MEDINA – For approximately 28 years, Medina High School has collected canned food items for the Medina Area Association of Churches (MAAC).
When the pandemic hit, MAAC asked if the school would be willing to collect essential items instead, since they had a huge need for them. They asked the same favor again for this school year.
Student Association Advisors – English teacher Kayla Rosenbeck and science teacher Sara Cinquino – asked the students to help out and they responded.
The students collected over 2,100 items for MAAC to distribute to those in need.
“We are always happy to help out,” said Ms. Rosenbeck. “My Co-Advisor Sara Cinquino and I knew our students would want to help out such a worthy organization. We are very fortunate that our students wanted to donate and that we had teachers who made it into a competition which definitely helped to bring items in. Our 8th graders brought in over 80% of all the donations this year!”
On Dec. 7, the Medina Fire Department picked up the items and delivered them. The Mustangs gave them a hand loading them into the vehicles.
Photos courtesy of Medina Central School: (Left) Marcel Lamar gets suited up at the Challenger Learning Center. (Right) Ty’Sharri Crossley learns at the Challenger Learning Center.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Within the Medina school district, students at Oak Orchard Primary School and Clifford Wise Intermediate School have been learning about different aspects of Earth and its relationship with the Solar System.
To coincide with their learning, we wanted our students to experience something “out of this world” and that’s where the Challenger Learning Center (CLC) of Lockport played a crucial role. Mr. Jason Klein (Technology Integrator) and Mrs. Julie Granchelli (Science teacher) wrote a grant, which was funded by BOCES, to work with the CLC of Lockport.
The mission of the CLC is to engage students and teachers in dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities that strengthen knowledge in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), inspire students to pursue careers in these fields, and provide an outlet to learn and apply important life skills. “Real-world experiences like these allow students to make deep connections to their learning in class,” said Mr. Klein. “Students get hands-on opportunities to experience things that they might not normally have the ability to do in class. Additionally, since Covid, students have missed out on some great field trips and learning opportunities, so this was a great way to bring these necessary experiences back into the district.”
Hendrix Jones and Ethan Mulcahy at the control board at the Challenger Learning Center.
The students at Oak Orchard Primary School were able to journey through the universe in a portable, inflatable planetarium this week. The “little astronomers” had an introduction to the solar system in their Science Class, where they were able to make models and learn about the motion of the Earth, moon, and planets.
Pre-K to Grade 3 students entered the planetarium to experience a “star filled” sky. Krissy Reetz and Michael Schian, from the CLC, used a laser pointer to guide students through the solar system. Students learned to identify stars, planets, and constellations.
“The mobile planetarium is such a wonderful way to immerse our youngest students in the study of stars, planets, and constellations and support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning at Oak Orchard,” said Ms. Granchelli.
Fifth graders at Clifford Wise Intermediate School have been studying the Solar System and aerospace engineering. To bring their learning to life, fifth grade classes went on a field trip to the CLC of Lockport, where students participated in a space mission.
Students assumed the role of a mission specialist operating a space station and mission control. They had to work together to keep the crew “safe” while facing various problems and challenges.
Class Photo: In front from left include Isaac Foss, Jasper Reigle-Miller, Mikah MacDonald, Isaias Sanchez-Cabrera, Scarlett Guild and Lucy Trapasso in front of the planetarium. In back: Mrs. Borsching, Mrs. Granchelli, Krissy Reetz and Jason Klein.
Through a combination of standard-aligned STEM content, immersive technology, real science data and hands-on activities, students were engaged in a high-tech simulation environment. In addition to the space missions, students got to experience the night sky in the CLC’s planetarium.
The planetarium system allowed students to “fly” to all the planets, their moons, and dwarf planets. The planetarium made celestial bodies appear and move realistically to simulate the complex motions of the heavens. Students learned how to identify all the planets of our solar system in dramatic flights up close to each world.
Students learned about Greek mythological (or other cultural sky stories) characters and saw how these heroes of the past can be found in the stars. Students also witnessed the night sky in different seasons and from different global perspectives.
