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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 November 2024 at 9:27 am
Mayor: Project will fit in with historic district and ‘won’t break the back of the taxpayers’
File photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Village Board is working to get a new one-bay addition on the fire hall, which doesn’t have enough room for a new ladder truck due to arrive in December 2025.
MEDINA – An engineering firm is working on a concept design for a one-bay addition to a the Medina fire hall.
That added room is needed to for a new ladder truck that is expected to arrive in just over a year.
Medina has hired the MRB Group for $15,000 to prepare the design. Those renderings can help the village pursue grants and financing for the project, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.
The Village Board also approved an $800 contract with Paradigm Environmental Services to complete an asbestos survey at the fire hall. The company took samples and found no environmental issues standing in the way of the addition, Sherman said at Monday’s Village Board meeting.
The board was looking at a two-day addition to the fire hall plus renovations to the current building, but those construction estimates were about $6 million.
The board deemed that too expensive for the village. The cost of a one-day addition concerns board members but they said the project must go forward with the impending arrival of a ladder truck that won’t fit in the current fire hall.
The village is replacing a ladder truck from 1996. That truck has a ladder that is 75 feet long. That truck barely has clearance in the garage. The ladder truck has a clearance of 10.4 feet but the space in the garage is 10 feet, 6 inches, Jackson said.
The new ladder trucks have a clearance of 13 feet. The new hall addition is expected to have clearance up to 14 feet.
Trustee Jess Marciano said the concept plan has “basic schematics.”
“Essentially this project will come down to dollars per square foot,” she said.
Village Board members said the time frame is tight to have the addition done in time for the fire truck, but they said it should be ready.
Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the addition will blend in with the historic downtown.
“It will only park a fire truck and not detract from the look of the historic district,” she said. “It won’t break the back of the taxpayers.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2024 at 9:37 am
MEDINA – The state budget approved last April did something that hadn’t been done in 15 years: it increased funding to towns, villages and cities for Aid and Incentives to Municipalities or AIM.
The budget increased AIM by $50 million or 7 percent from the $715 million. The boost mostly went to cities, which get 90 percent of the AIM total.
Little of the AIM funding comes to Orleans County because there isn’t a city in the county.
The Medina Village Board on Monday passed a formal resolution asking the State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul to keep the $50 million increase in AIM, which was presented in April as “Temporary Municipal Assistance.”
Medina also is calling on the state to go beyond the $50 million increase to help municipalities as they wrestle with rising costs of inflation, maintaining infrastructure, providing public safety and other services.
“The Village of Medina urges state officials to recognize the need for a long-term plan that ensures consistent and predictable increases in financial support for local governments that keep pace with inflation,” the Medina resolution states.
The “Temporary Municipal Assistance” gave towns and villages in Orleans County a slight boost in aid.
This list shows what they were getting in AIM in 2023-24, and then the additional funds approved in 2024-25:
Towns
Albion, $46,944 plus $3,284
Barre, $12,486 plus $873
Carlton, $13,680 plus $957
Clarendon, $11,416 plus $799
Gaines, $21,323 plus $1,492
Kendall, $21,299 plus $1,490
Murray, $44,677 plus $3,125
Ridgeway, $46,273 plus $3,237
Shelby, $45,007 plus $3,149
Yates, $10,421 plus $729
Villages
Albion, $38,811 plus $2,715
Holley, $17,786 plus $1,244
Lyndonville, $6,251 plus $437
Medina, $45,523 plus $3,185
The New York Conference of Mayors, a state-wide association representing cities and villages, is urging municipalities to pass resolutions in support of keeping the $50 million AIM increase and adding more. NYCOM last year said the state should increase the AIM total to $1.1 billion (up from the $765 million) to keep up with the cost of inflation after more than a decade of no increases until last year.
Photos courtesy of Mary Woodruff: Cal Tuohey and his son Jackson hang the letters for Christmas greetings on the railing around Rotary Park.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 November 2024 at 8:30 am
MEDINA – Decorating Medina has become a holiday tradition with dependable volunteers as reliable as the Thanksgiving turkey and arrival of Santa Claus.
