Press Release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – The Board of Trustees of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina has scheduled its annual meeting for 7 p.m. on Monday, May 11, at the library. It will be preceded by the regular meeting at 6 p.m.

The Board will present the Library’s Annual Report to the community as well as the proposed 2026-27 budget. Also on the annual meeting agenda will be the election of one member to the Board of Trustees. Stephen O’Dea is running for a new term.

The Board is proposing a total budget of $963,266 for 2026-27. This includes the first bond payment of $253,222 and an operating budget of $710,044.

The proposed increase to the tax levy is $20,456. The proposed increase is within the state-imposed tax cap allowance; the library has never exceeded the tax cap. The proposed tax levy of $622,795 comprises the majority of the library’s funding and is charged to all property owners in the Medina Central School District.

“Our goal is to provide a high level of service to the community at the lowest tax rate possible,” said Cynthia Kiebala, Board President. “We strive to keep the tax levy in check. This budget provides 2,760 hours of access, staffing, materials and programming.”

The proposed tax increase will primarily be used to offset increased costs for staffing, health insurance and utilities. This is also the first year for the bond repayment of $253,222. This will appear on your school taxes as a separate line from the Operating Budget levied for the library’s normal expenses.

The results of the budget vote will not change the bond levy amount.

Copies of the proposed budget and annual report to the community are available at the library.

Voting on the budget will take place at the library on Tuesday, May 12th from 12 noon until 8 p.m.

Residents of the Medina Central School District over the age of 18 are eligible to vote at the annual meeting and on the budget. Identification and proof of residence are required.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Officers of the Food Pantry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church are, from left, Michelle Capstick, president; Sally Grimm, volunteer coordinator; Kari Root, new board member and secretary; and Robin Dubai, food pantry coordinator. Absent is board member Marian Fry.

MEDINA – Behind the scenes at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church’s Food Pantry is a dedicated team of volunteers who give of their time and energy to make sure the food pantry is there for those who need it.

Pastor Sohail Akhtar of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church welcomes guests and gives the blessing at the annual luncheon Thursday honoring volunteers of the Food Pantry.

On Thursday, those volunteers were recognized at a luncheon sponsored by St. Peter’s Church.

Robin Dubai has overseen the food pantry for 32 years, with help from her husband Denny and Bob Maryjanowski, who do the heavy work and unload the Foodlink truck. Dubai’s sister Diane Mazur is also a volunteer.

Dubai said the community is generous and they have been very good to the food pantry. She also acknowledged Kathy Iorio’s contribution to the food pantry by doing the double bagging.

President Michelle Capstick has also taken over the treasurer’s duties formerly handled by Jim Hancock, until he retired in 2025 after 45 years. He continues to help by picking up food once a month which has been donated to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library for the pantry.

Dubai said the food pantry serves 60-65 families a month. It is open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday. Days it is not open, those in need of food can go The Vine on Maple Ridge Road.

St. Peter’s food pantry was originally started by Joe and Mary Jane Sczechowiak and Ginny Krownski, and was located in the kitchen and basement of the church parsonage, Dubai said. Dubai first became involved with stocking the shelves. She likes to recall one story of a mother and her children who came regularly to the food pantry.

“One day the oldest son took a big box of cereal out of the bag and said, ‘I’m going to put this under my bed, so when I get hungry at night, I’ll have something to eat.’ I never forgot that, and I’ve hoped some day a successful man would walk in and say that was him. I’d love to know where the family is and that they are doing well.”

Provided photo: Cleaning up Lions Park has been a tradition of Medina Lions for decades. Here Matt Kreutz, Lions Club chairman of the park cleanup (in the plaid shirt at right), poses with Boy Scouts from Troop 28 and Girl Scouts from Troop 82096, after finishing their work Saturday morning.

MEDINA – Medina Lions completed their cleanup of Lions Park on Saturday, with help from Boy Scout Troop 28 and Girl Scout Troop 82096.

The Lions thanked Tim Winters and the village of Medina, who brought mulch.

The Lions have been taking care of Lions Park for decades, said Lion Dean Bellack. He said they received a thank-you call from Mayor Deb Padoleski.

The cleanup was originally scheduled two weeks ago on April 25, but had to be postponed due to heavy rain.

Canal Village Farmers’ Market uses former NAPA site during cold weather months

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Dave Kusmierczak, left, buys a cabbage from Ron Human of Human Farms in Appleton. Human has been a vendor at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market since shortly after it opened more than 10 years ago.

