$270,000 available through NY Forward program

Photo by Tom Rivers: The north end of Main Street in Medina is shown in September 2023.

Press Release, Village of Medina

MEDINA – The Village of Medina will host two informational meetings for its NY Forward Small Project Fund on Tuesday, June 3rd from 9 to 10 a.m. at City Hall, 600 Main St., and Thursday, June 5th from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Medina Senior Center, 615 West Ave.

The Small Project Fund is funded through the Village’s 2022 NY Forward (NYF) grant award and is designed to fund smaller projects within the NYF Target Area. A total of $270,000 will be made available for eligible applicants with projects that can demonstrate readiness, visual impact, economic impact, quality of life improvements, and alignment with the NYF program priorities.

Eligible applicants may receive up to 75% of total costs for their project, but individual award amounts may vary depending on demonstrated need and project scoring.

The information session will be led by representatives from LaBella Associates, the consultant team selected to support the Village in administering the Small Project Fund. The LaBella team has guided several communities through similar Downtown Revitalization, Restore NY, and NY Main Street funding programs and will share these experiences with Medina property and business owners.

The information session will review the eligibility and criteria of the Small Project Fund program, highlight experiences from past projects, and offer property owners and business owners an opportunity to ask questions about the projects they are considering.

“We are very excited to kick off the Small Project Fund process and to make these NY Forward resources available to smaller projects in the Village,” said Mayor Marguerite Sherman. “This funding will leverage the momentum from the Village’s other NY Forward projects and help spur visual improvements and economic activity that will bring positive impact to our local business district.”

A Small Project Fund application has been added to the Village’s website along with the fund administration plan. Interested property and business owners in the downtown business district are encouraged to review and complete the application prior to the meeting to determine their project’s eligibility and readiness.

Interested applicants should visit www.villagemedina.gov to access the application and attend one of the upcoming information sessions to learn more about the Small Project Fund program. Project applications must be received by 4 p.m. July 3 to be considered.

Superintendent says budget makes it 16 straight years within the tax cap

MEDINA – The Medina school district will present a $46,648,693 budget to voters on Tuesday. Overall spending is up 10.6 percent or by $4,485,772 from the $42,162,921 in 2024-25.

However, the tax levy would increase by 2.0 percent from $8,990,990 to $9,170,809 and is $124,272 under the district’s allowable tax limit of $9,295,081.

District Superintendent Dr. Mark Kruzynski said this marks the 16^th straight budget Medina is within the tax cap. Medina has an allowable tax cap of 3.4 percent for 2025-26, Kruzynski said.

Voting will take place on Tuesday in the District Office Boardroom at One Mustang Drive, from noon to 8 p.m.

Kruzynski provided these budget highlights in a message to the community:

• Maintains all academic, support, extra-curricular and athletic programs, including modified sports and clubs
• Purchases three full-sized buses and one half-sized bus
• Expands professional development for staff
• Purchases new marching band uniforms, which have been in use for 18 years
• Purchases a new marching band trailer to replace the marching band bus, which is no longer roadworthy
• Provides school supplies to all students

Kruzynski said there are some staff reductions but those will be accomplished through attrition, by not filling some positions of retiring staff.

“The budget was developed with the vision and mission of the Medina Central School District, guiding all budgeting decisions,” Kruzynski said in his message to the community. “Additionally, the long-range planning of our Board of Education has allowed the District to submit a budget below the tax cap for sixteenth straight year.”

Kruzynski said the district had an allowable cap of 3.4 percent.

“We appreciate the hard work and expertise of these dedicated individuals,” he said about the BOE. “Our Board members have worked diligently with the administrative staff to create a fiscally responsible budget, and one that exemplifies excellence in education.”

There are also two candidates on the ballot for two positions on the board that are each about three years. The term for the highest vote-getter starts sooner on May 21 while the second-highest candidate starts on July 1.

