Photos by Ginny Kropf: Bobby Guzik, left, dines at Rudy’s with fellow Lions members, Billy Roman, Ann McElwee and Julie Roman. Bobby is using a braille menu. A friend and fellow member of Medina Lions, Billy Roman, urges all local restaurants to supply a menu in braille.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 May 2023 at 4:15 pm
MEDINA – A young Medina man, who was been blind since birth, can now order a meal at several restaurants in the area, with the addition of braille menus.
Bobby Guzik, 33, son of Laura Guzik of Medina, is also a member of Medina Lions, as is Billy Roman. Recently, Roman had the idea to encourage restaurants to have braille menus for blind customers. He mentioned it to Bobby, who said it would be so helpful if menus could be provided for the blind. Roman then approached Lion member Ann McElwee, who was a special education teacher and has been using braille for 25 years. She loved the idea.
“I had some blind kids in my class, so I got certified to teach blind kids,” McElwee said.
She also became a member of the Buffalo Braille Group, which translates menus sent to them in braille.
Previously, Bobby had to order his food through an app on his phone and have it delivered or rely on someone to read him the menu.
“I’m very happy about being able to go in a restaurant and read the menu,” Bobby said Tuesday night, while dining at Rudy’s in Medina with Billy and Julie Roman and McElwee. “I feel more independent. Now I can eat out more.”
Currently, Rudy’s and Captain Kidz have put braille menus in their restaurants, and McElwee just received the one for Darrell’s in Middleport and is working on the menu for the Country Club on Main Street in Medina.
McElwee takes the menus and, through an app on her computer, translates them into braille and sends them to the Buffalo Braille Group. They have an embosser who then prints the menu in braille.
Buffalo Braille Group also does books in braille for schools and colleges, McElwee said.
Roman is very excited about seeing this service for the blind implemented in local restaurants.
“Our district superintendent in the Lions is going to take the idea to the state level and propose they adopt the idea throughout the state,” Roman said.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Jan McCloy, left, and Peggy Pearce admire the cake celebrating the volunteers to run St. Peter’s Food Pantry. They are among the more than 20 who keep the food pantry running. (Right) The Rev. Akhtor Sokheil shares a story about feeding the hungry and a prayer to start the appreciation luncheon for volunteers at the food pantry.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 May 2023 at 10:18 pm
MEDINA – More than 20 volunteers who donate their time to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry were recognized at a luncheon today at the church.
“Without volunteers we couldn’t do what we do,” said Jim Hancock, who last year was recognized for his involvement all 40 years of the Food Pantry’s existence.
The Food Pantry serves about 30 families a month. Before Tuesday’s luncheon, 10 families came for food, said Robin Dubai, who has been involved with the Food Pantry for more than 30 years, most of them as organizer.
The Rev. Akhtor Sokeil shared a story about helping the hungry and said ministries like the food pantry are gospel.
“They are sharing God’s love,” he said.
Food Pantry staff acknowledged support from St. Peter’s Church, food donations from the the local library and Scouts.
The pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday.
Grimm said they were blessed with volunteers, as she read their names – Janet Husung, Robin Dubai, Marian Fry, Michelle Capstick, Bill Bixler, Denny Dubai, Barb Filipiak, Gloria Gruber, Bob Hoffman, Edee Hoffmeister, Kathy Iorio, Jan McCloy, Ann McElwee, Peggy Pearce, Diane Mazur, Mary Keppler, Cindy Hewitt, Marilyn Hiwiller and three new volunteers, Sharee Canham, Lois Donovan and Marie Socha.
(Left) Robin Dubai, who has headed St. Peter’s Food Pantry for most of its 41 years, applauds volunteers and shares their accomplishments in providing meals. (Right) Jim Hancock, treasurer for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry, welcomes volunteers to a luncheon today.
Dubai also praised The Grove Methodist Church for all their donations, and the cooperation with Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God’s Food Pantry, headed by Donna Poore. She said they help each other out if one of the other’s supplies get low.