MEDINA – On Saturday, the Canal Village Farmers’ Market will open at its summer location at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue, featuring new vendors, activities for children and special focus on events of interest to adults. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekly.

A handful of dedicated vendors have kept the market going since 2015, but to thrive, more vendors are needed and, most importantly, regular shoppers.

“Canal Village Farmers’ Market wants to grow both its vendor base and dedicated customer base,” said market manager Gail Miller. “Vendors won’t stay with the market if they do not have good sales, and attracting customers is not easy if there is not enough variety. The market has a great selection at this time, and will be adding some new vendors this season – another vegetable farm, flowers and crafts. Mushrooms will be back, as Baker Farms will begin selling Hartland Organics mushrooms. We are looking for a soap vendor, wineries and other unique items.”

Rose Baker of Baker Farms talks with market manager Gail Miller, right, while a customer looks on. Baker Farms on Beals Road raises and sells its own beef, pork and eggs.

Miller recommends watching the farmers’ market Facebook and Instagram pages to see all of the products available each week.

Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, sponsor of the market, urged community support of the venture.

“The market has been around for more than 10 years now,” Busch said. “In those earlier years we had more than 500 customers every Saturday, with many of the same vendors and products we have now. We really need our customers to recommit to supporting our community farmers’ market. It’s good for our farmers and producers, and good for the community. Our market isn’t the glitziest, but it has a lot to offer – great products, kids’ activities, live music – and this year we’re adding even more.”

This year’s vendors include Baker Farms (garlic, eggs, beef, pork and scapes); Bower Family Farm and Greenhouse (microgreens, maple syrup and jams); Hazel & Honey Bakes (scones, cookies and sourdough); Human Farms and Greenhouse (vegetables, fruit, eggs and plants); LockRidge Apiary (honey, bees wax); Kimbriel Farm (vegetables); Rosario Farm (fruit and vegetables); Flower Fields Forever (flowers); and crafts (MGERH, Metal Neurosis, EBS Luxuries and two others starting in mid-June.

This list does not show all products available.

A customer buys microgreens from Leonard Bower at Bower Family Farm’s booth at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina.

Special events planned for kids include, on opening day, a Kids’ Tent where they will show how to do a little art on a cup and plant several seeds in it. In June, the market will participate in Medina Area Partnership’s Faery Festival, and on July 3 the annual Zucchini 500 till take place. All ages are invited to attend this fun event.

Just for adults, on June 6 the market will have a limited number of spots available for folks who need an area to sell items during the Medina Community Yard Sale. Almost any type of merchandise can be sold at the market. In addition, adults will enjoy food demos throughout the season, given by chef Caitlyn from Shelridge County Club. Another event will be “Dog Days of Summer,” where people will vote for the best dog in certain categories. Additional events will be added later in the season, Miller said.

The market also offers free space to non-profits to promote their organization or cause.

For more information or to request a vendor spot, contact canalvillagemarket@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.

Sue Payne of Medina crochets doilies at her booth at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market at its winter site in the former NAPA Building.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Canal Basin is shown last summer with a houseboat, the Erie Floatel LLC, at left. Another boat owner wants to rent out a yacht as a short-term rental this canal season.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has two requests from boat owners to lease space in the Canal Basin this upcoming canal season.

But village officials first want input from the State Canal Corp., where there has been a big increase in using houseboats for short-term rentals on the Erie Canal, said Jeff Wagner, the Medina village trustee.

He has been speaking the Canal Corp. officials about how to best handle the requests. The new canal season starts on May 15 and goes until Oct. 14.

Medina approved a lease in its basin last summer for the Erie Floatel, LLC. That boat was operated by Andrew Meier and Svein Lilleby and it stayed on the south side of the canal, using one of the village’s floating docks.

Medina charged a lease fee of $220, plus another $100 for electric and water consumption for the season.

Rollin Hellner owns a 34-foot-long yacht that he would like to rent out through Airbnb. His father Brian Hellner ran a tour boat business from the Canal Basin but won’t be doing that this year. Rollin would like to keep his boat in the same slip where his father docked the North Star. This is the same boat that Rollin would like to rent out for overnight stays.

