By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 April 2023 at 9:15 am
File photo: About 100 third-graders and their teachers attended tree planting ceremony on Frank Street on April 28, 2022 to celebrate Arbor Day. This year second-graders will join third-graders at the celebration.
MEDINA – The village’s annual Arbor Day celebration will be about twice the size in attendance because second-graders will be joining third-graders in the festivities on April 28.
Medina has been joined I recent years by third-graders who help plant trees, share poems and sing the praises of the benefits of trees.
This year’s event will again be on Frank Street. Medina is planning to plant 48 new trees with most on Frank Street, Williams Street and at State Street Park.
Kathy Blackburn, president of the Medina Tree Board, invites the community to come and participate in the ceremony at 10 a.m.
A portion of Frank Street will be blocked off to traffic during the celebration.
For the 16th straight year Medina has been recognized as an official Tree City USA for its commitment to the urban forestry.
People can make donations for new trees through the Medina Releaf Society. Click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2023 at 9:03 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Richard and Kirsten Glass dance to the polka after the couple was crowned king and queen of Dyngus Day at the Sacred Heart Club this evening.
The club gives the honor to active volunteers in the club. The couple has been active volunteers at many of the Sacred Heart activities, including the seven week of Friday fish fries leading up to Easter, an ugly sweater contest and many other parties.
“It’s like a family here,” said Mr. Glass, who joined Sacred Heart in 1968.
He and his wife were presented with the royalty by last year’s king Dave Silkowski and queen Diane Humphrey.
“I’m shocked,” Mr. Glass said about the honor. “I had no idea.”
Richard and Kirsten Glass celebrate their king and queen recognition with daughter Tricia Allen and grandchildren Jane and Bryce Allen.
The Sacred Heart Club welcomed about 100 people for the Dyngus Day party, with many people wearing red in honor of the Polish celebration.
Pussy willows were also available. In the Dyngus Day tradition, boys sprinkle water on the girls who then tap the boys with pussy willows as a way of flirting.
Terri Moriarty gives her husband Tim a tap with a pussy willow. They celebrated Dyngus Day at Sacred Heart for the first time. They are now both retired and back in Medina after spending the winter in South Carolina.
They enjoyed the spread of Polish food. Tim enjoyed the sweet and sour cabbage, and the smoked kielbasa. Terry said her favorite is the Golabki – cabbage stuffed with ground beef and rice.
Terri Moriarty holds a pussy willow she used to gently touch her husband Tim in one of the Dyngus Day traditions.
JT Thomas, center, greets his parents, Ron and BJ Thomas, who were enjoyed some of the Polish food. JT helped cook some of the meal and also was the DJ playing polka music.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Dancecenter owner Stephanie Szklany goes through a routine with her 3- to 6-year-olds at her studio at 443 Main St., Medina. From left rear are Miracle Allis, Mariana Roman, Annabelle Kruzynski, Charlee Barraclough, Carmen Sutch and Mabel Schiffer. Mabel 3, is the youngest in the class.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 April 2023 at 8:30 am
MEDINA – Dancing has been in Stephanie Szklany’s blood since she was a teenager.
In fact, she loved it so much she went to college to study dance, so she could teach it to others, and this spring she will celebrate 40 years of running The Dancenter at 443 Main St.
Szklany’s sister Joanna Pasceri of Lockport calls The Dancenter “a fixture in the historic village of Medina.” She said what makes her sister’s story even more meaningful is surviving the challenging economic times, only worsened by the Covid pandemic.
“Her longevity has brought the studio full circle with many of her former students now enrolling their children or grandchildren in dance lessons,” Pasceri said.
Szklany was born and raised in Lockport, graduating in 1976 from Lockport Senior High School. At 16, she started taking dance lessons from Rolann Crowe in Lockport, and when she had to make a decision about her career, dance was all she knew, she said. By then she was taking dance from Maria Battaglia at the American Academy of Ballet in Buffalo. In high school, she studied ballet, tap and jazz, but when she went to Buffalo, she just focused on ballet.