Dubai thanked Kathy Iorio and Diane Mazur for their efforts in putting double bags together and filling bags with food items. Each bag holds nine to 12 pounds of food and each family gets two bags.
She also thanked Sally Grimm for scheduling volunteers and keeping monthly reports, and her husband Denny Dubai for restocking. She paid a special tribute to Bob Hoffman, who meets the trucks delivering food every week and unloads the boxes. Last year, he lifted 4,022 pounds, Dubai said.
“We can’t do this job without him,” she said.
Ray Lavesque was mentioned for going out of his way to deliver food to a client who moved to Middleport.
Dubai concluded by dedicating the luncheon to Grimm’s mother, who was a volunteer in the Food Pantry’s early years and kept in touch with how it was during throughout her life. She passed away recently at 100.
Lunch was provided by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and cookies were donated by Mary Lou Tuohey from Case-Nic Cookies.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2023 at 1:01 pm
Village urged to address $12.5 million in ‘priority one’ replacements
Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt Zarbo, a managing engineer with Barton & Loguidice, said 21 miles of waterlines in the village need to be replaced in the next 10 to 15 years. He urged the Village Board to work on putting in new infrastructure to replace waterlines that are at least 75 years old.
MEDINA – The village’s water distribution system has more than 20 miles of waterlines that are soon in need of replacement, and the upgrades wouldn’t come cheap, the Village Board was told on Monday by an engineer with Barton & Loguidice.
The estimate to replace 21 miles of waterlines would be in the $30 million to $35 million range, said Matt Zarbo, a managing engineer with Barton & Loguidice.
The village’s water distribution system was studied by the engineering firm, and Zarbo said many of the waterlines are at least 75 years old, with some dating pre-1900s.
“You can’t do all at once,” Zarbo told the board on Monday. “It’s not fiscally feasible but you need to plan for now. Your system is definitely antiquated.”
He grouped the waterlines in need of replacement into three priority groups. He based that ranking partly on whether there is low water pressure in the lines and a history of leaks.
Priority one includes 40,118 linear feet, nearly 8 miles, and would cost an estimated $12,338,550.
Priority two covers 38,487 linear feet, about 7.3 miles, and would cost an estimated $11,345,250, while priority three is 31,716 linear feet, about 6 miles, at an estimated $9,699,080.
“You have 21 miles of watermain that need to be replaced soon,” Zarbo said. “You’re in $30-$35 million range to replace all of it. Those are huge numbers.”
He urged the board to plan over the next 10 to 15 years to replace all areas. Priority one should be addressed very soon, and Zarbo believes the village has a very good chance of securing state and federal aid for a big project.
There are grants to cover up to $5 million or 60 percent of a project. The village could maximize that $5 million grant if it pursued a project for at least $8.5 million, Zarbo said.
The village currently has low water rates – about half what most municipalities charge in the region, Zarbo said. The water system has about 2,200 users and could take on debt to pay for new waterlines, and still have low water rates, he said.
He presented some financial scenarios and the impact on water costumers:
A $12.5 million project with a $5 million grant would increase the average annual cost of water by $113 from the current $280 to $393. That’s at a 0 percent rate over 30 years for financing.
A $3 million grant and financing at 2.5 percent over 38 years would increase the water cost by $176 a year to $456.
Medina could finance a $12.5 million project without a grant. That cost over 38 years at a 2.5 percent rate would be an average of $231 per water user, putting the annual cost at $511.
Zarbo said there is more money available this coming year for water projects due to a federal infrastucture bill and also a state bond act. Normally, he said municipalities have about a 20 to 25 percent chance for the grants, but he said this time the likelihood is closer to 50 percent.
Medina’s low-to-moderate household income increases the village’s chances for funding. One factor that hurts the application is the project is necessitated to address a public health issue, he said.
