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Medina

Lee-Whedon’s $5.2 million expansion goes to public vote on Dec. 10

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 November 2024 at 8:35 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Lee-Whedon  Memorial Library was constructed in 1966 as an 11,000-square-foot public library. The building could get an 4,785-square-foot expansion.

MEDINA – The Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Dec. 10 will ask voters for permission for a $5.2 million bond to expand the library.

The vote will decide whether Lee-Whedon can proceed with a 4,785-square-foot addition to the back. The project would add 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.

The library has scaled back the expansion, eliminating some of the decorative architectural elements. A year ago, the building project was estimated in the $7-$9 million range. The library scaled back some of the features of that plan, while keeping the space for the addition.

Lee-Whedon has already secured $795,320 in grant funding from the state and is actively applying for additional funds, said Kristine Mostyn, Lee-Whedon director. She estimated Lee-Whedon will be able to secure $1.6 million in total from the state.

The library also anticipates raising $500,000 form the community in a capital campaign drive. Lee-Whedon also has $175,000 in reserves towards the project.

Library leaders expect $2.9 million of the project will be paid for with a bond. That will result in a $34 per year increase in library taxes for properties valued at $100,000.

There will be an informational meeting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the library. Passero Associates will present renderings of the proposed expansion and Christine Crowley of Fiscal Advisors will present the financial data.

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library was constructed in 1966 at 11,000 square feet. The addition is planned for the back side of the building along North Avenue.

If the bond is approved on Dec. 10 in the public vote, Lee-Whedon anticipates bids will be solicited in the spring, with construction starting in the summer/fall and being complete in December 2026.

For more information, click here to be directed to the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library website.

Here is the floor plan for the building’s expansion.

2 Medina firefighters graduate from State Fire Academy

Photo from NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: Medina firefighters Joe Kyle and Tiffany Petry graduated today from the NYS Fire Academy, a 15-week program.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 November 2024 at 4:23 pm

MONTOUR FALLS – Two Medina firefighters, Tiffany Petry and Joe Kyle, graduated today from the State Fire Academy today in Montour Falls.

They were among 38 graduates in the 15-week Recruit Firefighter Training Program. Today’s graduates were part of the 90th class in the program.

The graduates came from 11 fire departments across the state. The 15-week residential program provides extensive fire service training in an environment like a full-time fire department.

During the 15-week program, recruits participate in more than 600 hours of training in both classroom and practical settings. Classes focus on areas such as structural, vehicle and flammable liquid firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, hazardous material emergency incident and basic rescue technician operations.

Recruits also participate in daily physical fitness training in preparation for the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Upon completion, graduates will have received national certification from the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications in Firefighter I, Firefighter II and Hazardous Materials Operations. In addition, they received completion in nearly 30 courses offered by the Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

The graduates received training in areas such as operating aerial devices; traffic incident management to keep firefighters safe on roadways; health and safety; firefighter rescue; hazardous materials response, and technical rescue. During the training program, students use iPads to provide them with greater access and flexibility to testing, as well as study materials.

Upon graduation, all the recruits will serve as career firefighters in their respective fire department and join 2,457 other graduates of this program.

“Congratulations to the graduates of the 90th Recruit Firefighter training class,” said Jackie Bray, commissioner of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. “You join the thousands of firefighters across New York State who risk their lives day in and day out to protect New Yorkers from fire danger and other emergencies. Thank you for your commitment to public safety and your service to your local communities. I wish all of the graduates godspeed as career firefighters in the fire service.”

A contingent from the Medina Fire Department attended the graduation, including Fire Chief Matt Jackson, Capt. Jonathan Higgins, Captain Michael Young and firefighter Adam Fisher.

Tiffany Petry received the Chief Thomas Margeit Memorial Physical Fitness Award. Margeit was the chief of the Lodi Fire Department and also the PT instructor at the Fire Academy in Montour Falls for more than 10 years.

40 red barrels put into Medina community to be filled with gifts

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Sherry Tuohey-Sipple, who heads the MAAC Christmas Barrel program, waits for Medina firefighters to arrive at the Grove United Methodist Church to deliver them on Wednesday morning. Forty barrels were distributed to local businesses, churches and organizations, waiting to be filled with donations of toys, hats, mittens, canned goods and gifts.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 November 2024 at 9:53 pm

MEDINA – The first Wednesday of every November, Medina firefighters know they have a call to answer.

