MEDINA – The library will be off limits to the public after March 21 for about six weeks to allow contractors to work on the construction project that will not only put an addition o the library, but revamp the interior furnishings.

The $5.2 million construction project is behind schedule. Initially, the library building was expected to be closed for a few weeks.

Being closed for about six weeks will keep the project on schedule, Lee-Whedon officials posted today on the library’s social media.

The library will close at 5 p.m. on March 21, a Saturday, and then reopen at 10 a.m. on May 4, a Monday. The project is expected to be complete in July.

“This gives our construction crews unlimited access to the library and will expedite the process!!” Lee-Whedon stated on its Facebook page. “We appreciate your understanding and patience. We will all be rewarded with a beautiful, modern, spacious library in the end!!”

Lee-Whedon broke ground last Aug. 22 for a 4,785-square-foot addition on the back of the current library, which is 11,100 square feet.

The addition will create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, an art gallery, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There will also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.

The state is contributing nearly $1.7 million in New York State Public Library Construction Aid grants to the $5.2 million project. The community also has donated more than $500,000 to the expansion.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Cindy Robinson, owner of The English Rose Tea Shoppe, pours Lovejoy wine from Chateau Buffalo for Ralph Primerano and Sue Squires.

Patrick Weissend, who has been the official ID checker for all of the Wine About Winter events, suits up at Medina Senior Center on Saturday in preparation for several hours of standing outside in near-zero temperatures as participants arrive.

MEDINA – Medina Area Partnership’s Wine About Winter has been a hit since the first one 16 years ago, and this year’s sub-zero temperatures did nothing to deter this one Saturday.

“We had a great turnout considering today’s weather,” said Ann Fisher-Bale, organizer of the event. “It was nearly perfect attendance. People bundled up and showed up for this yearly event.”

The event’s 800 tickets sold out two weeks ago, and while only a handful stayed home because of the cold, the majority showed up, dressed in snow pants, hooded coats, scarves, heated gloves and handwarmers, ready to visit the 25 participating businesses and organizations.

Ticket holders arrived at the Senior Center, where their identification was checked and they received a goodie bag with coupons, Chapstick, hand warmers, mini bottle of water, oyster crackers, a program and pen. Chapstick and handwarmers were a late-minute addition by Fisher-Bale when she learned what the weather would be. Also new this year was a Wine About Winter tee shirt, with all of MAP’s upcoming events printed on the back.

These include the Easter Bunny and Golden Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt on March 28; a Murder Mystery and Mocktails on May 2; the Enchanted Faery Festival on June 20; annual sidewalk sales Aug, 1; Ale in Autumn on Sept. 26; Beggar’s Night Oct. 30; Moonlight Madness on Nove. 19; Olde Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights on Nov. 28; and Holiday Open Houses Dec. 3 through Dec. 6.

The shirts were made possible thanks to the generosity of 10 of our sponsors, Fisher-Bale said.

At The English Rose Tea Shoppe one participant had ice frozen on the bottom of his glass, just walking from Tapped on Main.

The English Rose Tea Shoppe’s owner Cindy Robinson poured Lovejoy, a rose from Chateau Buffalo. She was especially excited over the selection of wine as she grew up in the Lovejoy section of Buffalo, she said.

Ralph Primerano and Sue Squires both liked the wine. Squires, who has rarely missed a Wine About Winter, said she enjoyed the cream puffs served at the Medina Theater.

Patrick Weissend, left, checks the ID for friends Ryan and Jocelyn Arnold of Medina and Ricky and Anne Missell of Gasport. The couples were the first to arrive for check-in at the Medina Senior Center on Saturday for Wine About Winter.

Carol Bellack and Robin Wehling said the cold was not bad, as long as they kept stopping in a store every few minutes where it was warm.

They were happy with the wine choices they had tried so far.

“We’ve had a lot of white wines and I like white wine,” Wehling said.

She has only missed one Wine About Winter and has all the glasses to prove it.

Bob Arnold and his wife Marie Bell of Akron have attended all the Wine About Winter events, but one, he said.

A new feature this year was two snack stops – one at Medina Theater and the other at Author’s Note.

Another feature for the first time at Wine About Winter was a photo booth at Alexandra Peracciny Photography above Blissett’s on Main Street.