“We intend to operate under the same rules, requirements, and fee structure that have already been established and approved for vessel-based Airbnb operations within the Village,” Hellner said in a letter to the Village Board on April 13. “This will be a continuation of an established and successful lodging option that supports tourism and brings additional visitors to Medina’s waterfront and local businesses.”

The Erie Floatel, LLC made its debut in Medina last summer. It is available as a short-term rental directly on the Erie Canal.

Andrew Meier, in an April 13 letter to the board, said Erie Floatel had a great first year last summer with universally positive feedback, earning a rare “5.0 Guest Favorite” status on Airbnb. The houseboat will be exclusively listed on Airbnb and VRBO this year, without direct bookings, Meier said in a letter to the board.

The Erie Floatel is moored and not drivable by guests. There is a two-person maximum occupancy.

Meier offered to pay $500 towards utilities for the boat, up from the $100 in the initial lease.

“The houseboat resulted in many unique visitors to Medina through the course of the summer, who patronized local retail shops and eateries,” Meier write. “It further generated direct revenue to the Village in the form of nightly occupancy taxes. From all accounts, the enterprise was a ‘win-win.’”

Press Release, Velocitii

Jeff Brandt

MEDINA – Velocitii, a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company, is proud to announce its recognition as a recipient of the Top Workplaces 2026 award presented by Rochester Top Workplaces.

This year, Velocitii earned 14th place in the Mid-Size Company category, reflecting the organization’s continued commitment to building a strong, people-first workplace culture.

This recognition highlights Velocitii’s ongoing dedication to fostering employee engagement, supporting professional growth, and strengthening a culture centered on collaboration and accountability. Over the past year, the company has continued to invest in initiatives designed to enhance the employee experience, including expanded engagement programs, structured feedback channels, ongoing leadership development efforts, and continued refinement of internal recognition and growth opportunities.

“At Velocitii, we believe the best outcomes start with empowered people. When our teams feel supported, connected, and equipped to succeed, that impact carries through to every client we serve.” said Jeff Brandt, CIO at Velocitii. “Being recognized as a Top Workplace once again is an honor, and it reflects the progress we continue to make in building a more efficient, supportive, and employee-focused organization.”

This achievement underscores the importance of prioritizing employee satisfaction and engagement within the competitive BPO industry. Velocitii’s continued recognition as a Top Workplace reflects its commitment to building a sustainable culture where employees can grow, contribute meaningfully, and thrive.

About Velocitii:

We partner with brands and organizations to create opportunities, find new customers, generate revenue, and build powerful connections at every touchpoint. Velocitii delivers a complete suite of business services and excels in designing solutions that align with client business goals, strategy, and financial objectives. We thrive on managing complex customer interactions. Our culture empowers our agents, leading to reduced attrition and consistent attainment of performance goals.

Photos by Tom Rivers: St. John’s Episcopal Church is shown on Oct. 18 when the church was featured in an architectural tour to benefit the Cobblestone Museum. The stained-glass windows, some from the 1800s, are the earliest ones in Orleans County.

MEDINA – The annual “Sacred Sites” tour around the state will feature St. John’s Episcopal Church, one of the oldest churches in the county.

St. John’s also is known as “the church in the middle of the road” and has been featured on Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Provided photo: The church is one of the oldest in the region. Construction started in 1832 and was completed in 1838, with a bell tower added later.

St. John’s church began as St. Luke’s Mission in 1827, a result of a rapidly growing village and a group of men who felt spiritual guidance was needed. The Erie Canal was bringing progress and more people along its path.

Construction was started in 1832 with the Medina sandstone quarried from the banks of the Erie Canal. The building was completed, except for the tower, in 1838.

St. John’s will be part of the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s 16th annual Sacred Sites Open House on May 16 & 17. Visitors are welcome to explore the extraordinary architecture, art and history of diverse houses of worship across New York.

This year’s theme is “Holding Community Memories,” and participating sites will showcase their buildings, histories, and community programs through guided tours, lectures, musical performances, and by opening their archives, the Conservancy stated.

“Open House Weekend is an invitation to explore the architecture, art, and history within religious buildings in your community,” says Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy.  “It’s an easy and enjoyable way to be a tourist in your own town.”

To date, congregations participating from the Western New York region in Sacred Sites include:

Buffalo

• Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 317 Leroy Avenue, Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark Street – Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, May 17, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Niagara Falls

• Niagara Heritage of Hope and Service, Home of Historic Holy Trinity, 1419 Falls Street – Sunday, May 17, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Medina

• St. John’s Episcopal Church, 200 E Center Street – Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about the New York Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites Open House, visit nylandmarks.org.

