Photo by Tom Rivers: Two people walk along the north wall in Medina this afternoon with the Horan Road canal bridge in the background. The local foliage is still mainly green, but the more colors are starting to spread with each passing week.

Some parts of the state are getting in the beginning of peak fall foliage. That’s in the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Locally, I Love NY reports most of the GLOW region is in the “just changing” stage.

A spotter for I Love NY reports “10% change in Albion with average to bright red, orange and yellow leaves.”

I Love NY provided this update on Wednesday of fall foliage around the state.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Sherry Tuohey Sipple, left, enjoys coffee and conversation with the new pastor of the Grove United Methodist Church in Medina, Barb Brewer.

MEDINA – The new pastor of the Grove United Methodist Church brings a bushel of energy and a ton of new ideas to the congregation.

Pastor Barb Brewer grew up in Lockport and graduated from Penn State with a degree in civil engineering.

“I spent 25 years as a civil engineer,” Brewer said. “Then I retired and opened a coffee house and café in Lockport.”

During that time, she said God was calling her and putting people in her way who led her to the ministry. She enrolled in United Theological Seminary.

Brewer grew up in the Lutheran church and attended regularly with her family. As a teenager, she became involved with Lockport Alliance Church.

“That’s when I accepted Christ in my heart and have carried on as a Christian all of my life,” Brewer said.

She started her duties at the Grove on Aug. 1, and since has instituted several new activities, including Christian Conversation and Coffee Thursday mornings at the Coffee Pot Café. She issues an open invitation for anyone to join from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The sessions feature small devotions and conversation.

“I was hired half-time, but am working full time,” she said. “I’m here to serve and I visit the sick and take them communion.”

In addition to several new activities at the church, she has more planned. Last Saturday they had a campfire at the church, with s’mores.

“Basically, I put fun into worship,” the pastor said. “I put humor into all my sermons.”

Before coming to Medina, Brewer served the Alden United Methodist Church and Brocton Tri-Church Parish, made up of two Methodist churches and an Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Brocton church suffered a devastating fire which leveled the church.

When the District Superintendent contacted Brewer, she told her, “Have I got an assignment for you.”

Brewer took to her new assignment in Brocton and put her engineering degree to good use, designing a new church and negotiated with the insurance company to get the money to rebuild.

Some of the things coming up at the Grove are a Tailgate Party after worship on Oct. 26; Trivia Night with a potluck supper on Nov. 15; and the Lunch Bunch from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, featuring cheese and crackers and dessert.

“I’m just feeling my way now,” Brewer said. “I believe if we show the community how active we are, the community will want to join us. God made a perfect fit when I came here. I needed this church as much as they needed me, and we are stronger than ever because of it.”

In addition to welcoming their new pastor, member Sherry Tuohey Sipple and Brewer want to take this opportunity to thank the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company for their response to several potential crises at the church.

At the back of the church property are motel units, which are now used for storage. In May, it had been very rainy and the motel basement flooded. The church called Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company and they responded, pumping 30,000 gallons of water out of the basement.

Tuohey said the motel units date back to the 1960s when the restaurant was open, and the church is considering other options for the building.

Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company responded again on several occasions when the motel’s fire alarms went off – sometimes in the middle of the night, for no apparent reason.

“We are thankful they were false alarms,” Sipple said. “We are blessed to have these volunteer firemen dedicated to service in our community.”

Ridgeway will be responding again soon with Medina and other volunteer fire companies to deliver the red barrels for the annual Christmas drive.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ABOARD THE SENECA CHIEF – Terry Abrams, Orly the Ox, Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Deputy Mayor Jess Marciano wave to people along the Erie Canal in medina on Thursday afternoon.

A replica of the historic Seneca Chief canal boat, the one that made the maiden voyage across the Erie Canal, is embarking on a commemorative trip over 33 days in honor of the canal’s bicentennial.

The Seneca Chief left Buffalo on Wednesday morning and stayed at Lockport that night. On Thursday, the boat travelled east to Medina.

Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers was on board the boat from Middleport to Medina. Here on some photos from that trip, which included many onlookers who were taking photos and welcoming the Seneca Chief. The boat is on a 33-day journey and will end in New York City on Oct. 26, the exact 200^-year anniversary of the original voyage with Gov. DeWitt Clinton in 1825.

These people record the Seneca Chief working its way down the canal. This spot is just east of Middleport.