It is customary at these events to stagger the start times, to eliminate too much congestion in stores at one time. The first group started at 1 p.m., with the last group starting at 4 p.m.

The committee for organizing Wine About Winter are all set up and waiting for the arrival of the 800 who bought tickets for the event. From left are Mary Lewis, Ann Fisher-Bale, Laura Gardner and Wendy Wilson. The women have been involved in all 17 of the annual events.

Kristin Haines from Marjim Manor in Appleton pours Lady of the Manor wine at the Medina Historical Society for Kat Schepis of Medina. The wine had a little cranberry and a little berry, Haines said.

Wendy Wilson, left, and Ann Fisher-Bale wait to verify tickets with their cell phones, validating ticket holders at the Medina Senior Center for Wine About Winter on Saturday.

Photos by Tom Rivers: More than 200 supporters of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina attended a fundraising gala on a bitterly cold Friday night. These supporters place there tickets in the hopes of winning some of the items in the basket auction. About 120 items were in that auction, plus about 50 others (mostly library book shelves, chairs and tables) available in a live auction.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Sharon Kleinhans, left, library clerk, hands an auction brochure to Georgia Thomas as the start of the gala to support Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

MEDINA – The first gala to support Lee-Whedon Memorial Library was a resounding success Friday night, according to library director Kristine Mostyn.

Mostyn said the gala was the idea of the Capital Committee in charge of fundraising. More than 200 people purchased tickets to the event, which featured hors d’oeuvres from Hans Bakery and Zambistro Restaurant, beverages, music by DSP Jazz, a silent and live auction and a basket raffle.

Cynthia Kiebala, president of the library board of directors, announced they had exceeded their $500,000 goal in community donations toward the library expansion, which is expected to be completed in June. She thanked the staff and all the supporters who donated art, crafts, books and gift certificates for their auction and basket raffle, as well as monetary donors.

Lee-Whedon celebrated a ground-breaking last Aug. 22 for a 4,785-square-foot addition on the back of the current library, which is 11,100 square feet. The project will cost $5.2 million.

The addition will create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, an art gallery, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There will also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.

The state is contributing nearly $1.7 million in New York State Public Library Construction Aid grants to the $5.2 million project. In December, Lee-Whedon also received $25,000 in funding from the Garmin Family Foundation administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

With the more than $500,000 in community donations that leaves about $3 million to be financed for the project.

“I’m very impressed with the number of people that came out tonight for us,” library director Kristine Mostyn said. “There is a great level of support in the community for the library.”

One of the guests at the gala was Ruth Cleveland of Medina who is a member of Friends of the Library.

“I come here a couple of times a week,” she said. “I like to work on the jigsaw puzzles. This is a happy place.”

(Left) Lee-Whedon president Cynthia Kiebala welcomes the more than 200 guests who attended the fundraising gala Friday night. (Right) Wes Pickreign, a retired Medina school principal, solicits a bid from the audience during Lee-Whedon Memorial Library’s auction at their gala Friday night. The event raised about $18,000, topping the $15,000 goal. The funds will reduce what is needed from the local community in financing for the expansion project.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said she brought her kids to the library when they were little.

“Now I bring my grandchildren,” she said. “When I was working at the high school I used to tutor students here after school. They were always willing to share their space with us.”

Wes Pickreign stepped up as auctioneer for the evening’s live auction of library furniture and shelving. A highlight of the auction were two whimsical tables, one resembling a stack of books and the other a hamburger. After a lively bidding war, they were sold for $210 and $220, respectively.

Many of furnishings will be replaced as part of the capitol project. The book shelves that are about 7 feet tall will be removed for new ones about 5 feet tall to make the books easier to reach for patrons.

The library will be closed from March 23 and until reopening on May 4 to complete the work on the inside.

Staff of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library posed for a picture prior to welcoming guests to the first ever gala Friday night at the library. From left are Kristine Mostyn, director; Jessica Kozlowski, library clerk; Lisa Pritchard, tech services; Sharon Kleinhans, library clerk; Marna Grimes, page; Darlene Schepis, library clerk; Samantha Covis, assistant director; Joy Cameron, Amanda Wolford and Kelsie Stahl, library clerks; and Tricia Mumau, children’s services.

