Heritage Hurricanes prove crowd favorites at competitions

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A member of the Heritage Hurricanes waves a flag during Saturday’s Colorburst event at Medina High School, which included 25 winter guard teams from Western New York and Pennsylvania.

The Heritage Hurricanes are an all-abilities colorguard with members from Heritage Christian Services and other community members in the Rochester area.

Melissa Jaeger, front, directs the Hurricanes. She helped found the group in 2018. She works at Heritage as a day program manager.

“It gives them an opportunity to perform and create friendships in a different community,” she said.

Jaeger also is director of the Medina winterguard teams – the varsity, JV and a Colorguard Group with students in grades 3-6.

Jaeger lives in Rochester and drives to Medina three times a week to lead the school teams. Her brother, Matt Jaeger, is Medina’s high school band director.

Melissa Jaeger graduated from Medina in 2008. She said color guard teams help create friendships and bring people together.

“Winter guard is a fun a creative outlet,” Jaeger said. “It’s a way to stay and be active.”

The Heritage Hurricanes have 18 members. The group practices once a week. They perform in the exhibition class at Medina and also the North East Color Guard Circuit Championships, which will be April 6 at Gates-Chili.

Jaeger thanked Medina for welcoming the Hurricanes since the group started in 2018.

Heritage staff members and volunteers from the White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps and other local winter guards assist the team at practice and during their performances.

The crowd gave the Hurricanes loud applause during the performance and at the conclusion.

MEDINA – Loreli Ryan dances to “Maniac” with the Medina varsity winter guard team during Saturday’s “Colorburst” show at Medina High School.

There were 25 guard units competing at the event, up from 19 from a year ago at the Winter Guard Show in Medina. About 500 people attended the competition.

Medina winter guard members Madelyn Lewis, front, and Natalie Herbert slow down the action for a moment during Medina’s performance. Medina did a take on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and is set to songs of the last several decades.

Caiden Class, a Medina senior, joined the winter guard and is depicting Dick Clark and at times playing his saxophone. MacKenzie Poynter is in front in blue.

Winter guard is a hybrid artform and sport that combines elements of music, dance, choreography and military-like precision in a competitive arena. Winter guard is touted for benefits for participants that include teamwork, fitness, timing, planning, responsibility, coordination, and goal-setting.

Medina competes in the SA class. Here are some photos of the teams in the RA, A1 and SA classes.

The team from Corry, Pa. performed a show called “Life at Sea.”

Gates Chili performed a show, “Illusions of the Eye.”

Members of the Jamestown winter guard performed “Paint It Black.” The began in bright yellow outfits and ended in all black.

The Jamestown team goes from yellow to black to signify a journey from a hapopy life to the dark side.

Hinsdale’s team tosses flags in the air and gets ready to catch them. Their show, “Dreams,” is designed around the dream of building a house with everything you’ve always wanted.

Orchard Park’s show of “Life Goes On” sends a message that it’s possible to move on from someone even if your heart refuses to let go.

Lancaster presented “If I Ran the Zoo” which takes the idea of a traditional zoo and reimagines it where there is no cognition and the animals run wild with juxtaposition.

Victor’s winter guard performed “The Vibrant City.” The scene is set in New Orleans.

Awards also recognize community leaders, outstanding students and educators

MEDINA – The school district is starting a new program to recognize “shining stars” in the community.

The district will be accepting nominations until March 29  in the following categories: charitable giving, diversity investments and education opportunities.

Daniel Doctor

The honorees will recognized at a district event in May, said Daniel Doctor, director of Community Partnerships for the school district.

“Our community partners are silent givers, volunteers and organizations who give generously while investing in the mission and vision of our schools,” Doctor said. “The sole purpose of this event is to bring the partners’ accomplishments and or contributions to the light. The simple act of acknowledging achievement is a major boost for any individual, organization or business. And that’s why recognition is so critical.”

