Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Members of the Buffalo-based Pyromancy performed with fire on Friday night during the SteamPunker’s Ball at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.

Leonard Oakes for years held a Steampunk Festival but has split the event over several days throughout the year. The winery started putting on “the festival of bizarre proportions” in 2011.

This costume won “Best in Show.” Most of the attendees at Steampunk wear futuristic costumes with a Victorian theme. They wear outlandish costumes, with top hats, goggles and robotic arms as accessories.

This costume won for “Best Mechanics.”

Potter Dee from Pyromancy blows fire after spewing Steampunk Cider over a flame.

This vendor sell her creative wares as one of the vendors at Leonard Oakes. About 150 people attended the SteamPunker’s Ball.

The band Stone Circle from Buffalo entertained with traditional and contemporary Irish Pub music.

Here are more photos of the Pyromancy performers:

Lessons planned to be offered monthly at upstairs ballroom

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Swing dancers begin with the basic steps on the first night of swing dance lessons at Bent’s Opera House. After a 45-minute lesson, even beginners can join in the dancing for the rest of the evening.

MEDINA – A dance craze popular in big cities throughout the United States may soon be a regular attraction in Medina.

Phil and Julie Berry encountered swing dancing while living in Los Angeles.

Dance instructors Mike Moll and Leah Twomey ham it up prior to Thursday’s swing dance lessons at Bent’s Opera House.

Phil said he has loved swing dancing since the first time he saw someone doing the Lindy hop.

“I thought, that looks like great fun and I want to do it,” he said.

After moving back to Medina to purchase the Book Shoppe, now Author’s Note, the first thing Phil did was go online and look up where it might be offered in Western New York.

He found Swing Buffalo and Ballroom Revolution in Buffalo, then started thinking about where he could find a place big enough to have dances in Medina.

“The Lindy hop belongs here,” Phil said.

Then he met Heather Hungerford, whose husband Roger restored the Bent’s Opera House, and when she asked Phil how they could better use the opera house for the community, he had an answer.

“She absolutely loved the idea and said, ‘Let’s make it happen,’” Phil said. “And here we are.”

Julie has been promoting the dance lessons at Author’s Note, giving customers a poster or pamphlet on the event and it has been posted on Facebook, where more than 100 people said they were interested. Jeff Baker with Swing Buffalo has also been promoting it.

Almost 50 showed up Thursday night for dance lessons, and by the time the night ended, another 30 had arrived to enjoy the dancing.

The evening began with a 45-minute dance lesson.

“If you’ve never danced before, by 7:30 you’ll learn all you need to do a swing dance,” Phil said.

Phil Berry of Medina puts on his dancing shoes in preparation for the first night of swing dancing lessons at Bent’s Opera House on Thursday evening. He hopes to make the lessons a regular event.

Phil recruited disc jockey Tommy Darlington from Buffalo and dance instructors Mike Moll and Leah Twomey.

“I want to make Medina a dance destination,” Phil said.

Phil and Julie’s children also came along to dance. Son Adam, 22, said when his parents first asked him to go to a dance he said no.

“Then I finally said yes, and my brother David and I had fun,” he said. “I had a real good time. There were a lot of people there who were quite young – college age. I encountered two young people who were engaged and had met there two years ago. It’s a fun way to meet people. Swing dancing is a very social event because you have to dance with a partner. Young people who haven’t done it would really like it if they tried it.”

Ande Niedzwiecki from Seattle is visiting friends in Rochester and saw the dance advertised online. She said the dance studios in Rochester are still shut down from Covid and she was looking for something to do and was happy to drive to Medina. She said a Swing Club in Rochester used to have 50 to 60 dancers every week before Covid.

The swing dance class is the first public event at the opera house this year, Hungerford said.

The Berrys are planning to have swing dancing every third Thursday of the month. Tickets can be purchased online on the Bent’s Opera House website or Facebook page or at the door.

The public is also invited to come and listen to the music and watch if they don’t want to dance. A cash bar is also available.

Almost 50 dance enthusiasts showed up at Bent’s Opera House Thursday night for the first of planned swing dance lessons. Here, they warm up by practicing a few basic moves. By the time the lesson ended, another 30 had arrived to dance.