The current water quality is good, but the system is showing its age, Zarbo said.
The village could break the priority areas into smaller projects and do many projects until all the work is done. But Zarbo said there is an economy of scale of doing larger projects with financing for the construction and mobilizing contractors.
The village needs to decide soon whether to pursue a WIIA grant (Water Infrastructure Improvement) for priority one areas. Those applications are due July 28 but a lot of work needs to be done before that to prepare the application, Zarbo said.
The Village Board voted on Monday to be the lead agency for the SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) which is an early step needed as part of the application.
Mayor Mike Sidari said the board will continue to discuss the issue, and whether it will pursue a grant and the size of a project. Doing some of the initial work, such as the SEQR, doesn’t obligate the village to follow through with a project.
If the village replaces waterlines, Zarbo said new sidewalks may also need to go in because waterline construction would unearth some of those sidewalks.
He also recommended the village do a study of its sewer system, and perhaps consider replacing sewer lines in conjunction with the waterlines. That would save some money to do both while the ground is torn up.
Zarbo did share some good news. The 3-million-gallon concrete water tank on Maple Ridge Road is in good shape. An internal inspection didn’t show any rust from any rebar. Zarbo said the tank should be good for at least another 10 to 15 years.
Provided photos: Scott Wengewicz, his daughter Cassandra Boring and son-in-law, Steven J. Boring Jr. stand by the gun case in their new store, Patriot Guns, on North Main Street in Medina.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 May 2023 at 10:20 am
MEDINA – A gun shop in Medina is a business for which Scott Wengewicz saw a need.
Patriot Guns was recently opened by Wengewicz, his wife Kathy and their daughter Cassandra Boring at 339 North Main St.
Their background explains their interest in weapons.
Patriot Guns has opened next to Mystic Dragon’s Lair at 339 North Main St.
Wengewicz, the Shelby town supervisor, spent 20 years as a Federal agent for the U.S. Border Patrol; Kathy was a U.S. Customs officer; and along with Cassandra’s husband Steve Boring, they are disabled veterans. In addition, Scott spent 10 years in the Air Force, Kathy served 14 years in the Air Force as an investigator and Steve was in the Army for six years.
Scott has been mining his whole life and Cassandra has always been interested in minerals. A business they started in their basement got so big, Scott said he had to rent a storefront. Their businesses, Mystic Dragon’s Lair and Patriot Guns are located in the building on North Main Street owned by Rita Zambito.
In addition to rifles, shot guns and pistols, Patriot Guns sells knives, camp stoves, gun cleaning supplies, multi-hand crank flashlights (to charge cell phones), first-aid kits, flashlights, freeze-dried foods which last 25 to 30 years, water filtration, Bug Out Bag, survival bags, ammunition, backpacks and more. They hope to expand into hiking, fishing and camping equipment, Steve said. New inventory is posted on the business’s Facebook page.
Patriot Guns also will be offering a New York state pistol permit course in the near future.
Patriot Guns is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cassandra performs Reiki healing classes and Shamanic healing services and sells crystals at Mystic Dragon’s Lair, next door to the gun shop.
A highlight at Mystic Dragon’s Lair is a life-size replica of Ildrys, a blue dragon known as “Guardian of the Forest.” Scott commissioned an artist to create the dragon, and each scale was individually cut, he said. It is the only one like it in the world.
The date for upcoming “Dungeons and Dragons” will be posted on the Mystic Dragon’s Lair Facebook page.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2023 at 9:16 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Kathy Blackburn, chairwoman of the Medina Municipal Tree Board, presents a “Friends of our Urban Forest Award” to Jason Watts, superintendent of the Medina Department of Public Works.
She presented the recognition during Monday’s Village Board meeting. Watts and the DPW were honored for their efforts planting about 50 trees annually in the village. The DPW also sets up for the annual Arbor Day festivities in Medina.
Blackburn said Watts and the DPW put in a lot of work to get all the trees planted.