The first organized effort to decorate the village was the result of an idea brought back by the late Rev. Burt Entrekin from a trip he took out of state. He had visited a town elaborately decorated for Christmas, and he thought, “Why don’t we do that in Medina?”
That was more than 45 years ago, said Mary Woodruff, a member of the committee.
Year after year, donations poured in and more decorations were added.
Sue DeHollander, Mike Carey (behind the reindeer’s antlers) and Paul Woodruff set up reindeer in Rotary Park. All are members of the Decorate Medina Committee.
It has become a tradition for the Decorate Medina Committee to transform Rotary Park the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The Medina Lions have already put up the decorations in State Street Park, done as a volunteer project for the community.
The Decorate Medina Committee conducts fundraising, accepts and funds donations for the decorations in Rotary Park, State Street Park and the wreaths and garlands which Medina’s DPW hangs over Main Street.
Takeform donated a new sign of a photo booth for families to take pictures together.
Jaye Sullivan co-chairs the Decorate Medina Committee with Eric Watson. Among its members are secretary Barb Gorham, treasurer Maureen Sanderson, Paul and Mary Woodruff, Dave Sevenski, Kevin and Sue DeHollander, Cal Tuohey, Mary Lewis and Mike Carey.
As donations are the key to updating the decorations and adding new ones, the committee annually sends out mailers seeking contributions. This year, Sullivan said they are going to put flyers in the North Pole in Rotary Park for visitors to pick up.
Donations of any amount can be sent to Decorate Medina, P.O. Box 880, Medina, 14103.
Jaye Sullivan, co-chair of the Decorate Medina Committee with Eric Watson, stands by the clock in Rotary Park as she contemplates the decorating on Sunday morning.
The most wonderful time of the year has always been possible, thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and organizations who support Decorate Medina, according to Sullivan.
“As we continue to improve, add and refurbish our many decorations, we give a heartfelt thank you to all of our many supporters,” reads a flyer being circulated by the committee. “Please help us ensure the holiday Christmas spirit continues for generations to come by including the Decorate Medina Committee on your Christmas list.”
Rotary Park is ready for the holiday season, beginning with lighting the giant Christmas tree just before the start the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 November 2024 at 8:31 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Hart Hotel is one of the lodging businesses in Medina. Hart Hotel includes five rooms and two lofts on the third floor of 113 West Center St. This photo was taken on Monday evening with the village holiday decorations in the background.
MEDINA – Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation allowing the Village of Medina to collect a 2 percent “bed tax” on hotels, motels, boarding houses and short-term rentals in the village.
Hochul signed the bill on Nov. 22, culminated a process that started in 2018 with village officials looking to generate some additional money to work on infrastructure projects at the Medina Business Park and in the village to promote economic development.
The Bent’s Opera House has 10 hotel rooms available on the second floor.
The village tried for several years since 2018 to get the tax through the Legislature. State Sen. Rob Ortt had been reluctant to support a new tax, but on May 22 he sponsored the bill that passed in the Senate. Assemblyman Steve Hawley backed the legislation in the Assembly.
The legislation passed both houses of the Legislature and on Nov. 15 it was delivered to the governor’s desk. She signed it on Friday.
Village officials are awaiting more details on when it can start imposing the tax. The legislation says it takes effect “immediately” and goes until Dec. 31, 2025. The village will need the State Legislature’s and governor’s approval to renew the tax every two years.
Medina village officials will reach out to the County Treasurer and County Tourism Department for a list of Medina sites that are currently collecting a 4 percent occupancy tax for the county.
The county’s 4 percent occupancy tax generates about $100,000 a year and is used solely by the county for its tourism promotion efforts. The Medina tax would be another 2 percent on top of the county’s occupancy tax, but for hotels, motels and other lodging establishments in the village only.
Provided photos: Operation Honor welcomed about 50 participants for a 5K in Medina on Nov. 9.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 November 2024 at 3:40 pm
The top finishers in the race included Jose Miguel Silva for males and Heather Mundion for the females.
MEDINA – Operation Honor, a local organization that assists veterans, held its 7th Annual 5K on Saturday, Nov. 9, with 50 participants and raised $5,000.