Photo courtesy of Todd Bensley: The Wreaths Across America ceremony at Medina included representatives holding a wreath for every branch of the military.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 December 2022 at 10:07 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Assemblyman Steve Hawley salutes after placing a wreath in honor of POWs, MIAs and all who served, during a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Boxwood Cemetery. In back, Kathy Blackburn, chair of the wreath project in Medina, reads an explanation of each wreath placed.
MEDINA – Several hundred volunteers stepped up to help place wreaths on veterans’ graves in Medina cemeteries Saturday, in the annual Wreaths Across America observance.
Kathy Blackburn, who has chaired the event every year, said she actually had orders for 1,500 wreaths, but the Wreaths Across America organization will only ship 1,000.
Medina was able to request that large number because of a donation from local businessman and Navy veteran Tom Snyder.
Then the plea went out for volunteers to help lay the wreaths at Boxwood, St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart cemeteries.
Blackburn said the response was overwhelming.
“We had volunteers calling constantly,” she said. “It was amazing.”
A handful of volunteers were chosen to place wreaths recognizing every branch of the military. One was Gloria Brent, who said she volunteered because she comes from a family who served in the military.
Colton Smith laid a wreath for the Space Force; Kelly Fisk, Coast Guard; Tom Snyder, Navy; Nick Fitzak, Marines; Steve Hawley, POWs, MIAs and all who served; Dave Barhite, Army; Kelsey Traxler, Air Force; and Gloria Brent, Merchant Marines.
The ceremony began with an introduction by Blackburn, explaining the purpose for the Wreaths Across America program, which was observed in more than 3,400 locations across the county.
“We gather to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Blackburn said. “These wreaths are a gift of appreciation from our nation.”
Dave Kusmierczak offered a prayer, followed by the placing of wreaths.
In all, 800 wreaths were placed in Boxwood Cemetery, 100 in St. Mary’s and 100 in Sacred Heart.
The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, headed by Rob Klino, handed out free hot chocolate and collected donations.
Photo courtesy of Steve Hawley: Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans in Boxwood Cemetery, after a ceremony at noon Saturday in the annual Wreaths Across America project.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Those who volunteered to lay a special wreath representing every branch of the military are, from left, Colton Smith, Space Force; Kelly Fisk, Coast Guard; Tom Snyder, Navy; Nick Fitzak, Marines; Assemblyman Steve Hawley, POWs, MIAs and all who served; Dave Barhite, Army; Kelsey Traxler, Air Force; and Gloria Brent, Merchant Marines.
Dave Barhite and Nicki Fredericks chat while waiting for the Wreaths Across America ceremony to begin. Barhite is a veteran, who volunteers every year to lay wreaths. Fredericks on the board of Friends of Boxwood.
Todd Bensley, left, chats with Tom Snyder in front of the porch where hot chocolate was available. Donations were accepted to benefit Friends of Boxwood Cemetery.
Provided photo (Left) – Hundreds of bags of gifts have been filled by a Secret Santa for residents of local nursing homes and Arc residences. Photo by Ginny Kropf (Right) – Jenney Mulrain, left, Human Resource director at Orchard Rehabilitation, and Debbie Fuller look at boxes full of personal hygiene items to be given to residents with very limited funds.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 December 2022 at 8:43 am
MEDINA – Giving to people in need has become a way of life for one local woman, who only wants to be known as a “Secret Santa.”
This is the 10th year the woman has solicited gifts and donations to fill Christmas bags for residents of Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (Orchard Manor), the North Wing at Medina Memorial Hospital and the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion. This year, she will also do the Arc residences in Albion and Medina – totaling 250 seniors, plus developmentally disabled residents.
All year, the woman creates an event on social media, where family and friends can donate to her cause. She posts it on Facebook and asks all her friends to share it with their friends. She said she has had people respond from all over the country, including California, Las Vegas and Florida.
“I swear them to secrecy,” she said. “My mother died last year, and giving without getting something in return was what she taught me.”
The first year the Secret Santa did this, she went to the Office for the Aging and asked if they knew any seniors who needed help.
“I supplied gifts to one man and one woman,” she said. “The next year, I did two men and two women, then five the third year.”
When the Office for the Aging told Secret Santa there were so many seniors who could use gifts, that was when she really expanded her giving. She added the nursing homes and North Wing, and this year she reached out to the Arc GLOW to see if there were residents in their homes who didn’t many gifts for Christmas.
