Medina

ONE Catholic churches joining for Christmas concert Dec. 21

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 December 2024 at 11:32 am

Provided photo: Aaron Grabowski, organist at St. Mary’s Church in Medina, is music director for the first Christmas concert Dec. 21 with Holy Family in Albion and St. Mary’s in Holley.

MEDINA – Three Catholic churches in the Orleans-Niagara East Catholic community known as ONE Catholic are combining their musical talents to present the first Christmas concert together.

Aaron Grabowski, organist at St. Mary’s Church in Medina, is music director for the concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at St. Mary’s in Medina, where they will be joined by the choirs, soloists and instrumentalists from St. Joseph’s in Albion and St. Mary’s in Holley.

“This is a first for all three churches,” Grabowski said. “We hope to make it an annual event, as the feedback we’ve received from all three communities has been very positive.”

The concept for a combined concert began in Medina with Grabowski and his cantor Abigail Campbell. Several solos will be performed by people who are learning voice, he said.

“But the standout will be when we bring all the voices together to sing,” Grabowski said.

Instruments featured will be the organ, flute and a harpsichord which he built.

There is no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be taken. A reception will follow the approximately one-hour long concert.

Lee-Whedon’s $5.2 million bond resolution passes, 223-214

Passero Associates created this rendering of the front of the building, which includes an overhang near the entrance. This is part of a $5.2 million capital project at the library, which includes a 4,785-square-foot addition.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2024 at 10:02 pm

MEDINA – The community, in a close vote, approved a bond resolution today allowing the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library to borrow up to $5.2 million for an expansion of the building at 620 West Ave.

The resolution passed, 223-214. The library should be able to break ground on the construction project in mid-2025, said director Kristine Mostyn.

Lee-Whedon will work to complete the engineering drawings and go through the bidding process.

A 4,785-square-foot expansion would go 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, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There would 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 already has $795,320 in grants secured and $175,000 in reserves, leaving a $4,229,680 to be financed over 20 years. That would result in a $48 a year increase in taxes for homes valued at $100,000, said Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing.

That represents the “worst-case scenario,” she said during a meeting last week, because the library is likely to get additional grants and raise money in a capital campaign.

The library is seeking an additional $789,520 grant from the state for library construction. If that is secured, the amount to be financed would be $3,4410,160, lowering the tax impact to an average of $39 for houses at $100,000 in assessed value, Crowley said.

The library also expects it could raise $500,000 in a fundraising or capital campaign. If that is successful, the amount to finance would be $2,940,160 or a $34 impact for property assessed at $100,000.

Lee-Whedon has already acquired and razed two buildings behind the library for the addition. That property and building demolition has already been paid for.

Railroad Museum shows appreciation to long-time volunteer

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Erica Wanecski, center, is given a pair of tickets for the Polar Express by Medina Railroad Museum director Jeff Lewis, in appreciation of her hours of volunteering at the museum and throughout her community. Looking on, from left are board member Dave Murphy; Lew Capwell, event consultant with Rail Events; and Joe Kujawa, also a board member.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 December 2024 at 9:31 am

MEDINA – A local woman who thrives on volunteering was rewarded for her efforts by the Medina Railroad Museum on Monday.

To show their appreciation for all she does, Museum director Jeff Lewis presented Erica Wanecski with two tickets to ride the Polar Express. There to share in her honor were board members Dave Murphy and Joe Kujawa and Lew Capwell, event coordinator from Rail Events, who own the rights to Polar Express.

Lewis acknowledges that events like Polar Express require a lot of volunteers to make them happen.

“Since all our trains were sold out and we added an extra day, we thought, ‘Why not recognize the volunteers, without whom we couldn’t do this,” Lewis said. “So we picked someone who goes above and beyond and has been here the longest – Erica.”

“She is truly a distinguished volunteer,” Capwell said. “She shows exemplary leadership.”

He said this is his second year of representing Rail Events at Medina’s Polar event, and he loves the town.

“This event has grown over last year,” Capwell said. “This Museum is a real asset. Kids love the layout.”

