VFW honors vets with service, complimentary lunch

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Heather Smith, left, and Jaylen Thomas, both students in the Job Corps’ carpentry program who worked on the project, pose with the bench their class made and donated to the Medina VFW Tuesday. With them are Dave Berry, president of the VFW Auxiliary, and Nik Mroz, Orleans County Veterans’ Services Officer.

MEDINA – The Medina VFW Post was a beehive of activity on Tuesday, as it showed its support of veterans and welcomed Iroquois Job Corps students, with operations director JT Thomas of Medina.

It has become an annual tradition for the VFW to serve a free lunch to veterans and their families, and for Job Corps students to assist with set-up and serving, and hand out cards which they made for veterans.

Tom Snyder, front, a Navy veteran, and Nick Fitzak, a member of the Marine Corps Reserves, receive greeting cards from Arletys Arrigo and Sienna Jack, students at Iroquois Job Corps. The local Job Corps is open and is accepting new students.

Part of the Job Corps’ mission is to provide community service, and Iroquois thrives on helping surrounding communities whenever needed, said JT Thomas, operations director at Job Corps.

“Our veterans play a special part in our community service, as students and staff greatly appreciate the service our veterans provided, and we help with veterans’ events whenever possible,” Thomas said. “The local VFW Auxiliary reached out to Job Corps for assistance several years back, and we have been participating ever since. The focus is on our veterans, our students and the Job Corps program. We are open and enrolling students and continuing to support and assist the community.”

Members of the Orleans County Honor Guard fire a 21-gun salute, followed by playing of Taps, at the VFW in Medina on Tuesday, prior to going to Orchard Manor on Bates Road and the Veterans’ Park in Lyndonville to fire 21-gun salutes.

The Veterans Day observance began with the a 21-gun salute in the parking lot by the Orleans County Honor Guard, after which they drove to Orchard Manor Rehabilitation facility on Bates Road and repeated the firing. From there they traveled to Lyndonville, where they performed a 21-gun salute at the Veterans’ Park downtown by the water, before returning to the VFW for lunch.

The Honor Guard is led by Jim Freas and includes members from Medina, Lyndonville and Albion VFW and Legion posts.

Posing with the patriotic bench made for the VFW in Medina by students in the Iroquois Job Corps carpentry class are, from left, Tom Snyder, Eric Delano, Jim Freas, Louis Chraston, Pat Little and Mike Harmer.

This Veterans Day had one extra special feature. The students in the Job Corps carpentry class made a large patriotic bench, which they delivered and donated to the VFW on Tuesday.

Two of the students were Jaylen Thomas and Heather Smith, both of whom are in the carpentry class and worked on the bench.

“I sanded and painted it, including the stars and stripes,” Jaylen proudly pointed out.

On the front of the bench was a plaque which read, “The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude. Iroquois Job Corps, Nov. 11, 2025.”

Iroquois Job Corps students Arletys Arrigo, left, and Sienna Jack set the tables at Medina VFW, in preparation of serving free lunch to veterans.

Also at the VFW was Nik Mroz, Orleans County Veterans’ Services officer, who shared information on upcoming events to benefit veterans. These included a Veterans’ Health and Benefit Fair Monday at the VFW, and the annual veterans’ holiday dinner Dec. 16 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville, sponsored through the Dwyer Peer to Peer Program. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 589-3219.

Veterans Day observances continued on Tuesday with presentation of the “Missing Man” table by Pat Little of Gasport. As he read the meaning of the table set with an empty chair, plate with salt and a lemon, a candle and upside-down class, Jim Freas and Louis Chraston stood at attention on either side.

The VFW Post annually serves the Veterans’ Day lunch to an estimated 50 veterans, according to Dave Berry, president of the VFW Auxiliary.

Jim Freas, left, and Louis Chraston stand at attention while Pat Little reads the meaning behind the “Missing Man table,” during a tribute to veterans Tuesday at the VFW in Medina.

Ron Thomas, right, a Vietnam veteran, gets a greeting card from Job Corps students Alphonzo Snow and Zyshonne Humphrey as he and his wife Betty Jean arrived at the Medina VFW Tuesday for lunch.

MEDINA – Medina VFW will host a Veterans’ Health and Benefit Fair from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday at their post at 216 East Center St.

The event is supported by GO Health and Orleans County Veterans’ Services via the Dwyer Peer to Peer Program.

In addition to local healthcare resources and local benefit information, veterans will receive free food and drinks, according to Veterans’ Services officer Nik Mroz.

The event is open to veterans, plus one guest. Registration is required by calling Orleans County Veterans’ Services at (585) 589-3219.

Provided photo: Retired Channel 7 reporter Mike Randall will perform his award-winning Charles Dickens show Dec. 19 at the Medina Theater to benefit MAAC and local food pantries.

MEDINA – Realizing the increased demand for food, a new Medina resident has teamed with a Medina native to offer an evening of entertainment to benefit MAAC and local food pantries.

Retired Channel 7 reporter Mike Randall, who recently moved to Medina with his wife Kathy, has offered to perform his award-winning impersonation of Charles Dickens at the Medina Theater on Dec. 19.

“I think we got caught up in the spirit of the holidays, and definitely in the spirit of ‘A Christmas Carol,’” Randall said. “Everyone is donating their time and Joe (Cardone) is donating the theater – which is the biggest part. I hope it puts everyone in the spirit of the holiday season, and as Tiny Tim observed, ‘God bless us, everyone.’”

