Press Release, Orleans County Tourism

MEDINA – Get ready to witness history from a new perspective as the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief docks at 1 Canal Basin in Medina on Monday, Aug. 12, and Friday, Aug. 16.

Both days consist of live music, food trucks, engaging speaker series, and free tours of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief from 4 to 7 p.m.

Constructed by the Buffalo Maritime Center, the boat is a reproduction of the original Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief that opened the Erie Canal in 1825. It  will make a trial run through Lockport, Medina, Brockport and Rochester in 2024 as preparation for its 2025 voyage to New York City. The 2025 journey marks the Erie Canal Bicentennial, honoring 200 years since the canal’s official opening.

According to Dawn Borchert, Director of Orleans County Tourism, the event will happen rain or shine and attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and stay for the afternoon. Food trucks will be available for dinner at the canal basin. Visitors can take advantage of free boat and exhibit tours, witness boat-building demonstrations, and even try paddle-shaping.

This historic moment for the Buffalo Maritime Center represents an exciting opportunity for Medina to experience maritime history. The Buffalo Maritime Center inspires meaningful connections and life lessons through community boatbuilding, preserving maritime culture, and exploring the waterways of Western New York.

Learn more  by checking www.orleanscountytourism.com/events/2024-sea-trial-of-seneca-chief.

A group of friends from Medina High School with a passion for biking have added another prestigious ride to their repertoire.

Jeff and Bronwyn Green, Dave Maiorana and his companion Pam Brown Muscato, Kate Dydo Eaton and a family friend Amy Forbush of Indiana just completed a seven-day ride in the 51st Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. Tom Walders of Medina accompanied the cyclists driving a support vehicle – Maiorana’s RV he named “Lola.”

Maiorana, Jeff and Walders graduated in 1981; Bronwyn and Eaton in 1982; and Muscato in 1983.

Jeff and Bronwyn started cycling during the first year of Covid in 2020, she said. Jeff had just had a total knee replacement in 2018 and his surgeon said cycling was a safe sport for him to try.

“He’s never looked back,” Bronwyn said.

They have cycled across America, including twice on the Cycle the Erie Canal ride from Buffalo to Albany; the Gravel Grinder, a 38.4 mile ride in the Adirondacks. They are in the Adirondacks riding this week, and plan to ride the Sun Road in Glacier National Park and the Gap Trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Md.

Friends from Medina High School and a friend from Indiana pose with a Medina Mustang banner near the Mississippi River, after completing a seven-day ride across Iowa. Standing from left are Tom Walders, who was the riders’ support person; Jeff Green; Dave Maiorana; Kate Dydo Eaton and Amy Forbush. Kneeling are Bronwyn Green and Pam Brown Muscato.

The recent RAGBRAI, as the Iowa race is known, was one of the most challenging, Bronwyn said. It was also the first time they have ridden with Maiorana, who has a reputation as a world traveler since his retirement. He and the Greens planned for the RAGBRAI for a year.

The ride is the hilliest they have ever done, encompassing almost 20,000 feet of elevation, Bronwyn said. Where the Cycle the Erie Canal ride has 650 to 750 riders, RAGBRI had more than 18,000, making it the largest bike ride in the world.

“There was a river of bikes,” Bronwyn said. “The weather was perfect – in the 80s, and we were on the road most mornings between 5:30 and 6 a.m. “

The shortest day was 40 miles and the longest was 84 with an option to do 100. Jeff, Bronwyn and Forbush did the 100 miles.

The towns they passed through were all ready to welcome the riders with drinks, port-a-johns, snacks and bike repairs.

One van who followed the riders was pink and called “Pork Chop.” They cooked pork chops along the way and at a stop, each rider was handed a pork chop.

Maiorana and Muscato are next heading to Europe at the end of August to tour Italy and Spain for a month.

Bronwyn said they owe credit to Maiorana and Eaton for starting the wheel turning for the RAGBRAI trip to Iowa.

“We had all kept in contact after a Celebration of Champions get-together a couple of years ago,” Bronwyn said. “We all had cycling in common, and the trip, thanks to Dave as team leader, became a reality.”