These cyclists wave to the Seneca Chief contingent.

Ginny Kropf, a long-time local reporter, didn’t want to miss the Seneca Chief as it came to Medina.

This group waves to the people on board the Seneca Chief.

Mark Prawel, a village trustee and mechanic, took a short break from working on cars to see the boat pass by near the lift bridge in Medina.

Some people are on the Glenwood Avenue bridge in medina to see the boat come through. The mural was created by Brandi Zavitz.

John Kucko, who has a very popular social media presence, was at the north wall in the Canal Basin to record the boat coming to Medina.

The boat approaches its destination at the Canal Basin. There were about 200 people there to welcome the boat and then get a tour.

The boat will be on the move going east today. It is expected in Albion around 11:30 a.m., Holley at 1:30 p.m. and then in Brockport around 3-3:30.

Replica of maiden canal boat recreating historic voyage from 200 years ago

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Mayor Marguerite Sherman of Medina pours water from the canal in Medina into a barrel that will collect water from each stop the Seneca Chief makes along the canal as part of a 33-day trip to New York City.

The “Gathering of the Waters” differs from the original “Wedding of the Waters” when Gov. DeWitt Clinton poured water from Lake Erie into New York Harbor in 1825, following the maiden journey along the completed canal.

Sherman is joined on the deck of the Seneca Chief by Paul Winnie of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Medina Deputy Mayor Jess Marciano, and Terry Abrams, a Tonawanda Seneca and the curator of the Niagara County Historical Society.

Terry Abrams, a Tonawanda Seneca and the curator of the Niagara County Historical Society, collects water from the Erie Canal in Medina after the replica Seneca Chief tied up in the Canal Basin. That water was then added to the barrel that will gather more water along its bicentennial commemoration of the Erie Canal.

Water will be collected at each port  in the commemorative trip and it will be poured on a freshly planted Eastern White Pine tree in NYC. As part of the commemorative trip along the canal, an Eastern White Pine is being given to each port stop.

Medina next week will plant its Eastern White Pine at State Street Park close to the Erie Canal.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman stands on the deck of the Seneca Chief and welcomes about 200 people who were at the Basin to welcome the replica boat.

About 200 volunteers with the Buffalo Maritime Center handcrafted the boat over four years. The replica boat is 73 feet long and weighs 44 tons.

It left Buffalo on Wednesday and is headed to New York City on Oct. 26, which is exactly 200 years from when DeWitt Clinton commenced the inaugural voyage.

The Seneca Chief will leave Medina in the morning and head east through Orleans County with its final destination for the day in Brockport.

It is expected to stop in Albion around 11:30 a.m. and in Holley at 1:30 p.m.

Terry Abrams shares how the Erie Canal opened up the state and the west, fueling Manifest Destiny. However, it displaced many Native Americans.

As part of the commemorative voyage, the Buffalo Maritime Center is acknowledging the impact on the Indigenous residents. It also is giving an Eastern White Pine to each port site. Those trees are the Great Tree of Peace in the Haudenosaunee culture.

Roger Allen, the master boatbuilder at the Buffalo maritime Center, talks with crew members as they get close to the Canal Basin in Medina.

The bow of the boat is shown after the replica Seneca Chief left Middleport and headed to Medina. The lift bridge in Middleport is shown in the distance.

The Seneca Chief is shown in the countryside between Middleport and Medina. The replica packet boat is pulled by the tugboat, C.L. Churchill.

The Churchill and Seneca Chief’s location can be tracked by clicking here.

Paul Winnie was grateful for the opportunity to be on the Seneca Chief from Middleport to Medina. He stands on the deck of the Seneca Chief as it passes by the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge. Winnie spoke at the Medina commemoration and highlighted the planting of the tree as a sign of peace.

“The message is we all need to bury our quarrels and bad language under this tree so we can make this place better for the next generation,” he said.

About 200 people greeted the Seneca Chief as it pulled up at the Canal Basin. Orly the Ox, the county’s bicentennial mascot, was aboard as a special guest. Orleans County also is celebrating its bicentennial this year.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol provided an escort for the Seneca Chief as it approached Medina and the Canal Basin.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Mayor Marguerite Sherman, center, leads a group in downtown Medina this morning after they saw the inside of the Bent’s Opera House, which has been dramatically transformed into a restaurant, hotel and event venue.