Prior to the doors opening at 7 p.m., Cardone said there will be a brass quartet playing and Christmas carols sung under the marquee. The evening will also feature Medina High School’s Select A’Capella Choir.

Anyone who brings a non-perishable food item will qualify to be entered in drawings for prizes. Food will be divided between MAAC and food pantries at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and The Vine.

Randall has performed a variety of roles around the country, including his critically acclaimed portrayal of Mark Twain Live. He has also performed as a magician and is a member of the Puppeteers of America.

He may be best-known, however, for his 40 years with WKBW-TV, where he was an award-winning meteorologist, morning show host and feature reporter until his retirement more than a year ago. He was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame in 2017.

In a review by Night and Day of Randall’s performance as Charles Dickens at Musical Fare Theater in 2007, they declare “The one-man show brings out all the talent of this multi-faceted local actor. Dressed in period costume with beard and hair style and voice to match, Randall transported theater-goers to March 1868 when Dickens visited Buffalo to sold-out crowds. In his show, Randall demonstrates his versatility by performing every person in a voice befitting that character.”

Since its premiere in 2007, Randall has given more than 200 performances across Western New York. He amazes audiences by memorizing his hour and a half show, word for word.

Tickets to the show are $10 and may be ordered online at www.themedinatheatrecompany.com.

“This is Mike’s gift to the village of Medina,” Cardone said. “It is an event for the entire community.”

Knights of Columbus also donates $3,000 to organization that assists veterans

Photos courtesy of Operation Honor

MEDINA – Operation Honor held its first cornhole tournament and basket raffle on Saturday at the Knights of Columbus in Medina. The event raised $5,600 for the organization that assists veterans in Orleans County with some of their bills and other needs.

There were 17 teams of two players. There were six boards in play on two floors at the Knights of Columbus.

The top players at the tournament include, from left: Mateo May, Mark Hamm, Tyler Thompson, Jeffrey Gearhart, Jay Longwell & Jim Bonsmer.

The winning teams include:

• 1st Big Wolf – Jeffrey Gearhart & Tyler Thompson
• 2nd Moonwalk – Jay Longwell & Jim Bonsmer
• 3rd Mayhamm – Mateo May & Mark Hamm

Operation Honor decided to change from a 5K run/walk to the cornhole tournament this year.

The Knights of Columbus in Medina also donated $3,000 to Operation Honor.

Pictured from left include Steve Winans, bar president for the Knights and an Operation Honor volunteer; Jim Mirand, grand knight for the K of C; Jenn Thom, leader of Operation Honor; and K of C board members, Howie Gardner and Bob Fox.

Libby Pollard-Woodroe, owner of Grand Pollard Insurance, sponsored one of the boards. Five other businesses also sponsored a board.

There were 35 raffle items including a $500 Tops gift card.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Running the Reverse Raffle fundraiser at Treasure Island were, from left, Tammy Pritchard, Becca Schoolcraft and Jorgie Lang.

LYNDONVILLE – Saturday night’s 31st annual Treasure Island fundraiser in support of Orleans Community Health raised an estimated $50,000, according to Megan Johnson, chair of the event and director of Orleans Community Health Foundation.

White Birch Golf Course hosted the event, which featured online betting a day before and during the event, a buffet meal, open bar, live auction and exciting opportunities to win prizes.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this year’s Treasure Island such a success – our sponsors, auction donors, volunteers and every guest who joined us,” said Johnson. “Thanks to your generosity, our auction alone raised nearly $25,000, and the event as a whole brought in close to $50,000 to support vital needs across all of Orleans Community Health. Every dollar helps strengthen local healthcare and ensures that our community continues to receive the best possible care, right here at home.”

Wes Pickreign acknowledges a bidder in the live auction at Treasure Island Saturday night.

Wes Pickreign again served as master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the event, something he said he has been doing for a long time. He asked the audience how many of them had used the services at Medina Memorial Hospital and explained the advantages of having such a facility right here at home.

“I’ve been there two times and the attention I received was phenomenal,” Pickreign said.

Seven high-end items were donated for the live auction, with the highest bid being $2,550 for two tickets to the Buffalo Bills home opener next year in the new stadium. The package, donated by William and Jacquelyn Bixler, was valued at $1,200.

Other live auction items were a Buffalo Sabres VIP fan experience valued at $825. It was donated by the OCH Pharmacy Department and Buffalo Sabres and sold for a bid of $550.

Matthew Kennedy was in charge of the Pirate’s Pillage live auction item, a regular feature at Treasure Island.

A one-week stay in Myrtle Beach, donated by the Bixlers, was valued at $750 and was awarded to three bidders for $550 each.

A one-year membership to Shelridge Country Club, donated by the club, was valued at $1,400 and sold for $1,300.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman and her husband John donated  a Buffalo Broadway Experience: Wicked Night on the Town, valued at $730. It brought a bid of $450.

Another high bid was $2,000 for a Four-Night Getaway to Lakefront Cape Cod, donated by Dr. Jeffrey and Ellen Schratz. The bid was the actual value of the prize.

Chuck and Nicole Geraci of Cheektowaga came to their first Treasure Island Saturday night. Here, they checked out the numbers left in the Reverse Raffle event.