“I asked Maria if there were any colleges that focused on dance,” Szklany said. “She told me about York University in Toronto. I auditioned and applied and got in.”
Her passion would have been to dance professionally, but to do that she said you have to start a lot younger than she did.
Part of her college curriculum was teaching small groups and she really enjoyed it, she said.
“The only struggle in my years was during Covid,” Szklany said. “That nearly killed us. When we were able to start back up after nearly six months, I had to install two $500 air filters and wash the bars continuously, and we all had to wear masks. It was a real challenge how to keep kids six feet apart.”
She said a lot of parents didn’t want their children that close and most didn’t send their children back. In her heyday, Szklany said her students numbered more than 200. Her numbers are now 140, and dancers are slowly coming back.
Szklany teaches ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and creative movement. She accepts students starting at 2 ½, as long as they are potty-trained. And she runs classes with adults.
(Left) Jo Anne Benthin, left, assistant instructor, and Stephanie Szklany, owner, compare notes at the end of a class. Benthin has been with The Dancenter for more than 20 years. (Right) Dancenter owner Stephanie Szklany goes through a routine with Carmen Sutch during a recent class. Each of the young dancers gets one-on-one instruction.
Opening a studio in Medina just evolved.
“After college, my dad wanted me to open my own studio right away, but I wanted to wait,” she said. “I went to work teaching ballet for Sylvia McDonald for a year at School of the Dance, but I wasn’t making any money. I didn’t want to compete with her, so I found this space in Medina. When I got here, I discovered there was already a dance studio here, but she moved away a year later.”
Two sisters who dance in the 3- to 6-year-old class are Mabel Schiffer, 3, and Hattie, 6, daughters of Ben and Rebecca Schiffer of Medina. Mabel started last year when she was not yet 3, and has no trouble learning the routines.
“The girls like to dance and play the songs at home,” Rebecca said.
Mariana Roman, 5, also loves to dance, and likes jazz and tap, said her stepmother Bekah Roman, who brings her to dance class. She is a daughter of Mark Roman and Brianna Wheeler.
One of Szklany’s students was Brandon Johnson, who now runs his own dance studio. Another student, Lisa Vaughn, also opened her own studio, and other students have gone on to dance in the Nutcracker.
Jo Anne Benthin has been her assistant for more than 20 years. She studied in Medina with Lori Balcerzak when she was young. Neither of the ladies have any plans to give up doing what they love any time soon.
On May 20, Szklany will have a recital for her students at 1 and 7 p.m. at Medina High School, followed by a big celebration of her anniversary the next day at Sacred Heart Club on North Gravel Road.
Current students and anyone with a ticket to the recital will be admitted free of charge to her celebration.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters battle a fire at the three-story building at 613 Main St. on Friday afternoon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 April 2023 at 6:36 pm
MEDINA – The big fire at 613 Main St. has been completely extinguished as of 8 this morning, the Medina Fire Department reported.
Provided photo: The inside of the building is shown on Saturday. The roof and floors caved in.
The blaze brought in 150 firefighters from four counties. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A structural engineer toured the site with village officials on Saturday and determined there is no sign of imminent collapse of the building despite the roof and floors caving in.
“An agreement between the property owner and the Village is in place for the future of the property,” the Fire Department said in a news release this evening.
The building is owned by Jeff Fuller. He was one of two residents in the site, and both safely got out from the fire. There also was a carpet business on the first floor.
Security fencing has been put in place around the building, and Fire Department personnel will be on site for the immediate future.
Main Street also is fully reopen after a section had been blocked off between Park Avenue and North Avenue.
“Thank you for all your support, assistance, and patience as we move forward,” the Fire Department stated.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2023 at 11:03 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Firefighters used five aerial ladder trucks work to put out a fire on Friday at 613 Main St. The village is having a structural engineer come to determine if the building can be saved or if it needs to be knocked down, Mayor Mike Sidari said this morning.