There were about 85 people in medina today as part of the World Canals Conference in Buffalo. The conference split up into four different field trips today.

Medina and Lockport were one stop with a focus on how history, preservation and the arts can lead to economic revitalization.

Sherman during her remarks to the group said many in Medina contribute to the community’s success. She said Medina is fortunate to have many committed downtown business owners, and civic groups that plan events and help beautify the business district.

This group visited the First Baptist Church of Medina, which was built from 1870 to 1873 and is one of 43 sites in the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.

The canal enthusiasts took a look inside the historic Baptist Church. While in Medina, the group of 85 split into four different groups.

The Medina Triennial was a stop on the tour. The Triennial will bring a major art initiative into the community in 2026. The Triennial building will serve as the “Hub” for cultural programming.

In the downtown, the group also toured the Shirt Factory building which has a café, boutique hotel and law offices.

Photo courtesy of Isabella Zasa: The tour included a stop at one of the marvels of the canal system, the Canal Culvert in Ridgeway. This is the only place where vehicles can drive under the canal.

Photo by Aidin Bharti/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul – Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks on Monday during the opening of the World Canals Conference in Buffalo, which is during the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial year.

MEDINA – The World Canals Conference is in Buffalo this week, and today a group of about 85 people will be in Medina as one of four field visits with the conference.

In Medina, the group will visit the Medina Triennial headquarters, the Bent’s Opera House, Canal Culvert in Ridgeway, the First Baptist Church, Shirt Factory and downtown. The group will be on two buses and will head over to visit Lockport around noon.

The Medina-Lockport field trip has a focus on how art and history have helped spur downtown revitalization.

Other field trips include North Tonawanda and Lockport with a focus on waterfront revitalization and economic development; Niagara Falls and the Welland Canal with a focus on the Underground Railroad and freedom seekers who crossed the Niagara River to live in Canada.

A field session in Brockport and Fairport shows how those canal communities use the historic waterway for recreation, access, and accessibility.

The Seneca Chief, a replica of the Erie Canal boat that carried Gov. DeWitt Clinton across the canal for its maiden voyage in 1825, will depart Buffalo on Wednesday morning to recreate the governor’s famous trip from 200 years ago.

The Seneca Chief will embark on a 33-day journey that will end in New York City on Oct. 26, the official anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal. The boat will reach Medina on Thursday and stay overnight before continuing east on Friday to Brockport.

During remarks on Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted 2025 as the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial year. About 500 people are in Buffalo for the conference.

“The Erie Canal is more than a waterway; it is a symbol of perseverance and progress,” Hochul said. “Two hundred years ago, it stood as a marvel for innovation and determination fueling America’s growth and opening pathways of opportunity. Today, as we celebrate its bicentennial, I am honored to welcome the world to Buffalo, my hometown, for the 2025 World Canals Conference. Together, we will carry forward the Erie Canal’s legacy as a global symbol of connection, commerce, and possibility for the next century and beyond.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Seneca Chief is shown in Medina on Aug. 12, 2024. The boat is a reproduction of the original 73-foot-long Seneca Chief boat that opened the Erie Canal in 1825. It was the first boat to travel the canal from Buffalo to New York City. It will be back in medina on Thursday before heading east on Friday to Brockport.

Photos courtesy of Friends of Boxwood: The Burroughs family plot is shown at left. Shawna Baldwin recites Edgar Allan Poe (right).

Press Release, Friends of Boxwood Cemetery

MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, in Medina, are excited to announce the fourth annual, “Boxwood at Night: See the Cemetery in a New Light.”

This year’s event will be on October 4. Tickets cost $20 and there will be two time slots: 7 to 8 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. The time slots are when you can enter. Once you are checked in, you are welcome to stay until the event ends at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are limited to the first 300 people so you will want to get your tickets before they sell out.

“Guests will take a leisurely walk through the cemetery at their own pace in a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere,” said event co-chair, Nicole Bensley. “I’m especially excited by the new entertainment and the partnership with Paradise Fest NY to provide even more dramatic lighting to the cemetery.”

This is the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery’s biggest fundraiser of the year and the funds will go to completing the Potter’s Field memorial.

Tickets are available during business hours at the English Rose Tea Shoppe and Thistle Ridge – both places are on Main Street in Medina. Tickets will also be available at the Canal Village Farmers Market in Medina on Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. As an added convenience, you may also purchase tickets using a credit card by going online.