That is the day each year when they pick up the MAAC Christmas barrels and deliver them to stores, churches, and organizations in Medina. This year, 40 barrels were delivered, waiting to be filled with gifts, crafts, games, books, toys, hats, mittens and non-perishable food which MAAC will use to pack Christmas boxes for several hundred families.

Cash donations are also welcome, and are used to purchase items needed to insure every child gets a gift.

To be eligible to receive a gift box, families must live in the Medina School District with a zip code of 14103 or 14479.

Photo by Sherry Tuohey-Sipple: Bob Harrold of Lyndonville poses with the red wagons he refurbished and donated to the MAAC Christmas Present Program. Harrold has managed to find a handful of little red wagons every year for a number of years, which he donates to MAAC.

The Christmas Present Program serves children up to 18 years of age and their parents, according to Sherry Tuohey-Sipple, who has headed the give-away for seven years.

Families must sign up during the second and third weeks of November, either from 10 a.m. to noon or 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 12 and 19 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave.; or from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 and 21 at The Vine (formerly Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God), 11031 Maple Ridge Rd.

The Red Barrels, which have come to be known as the Christmas Present Program, stem from Christmas toy drives the Medina firefighters started decades ago. After MAAC took it over, Sylvia Riviere of Medina ran it for seven years, before Tuohey-Sipple stepped up to run it.

Bob Harrold of Lyndonville has been contributing to the MAAC Christmas Present Program for many years, searching for and refurbishing little red wagons, which he donates to the program. He said this year it is getting harder and harder to find them.

He told Tuohey-Sipple he had been doing this for many years, at least 15, during which time he has donated more than 75 red wagons to be given to children of Medina during the Christmas season.

Throughout his lifetime, Harrold said he has collected and refurbished more than 300 red wagons, which he has given away.

“They are much harder to find today, but I continue to look for them in my travels,” he said.

Tuohey-Sipple said she has already been receiving requests for Christmas boxes, much earlier than in the past. She is concerned this may mean there is a greater need in the community this year.

Firefighters say they volunteer to help with the program because they want to help children and families in the community.

“That’s our personality, off duty as well as on duty,” said Lt. Steve Cooley, who showed up this morning with fellow firefighters Steve Miller and Nick Lee, all of whom had worked the night shift.

Fire Chief Matt Jackson said they support the giveaway program because it is important for their team to come together to support the MAAC effort for families.

The filled barrels will be picked by on Dec. 4, and on Dec. 14, Medina firefighters will be joined by volunteer firefighters from Ridgeway, Shelby and East Shelby to deliver the filled Christmas boxes.

Medina Fire Chief Matt Jackson, center, jokingly hops in a red barrel before he and his crew start delivering them on Wednesday morning. From left are firefighter Nick Lee, his friend Rob Clute, firefighter Andrew Cheverie, Captain Jonathan Higgins, firefighters Adam Fisher and Steve Miller, and Lt. Steve Cooley.

Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 welcomes entries

Posted 6 November 2024 at 3:50 pm

Ginny Kropf named grand marshal of big parade

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Girl Scouts in the Cobblestone Service Unit in Albion created a float in a Polar Express theme during the Parade of Lights on Nov. 25, 2023. The 16th annual parade will be on Nov. 30.

By Tom Rivers and Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Entries for the Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 are slowly coming in, and parade chair Jim Hancock urges individuals, businesses, religious groups, schools, fire departments and any other group to consider entering a float.

Prizes are awarded in half a dozen categories.

More than 20 floats have already been entered in this 16th annual Parade of Lights, eight of which are new this year, Hancock said. Several who haven’t entered in years have returned. The deadline to enter a float is Nov. 24 and entry forms can be found by clicking here.

Ginny Kropf is shown with Mike Randall last year when she was featured by Channel 7 as one of WNY’s busiest reporters.

The parade at 6 p.m. caps off Christmas in Medina, which this year will have a new feature in the appearance of Friends of Harmony Barbershop Quartet from Buffalo, who will perform from 2 to 3 p.m. in Rotary Park.

There will also be horse-drawn wagon rides on Main Street from 1 to 5 p.m., complements of Yohe Draft Horses from Albion.

As in previous years, a fireworks display is planned at 5:45 p.m. over Main Street, provided by Young Explosives from the Rochester area.