Wanecski loves helping others, learning new things and sharing them with her community. She is especially fond of volunteering at the Medina Railroad Museum.

“I knew founder Marty Phelps, even before he started this museum,” Wanecski said. “I have been here from the beginning.”

Erica Wanecski, left, was at the Master Gardeners’ booth at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in July with nancy Walker, another Master Gardener. Volunteering as a Master Gardener is one of Wanecski’s favorite pastimes.

Wanecski, 74, loves history and her community. Telling people about them is the joy of her life. She is a member and/or volunteer of Medina Historical Society, Cobblestone Society, Attica, Warsaw, Oakfield, Clarence and Hartland Historical societies, Master Gardeners and the Steel Plant Museum in Buffalo. She maintains flower beds at Medina Memorial Hospital and helps many of the museums with their landscaping, weeding, collections and setting up exhibits.

“I was inspired by Marty and his passion,” Wanecski said. “If I can add to other people’s experience, then they walk away happy, and I’m happy. The message I want to share is for everyone to find their passion and consider volunteering and sharing their time with others. You’ll find it a very positive and rewarding experience.”

Medina HS students collect 1,600 food items for pantry St. Peter’s

Posted 9 December 2024 at 3:45 pm

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Central School

MEDINA – The Medina Junior-Senior High School’s Student Association recently collected over 1,600 non-perishable food items for St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Food Pantry.

The church is located at 1355 West Ave. in Medina and provides emergency food once per month to residents of Medina in need.

Student Association co-advisor Sara Cinquino said she is thrilled what the 35 students and staff were able to achieve this year.

“We doubled what we collected last year and we have to thank the Medina Teacher’s Union for swapping drives with us,” Cinquino said. “They are collecting essential items, which we normally do, to make it more affordable for the students to participate in this event. I have to also thank fellow teacher Joe Byrne who helped me to oversee the food drive while my co-advisor is out on maternity leave.”

The Student Association collected, counted and sorted the food every day the week of Nov. 18-22.  Lieutenant Steve Cooley and other members of the Medina Fire Department volunteered on their day off to come to the school and collected the boxes from the students who carried them out to their vehicles.

“Every year, we as a club are so thankful that we can do something at the Junior-Senior High School and give back to the community,” Cinquino said. “It takes just a small effort on our end, but we can make a difference and impact for so many people in this community.”

Medina students brought the boxes of food to Medina firefighters, who transported it to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Food Pantry.

First Baptist in Medina has new name, new hope and more attendees

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Mike Wright, left, a deacon and 40-year member of the First Baptist Church of Medina, and new pastor Randy LeBaron stand by the sign announcing the church’s new name, New Hope Community Church.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 December 2024 at 5:48 pm

MEDINA – After serving the people for nearly two centuries, the First Baptist Church of Medina is going forth with a new name.

The Rev. Randy LeBaron, former pastor of the Albion Free Methodist Church, assumed pastoral duties at First Baptist Church in September 2023.

He recently announced a name change for the church – New Hope Community Church.

The First Baptist Society was formed in Medina 195 years ago. The historic sandstone building was erected 151 years ago, having been dedicated Jan. 8, 1873, according to Mike Wright, a deacon and member of the church with his wife Joyce for more than 40 years.

Like many mainstream churches, attendance at the First Baptist Church had been declining.

“When I first started here, there was a core group who were casting a vision for the church,” LeBaron said.

“We wondered what we were going to do,” Wright said.

LeBaron grew up in Chautauqua County, attended Central Christian College in Kansas, then transferred to Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. His first assignment was as assistant pastor in Warsaw, then lead pastor in Niagara Falls.

“When they asked me to come to Albion Free Methodist Church, I didn’t know where Albion was,” he said.

It was 2004 when he moved there with his wife Sheryl and children Ashlyn and Brendan. Two more daughters, Madison and Jillian, were born later.

(Left) The church has collected toys in the annual Red  Barrel Drive. (Right) Randy LeBaron holds a cake celebrating the name change from Frist Baptist to New Hope Community Church.