Raffle tickets will also be available to purchase at the Farmers Market booth and again at the event.

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO Art!

“We are proud to partner once again with GO Art! to make this a special event for the community,” said Robbie Klino, president of the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery. “It is through their generous support, and the support of businesses and individuals throughout the community that will allow us to put on a spectacular night of entertainment featuring several local artists.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band was among 10 marching bands that performed on Saturday during Medina’s home show, the Fall Festival of Bands.

The top photo shows Raelynn Baker, a member of the Color Guard.

Medina has about 80 students in the band. They compete in the Small School, Division 1. Medina scored 72.450 points for first place in that division.

Medina’s program is entitled, “Fragile World – The Way We Were.” The program includes selections from “Raging Machines” by Brian Balmages, “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand, and “Winds of Change” by Randall Standridge.

The band enters the field at Vets Park for its performance. There are about 80 students in the band that is directed by Matt Jaeger.

Carmen Stalker serves as drum major of this year’s band. She is shown leading the group on Saturday.

The front end ensemble follows the drum major’s lead.

Mackenzie Poynter is a senior member of the Color Guard.

The trumpeters brought a big sound to the show. River Jones, left, was one of the featured performers on Saturday.

Natalie Herbert, left, and Ella Crooks show their skills tossing the wooden rifles as part of Medina’s Color Guard.

Lyla Page serves as the backfield conductor for the Mustangs.

Kylee McMullen smiles after a segment in Medina’s show.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Webster Marching Band closes out Saturday’s Fall Festival of Bands in Medina, which featured 10 marching bands from Western New York and the Rochester area.

About 1,000 people attended the event. The bands compete in the New York State Field Band Conference which culminates on Oct. 26 with the championships in Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Jayliana Wilson, drum major for the Greece Marching Band, signals to judges that the marching band is ready to perform during the Fall Festival of Bands. Greece performs in the Large School, Division 2 category.

The scores for the bands on Saturday include:

• Small School 3 – 1. Marcus Whitman, 68.000; 2. Pioneer, 66.400; and 3. Falconer-Frewsburg, 66.150

• Large School 3 – 1. Hilton, 68.800

• Large School 2 – 1. Lancaster, 76.500; 2. Greece, 76.150; 3. West Seneca, 73.300; and 4. Orchard Park, 73.050.

• Small School 1 – 1. Medina, 72.450

• National – 1. Webster, 79.450

The Medina Marching Band features about 80 students. The theme of this year’s show is “Fragile World.” “It starts out dark and mysterious, with voiceovers about a fragile and frail society. Near the end the mood turns joyous.

Braedan Signorino, drum major for the Falconer and Frewsburg marching band, leads the group in performing “Through the Storm.” This is the ninth year the two schools have worked together for a field band program.

Pioneer presented a show, “Pure Imagination,” which featured music from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.

Marcus Whitman performed “I’m Mortal” featuring music by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The Hilton Crimson Cadets Marching Band presented “Sweet Dreams.”

The Marching Legends of Lancaster performed “Vacancy on 13,” a show focused on superstition and bad luck where many hotels do not have a 13^th floor.

Orchard Park performed “Color and Light” which combined classic musical theater and contemporary classical music.

Greece performed “Into the Storm” – a journey through Mother Nature’s unpredictability of mayhem and beauty that lies ahead.

West Seneca’s marching band presented “Inspiration.”

Webster brings out some of the props for its show, “In times of …” which explores human experience in innocence, struggle, loss and reflection.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Brad Zacher and his son Henry, 5, build a fort with the giant LEGO blocks during Saturday’s special event at Sacred Heart Club.

MEDINA – A first-time LEGO/Building Bricks event sponsored by Medina Tourism at Sacred Heart Club was a resounding success, according to Kathy Blackburn, a member of the Tourism Committee.

“It’s been great. We had quite a turnout,” Blackburn said.

Jan Smith, a member of the Tourism Committee, brought the idea to the Committee and they jumped at it.

The event featured several components – assorted building blocks for children (and adults) to play with at Sacred Heart Club; a competition between first-, second- and third-graders at Roy-Hart and Medina school districts; prizes for everyone who brought in a LEGO creation; displays by Roclug (a Rochester LEGO user group) and local merchant Shawn Ramsey; an I Spy game sponsored by Lee-Whedon Memorial Library; a building table; a sensory area; and a scavenger hunt at downtown merchants.