Guests enjoy conversation and refreshments at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library’s first fundraising gala Friday night. From left are Brian Grimes, David Boice (shaking hands with Tom Zangerle) and Linda Pickreign, who is a board member of the library. At right is Wes Pickreign, who served as auctioneer for the evening.

Supporting Lee-Whedon Memorial Library at its gala Friday night are, from left, Theresa Pierson of Royalton, Shelly Budziszewski of Middleport, Liz Bednarz of Gasport and Joyce Chizick of Lyndonville. Pierson and Budziszewski visit the library often with their children, who love to read and take part in library programs. Bednarz loves crafting and visits the library to take part in their adult craft program. Chizick enjoys Finally Fridays at the library.

Photos by Tom Rivers: There were about 120 items in the basket raffle, including many treats, books, gift certificates and art work. The book in the center, Last Call, is by Renee Lama and chronicles 150 years of restaurants, hotels and taverns in the Medina area.

Elizabeth Cooper created a doll showing love for Lee-Whedon Memorial Library that was among the items in the auction. It was included with a book about one-room schoolhouses in Shelby, written by Alice Zacher.

Sharon Klienhans, right, greets the gala attendees and hands them their paddles for the auction.

Wes Pickreign served as auctioneer and drummed up support from bidders for many of the library’s furnishings that will be replaced, including the circulation desks, several tables, chairs, metal and wood shelves, cabinets and work stations.

MEDINA – Mary Lewis, owner of Creekside Floral and Gift Shop in Medina, knows the winter months are difficult, especially this year with so many bitterly cold days and very limited sunshine.

She said winter days are especially hard for senior citizens in nursing homes and assisted care facilities.

She posted on the Creekside Floral Facebook page about “Plants with Purpose.” She wanted to give a blooming plant to senior citizens at Orchard Manor, the North Wing of Medina Memorial Hospital and The Willows. She asked for $10 sponsors for each plant, a Kalanchoe.

The community responded, sponsoring 198 plants to cover all of the residents at the three sites. They also went over the limit by 35 and counting. Lewis has added The Villages of Orleans in Albion for “Plants with Purpose.”

She will deliver them by mid-week next week, in time for Valentine’s Day.

“I just wanted to brighten their day,” she said. “The winter months are some of the dreariest. We need more kindness in the world.”

Lewis thanked the sponsors for their quick and generous response. If she runs out of the Kalanchoe plants for everyone at The Villages, she said she would find other valentine-themed gifts for them. For more information about being a sponsor, call 585-798-1200.

Provided photos: The varsity winter guard for Medina is shown in action during a competition on Saturday in Victor.

Information courtesy of Medina Mustang Band Boosters

VICTOR – The Medina Mustang winter guards are still practicing and performing despite the weather.

On Jan. 24 the guards competed in Orchard Park and Medina’s JV guard came in 3rd out of 4 in the cadet class with a score of 45.27.  The varsity guard came in 2nd out of two with a score of 50.57.

This Saturday the  guards traveled to Victor for competition. A total of 22 guards performed in various classifications. Medina’s JV guard tied for 1st place with Correy Indoor in the Cadet class but not scored.

Medina’s varsity guard performed in the A1 class and came in 4th with a score of 54.16..

The guards are under  instruction from Melissa Jaeger along with assistance from Director Matt Jaeger, Assistant Director Kyla Leno,  Andrea Busch, Katie Crooks and Kara Brown.

The guards will next compete on Feb. 7 in Batavia, Feb. 28 in Lancaster, March 7 in Greece and Medina’s home show on March 14.  It’s always amazing to see these students perform at a fast pace utilizing their dance skills along with various pieces of equipment.

Medina’s junior varsity team also performed at Victor.

File photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Medina is accepting bids for a new pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek on Maple Ridge Road. The project also includes sidewalks in that area.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina is accepting construction bids for a pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek on Maple Ridge Road, a long-awaited project that also includes about a half mile of sidewalks.

The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent will be paid locally from the village, Town of Shelby, Orleans County and Orleans Economic Development Agency.

The section of Maple Ridge Road by the creek has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the project will make it much safer for residents and cyclists along that stretch of Maple Ridge. The spot by the creek, in particular, has a very narrow space for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge will be north of the busy road.

Contractors need to turn in their bids by 3 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Village Office. At that time the bids will be opened and read aloud.