In 2019, LeBaron shifted his ministry to become a Free Methodist Conference evangelist. During that time, he founded and became president of Go Scatter Ministries, with the goal to equip Christians for everyday evangelism. He traveled and spoke to more than 100 churches in 22 denominations. He preached, presented workshops and started posting Refill with Randy videos on his blog. That led to a bi-weekly column. One received more than 18,000 shares in more than 32 countries.

“I still felt very much connected to ministry in our county,” LeBaron said.

While running Go Scatter Ministries, LeBaron became involved with other agencies, such as a volunteer with Hands 4 Hope, a counselor at Care Net and chaplain for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. He went every other week to different churches, preaching messages on evangelism. In January 2022, he joined Hospice.

“I was just going to be there five hours a week,” LeBaron said. “But three others left for various reasons and I became spiritual care and bereavement counselor for all the grief support groups in Orleans County.”

About that time, he was asked to help as interim at North Point Chapel, at the former United Methodist Church in Albion, then other Free Methodist churches and the Albion First Baptist Church. He actually helped to bring the pastor, Marsha Rivers, to the Baptist church Jan. 1, 2023.

“Then one day Mike Wright gave me a call and asked if I could fill the pulpit of the First Baptist Church in Medina, and help them with their pastoral search after the Rev. Michael Stephenson left,” LeBaron said. “They had quite a few candidates apply, but the more I saw the heart of the people here, I felt called to put my name in.”

The Covid pandemic hit in March 2020 and churches weren’t able to do in-person services for about three months. Full attendance didn’t come back immediately when the churches reopened.

“Covid really hurt our attendance,” Wright said. “It was demoralizing – a very dark time for us, and we didn’t have the resources we needed. A lot of pastors who came to fill the pulpit had some really good messages. Buffalo pastor Rebecca Allis asked if we were not here, would people miss us. She said if the answer is ‘No,’ then you’re done. But if the answer is ‘yes,’ then you need to get involved in the community.’ And we hired Randy. He had so many contacts.”

Randy LeBaron sits at the altar of New Hope Community Church, where he preaches his sermons since becoming pastor of the church.

LeBaron started as interim Feb. 20, 2023, and was hired as lead pastor that September.

“I didn’t know if I’d fit in theologically,” LeBaron said. “A decade ago, the American Baptist denomination switched to North American Baptist Association, which now serves us more regionally and are much more mission-oriented.”

They picked three things they wanted to become involved in: Hands 4 Hope, Care Net and Campus One-80. The Campus One-80 became so popular, two young students joined and are now leading campus ministries in their college.

“When I first started here, there was a core group who were casting a vision for the church,” LeBaron said.

“But we didn’t know what to do,” Wright said.

LeBaron said when he first filled in, attendance was down and the atmosphere was dire.

“Then, suddenly there was new hope,” Wright said.

Changing the name of the church is meant to reflect that hope and give new hope to others, LeBaron said.

They had a long meeting with the congregation about changing the name. Some looked at it as “breaking my heart,” but the majority favored the change.

“We are still a Baptist Church,” LeBaron said.

 “The Lord continues to bring people he wants here and people continue to come,” Wright said. “One or two at a time, and they don’t just attend, they want to join.”

When LeBaron first came to the church, attendance averaged eight to 10 people. Now they are happy to share attendance has increased to 50 to 60, and they have performed a dozen or more baptisms.

“We are a very casual, contemporary Christ-centered church,” LeBaron said.

They meet every Sunday after church for coffee and conversation. There were a number of attendees who didn’t believe in anything, and now they want to be involved in everything, LeBaron said. Even a former atheist who now leads the new men’s group and helped carry the cross at Easter.

Their community involvement includes sponsoring a free garage sale every June, where the church basement is filled with merchandise, which people can just walk in and take. They give away hot chocolate during the Parade of Lights and coats during the winter.

A sunrise service every Christmas at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast is a tradition more than 100 years old.

Sunday worship is at 10 a.m., and this week begins a new sermon series, “Advent 2 Christmas,” to which everyone is invited.