When people sign up on Facebook to participate, Secret Santa sends them a first name and tag number. Then they shop and drop off the items to her, where she and her “elves” fill the gift bags. People have until Dec. 11 to purchase their gifts and get them to Secret Santa. With the monetary donations, she goes shopping for suitable gifts.
Items she encourages people to buy include linens, cleaning supplies and pet supplies.
Leann Donovan at the Office for the Aging and Melissa Cotter from Arc GLOW have cooperated with Secret Santa to accomplish her mission.
A donation from a corporate sponsor enabled Secret Santa to buy 30 personal hygiene kits for residents of the nursing facilities.
“Senior citizens are the ones who tend to be forgotten,” Secret Santa said.
With help of her “elves,” boxes and boxes of personal hygiene products were delivered this week to the facilities, followed by delivery of the gift bags the following night. The gift bags will be distributed on Christmas and the personal hygiene items will be given to residents as needed.
At Orchard Rehabilitation there are 48 residents who wouldn’t ordinarily get a gift at Christmas, said Human Resource director Jenney Mulrain. Many of those residents don’t have family members.
The Secret Santa is determined that every resident of a nursing facility in Orleans County will receive a gift.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2022 at 4:23 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Zach Fike from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company heads to his truck with a Christmas box on this morning. He was among the firefighters who delivered toys to local families today through the area MAAC toy drive.
MEDINA – More than 100 families will have a Merry Christmas this year, thanks to the Medina Area Association of Churches annual Christmas giveaway.
This morning, dozens of local firefighters and volunteers gathered at the Grove United Methodist Church, where they enjoyed breakfast cooked by Bill Dunn and his church helpers.
After breakfast – scrambled eggs, a breakfast casserole, roasted potatoes, fried bologna, sausage, pancakes, fruit and juice – the firefighters loaded up ambulances and pickup trucks to begin their deliveries.
Sherry Tuohey, standing at right, watches as Barb Vreeland closes up boxes of Christmas gifts Saturday at the Grove United Methodist Church, waiting to be delivered by local firefighters.
While Medina firefighters deliver the empty red barrels to local businesses, schools and other locations, and then pick them up when they are full, Medina is joined by Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby and East Shelby in delivering the packed boxes to homes within the Medina zip code.
Lt. Steve Cooley with the Medina Fire Department said he has been volunteering for the MAAC Christmas program for 13 years. As he examined the boxes full of gifts he would be delivering, he said it will take him little more than half an hour and then he’ll come back for another load.
The boxes were filled with toys, games, puzzles, books, hats, scarves, mittens and socks, along with a ham and food for a complete Christmas dinner. Boxes for senior citizens contained a hand-crocheted blanket, donated by several local women.
Volunteers from the Grove United Methodist Church, who helped put on breakfast for firefighters are, seated from left, Sue Weese, Pat Watson and Bill Dunn. Standing are Darlene Boardway, John Boardway and Linda Blanc.
The Christmas give-away program actually started decades ago as a project of the Medina Fire Department.
Dave Green from East Shelby Fire Department said he remembers when the firefighters used to accumulate toys and paint bikes above the fire hall.
“That was more than 60 years ago, when I first joined East Shelby Fire Company,” Green said.
Mike Fuller, also from East Shelby, said he has helped since 50 years ago, when he first joined East Shelby.
Kristin McAdoo from Ridgeway Fire Company has been volunteering for 10 years with the toy delivery.
“I like helping families have a Merry Christmas,” she said.
Rachel Herbert came with her dad, a member of the Medina Fire Department, to help deliver Christmas boxes to more than 100 families.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2022 at 9:24 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Steve Goodrich, commander of the American Legion in Lyndonville, and Anna Stelianou are pictured in December 2019 at the grave of her parents, Ary and Konstantina, who emigrated to Lyndonville from Greece after WWI. Anna Stelianou provided the funding for an endowment to pay for about 400 wreaths to be set at veterans’ graves each year in Lyndonville.
There will be ceremonies at noon today in Lyndonville and Medina as part of Wreaths Across America. After the ceremony, more than 400 wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves in Lyndonville and 1,000 will be set at three cemeteries in Medina.