At 5 p.m., Prime Time Brass will present a concert in Rotary Park, followed at 5:30 by lighting of the giant Christmas tree by the grand marshal.

A full day of activities are scheduled in the downtown business district, thanks to the Medina Area Partnership and the village’s Tourism Committee. They invite folks to come and spend the day, see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in a noon parade, along with Pets on Parade, and enjoy what the shops have to offer.

The Parade of Lights Committee has announced the 2024 Grand Marshal for this year’s Parade of Lights is Ginny Kropf.

“Our planning committee was unanimous in our selection,” Hancock said. “The committee tries to select someone local who has been an asset to the Medina community, and Ginny certainly fits this description.”

Kropf has worked as a local news reporter for more than 30 years. Kropf won an Associated Press writing award when she was at The Daily News in Batavia.

She also is active in community organizations, including more than 25 years on the board of United Way of Orleans County and 10-plus years as a member of the Medina Railroad Museum board.

“Ginny has been so supportive of not only our event, but so many other community events over the many years she has been reporting for Orleans Hub and the Hometown Extra. She is one of Medina’s biggest supporters and very deserving of this honor,” Hancock said.

Medina mayor: state working on $10 million plan to upgrade north wall on canal, towpath

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2024 at 11:26 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The concrete wall on the northside of the Canal Basin in Medina has crumbled in many spots in recent years.

The State Canal Corp. is planning to spend about $10 million upgrading the wall in the Canal Basin and also making improvements to the towpath from Bates Road to the lift bridge, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.

She said preliminary designs are about 60 percent complete. She has seen the plans and said the end result will be a dramatic improvement for the community.

The state isn’t ready yet to release the designs, Sherman said. She said the north wall work will be staggered over several years because the work can only be done when the canal in drained during the winter and early spring.

Sherman said the state is bearing the costs of the project without any local share needed from Medina.

Signs alert walkers and cyclists to a bumpy stretch of the towpath on the north side of the Canal Basin. This sign tells cyclists to walk their bikes on a rough section of the trail.

The wall is crumbling and bumpy in many spaces.

The state Canal Corp. also is planning improvements over about 1.5 miles of the towpath. This stretch is just east of the Canal Basin area leading to Bates Road.

Medina concert at St. Mary’s on Nov. 16 includes music on organ and harpsichord

Provided photos: (Left) St. Mary’s Church organist Aaron Grabowski built this harpsichord, which he will play during a concert Nov. 16 at the church. Grabowski is a builder and restorer of organs by profession for Parson’s Pipe Organ Restoration. (Right) Aaron Grabowski will play in concert Nov. 16 at St. Mary’s Church in Medina. The concert, titled “Echoes of Elegance,” will begin at 7 p.m. and feature French Baroque and classical music.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 November 2024 at 7:00 am

MEDINA – Aaron Grabowski’s love of music is equaled only by his talent.

The Medina resident will be featured in a musical program, Echoes of Elegance, on Nov. 16 at St. Mary’s Church (Holy Trinity Parish).

Grabowski,  who studied music at the University of Buffalo, is music director and principal organist at Holy Trinity. By profession, he is a builder and restorer of organs for Parsons Pipe Organ Restorations.

His musical career began when he was in college and studied under David Fuller, musicologist, organist and harpsichordist, who studied with noted organist E. Power Biggs.

“That’s where I got my penchant for studying harpsichord,” Grabowski said. “During my course of study, I would house sit for him when he went to Europe. He had a French made harpsichord in his house and I got a chance to play it and fell in love with it.”

Recently, through a colleague of his, Grabowski had the opportunity to purchase a harpsichord kit and he has spent the last year and a half building it in his living room and basement, with his wife’s permission. His instrument is modeled after the French design of the 18th century. He is three-fourths of the way done, but it is very playable, although it still needs more cosmetic and tonal work, he said.

Grabowski explained a harpsichord has a rich sound and the type of music played on them is very attractive to him.

“I love presenting music people have never heard or rarely heard before,” he said.

That will be the focus of the concert Nov. 16, which will be played on St. Mary’s organ and the harpsichord.

“My goal is to present music of the Court of King Louis XIV and XV,” Grabowski said.

The music will span early Baroque to early classic.