The sidewalks will go 200 feet east of the Intersection of Maple Ridge Road (NY 31A) and South Main Street (NY 63), and then to 1,900 feet east of the intersection of Maple Ridge Road (NY 31A) and South Main Street (NY 63).

Board could include election change as referendum on March 18 ballot

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jess Marciano, a Medina village trustee and the deputy mayor,  speaks during Thursday’s board meeting about moving the village election from the third Tuesday in March to the third Tuesday in June.

MEDINA – The village could move back its election by three months to June. Holley, Brockport and other villages have their elections the third Tuesday in June, rather than the third Tuesday in March.

If that happens in Medina, the terms for trustees and mayor would start on July 1, rather than April 1. Moving the start back would give trustees and the mayor some time to adjust to the their roles on the Village Board rather than face the big task of putting together the village budget at the immediate start of their terms, said Jess Marciano, a village trustee who is suggesting the change.

The board has several extra meetings in April as it works with department heads to put together a budget that must be adopted by April 30.

“This is incredibly unfair,” Marciano said at Thursday’s board meeting.

The town and county elected officials begin their terms on Jan. 1, after the budgets have been adopted by the prior administrations. Board of Education members start their terms on July 1, after the budgets have been adopted.

If the Village Board terms started on July 1, instead of April 1, the Village Board members would have months to gain a deeper understanding of the village government by the time it’s budget season.

“It would give people more of an opportunity to get their feet underneath them before setting the village tax rate which affects everyone in the village,” Marciano said.

A later village election also would give candidates better weather to be collecting petitions to get on the ballot. Right now that needs to be done in early February. The candidates then go door-to-door campaigning in some rough weather.

A June election would give the process better weather conditions when more residents are also around to vote in person.

The board will need to decide next month if it wants to put the issue on the ballot for a referendum during the March 18 election. (This year’s election is the third Wednesday in March. It was moved back a day due to St. Patrick’s Day.)

Board members on Thursday said they were willing to discuss the issue more on Feb. 9 and Feb. 23. The board needs to decide by Feb. 23 if the issue will be on the ballot for March 18.

“I’m not sold on it, but I’m open to talking about it,” said Trustee Deb Padoleski.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Stearns/Principal of Clifford Wise Intermediate School – Lee Teitsworth, senior vice president at Liberty Balloons in Groveland, brought a hot air balloon to Clifford Wise Intermediate School on Friday and let students go inside it. This group includes fifth- and sixth-graders. Teitsworth also spoke with third- and fourth-graders.

Information courtesy of Medina Central School

MEDINA – Students in grades 3–6 at Clifford Wise Intermediate School celebrated their academic efforts and success for Marking Period 2 on Friday with an unforgettable, sky-high experience.

As part of the celebration, Liberty Balloons visited the school with a presentation – “The Sky Is the Limit” – encouraging students to keep reaching for their goals while learning the science behind hot air ballooning. The interactive program combined motivation with hands-on learning, giving students a closer look at how hot air balloons work and the physics that allow them to soar.

Lee Teitsworth discusses the science behind hot air balloons taking flight.

Students first viewed an informational presentation explaining the principles of hot air balloon flight, including how heated air creates lift and how propane burners are used to control altitude. The excitement continued in the Wise gymnasium, where a real hot air balloon was fully inflated, on its side, indoors. Students were given the rare opportunity to sit inside the balloon, experiencing its size and structure up close.

To complete the experience, students briefly stepped outside—just under five minutes—to safely observe the lighting of the propane flames, a dramatic highlight that brought the science lesson to life.

Remax Reality and the Clifford Wise Student Council sponsored the event. For more information on Liberty Balloons, click here.

These third- and fourth-graders see a brief outdoor presentation.

Majority of board believes used fire truck with no fire hall addition makes most sense

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Medina Village Board moved its meeting on Thursday evening to the high school auditorium due to a larger crowd expected as the board tries to determine whether it will put a new ladder truck into service and put an addition on the fire hall for the new truck. From left include Village Trustee Debbie Padoleski, Trustee Jess Marciano, Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess, Mayor Marguerite Sherman, Trustee Mark Prawel, Trustee Scott Bieliski and Village Attorney Matt Brooks.

MEDINA – In a meeting that stretched more than four hours, Village Board members and the pubic debated on Thursday night whether to keep a $1.7 million ladder truck for the fire department and put an addition on the fire hall.