The Greens plan to do the Virginia Creeper ride in September and may join Eaton and Forbush in Indiana to ride the Hilly Hundred in October.

MEDINA – A bike helmet safety event held at the YMCA on Friday was considered a success by sponsors, in spite of a rainy day.

The event, sponsored by Orleans Community Health in collaboration with the Orleans County YMCA and Medina Area Partnership had to be canceled in early July because of weather and was rescheduled for Aug. 2 at the YMCA. In spite of rain that day also, 15 children did show up for the event which took place inside.

“It wasn’t what we were hoping for, but it was well worth it,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health. “It’s something we intend to do again in the spring.”

All the children were provided with information on bike and helmet safety, Robinson said. These safety tips included hand signals, what to wear, the importance of riding with others and a variety of other useful pieces of information.”

The event was designed to promote bicycle safety and the overall importance of wearing helmets during certain activities. Members of the community donated bicycle, skateboarding and even snowboarding helmets to the effort, Robinson said.

“A large thank you goes out to members of the community, supporting organizations and the YMCA for hosting this event,” Robinson said. “Any time we can come together to promote health and safety activities, we’re helping to create positive change. Thanks also goes to the Medina Police Department for stopping by and speaking with the children.”

The event included an indoor course, bicycle décor, helmets and safety tips for young riders. Helmets not handed out that day will be donated to the Medina Police Department for National Night Out this evening and future bike safety activities.

MEDINA – Various members of the tourism industry in Orleans County met Monday afternoon to finalize plans for a visit of the historic Seneca Chief in Medina on Aug. 12 and 16.

The Seneca Chief is an exact replica of the boat carrying Governor Dewitt Clinton, which opened the Erie Canal in 1825. This year’s trip is a trial run from Buffalo to Brockport. Next year the boat will go from Buffalo to New York City as part of a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Barb Gorham and Jim Hancock hold up a banner provided by the Canal Corporation which will be placed in the canal basin during the visit of the replica Seneca Chief to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the canal next year.

At Monday’s meeting were Jim Hancock, chair of Medina Tourism Committee; Tourism Committee members Kathy Blackburn, Barb Gorham and Jan Smith; Dawn Borchert, director of Orleans County Tourism; Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group; Justin Bruce, manager of Harvest Restaurant; Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman; and Brian Hellner, operator of Medina’s Canal Tours and a former vice president of the Buffalo Maritime Center board.

The Buffalo Maritime Center built the full-sized replica of the Seneca Chief from 2019 to 2024 with the help of hundreds of volunteers.

Hancock learned about the project this past January and contacted Brian Trzeciak, executive director of the Buffalo Maritime Center, asking if the boat could make a stop in Medina. In March, Trzeciak visited Medina, and scoped it out, Sherman said.

“This year’s trip is a precursor to what is going to happen next year,” Hancock said. “They will spend a full day here on Sept. 25 enroute to New York City, and we will have a full schedule of events planned.”

On Monday, and again on the return trip on Friday, the Seneca Chief will be docked in the canal basin and will be open for free tours from 4 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to visit for a couple of hours or make a day of it.

Other features include a Buffalo Maritime Center tent filled with merchandise; opening remarks by Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Brian Trzeciak from Buffalo Maritime Center at 4 p.m. musical entertainment by local busker Rob Robinson at 4:15 p.m.; and a series of speakers at 5:30 p.m., including Roger Allen and Greg Dudley, BMC boatbuilders, Tonawanda Reservation historian Terry Adams and Medina historian Todd Bensley.

At 7 p.m. on Monday and Friday, the crew and volunteers with the Seneca Chief will be treated to a complimentary dinner at Harvest Restaurant and lodging at Bent’s Hotel, if rooms are available.

The schedule for both days the Seneca Chief is in the canal basin are the same, with the exception of Aug. 16, when an additional speaker at 5:30 p.m. will be John Montague, founder of the BMC.