“I intend to set a mood of reflection, away from modern concepts of listening.,” he said. “We will turn the lights down and encourage the audience to use their imagination to the best of their ability.”

He explained organ music can be very sacred and sometimes bold, but also sometimes tender.

There is no admission charge, but a free will offering will be accepted. The concert will support the music program of St. Mary’s Church, Grabowski said.

Grabowski has been St. Mary’s organist since 2007. He said he was raking leaves in front of his house one day when the church organist walked by and stopped. He mentioned he was available to substitute if they needed one.

“She said, ‘You can have the job,’” Grabowski said. “I interviewed with Father Vatter and here I am.”

Grabowski added they have a Christmas concert in the planning with St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s in Albion and St. Mary’s in Holley. Further information will be forthcoming.

Investigation continues after 2 were stabbed in Medina around midnight Saturday

Posted 3 November 2024 at 11:45 am

Press Release, Medina Police Department

MEDINA – On Nov. 2, at 12:05 a.m. the Medina Police Department was dispatched to Medina Memorial Hospital for report of an assault. Upon arrival at the Emergency Room, officers located and interviewed a 50-year-old man and 47-year-old woman who were both stabbed.

The incident occurred in the Canal Basin shortly before midnight and the victims were transported to the hospital by private vehicle.

Both victims were later transferred to Erie County Medical Center, one by ground ambulance and one by Mercy Flight helicopter.

The female victim has been released from the hospital, and the male victim remains at ECMC in stable condition.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Medina Police Department at (585) 798-5602.

8 from Medina treated for carbon monoxide poisoning

Posted 3 November 2024 at 11:34 am

Press Release, Medina Fire Department (Steve Cooley Lieutenant/Public Information Officer)

MEDINA – At 6:31 this morning Orleans County Public Safety Dispatchers received a call from a residence in the Village of Medina for a 15-year-old female that was unconscious and unresponsive.

Further information was received from the caller that natural gas was smelled during the evening last night. EMS crews arrived quickly to find the 15-year-old female conscious with signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure.

Upon evacuating all residents from this multi-residence on Park Avenue and assessing all 8 people, it was evident that all 8 residents had symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, said Steve Cooley, lieutenant and public information officer for the Medina Fire Department.

Treatment was initiated on all patients on scene and all 8 were transported

to local hospitals for further treatment. Two of those patients had carbon monoxide levels over 25% as detected by our monitoring devices. Simultaneously Fire Department personnel investigated the source for the carbon monoxide and began ventilating the structure.

A power vent pipe for one of the two furnaces in the basement had become disconnected and was venting carbon monoxide unabated into the basement for an undetermined amount of time.

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless gas that is a product of combustion, it is lighter than air and that is the reason the apartment on the second floor had reading of over

350 parts per million. The gas meter was shut off and NYSEG crews were requested. After proper ventilation, NYSEG entered the home and found the fire departments assessment accurate regarding the exhaust pipe. Contractors are on scene now making

repairs to the damaged exhaust pipe and residents will not be displaced from their apartments once discharged from the hospital. Carbon monoxide detectors will also be installed.

No working carbon monoxide detectors were found in any of the apartments. At the time of the incident, we were just passed the end of Daylight Savings time clock change when fire departments across the nation advocate for checking al your detectors.

This morning could have easily ended up a tragedy. It was at least the fourth significant CO event with multiple patients we have encountered in the last 14 years.

If you have any plans for today, please first check all your detectors first, both smoke and carbon monoxide to ensure they are functioning properly. If for some reason you can not or you have questions, please call the fire house at (585) 798-1661 and speak to a firefighter.

Medina PD investigating stabbing in Canal Basin last night

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 November 2024 at 11:15 am

Businesses with video of downtown area asked to let police see images

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department is investigating a stabbing that occurred in the Canal Basin overnight and is asking business owners with cameras to allow officers to review video in the downtown area.

“We are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information regarding this incident to reach out to the Medina PD,” the department stated on its Facebook page.

Businesses with video and others with information are urged to contact dispatch at (585) 589-5527 and ask to speak to an officer.

“We will provide an update as more information becomes available,” the Medina PD posted.

Medina Railroad Museum seeks actors for Polar Express

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 31 October 2024 at 10:04 am

Provided photo: Chefs prepare and pour hot chocolate in preparation for a train ride on the Polar Express last Christmas season at the Medina Railroad Museum.