The final item was a Here Comes Santa Claus lottery board with $500 in cash and $100 worth of scratch-off tickets, donated by Kathy Vicknair in memory of her husband Vic. Vic was a longtime member of the Treasure Island committee and was the DJ and sound man. He worked hard to raise funds for the hospital, Kathy said. The prize, valued at $600, sold for $750.

Some attendees were first-timers, while many others were repeat supporters of the event. One couple attending for the first time was Chuck and Nicole Garcia of Cheektowaga.

“I work for Seaway Insurance, so we wanted to come,” Nicole said. “It is very nice.”

Leah Brunner and her husband Matthew check out one of the items up for bids at Treasure Island. Leah, the nurse practitioner at the Albion’s Walk-in Clinic, said this is the first time they have attended the event.

Leah Brunner, the nurse practitioner at the Albion Walk-in Clinic, and her husband Matthew were also first-time attendees.

“It’s been super fun,” Leah said.

Her husband added, “It’s been a blast.”

Seaway Insurance Associates was the Sunset Presenting sponsor of the event.

Other sponsors included Great Lakes Surgical Association, Lucky Cork sponsor; Baxter, Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club and Ontario Shores Federal Credit Union, Palm Tree sponsors; and Cooper Funeral Home, Eastown Plaza, Hellner Development Company, Takeform and WNY Energy, Coconut sponsors.

Megan Johnson, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, and Lori Condo, assistant controller at Orleans Community Health, get ready to accept payment from bidders at the conclusion of Treasure Island Saturday night.

Jeanne Crane, center, chats with Richard Williams, his daughter Kate Brauen, his wife Mary Williams and Kate’s husband Trevor Brauen at Treasure Island Saturday night at White Birch Golf Course. The fundraiser was the 31st annual event to support Orleans Community Health.

Carol and Dean Bellack of Medina watch bids on their smart phones during the 31st annual Treasure Island Saturday night. An estimated $50,000 was raised by the event.

Teams can win prizes, explore Orleans County

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Medina Rotary Club is gearing up for its first Road Rally on Nov. 15. It’s start at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Club on North Gravel Road and teams then embark on a journey that includes 8 checkpoints. Pictured on a recent windy day from left include Jennifer Hill-Young, Edee Hoffmeister, Kelly Kiebala and JT Thomas.

MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club has a new fundraiser that will get people out exploring the county while having fun and putting some of their skills to the test.

The club on Nov. 15 will have its first Road Rally. For $50 a vehicle, teams go on a journey that includes eight checkpoints. The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Club on North Gravel Road.

The teams will be given clues that will direct them on their journey. They also will have some tasks to complete and puzzles to solve. The event is similar to “The Amazing Race.”

The rally is expected to take about 2 ½ hours. The winning team gets $100, with $75 to second and $50 to third. There are also prizes for best decorated vehicle.

“I don’t think people realize how much fun this is going to be,” said JT Thomas, a Medina Rotary member who is helping to plan the event.

The club teamed with the Orleans County Tourism Department to pick some of the sites on the Road Rally.

“We wanted to highlight a lot of what Orleans County has to offer,” said Jennifer Hill-Young, another member of the Medina Rotary.

People don’t need to be local trivia experts to do well in the event.

“Observation is the number one skill,” Hill-Young said about a key to success in the event.

Medina Rotary in 2024 added a cornhole tournament in January and a meat raffle in March as new fundraisers that continued this year. The Road Rally is the newest effort to raise money for the club to give back to the community, while bringing people together for a fun time.

For more on the rally, and to purchase a ticket, click here. Or send a message to the Medina Rotary Club through its Facebook page.

Press Release, NYS Canal Corporation

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Triennial Hub at 345 North Main St. will host workshops and discussions about the Erie Canal today and on Saturday.

MEDINA – The Medina Triennial Hub at 345 North Main St. will host a module dedicated to the Erie Canal today and on Saturday.

This module offers an opportunity to explore the canal through the lenses of Resilience, Care and Stewardship and Cultural Programming.

• “The Canal System: Lessons in Water Scarcity and Public Management” will be presented by Brian Platt and Scott Rybarczyk, with Todd Bensley at Medina High School from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This series invites students to explore the New York State Canal system as a living structure that depends on careful water management and public responsibility. Led by New York Power Authority/New York State Canal Corporation engineers Brian Platt and Scott Rybarczyk, the classes will look at how canal water is allocated and what happens when water becomes scarce.

Through demonstration and discussion students will learn how decisions about shared resources can be made, what trade-offs are involved and how civic engagement plays a direct role in shaping the resilience of public infrastructure.

• “Reimagining the Erie Canal for its Third Century” will be moderated by Shannon Mattern today from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and will feature Rebecca Hughes, Deputy Director of Canals; Dave Mellen, Regional Manager and SVP of Canals; Gabrielle Barone, VP of Business Development for the Orleans EDA; and Charles Torres from the Ralph Wilson Foundation.

This session explores the challenges of maintaining and repositioning the canal as it enters its third century of operation. Framed within a broader dialogue on strategic infrastructure stewardship, it welcomes external guests in a forward-looking conversation on maintenance and long-term care.

Meet-and-Greet at 4 p.m. offers a chance to meet the curators, artists, panelists and NYPA experts at the Hub.

• “Cultural Perspectives” will be the focus of a discussion on Saturday from 12.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. This will feature Angelyn Chandler, VP Planning New York Power Authority; Natalie Stetson, Executive Director at the Erie Canal Museum; and invited artists: Sarah Cameron Sunde, Judit German-Heins, Clara Riedlinger and Alon Koppell.