The roof and floors are gone, but the Medina Sandstone walls remain.
If the building can be saved, Sidari said a developer would like to take charge of the site.
The building from 1901 was used to sell carpet and also had two residents on the second floor.
This is the first building on the east side of Main Street when people cross the railroad tracks. The mayor said he is hopeful the structure can continue to stand.
“Right now it’s a wait-and-see,” he said.
Medina firefighters are keeping close tabs on the site for hot spots following the big blaze. About 150 firefighters from three counties were able to contain the fire to the building without it spreading.
Fire investigators also are on the scene this morning trying to determine the cause, Sidari said.
Traffic was closed off to Main Street from Center Street to Maple Ridge Road for part of Friday. This photo is from about 2 p.m. on Friday.
Main Street remains blocked off to traffic this morning from Park Avenue to North Avenue.
The three-story sandstone building was built by Charles Dye and Frank Austin as the first “mechanical” cold storage building in Medina, the Medina Sandstone Society said.
“Prior to the invention of mechanical refrigeration, ice cut during the winter was used to refrigerate locally grown fruit – mainly apples, peaches, pears and plums,” the Sandstone Society posted on its Facebook page.
The organization said it hopes the historic structure can be saved.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2023 at 9:40 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Rev. Neil Samborski of the Glad Tidings Missionary Baptist Church is dressed as the Roman Centurion in leading a procession at about 12:45 p.m. today. The group is crossing Main Street while firefighters battle a blaze down the street at a carpet store next to the railroad tracks.
The Rev. Randy LeBaron, interim pastor of the First Baptist Church in Medina, carries the cross in front with Dale Cameron holding the other end.
The Rev. Randy LeBaron and the group prepare the leave the Canal Basin. The group made seven stops in the downtown and near the Canal Basin, sharing Scripture and singing hymns.
The annual Good Friday walk had a modified course. About an hour before the “Cross Walk” was scheduled to start the fire broke out at the carpet store.
The Cross Walk usually starts at City hall, but that was off limits due to the fire almost across the street. The group instead started at the Presbyterian Church. They also didn’t venture to three stops on West Avenue, instead staying on North Main Street.
The Rev. Randy LeBaron reads scripture from John 19: 23-30. The group then sang “The Old Rugged Cross.” They are shown in front of the Bent’s Opera House.
Pastor Dan Thurber of the Oak Orchard Assembly of God and Jarred Saj carry the cross to the last station in front of the Presbyterian Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2023 at 4:18 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Multiple ladder trucks were called in to help douse the fire at 613 Main St., a three-story sandstone building next to the railroad tracks.
MEDINA – A big fire on Main Street has been contained to one building with 150 firefighters from three counties battling the blaze.
The response includes five ladder trucks – Albion, Lockport, Medina, Murray and Shelby.
The fire isn’t out yet, and firefighters will likely stay on scene for the next two days in case there are any hot spots, said Steve Cooley, a lieutenant with the Medina Fire Department.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 10:49 a.m.. There was smoke coming out of the chimney. Once on scene, firefighters observed the blaze was most intense in the basement and could tell it was a serious fire, Cooley said.
“It was a heavy, putrid smoke so they could tell it was a problem right away,” Cooley said.
The fire was most intense in the back of the building.
Firefighters rescued a man from the second floor, taking him out of the second floor window facing Main Street. He was treated on scene and declined to be transported for additional treatment at a hospital.
The roof has caved in on the main structure. Once the scene is fully under control, Cooley said a structural engineer and the village code enforcement will determine the next steps with the building.
The fire required an enormous amount of water. Firefighters drew from four hydrants, and also from two spots at Oak Orchard Creek – near Butts Park and by the Brookfield power plant near State Street Park.