Teen center at Pearl Street site among projects in the works

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jesse Cudzillo stands next to the play area for young children at the YMCA. He has announced plans to build a teen center in the building, beginning in the fall.

MEDINA – With a new director, new programming and the promise of new funding, GLOW YMCA is looking forward to an exciting year.

Jesse Cudzillo took over the reins June 6 after Greg Reed accepted the position as district director of Orleans and Genesee YMCA in Batavia.

Cudzillo grew up in Buffalo and after his family moved to Eden, he graduated from Eden High School. He followed school by joining the Air Force in 1996, retiring from there after 20 years.

He is married to Katie Smider from Gasport and the has four children. Their youngest son is a junior in high school, the next attends Brockport State College, their daughter works and goes to college in Virginia and the oldest son works for Isaac Heating and Cooling.

Cudzillo said each time they had to move while he was in the Air Force, they made a practice of looking for a good place to send their kids to school and then bought a house in that area. That is also how they ended up in Medina.

Cudzillo held various jobs after retiring from the Air Force, the latest being with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

When he saw the ad for a director at the GLOW YMCA, he had already been a member since 2019.

“I always looked for a job where I could best use the talents I’d been given and the experience I’ve gained in life,” he said. “I saw an opportunity to impact the community where my children live, in hopes some of them will settle here and raise their kids here.”

His goal as director of the YMCA is to create a place where the community can come for health, wellness and recreation.

Jesse Cudzillo, new director of GLOW YMCA in Medina, points out one of the murals in the Y, painted by local artist Brandi Zavitz.

“I see this place as a central hub for the entire community,” Cudzillo said. “As I read about the history of the YMCA in Medina, I see it used to the place to go. I want to continue that. I want the Y to be the first place people want to go when they think of family fun.”

The YMCA is so much more than a gym, he said. He said he is amazed at how many people don’t realize all the YMCA has to offer. The Y offers a summer camp, and child care before and after school in four locations – Medina, Lyndonville, Albion and Akron. They offer “drop and shop,” where parents can drop their children off while they go shopping.

Looking to the future, Cudzillo said there is exciting news in the works regarding new projects. One is building a teen center downstairs on the north side of the building. This will focus on the 12-18 age group.

“Our vision is to give them a safe place to hang out after school,” Cudzillo said. “There will be sports, tutoring if they need it and special events, or they can just relax. We also plan to build a teaching kitchen.”

Remodeling will begin this fall, he said.

“Our hope is youth will continue to come in and join, and thereby give back to the community,” he added. “Being in the military and moving so often, every place we went we had to create new space in the community. I believe this place can be such a space.”

He is working with Job Development to host a job fair and has a blood drive scheduled on Thursday. He is eagerly awaiting the announcement of a grant which will fund an exciting new program never offered in Orleans County before.

Photos courtesy of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library: Repco Wildlife brought in reptiles for the kids to learn about on Aug. 5 as part of the “Oceans of Possibilities” summer reading program.

Press Release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – The Lee-Whedon Memorial Library concluded its six-week summer reading program this week. Attendance is estimated at 1,550 for the six weeks, which is up about 200 from last year’s summer program.

The library’s children and teen programs included wildlife visits, a visit from Santa, weekly STEM activities, magic, crafts, story times and a giant water slide.

Programs focused on connecting children and teens with nature. Miss Sharon offered interactive outdoor movie nights with a water theme.

Miss Kelsie and Miss Sam enriched the lives of our community’s kids. Both received grants to offset the cost of this year’s summer programs.

Miss Kelsie offered two reading challenges for children in addition to her weekly programming. Miss Sam offered a teen and an adult reading challenge for the summer. They gave away lots of great swag including books, games, and toys to participants who reached their reading goals. Summer Reading challenges run through August 26 so there is still plenty of time to spend reading a good book!

The library hosted weekly STEM programs that drew a crowd of children.

The Medina Parks program brought groups over for Miss Kelsie’s bubble mania.

An inflatable slide was available for the kickoff of the summer reading program.

Global supply chain crisis disrupting many industries

Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer holds a medical infusion pump produced by Baxter International in Medina at left and a component of the pump requiring 70 microchips.