“Every time we call they are so wonderful,” Blackburn said. “They are a great group.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2023 at 10:01 pm
Backboards will cost another $10K; Medina seeks funding help from Town of Shelby
MEDINA – The Village Board accepted a construction bid this evening for two full-size basketball courts at Butts Park.
The village approved paying Super Seal Sealcoating of Penfield $122,319 for the project.
The village will use $110,000 in money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The board also has been informed the Medina Sports Boosters will contribute $13,200 towards the project, Mayor Mike Sidari said.
The $122,319 for the two new courts doesn’t include four backboards, two for each court. That is another $9,846, putting the total cost at about $132,000.
The Village Board voted this evening to approve the court construction. The board is hopeful the Town of Shelby will contribute towards the project.
Trustee Marguerite Sherman attended a recent Shelby Town Board and asked the town to pay for at least the backboards. The Town Board hasn’t voted on the matter.
“We don’t know what Shelby will do. We have no idea,” Sidari said at the meeting.
About $3,000 could also be saved if the village and other municipalities haul the stone for the courts.
Melissa Valley from the Medina Mustang Boosters has been leading the effort to get new courts at Butts Park on South Main Street. Currently there aren’t outdoor courts in Medina.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 May 2023 at 1:26 pm
Provided photos by Jamie Murphy
MEDINA – Entertainer Tony Pedulla serenades Sally Standish at Orchard Manor Rehab and Nursing Center during a week of special events to celebrate Mother’s Day and National Skilled Nursing Care Week.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari signs a proclamation at Orchard Manor Rehab and Nursing Center with Resident Council president Bob Hale.
Sidari read the proclamation proclaiming May 14-20 as National Skilled Nursing Care Week. This year’s theme was “Cultivating Kindness,” according to activities director Jamie Murphy.
Staff of Orchard Manor and Rehab enjoy a taco bar during the week’s celebration of National Skilled Nursing Care Week.
There also was a tea party for residents, staff appreciation boards in the hallways for staff to write notes of appreciation for their co-workers, drawings for prizes for staff from local vendors and notes of kindness written by residents and shared with staff.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2023 at 1:34 pm
MEDINA – The local committee tasked with identifying projects for a $4.5 million state grant will meet for the first time on Wednesday.
Medina was awarded $4.5 million from the state on Feb. 13 in a “NY Forward” grant. The village has formed a local planning committee to guide Medina through the planning process and to identify transformative projects to submit to the state.
Mayor Mike Sidari said the group is pushing to have the process complete in November. The plan will be submitted to the state and Sidari said he expects the state will green light the projects next spring, with the funding becoming available to the village and business owners.
The meeting on Wednesday is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Medina Central School district office boardroom. This will be a work meeting without public comments. Sidari said there will be public hearings at future sessions.
Members of the local planning committee include Mayor Mike Sidari, Lauren Backlas, Gabrielle Barone, Kathy Blackburn, Gloria Brent, Chris Busch, Jesse Cudzillo, Tim Elliott, David Flynn, Rollin Hellner, Mark Kruzynski, Andrew Meier, Patrick Weissend and Mark Zambito.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2023 at 6:21 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Hart Hotel includes five rooms and two lofts on the third floor of 113 West Center St.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board is again trying to go through the proper channels in the State Legislature to allow the village to impose a 2-percent occupancy tax on rooms and lodging.
The board today voted to ask the State Assembly and State Senate to allow Medina to have a 2-percent occupancy tax in the village. Medina first tried to have the tax imposed in 2018 but it has stalled in the State Legislature.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari said the revenue would be used to promote tourism in the village and also to help cover some of the village’s overtime costs with events. The Police Department and Department of Public Works often work extra hours for the many community events in the village, Sidari said today.