Three of the board members – Debbie Padoleski, Mark Prawel and Scott Bieliski – voted to have the board pursue options to sell the new truck and see if a used ladder truck is available that would fit in the existing fire hall.

That trio of trustees said the new truck and an addition is too costly for the community where many residents are already overwhelmed by taxes.

Padoleski said the truck and addition would raise the village tax rate by at least $1 per $1,000 of assessed property, and it would be a 20-year commitment to pay off the truck and addition.

Bieliski noted that Medina in March 2023 agreed to pay $1,698,995 to Pierce Manufacturing  in Appleton, Wisc. for a new fire truck with a 100-foot-long ladder. It took nearly three years for the truck to be manufactured. It hasn’t been put into service yet.

Since Medina’s contract nearly three years ago, the costs for ladder trucks have continued to escalate. The Albion Joint Fire District on Aug. 14 voted to buy a new ladder truck at a cost of $2,480,698 from Pierce Manufacturing.

Bieliski said he will reach out to a broker to see if there is interest in Medina’s new truck and at what price. He expects the truck could command $2 million, which would allow Medina to pay off its loan for the truck and have extra money to pursue a used ladder truck.

If Medina would take a loss on selling the truck, Bieliski said it shouldn’t be sold.

Village resident Brian Wiesinger speaks during Thursday’s board meeting. About 150 people attended the meeting that stretched more than four hours, starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 10:20. Wiesinger said the village should look at a more affordable option with a ladder truck.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Trustee Jess Marciano said they remain committed to keeping the new ladder truck and putting on a one-bay addition.

Marciano noted the fire hall addition and upgrades were cut from about $6 million to just over $1 million.

Sherman said she continues to seek grants and assistance with the addition. She met last week with representatives from U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. The village needs more detailed drawings and cost estimates for the addition to move forward with seeking grants, Sherman said.

She hasn’t been able to get the majority of the board’s support to hire a firm for those cost estimates.

Village resident Robin Wehling said she supports giving the Medina firefighters the equipment they need to best serve the community. She said the new ladder truck would account for a 48-cent in the tax rate.

Trustees and Padoleski and Bieliski said the cost of the addition puts the total expense for the new truck closer to about $4 million when financing is included over 20 years. They said that amounts to about $1 more in the tax rate.

(Left) Jason Cogovan said he supports the Medina Fire Department but it needs to be at an affordable level for the community. “It’s about delivering services in a responsible way,” he said. He suggested going to a volunteer fire department and looking at contracting for EMS services.

(Right) Village resident Linda Limina, who is also a Shelby town councilwoman, said the Medina board needs to reach out to neighboring towns about helping to pay more for services provided by the village.

“Village residents shouldn’t be the only ones funding the service,” she said.

She worries the added debt from the ladder truck and addition will push village taxes even higher.

Medina firefighter Steve Miller said the Village Board has known for many years the fire hall needed upgrades and that a new ladder truck wouldn’t fit in the current building.

He said the board hasn’t been properly planning for the fire department for more than a decade.

Trustee Bieliski told Miller and the firefighters in attendance they were using “fear-mongering” to pressure the board into keeping the truck and putting on an addition.

Miller said not getting the new ladder truck could result in higher insurance costs for residents and businesses if Medina’s ISO rating is negatively impacted.

He also said there could be delays in response times if the community needs to wait for a ladder truck from elsewhere.

“This is not a scare tactic,” Miller said. “This is simply the truth.”

Trustee Debbie Padoleski, left, says Medina is bearing too much of the expense for fire protection and EMS services in the community.

Padoleski said data from 2024 shows Medina’s ladder truck only was used for 33 calls, with 12 inside the village and 21 outside.

“The Village of Medina taxpayers cannot and should not subsidize mutal aid in the county,” Padoleski said.

Medina’s Ladder 40 is 30 years old and has been out of service since June due to mechanical issues.

The village put it up for sale and sold it for $8,700 at Thursday’s meeting. It was listed online for sale through an auction company. Trustee Mark Prawel wanted to oppose the sale but the title had already been signed over and the deal done without a final village vote. Prawel thought the old truck was worth more than $8,700.

In the future, the board said none of the sales from items declared surplus will be finalized until a board vote to approve the sale.