The American Legion Houseman-Tanner Post in Lyndonville is heading the Wreaths event in Lyndonville. The ceremony will be at noon at Lynhaven Cemetery on Housel Avenue.
In Lyndonville, the cost for about 420 wreaths is paid for by an endowment funded by Anna Stelianou. She gave the funding to the Lyndonville Area Foundation to create an endowment to pay for the cost of the wreaths every year long into the future. The wreaths are $15 each with the current cost for all the wreaths about $6,000 a year.
Stelianou funds the wreaths to show her appreciation for the community’s kindness to her parents, Ary and Konstantina. They emigrated to Lyndonville from Greece after WWI. Stelianou also donated the money for the program in honor of her five brothers who served in WWII and the Korean War.
Medina will have its ceremony at noon at Boxwood Cemetery, with the 1,000 wreaths to then be placed on veterans’ graves at Boxwood, St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart cemeteries. The 1,000 wreaths is up from 315 last year. Tom Snyder, a Navy veteran and owner of Medina Lumber and Hardware, is helping to fund the increase in wreaths this year.
Provided photos: Modern Mercantile at 135 East Center St. won Grand Champion in the business contest.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 December 2022 at 8:41 am
MEDINA – Medina’s Village of Lights committee has announced the winners of the 2022 lighting contest.
Chair Cindy Robinson said 20 homes and businesses entered the contest, all of which were wonderfully decorated. She added there were many more spectacularly decorated homes which did not enter, and she hopes they will all consider participating next year.
This is the third year for lighting contest, which was started during the pandemic to provide a safe, fun activity for families.
“It was so successful, we decided to keep it going,” Robinson said.
Here is another view of Modern Mercantile’s decorations at the store window.
She said the contest brings back memories of her childhood when the family used to hop in the car and drive around to see the Christmas lights.
In the Business category, Main Street TV and Appliance at 430 Main St. was the winner of the Community Spirit award; ATB Staffing at 534 Main St. won Christmas Spirit; and Modern Mercantile at 135 East Center St. was named Grand Champion for the second year.
Residential winners were Becky Bonk, 143 North Gravel Rd., Christmas Spirit, Traditional; Kellie Watson, 528 Bates Rd., Christmas Spirit, Innovative; Terri Moriarty, 607 West Center St., Best Use of Lights; Rich Rossoin and Lindsay Eaton, 103 Mead Ave., Possibly Visible from Space; David Gawron, 134 Roseland Ave., Most Whimsical; and John Dieter/Nick Dieter/Jon Sherman, 913, 915, 917 Gwinn St., Block Party.
Other entrants, which the public is encouraged to drive around and view, are Vision 2000, 3930 Salt Works Rd.; Amanda Costich, 421 Oak Orchard Rd.; Anne Mangold, 919 Gwinn St.; Sue Van Buren, 103 Eastview Dr.; Ashley Fix and Alex Freeman, 1031 Gwinn St.; Diane Arndt, 1150 Gwinn St.; Cindy Watson, 935 Gwinn St.; and Eric Miller, 114 Elwood Ave.
Each winner received a $50 prize, with the Grand Champion receiving $200.
Robinson expressed her thanks to all the people who took the time and trouble to decorate their properties and enter the contest. She extends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Main Street Appliances and Home Furnishing at 430 Main St. won the “Community Spirit” award.
ATB Staffing at 534 Main St. won for “Christmas Spirit.”
Kellie Watson at 528 Bates Rd. won for Christmas Spirit and the “Innovative” award in the residential contest.
The “Most Whimsical” award in the residential contest goes to David Gawron of 134 Roseland Ave.
Rich Rossion & Lindsay Eaton of 103 Mead Ave. won “Possibly Visible From Space.”
Becky Bonk of 143 N. Gravel Rd. won for “Christmas Spirit, Traditional” in the residential competition.
The “Best Use of Lights” award goes to Terri Moriarty at 607 West Center St.
The “Block Party Group” award is for John Dieter/Nick Dieter/Jon Sherman at 913/915/917/919 Gwinn St.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 December 2022 at 7:57 am
Provided photo: Tammi Pritchard, left, and Kristin Grose at Medina Memorial Hospital stand with a table full of gifts donated for Community Action’s Action Angels, which they coordinated.