The board in an official resolution today said the village wants to be a bigger tourist destination by promoting the Erie Canal, its historic downtown, agri-tourism and other attractions.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley has introduced Bill No., A.6671, to authorize Medina to collect the occupancy tax. Previous efforts to gain full support in both houses of the Legislature haven’t been successful.
Orleans County currently currently imposes a 4-percent “bed tax” that topped $100,000 for the first time in 2022. The $111,013 in 2022 passed the previous record high of $79,102 in 2021. The third most was collected in 2020: $58,438.
The county is seeing more short-term vacation rentals such as Airbnbs. A 58-room Comfort Inn & Suites opened on March 18, 2022 in Medina, giving the county its first branded hotel. Bent’s Opera House also opened 10 hotel rooms in 2021.
The county’s bed tax is used to promote attractions in the county. Medina’s tax would focus on efforts in the village.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 May 2023 at 3:39 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: The committee promoting Medina’s annual Community Garage Sale and Chicken Barbecue on June 3 are, from left, Jim Hancock, Tim Moriarty, and Julie and Chris Keller.
MEDINA – Medina Lions annual Community Yard Sale and Chicken Barbecue have been a tradition on the first Saturday in June for more than 20 years, according to event chairman Jim Hancock.
The event is scheduled for June 3, featuring yard sales throughout the village, a vendor fair at the Olde Pickle Factory and a chicken barbecue.
The day will also feature the usual “Weinermobile” traveling the village to offer hot dogs to those shoppers who don’t won’t to miss a sale. Pete Kaiser, Chris Leavitt and Matt Kreutz will be the hot dog crew.
Hancock said 30 vendors have already reserved a spot at the Olde Pickle Factory, featuring a wide variety of merchandise.
Lions Chris and Julie Keller will be running the hotdog and hamburger stand for the Lions at the vendor location.
“We have the best hamburgers in town,” Chris said.
Lions will also be on the four corners of Main Street from 9 a.m. to noon handing out maps of the village indicating the location of yard sales. The maps are free, but a donation is appreciated, to help the Lions with their projects for the community.
The deadline for residents to register their address at Lake Country Pennysaver to be included on the map is noon May 24.
Chiavetta’s will be cooking the chicken, for which pre-sale tickets are available for $14 from any Lions member, or by calling (716) 417-0079. Tickets the day of the event will be $15. Serving will begin at 11:30 until sold out.
New this year will be music by Rob Robinson. Also, this year, the Lions will be able to accept credit cards.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Thomas the Tank Engine sits in the station while passengers board during a previous year’s Day Out With Thomas at Medina Railroad Museum. The legendary engine will be at Medina Railroad Museum for a four-day run this Saturday and Sunday, and then the following weekend, May 26-27.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 May 2023 at 8:21 am
MEDINA – After an absence of two years due to Covid and a shortened run last year, Thomas the Tank Engine will be back at Medina Railroad Museum, beginning this weekend.
This year’s theme, Let’s Get Colorful, will be evident in Thomas’ new paint job and the activities on the grounds of the Medina Railroad Museum.
Thomas first thrilled youngsters and their families at the Medina Railroad Museum in 2005. Annually passengers came from across the United States to ride the train of storybook fame.
Tickets to ride the train also include admission to the Medina Railroad Museum, and give riders the opportunity to earn a Color Badge, say hello to Sir Topham Hat and explore the Color Corner, formerly known as Imagination Station.
Activities this year will include carnival games, two holes of miniature golf, a color corner, play pod, corn hole hopscotch, the game of Sodor 4 (a take on Connect 4), face painting, coloring, play tables and power wheels.
The day will also feature live entertainment, a gift tent and food court across the street at the Senior Citizens Center with food trucks, kettle corn, cotton candy and more. Also in the Senior Center will be a baby changing station, nursing area, Thomas books to read and coffee for sale.
Train rides depart every 45 minutes from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some times are sold out, but tickets still remain for other times. Tickets can be purchased by logging on to medinarailroadmuseum.org.