Members of various segments of the tourism industry met Monday afternoon to finalize plans for the arrival of the historic Erie Canal boat in Medina on Aug. 12 and 16. Clockwise from left front are Brian Hellner, operator of Medina’s Canal Boat tours and former board member of the Buffalo Maritime Center; Barb Gorham from Medina’s Tourism Committee; Justin Bruce, manager of Harvest Restaurant; Dawn Borchert, director of Orleans County Tourism; Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group; Marguerite Sherman, mayor of Medina; Jim Hancock, chair of Medina’s Tourism Committee; and Kathy Blackburn and Jan Smith, both members of Medina’s Tourism Committee.

“The village is very excited to welcome the Seneca Chief, a traditionally built, full-sized replica of the boat that opened the Erie Canal in 1825,” Sherman said in a memo from her office. “This 73-foot boat will be doing a sea trial in preparation for next year’s bicentennial canal celebration, where it will complete a Bicentennial Voyage from Buffalo to New York City in September and October of 2025.”

In order to make this the best experience possible, Sherman said traffic will be limited in the canal basin. On Sunday and Thursday evenings, the roadway between the Napa building and Hemp House will be blocked off and re-opened once the boat departs on the 13th and 17th.

In addition, the parking area between the canal and the grassy area closer to the buildings will be blocked off so tents and a staging area can be set up. The parking area directly behind the buildings will be accessible, but will be limited to one-way traffic so business owners can get in and out.

Those planning to visit the Seneca Chief in Medina’s canal basin are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, as there will be no seating provided.

Press Release, National Night Out in Orleans County

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department, with the assistance of the Medina Police Advisory National Night Out Sub-Committee, are collaborating again for this year’s Orleans County National Night Out.

We are proud to give an update on this year’s event that will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Medina Clifford Wise Intermediate School, 1016 Gwinn St.

National Night Out started in the 1980s as a way to bring law enforcement and citizens together nationwide on the same night each year. We have expanded on that principle and put together an event that focuses on bringing many agencies and organizations together for the annual National Night Out date each year.

Participants in this event will include law enforcement from throughout the county, fire agencies, EMS responders, civic organizations and other groups that will be providing activities and giveaways. Some of the big hits from past events have been the “Battle of the Belts,” K-9 demonstrations and the bike rodeo.

Our mission is simple. We want an event where families can come for a night and be entertained at no cost, eating and having fun in an environment that is free of violence, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We hope citizens can meet members of our local organizations and get to know the services they provide to our community.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors, participants, and volunteers who have helped make this event possible!

We will also be providing regular updates through our Facebook pages: National Night Out – Orleans  and Medina Police Department.

Tentative Schedule

• 6 p.m. – Mercy Flight Landing
• 6:45 p.m. – Battle of the Belts
• 7:15 p.m. – K-9 Demonstration

Tentative Dunk Tank Participants

• Police Chief Todd Draper
• Fire Chief Matt Jackson
• Village Trustee Jess Marciano
• Village Trustee Diana Baker
• Pastor Jovannie Canales

Highlighted Activities:

• Free Hot Dogs, Water, & Chips
• Bike Rodeo,
• Child Car Seat Safety Inspections
• Llamas & Alpacas
• Bounce House
• Coloring Contest
• Spray House
• Games and Giveaways
• Police and Fire equipment
• Appearances by Safety Pup
• Caricature
• Magician

MEDINA – A grant from Apex Wind Energy will help the Medina Railroad Museum move forward with its efforts to upgrade the museum’s display to make it more interesting to children.

“We haven’t had much in the way of interactive displays,” said longtime board member Rick Henn. “The addition of a train simulator will allow kids to sit down and run a locomotive.”

On Monday prior to the Museum’s board meeting, Anna Mathes of Barre, field organizer for Apex Wind Energy, presented a check for $4,000 to board members and museum director Jeff Lewis.

Mathes explained Apex Wind Energy has been presenting grants in the amount of $400 to $4,000 since 2020.

While the total cost of the simulator is in the neighborhood of $10,000, Lewis said this check is a great start.

Orleans County should get a second chance today to see a tugboat pushing an enormous barge carrying two sections of a pedestrian bridge.

Carver Companies from near Albany has spent two weeks directing two 195-foot-long barges along the canal. The barges are carrying four sections of a 266-foot-long pedestrian bridge for the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy in Buffalo. The bridge was made in Italy.