Medina A’Cappella Choir, Glee Club will perform Dec. 15 Christmas concert

Provided photos: Medina High School’s A'Cappella Choir will present its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church in Medina.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 December 2024 at 9:05 am

MEDINA – Two esteemed musical groups from the Medina Central School System will join once again this year to present their annual Community Christmas Concert.

The Medina High School A’Cappella Choir and Oak Orchard Elementary School Glee Club Community Christmas Concert is scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church.

Rachel Trillizio directs the A’Cappella Choir, while Andrea Busch leads the Oak Orchard Glee Club. They will be joined by Kyla Leno and Matt Jaeger, who will direct offerings by several instrumentalists.

The tradition of the A’Cappella Choir Christmas Concert began decades ago at the First Presbyterian Church of Medina, with former choir director Robert Connor.

The much-beloved event became so popular, it eventually outgrew the Presbyterian Church and moved to St. Mary’s, according to Chris Busch, an alumnus of Medina High School and member of St. Mary’s Church.

The event attracts a capacity crowd and is free and open to the public, Busch said.

The Oak Orchard Elementary School Glee Club will join the High School A’Cappella Choir for a Christmas concert Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church.

Medina 5th, 6th graders performing Finding Nemo

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 December 2024 at 5:50 pm

Provided photos

MEDINA – A cast of 91 fifth- and sixth-graders at Clifford Wise Intermediate School is performing Finding Nemo KIDS, a musical, this evening and Friday at 7 p.m.

The 45-minute musical is the based on a beloved Pixar film from 2003, Finding Nemo. The musical is designed for elementary school-aged performers. The cast is led by Anna Ferlito, Morgan Janese, Renee Copperthite, Demerise Eadie and Jeanette Sheliga.

“This is the event that most students look forward to each year!” said Ferlito, a Medina music teacher and the musical director. “It is so exciting to watch them put together a show from start to finish and be proud of their production. It’s amazing to be a part of a community that supports the arts and encourages students to explore their musical abilities!”

This is the third production at Clifford Wise Intermediate School as part of their 5th and 6th grade Performing Arts Program. Other productions included Aladdin Jr. and The Jungle Book kids.

“Over the past two years we have seen tremendous growth in the High School Musical Theater program as a result of equipping students with theatrical fundamentals in the younger grades,” Ferlito said. “The kids love when high school students come and work with them on singing, stage presence, choreography, etc, and we love when the kids already feel connected to the vocal program when they enter high school.”

For information on purchasing tickets please email Musical Director Anna Ferlito at aferlito@medinacsd or call (585) 798-2700 ext. 6204.

Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo KIDS is presented through special arrangement with and all materials are provided by Music Theatre International.

New location, big response for Canalside Tattoo toy drive

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2024 at 7:50 pm

Provided photos

MEDINA – Canalside Tattoo Company held its annual toy drive on Saturday, timed with Medina’s Parade of Lights and the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration.

Pictured from left include Canalside’s team, in front kneeling: Matt Rolfe and Rhianna Rosone. In back: Regan Timmer, owner Shawn Ramsey, Tyler VerCruysse, Andrew London, Megan Furness and CJ Cruickshank.

Canalside for several years has collected toys that are distributed by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and the Medina Area Association of Churches (MAAC).

The business moved from Main Street to 627 West Ave. on Aug. 9.

Representatives from the Medina Area Association of Churches and Community Action of Orleans & Genesee picked up the toys this morning. They will distribute them to local children. Both organizations say they are seeing increased need this holiday season.

Pictured form left include Community Action’s facility staff Ernie Gursslin; Sherry Touhey-Sipple, MAAC’s red barrel coordinator; Jim Sipple, MAAC; Community Action Facility Manager Ricky Standish; and Katrina Standish, director of Community Services & Reporting for Community Action.

The toy donation from Canalside’s toy drive will assist in providing gifts to approximately 150 children in Orleans County through Community Action’s holiday program, Katrina Standish said.

On average, the agency serves about 700 individuals for the holidays. Adults receive a holiday meal and children under the age of 18 receive gifts. Outside agencies are invited to “adopt a family” Please call Community Action’s main office in Albion at (585) 589-5605 for more information on adopting a family for the holiday.