Grounds will open at 8 a.m. and remain open until 5 p.m. each day of the event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2023 at 12:02 pm
For 34 years the church was known as Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ
Provided photo: From left include Spanish Eastern Assembly of God District Superintendent Manny Álvarez joins Senior Pastors Jovannie & Melisa Canales this past Sunday when the church celebrated a new name. The Canales couple have served as the church pastors since 2017.
MEDINA – A church with a 34-year history announced it has a new name.
The Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ on Sunday announced it officially has a new name, Oasis Church.
The church has 45 members and they were unanimous in approving the name change at an annual meeting about three months ago.
“I would say that ‘Oasis’ is how we identify in our community – ‘A fertile place of nourishment, rest, peace, renewal, and life sustained by springs of water.’ It is similar to where the Israelites camped on their journey through the wilderness [Exod. 15:27],” church pastors Jovannie and Melisa Canales wrote in a letter to the community. “It makes the perfect location and environment for transformation. This name change makes so much sense as it effectively represents our vision, mission, and who we are as a church.”
The church holds services at 2 p.m. on Sundays. It shares a building with the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God at 11031 Maple Ridge Rd. The two churches are independent of each other.
Jovannie Canales said the congregation at Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ was often known as the “Hispanic/Spanish Church.”
At Oasis, he said the church is bilingual, speaking and writing in Spanish and English. He wants everyone to feel welcome. The church attendees come from many backgrounds – Mexican, Honduran, Puerto Rican, Panamanian, Jamaican, white and Black.
“We’re a great representation of the body of Christ,” Canales said.
The church in the coming months will make changes to its signage, logo, website and social media accounts. Oasis remains affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God through The Spanish Eastern District AG. Canales said the congregation isn’t changing any doctrines or practices as a church.
“Getting used to calling ourselves Oasis Church will take a while, but this is who we are,” Jovannie and Melisa Canales wrote in their letter.
The church runs an annual family fun day at Butts Parks, providing entertainment and food to several hundred people. That event will continue and is planned for Aug. 5.
Photo courtesy of Luke Kantor/Iroquois Job Corps: The Lincoln VFW Post in Medina recognized the Iroquois Job Corps on Monday with its Service Award for their support of veterans. From left are student Melody Goodwin, VFW vice president and historian Dave Berry, Job Corps operations director John Thomas and students Kee’Andra Creque and Joshua Espinal.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 May 2023 at 6:32 am
MEDINA – The VFW Auxiliary in Medina’s historian and vice president Dave Berry visited the Iroquois Job Corps on Monday to present the center with an award for its support of veterans.
The National Office of the Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary’s annual Service Award was given to the Job Corps in recognition of students who volunteered to assist the Medina VFW Auxiliary serving lunch to veterans on Veterans Day. The students also made Veterans Day cards and handed them out to all the veterans, according to John Thomas, operations director at Iroquois Job Corps.
Also participating in the award ceremony were the three students who assisted with the Veterans Day lunch, Melody Goodwin, Kee’Andra Creque and Joshua Espnal.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jonah Fisher, 5, of Albion high-fives Sparky the Fire Dog during National Night Out last year on Aug. 2 in Medina. Jonah’s dad, Medina firefighter Adam Fisher, wore the costume of the friendly dalmatian. Jack Smith of Medina is next to Jonah, ready to greet Sparky. About 700 people attended the National Night Out last year in the return of the event after it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 concerns.
Posted 15 May 2023 at 4:42 pm
Press Release, Medina Police Department
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department, with the assistance of the Medina Police Advisory Committee, are co-organizing this year’s Orleans County National Night Out.
We are proud to give an update on this year’s event that will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Medina Clifford Wise Intermediate School, 1016 Gwinn St.
National Night Out started in the 1980s as a way to bring law enforcement and citizens together nationwide on the same night each year. We have expanded on that principle and put together an event that focuses on bringing many agencies and organizations together for the annual National Night Out date each year.