In this session the Erie Canal’s artists in residence (2024 and 2025) will share their reflections on the canal’s legacy and the evolving relationship between infrastructure and cultural identity.

• Workshop: “Bodies of Water/Bodies in Water” with artist Sarah Cameron Sunde on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.

2025 AIR artist invites the people of Medina to gather at the edge of the Erie Canal to explore their relationship with water, place and time through their bodies. This workshop will be slow, spacious, and centered on attunement – both to the natural rhythms of the canal and to each other.

Together, artist and participants will practice noticing, listening, and responding to the water as a collaborator and witness, using movement, writing, and dialogue.

Assemblyman Hawley to serve as parade grand marshal

Photo by Ginny Kropf: The Parade of Lights Committee is meeting regularly to finalize plans for this year’s spectacular event, scheduled Nov. 29 at the conclusion of Medina’s day-long Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration. Clockwise, from left are Kevin DeHollander (Santa Claus), Dave and Gail Miller, Kathie Valley, chair Jim Hancock and his wife Barb, Nikki and Todd Bensley, Cindy Robinson and Sue DeHollander (Mrs. Claus). The group was meeting at the home of Reinhard Rogowski, standing at rear.

MEDINA – For the 17th year, Medina will host a spectacular Parade of Lights at the conclusion of the village’s Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration Nov. 29.

Parade committee members who are meeting regularly to plan the event include chair Jim Hancock and his wife Barb, Dave and Gail Miller, Kathie Valley, Todd and Nikki Bensley, Cindy Robinson, Kevin and Sue DeHollander (Santa and Mrs. Claus) and Reinhard Rogowski, who hosts the meetings at his home.

Hancock has announced they have chosen Assemblyman Steve Hawley of Batavia as this year’s parade grand marshal.

“The vote for Steve was unanimous,” Hancock said. “Steve has been with us for the past 10 to 12 years. He has served as our announcer out of the goodness of his heart. “

Entries are slowly being received, Hancock said. He is thrilled to see several first-time entrants, but also looks forward to the old favorites returning. Last year, 23 of the more than 40 floats entered registered during November, and Hancock hopes there will be an influx of entries before the Nov. 25 deadline this year.

The event will welcome a new musical group this year – the Hit Men, who will perform in Rotary Park at 5 p.m.

Other musical groups who will march in the parade include Medina’s Mustang Marching Band, Pembroke High School Marching Band and the Mark Time Marchers.

Parade floats can be entered in six different classes, which are listed on www.christmasinmedina.com,  along with entry blanks. Prize money of $4,000 will be awarded, including a Grand Prize winner.

Corporations are also encouraged to sign up for five different levels of sponsorship – diamond, platinum, gold, silver or bronze. Sponsorship forms can also be found on the Christmas in Medina website.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Heveron Electric put a lot of effort into its float in last year’s Parade of Lights on Nov. 30, 2024. Parade organizers urge businesses, organizations and residents to enter a float in the Nov. 29 parade.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Craig Royal, left, and his partner Tom Bradley sit on the steps of 512 West Ave., the historic home purchased by Andew Meier, who then contracted with Royal and Bradley to paint it. (Right) This is the newly restored front of 512 West Ave. with age-appropriate paint, a gold starburst and new steps.

MEDINA – Andrew Meier, a Medina native and local attorney, has always admired the house at 512 West Ave.

Ed Grinnell’s “Medina – Here’s to Our Heritage,” says Samuel Rice Jr., a native of England, took two deeds on the west side of what was then called “West Street.” The Tribune of Aug. 13, 1885 states “S. Rice Jr. is drawing stone preparatory to the erection of a house to be completed within a year.”

Rice died in 1907 and the house passed to a daughter, Mrs. Harry (Grace) Bickle. Grace was Samuel Rice’s daughter. The Bickles are reported to have lived in the house for many years. After Harry’s death, Grace lived in the home until around 1960, when she moved to Woodland Avenue. The next reported owners were Jim and Pat Anderson.

Meier said the house is basically original, but underwent significant interior remodeling by Harry Bickle in the summer of 1927. At that time, according to Meier, the kitchens and bathrooms were modernized and, he believes, the tin ceilings were installed throughout.

“Almost the entire first floor and much of the second floor have tin ceilings,” Meier said. “It is quite amazing.”

More recently, former village trustee Tim Elliott owned the home and turned it into a ceramics’ studio. When Meier learned Elliott had moved his studio two years ago, he decided to go talk to him.

“The rest is history,” Meier said.

Meier did not have any definite plans for the house when he purchased it, he said.

“But I decided to make it back into a home after working inside it,” Meier said. “We have not done too much work inside, but on the outside, lots of rotten wood has been replaced and the entire porch was rebuilt. We were able to salvage the original porch posts, but all of the railing had to be turned on a lathe to match the original, as it was beyond repair.”

Craig Royal looks at the 1961 issue of Lipton’s Magazine, in which his father Zeke Royal and Zeke’s business partner John Bradley take a break for a glass of tea while painting the Orleans County Courthouse. Bradley’s son Tom currently works with Craig on painting projects.

Meier also knew who he wanted to paint the house, and he contacted Craig Royal, who took over his father Zeke Royal’s painting business and now lives in Mooresville, N.C. Craig’s partner in the business was Tom Bradley, son of Zeke’s partner John Bradley. Tom now lives and Naples, Fla., but agreed to come north and work with Craig on several projects, including the house at 512 West Ave. They also painted Creekside Floral during their time here.