MEDINA – A company with nearly 300 workers in Medina has put employees on paid furloughs three times due to a supply chain shortage, where Baxter International didn’t have all 20 components for their medical infusion pumps.

Baxter International produces about 100,000 pumps a year and each one needs 70 microchips. The company was forced to put some of its Medina workforce on paid furloughs due to a shortage of microchips.

Baxter continues to struggle to locate enough microchips. The company currently will run out in three to four weeks in Medina. If more don’t come in, company CEO José (Joe) E. Almeida said workers will again have to go on furlough until all the needed parts come in.

“I’m very proud of our employees,” Almeida said today after a news conference at Baxter with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “They’ve worked heroically.”

Almeida said the company manufactures infusion pumps used at hospitals and healthcare sites.

“It’s about saving lives,” he said.

Schumer said there will be a long-term answer to the microchip crisis with the signing this week of the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Bill. That will provide $50 billion in incentives to increase microchip manufacturing in the United States and ease the supply chain problems.

He said the nearby STAMP site in the Town of Alabama, Genesee County, is being pitched to businesses to manufacture microchips and other advanced manufacturing. He said the site could employ thousands of workers, with many living in Orleans County.

He also is working his contacts for a short-term solution for Baxter. He will be asking Texas Instruments to supply microchips to Baxter, and has teamed with the federal Health and Human Services Department to prioritize the need for Baxter, which he said is a healthcare manufacturer that saves lives with the infusion pumps.

Schumer said he has personally advocated to companies before, including Qualcomm, to help with a microchip shortage.

“There is a desperate shortage of chips,” Schumer said. “We don’t want to have a shortage again. We want to build the chips here in America.”

Schumer praised the Baxter facility for producing the medical technology, such as infusion pumps, that are used in the treatment of Covid-19 and other illnesses.

“Orleans County’s Baxter International facility worked nonstop through the pandemic to get medical equipment out to the hospitals and frontline works that needed it most,” Schumer said. “My just passed CHIPS and Science Bill is just what the doctor ordered to help cure America’s long-term supply chain woes, by bringing microchip manufacturing back from overseas to places in Upstate New York like the Western New York STAMP campus. We should be making semiconductors in Batavia, NY, not Beijing.”

Baxter International CEO and President José (Joe) E. Almeida stands next to Sen. Schumer near the production floor of Baxter’s Medina plant in the Olde Pickle Factory. Almeida said the company has a three- to four-week supply of microchips and is reaching out to many suppliers. Schumer said he would strongly urge Texas Instruments to help fill the need at Baxter.

Schumer said that the microchip shortage is impacting everything from wait times for people to buy cars and computers, to healthcare providers.

Before coming to Baxter, Schumer was in LeRoy at the Bob Johnson Chevrolet, where the auto dealer said a shortage of microchips has slowed inventory. That problem has pushed up the cost and wait times for new vehicles. It also has made the cost of used cars skyrocket, Schumer said.

Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Developer Agency, told Schumer that Medina has 300 acres of certified shovel-ready land that would be a good fit for a company looking to produce microchips. She is joined by, from left: Michael Dobell, Orleans EDA executive director; County Legislator John Fitzak; Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature; and Medina Mayor Mike Sidari.

Schumer highlighted the CHIPS & Science Bill

• $39 billion for the CHIPS for America Fund to provide federal incentives to build, expand, or modernize domestic facilities and equipment for semiconductor fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging, or research and development to help attract major chip manufacturers to shovel ready sites like STAMP in Genesee County.
• $11 billion for Department of Commerce research and development including creating a National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) a public-private partnership to conduct advanced semiconductor manufacturing, with Albany Nanotech primed to be a top contender to serve as a major hub for the NSTC, and other specialized R&D programs that universities across the state are in a strong position to compete for.
• $2 billion for the DoD CHIPS for America Defense Fund.
• $200 million for the CHIPS for America Workforce and Education Fund to kick start development of the domestic semiconductor workforce, which faces near-term labor shortages, by leveraging activities of the National Science Foundation.
• A new Investment Tax Credit for semiconductor manufacturing facilities and equipment.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer walks into the production floor at Baxter International with company CEO and President José (Joe) E. Almeida. Schumer said he and the federal Health and Human Services have pushed to make Baxter designated as a “critical need” for micro chips to manufacture infusion pumps.