Carver was able to get the first barge from near Rochester all the way through Orleans County and to Gasport on Monday. The barge reached its destination in Buffalo on Tuesday.

Carver had to send the tugboat back Wednesday to get the second barge. It made it to Adams Basin near Spencerport. The tugboat was scheduled to start the day at 6 a.m. and go to Rochester to get the second barge. Then it will head west from Rochester around 9 to 9:15 a.m., according to a Facebook post from Carver.

The company hasn’t posted an estimated time when it will be in Orleans County. Carver posts updates on its Facebook page for the ETAs.

The trek for the barges has been widely publicized in the media since the trip started in Albany. Many people have lined up along the canal or on bridges to get a glimpse of the tugboat and barge.

The tugboat “CMT Otter” has been getting a workout the past two weeks pushing barges carrying a pedestrian bridge that will be installed in Buffalo.

MEDINA – Canalside Tattoo has been a big fundraiser for the Cat by Cat, Inc. organization in Medina.

Canalside raised $10,000 for the group in 2022, and then $18,000 last year.

Shannon Blount leads the local Cat by Cat efforts.

This year’s event on Aug. 18 already is off to a big start. There are 12 tattoo artists offering to do tattoos on Aug. 18 at $100 each. All of the slots have been claimed already. They sold out fast once the online portal opened on July 11.

Canalside has 12 artists volunteering their services on Aug. 18, up from nine last year. The tattoo team includes Shawn Ramsey, Tyler VerCruysse, Andrew London, James Christian, Matt Rolfe, CJ Cruickshank, David Jednat, Christopher Coronado, Bree Sunshine, Melissa Freeborn, Jade Ellen and Derrick Buyea.

There will also be a basket raffle and body piercings available, with all proceeds going to Cat by Cat. This year’s Caturday also will feature face painting by Lainey Freebern and caricatures by Isabel Ramsey.

Cat by Cat seeks to humanely “TNVR” cats through targeted trapping. Cat by Cat focuses on a TNVR model – Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return.

The Medina team cares for about 150 cats a year. Feral or community cats remains in “overwhelming” problem in Medina and Orleans County, said Shannon Blount, leader of the Medina team.

The money from “Caturday” goes towards neutering, medications, vaccinations, food and cat litter, and other supplies.

The Caturday event also will give the public a chance to see Canalside Tattoo’s new home in what owner Shawn Ramey is calling the “Fantasy Factory.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Shawn Ramsey, shown last month, said the former AJ’s Play Date site will give the tattoo artists and their customers much more space and privacy.

Ramsey opened Canaside in 2015 in a small storefront on East Center Street. In 2017, he moved to Main Street at the former Curvin’s News, tripling his space from the first location. He then expanded next door in 2020, giving him 3,500 square feet.

Ramsey said he would have been content to stay put. But the former AJ’s Play Date building became available at 627 West Ave. It offered Ramsey even more room and a chance to create the “Fantasy Factory.”

Ramsey said Tom and Nancy Mack were excellent landlords of his Main Street location.

“But the opportunity presented itself to own my own building,” Ramsey said. “It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Medina contractor Tim Miller has been doing the bulk of the construction work, putting in partitions, an office space, a gaming room for Ramsey and staff, and making other changes.

File photos: These are some of the cat-themed tattoos done by Canalside Tattoo during the Caturday fundraiser in 2022.

The interior space will have partitioned space for tattoo artists, giving them their own work area and providing more privacy.

“Each station will have its own unique vibe,” Ramsey said.

There will be more display room for Canalside merchandise and to showcase local work from artists and crafters. The Fantasy Factory also will a gym/workout room for Canalside staff, as well as a kitchen and break room.

Canalside is the drop site for the toy drive during Medina’s Parade of Lights. It is a serving stop during Ale in Autumn and Wien About Winter.

But “Caturday” is Canalside’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Even though all the tattoo slots are taken, Ramsey and Blount said people can donate baskets for the raffle, or just make a donation towards the cause.

For more on Cat by Cat, click here. For more on the Caturday fundraiser, click here.