Their dads and Craig and Tom have painted everything and anything, including water towers, schools and churches.

“Dad used to drive up West Center Street and pointing he would say, ‘I painted that house and this house,’” Craig said.

Craig is a Medina native and 1977 graduate of Medina High School. Tom was born in Albion, but his family moved to Naples when he was 14, he said.

Craig said they come up north in the summer to paint, because it’s cooler here then. When Meier called him last year about the house at 512 West Ave., he recruited Scott Grimm, a retired teacher, and current teachers John McCarthy, Christian Held and Shawn Ragonese to help.

He also had to resurrect his father’s old paint truck, which he had sold to Jim Lawson. It was sitting in a field and needed a lot of work, Craig said.

It took more than a month to apply 20 gallons of primer to the house. They completed the job around Sept. 1.

Craig Royal and Tom Bradley stand by their paint truck parked in the front yard of 512 West Ave., after completing a several month-long painting and restoration job on the home, recently purchased by Andrew Meier.

MAAC urges donations that will be shared with children and senior citizens

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Medina firefighters gather around the MAAC Christmas barrels on Wednesday morning, prior to loading them in their ambulances to be delivered to local shops, schools, churches, etc. to be filled with gifts for children and families in the Medina community. From left are firefighter Joe Kyle, Lt. Steve Miller, Lt. Adam Fisher, Lt. Jacob Crooks, chief Steve Cooley, Lt. Tim Miller, trainee Zyere Wade from Iroquois Job Corps, firefighter Frank Golojuch and Red Barrel chair Sherry Tuohey-Sipple.

MEDINA – When they are not busy putting out a fire or responding to an emergency call, Medina firefighters may be found supporting their community in other ways, such as delivering barrels throughout town for MAAC’s annual Christmas Present Program (otherwise known as the Red Barrel Program).

Delivering toys to children at Christmas time was started by the Medina firefighters decades ago. The Medina Area Association of Churches now runs the program. Sherry Tuohey-Sipple has been organizer of the program for going on eight years.

Every year, up to 42 barrels are delivered to targeted locations throughout Medina and nearby. The public is encouraged to fill the barrels with a new toy or gift suitable for youth up to 18 years of age and senior citizens.

Lt. Adam Fisher carries two barrels to his emergency vehicle at the Grove Methodist Church. Medina firefighters delivered 42 red barrels Wednesday morning.

Last year, more than 110 families were provided with Christmas gifts and a holiday meal. Tuohey-Sipple anticipates the need will be greater this year because of the state of the economy.

While Tuohey-Sipple heads the committee, she has lots of help. Norma Jean Foster has been in charge of the food baskets for the past four years. She shops for hams, potatoes, canned fruits and vegetables, stuffing and cereal.

Barb Vreeland, a member of MAAC, said this is a blessed ministry, for sure. Vreeland said they are grateful to the churches and community, all of which are so good to them.

Tuohey-Sipple added her thanks to the businesses, churches, banks, libraries and anyone else who accepts a red barrel in their establishment.

Provided photos: (Left) Norma Jean Foster carries boxes of canned goods into the Grove United Methodist Church where they will be used to fill food boxes for the Christmas Present (Red Barrel) Program. (Right) Katie Oakes poses with a MAAC red barrel at Lynoaken Farms on Ridge Road. Customers who donate a gift suitable for a teen will receive a bag like the ones she is holding filled with apples. This is the final weekend Lynoaken will be open.

Two new board members for MAAC have volunteered to take an active role in encouraging donations.

Katie Oakes, who heads LynOaken Farms U-pick apple orchard, and Meghan Fuller, whose mother owns Ellen J. Goods, have both come up with promotions for the public. Oakes said MAAC is an organization that is near and dear to her heart.

“Every year they run a Christmas Present program for local families in need – providing gifts for children up to 18, hats and gloves for all family members, hygiene kits for every adult in the household and a full holiday meal,” Oakes said. “I think it’s such an amazing program and this year I’m so honored to be a part of the committee that has been running it for years.”

Oakes went on to explain that while gifts for babies and young children are plentiful, teens are often the ones most overlooked when it comes to holiday donations.

In an effort to boost donations for this age group, Oakes has placed a red barrel in the U-pick pavilion for their final weekend this week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Anyone who brings a new gift for a pre-teen or teen (ages 9-18) will receive a free half peck bag to fill with any of their remaining apples. (One bag per person – not per gift).

Medina firefighter/EMT Frank Golojuch and others at Medina FD finish loading the 42 barrels they would deliver to various locations in Medina and the surrounding area.

Some ideas for gifts are Legos, earbuds, portable chargers, reusable water bottles, cozy blankets, art kits/supplies and Bluetooth speakers.

Fuller works with her mom Lynne, owner of Ellen J. Goods store on Main Street. It is a vintage and antique furniture and home décor shop, offering painting and décor workshops. They sponsor retreats and welcome EJG campers at various times throughout the year.

Fuller said she is thrilled to have joined the MAAC committee and to be able to collect gifts for teens this holiday season.

“Teens deserve to feel the love, too,” she said. “I will put together an awesome Pentart/Decoupage Queen gift basket in our store. If you bring in a gift for a teen, you will be entered to win. Your help would mean the world to me and make the holidays a little brighter for local teens.”