MEDINA – The Medina Railroad Museum is looking for male and female characters to portray chefs on the upcoming Polar Express train rides.

Duties include making and serving hot chocolate during the ride to the “North Pole” set up along the tracks between Middleport and Gasport. The positions can be paid or volunteer.

Anyone interested in participating should arrive at the Railroad Museum between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for auditions.

Polar Express rides are scheduled Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and 8, Dec. 14 and 15 and Dec. 21 and 22.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Medina Railroad Museum website.

Pedestrian bridge expected to be done 2025 over Oak Orchard on Maple Ridge Road

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2024 at 6:59 pm

MEDINA – A new pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek on Maple Ridge Road is expected to be complete by October 2025, Medina village officials said.

The project also includes a sidewalk from Crosby’s to the Medina Business Park.

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

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

The Village Board on Monday voted to pay $14,195 from village funds to the state Department of Transportation to go towards right-of-way acquisition. The sidewalks and shoulders near the bridge will cut into some residents’ property and they will be compensated for that land, board members said.

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

Construction is expected to start in the spring.

Medina school district hosting 3-county college and career day conference on Nov. 2

Posted 30 October 2024 at 5:04 pm

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – The school district is hosting a Tri-County College and Career Day Conference on Saturday at the Junior-Senior High School located at 1 Mustang Drive. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This annual celebration of educational opportunity is a major event for talented, first-generation college-bound students, parents and community members in Orleans, Niagara and Genesee counties.

“We expect students, parents, community members from neighboring counties, and other educational opportunity programs to be in attendance,” said Daniel Doctor, Medina’s director of community partnerships. “The purpose of the College and Career Day conference is to expose anyone planning their future to a variety of careers in order to jumpstart their thinking about career paths. By preparing early, students will more likely be college and career ready after high school graduation. Students in middle, high school and adulthood may participate in the conference.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from multiple organizations, discuss potential job opportunities and establish professional relationships.

Bent’s gets permission for 2 giant nutcrackers, outdoor fence during holidays

Photo by Tom Rivers: Bent’s Opera House has the Village Board’s permission to keep its fence up past the Nov. 15 deadline. The fence can stay up until Jan. 5 and Bent’s will have two 12-foot-high nutcracker statues along the wall inside the fence.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2024 at 9:23 pm

MEDINA – Bent’s Opera House has the Village Board permission to keep an outdoor fence up on the village sidewalk until Jan. 5. That is past the Nov. 15 deadline for outdoor fencing on Main Street.

The village has that deadline so the sidewalks are clear to be plowed. Justin Bruce, the restaurant manager at Bent’s, attended Monday’s meeting and asked for more time with the fence. He requested until Feb. 1, but that was pushed back to Jan. 5.

Bruce also asked that the village allow two 12-foot-high nutcracker statues that weigh 265 pounds each to be allowed on the village sidewalk, up against the wall at Bent’s. They would be in the fenced-in area at Bent’s.

“This will enhance Medinas overall charm,” Bruce said. “It won’t be too extreme.”

The nutcrackers should be considered holiday decorations, and there is more latitude for decorations on the sidewalks, said Dan Gardner, the village code officer.

The board asked for Bent’s to provide an insurance certificate for the nutcrackers, and also to clear any snow from the fenced-in area and also in front of the fence.

Bruce said part of the rationale for wanting the fence out longer is so Bent’s customers can be in that area and watch the Parade of Lights on Nov. 30.

The board said the fenced-in area should be open to others, too, during the parade and not just Bent’s customers. Bruce agreed.

He also asked the board to consider designating some parking spots in front of Bent’s on Main Street for overnight parking during the summer. Bruce said Bent’s parking lot often is short some spots when there are weddings on Saturday nights.

He said allowing some spots for overnight parking would ease the parking crunch. There is currently a two-hour parking limit on Main Street. If the board allowed some overnight parking, it would need to have a public hearing and change the ordinance.

It isn’t a pressing issue because Bruce said Bent’s has until next summer when the wedding season starts again. The board asked him to inquire if some spots would be available at the lot on West Center Street across from the Post Office.

Medina Village Board doesn’t take action on request for backyard chickens

Photo by Tom Rivers: Cassandra Harden speaks during a public hearing on Monday. She asked the Village Board to pass an ordinance allowing backyard chickens.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2024 at 10:15 am

MEDINA – The Village Board, after hearing residents speak for and against allowing backyard chickens in the village, decided on Monday evening to take no action on the issue.