Nominations from the community are being accepted for individuals, organizations and businesses for the following awards:

• Volunteer of the Year Award – Nominees must have been involved in volunteering for the equivalent of at least 100 hours over a 12-month period. Nominees must have volunteered for a legitimate not-for-profit organization, service club or community group. The communities of Orleans County must be significant beneficiaries of the nominee’s volunteer work.
• Community Leadership Award – Nominees for this award stand out because of their exceptional professional and/or volunteer achievements in the community, which are above and beyond their role in a paid position.
• Community Collaboration Award – Nominees for this award provide outstanding examples of collaboration within their communities. These nominees recognize the benefits that come from accessing resources and expertise of individuals, local businesses, government, non-profits or charities for positive community impact.
• Arts and Culture Award – Nominees in this category, either individually, as ensemble or as an organization, have worked diligently and selflessly in a variety of creative, applied, and fine art genres to benefit the community. Their efforts have made a significant contribution to the cultural scene in Orleans County, while creating access and inclusion to arts and culture.
• Organization of the Year (under 10 employees) – Organization or service club that provides outstanding programs, services, events or campaigns that support the needs of the community and its residents. Does the organization successfully raise awareness of issues affecting the community and successfully raise funds to support its mission and goals?
• Organization of the Year (11 or more employees) – Organization or service club that provides outstanding programs, services, events or campaigns that support the needs of the community and its residents. Does the organization successfully raise awareness of issues affecting the community and successfully raise funds to support its mission and goals?
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Awarded to an individual who, over the past 15 years or more, has made significant contributions to the community and has improved the quality of life for citizens.
• Community Service Award – Nominees must demonstrate an ongoing community service, which incorporates leadership, social responsibility, mentorship and be a change agent. (organization, business, or individual)
• Unsung Hero Award – The Unsung Hero award recognizes an individual(s) who have positively influenced a program or organization from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, and a commitment to excellence.
• Best Event of the Year – Nominees for this award have created an event or program which has made a significant impact that increased awareness and/or boosted the bottom line of the organization. The recipient of this award has worked tirelessly to ensure the quality of this event or program has left an indelible mark on their community. (organization, business, or individual)
• Community Impact People’s Choice Award – Organization/ business that recognizes new and better ways to address a need in the community despite the many demands, and sometimes too few resources available. The efforts of this organization have a positive and meaningful impact on the broader community, resulting in clear and measurable change. Nominees in this category demonstrate a commitment to building relationships and collaborating meaningfully with the individuals and communities they serve. (organization, business, or individual)
• Girl Scout Troop Award – Recognizes a troop that models, and are real-life heroes. The troop uses skills they’ve learned as a Girl Scouts to help fix a problem in their community or make a lasting change in their world.
• Boy Scout Troop Award – Recognizes a troop that models, and are real-life heroes. The troop uses skills they’ve learned as a Boy Scouts to help fix a problem in their community or make a lasting change in their world.
• Outstanding Student Award (K-2), (3-6) & (7-12) – Students are recognized for academic achievement, improvement and citizenship-positive attitude toward classmates and school.
• Spotlight – Recognition of continued growth and improvement. Student is recognized for overcoming academic, behavioral and or social challenges,
• Inspirational Educator Award – The purpose of the award is to recognize any staff member who educate to inspire and motivate all students to work hard to reach beyond the expected to positively impact their communities. This prestigious award acknowledges the time and dedication faculty take to be exceptional.

For more information or to make a nomination, click here.

MEDINA – Village voters can hear directly from the seven candidates running for the Village Board in the March 19 election.

There will be a forum on March 12 starting at 6 p.m. at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave. The event is sponsored by The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub.

The event is set up as a forum and not a debate. Candidates will give opening and closing statements, and will respond to questions submitted by the audience.

The candidates include two people running for mayor: current trustee Marguerite Sherman, a retired special education teacher, is on the “The Village Party” and Michael Maak, a retired Medina firefighter, is running under the “Roots of the Past, Eyes on the Future Party.”

Five people are seeking two trustee positions on the Village Board.

