three-month visit, but its effects will linger far and beyond Medina for a very long time.

Exciting news is that the barge transformed by artist Mary Mattingly into a floating garden in the canal basin will be taken to New York City, where it will become a permanent exhibit.

“The barge will have a sign indicating it was made in Medina, and another which reads ‘Medina’s Gift to New York City’,” said Kari Conte, executive director and co-curator of the Medina Triennial. “Some of Medina’s dirt will forever be in New York City. How cool is that?”

Conte added it will take weeks to dismantle everything from the Triennial.

“Very little will go in the trash,” she said. “We sell or repurpose everything. After all, the Triennial’s motto was ‘All That Sustains Us’.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mary Mattingly is shown about a year ago on Sept. 17, 2025 when she was removing sludge from a barge that months later be teeming with vegetation.

The Floating Garden will stop at canal villages along the way to share Medina’s story, Conte said.

Conte has also shared news about at least two exhibits which will remain in Medina. One is “I traveled 66 million years to be with you and then you came,” Berlin-based artist Anne DukHee Jordan’s creation, which will remain in State Street Park. It is located between the pavilion and the canal.

 Photo by Tom Rivers: “I traveled 66 million years to be with you and then you came” is artist Anne DukHee Jordan’s creation, which will remain in State Street Park until the next Triennial. It features barnacles sculpted by the artist, and set atop a large rock with fossils and several slate boulders sourced from Western New York. This photo was taken during the Aug. 6 concert at State Street Park, where 900 people turned out to see the band Grosh.

This piece features Roman concrete mixed with biochar, locally sourced slate stones and fossils. It was first commissioned by UP PROJECTS in London. Like real barnacles, the sculpture’s parts filter rainwater through the natural properties of biochar, collecting it for local birds and insects to drink.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Artist Evelyne Leblanc-Roberge created this exhibit at Medina Memorial Hospital titled “All the hours” for the first Medina Triennial. It is one of several exhibits which will remain until the next Triennial in three years.

The final news is that of artist Evelyne Leblanc-Roberge’s creation at Medina Memorial Hospital. It is titled “All the hours” and is installed on both sides of glass panels around the building near the main entrance.

More exciting news is the Triennial has made a donation to have a permanent space in Lee-Whedon Memorial Library dedicated to the Triennial. It will feature books and Triennial memorabilia. A full story will appear when the space is dedicated.

160 people attended workshops on repairing windows, roofs, plaster and other parts of older buildings

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Sadie Rose leads a workshop today on “The Art of Stencil.” It was among several workshops today in the former Medina High School.

There were 160 people in Medina for the three-day International Preservation Trades Workshop, with sessions from Thursday through today.

Rose works in the Detroit area as a preservation craftsperson specializing in decorative painting, mural conservation and wood restoration.

The Preservation Trades Network picked Medina for the conference partly because it’s the base for Talis Historic Restoration, which employs 20 people and utilizes 30,000 square feet of the old high school.

A banner welcomes attendees to the International Preservation Trades Workshop held the past three days at the former Medina High School.

The conference has recently been in Savannah, Ga., and Frederick, Maryland. In Medina, the attendees could see a remarkable concentration of historic cobblestone buildings that reflect extraordinary craftsmanship and durability, the Preservation Trades Network said.

“Just as important is Medina’s connection to the Erie Canal—one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in American history,” the group said in promoting the conference. “The canal turned small towns like Medina into hubs of trade and movement, fueling the growth of local industry and shaping the built environment you see today. Medina sandstone, quarried locally and shipped via the canal, became a defining material in buildings across the region and beyond.”

Terry Wullenweber, a master plasterer from Milan, Indiana, leads a workshop about plastering today entitled, “Look Up! Don’t miss the ornaments above.” Wullenweber received an award at the conference for his decades of work and expertise.

The Preservation Trades Network seeks to share knowledge on the importance of preservation, and how to repair and restore windows, stained-glass, plaster, finishes/paint, masonry. metals and roofing.

Dan Totten, a commercial estimator and project technician for Talis Historic Restoration, is on the board for the Preservation Trades Network. Totten went to art school and he said that he, like many in historic trades, came to the profession after working in other careers.

He enjoys the challenge of working on older buildings, many were built extremely well but have seen decades of deferred maintenance.

He said there is need for workers in historic trades. Talis in Medina has 20 employees and Totten said the company is actively hiring.