State now contributing nearly $1.7 million to $5.2 million project

This rendering from Passero Associates shows the front of the library in Medina, which includes an overhang near the entrance. This is part of a $5 million capital project at the library, which includes a 4,785-square-foot addition.

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina has received confirmation of an additional $874,124 grant from New York State Public Library Construction Aid towards the library’s $5.2 million expansion.

This is the second state library construction grant. Lee-Whedon also received a $795,320 grant in construction aid which brings the total from the state to $1,669,444.

In December, Lee-Whedon also received $25,000 in funding from the Garmin Family Foundation administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

“Lee-Whedon has received a total of $1,697,444 in grants toward expansion costs exceeding our goal of $1.5 million,” said Kristine Mostyn, the library executive director.

Lee-Whedon will host a gala and auction from 7 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 6. That is expected to be the final big fundraising event for the library expansion. Click here for more information about that event.

Lee-Whedon celebrated a ground-breaking on Aug. 22, 2025 for a 4,785-square-foot addition on the back of the current library, which is 11,100 square feet. That project is expected to be complete in July.

The addition will create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, an art gallery, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There will also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.

“The library’s expansion project is designed to meet growing community needs and ensure the facility can continue to provide high-quality service for decades to come,” Mostyn said.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has rescheduled this evening’s board meeting to Thursday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be at the Medina High School auditorium due to a big crowd expected.

The Village Board is trying to determine its next steps with accepting a new ladder truck and finding a place to house it. The current Medina fire hall is too small to accommodate the truck. Some of the board members would prefer to sell the new truck and not put an addition on the fire hall, saying the truck and addition are too costly for village taxpayers.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman wants to move forward with the ladder truck and addition, saying they are critical to the Medina Fire Department to provide fire protection services to the community.

Other items on Thursday’s agenda include:

• Discussion/resolution on locations for Medina Triennial art projects
• Discussion/resolution to accept the donation of tables to be placed by the Sydney Gross Memorial
• Discussion/resolution on Medina Community Garden location
• Resolution to approve Hospice banner request at Rotary Park
• Resolution to approve MAP’s request for Wine About Winter
• Resolution to appoint of election inspectors for March 18 election
• Resolution to accept Wreaths Across America donations and a resolution to accept Hometown Hero donations
• Resolution on furnace replacement at the Department of Public Works
• Resolution to purchase an Allison 4000 RDS Series Dump Truck utilizing CHIPS funding
• Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an annual agreement between the Village of Medina and Matthew Brooks, Esq.

MEDINA – A Medina Village Board meeting scheduled for Monday has been cancelled and may be rescheduled for later in the week, said Mayor Marguerite Sherman.

The meeting was moved to the Medina High School auditorium due to a large crowd expected as the board tries to determines its next steps with accepting a new ladder truck and finding a place to house it. The current Medina fire hall is too small to accommodate the truck.

The board has discussed a one-bay addition to the fire hall but hasn’t reached a consensus.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Hunter, 10, and Evelyn, 7, children of Josh and Ashley Schmidbauer of Middleport play Go Fishin’ at Nola’s Gaming & Crafting Cafe in Medina. The family had been out to supper and stopped in to see what it was all about, after looking in the window on their way to the car. (Right) New Orleans native Steven Sones displays pieces of King cake which he made. The cakes are a tradition in New Orleans from Epiphany until Mardi Gras and can be ordered from Sones or enjoyed at his new business, Nola’s Gaming & Crafting Café, with a cup of homemade hot chocolate or delicious chicory coffee.

MEDINA – A parent looking for something to occupy the children on a day off from school, an adult looking for something different to do in Medina or a shopper wanting to get in out of the cold and enjoy a cup of homemade hot chocolate need look no further.

 Nola’s Gaming & Crafting Cafe has the answer.

Located at 525 Main St., Nola’s is a Gaming & Crafting Café, where all ages can sip, play and create by paying a nominal fee for a set amount of time. It is the brainchild of Steven and Jennifer Sones of Millville, who said they got the idea because they both love to play games. The name “Nola” is an acronym of New Orleans, La.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Sones: Jennifer and Steven Sones stand by a painting created in their new store, Nola’s Gaming & Crafting Café,  which they recently opened at 525 Main St. The business is described as a New Orleans-themed gaming and crafting café. The name Nola’s is an acronym for New Orleans, La.