Lee-Whedon library leaders seek support for $5.2 million bond vote on Dec. 10

Photos by Tom Rivers: Emily Connors, a project architect at Passero Associates in Rochester, discusses the layout of a proposed 4,785-square-foot addition to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. About 75 people attended a public information meeting on Tuesday evening at the library. Registered voters in the Medina school district can go to the polls on Dec. 10 from noon to 8 p.m. at the district office to determine whether the library can take out a bond for up to $5.2 million.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2024 at 11:53 am

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library officials presented a plan to expand the library on Tuesday evening to about 75 community members.

Lee-Whedon is seeking the public’s support for a $5.2 million bond. A vote will be from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the district office for Medina, next to the high school.

Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing, discussed the financial impacts of the bond.

The expansion would go on the back of the current library at 620 West Ave. The current building is 11,100 square feet.

The 4,785-square-foot addition would 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, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There would 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 already has $795,320 in grants secured and $175,000 in reserves, leaving a $4,229,680 to be financed over 20 years. That would result in a $48 a year increase in taxes for homes valued at $100,000, said Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing.

That represents the “worst-case scenario,” she said, because the library is likely to get additional grants and raise money in a capital campaign.

The library is seeking an additional $789,520 grant from the state for library construction. If that is secured, the amount to be financed would be $3,4410,160, lowering the tax impact to an average of $39 for houses at $100,000 in assessed value, Crowley said.

The library also expects it could raise $500,000 in a fundraising or capital campaign. If that is successful, the amount to finance would be $2,940,160 or a $34 impact for property assessed at $100,000.

Kristine Mostyn, the library director, noted Lee-Whedon has already acquired and razed two buildings behind the library for the addition. That property and building demolition has already been paid for.

Passero Associates showed a rendering of the front of the building, which includes an overhang near the entrance. That creates a visual impact, draws attention to the entrance and gives a spot to protect from rain and snow.

Passero Associates presented this rendering of the addition, showing how it blends in with the existing building. The addition would be from the three windows on the left.

Mostyn shared statistics from the library, including being open 287 days a year, hosts 371 annual programs attended by 6,899 people, summer programs attended by 1,411 children, 28 community partners, 650 monthly WiFi and computer users, and 103,769 items borrowed a year.

The expansion would allow the library to meet a growing need for meeting space. Right now there aren’t dedicated meeting rooms, and no individual tutoring space.

The library currently has five full-time staff and six part-timers. As part of the expansion, it would add one part-timer, Mostyn said.

If the bond resolution is approved by the public, construction on the addition is expected to start in 2025.

Residents attended the public information meeting to hear about the expansion and the impact on taxpayers.

Medina A’Capella Choir helps senior citizens celebrate holiday season

Rachel Trillizio, director of the A’Capella Choir, greets the audience during their visit to the Medina Senior Center on Monday. Singing for the Senior Center has been an annual tradition for many decades.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 December 2024 at 9:59 am

MEDINA – Senior citizens packed the Senior Center of Western Orleans in Medina on Monday for their annual Christmas dinner and entertainment by Medina High School’s A’Capella Select Choir.

Following the business meeting, director Kelly Shaw handed out $40 gift cards to Tops to 10 seniors whose names were drawn. Concluding the meeting, president Lynn Creasey presented Shaw with a check in appreciation of all she does for the center and its seniors.

Dinner was potluck with beef on weck provided by the center and an array of Christmas cookies.

A highlight of the Christmas dinner every year is a visit from the A’Capella Select Choir, under the current leadership of Rachel Trillizio.

“Their visit is an annual tradition,” Shaw said. “I’ve been here 20 years and they were coming here back then. They’ve never missed a year.”

(Left) Medina Senior Center director Kelly Shaw, right, presents a poinsettia to A’Capella Choir director Rachel Trillizio, after their performance Monday at the Senior Center Christmas party. Each choir member received a decorated Christmas cookie to take home. (Right) Lynn Creasey, president of the Senior Citizens of Western New York, presents a check to Kelly Shaw in appreciation of her hard work and dedication to the seniors.