Current trustee Tim Elliott and retired village clerk/treasurer Debbie Padoleski are running on the “The Village Party.” Elliott is an entrepreneur who currently works for LynOaken Farms.

Mat “Austin” Mosher and Jeffrey Pasnik are running with Maak under “Roots of the Past, Eyes on the Future Party.” Mosher is a former Medina firefighter and Pasnik is a council rep for North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters in Cheektowaga. Mosher now works as regional safety manager for United Refining Company and Quik Fill’s safety and compliance officer.

Mark Prawel  a retired Medina police officer, is running under the “United Party.” He also owns an auto repair shop in Medina.

The positions up for election are all for two years.

Provided photos: Front row from left includes Faith Baker, Taylor Frentz, Evelyn Phillips, Emma Jacobs and Jesse Cudzilo. Back row includes YMCA board member Dean Bellack, Emiliana Batista, Jacob Rissew, Dahvid Anderson, Addison Paul, Brandon Christiaansen, Henry Winters and Camryn Eick.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina students have assisted the YMCA with some projects to make the facility better for the public.

The site, the former Medina Armory, has been a YMCA since 1997. Now residents take exercise classes, use the workout room and participate in afterschool programs at the site.

Over the years the Y has replaced the roofing, lighting and the exercise rooms. They have launched capital campaigns to modernize the facility that included a handicapped accessibility ramp, a vestibule, lobby expansion for a social space, a child watch area, two unisex bathrooms and shower areas to make the space as functional as possible.

Unfortunately, there are still areas that need to be improved and reconfigured such as the women’s locker room and a basement kitchen. The locker room space is equipped with two private showers, an oak bench and lockers, some original to the building and also made out of solid oak. Sadly, some of the lockers had been sold off over time.

“This facility is so unique and we want to make it the best for our patrons,” said Jesse Cudzilo, the Y executive director. “There is damage to the floors, the showers need to be replaced and it is somewhat of an awkward layout.  Since we are community partners, we decided to tap our community to see if we could get some help in the remodel.”

He reached out to Medina Junior-Senior High School Counselor Audralee Doll, who put him in touch with Technology and Engineering Education teacher Mike Lepkyj. He jumped at the opportunity to give his students a chance to use their skills.

“This is a great opportunity for my Interior Design students,” he said. “They will get some real-world experience and a chance to help out an organization that does so much for our community.”

On Feb. 16, the class showed up for their initial walk through of the space and took measurements of the room and the features that needed to be incorporated. The students seemed excited about the project.

When they got back to the classroom, they broke into groups to start their design process.

Brandon Christiaansen, front, and Jacob Rissew measure inside the YMCA.

Student Emma Jacobs says she has been a member of the Y for over a year and she is excited to put her vision into her proposal.

“When I go there, I am always thinking of what they could do to improve it,” she said. “I have a lot of ideas and I am really stoked to actually work on a project that is for something in the real world.”

Classmate Evelyn Phillips said she is enjoying the creative process. “It’s really fun and I am looking forward to reimagining the spaces and make them more practical.”

Mr. Lepkyj says the students will work on about five proposals to show Mr. Cudzilo and the Board of the YMCA. “What an amazing thing to be able to put on their resume,” said Mr. Lepkyj. “How many high school students can say they designed a space for a local organization?”

Cudzillo also contacted Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Principal Nicole Goyette. She told him that the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s Building Trades students with their teacher Matt Anastasi would love to assist with the rehab and construction of the space.

“We are very excited about the partnerships with these classes,” Mr. Cudzilo. “It will be a lot of work. We firmly believe that when kids are invested in their community it becomes a source of pride for them. I can’t wait to see their vision for the space and I think their input will be invaluable. We are hoping that this generation coming up will embrace the history of this facility and we can pass the torch to them to keep it viable for generations to come. Our goal is to leave this building better than how we found it.”

Press Release, Lee Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – Lee Whedon Memorial Library will be holding programs in March and April in recognition of the total solar eclipse happening on April 8.