MEDINA – With the holiday approaching, staff at Orleans Community Health decided to participate in Action Angels, a program of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee which provides gifts to those less fortunate.
Tammi Pritchard and Kristin Grose volunteered to organize the efforts for the hospital.
This year, employees of Orleans Community Health employees adopted more than 30 children and families from the community.
“Supporting the children and families struggling financially is something employees of Orleans Community Health have been doing for more than five years,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Community Partners.
“This program allows us the opportunity to provide a better Christmas morning to children and families in our community,” Pritchard said.
“Seeing our team give back to the community is incredibly humbling,” Grose added. “This is just another example of the OCH team showing us how much they care about the community we serve.”
Between Orleans and Genesee counties, Action Angels provide Christmas gifts for several hundred families each year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2022 at 10:44 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – People danced to the Lindy Hop this evening at the Bent’s Opera House in Medina. Maggie Hallifax of Lockport, right, was one of the instructors for the evening.
There was a free hour-long class from 6:30 to 7:30, followed by more dancing from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
This was the fifth event as part of the new Medina Lindy in the Village. Tonight’s class and dance featured a “Cool Yule” theme with many holiday decorations.
Phil Berry and his wife Julie, the couple at left, are among the leaders of the Medina Lindy program.
There were about 25 people dancing early in this evening’s program. They braved icy weather to be there.
The program has been popular since it started with the first event on Aug. 18, drawing 85 dancers the first time.
“It can be really intimidating to come out and try to learn something like this,” Phil Berry told the group learning to dance in the first hour.
But he said the dance in either a 6-count or 8-count is fairly easy to pick up, and it’s OK to make mistakes.
Phil Berry is an instructor at Medina Lindy and the main organizer of the program. He has been doing the Lindy dance for about four years and he said it has made a big difference in his life.
“It made it possible for me to see life as a series of making mistakes and growing together and doing it joyfully,” he said.
He urged people from all skill levels to give the dance a try. He estimates after four lessons most people can be good Lindy dancers.
He believed Medina Lindy would be popular with Bent’s offering the only swing dancing between Rochester and Buffalo.
He is still amazed that 85 came on the first night on Aug.18, and many have continued despite bad weather in December.
He thanked Roger and Heather Hungerford for making the third floor of Bent’s available for Medina Lindy.
“Bent’s wanted to use this space to give back to the community,” Berry said.
DJ Tommy Sprinkles from Swing Buffalo played many holiday jazz tunes during this evening’s “Cool Yule” program.
The next class and dance is scheduled for Jan. 19, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The dancing from 7:30 to 10 p.m. is $8. Dancers don’t need to bring a partner to participate.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 December 2022 at 11:15 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Sherry Tuohey, left, talks with volunteers before they begin “shopping” to fill Christmas boxes Monday at the Grove United Methodist Church. Next to her are Sue VanBuren, B.J. Thomas, Nelda Callard, Sally Grimm, Sandy Smith and Diane Mazur. Tuohey is the chairwoman of the MAAC Christmas box program.
MEDINA – More than 100 families will have a Merry Christmas this year, thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses in the Medina area.
Packing boxes of food and gifts got underway Monday at the Grove United Methodist Church, where volunteers from the Medina Area Association of Churches began their annual task of filling Christmas boxes for families who applied.
Medina firefighters picked up the 40 barrels Wednesday from local businesses, stores, churches, the school and library. Volunteers spent the rest of the week sorting and stacking the donations into categories for ages and gender. On Monday, volunteers, known as “shoppers” for the day, took the families’ names and chose appropriate gifts for everyone.
Nelda Callard stands next to a row of boxes packed with crocheted blankets and toys which will be delivered to families with food for Christmas dinner. Medina firefighters will deliver the boxes on Saturday.
Boxes were assembled Monday and Tuesday by Jim Sipple, Ron Furness and Gordie Smith. The gifts, along books and food for Christmas dinner, were packed into the cardboard boxes, ready for delivery. Each family will not only receive a gift and hat, gloves, mitten and socks for each child, but a ham, potatoes and vegetable. Some families will receive crocheted blankets which had been donated.