This year NNO is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Participants in this event will include law enforcement from throughout the county, fire agencies, EMS responders, civic organizations and other groups that will be providing activities and giveaways. Some of the big hits from past events have been the “Battle of the Belts”, K-9 demonstrations, and the bike rodeo.
Our mission is simple. We want an event where families can come for a night and be entertained at no cost, eating and having fun in an environment that is free of violence, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We hope citizens can meet members of our local organizations and get to know the services they provide to our community.
We are currently in the process of reaching out to many local organizations to coordinate participation. In the past it is the efforts, participation, and donations of these local organizations and businesses that make National Night Out possible. These sponsoring organizations will be highlighted throughout our event.
Registration and donation information is being distributed through mail, email, and social media. For more information you may contact either Heather Jackson at NNOOrleans@gmail.com or Lt. Todd Draper at tdraper@villagemedina.org.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jason Michalski of Medina, left, buys two hanging baskets Saturday from Ronald Human and his grandson Bradley at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 May 2023 at 11:16 am
MEDINA – Bright sunshine and warm weather brought a steady stream of visitors to the Canal Village Farmers’ Market on Saturday.
The market has been set up all winter in the former NAPA Auto Parts Store owned by Craig Lacy, and plans to stay there for the summer. Lacy is hoping to find a use for the building, and at such time, the market would return to its former location at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.
The summer season officially begins June 3, and will have new features and new vendors, Miller said.
Vendors from throughout the Medina area will offer a variety of foods, entertainment and activities.
Current vendors, some of which are regulars and others which come every other week, are Baker Farm, meat eggs and garlic powder; Bower Family Farm and Greenhouse, micro greens; Catherine Street Bakers, baked goods and jams; Dot’s Pantry (every other week), specialty savory relishes, jams, dressings and chutney; Flint’s Maple Products; Gardner’s Gardens Gourmet jams, fudge, cakes, herb blends and gourmet popcorn; Heartland Organics, mushrooms, organic coffee with Lions’ Mane, dried ground mushrooms and mushroom jerky; and Human Farms, asparagus and rhubarb (in season),eggs, chicken, barbecue sauce, spices, flower and tomato plants and other seasonal vegetables.
Also, LockRidge Apiary, honey; LynOaken Farms, 810 Meadworks, Black Button Distilling, Schulze Vineyards and Wintery and Mountain Mule Ciderhouse; Panek’s Pickin’ Patch, fruits and vegetables; and Flower Fields Forever, flower bouquets.
(Left) Erica Waniecski, left, and Michael Klepp, both Master Gardeners, manned the non-profit table for Cornell Cooperative Extension at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market. (Right) Canal Village Farmers’ Market manager Gail Miller watches Chloe Hill, 10, and Tegan Hill, 8, choose a prize for completing a scavenger hunt at the market on Saturday.
Dot’s Pantry also has several favorite items, including local cheese and Buffalo pepper products, as well as taking orders for perogies.
In addition, a space is reserved each week for a non-profit which wants to set up an informational table. Oak Orchard Health, Orleans Community Health and Master Gardeners are some who take advantage of this opportunity to inform the public, and more are being scheduled, Miller said.
This week, the community booth featured Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners, Erica Wanecski and Michael Klepp, who provided information on spring lawn care, pollinating, insects and native plants.
Cathie Valley oversees a Kids’ Tent, which provides fun activities for young children who accompany their parents to the market. A scavenger hunt keeps children busy and provides an opportunity to win a prize for finding all the items.
Arts and crafts will also be available at the market, including Rust and Dust Fabrication, 3BeesWax, pottery and more.
Randy Reese with Canalside Radio will begin broadcasting from the market on June 10.
Local realtor Rita Zambito will sponsor music at the market, featuring local musicians and groups.
The market is sponsored by Orleans Renaissance Group. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“I had some blind kids in my class, so I got certified to teach blind kids,” McElwee said.