St. John’s, shown during the Oct. 18 open house, will offer guided tours and music on May 16 as well as games for children.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A crew from Suit-Kote Corporation mills Ohio Street on Tuesday morning, the street where Medina Memorial Hospital is located.

Suit-Kote also milled parts of Park Avenue and West Avenue this week, and could do paving on the three streets next week if the weather cooperates.

“Whenever we get a stretch of good weather in the next week or so we will be paving those streets back,” said Jason Watts, superintendent of the Village of Medina Department of Public Works.

The village is doing these milling and paving projects now, and could add more since it knows its CHIPS funding in the new state budget. Watts said he expects Keeler Construction of Barre will do more milling and paving in the village after Medina’s road construction funding is known.

This photo shows Park Avenue being blocked to traffic near Pine Street Park on Tuesday after the top layer of asphalt was removed.

Provided photo: A crowd filled Ridgeway Fire Hall on April 25 for a meat raffle to benefit Medina Rotary’s Scholarship Fund.

MEDINA – The Medina Rotary’s recent fundraiser will result in one or two Medina High School seniors receiving financial aid to further their education.

According to event chair Cindy Hewitt, the meat raffle held April 25 at Ridgeway Fire Hall was a success and will support the Medina Rotary Scholarship Fund. Approximately 100 people attended the raffle for fun and giving back, as well as the opportunity to win meat.

The event was hosted in partnership with Western New York Meat Raffles, with meat prizes sourced from the Market in the Square in Tonawanda.

The fund provides scholarships to students planning to enter college or a trade school.

Students still have time to apply for a scholarship this school year. The deadline in June 1, and applications can be completed online by logging on to https://www.medinarotary.org/medina-rotary-scholarship/, then clicking on “Medina Rotary Scholarship” and “Application.”

“The Medina Rotary Club extends its sincere thanks to its event sponsors and to the entire community for their continued support of Rotary fundraisers,” Hewitt said.

The next Rotary fundraiser will be their annual “Ribs and Ribs BBQ” on May 16 at Medina Lanes, drive-thru only. Tickets are available at Main Liquor, Art Hill Excavating or from any Medina Rotarian.

The next meat raffle has been scheduled for March 6, 2027.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Joe Blake, left, is new owner of the Coffee Pot Café, which he runs with help from son Colby.

MEDINA – A popular gathering spot in Medina is now open under new management and a new name.

The Coffee Pot Café at 114 East Center St. was recently sold to Joe Blake of North Tonawanda and is now known as Cuppa Joe.

The business was started by Hans and Dan Rosentrater, who have since branched off into other interests. Hans runs Hans Bakery on Main Street, and Dan plans to open a bicycle rental business in the basement of the bakery.

Blake is very familiar with Medina, having worked with COVA, he said. He met his wife Ann Pritchard, a teacher, here.

The decision to buy the Coffee Pot Café was a quick and confident one, Blake said.

“I saw the post Dan put on Facebook a month ago,” Blake said. “I talked to my wife and she said to go for it. I love my other job, but I want to be able to relax and enjoy life. This is a lot of work and responsibility now, but at the end of the day when you see your accomplishments, it’s worth it.”

Blake came out and watched the flow, and talked to Dan, he said.

“Hardly a month later, we closed the deal,” Blake said.

Son Colby runs the café when his father is at his regular job. On weekends and in the summer, Ann will help with the business.

“This has the laid-back atmosphere I like,” Blake said.

Joe also shared his wife’s father used to own Western Auto in Middleport with Hans’ grandfather.

“When I introduced my wife to Hans, she realized the connection,” Blake said. “The thing I like about Medina is the family atmosphere here. I love the music on Main Street, the Parade of Lights and the waterfall. The waterfall has been my ‘happy place’ for 25 years.”

He said his past experience has been in running a business and serving the public, and he’s looking forward to continuing that at his new venture.

He is working on a new menu and expanding it to include a kids’ menu.

“Medina has a big home-schooled community and I want to do something special for them one day a week,” Blake said.

He has introduced parfaits, which are going over very big, he said. He is also planning to add salads and wraps.

New hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and next month he will be open until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

All the former employees who wanted to stay with the new ownership are there, and Blake has brought on one or two more.