Cooley said fire investigators will work to try to determine the cause of the blaze, which closed off traffic in the vicinity of the site.
“This is the biggest fire in Orleans in quite some time,” Cooley said.
A big response from firefighters from Orleans, Genesee and Niagara counties kept the fire from spreading.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2023 at 1:51 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Wide swaths of smoke spread from a three-story sandstone building that has been on fire since about 11 a.m.
Residents in the southeast portion of the village are urged to close doors and windows, and shelter in place as much as possible to avoid smoke and any unknown contaminants in may carry, according to a message from the village.
“Please conserve water until further notice,” village officials stated in a text notification to the community.
The building has been used to sell carpet. The structure is owned by Jeff Fuller. Multiple fire departments remain on scene.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2023 at 12:13 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Dark smoke spews out of a cavernous building on Main Street in Medina at about noon. The fire is at a sandstone building at 613 Main St., a site owned by Jeff Fuller that sells carpet.
The building is next to the railroad tracks.
Medina firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 10:50 a.m. Multiple fire departments have been called to help put out the fire. This photo is the front of the building facing Main Street.
The dark smoke can be seen from several miles away. This photo is from the municipal lot behind Main Street.
A Medina firefighter is up high on a ladder at the back end of the building.
Orleans Hub will have more on the fire later today.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Pastor Jovannie Canales of the Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ carries the cross from Cooper Funeral Home to the First Baptist Church during the “Cross Walk” last April 15. The Cross Walk is a long-time tradition in Medina with participation from several Medina churches.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2023 at 9:22 am
Local churches are teaming for joint services to help the community observe Easter.
In Albion this evening at 7 there will be a Maundy Thursday Ecumenical Service at the Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church. That service is being organized by the Albion Ministerium.
The Albion Ministerium also has planned a Good Friday Ecumenical Service at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.
In Medina, the Cross Walk will begin at noon outside City Hall on Main Street and then go to seven stops in the village, with participants reading scripture and singing hymns, with some of the group carrying a large wooden cross.
There will be a Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m. at Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship, 5329 South Gravel Rd. (Route 63) in Medina. That service is organized and led by several church leaders in the PACT group (Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation.)
There will also be a sunrise service on Easter morning at 6:30 a.m. at Boxwood Cemetery in a service led by the Medina Area Association of Churches.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 April 2023 at 8:22 am
Megan Johnson
MEDINA – The local community has an opportunity to dress up for an elegant night out and support Medina Memorial Hospital.
Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health’s foundation, has announced a fundraising gala from 6 to 10 p.m. on April 29 at Bent’s Opera House.
The theme is “Light up the Night,” and will feature gourmet food stations, a fun party band and exclusive silent auction.
The Foundation already sponsors Treasure Island in November, a cash raffle and golf tournament in the summer.
“We were looking for a different event to do in spring,” Johnson said. “The theme will be different every year.”
Entertainment will be provided by Something Else, a popular rock band from Rochester.
While this is a formal event, Johnson said it is not your traditional black tie requirement. It is considered “creative black,” she said, meaning men can wear a bright tie with their suit and women can wear a dressy dress or jumpsuit.
Lawley Insurance and Bent’s Opera House have already stepped up to be sponsors, and other sponsorships are available, Johnson said.
The silent auction will feature only five exclusive items, including a 10-year-old bottle of Pappy Rip Van Winkle bourbon. The liquor online sells for more than $1,000 a bottle, with some bottles priced at more than $5,000. It was donated by Main Street Liquor. Winners must be in attendance to claim their prize.
The evening will also include a short presentation by hospital CEO Marc Shurtz, who will share how far the hospital has come and his vision for the future.
Tickets for the event are $150 per person and can be purchased by visiting SupportOCH.org/event/gala. Tickets may also be purchased by sending a check to OCH Foundation, Attention Megan Johnson, 200 Ohio St., Medina, NY 14103; stopping in the Foundation office in the lobby of the hospital; or calling (585) 798-8426 to reserve and pay over the phone. Attendance is limited to 100 people.