The first male finisher was Jose Miguel Silva with a time of 17:33 and the first female finisher was Heather Mundion with a time of 27:22.
The annual 5K starts and ends at the Junior Wilson Sportsman Club on Bates Road.
Operation Honor is a 501(c)3 non-profit that supports veterans in Orleans County, helping to cover utility bills, car payments, or purchasing heating pellets for veterans in need. Operation Honor has assisted one veteran with the cost of registering a wheelchair-adapted van.
The organization this year is joining in Wreaths Across America, where remembrance wreaths will be placed at the newer veterans’ section at Mount Albion Cemetery. The wreaths are $17 each and can be purchased online (click here). There will be a ceremony at the cemetery on Route 31 in Albion at noon on Dec. 14. Volunteers are welcome to help place the wreaths.
Jenn Thom, Operation Honor director, also said Salon de Coiffeur recently held a basket raffle with Operation Honor the designated beneficiary. Salon de Coiffeur raised $2,170 for Operation Honor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2024 at 9:52 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Haylee Zogoda helps with the set up this morning of the holiday scenery at State Street Park in Medina. She set up the sheep in front of the shepherds who are watching over their flock.
Zogoda helped the Medina Lions Club with the annual display. Her father, Jason Cogovan, is a member of the Lions Club.
Tom Robinson, left, and Bernie Froman work on the display that will be up until early January. The volunteers appreciated the decent weather this morning. Sometimes they have done the task in a deep freeze.
Carol Bellack strings lights on some of the Christmas trees.
These volunteers get the Nativity scene set in the park. At left are Jason Cogovan, Pete Kaiser and Scott Grimm.
From left Kevin Bogan, Howie Gardner and Ken Dunham work on the advent wreath.
Chris Limina helps gets the lights on the trees.
Mark Irwin, Bernie Froman and Tom Robinson get the three wise men in place.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Scott Petry on Monday removes a flag from its hardware on Main Street. Two crews from Medina’s DPW took down all the veterans’ banners Monday. Families wishing to keep their banner which had been up for the third year can pick them up between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. today at the village clerk’s office on Park Avenue. (Center) DPW worker Scott Petry removes a veteran’s flag on Main Street near the Medina theater. Forty new ones were added this year. (Right) These banners on West Avenue across from Lee-Whedon Memorial Library are the family of Mary Woodruff’s husband Paul. Mary hangs them every year, as Paul’s dad Willis Burr Woodruff is the reason Mary started the banner program in Medina, after seeing them in Willis’ hometown of Almond.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 November 2024 at 8:05 am
MEDINA – As is traditional in Medina the day after Veterans’ Day, Medina DPW was out early in the morning taking down the veterans’ banners for another year.
Mary Woodruff, who heads the banner project, will be at the Medina village clerk’s office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today to hand out the banners which have hung for three years and can now be claimed by family members.
Woodruff started the project in 2019 after seeing her husband Paul’s father’s banner while visiting Almond.
“The banners were first hanging on wires in a school gymnasium and they blew my mind,” she said. “I talked to the lady who did them and got the information and brought it back to Medina. Mike Sidari was mayor then and I started to explain the program at a Village Board meeting. That was November 2018 and I got the OK that night. The program took off and has grown every year since.”
The first year 30 banners were hung in 2019, and by 2021, there were more than 100, and then 240 in 2022.
“I can’t say enough about the DPW, who puts up the banners and takes them down,” Woodruff said.
Banners hang for three years, and on the third year, the first year’s banners are taken home and washed by Mary and Paul, then made available for families to pick them up.
Applications for next year’s banners will be available after the first of January. The cost is a one-time charge of $200 for three years’ exposure. A banner may be hung for a fourth year for an additional cost of $125.
Although Paul’s father was from Alfred Station south of Buffalo, Mary hangs it every year, because he is the reason she started the project in Medina. Willis Burr Woodruff was a tech sergeant with the U. S. Army during World War II.
Other relatives, which all hung together on West Avenue near the railroad tracks, were John McElwain, a brother-in-law; Ken Schaal, cousin; and Carl Caleb Jr., Mary’s brother-in-law.