Trustee Diana Baker made a motion to send the matter to the Village Planning Board for its input, but the motion didn’t get a second. One trustee, Jess Marciano, was late to the meeting and missed the vote due to jury duty in Buffalo. Marciano was disappointed the vote wasn’t pushed to later in the meeting when she could have offered a second to the motion.

Medina was asked to amend its ordinance, which currently bans chickens. Katie Hardner, who is leading the effort to have chickens be permitted in Orleans County villages, asked Medina to allow up to six backyard chickens, with no roosters.

Hardner and supporters of “For Cluck’s Sake” have attended parades and had a booth at the Orleans County 4-H Fair, trying to build support for the cause. Hardner said a small group of chickens are not livestock, and they provide nutritional and mental health benefits for families.

During the public hearing on Monday, she said chickens have great appeal to the younger generation of adults who want to raise some of their own food and enjoy caring for animals. She said allowing chickens would enhance properties in the village, and not be a deterrent to property values.

Three residents urged the board not to allow chickens, saying they are smelly and could bring in foxes, coyotes and other animals.

“The smell is nasty,” said resident Bob Prawel. “It is a nuisance. It can affect home values.”

Cheryl Tuttle also spoke against allowing chickens, saying they bring “an extreme odor” and could be a magnet for wild animals. She said they should be limited to outside the village in a country setting where there is more space away from neighbors who could be impacted.

Mark Gregoire of Murray runs a nuisance wildlife control business and he said he responds to many situations in Medina. The village already has foxes, coyotes, “anything on four legs.” Allowing six chickens for residents won’t draw animals to Medina that aren’t already in the village, he said. The spill over from bird feeders lures more unwanted creatures to the village than chickens would, he said.

Cassandra Harden, a village resident, said she would welcome the chance to have backyard chickens. She has two young children.

Todd Eick, Medina’s FFA advisor and agriculture teacher, urged Medina to allow the chickens. The FFA could help with workshops to educate the community on how to best care for chickens.

Many cities allow backyard chickens. Eick would like to see the Orleans County villages amend their ordinances to allow the poultry.

“We live in a rural community,” he said. “They are allowed in cities. They should be allowed here.”

GO Art! working on artisan fest in 2025 that could draw 100,000 people to canal towns

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2024 at 9:30 am

Event planned to celebrate 200th anniversary of Erie Canal, Orleans County

Gregory Hallock

MEDINA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is working on a three-day artisan festival next year in Orleans County that could draw 100,000 people to the community.

Gregory Hallock, GO Art! executive director, spoke at the Medina Village Board meeting on Monday evening. He said the arts council is pushing to get all the details together for what he said will be a big celebration for the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal and also Orleans County.

GO Art! is looking at Aug. 22-24 or Sept. 26-28 for the festival, which would have events in the villages of Medina, Albion and Holley, as well as a boat regatta going 21 miles from Medina to Holley.

Hallock said he expects there would be 400 artisan vendors for the event at the three villages and two concerts – at the waterfalls in Holley and State Street Park in Medina.

He plans to meet with village officials in Albion, Holley and Medina soon to firm up the details. He will be seeking funding from the State Canal Corp. and New York Power Authority to help pay towards the festival. The vendors also will be pay a fee to be at the event which will help cover the costs.

GO Art! was leaning towards the three days in late August for the celebration, but moving It back to September would allow the festival to be timed with the voyage of the Seneca Chief, a replica of the canal boat that took Gov. DeWitt Clinton on passage of the original canal in 1825.

Hallock said the festival also will include theatrical performances and a car show.

GO Art! would like to make it an annual event, with the bicentennial celebration giving it a big start.

The arts council sees an opportunity with a big artisan festival with the Letchworth Arts & Crafts Show taking a break.

“It’s exciting,” Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said about the event.

Jess Marciano, a village trustee, said GO Art! does a great job with events in the community, including the recent Day of the Dead celebration at the Orleans County YMCA.

“Thank you for putting the time into this,” Marciano told Hallock.

GO Art! today also will announce plans for a cultural center in Medina. That announcement will be 5:30 p.m. today at the Cornell Cooperative Extension.