In addition to Johnson, the Events Committee includes Cindy Hewitt, Barb Jantzi, Gloria Brent and Peter Bartula.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 April 2023 at 2:27 pm
Provided photo: After an article was published stating the Medina Lions’ had a need for a children’s wheelchair for their Medical Loan Closet, one was donated, along with enough money to purchase a second one. They are shown here next to a regular size wheelchair.
MEDINA – On March 10, the Orleans Hub ran a story detailing the Medina Lions Club’s need for a child-size wheelchair to be shared through the Medical Loan Closet.
A short time after the article ran, a used children’s wheelchair was donated, in addition to enough money for the Lions to purchase a second child’s wheelchair, according to Jim Punch, Medina Lions’ president, who oversees the Medical Loan Closet.
There was also enough money donated to enable the Lions to purchase other items to shore up the Loan Closet’s stock of items for children, such as crutches and walkers.
“Our community always comes through to help those in need,” Punch said. “We are all very lucky to live in a place with people who are so generous and caring.”
Punch said they have had several requests for children’s wheelchairs in recent weeks, and were very disappointed not to have been able to fulfill the requests.
The Medical Loan Closet lends medical items to anyone who needs them, and has had an ample supply of commodes, hospital beds, walkers, crutches and other medical equipment.
Anyone who has need to borrow medical equipment or has items to donate may call (585) 205-3502. The address to send donations to the Medina Lions is P.O. Box 511, Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2023 at 9:59 am
Medina and Lyndonville school districts were among about 50 in New York State that received a generic, non-specific bomb threat through email this morning. The threat was investigated by law enforcement and deemed not credible.
The Medina Police Department was able to quickly determine it wasn’t a credible threat in Medina, so the schools didn’t need to be cleared out, said Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent.
Medina is currently on break anyway but some students are there each day for spring sports.
“Unfortunately, there are individuals in our society who continue to send threatening messages to school districts across the country,” Kruzynski said in a message to the community. “In situations like this we will always work with our law enforcement partners to analyze the threat and determine the level of response. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is now further investigating these email threats.”
Update at 10:19 a.m.: Lyndonville also received one of the threats by email and it was found to not be credible. Sharon Smith, the district superintendent, contacted the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, which investigated the threat.
“In situations like this, we will always work with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and their law enforcement partners to analyze the threat and determine the appropriate level of response,” Smith in a message to the community.
Lyndonville cancelled athletic practices and sent staff home, Smith said. All offices will be open and activities will resume tomorrow, she said.
Update at 4:31 p.m.: Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement about the threats:
“More than 50 school districts across New York have received disturbing ‘swatting’ threats today including in Central New York, Long Island, the Southern Tier and the North Country. I want to reassure parents that their children are safe at school – swatting threats are false and intended to cause panic and scare students, teachers and families.
“I have directed the New York State Police to investigate these threats and work closely with all levels of law enforcement to identify the perpetrators, hold them accountable, and restore the sense of safety and security our children deserve. Since the first round of swatting incidents occurred last week, State Police has been working closely with the State Education Department, county leadership and local school boards to provide support and any necessary resources to address these incidents. My top priority will always be the safety of New Yorkers.”
Photos courtesy of Medina Mustang Band Boosters: The Medina varsity winter guard team is shown in a group photo. The team performed a show entitled, “Mission: Graduate.”
Press Release, Medina Mustang Band Boosters
GATES – The Northeast Colorguard Circuit held the 2023 championships on Saturday at the Gates-Chili High School.
The Northeast Colorguard Circuit is a governing body for visual performing art competitions in Western NY. Founded in 1988 they organize and host competitions from January thru March each year. This year’s championship involved 22 guard units from NYS, PA and Canada and drew approximately 600 spectators.