Sherry Tuohey, who has headed the MAAC Christmas giveaway for five years, said they had the most volunteers Monday and Tuesday than any year since she has been in charge.
“We have so many new people this year,” said Sue Metzo, who previously chaired the project.
Tuohey praised her committee and the job they did. Judy Holbrook took charge of thank-you notes and seeing that every family got a Christmas card. Kathie McMoil solicited and sorted more than 2,100 personal care items donated by high school students.
Metzo did all the computer work, creating applications, etc. Norma Jean Foster was in charge of making sure they had enough food and hams. Barb Vreeland took charge of collecting hats, mittens, scarves and socks.
Metzo said how heartwarming it was to hear from families who appreciated the donations they received, such as the grandmother who was raising three grandchildren. She read a letter she received from a Medina graduate whose family received a MAAC Christmas box when he was a teenager.
A member of the Class of 1968, he said reading about the MAAC Christmas barrels on Orleans Hub several weeks ago brought back memories of the day several firemen knocked on his door and gave them a big box filled with food and toys.
“It was a December afternoon, and we didn’t know who they were,” the man wrote. “They said ‘Merry Christmas’ and left. You can imagine the joy of my two brothers and I when we opened the box and found an assortment of toys, games and puzzles. It was the most unbelievable thing that could have happened to us. We enjoyed those toys and things for weeks and weeks. That was the most memorable Christmas in my life.”
He enclosed a check, saying he wanted to pay it forward.
The MAAC Christmas program will provide Christmas gifts and dinner for 114 children and 97 adults this year.
At 8:30 Saturday morning, the firefighters and volunteers will be treated to breakfast at the church, with help from Bill Dunn, before the firefighters start delivering the packed boxes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2022 at 2:55 pm
Provided photos
MEDINA – David Bellavia, right, signs a copy of Remember the Ramrods, during a book signing on Monday evening at the Author’s Note bookstore on Main Street in Medina.
Todd Draper, a lieutenant with the Medina Police Department, is at left having the book signed as well as a copy of Bellavia’s first book, House to House: An Epic Memoir of War.
House to House details Bellavia’s experiences as a staff sergeant in Fallujah and describes the efforts of front line forces in urban combat against insurgents. (Draper also served in the Army and was deployed in the Iraq War.)
Remember the Ramrods tells the history of Bellavia’s Army unit that fought together in Iraq, including where their lives took them after they returned home from war, and how reuniting when Bellavia received the Medal of Honor helped heal some of their still-present if less visible wounds of war.
David Bellavia and Julie Berry, owner of Author’s Note, are pictured at the bookstore.
The book-signing was scheduled to start at 7 and end at 9, but a long line formed before 6:30. More than 125 people attended the book-signing and Bellavia stayed past 10 p.m..
“David’s energy was unflagging and his warmth toward every guest was authentic and sincere,” Berry said. “He took his time with each guest, making them feel important. He let everyone touch his Medal of Honor, and even put it on if they chose, because he views it as a shared honor, not belonging to him alone.”
David Bellavia and the person in the Santa suit offer each other a salute.
There was a long line of customers wanted a sign copy of the book. Author’s Note has more signed copies in stock.
Bellavia, a Lyndonville graduate, received the Medal of Honor on June 25, 2019, the first living American to receive the Medal of Honor for valor in the Iraq War.
Bellavia has two upcoming book-signing events:
Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble, 4401 Transit Road Suite 800, Buffalo
Friday at 7 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble, Pittsford Plaza, 3349 Monroe Avenue, Rochester
Provided photo: Todd Eick (second from left), a Medina agricultural teacher, was honored by the National Association of Agricultural Educators for his exemplary performance and dedication to agricultural education.
Press Release, National Association of Agricultural Educators
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Todd Eick, an agricultural educator at Medina, is one of six agricultural educators nationwide who received the 2022 National Association of Agricultural Educators Ideas Unlimited award.
The awards were presented during the 2022 NAAE Convention, which was Nov. 29 through Dec. 3, in Las Vegas.
The NAAE Ideas Unlimited award is presented to NAAE members to recognize them for their innovative ideas that optimize student success and development. The Ideas Unlimited Award is sponsored by National Geographic Learning | Cengage Learning.