“We are coming into the busy season, with nicer weather, and I want to capitalize on that,” he said.

He’s looking to add music and has a friend who sings Americana and canal songs.

“We are very thankful to the community for their support,” Blake said. “It has been overwhelming.”

He said he doesn’t plan to make any drastic changes – just little things along the way.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Nathan Pace and his wife Margaret will be closing the Medina law office of Mack & Pace on May 31 for a three-year sabbatical while they lead a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guatemala City.

MEDINA – Nathan and Margaret Pace are following a higher calling beginning this summer when they take a break from the Mack & Pace law firm for three years to lead a Mormon mission based in Guatemala City.

They will lead the mission’s 180 to 200 full-time missionaries, young adults who are often on their first extended time away from their families.

Over the three years, the couple expects to work with 400 to 500 missionaries, with new groups of 24 young men and woman coming in every six weeks. The missionaries serves between 18 to 24 months.

“We are so excited,” Mrs. Pace said. “We have loved young people our whole lives. I cannot wait to get there.”

The law firm will close for three years. Mr. Pace said he expects the office will reopen on July 1, 2029.

While they are gone, Tom Seaman, a Lockport attorney, will maintain documents – wills, trusts, powers of attorney.

“We have a solid plan that our clients will be taken care,” Pace said. “I love my clients. We have thousands of people that we have worked with and helped through the most difficult times in their lives.”

He hasn’t taken on new criminal cases, but the office will continue to do estate planning, power of attorney and health proxy until May 31. He and his wife fly out to Guatemala on June 14. The Paces will have a short transition with the current leaders before they take over.

Provided photo: Nathan and Margaret Pace have raised their six children in Medina. Beginning on July 1, they will lead 180 to 200 young adults over three years in Guatemala.

Nathan Pace, 60, said he is grateful for the chance to serve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in such a big role. He has learned Spanish and has been studying the Guatemalan culture.

“Guatemalans are the most humble people,” he said. “And they have the best food.”

Nathan will stand out in the crowd. He is 6 foot, 7 inches. That towers over the average man at 5’ 3’’.

“I will be a giant,” he said.

He knows the two-year mission assignments can be critical for young Mormons to embrace their faith and also to serve others. The missionaries in his charge will work in an urban environment and also out in the jungle areas. Guatemala City has 3.3 million people – and more than 30 volcanoes.

Pace was born in Wyoming, but moved to Medina when he was a boy after his father, James Pace, was transferred to the FMC plant in Middleport.

Nathan said he loved growing up in Medina. He went to Brigham Young University and met his wife, who from North Carolina. Nathan served his mission commitment in Spain for two years, and he said the president of the mission had a tremendous positive influence on him.

Nathan and Margaret spent the first 12 years of their marriage in Salt Lake City where he was an attorney, a city councilman and a judge pro tem.

Their goal was to raise their children in Medina. Their six children graduated from Medina. The Paces have 13 grandchildren.

Nathan for the past 21 years has teamed with Tom Mack to run the law practice at 534 Main Street, Suite 6. Margaret Pace is a paralegal and office manager of the law practice.

Nathan also has been active in his church, first as a leader of a congregation in Lockport and then as president of nine congregations in Western New York.

He then was picked as part of the Area 70 leadership in the Northeast from North Carolina to Canada. Nearly every weekend he was gone, doing leadership trainings and working with Mormon members. He was often away Friday morning to Sunday night or Monday morning.

Pace’s tenure as an Area 70 leader ended last Aug. 1 and he thought life would slow down a little. He and Margaret became certified scuba divers and went on vacations.

But a new opportunity would be presented in January: to live in Guatemala City and lead the mission for an area of 4.5 million people including the city and more remote areas.

Nathan and Margaret welcomed the opportunity to serve in the volunteer role for the next three years.

“It may seem crazy but every adult should do something crazy,” Mrs. Pace said. “It’s everything we love all wrapped into one. It’s the most amazing thing.”

Pace said he will bring his skills as a planner to the assignment as well as one who enjoys working with other people.

“Fundamentally, it’s sharing the love of Jesus Christ and the willingness to love the people,” he said.

He is grateful his wife will be with him as the lead the mission.

They will strive to monitor the physical, mental and spiritual health of the young missionaries.

The Paces said they will be doing frequent Zoom video conferencing with the parents of the Mormon missionaries, letting them know how their children are doing. They know the anxiety when a young adult goes away as a missionary for two years.