Talis started eight years ago in a business led by Roger Hungerford. Talis works across upstate New York and in the Northeast. Some notable window restoration projects by Talis include the Thompson A.M.E. Zion Church (Harriet Tubman’s church) in Auburn, NY; nearly 300 windows at the old Medina High School in Medina; Cobblestone Museum in Albion; William J. Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, New Jersey; Morgan Manning House in Brockport; Sojourner Truth house in Kingston, NY; and other prominent historic sites in Effingham, New Hampshire; Buffalo, NY; Sackets Harbor, NY; Ithaca, NY; Canandaigua, NY; and Rochester, NY.

Travis Farnsworth is president and CEO of Talis Historic Restoration. He has been with Talis since it started eight years ago. The company led several workshops in glazing windows during the historic trades conference.

Totten said Talis Historic Restoration was pleased to be a part of hosting the convention and welcoming people with a passion for the historic trades.

“At Talis we’re very collaborative,” he said. “We like to bring people together.”

John Moore leads a workshop today in the former Medina High School. Moore is a preservation carpenter, educator, and former residential builder. He taught carpentry and construction technology at West Kentucky Community & Technical College, where he helped develop a historic preservation curriculum.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Brad Zacher and his son Henry, 5, build a fort with the giant LEGO blocks during  special event at Sacred Heart Club last year, sponsored by Medina Tourism Committee.

MEDINA – The second annual LEGO event sponsored by Medina Tourism Committee is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Medina Tourism Committee member Barb Gorham said the event was so popular last year, they have decided to do it again. Because last year’s venue, Sacred Heart Club, was booked for tomorrow, the Committee decided to move it to the library.

The event was an idea of Jan Smith, a member of the Tourism Committee. The committee discussed it and thought it be a good fit for the community, Gorham said.

The theme last year was the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal, while this year’s theme is the 250th anniversary of the country. However, entries for prizes do not have to have a theme, nor do entries for display. They may also be already-made.

Prizes will be awarded in age categories of K-2nd grade, 3rd to 7th grade, 8th to 12th grade and adults.

In addition to displays and the competition, there will be hands-on activities, building blocks and entertainment by Chuckles the Magician in the library from 11 a.m. to noon.

Gorham expressed her thanks to Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern for loaning them the building blocks.

A new feature this year will be the Boy Scouts selling hot dogs and beverages. Water and popcorn will be provided for the children.

Members of the ROCLUG LEGO building group out of Rochester sit with their giant display of creations they brought to Sacred Heart Club last year. From left are Robert Herberger, Chuck Frueh and Shyra Murphy, all of Geneva, They will be in Medina again for the second LEGO event Saturday (tomorrow) at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Photo from Medina Fire Department

MEDINA – Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley accepts a donation of four EKO digital stethoscopes from Jeff Lyons and Kim Patterson. They gave the stethoscopes in honor of their parents, Ancel and Patricia Lyons.

These stethoscopes will be placed on fire department’s four ambulances after in-service training which will greatly increase our diagnostic capabilities, Cooley said.

Ancel Lyons, the long-time owner of Lyons Collision, died at age 84 on July 26, 2026. His wife, Patricia Lyons, passed away at age 82 on May 16, 2025.

Together, they opened Lyons Collision in 1978.

Provided photos

MEDINA – About 30 firefighters were out on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon with a boot drive to collect money for Make-A-Wish.

The firefighters collected nearly $6,000 – $5,955.60. There are a couple more donations coming in, too, said Tim Petry of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

Firefighters from East Shelby, Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway were at three intersections in the community. There were at Route 104 and Route 63 in Ridgeway; Maple Ridge Road near the Route 63 intersection in Shelby; and downtown Medina at the main intersection.

Make-A-Wish is an organization that gives life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Band opens season with 2^nd place at Jordan-Elbridge

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Medina Marching Band performs on Sept. 11, 2026 during halftime of the OC Rivals football at Vets Park. The band is debuting new uniforms this season and also is performing a show, “We The People” celebrating the nation’s  250th anniversary with the music of Aaron Copeland.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Medina Marching Band is shown performing at halftime on Friday evening of the OC Rivals football game versus Lakeshore. The game was played at Vets Park in Medina.

The band the next day then competed for the first time this season at Jordan-Elbridge High School in Jordan, which is near Auburn.

The competition featured nine bands, six of which were in Medina’s class, SS2.  In that class Medina came in 2nd place behind Oswego.

Medina’s show is called “We The People” and celebrates the nation’s  250th anniversary with the music of Aaron Copeland.

The band consists of 90 students and is directed by Kyla Leno-Denise and Andrea Busch.  The band is led on the field by drum major Sophia Lopez. The is performing in new uniforms this year.