Eick received this award for his Blackout Poem lesson plan. To celebrate Ag Literacy Week, Eick collaborated with his school district’s English department to promote ag literacy with his high school students.
Utilizing ag-based magazines, Eick’s students create a Blackout Poem, a form of poetry that uses another authors words, in their written order, to create something else.
For this past year, Eick provided articles to his that were related to growing their own food, but challenged them to select words to create a poem that focused on the theme of hunger. The unused words are then blacked out or colored out to leave just the desired text. Eick has found that this project drastically increases the reading comprehension of his students.
NAAE is the professional organization for agricultural educators with over 8,000 members nationwide. The organization advocates for agricultural education, provides advancement through professional development for agricultural educators, and works to recruit and retain agricultural educators in the profession. NAAE offers a variety of programs and services to support this three-pronged mission.
The mission of NAAE is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” NAAE is headquartered in Lexington, Ky.
Photos and information courtesy of Community Action
MEDINA – The 6th annual Parade of Lights Toy Drive resulted in 16 big bags filled with donated toys and $160 in donations. Canalside Tattoo was the collection point for the donations.
Pictured from left include Matt Rolfe; Shawn Ramsey, owner Canalside Tattoo and organizer of the effort; Megan Furness; CJ Cruickshank; James Christian and Andrew London.
The toys and money were given to MAAC and Community Action, which then distribute the toys to many local children and families for Christmas.
Pictured left to right include Community Action of Orleans and Genesee representatives: Melinda Daniels, Richard Standish, Jacqualyn Dunham, Ernest Gurrslin, Quarmaine Winters and Sherry Touhey of MACC, representing Medina Area Association of Churches.
We are extremely grateful to the community and to Canalside Tattoo for making sure more children will experience a better Christmas this year, every gift and every penny is appreciated. Community Action and MAAC representatives said.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Trust, a community endowment, just completed its eleventh year of making small grants to local programs, projects and organizations and the total in grants over that period comes to nearly $55,000 plus $8,000 in scholarships.
We’re pleased to announce the organizations selected in 2022 – each receiving $500 for their projects.
• Beds from Brian, Inc. to provide Pack n’ Plays, fitted sheets, pajamas, blankets and bed pillows for children in need through Care Net Center, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern and Holy Trinity Outreach requests for the 2022 holiday season.
• Boxwood Cemetery Commission to help offset the cost of rehabbing the stained glass window in the Silas Mainville Burroughs Memorial Chapel at Boxwood Cemetery.
• Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern to their client services fund which provides assistance with services including prescription co-pays, personal hygiene items, dental care and short-term emergency housing.
• Joint Recreation Commission to help with the cost of summer programs which include Arts & Crafts and several field trips.
• OCALS Learning Services to purchase advertising and public relations materials to be used in seeking new students and volunteer tutors.
• YMCA to assist in covering the costs of scholarships, funding for field trips, special events and guest speakers for youth in the YMCA Summer Day Camp and Kinder Camp.
• Orleans Renaissance Group to erect an interpretive sign in State Street Park to honor the Burroughs family who resided on the property in the nineteenth century.
• P.Raising Kids Child Care Center to help with the cost of installing a CCTV security system.
• Go Art! to help with the cost of the 2023 Day of the Dead Celebration.
• Medina Historical Society for funds to cover historical program speaker and publicity costs.
Donations to help grow the Medina Sandstone Trust can be made at any time to the Sandstone Society, Post Office Box 25, Medina, NY 14103. Or, make an online donation at our website’s Gift Shop. Gifts to this 501(c)(3) are tax deductible.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2022 at 8:26 pm
MEDINA – The Village Board will take comments during a public hearing on Jan. 9 for making the intersection of West Avenue and West Oak Orchard Street a 4-way stop.
The village currently has a traffic light there. But resident Mat Mosher told the Village Board on Monday that light doesn’t seem to be needed, especially since the school district put in a road linking the campus, keeping some traffic off village streets.
Board members think many in the community may agree with Mosher and set a public hearing for 7 p.m. on Jan. 9.
The board changed one of the intersections nearby from a traffic light to a 4-way stop. The board in October 2020 made Gwinn and West Oak Orchard a 4-way stop, making the traffic light blinking red and adding stop signs.