Their son Levi served in Uruguay in southeastern South America bordering Argentina; Nate was in inner city Chicago; Lincoln served in Ecuador; and Isaac recently finished a two-year commitment in Peru.

Mr. Pace said he and his wife have been studying the photos and bios of the 180 missionaries who will be in Guatemala City when they start as the leaders.

“We pray for them every day,” Nathan said. “And not only for them, but that we’ll be sensitive to their needs. We are so enthusiastic and optimistic and looking forward to these relationships.”

Budget includes $300K profit from sale of ladder truck

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Village Board approved the village’s new budget on Monday for 2026-27. From left includes trustees Jeff Wagner and Jess Marciano, clerk/treasurer Jada Burgess, mayor Debbie Padoleski, and trustees Mark Prawel and Scott Bieliski.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board on Monday approved the village’s budget for 2026-27 that shrunk a tax increase from 22 percent in the tentative budget on April 13 to a final figure of 1.3 percent.

The budget is boosted by $300,000 in profit from the sale of a new ladder truck. Medina also will be spared about $130,000 from making the first bond payment for the truck.

To net a $300,000 profit, the village would need to sell the truck for $2.1 million. The village already has received offers for $2 million for the truck without any advertisement, said trustee Scott Bieliski. The board said on Monday it will reaching out to three different brokers to try to maximize the price for the new truck. The broker would get 1 percent of the sale, or about $20,000 and that fee may be paid by the buyer, Bieliski said.

Medina is looking to sell the truck, which will spare it from the $130,000 annual payments over 20 years and also save the village from taking on the expense of an addition to the fire hall to house the truck. The truck is too big for the existing fire hall.

The village budget was adopted unanimously by the board on Monday. It preserves all existing village positions. The budget a year ago eliminated four firefighter positions and also didn’t fill a vacancy in the DPW. The board also cut the K9 program and withdrew from having the Medina PD as the school resource officer.

The budget for 2026-27 increases spending in the general fund by 2.0 percent from $7,723,296 to $7,877,764. The tax levy is up by 1.29 percent or $50,418 from $3,910,344 to $3,960,762.

The tax rate will increase by 21.5 cents from $13.995 to $14.21 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The village’s tax base decreased by $690,258 from $279,406,911 to $278,716,653. New townwide reassessments won’t take effect in the village until the 2027-28 budget.

The new budget was the first one for Steve Cooley as fire chief and Christian Navas as the police chief. They both thanked the board and Jada Burgess, the clerk/treasurer, for their assistance with the budget.

Mayor Debbie Padoleski said the department heads all attended extra meetings and worked hard with the board to reach the final spending plan.

The board also approved the water fund budget, which is up 1.1 percent or by $23,395 – from $2,210,778 to $2,234,173.

Medina also adopted the sewer fund budget, which increased by 8.7 percent or by $118,133 – from $1,360,558 to $1,478,691.

The village’s new fiscal year starts on June 1.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Victoria Chatfield of Williamsville watches as Mackenzie Sullivan of Medina buys a book from author Ed Ashton during an Independent Bookstore Day event at Author’s Note in Medina. Chatfield comes to the store at least four times a month and belongs to every book club there, she said.

MEDINA – It was five years ago to the day when Julie Berry and her husband Phil opened Author’s Note at 519 Main St.

As the store celebrated Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, Berry, who is also an author, said she could never have imagined its success.

“It’s been so joyful,” she said. “I am thrilled to feel so much love and support from our customers and community.”

Not only were visiting authors busy selling and signing their books, but customers were finding many other books of interest, including Berry’s latest novel If Looks Could Kill, which debuted on the  New York Times Best Selling list.

(Left) Chrissy Bloom of Albion buys books for her kids during Independent Bookstore Day Saturday at Author’s Note. (Right) Scott Robinson of Medina brought son Roux to Author’s Note on Saturday to meet Crush, the therapy dog, whose owner/trainer Wendi Pencille has written a book about him.

Customers and the community came out on Saturday, the store’s fifth Independent Bookstore Day, during which they welcomed authors Kate Hosford of Brooklyn, Ed Ashton of upstate New York, Pembroke School librarian David Neth and Wendi Pencille of Shelby.

Ashton said he and his wife Jennifer, a professor at Brockport State College, enjoy coming to Author’s Note and Medina.