Medina’s next performance is at their home show, “Fall Festival of Bands” on Saturday, Sept. 26th beginning at 6 p.m. at Vets Park.

The results from Saturday include:

• SS2 – 1st, Oswego with 69.700; 2nd, Medina with 67.900; 3rd, Westmoreland with 67.250; 4th, Jordan-Elbridge with 66.900; 5th, Horseheads with 65.850; 6th, Vestal with 63.750.
• LS2 – 1st, Corning with 69.250.
• National – 1st, West Genesee with 79.100; 2nd, Baldwinsville with 77.600.

Here are more photos from Friday’s halftime show:

Press Release, Velocitii

Provided photo: Heather Smith serves as CEO of Velocitii.

MEDINA – Velocitii is proud to announce that it has been recognized with seven 2026 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards, celebrating the company’s commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, empowered, and connected to a shared purpose.

Velocitii received Top Workplaces Culture Excellence recognition in the following categories:

• Work-Life Flexibility Top Workplaces
• Leadership Top Workplaces
• Purpose & Values Top Workplaces
• Top Workplaces for Appreciation
• Employee Well-Being Top Workplaces
• Innovation Top Workplaces
• Professional Development Top Workplaces

The Top Workplaces program is administered by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that helps companies turn employee feedback into actionable insights and credible employer recognition. The program has a long history of surveying and celebrating people-first organizations across the country.

What makes the recognition especially meaningful is that Top Workplaces awards are based on feedback from employees through a research-backed workplace engagement survey. The Culture Excellence awards recognize organizations that excel in specific areas that contribute to a strong employee experience and workplace culture.

For Velocitii, the seven awards reflect several important elements of its culture, from providing employees with flexibility and opportunities to grow to fostering strong leadership, innovation, employee appreciation, well-being, and a connection to the company’s purpose and values.

“Receiving recognition across seven different areas of workplace culture is something we are incredibly proud of,” said Heather Smith, CEO. “These awards reflect the experiences and feedback of our employees. They reinforce our commitment to cultivating an environment where people feel appreciated, supported in their growth, encouraged to share ideas, and connected to the work we do together.”

About Velocitii

Velocitii is a business process outsourcing company committed to delivering exceptional experiences for its clients, customers, and employees. Through a people-first approach, Velocitii focuses on building strong teams, creating opportunities for growth, recognizing employee contributions, and fostering a culture rooted in its Core Values.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Anne Joynt, a Medina High School graduate, is a candidate for the New York State Supreme Court.

MEDINA – A Medina High School graduate could make history as the first woman from Orleans County to serve on the State Supreme Court.

Anne Joynt, a 1998 MHS graduate and daughter of former Medina teacher/principal Cathy Joynt and the late Robert Joynt, is one of seven candidates running for NYS Supreme Court, 8^th Judicial District. There are four judge seats up for election.

Joynt has wanted to become a lawyer from a very early age.

“I remember her asking her dad in elementary school what lawyers did,” Cathy said. “She knew Norris Webster and liked him. Her dad told her that lawyers read, write and argue, to which Anne replied, ‘Those are all things I love to do.’”

Through school, Anne never changed her mind about what she was going to be.

She graduated from Geneseo magna cum laude with degrees in English and Spanish. She enrolled at the University at Buffalo Law School and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 2005.

In her second year of law school, Anne saw an ad that a State Supreme Court candidate was looking for someone to help with her campaign. She went on to assist with the campaign of the Honorable Paula Feroleto, and The Journal-Register in Medina did a story on “Local girl working for State Supreme Court Candidate.”  Judge Feroleto is retiring this year, and if she wins, Anne would have the opportunity to assume the seat of her mentor.

While in law school, Joynt was so focused on passing the bar, she was not thinking about getting a job, she said.

“I got an email one day from a law firm asking me to contact them,” Joynt said. “That was 22 years ago, and I’ve been there ever since.”

The firm became Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford. Anne’s law school Research and Writing professor had recommended her to them, and given them a brief she had written in his class when they explained that they were looking for an outstanding writer.

Her clients include injured workers exposed to asbestos, children exposed to lead paint, and abused children.

“She has really worked hard for blue-collar, hard-working individuals and their families,” her mother said.

She regularly represents people who have been unheard.

“It’s important for everyone to be heard,” Anne said. “Everyone’s experience matters.”