Steven, a native of New Orleans, has had various jobs in management throughout his life, while Jennifer does auditing of Early Intervention in New York state. They met while both were living in Florida, and moved back near Jennifer’s home town of Lockport, where they married and raised their five children. They eventually decided to move to Orleans County and found a house in Millville.

The decision to go into business came as a result of wanting something to do in their spare time, their love of games and Jennifer’s interest in crafts.

“Medina has bars, restaurants, beauty salons, specialty shops and antique shops, but nothing for people to do for entertainment,” Steven said.

After searching for space in Brockport, Albion, Medina, Middleport and Lockport, they discovered the store formerly occupied by Into the Enigma at 525 Main St., Medina.

“We really wanted to be in Medina,” Steven said. “We love Medina.”

Cindy Robinson, who owns the English Rose Tea Shoppe a few doors away, convinced them they should be open in time for the Parade of Lights, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. They have since planned a grand opening on Monday, with special events planned all week. There will be paper mache Mardi Gras mask crafts, gaming specials and a princess party, with treats such as beignets and King Cake, both New Orleans favorites, especially at Mardi Gras.

“We are geared toward family days every day,” Jennifer said. “We will be hosting weekly family events on Saturdays.”

Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and on Sunday for special events.  This week on Monday Nola’s will begin their week-long grand opening with hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Going forward Monday will be reserved for Magic Monday events. This Wednesday will feature a Dungeons and Dragons character build for the D&D campaign scheduled on the first and third Sundays. They will host a weekly Date Night on Saturdays with events geared strictly for adults.

Steven said their business is a great experience for home-schooled children.

Nola’s Gaming & Crafting has one of the largest libraries of games for all ages in Western New York, Steven said.

Some of the crafts featured are macrame, beaded jewelry, candle pouring, crocheting, air drying clay and vision board (collage) workshops.

A popular feature of the store are the New Orleans-themed beignets (pronounced ben-yea), king cakes and Snowballs, along with homemade hot chocolate or his special coffee with chicory.

Steven has been selling his snowballs at local events, including the Canal Village Farmer’s Market in summer and the Orleans County 4-H Fair, where they have been a big hit, especially with children.

Steven Sones serves Erica Waniecski of Medina a beignet and homemade hot chocolate at the new business he and wife Jennifer have opened in Medina. Sones, a native of New Orleans, makes the beignets, a pillowy soft, air-fried piece of dough topped with a heavy coating of powdered sugar. The confections are a tradition in New Orleans, especially at the famed Café du Monde.

Beignets are pillowy-soft, deep-fried pieces of dough, traditionally topped with a heavy coating of powdered sugar. Originating from France, they are famously known as the official state doughnut of Louisiana, where they were introduced by French settlers and became a staple of New Orleans, particularly at the iconic Café Du Monde.

King cakes are a tradition served primarily from Jan. 6, or the Epiphany, until Mardi Gras. The cakes are usually made from a rich brioche-like dough twisted into a ring and filled with ingredients like cinnamon, cream cheese or pecans. It is very common to find a small plastic baby figurine hidden within a ring of king cake. While there are many beliefs, some say that the figurine represents the Baby Jesus. The history and figurine are taped to the inside of each box for the customers to use as they see fit, Jennifer said.

He makes his king cakes with cinnamon or cream cheese and raspberry. In addition to selling the cakes by the slice, he also takes orders for whole cakes. Orders can be placed during carnival season on social media or by calling (585) 318-4001. Beignets may be ordered at any time.

 “We want Nola’s to become a community hub,” Steven said.

Union for firefighters says board inaction puts public safety at risk

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina ladder truck from 1996 is shown in March 2023 when the fire department had an open house showing the tight quarters at the fire hall, especially for the ladder truck which only had 2 inches of clearance in pulling in and out of the fire hall. This truck has been out of service since June due to mechanical problems. Medina has new fire truck but it doesn’t fit in the existing fire hall. The board has discussed a one-bay addition to the fire hall but hasn’t moved forward with that project.

MEDINA – The Village Board is moving Monday’s meeting site from the Shelby Town Hall to the Medina High School auditorium due to a large crowd expected.