“It’s a beautiful store and town,” he said.

Chrissy Bloom of Albion came to buy books for her kids.

“I’m glad I came,” she said, as she deposited a stack of books on counter.

Ashley Harnish of North Tonawanda, center, holds the Golden Ticket she found hidden at Author’s Note, during Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday. The prize earned her 12 free audio books. With her, at left, are Amanda Tarsdale and Katie Edwards, right, both of Medina.

Many book club members came as a group, including Victoria Chatfield of Williamsville.

“I come here at least four times a month,” Chatfield said. “I belong to every book club here.”

McKenzie Sullivan of Medina said their entire book club met for lunch at Zambistro’s, then came to Author’s Note, where she picked up Ashton’s latest book and had it autographed.

“I’m enjoying this little independent bookstore,” Chatfield added. “I like to shop local. Our book club member come from three or four counties.”

As an added attraction, Berry had hidden a golden ticket somewhere in the store, which was discovered by Ashley Harnish of North Tonawanda, who visiting the store with her book club friends Amanda Tarsdale and Katie Edwards of Medina. She won 12 audio books, which she loves, she said.

Wendi Pencille came to the book signing with her therapy dog Crush, the subject of her first book, Crush Finds His Place.

Author’s Note owner and best-selling author Julie Berry, kneels down to kiss Crush, the St. Bernard therapy dog owned by Wendi Pencille, left. Pencille signed copies of her first book, Crush Finds His Place, during Independent Bookstore Day.

The idea to write a book came about when Pencille and her therapy dog were visiting Bornhava, a preschool in Snyder which deals with children with disabilities.

“They cannot find hard cover books, so I decided to write one,” Pencille said.

In it are pictures of the children.

Proceeds of her book will go to Bornhava and the CNC Learning Center in Amherst.

Pencille said when she starts training a therapy dog, they pull its tails and step on its toes, things a young child would do. So when children actually do those things, the dog thinks nothing of it.

Copies of her book and those of the other authors are all available at Author’s Note or by visiting AuthorsNote.com or e-mailing info@authorsnote.com.

Provided photo: This is the group of kids Andrew Szatkowski was able to get to the Salvation Army’s summer camp last year. He needs $2,000 this year, and volunteer chaperones to ride down and back.

MEDINA – Andrew Szatkowski’s lifetime passion has been helping children have a happy childhood. He was instrumental in starting a corporate toy challenge to benefit Community Action’s holiday giveaway.

While participating in the toy drive, he became acquainted with Annette Finch, who at the time managed the Red Kettle drive at Community Action for The Salvation Army. He learned from Finch about a Salvation Army camp on the banks of Seneca Lake in Penn Yan. Children from Orleans County could go and spend a week at Long Point Camp.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Andew Szatkowski, although busy as the new general manager of Hinspergers Poly Industries, still finds time to pursue his passion of helping children attend summer camp.

There used to be a Salvation Army camp in Kendall – Camp Troutburg, which catered to children in lower-income families.

While Camp Troutburg has closed, The Salvation Army continues to provide summer camp at Long Point Camp. It has become Szatkowski’s current mission to sending kids to summer camp in Penn Yan. Attending camp is already financed by donations to the Red Kettle Campaign, but Szatkowski is trying to raise $2,000 for transportation to get the children to camp and home again.

“As a kid I went to camp at Camp Troutburg and I loved it,” Szatkowski said. “A lot of kids in Orleans County went there, and I know there are a lot of kids here now who would enjoy Long Point Camp and benefit from it.”

Anyone wishing to donate to help with cost of transporting kids to camp may contact Szatkowski at aszat74@yahoo.com or by calling (585) 205-0581. They also may bring donations payable to The Salvation Army to open enrollment nights at Hoag Library from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 14, 21 and 28.

Szatkowski will be there to help any family register and to answer questions. Registration for camp must be done online. Any money collected over the required amount will be used towards next year’s season.

Eligible children must be between 6 and 12. The camping week is Monday through Friday.

Camping activities include swimming, arts and crafts, canteen, evening programs, hiking, outdoor living, kayaking, music, sports and recreation, archery, a gaga pit and more.

Ann Vail, service extension director for the camp, said they can accommodate 192 youth a week. They are fully staffed, she said.

She said attendance dropped after Covid. The camp reopened in 2023 and is continuing to grow. She said Orleans County kids are being targeted for the last week in July.