Banners hung have represented veterans in all branches of the military and World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict and Persian Gulf War. Woodruff is excited at the prospect next year of having at least one soldier represented from the Revolutionary War.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Julia Weatherholtz sings with the Gordon Webster band during a concert on June 15, 2023 at Bent’s.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 November 2024 at 5:42 pm
MEDINA – Medina Lindy in the Village has announced a “Spritz of the Season” dance and concert Nov. 29 at Bent’s Opera House.
The live concert and dance event will feature Gordon Webster’s seven-piece Jazz Band, with vocalist Julia Weatherholtz.
From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., the band will perform three full sets of big band-style jazz and swing classics, including upbeat holiday jazz, according to Julie Berry, co-founder of Lindy in the Village with her husband Phil.
Webster is a musician and bandleader, famous worldwide for his modern take on vintage swing music, according to Berry. Vocalist Julia Weatherholtz of Rochester will perform with Webster on keyboards, Jake Handelman of New York City on trombone, Tim Clarke of Buffalo on trumpet, Eric Metzgar of Sao Paolo, Brazil on drums and Eric Heveron Smith of Rochester on bass.
This lineup was part of the ensemble which recently played with Webster on Jeju Island in Korea. Weatherholtz and Handelman recently played with him at the Lincoln Center.
Attendees at the event, the day after Thanksgiving, will enjoy the ambiance of Bent’s newly restored opera house, along with drinks and appetizers from Harvest Restaurant. Those wishing to dance can take advantage of an open dance floor.
For those interested in learning more about Lindy Hop swing dancing, Medina Lindy in the Village will host a beginner swing dance lesson from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., included with ticket purchase for the concert. Experienced dancers will be on hand all evening to assist beginners.
This event is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program through the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART! Medina Lindy is sponsored by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
Tickets for the concert/dance can be purchased at www.medinalindy.com/tickets, with early bird pricing now through Nov. 24. Discounted pricing is available for college students. Under 18 may attend for free, but youth 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information on the concert, dance and lessons, e-mail info@medinalindy.com. Those wishing to make dinner reservations at Harvest or hotel reservations should call (585) 318-2110 or visit www.bentsoperahouse.com.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 November 2024 at 7:20 am
Joanna Gardner, a Medina native who now is a professor at Pacifica Graduate Institute in California, will be in Medina on Nov. 23 to discuss her book, The Practice of Enchantment.
MEDINA – With a lifelong interest in mythology and a sister who is a New York Times Best Selling author, it is no surprise Joanna Gardner’s first literary effort would be a book on mythology.
A Medina native and sister of Author’s Note owner Julie Berry, Gardner, a PhD, will visit Author’s Note on Nov. 23, where at 3 p.m. she will debut her first book, The Practice of Enchantment.
“I’ve been following in Joanna’s footsteps my whole life,” said Berry, who is four years younger than her sister. “She taught me to read before I ever entered school, and she taught me to love books and stories with my whole heart. She is an exemplary scholar, an inspiring educator and a true creative. I can’t wait to celebrate her new book at Author’s Note.”
Gardner will read from her book, discuss her research and insights and answer questions.
Like her sister, Gardner grew up in Medina and graduated from Medina High School. She now makes her home in Santa Barbara, Calif., where she is adjunct professor in Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Mythological Studies program, and is director of marketing and communications for the Joseph Campbell foundation. She is also the lead author of Goddesses: A Skeleton Key Study Guide, and co-founder of the Fates and Graces, hosting webinars and workshops for mythic readers and writers. More about her work can be found on her website at www.joannagardner.com.
Gardner said she has been interested in mythology since she was very young and was given the Big Golden Book of Mythology.
The Practice of Enchantment is published by the Joseph Campbell Foundation. Campbell was a renowned scholar and mythologist, best-known for his exploration of widespread themes in mythology and storytelling, particularly through his influential concept of the “Hero’s Journey” and his groundbreaking book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
During the Covid pandemic, Gardner wrote 14 essays, which she was inspired by Campbell’s work to compile into a book, The Practice of Enchantment. This volume demonstrates that applying the power of myth to the challenges of life can bring new perspectives to difficulty, and transform monotony into enchantment.