The union representing Medina’s career firefighters has been urging the public to attend the meeting and share their concerns about public safety as some of the board members favor not putting a new ladder truck into service and selling it.

Trustees Deb Padoleski and Mark Prawel said during the Jan. 12 meeting they favor selling the truck.

They think the cost of the truck, plus for an addition to house it, is too much for village taxpayers.

Trustee Scott Bieliski also said he wants to hold off on putting the new truck into service to maximize its value in case it’s sold. He wants to reach out to a broker to see what another municipality would pay for the truck, and if a smaller used ladder truck is available that would fit in the existing fire hall.

The new ladder truck doesn’t fit in the current fire hall. The board has discussed a one-bay addition that is expected to be in the $1.1 to $1.4 million range. Bieliski said that price seems too high for only a one-bay addition.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Trustee Jess Marciano both said they support buying the new ladder truck for $1.7 million and moving forward with the addition (while pursuing grants to help offset the costs for the addition).

Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley is expected to present the results of a report from 2020 looking at the ISO ratings for the community and how they would be impacted without a ladder truck – and the potential for higher insurance rates in the village.

“Important decisions affecting public safety in our community are being discussed,” the firefighters union stated on their Facebook page. “This is your opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and make your voices heard. We will be there before and after the meeting to talk with you and answer your questions. Come get facts and data, not rumor and rhetoric.”

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the high school.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Michael Prezioso, left, and Mario Campana stand among some of the antique furnishings in their new store on East Center Street in Medina.

MEDINA – Two local businessmen have combined their talents to open a new store, located on East Center Street and aptly named Just East of Main.

Michael Prezioso and Mario Campana are owners of the store, which offers an eclectic mix of furniture, art, home décor and clothing, with the anticipation of adding a larger selection of items when they open up the space next door which formerly housed Corky’s Bakery.

Prezioso, formerly of Buffalo, and Campana, formerly of Niagara Falls, each have a background in business – Prezioso in big box marketing and advertising and Campana in big box retail. Campana also does estate sales.

The couple first became familiar with Medina in 2015 when a friend came to shop at a lily & a sparrow and fell in love with the village, Prezioso said.

“We had lunch and just loved this quaint little village,” he said.

They first purchased the former Corky’s building on East Center Street in 2019, and started renovating the building, Campana said.

Next, they bought the building at 116 East Center St., which housed Ashlee’s Place until it closed in 2024 after 33 years.

“When Angie (Waldriff) decided to retire, we started renovating this building,” Campana said.

(Left) This is just a sampling of the one-of-a-kind furniture, elegant china and artwork for sale at Just East of Main Street, located in the store which housed Ashlee’s Place. (Right) The latest business to open in Medina is an antique and vintage shop featuring furniture, collectibles, artwork, clothing and home décor.  It is aptly named Just East of Main Street, being located on East Center Street in the space formerly occupied by Ashlee’s Place.

Prezioso and Campana brought back the original floor and ceiling and exposed an original brick wall. The building was built in 1890, but a new façade was built after a fire in 1902. At the time, the building was owned by Mahar Furniture. Prezioso and Campana are interested in the history of the building and if anyone has newspaper clippings or pictures from the olden days, they would love to see them.

“We really believe in rebuilding and restoring architecturally significant homes and buildings,” Prezioso said.

“We have also purchased the former Houseman Funeral Home on Park Avenue and started renovating that,” Campana said.

“As we expand into Corky’s building, a larger selection of antique furnishings and vintage clothing, toys and primitives will become available,” Prezioso said.

Their current store, which opened Nov. 29, 2025, has exceptional brands of furniture, such as Ethan Allen, Kittenger, Henkel-Harris and other American made brands.

“For us, it has been really nice here,” Campana said. “Medina is a community of shops that support each other’s business efforts. We have been very well received by the community and a lot of repeat buyers.”

Collectibles, antiques and more are on display at Just East of Main Street, where renovation exposed the original brick wall.

Both Prezioso and Campana commended the Village Board for being so helpful when they were planning their renovations, especially retired code enforcement officer Marty Busch and current officer Dan Gardner.

In addition to their new venture in owning a retail store, Prezioso teaches art in his studio on the third floor of the furniture building and at Carnegie Library in North Tonawanda.

Just East of Main Street is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from January through March; from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays in March through December; and by appointment all year-round by calling (716) 566-8032.