To qualify for a holiday basket, families must live in the 14103 (Medina) or 14479 (Knowlesville) zip codes. They must sign up during the second and third weeks of November at either St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon or 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 or 18; or at the Vine at 11031 Maple Ridge Rd., from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 13 or 20. They must provide proof of household, residence and income. Income guidelines will apply.

The barrels will be picked up on Dec. 3 and gift boxes delivered on Dec. 13.

Anyone with questions may contact Tuohey-Sipple at (585) 356-8346 or call (585) 798-5698 and leave a message.

Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley helps load red barrels in his department’s emergency vehicles to kick off the 2025 Christmas Present (Red Barrel) drive.

This is a picture of the log cabin which once existed on the Peter Smith Road in the town of Kendall. This was taken from a print Adam Tabelski made from Bill Lattin’s book, Architecture Destroyed. This was the last standing pioneer log cabin in Orleans County, built in 1815 and torn down around 1952.

MEDINA – When the Medina Historical Society asked Adam Tabelski to be the speaker at their October meeting, he chose a subject to tie in with Orleans County’s bicentennial.

“I thought it would be fitting to choose a topic that is associated with the very early days of permanent settlement in our region,” said Tabelski, a Medina native and current resident of Batavia.

His talk focused on the pioneer log cabin because they were the first, small, humble homes of the county’s early settlers.

“Over time, the log cabin culturally and nostalgically came to represent a yearning for earlier, simpler days,” Tabelski said. “Politically and socially, the log cabin came to represent the ‘every man,’ a mark of a humble, democratic upbringing.  It captured the American spirit, symbolizing rugged individualism, courage, resourcefulness and ingenuity.”

Tabelski went on to explain there were two types of construction – round log and hewn log. He also explained the reason for log cabins was because there were no saw mills to make boards, no quarries and no bricks, however, there were plentiful tall and straight trees.

A log cabin could be built with just an axe, although pioneers did have saws, adzes and chisels to make their job easier.

Tabelski next shared that a great resource for not only his lecture, but the whole history of Western New York is Orsamus Turner’s 1850 book Pioneer History of the Holland Land Purchase.

Sadly, Tabelski said the number of original log cabins still standing in our area are slim to none.

“I’m not aware of any that are still in their original location,” he said. “Too much time has passed and they simply weren’t built to last.”

Tabelski explained that log cabins were not meant to be permanent homes. They were temporary shelters that allowed families to carve a place for themselves out of the woods, gain a foothold, establish farms and eventually build a house with boards.

‘Politically and socially, the log cabin came to represent the ‘every man,’ a mark of a humble, democratic upbringing.  It captured the American spirit, symbolizing rugged individualism, courage, resourcefulness and ingenuity.’

In Bill Lattin’s book, Architecture Destroyed, there is a photograph, circa 1902, of an early log cabin located on the Peter Smith Road in the town of Kendall. It was the last log house of its type in Orleans County until it was torn down in the early 1950s, according to Lattin.

A good example of a real log cabin can be seen at the Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford.

An original log cabin can be seen on Route 5 in Clarence, just past the Asa Ransom House. It is called the Goodrich-Landow log cabin and was built around 1852 by Levi Goodrich’s family. It stood on Goodrich Road until moved to Clarence in 1990, where it became the Clarence Historical Society log cabin.

Another well-preserved log house is situated in Letchworth State Park, where it was moved by William Pryor Letchworth. The cabin, built in 1800, belonged to Nancy Jemison, daughter of Mary Jemison, the White Woman of the Genesee.

In Lockport, the Niagara County Historical Society Museum has an area set up to illustrate what would have been found in a log dwelling of the early 19th century. This included candle molds, a foot warmer, dried herbs, a bathtub and rope and trundle beds.

This picture, taken from Adam Tabelski’s booklet of information he compiled for a talk on the history of log cabins, shows how log cabins played a role in the 1840 election of William Henry Harrison as president of the United States. The log cabin, erected on a wagon, was drawn in parades to promote Harrison (known as “Tippecanoe”) and his vice presidential running mate John Tyler.

The log cabin emerged as a key player in the presidential election of 1840, when General William Henry Harrison of Ohio was named to oppose incumbent Democrat Martin Van Buren. Harrison was an older man who gained fame as “Old Tippecanoe” after winning an 1811 battle against Native Americans near the Tippecanoe River in Indiana.

A Democratic newspaper made the mistake of being negative early in the campaign, depicting Harrison as a “feeble old man ready to be put out to pasture.” They editorialized, “Give him a barrel of hard cider and settle a pension of two thousand a year on him, and take my word for it, he will sit the remainder of his days in his log cabin.”

Whig leaders jumped on this characterization (or mischaracterization) and made the log cabin and hard cider indelible emblems of their campaign, wearing them as a badge of honor to connect with every day American citizens. This was the election of “Tippecanoe and Tyler,” too, as John Tyler of Virginia was selected as the vice-presidential candidate.

Across the country, parades and rallies were held with homemade log cabins, sometimes built on wagons and paraded through the streets, and barrels of hard cider. The campaign went into the public square on a scale far more so than ever before.

In Buffalo, a “Tippecanoe log cabin” was built in downtown Buffalo. One thing the Whigs did was create their own national newspaper to support their candidate. The Log Cabin was published by Horace Greeley from May 1840 to November 1841. Its purpose was to back the presidential campaign of Harrison, but by the end of his campaign, circulation had risen to 80,000. This success inspired Greeley to establish the New York Tribune.