Orleans County is in the path of totality for the eclipse, making it an ideal place to view the astronomical event.

A mobile planetarium from the Challenger Learning Center will be at the library Thursday, March 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. Geared for ages 5 to 16, this is a wonderful opportunity for youth to be introduced to the movements of the night sky. Presentations are in 20-minute blocks. Call the library to sign up today!

The library will also be hosting a viewing of the solar eclipse from their location on April 8. The program begins at 2:30 p.m. and will include activities, games and snacks for all ages, followed by a chance to see the eclipse. Safe solar-viewing glasses will be provided at no cost.

Eclipse viewing glasses are available to anyone in the community and can be picked up at the library through April 8, while supplies last.

To register for our events, call (585) 798-3430 or visit the library.

MEDINA – The Village Board filled some vacancies on committees and is seeking more applications for other openings.

The board on Monday made the following appointments:

• Planning Board alternate: David Flynn
• Zoning Board of Appeals alternate: Randy Reese
• Parks Commission: Randy Reese
• Tourism Board: Barbara Gorham
• Parks Committee: Michelle Capstick

The Village Board has other openings it would like to fill, including three spots open on Boxwood Cemetery Commission, one position on the Tree Board, and one spot on the Parks Commission.

Residents interested in the position can click here to see a volunteer application to be submitted to the village. Click here to see some of the current committees and their members in the village.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Nick Joy, left, and Tanner Ferris takes the oaths of office and are sworn in as new police officer for the Village of Medina.

Joy’s dad Scott, right, is holding the Bible for while Ferris’ grandmother Darlene Sullivan holds the Bible while he recites the oath of office.

The two new officers were sworn in during this evening’s Village Board meeting.

Joy of Lyndonville is already well known in Albion and Medina, where he is a trainer and co-owner of the Hustl House gym. He will continue at Hustl House while starting a new career as a police officer.

“It is a really great opportunity to serve the community even more,” Joy said.

Ferris is a 2017 Albion graduate. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Brockport. He has been working for Keeler Construction.

“This is a great way to make a difference,” Ferris said about working as a police officer.

His grandfather, Richard Ferris, was a deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Tanner Ferris is grateful for the chance to work for the Medina PD.

“This is a smaller community where you can make a difference and not just be a number,” he said.

The two officers will take a six-month police academy starting Monday at Niagara County Community College then they do field training with the Medina PD.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – The application for Medina’s Full Day Universal Pre-K (UPK) program is now available on the Primary School’s website or by accessing the link found here.

Parents of children not already enrolled in UPK who are interested in enrolling their child in kindergarten for the 24-25 school year are also asked to complete the application form.

To be eligible for UPK, children must be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2024. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by Dec. 1, 2024.

For any families looking to learn more about the full day UPK program, the Medina School District will be hosting an Information Night on Thursday, March 14th from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., held at Oak Orchard Primary School. Childcare will be provided for any children eligible to attend school in the 2024-25 school year.

Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. and the evening will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. There will be a brief general session for adults in the auditorium, and then participants will visit scheduled locations throughout the building. Please plan to arrive by 5:30 and stay for the duration, in order to receive all the information prepared.

Families interested in learning more about Medina’s UPK program are encouraged to attend the Information Night. If you are unable to attend, information will be shared afterward on Oak Orchard Primary School’s website.

Timeline for UPK Application, Acceptance, Registration and Screening:

• Feb. 16 to April 1: UPK applications accepted by calling the Oak Orchard Main Office, or through our website, starting on Feb. 26
• Thursday March 14: UPK Information Night 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at Oak Orchard Primary
• April 2: Families notified of acceptance into UPK Program or if program capacity is reached, that lottery is to be held.
• Week of April 1: Lottery held, if needed, and registration packets mailed.
• Week of May 6 – May 10: UPK Student Screening, applicants should bring all registration materials to the screening. A parent and the child are expected to attend the screening. Applicants will be contacted by phone to schedule their screening time.