Gardner brings her expertise as a mythologist, writer and teacher to these essays, which explore myth as it intersects with life and creativity, Berry explained.
With essay topics including tricksters, dreams, goddesses and family, The Practice of Enchantment is perfect for lovers of myth and the classics, seekers of magic and wonder who may feel lost in the modern day, and any readers interested in expanding their lens of understanding our world.
“Writing these essays helped me experience imagination, metaphor, beauty and bliss, and helped me understand more fully that these abstract ideas are renewable resources,”
Gardner said. “I believe they surround us like radio waves of enchantment. The more I tune into them, the more the signal strengthens.
“My favorite thing about mythological stories is how they activate the imagination,” she said. “They are obviously not literally true, but you imagine, and that activates your imagination and makes it stronger for your creative.”
While this is Gardner’s first book, it won’t be her last.
“I have lots of ideas, but I don’t know yet what the next one will be,” she said. “But there will be another, and it’s a good chance it will be strongly influenced by mythology.”
She said she is so grateful to her sister for the event at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at Author’s Note, and thrilled it gets to be in her home town.
The event is free and open to the public. Pre-ordering copies is recommended. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered at www.authorsnote.com. For more information, Author’s Note can be contacted at (585) 798-3642 or online at www.authorsnote.com/events.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2024 at 2:07 pm
Photos and information courtesy of Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
MEDINA – Veterans at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina were recognized on Monday during Veterans Day.
The veterans at the site on Bates Road went outside with the Honor Guard from the American Legion and VFW, which fired a three-gun salute during Veterans’ Day ceremonies.
Students from Mrs. Lehman’s 3rd grade class at Clifford Wise Middle School made cards for 20 heroic veterans at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Pictured from left include students Travis Schaal, Margaret Dunham, Liam Davies, Charlotte Sheehan and Gabriella Watts.
Pictured from left: Parker Jackson, Bryce Allen and Rayne Davis.
Pictured from left: Mason Beatty, Kole Reding and Seraphina Neroni.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 November 2024 at 7:49 am
Markets offer fresh and healthy food, provide boost for local agriculture
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Canal Village Farmers’ Market manager Gail Miller and volunteer Matthew Backlas stand by a sign advising shoppers they can use their EBT cards and SNAP benefits at the market to buy fresh produce.
MEDINA – A recent ranking of farmers’ markets by inFlow has been shared by digital public relations outreach specialist Kevin Geer and provides insight to the popularity of farmers’ markets, such as Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market. (In Orleans County there is also a farmers’ market in Albion at the Save-A-Lot parking lot. It was open on Sundays from July 7 to Oct. 27.)
The report revealed the state of New York, with more than 670 farmers’ markets, ranks second in the country in the number of farmers’ markets, bested only by California with 760. In this survey, 88.1% of respondents felt sustainable food production was important, according to Geer. Also, only four of the top 10 agricultural states also ranked among the top 10 states with the most farmers’ markets.
Key findings, with which Canal Village Farmers’ Market manager Gail Miller and ORG president Chris Busch agree, include affordable pricing (95% found prices affordable), friendly market sellers and freshness of produce as reasons for popularity of farmers’ markets.
Photos by Chris Busch: Confection Connection, an Albion bakery, is a regular at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market.
The report (click here to see it) continued to say farmers markets not only offer fresh, locally sourced produce, but foster a sense of community and support local economies.
Miller said they are devoted to promoting community and provide a space weekly for non-profits to come and share information about their organization. She has also come up with events to interest children, including a weekly treasure hunt and earlier this summer, zucchini races.
A key benefit of farmers’ markets is supporting local farms, which in turn supports the economy.
Busch said that is an important factor.
“From our market, you can drive less than one-quarter mile in any direction and be in farm country,” he said.
Another benefit to farmers is cutting out the middleman, thereby retaining a higher percentage of their earnings, which then boosts the local economy. A farmers’ market allows farmers to interact with their customers, receive immediate feedback and build a loyal customer base.
In addition to freshness of produce and support for local farmers and community, other benefits identified are the availability of unique or hard to find products, organic or health-conscious options and the social atmosphere.