The election and log cabin fever eventually hit Albion. According to Ed Grinnell’s book, Medina – Here’s to our Heritage,  he recalled the fervor around the 1840 election year. He wrote, “Songs were composed and sung, log cabins built, poles raised. At Albion in June, a log cabin was built. Log cabins with a coon skin tacked on them and a barrel of hard cider were the order of the day.”

While Tabelski’s presentation included much more information about log cabins, this article will conclude with a movement to build a log cabin on the fairgrounds which had been moved to the Bokman farm near Knowlesville in the 1960s.

This log cabin had nothing to do with honoring pioneer legacy, according to Tabelski’s report. It was a project of the Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, who wanted a place for conservation education activities, and they wanted it made of natural building materials.

Ground was broken for the new log cabin on June 8, 1974, following a sketch made by then young Bill Lattin, whose father at the time was county historian. Today the cabin continues to serve the public as a conservation hub during the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Tabelski concluded his presentation with slides of a log cabin home on Ryan Road, the Log Cabin Restaurant in Indian Falls and plans to build a log cabin on the grounds of Old Fort Niagara to house a Native American Education Center.

A final page of Tabelski’s presentation lists seven presidents who were born in log cabins – Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and James Garfield.

Georgia Thomas, a board member of Medina Historical Society, said they had a large turnout for the presentation.

“I loved it, and I knew for anyone not familiar with log cabins and early settlers, it was a plethora of information,” Thomas said. “It was a wonderful program.”

Photos courtesy of Medina Fire Department: Three Medina firefighters were sworn in as lieutenants of the Medina FD during a Village Board meeting on Monday. Pictured from left include Steve Miller, Adam Fisher and Tim Miller. (Steve and Tim are twin brothers.)

Press Release, Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley

MEDINA – At the special meeting of the Village Board on Monday, the following promotions were made.

• Firefighter Adam Fisher was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 3.
• Firefighter Stephen Miller was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 4.
• Firefighter Timothy Miller was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 5.

Lieutenant Fisher is a nine-year veteran of the Department. He has been a senior firefighter/paramedic on the 4th Platoon and serves as the Department’s Municipal Training Officer.

Lieutenant Fisher is also a Certified Instructor Coordinator for NY State EMS courses as well as a Fire Instructor for NYS Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services assigned to the NYS Fire Academy in Montour Falls. Lieutenant Fisher will serve as the Company Officer for the 1st Platoon effective Dec. 1 and oversee the Department’s EMS Operations.

(Left) Fire Chief Steve Cooley pins the collar on Tim Miller during the swearing in ceremony. (Right) Steve Miller takes the oath of office in front of his family.

Lieutenant Stephen Miller is a 13-year veteran of the Department, most recently serving as the senior firefighter on the 2nd Platoon with prior time as the senior firefighter on the 3rd Platoon.

He also serves as a Fire Investigator with the Department’s Fire Investigation Unit. Lieutenant Miller will be the Company Officer for the 2nd Platoon and will be assisting Lieutenant Fisher with the Department’s EMS Operations.

Lieutenant Timothy Miller is an 8-year veteran of the Department and has been serving as the senior firefighter on the 3rd Platoon. He has been running the Department’s CPR training program both in-house and for outside agencies including the public.

He will serve as the Company Officer for the 4th Platoon effective Dec. 1 where he will also assist Senior Lieutenant Jacob Crooks with planning and Fire Department Operations.

Congratulations Gentlemen!

Adam Fisher takes the oath of office while joined by his family.

Editor’s Note: The promotions give Medina a lieutenant for each of the three shifts. They fill some of the recent leadership vacancies. Steve Cooley was promoted from lieutenant to fire chief on Sept. 8. Jonathan Higgins, a captain for the Medina FD for 11 years, retired on Aug. 8.

MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmer’s Market has found a new home for the winter – in the basement of the former NAPA building on North Main Street.

Previously, the market occupied the first floor of the building, but that is now home to the Triennial Hub, according to Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market.

The market’s new location from now through spring is in the lower, rear section of the building, with storefront access in the canal basin. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

The NAPA building had previously been owned by Craig Lacy and his family since 1925. He recently sold the building to Samantha Rae Hughes of Hughes Martin, LLC of Lockport, who is in the process of redeveloping the site.

“The new owner has been great to us,” said Gail Miller, manager of the market. “The Canal Village Winter Farmer’s Market will actually be located Canalside this year. We are incredibly grateful to Samantha for allowing us to use this beautiful space for the winter. Without it, there’d be no winter market.”

In years past, the canal basin space was occupied by Bob’s Electronics, but has sat empty for several years, according to Busch.

“We’re very excited to embrace the new spot,” Miller said. “There’s plenty of parking in the basin and plenty of room for our vendors, too.”

Plans are currently underway to redevelop the current summer market site at 127 West Center St. into an entirely new facility, on the site where once existed a Shell gas station, circa 1964, and later a drive-thru bank. The summer market operates there from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from June through October.

In 2024, a successful grant of $4.5 million was awarded by New York State to the village of Medina, including $725,000 for an exciting and transformative redevelopment of the entire market site. The project will feature a new addition to the existing structure, affording more interior, year-round operating space, along with an entire redevelopment of this pivotal location in downtown Medina.

It will be the first truly impactful development on-site in more than 60 years, according to Busch.

To date, $750,000 has been secured toward the goal of $1.2 million to fully complete this transformative project as envisioned.