The choir sang a number of old favorite Christmas carols, including Silent Night, Oh Come all Ye Faithful and Joy to the World, along with several praise and gospel tunes, such as Alleluia Madrigal and Nanita Lullaby in Spanish.

“I’m the luckiest person in the world to work with these kids, who give 99.9% of their time to being in the musical program, including choir, marching band and plays,” Trillizio said. “Some of them want to go to college to study music, but those who don’t still show the same amount of pride, passion and dedication to the Music Department.”

Student Riley Tompkins was among the members who sang for the senior citizens on Monday.

“It is always a very enjoyable experience to share our music with people who have been a part of the community for years,” Tompkins said. “It is always a blast to sing in front of them, as they are a very fun audience who love hearing us sing. It means so much knowing that our hard work is recognized with grace. Performing in the Medina community means the world to me, and the people involved are always the highest of excellence.”

Rachel Trillizio, director of the A’Capella Choir, greets the audience during their visit to the Medina Senior Center on Monday. Singing for the Senior Center has been an annual tradition for many decades.

Another member of the Select Choir is junior Ava Blount. This is her second year in the choir and Select ensemble.

“A’Capella has been a safe space for me these past two years,” Blount said. “No matter what kind of day I’m having, it never fails to brighten my day. Performing for my community has been an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life – seeing all the little kids faces light up when we sing our Christmas carols, and seeing proud parents and sibling watch their babies carry on family traditions. And to those at the Senior Center, I value this experience because I admire carrying on the legacy that was created so many years ago. Yesterday was special, watching everyone’s reactions and faces as we sang songs they once sang. Carrying on this legacy and seeing everyone in the community enjoying our art, no matter what their age, truly makes our hard work worthwhile.”

Trillizio praised her forerunners who built and maintained the A’Capella Choir, namely the late Robert Conner and Lisa Roesseler.

Trillizio said they have sung every year, even during the Covid pandemic when they had to stand three feet apart and wear masks.

Trillizio ended by reminding the audience of their annual A’Capella Community Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church.

More photos from Medina’s dazzling Parade of Lights

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2024 at 8:12 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd along Main Street on Saturday night. Several thousand people braved the frigid temperatures to watch nearly 50 decorative floats, bands and fire trucks.

Takeform created this float which has been used the past three parades to bring in Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Talis Historic Restoration in Medina was among several first-time parade participants.

Case-Nic Cookies created another float for the parade. Case-Nic has been in all 16 of the parades. The store is closing at the end of December with owner Mary Lou Tuohey retiring after 29 years in the cookie business.

Ginny Kropf, a long-time local news reporter, served as grand marshal of the parade. Kropf also has long been involved in community organizations, and currently serves on the boards for the Orleans County United Way and Medina Railroad Museum.

“I’ve been to every Parade of Lights but one, so it was a great honor to have been chosen grand marshal of this spectacular event,” Kropf said. “I am truly amazed at the work and creativity of everyone who entered a float. It was truly a magical evening, even with the cold!”

The Pembroke marching band lighted up their instruments while performing in the parade.

Oak Orchard Health joined the fun in the parade.

M.J. Dreher Trucking in Brockport

East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company

Great Grandpa’s Truck included one of several Grinch characters in the parade.

Orleans Community Health participated in the parade with residents from the North Wing at Medina Memorial Hospital in the van, waving to the crowd.

Cub Scout Pack 18 had Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other characters from Peanuts.

Cycling Without Age featured Sebastian Erakare pedaling a tri-shaw bike down Main Street. He is giving a ride to his wife Bradeen Walders Erakare and her mother, Susan Walders. Walders started the organization in Orleans County that using the tri-shaw to give senior citizens rides.

Newton Racing/Petry’s Pulling Team

Eye of Oden K9 Training

The Medina Fire Department

The Medina Lions Club

The Medina Marching Band

Bentley Brothers in Albion and Brockport created this float. The business is nearing its 100th anniversary.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee

Prime Time Brass

Logan’s Landscaping

Mark Time Marchers

Winning floats announced in Medina’s Parade of Lights

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2024 at 5:49 pm

Orleans/Niagara BOCES named grand champion of 16th annual parade

MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES has been named the grand champion in Saturday’s 16th annual Parade of Lights.