Medina’s Varsity guard competed in the SA class and came in 5th place with a score of 79.72, bested by Orchard Park in 1st with 87.89, followed by Victor in 2nd at 85.80, Jamestown in 3rd with 83.30 and Lancaster in 4th at 83.07.
Medina’s JV guard competed in the Cadet class and came in 3rd place with a score of 71.68, bested by Victor in 1st with 74.21, followed by Jamestown in 2nd with73.76. Batavia was 4th with 66.47.
Medina’s JV winter guard team earned a third place finish.
Winners in the other classification were Ventures Cadets in the Novice class; in RA class, Gates in 1st place with 82.41; in A1 class, Gates in 1st with 79.73; in IA class, Gates in 1st with 90.15; in SR class, Luminosa was the only competitor and scored 92.56.
The Heritage Hurricanes are an all-abilities colorguard comprised of performers from the Heritage Christian Services and community members in the Rochester area. They performed in exhibition and while not scored they received Grand Champion 2023.
Northeast Colorguard Circuit also issued several awards in memory of individuals who had been active with the organization for many years. They also granted four scholarships again in memory of past participants.
Now that the winter guard season is done the Medina Marching Band will begin preparing for their spring season which will include parades and competitions in various festivals. Their parade music will include a number of pieces from Chuck Mangione.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 April 2023 at 2:26 pm
‘We all know a lot of random stuff’
Provided photo: From left, WLVL host Derick Evans poses with Medina High School’s Alex Balaban, Dan Owen DeVera, Cole Hughes and adviser Jeff Dole. Medina defeated Starpoint on Tuesday night to win the championship for the second year in a row.
MEDINA – Medina High School’s trivia team won the Scholastic Bowl at Lockport’s WLVL on Tuesday, defeating Starpoint. This is the second championship in a row for Medina’s team, led by adviser Jeff Dole.
Schools participating in the Scholastic Bowl were Medina, Royalton/Hartland, Starpoint and Wilson. Other schools in the Scholastic Bowl were Akron, Lockport and North Tonawanda. The Scholastic Bowl competitions are held once a month in January, February and March. As winners, Medina received a trophy and $1,000 in prize money, which Dole said is used for material and food for their meets.
Members of Medina’s winning team were Cole Hughes, eighth grade; Alex Balaban, 11th grade; and Dan Owen DeVera, 12th grade.
The Masterminds are made up of teams from Albion, Pembroke, Holley, Elba, Kendall and Medina.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Medina High School’s Masterminds defeated Pembroke during a competition Friday at Medina High School. For Pembroke on the left are Matteo Sinclair, Kayla Reynolds, Amelia Geck and Emily Guilian. Medina’s team at right is Dan Owen DeVera, Alex Balaban, Henry Rigerman and Ryan Geiger. Scott Kroner, standing is in charge of the games and provides the questions, while Medina’s adviser Jeff Dole, seated in red, keeps score.
The teens are all big fans of trivia. Balaban said he reads a lot, watches the news and pays attention in class. They also practice once a week as a team.
As members of Medina’s Masterminds, the students all have different areas in which they excel. Hughes loves history. Balaban is well-read in history and politics, while DeVera is good in Shakespeare and literature.
“We all know a lot of random stuff,” Balaban said. “We try to have balance on our team.”
Adviser Jeff Dole said any student who is interested in trivia can participate in Masterminds. No one is turned away, he said. He has been their adviser since the 2013-14 school year.
Questions for their competitions are purchased from Scott Kroner of Rochester, who is in charge of the games. He runs games all over the state, Dole said. Questions are on dozens of subjects, including geography, customs, dance, disease, algebra, art, physics, politics, pop culture and ancient history.
Dole said parents are encouraged to attend their children’s competitions and he would like to see more people in the audience.
The second team to compete for Medina was, from left: Dan Owen DeVera, Alex Balaban, Lucas Wilkins and Joey Wolters.