Customers line up at Black Button Distilling’s booth on a sunny day at Medina’s Canal Village Farmer’s Market.
Medina’s first farmers’ market took place in 1975 for Canal Fest.
In 2004, Deb Roberts at the request of the Office for the Aging, handed out senior and WIC coupons that could be redeemed for fresh produce, but there was no market locally.
Roberts formed a committee with Bob Barrus and a representative from Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Farmers Market Federation and representatives from seven or eight farms.
They set up bylaws and the first regular market opened in Albion in 2005, then moved to Medina’s canal basin in 2007. Ann Nice, Jill Botner and one other were on the board.
By 2014, participation in the market had waned and it was no longer viable. Then Cindy Robinson, president of Medina Business Association; Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group; and Gail Miller hatched a plan to hold a farmers’ market at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue, in a parking lot on property donated to ORG by Bank of America when they left Medina.
Through the years they have had a nice variety of vendors, including wineries, Renko Sausages, SK Herefords, Shirt Factory Café, Baker’s Farm, LynOaken Farms, Panek’s, 810 Meadworks, Herbalty Cottage, the Bread Basket and English Rose Tea Shoppe.
They added features, including weekly musical entertainment, children’s events and El Grande Burrito, whose food truck is set up on site permanently.
TN Smokehouse can often be found at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market, serving up his smoked breakfast and lunch specials.
Many vendors are regulars and others rotate. They include Dot’s Pantry of Amherst, TN Smokehouse, Hartland Organics, Baker Farms, Human Farms, Bower Family Farms, Lock Ridge Apiary, Confection Connection Bakery, Gardner’s Gourmet, Dubby’s Wood Fire Pizza and Greenlief food truck, among others.
Busch said the market is sponsored by Takeform, and this year live music was sponsored by Medina Hardware and Lumber.
Medina’s farmers’ market is unique in that is runs all year. It is open on West Center and West Avenue from June 1 until the end of October. Then it moves indoors on North Main Street from Nov. 1 to May 31 in space donated by Craig Lacy where his NAPA store used to be.
Busch added a very successful Farm to Table dinner served in the middle of Main Street before Covid benefited the market and another is in the planning.
He also stressed big improvements will be coming to the Canal Village Farmers’ Market at the site on West Center and West Avenue.
“We are fortunate to be included as a recipient of the $4.5 million New York Forward Grant,” Busch said. “We are in the design phase of reimagining this entire corner. Work will begin next year and provide indoor space and green space.”
Miller and Busch added a final comment, that they wholeheartedly agree with the findings of inFlow’s survey, and added a local survey they did resulted in much the same responses.
“When you buy from a farmers’ market you have the availability of fresh produce, and we promote a sense of community,” Miller said. “A purchase from a farmers’ market supports small local business and farms, and you know where your food is coming from.”
Provided photo: Pictured from left include Scouts in Troop 35: Josh Morton, Josiah Morton, Landan Costich, Jimmy Dieter, Vinny Gray, Sam Gray, Briley Allen, Juan Alberdi, Maddox Smith and Colton Smith.
Posted 11 November 2024 at 1:18 pm
Submitted by John Dieter, Scoutmaster Troop 35
MEDINA – Scouts from Troop 35 in Medina picked up donated food on Saturday and dropped off donations to a local church food pantry.
The scouts the week before canvased areas of the village of Medina, putting out flyers asking for food donations to be picked up on the following Saturday. Scouts, as part of their rank advancement, are involved with various service projects each year. The Scouting for Food is done by the troop annually.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2024 at 8:53 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club’s latest fundraiser showcased culinary talent and food and wine from the local community.
About 40 people attended a five-course dinner on Saturday evening at the Sacred Heart Club.
Peter Bartula, Medina Rotary Club president, wanted a new fundraiser that would help the Rotary Club generate funds to give back to the community, while offering an event to bring people together over a great meal.
Chef Lionel Heydel prepared the five-course meal with pairings from Leonard Oakes Estate Winery. Heydel is shown making Robuchon potatoes next to Jake Muessigerodt, who was cooking spinach.
“Lionel is an amazing chef,” Bartula said.
Heydel said the farm-to-table shows the agricultural bounty of the local community. Heydel has prepared other farm-to-table dinners for businesses and organizations.