There were nearly 50 participants in the parade. The BOCES receives a $500 check as the grand champion. Other winners receive $300. All of the winning floats and participants receive a plaque from the Parade of Lights.

The float included a 1954 John Deere 40U tractor restored at Orleans/Niagara BOCES by Matthew Page.

The Orleans/Niagara BOCES works on their winning float ready for the parade in a staging area at the Olde Pickle Factory. The parade route went from the Olde Pickle Factory down Park Avenue and north on Main Street.

The winners in the different categories include:

Best in Class (Not-for-Profit) – Niagara County 4-H Equine


Best in Class (Commercial) – Mahar Excavating


Best in Class (Service Clubs) – Albion FFA


Best in Class (Religious) – The Vine (formerly Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God in Medina)


Best in Class (Fire companies) – Albion Fire Department


Best on Class – Metz’s Family Christmas


Star Award (for creativity) – Western New York Energy


Santa’s Pick – Heveron Electric


Littlest Elf Award (that best incorporate youths and adults in float) – Albion Girl Scouts


Community Spirit Award – Painted Sky Ranch/Monroe County 4-H

Before the big parade, fireworks lighted up sky in downtown Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2024 at 11:06 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Fireworks created a spectacle in the sky just before the Parade of Lights in Medina on Saturday evening.

Young Explosives in Rochester set off the fireworks from the canal, exploding over Main Street.


Bent’s Opera House is decked out for the holidays, and has added two large nutcrackers and a giant ornament to add to Medina’s decorations.

A big crowd gathered on Main Street in front of Bent’s to watch the fireworks and Parade of Lights.

Pets get a parade at Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2024 at 3:29 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – This dachshund is decked out for Christmas during today’s Pet parade at noon down Main Street in Medina.

The parade started on West Avenue at the Medina Historical Society.

There was a big group of pets with many in costume for the parade.

Medina Village Trustees Jess Marciano as Olaf and Dianna Baker as Anna from Frozen wave to the crowd. They are joined by Marciano’s daughter, Cadence.

The Cutest Little Elf contest winners, Paisley Morgott of Medina and Kenslee Smak of Batavia, got to walk in the parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Zach and Andrea Busch walked in the pet parade with Winston, a Labradoodle.

Chris Seefeldt is the Grinch and Stacey Seefeldt dressed as Cindy Lou Who for the parade.

Lynne Menz, left, brought two dogs and Kelly Kiebala brought one for the parade. Kiebala’s and one of Menz’s dogs are brothers from the same litter. Menz is shown with Brody, a Pomeranian Husky; and Bo, a Pomeranian Sheltie. Kiebala’s dog is named Teddy, a Pomeranian Sheltie.

The Medina High School Band played Christmas music in the noon parade.

Santa and Mrs. Claus acknowledge the crowd on Main Street.

The Parade of Lights is at 6 p.m.

150 tackle chilly 5K to start Medina’s Christmas festival

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2024 at 2:23 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Medina High School students Riley Tompkins is dressed as an elf and Logan Trillizio wore a Santa costume in today’s Home for the Holidays 5K in Medina. They are sprinting at the end of the race on North Main Street near the American Legion. (St. Mary’s Catholic Church is in the background.)

There were 150 participants in today’s event with temperatures in the low 30s.

Debbie Tompkins welcomes the runners to the race when they gathered near the starting line in the Canal Basin. She organizes the race with Teresa Wilkins.

Proceeds from the race are planned to go to backpack food program at Oak Orchard Primary School and a new scholarship program at the school.

Jeremy Weakland of Gasport carries an American flag while running next to his son, Jeremy Weakland Jr., 12. They finished in 37:16.

Arian Cayea, 20, of Medina was the first male in a time of 19:05 while Jen Curtis, 34, of New York was the first female with a time of 22:06.

There are events throughout the day in Medina for the Hometown Christmas celebration, including the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m.