The candidates include:

Kristin A. Grose – A Human Resources Manager at Orleans Community Health, Grose also is a Community Action of Genesee & Orleans board member, GLOW Workforce Job Development board member, and graduate of the Leadership Orleans Class of 2023.

“Our students deserve a strong educational foundation, exposure to a wide variety of experiences, and the support and encouragement of our whole community in order to help them succeed,” she stated in the school’s budget newsletter.

Grose said she wants to help re-establish a PTSA, increase community engagement and involvement by encouraging the use of the volunteers in the district, help create opportunities for students to engage with the community, and utilize volunteers to help increase student access to extracurricular clubs and activities.

Donnell Holloway – A current member of the Board of Education, Holloway is currently operations manager at Tesla. He also was a member of the Village of Medina’s Police Advisory Committee, and served on the National Night Out Planning Committee.

“The school district offers a substantial amount of after school programs and extracurricular activities,” Holloway said. “However, the student body isn’t always aware they are being offered. I firmly believe we can improve utilization by improving communication.”

Holloway also believes the district can better connect with community partners and nonprofit organizations.

“This would help ensure we are providing the right services to our student body,” he said.

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Lions Club

MEDINA – On a beautiful Saturday, May 3rd, the Medina Boy Scout Troop 28, the Medina Girl Scouts 82096, and the Medina Lions gathered at Lions Park along the Erie Canal for a community beautification and cleanup event.

The goal was to enhance the park’s aesthetics by spreading mulch around the trees and bushes. There were approximately 30 volunteers, because as they say, many hands made light work.

Special thanks go to Eric Washak of the Village of Medina Public Works for donating and delivering the mulch to the park. It was interesting to learn that the village obtained this mulch from trees cut earlier this year.

A shoutout to Scout leaders, Todd Draper and Mindy Cogovan, along with their scouts, for their efforts.

Also, a loud GRRRRRRRRRRRR to Lion Tim Winters for bringing his tractor to help move the mulch, and the many Lions who assisted.

Visit Medina Lions Park to enjoy a picnic or take a peaceful walk.

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library held its annual budget vote and election on Tuesday.

The budget passed,110 to 43, and Cynthia Kiebala was elected to another 5-year term as trustee.

The proposed property tax levy is $602,339, below the state-mandated 2 percent tax cap, Lee-Whedon officials said.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Dave and Gail Miller, left, and Medina historian Todd Bensley look up close at the restored stained-glass window in the chapel at Boxwood Cemetery on May 18, 2024. The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery rededicated the chapel and invited the community to see a cleaned up chapel.

Press Release, Friends of Boxwood Cemetery

MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery are excited to announce their newest event, “A Day of Remembrance.”

The event will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m., starting at the Boxwood Cemetery Chapel on North Gravel Road in Medina. It is a rain or shine event that is free and open to the public.

The idea is for people to bring mementos and/or stories of loved ones buried at Boxwood Cemetery. “The stories can be as simple as a cherished memory or the significance of the memento,” according to board member Todd Bensley.

Bensley is also the Village of Medina historian and has led several tours of the cemetery over the years.

“We are hoping to add to the rich history of Boxwood Cemetery by hearing from individuals with a personal connection to those buried at Boxwood,” he said.

The format will be a stroll around the cemetery with stops at the graves of those that people want to share a story about.

Bensley stressed that the event is open to the public and you do not have to have a story to tell to join in the walk. Anyone with an interest in local history or Boxwood Cemetery is welcome to attend.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: From left include Medina Lions members Chris Keller, Jim Hancock and Julie Keller standing next to the sign promoting their annual Community Yard Sale and chicken barbecue the first Saturday in June.

MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club is again gearing up for their annual Community Yard Sale, giant flea market and chicken barbecue on June 7.

The event, a major fundraiser for the Lions, was started at least 25 years ago, and has been a popular event ever since.