Dan Doctor, a member of the Rotary Club, volunteered as a server for the dinner. JT Thomas, in back right, also is a member of the Rotary Club and vice president of Sacred Heart which hosted the meal.
Jonathan Oakes, the winemaker for Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, discusses how the different wines worked well with elements of the dinner.
The meal started with goat cheese and local mushroom bruschetta, then roasted butternut squash bisque and smoked gouda crunch with classic Riesling.
The dinner then included salad with seasonal greens, pickled apples, root vegetable medley, pickled onions and maple Vadouvan vinaigrette. Served with Sauvignon Blanc.
The main course included chicken fricassee, Robuchon potatoes, shaved Brussels sprouts with Steampunk brown snout cider.
The five-course dinner was capped with dessert, a boozy baked local apple served with Pommeau.
Emily Chambers of Medina, a culinary arts student at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, helped prepare the dessert.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2024 at 8:50 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Leonard Oakes Estate Winery announced on Tuesday it will be closing after 16 years. The winery invited the public to come out Friday through today to purchase remaining bottled inventory. The tasting room on Ridge Road has been very busy the past two days.
The photo on top was taken at about 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Oakes family appreciates the many people who have been to the winery the past two days, the two biggest days of the year, said Wendy Oakes Wilson, general manager for the business.
“We know this has been a special place for a lot of people,” she said on Saturday evening.
Many of the customers gave her hugs and thanked the family. Some of the customers traveled from out-of-state to be at the tasting room this weekend, in what might be its last time open.
Jonathan Oakes, the winemaker at Leonard Oakes, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday the decision to close the winery “has been excruciatingly difficult.”
He thanked Leonard Oakes’ customers for their support the past 16 years.
“We absolutely adore the community we have built with you around sharing the (fermented) fruits of our labor here in Western New York,” he wrote in the post. “While we may be on uneasy emotional footing at this time, we would absolutely cherish the opportunity to embrace our community once again. We would love a chance to look back with pride and not sorrow. To share a glass, a memory, or an embrace. To cheers for change and the positive things it may bring.”
The Leonard Oakes Estate Winery will be closing soon. The winery’s tasting room will be open from noon to 3 p.m.
The decision follows the announcement from the Oakes family that it is selling the fruit orchards in Lyndonville area after 105 years in the family.
The apple and wine business both are very challenging, especially within a family business without huge economies of scale, Oakes family members said.
Wilson said the business of the winery suffered since the Covid pandemic hit in March 2020. Although restrictions eased for people to come to the winery later that year, there has been a big drop off in people going out with friends for wine tastings, Wilson said.
Leonard Oakes continued to have some big days at the winery – during the summer for the Wednesdays on the Lawn concert series. But Wilson said the big crowds tended to only be there for events, and not regular days.
The Oakes family acquired the property of the former Winters Feed Company at 10609 Ridge Rd. in 2007 and put an addition on for the winery and tasting room. A few years later the Oakes family added a pavilion for special events.
For several years the winery held its largest event at the end of August: the Steampunk Festival that often attracted 1,000 people wearing futuristic costumes with a Victorian theme. The festival showcased Leonard Oakes’ SteamPunk Cider.
Bryan DeGraw, Jon Sherman and Marguerite Sherman spend time chatting Saturday evening in the tasting room at Leonard Oakes.
DeGraw owns 810 Meadworks, which moved to Leonard Oakes two years ago after eight years in downtown Medina. 810 Meadworks also will be closing.
DeGraw said he is grateful for the decade of making mead in Medina and appreciates another two years of making and selling mead at Leonard Oakes.
DeGraw said the alcohol industry is changing – and shrinking.
“I wanted to create a place for people to escape and find respite,” DeGraw said about the Meadworks experience. “I’m proud that we did.”
The Shermans have been steady customers of 810 Meadworks and Leonard Oakes.
Marguerite Sherman is Medina’s mayor. She said the community feels pain when long-time local businesses close. She noted Case-Nic Cookies also is closing the end of December after 29 years on Main Street.
“When the small businesses start to go it hurts,” Sherman said. “We are all families.”