LEGO and Building Bricks competitions are a big deal, in places like Rochester where there is Roclug. In Medina, Shawn Ramsey from Canalside Tattoo, with friends Sam Vella and Tyler Vercruysse are starting a hobby club to get people interested in LEGOs and Building Bricks.

Members of the Roclug LEGO building group out of Rochester sit with their giant display of creations they brought to Sacred Heart Club on Saturday. From left are Robert Herberger, Chuck Frueh and Shyra Murphy, all of Geneva.

At Roclug’s table, Robert Herberger, Chuck Frueh and Shyra Murphy of Geneva discussed their interest in building blocks.

“I have been into LEGOs since I was 6,” Frueh said. “Then about five years ago a set came out to build a typewriter. When LEGO Masters television show came out, I discovered there are LEGO conventions, and I started looking for one nearby. I found Rochester and signed up. Since then, LEGOs have taken over my life.”

Saturday, they had an entire table set up with LEGO displays they have created.

“What I hoped today was to meet some like-minded LEGO enthusiasts in hopes of making contact with others who would like to get together and create displays about the Medina community,” Ramsey said.

Shawn Ramsey of Canalside Tattoo, left, Sam Vella and Tyler Vercruysse (not shown) also had a large display of their LEGO collection. They hope to start a LEGO building group in Medina.

Medina art teacher Jen Scott’s sculpture class submitted multiple entries, which were then judged by popular vote. First place was a structure titled “Medina Sandstone,” and winning students were Sophie Kroenig, Payton Denniston, Elaina Bruce, Anna Saj and Jordan Olson.

Second place was a “Worker Boat,” created by Jordon Olson, Brady Brandt and Wyett Gunthaner.

Third place, “Canal Locks” was created by Eli Biesinger.

(Left) Photo by Ginny Kropf: Kathy Blackburn and Barb Gorham hold one of the certificates given to each entrant in the LEGO event sponsored by Medina Tourism Committee. (Right) Photo courtesy of Kathy Blackburn: The winning entry in the LEGO competition at Sacred Heart Club on Sunday was this building titled “Sandstone,” by Sophie Kroenig, Payton Denniston, Elaina Bruce, Anna Saj and Jordon Olson.

Two participants were Brad Zacher and his son Henry, 5, who sat on the floor with a pile of LEGOs.

“We went to Disney in August and got a LEGO set there to build a fire house, fire truck and helicopter,” Brad said.

Saturday, Henry said they were going to try and build a big square fort with the giant blocks piled on the floor.

“We just live down the street and when I saw this event, I thought it was cool,” Brad said.

River Cogovan, 7, came with his aunt Gretchen Albone.

“I like to build and create different things,” River said. “I have thousands of LEGOs at home.”

 Orly the Ox, Orleans County’s bicentennial mascot, paid a visit to the LEGO event, getting his picture taken with the children.

Overall, Blackburn said the hits of the event were the giant LEGOs and the building table.

Fiona Tavis, 10, of Medina works on building the Medina Falls at the LEGO event Saturday at Sacred Heart Club.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council has a new free art library outside the Author’s Note book store in Medina at 519 Main St.

The art library was architecturally designed by Jeff Pasnik, built and designed by Carpenters Local Union 276, and painted by Jaylah Sherman.

They also made and painted the free art library outside Hoag Library in Albion.

GO Art! has another free art library in Batavia created by Bill Schutt and sponsored by the Batavia Rotary Club.

A fourth art library is expected next weekend in Holley outside the Community Free Library. GO Art! also would like one at the Woodward Memorial Library in LeRoy.

Gregory Hallock, GO Art! executive director, said the organization is working to add art kits for the sites and welcomes donations.

This free art library was added about a week ago outside Author’s Note in Medina.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) In front, Brooks, Kate and Hadley Fitzsimmons of Rochester and Beckett Reghtck of Spencerport get their picture taken in front of Thomas the Tank Engine during the first day of Day Out with Thomas today at the Medina Railroad Museum. (Right) Cody Catlin has been a conductor at Medina Railroad Museum events since 2016. Here, he boards passengers for the first ride with Thomas the Tank Engine this morning.

MEDINA – For the first time since 2023, Thomas the Tank Engine has returned to Medina Railroad Museum for a two-weekend schedule of excursions.