Last year’s event brought 60 vendors to the field west of the Pickle Factory on Park Avenue, where the chicken barbecue takes place. Also on the site is a food tend manned by the Lions Club, where Lion Chris Keller says they sell the best cheeseburgers in Medina, along with Sahlen’s hot dogs, chips and beverages. Keller and his wife Julie head up the food tent with a crew of volunteers.

Chris said 60 percent of the Lion’s membership participate in the day’s events.

As in the past, Pete Kaiser and Howie Gardner will be driving around town with the popular “Weinermobile,” selling hot dogs and cold drinks from the back of a pickup truck. Their theory is garage sale shoppers don’t want to leave the bargains to find something to eat. Having the Weinermobile on the streets allows them to grab a bite and not miss any bargains.

Vendors are already beginning to sign up for a spot to set up their wares. Anyone interested in reserving space in the flea market should contact Randy Reese at (716) 471-0524 no later than May 24.

Cat Holland is in charge of tickets for the barbecue and they can be purchased from her or any Lions member. Chickens will be sold from 11 a.m. until gone. Tickets may be ordered in advance by calling (716) 341-1743.

Another unique feature of the Community Yard Sale is the maps handed out at the four corners of Main and East and West Center streets, beginning at 8 a.m. the morning of the sale. Cars can drive up, grab a map and make a free-will donation on the way through. Tim Moriarty and Dave Bellucci are responsible for handing out the maps, which show the location of garage sales throughout the village.

Residents wishing to have their sale located on the map should contact Lake Country Pennysaver as soon as possible to arrange for a small ad, which entitles their sale to be listed on the maps.

Money raised by Lions Club fundraisers is donated right back to the community, said Jim Hancock, overall event chair.

“We give away $10,000 to $15,000 yearly to 20 charities (mostly local), such as Camp Rainbow, Camp Badger, the New York State School for the Blind, Seeing Eye Dogs and Lions Club International, in addition to yearly scholarships,” Hancock said.

Photo by Jessica Stewart Photography: Nicholas Reese, posing here in his Mustang Marching Band uniform, loves writing music and plans to study music composition at Fredonia State College’s School of Music.

MEDINA – A Medina High School senior with a passion for writing music is being commended for his contributions to Medina’s annual Arbor Day celebration.

Several months ago, Oak Orchard Elementary School music teacher Andrea Busch contacted Nicholas Reese and asked if he could write a song about trees which Oak Orchard’s second grade Glee Club could sing on Arbor Day. The Glee Club has been singing at Arbor Day for three years.

Nicholas sat down and started thinking about trees.

“It was very general, so I had to be creative,” Nicholas said. “I spent a week writing the lyrics, and finished the entire thing in a month.”

He titled his composition “Oscillating Futures.”

Chris Busch, Andrea’s father-in-law and Medina Forestry coordinator, said to have a song written by a Medina student specifically for Arbor Day and performed by the Oak Orchard Glee club is an incredibly special honor.

“Truly, it made the occasion all the more special,” Chris said.

The teacher added her praise for the composition and what it meant to her students.

“I am honored that Nick was willing to share his talents and compose a piece of music specifically for the Oak Orchard Glee Club,” Andrea said. “Out of all the songs we learned this year, ‘Oscillating Futures’ was a clear favorite amongst the second graders. They affectionally called it ‘Nick’s Song’ and begged to practice it every day. These kinds of collaborations are what make our district special, and the Medina Music Department could not be more proud of Nick. He has a bright future ahead of him and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things he will accomplish.”

Nicholas said he has been writing songs since he was 11 and in fifth grade.

“I have since written about 100 songs,” he said. “A lot of times I write pieces in perspective to things that are happening in my life. I try to write emotionally.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Nick Reese watches the Glee Club perform his song during an Arbor Day celebration on April 25.

Nicholas plays percussion in the Mustang Marching Band and Jazz Band.

“I became very inspired by the Marching Band in seventh grade, and knew then I should consider it seriously,” Nicholas said.

“But I really just want to sit in a room and write songs all day,” he said.