To that end, ORG continues to pursue every avenue of additional funding via grants, charitable foundations and private contributions, according to information provided by Busch.

Once completed, the new facility will provide the market with year-round conditioned space and the ability for expanded hours and offerings.

“We’re very lucky to have Canal Village Farmer’s Market year-round, but it takes generous volunteers and benefactors who believe in its importance to the community,” Busch said.

In addition to a dedicated core of volunteers, Busch said the market also benefits from generous community sponsorship from Takeform, Medina Lumber and Hardware and Maureen Sanderson, who lend financial support to the operation.

The market has operated at its summer site on West Center Street and West Avenue since 2015.

“It’s a great spot for a festive, open-air summer market, but the current facilities are tired,” Busch said. “We need our customers to hang in there and support us while we get through this project. Once the new facility is complete, it will be a game-changer, not only for the market, but for the site, downtown and the community. We envision a bigger, better, expanded market, along with a site that can support great community activities. It will be a hub for downtown.”

A start date for construction has not yet been set, but according to Busch,’ “It will be sooner, rather than later.”

Vendors at the newly-located winter market will include Human Farms and Greenhouse (assorted vegetables, spice blends and BBQ sauces), Stone Hollow Farms (fresh bread), Baker Farms (local meats, eggs and garlic), LockRidge Apiary (local honey and honey products), Bower Family Farms and Greenhouse (microgreens, pumpkins, mums and apples) and MBHERR (dog paw creams and moisturizers and seasonal crafts).

The winter market will also continue the Kid’s Tent, featuring crafts and a scavenger hunt with prizes.

Community groups continue to be invited to frequent the “Community Table,” a space for non-profits and groups to connect with the public.

Additionally, the market will serve as a canned/non-perishable food drop-off center for the Medina Emergency Food Pantry. No food will be distributed at the market, but can be obtained at the Emergency Food Pantry located at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 1355 West Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Shoppers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to help others in need,” Miller said. “People really require our help right now. Circumstances are especially difficult and the market is happy to be able to provide a collection site.”

Donations must be suitable for consumption, Busch said. No expired or damaged items will be accepted, or no broken boxes/bags.

Additional information about the market or any of its features is available by e-mailing Miller at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com or via FB Message.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Rindy Punch, a resident of the North Wing, hands out candy to a young visitor during Wednesday’s Halloween party. (Right) North Wing activities director Adrian Belson, left, and Anna Lewis, activities coordinator, pose in costume with Lewis’ Golden Retriever Billie at the annual Halloween party for residents of the residential wing at Medina Memorial Hospital.

MEDINA – Residents of Medina Memorial Hospital’s North Wing showed their Halloween spirit on Friday morning at the annual party planned by Activities Director Adrian Belson.

Belson started the party seven or eight years ago, and it has grown into a Halloween tradition.

Each year, all the residents are dressed in costume, with help from staff and family. The activities department has an assortment of costumes, and families brought in items so all the residents were decked out for the occasion.

Residents of Medina Memorial Hospital’s North Wing dressed in costume and lined both hallways during their annual Halloween Party. Here, in front, resident Pat Watson is visited by her daughters, Sue Weese at left and Ann Watson, right.

All 28 residents of the North Wing are dressed in a costume and given a bucket of candy to hand out to children who visit. This includes children of staff and friends and the P ‘Raising Day Care Center, who visit every year.

“Adrian has got this event down to a science,” said certified nursing assistant Tina Kelley. “She’s been doing it for years. The whole Activities Department does a wonderful job here. They also do a big celebration for Thanksgiving with staff and family members, as well as Christmas.”

(Left) Makenzie Muck and Kaitlyn Albone of Lyndonville are dressed as a chicken and duck for their visit to the North Wing’s Halloween party on Wednesday morning. Kaitlyn holds her daughter Nova, who will be 1 on Nov. 11. They said Anna Lewis told them about the party and they wanted to visit because their grandma used to be a resident there. (Right) Lindsay Wilston, a certified nursing assistant at the North Wing, was dressed in costume for the Halloween party for residents. Residents were given buckets of candy to hand out to visitors, which included children from P ‘Raising Kids Day Care.

One resident was Audrey Bieliski, who dressed as a nurse. It was a fitting costume, as Bieliski actually worked as a nurse in the hospital for 36 years, said her daughter Margo Sarchia.

“It’s amazing they do this,” Sarchia said. “It takes so much time but they always put the residents first.”

After children and other guests visited all the residents who lined the halls and got their candy, they were given punch and Halloween cookies.

Nicki Fredericks visits her brother Fulton Rogers there every day and thought the costume party was wonderful.

“It’s great they do something like this,” Fredericks said. “Every resident is in costume, even if it’s just a hat or a neckerchief. They do a good job here. It’s nice to see.”

Visiting Medina Memorial Hospital’s North Wing Halloween party were, from left, Tom Bloomer, North Wing administrator; Rebecca Mannella, director of nursing; and Cassie Maynard, charge nurse.

Audrey Bieliski dressed as a nurse, a fitting costume, as she was a nurse on the North Wing for 36 years. On the wall behind her is a picture of her in uniform with three staff members, taken in 1975. Friday morning she handed out candy with other North Wing residents to young children who visited, many from P ‘Raising Kids Day Care. Waiting for his candy is Jon Kirkpatrick, 2, of Lyndonville, whose mom Amber works in the unit.