Thomas rolled into the station this morning to the delight of parents and children, who lined up on the tracks for pictures with the storybook engine.

Keith Ewanyk of Spencerport, holding 2-year-old grandson, Beckett, said this was his first time to Medina Railroad Museum, and they came because a train ride was special. Ewanyk said “Gigi” (Grandma) was probably buying Keith a Thomas T-shirt or hat.

A gift tent was set up on the deck of Medina Railroad Museum, offering a variety of Thomas-themed gifts, toys, clothing and games.

Marissa Fitzsimmons of Rochester said her children all like Thomas. They have been to Medina Railroad Museum to see the Polar Express, but this was the first time for Thomas.

“We are train lovers,” she said.

Tickets to ride the train also included a variety of events in Celebration Station, and food trucks were conveniently stationed on the grounds.

Thomas’ run will continue Sunday and next Saturday and Sunday. Tickets may still be purchased on the Museum’s website.

Thomas the Tank Engine passes a tank car on his way out of the station this morning at Medina Railroad Museum.

MEDINA – ESL Federal Credit Union is moving closer to acquiring the assets of Generations Bank, which operates a branch in Medina.

The two organizations announced an acquisition deal in September 2024. Generations merged with the former Medina Savings & Loan in 2018. Generations is based at Seneca Falls and has nine locations including a site in Medina on Maple Ridge Road.

On Sept. 3, ESL and Generations Bank announced regulatory approvals from Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for the purchase and assumption transaction. The closing price has increased from $26.2 to $26.5 million.

The transaction is expected to close on Jan. 1, 2026. The Generations branches should see rebranding to ESL sites after Jan. 1, said Zachary Case, marketing communications specialist for Generations.

The final closing remains subject to the approval of the National Credit Union Administration and other customary closing conditions.

Generations Bancorp’s shareholders are currently estimated to receive an aggregate of between $18 and $20 in cash in exchange for each share of Generations Bancorp common stock owned.

Generations was organized in 1870. Its main office is in Seneca Falls. There are eight full-service offices and one drive-through facility located in Auburn, Farmington, Geneva, Medina, Phelps, Seneca Falls, Union Springs and Waterloo.

Upon completion of the transaction with Generations, ESL is expected to have total assets of approximately $9.6 billion and will increase its footprint to more than 30 full-service branches throughout the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Thomas the Train Engine departs for a 25-minute train ride in May 2018. The Medina Railroad Museum is hosting Thomas this weekend and also next weekend. About 8,000 people typically ride the train during its stay in Medina.

MEDINA – Thomas the Tank Engine will be back in Medina the next two weekends for Day Out with Thomas. The popular attraction was last in Medina in May 2023. Thomas is hosted by the Medina Railroad Museum.

The famed storybook train will arrive in Medina for rides and special activities for two weekends, Sept. 20 and 21, and Sept. 27 and 28.

Rides with Thomas will depart the station each day, beginning at 9:15 a.m. until 4:25 p.m. each weekend day.

Tickets are $26 and include the ride with Thomas, admission to Medina Railroad Museum, a meeting with Sir Topham Hat and a wide variety of children’s activities in Celebration Station. Also featured will be a gift tent with hundreds of Thomas-themed toys, souvenirs and gifts.

Thomas first came to Medina Railroad Museum in 2005, and for more than 15 years attracted several thousand visitors annually.

Food trucks from Greenlief and Nona’s Kitchen will be on site to provide food for attendees.

Also entertaining on the grounds will be Marty the Magician.

Ticket information is available on the museum’s website at www.medinarailroadmuseum.org.

Conductors and passengers wave as the train departs and heads west in May 2018.

MEDINA – The Medina Theater will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday during the funeral of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative political leader who was slain on Sept. 10 while speaking at a college event in Utah.

The Medina Theater will show the funeral live on its big screen and also on smaller televisions. The Rev. Vince Iorio will share a prayer and others are welcome to come together and share in their grief and mourning for Kirk, who was an influential leader especially among younger adults.

President Donald Trump said he will attend the funeral at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

“Anyone who would like to come is invited,” said Dawn Meland, who is helping with the event at the theater, 603 Main St. in Medina. “We welcome all to join us in prayer. They can watch the funeral and have a conversation.”

The event, Meland said, has been put together by “a group of citizens that want to honor the memory of Charlie Kirk. It’s not  partisan.”