Writing notes is easy, but putting words to them is a bigger challenge, he said.

Most everything he writes is instrumental, he added.

When Nicholas graduates this summer, he plans to attend Fredonia State College’s School of Music to study music composition. That is also Andrea’s Alma Mater.

Press Release, Medina Band Boosters

MEDINA – The Medina Band Boosters held their monthly meeting on Monday to discuss upcoming events and elect officers for the coming year.

These officers are: President – Crystal Elliott; Vice President  – Julianne McGrath; Secretary  – Michelle Wright; Treasurer – Heather Jackson; Transportation Chair – Nick Hartman; Student Accounts – Becky Rinker; Uniform Chair – Nicole McMullen; Chaperone Chair – Meghan Tuttle; Publicity Co-Chairs – Kathy Dreyfus and Janene Farley; Delegate – Debbie Tompkins and Shirley Kepner.

Medina will be in the Sherburne Pageant on June 6-7 where the Mustangs will compete in parade, wind ensemble, color guard and drumline. The band also will perform in the Memorial Day parade. The season concludes with the band banquet on Sunday, June 8.

Press Release, Orleans County government

MEDINA – Orleans County is partnering with SUNY GCC, Niagara County and paint-recycling company GreenSheen to host a paint recycling event on Saturday, May 31 at the GCC Medina Campus Center.

Orleans and Niagara County residents and businesses are welcome to bring oil-based, acrylic and latex paint, urethanes, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, primers and clear coatings to be recycled at no cost.

“Our recycling event last year was a tremendous success and we are excited to collaborate with our partners to host another event for Orleans County residents,” said Corey Winters, Orleans County Director of Planning and Development. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to get those old paint cans out of your basement, garage and shed, and ensure they are properly recycled.”

 The event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at GCC, 11470 Maple Ridge Rd. Medina, NY 14103.

Registration for this event can be done at https://circular.eco/event/MedinaGCC.  Staff will be on hand to unload vehicles so drivers can stay in their vehicles. Those with any questions about the event should call the Orleans County Planning and Development Department at (585) 589-3198.

Photos and information courtesy of John Dieter, Scoutmaster of Troop 35: Scouts and friends from Troop 35 picked up litter at the Canal Culvert on Sunday.  The photo at right shows Cole Herman next to some of the trash he picked up.

MEDINA – Scouts from Troop 35 in Medina held a campout Saturday evening and performed garbage pickup on Sunday morning as part of the Clean Sweep Canal Cleanup Program that is held each spring.

The scouts picked up garbage and debris in and around the culvert under the canal and also removed garbage on both sides of the towpath to the Beals Road bridge.

Provided photos

MEDINA – Medina firefighters spent part of Tuesday morning at Tim Hortons in Medina decorating Smile Cookies in a fundraiser for the Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. From left include firefighter Dustin Pahura, Fire Chief Matt Jackson and Lt. Steve Cooley.

Screenshot

(Left) Silas Filippelli, son of Tim Hortons co-owner Joey Filippelli, taste tested some of the cookies. The Filippelli family owns the two Tim Hortons in Orleans County and three in the Rochester area. All five of those stores are directing their Smile Cookie proceeds to Golisano Children’s Hospital.

(Right) Brandon Clouser, a Medina police officer, assists at the window. Firefighters and other volunteers helped decorate cookies and assist with sales from 7 to 1o a.m.

The cookies are available until May 4 at $2 each with all of the proceeds going to Children’s Hospital.

 The “Smile Cookie Bakery” Team included many Tim Hortons staff and volunteers from the community.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman, center, joined the cookie brigade. She is joined by Riezel Carino, Mary Jo Polick (Medina Tim Hortons manager) and Jeni Simpson (Albion Tim Hortons manager).

This group includes Medina Police Chef Todd Draper, Orleans County Undersheriff Don Draper, Sheriff’s Investigator Devon Pahuta, Sheriff Chris Bourke, and Medina officers Miles Erickson and Brandon Clouser.