Any questions can be directed to the Oak Orchard Main Office by calling 585-798-2700, option 3 and then 0, between 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

File Photo: Roger Hungerford speaks during Dec. 9, 2021 in the Bent’s Opera House events center.

MEDINA – An announcement, which Roger Hungerford once said would “blow the medical industry out of the water,” is forthcoming on a project which Hungerford and head medical researcher Jason Maine have been working on for four years.

Hungerford has numerous patents for medical devices, including an intravenous delivery pump and a cardiopulmonary bypass pump. His father Van also is credited with designing the first heart pump for a physician at the Cleveland Clinic.

Roger has formed AMGIS, headquartered in the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue, where work is progressing on a revolutionary approach to intravenous fluid and drug delivery. Fifteen engineers have been working remotely on this project, Hungerford said in an interview.

Most recently, Hungerford and his team developed an advanced clinical guidance software tool which electronically connects and integrates patient data from multiple units, such as seizure pumps, infusion pumps and cardiopulmonary pumps.

Hungerford anticipates his newest invention, an intravenous drug and fluid delivery device, will be ready to submit to the FDA for review in two parts the second half of this year. He said it will be tied up at the FDA for a year before AMGIS can begin manufacturing it in Medina. He anticipates a large number of patents will be associated with the device.

He said the new invention will make every other device in its field obsolete.

“We are using things that have not previously been considered until we engineered all these breakthroughs,” Hungerford said.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Vassilious Bitsas, left, and his dad Jim hold a pizza ready for the oven at Cusimano’s. The family, who also owns Country Club Restaurant in Medina and pizzerias in Lockport and Brockport, believe in supporting their community. They regularly donate pizzas to Little League teams and gift cards for benefits and charitable organizations.

MEDINA – If there is one thing the Bitsas family believes, it is in feeding the hand that feeds them.

The Bitsas’ story began in 1980 when Bill Bitsas and his family immigrated from Greece to Toronto, and then to Rochester. The trip from Toronto, through Orleans County, would set the stage for the success that was to come.

Bill worked at a restaurant in Rochester, owned by his maternal grandparents, but when he started looking for an opportunity to expand, he remembered his drive through Medina.

In 1972, with his wife Frances, he opened the Country Club Restaurant on Main Street. Twenty-two years ago, his son Jim and his wife Mindy took it over.

“Our son Michael loves pizza, and we started thinking about opening a pizzeria here,” Mindy said.

The building on Maple Ridge Road, at the corner of West Avenue Extension, was available, and Jim and Mark Massaro bought it. They opened Cusimano’s Pizzeria in 2017, the year son Vassilious graduated from Medina High School.

The pizzeria was named after Massaro’s late mother, Jim said.

When Covid hit in the spring 2020, Cusimano’s donated food regularly to workers at Medina Memorial Hospital, firefighters and policemen.

“We wanted to support the first responders and emergency personnel who had to be on the job every day,” Mindy said. “We continue to donate to them.”

They provide free pizzas to Little League teams after games and to other sporting events. They support benefits and fundraisers with gift cards. This summer Vassilious wants to do something for Little League softball and baseball. They will rotate teams to invite in for free pizza after each game.

The Bitsas family also owns Cusimano’s pizzeria in Lockport and Brockport, as well as the Olive Leaf in Lockport. In Brockport, they support a reading program at the school, where students who complete their reading assignments can come in get free pizza.

In addition to Vassilious, 24, Jim and Mindy have a son Michael, 21, and daughter Elaina, 17, all of whom come in and work in the restaurants.

Bill, who is retired, spends six months in Medina and six months in his home country of Greece.

“We love taking care of our customers and showing the community we appreciate all the customers we’ve had over the years,” Jim said. “Many of them have become good friends.”

Jim said they want their restaurants to feel like home, and for customers to feel comfortable.