In spite of her successful career, Joynt has never forgotten her roots. She returns to Medina regularly with her mother, who kept the family home in Medina until just a few years ago.  Cathy’s father was the late Russell Houserman, a teacher and coach in the Medina School System.

“I have always been involved in my community,” Anne said. “My life is so much richer when I’m involved in meaningful organizations and causes I care about.”

She is or has been involved as a member or in a leadership role with the Western New York Women’s Foundation; University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association; Girls on the Run; Women’s TAP Fund; the Center for Elder Law and Justice; the Erie County Bar Association Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society; the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Upstate Chapter); National Federation for Just Communities; and the Minority Bar Foundation.

She has also volunteered her time to the Western New York Board of Directors of Geneseo State College; the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter; Bar Association of Erie County; Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; and Law Intern Program of Buffalo.

Currently she is appointed as a member of the Erie County Water Authority and Erie County Boards of Ethics.

Her honors include “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New York, National Trial Lawyers, 2025; Best Lawyers in America; University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumni Award- Community Service; Upstate New York Super Lawyer; Woman Lawyer of the Year; Attorney of the Year Leader in Law Award; Woman of Influence by Buffalo Business First; Medina High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award; 2014/15 Woman in Leadership, Buffalo Niagara Chapter; Buffalo 40 Under 40 by Buffalo Business First; and Women in Leadership by NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara.”

Joynt has been published in the Buffalo Human Rights Law Review, and written about in Buffalo Spree Magazine. She has lectured at HB National Lead Litigation Seminars and has given the Jane Ryan Pre-Law Fund Lecture at SUNY Geneseo.

She has been admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court and New York State Supreme Court.

Joynt says she is so proud to be from Orleans County.

 “Growing up here taught me how communities are supposed to look and what it feels like to be in a community of people who support each other,” she said. “Medina looks so amazing. The opportunity to return home feels really nice, and I’m hoping to be able to represent the area and share the values I’ve learned here.”

Should Anne be elected, she will be the first graduate of Medina High School to serve on the State Supreme Court.

In the 1800s, Henry Childs, who was born in Gaines and attended Albion Academy, was elected to the State Supreme Court. His home was the house known as the Maple Crest on the corner of West Center and Prospect streets.

The 8^th Judicial District includes includes eight counties in WNY: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming .

The candidates include:

• Craig R. Bucki – Democratic, Working Families
• Anne E. Joynt – Democratic, Working Families
• Michael L. Amodeo – Democratic, Republican, Working Families
• Robert N. Richardson – Democratic, Republican, Conservative
• Deanne M. Tripi – Republican, Conservative
• Jonathan S. Hickey – Republican, Conservative
• Robert R. Vario – Conservative

One of signature projects of Triennial will soon be dismantled

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – One of the signature projects of the Medina Triennial was somewhat shrouded with scaffolding during the art initiative’s three-month stay in Medina.

But today, a day after the Triennial closed, the steel pin scaffolding was removed and soon the “Good Wall” will be dismantled. There is a layer of salvaged sandstone held between layers of limestone.

The scaffolding was included as a precaution to provide stability. But the wall never wavered during the Triennial, staying in perfect balance.

In its natural state, the limestone will slowly leach natural acids into the softer sandstone, gradually weakening it until it delaminates and collapses. What appears solid is designed to fail, the Triennial stated.

James Beckett is the artist behind the Good Wall, a project that ties to Medina’s architectural and industrial past. Beckett wanted the display to raise questions about durability and change.

Beckett did a residency in Medina in 2025 and 2026, researching the Medina community’s sandstone quarries and civic architecture.

He did a semester-long collaboration with architecture students at the University at Buffalo on “digital quarrying.” That method combines the recovered stone with 3D scanning, computational design and digital assembly.

The “Good Wall” is installed on the lawn of Medina’s former high school on Catherine Street, where about 30 of the art installations were displayed during the Triennial.

Western battalion will be at 3 intersections in Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway

File photo by Tom Rivers: Kyle Brakenbury, a member of the fire police for the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, collects a donation during the Make-A-Wish fill the boot drive on Sept. 21, 2025.

MEDINA – Firefighters will be out Sunday for their annual fill-the-boot drive for Make-A-Wish.

Firefighters from the East Shelby, Medina, Ridgeway and Shelby fire departments will be at three intersections from 9 a.m. to noon. They will be at Route 104 and Route 63 in Ridgeway; Maple Ridge Road near the Route 63 intersection in Shelby; and downtown Medina at the main intersection.

Last year the firefighters collected $6,500 that was donated to Make-A-Wish, an organization that gives life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.