The Country Club, at 535 Main St., is a full service restaurant, open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cusimano’s  sells, pizza, wings, salads, subs, wraps and newly-introduced beef-on-weck. Dessert options include cannoli, ice cream, cheesecake and brownies. Specials are made daily. They are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Angela Waldriff has offered guidance to about 250 businesses, including Diago Russell of Home Town Lawn Care

Photos by Tom Rivers: Angela Waldriff has owned Ashlee’s Place in downtown Medina for 33 years, withstanding pressure from Walmart, Big Box stores and the online marketplace.

MEDINA – Angela Waldriff opened a clothing store for women 33 years ago in downtown Medina. She has defied intense business competition over years, from Walmart, other Big Box stores and the online marketplace.

Waldriff said she strives to connect with her customers, sending them birthday cards, newsletters and letting them know they are valued. Waldriff sends about 100 birthday cards a month with hand-written notes.

She was at a meeting 12 years ago with the Medina Business Association when two SCORE volunteers – Jon Costello and Jim Hancock – said the community could use more SCORE mentors who offer advice and guidance to small business owners in Orleans County. Costello tends to focus on banking and financing, while Hancock connects businesses to services in the community to make the businesses stronger.

Waldriff has been committed the past 12 years to volunteering as a SCORE counselor through the U.S. Small Business Administration., focusing on marketing and building the business’s brand.

“It is satisfying to being able to help someone with their business,” she said. “It’s bouncing off ideas.”

Angela Waldriff works with Diago Russell of Home Town Lawn Care, a business Russell started about two years ago. Russell is a long-time friend of Waldriff’s son, Tanner. They both graduated in Medina’s Class of 2019.

Waldriff gives people suggestions for advertising and getting the word out about their business, often through social media and being an active participant in the community.

Keys to long-term success come from being reliable, offering a quality service or a product, and showing customers they are cared about, Waldriff said.

She has adapted her business when she sees opportunities. The women’s-only clothing store sells shoes and accessories. Ashlee’s also rents out tuxedos.

“You have to know who your customer is,” she said.

Waldriff also suggests using colors to help make the business stand out. She uses pink in her storefront, in her newsletter, and even with the color envelopes she sends out.

Waldriff has been working with Diago Russell, a lawn care business owner she has known since he was a young kid. Russell, 22, graduated with Waldriff’s son Tanner in Medina’s Class of 2019.

She knows Russell is a hard worker. He has been a personal trainer at the Orleans County YMCA the past three years. He started Home Town Lawn Care about two years ago. His first job was with Zambistro, starting as a dishwasher at age 16 and working up to the salad and service line.

Diago Russell is ready for the busy spring season in the lawncare business. He would like to expand services to have a year-round business.

Russell runs an active Facebook page showing some of the jobs he’s done with lawn care and landscape. He completed the Microenterprise Assistance Program and used a grant through MAP to add equipment including zero-turn mowers, a leaf blower and weed wackers.

Russell will start the busy spring season with one employee and expects to add more. He has run the business with four workers at its peak.

Home Town Lawn Care does lawn mowing, landscape, hedge trimming, power washing, edging, flower bed installation and other tasks.

Russell said he is looking to send out newsletters to connect with customers. He already has a sense of what some customers prefer with their lawn. Home Town Lawn Care has a Google business page and he puts out yard signs when he completes a job.

He enjoys helping people keep their properties looking neat. Most of the customers are in the Medina and Lyndonville area, but Russell said he is willing to drive farther if needed.

“With Home Town Lawn Care, I wanted to produce something here that would stay,” Russell said. “I’m a reliable person and someone you can trust.”

Press Release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – Resiliency kits are now available for checkout at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Life is full of challenges and stressors for the little ones in your life. These kits are to help teach your child how to manage their “big emotions.” Teaching coping skills, social skills and emotional regulation will help your child be better prepared for the future.

The library has 18 resiliency kits available for two weeks at a time. They range in theme from “Happiness” to “Anger” to “Overwhelmed.”

In addition to Resiliency kits, we also circulate Discovery Kits, for hands on STEM learning, and Little Learners kits, for teaching the building blocks of literacy. All kits must be borrowed from and returned to Medina. Contact the library for more information.