Schumer’s Office shared this copy of the letter he sent to Rich Templeton, CEO of Texas Instruments:

Dear Mr. Templeton,

I write to request Texas Instruments’ (TI) assistance to continue to provide the required computer chip components to Baxter International to ensure it can continue to manufacture lifesaving medical devices that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has determined are in “critical need” including Baxter’s Spectrum IQ Infusion Pump which is manufactured in Medina, New York, as well as the PrisMax and PrismaFlex renal replacement therapy (CRRT) devices.  These pumps and devices are critical in the clinical treatment of COVID-19 patients, providing lifesaving care in our nation’s efforts to combat the pandemic.

As such, I understand TI recently received a copy of a letter from HHS’ Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response that indicated HHS has now “identified a critical need” for these lifesaving products and urged Baxter to prioritize the manufacturing of these medical devices.  Furthermore HHS wrote, “it is critical that Baxter’s supply chain is not impacted so we also request that any work, services, and materials requested by Baxter be prioritized in any possible way.”  

As you know, TI is Baxter’s supplier for several critical components required for the manufacturing of these devices. Recent inconsistent delivery of these TI components is now threatening the continued manufacturing of these critical medical devices. Ensuring the availability of these component parts is not only vital to Baxter’s Medina, NY workforce, but to hospital patients and medical personnel throughout the country who depend on these lifesaving devices.

Therefore, I ask that TI honor this HHS request and work with Baxter to deliver necessary TI components for their medical devices as quickly as possible. I appreciate your quick attention to this matter and your assistance in making these components available.

MEDINA – A village resident who has had chickens in her backyard for more than a decade – sharing the eggs with her neighbors – was told by village officials that the chickens have to be removed from the village.

Debbie Varley of Highland Avenue has about 20 chickens that are used by her grandchildren for 4-H. The chickens are popular in the neighborhood, and Varley shares their eggs with nearby residents.

However, one resident made a complaint to the village about the chickens, and village officials say they are obligated to insist the birds be removed.

Chickens are only allowed in the village if they are in an agricultural-residential district. The only AR zoned parcel in Medina includes the Gallagher barn property on North Gravel Road.

Varley is in a residential district, where the chickens aren’t allowed. She said she didn’t know chickens were banned from residential neighborhoods. She thought she was OK as long as she didn’t have roosters, which make a loud ruckus, especially in the morning.

“You’re an outstanding member of the community,” Village Trustee Tim Elliott said at Monday’s Village Board meeting. “I’m sorry we have to voice an opinion on it. But there is no gray area.”

Elliott said Varley likely was able to keep the chickens for many years because no one ever complained until recently. But once there is a formal complaint, the village has to look at the issue to see if the resident is in compliance with the village code.

Varley said many other people in the village also have chickens. But there haven’t been complaints about those chickens.

She is hopeful she can find someone to take the chickens who lives nearby so her grandchildren can continue to show them for 4-H.

“We’ve had them a long time,” she said. “We have a lot of time and money in them. They’re nice show birds. They are all named. I honestly didn’t know they weren’t allowed.”

(Editor’s Note: The person who called code enforcement and voiced concerns about the chickens called the Orleans Hub this afternoon and said he didn’t have a problem with the chickens in the person’s backyard. He was instead upset that the chickens’ fecal material was set out by the curb days in advance of the garbage pickup, smelling up the neighborhood. The person also said the issue bothered many of the neighbors, and he wasn’t the only one to complain to the village.)

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina posed with sign painters Thursday morning to celebrate completion of this giant flag mural on the south wall of the post. From left are Dave Kusmierczak, Dave Higgins, Carol Callina, Glenn Whitmore (commander), Dave Morien, Peter Huth and sign painters Mark Weld and Jeff Watkins.

MEDINA – The Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina will certainly catch the eye of drivers coming down Main Street with completion of a giant flag mural on the south end of the building.

The idea for project was born several years ago when Legion Commander Glenn Whitmore noticed a similar painting on the Post Office in Gasport.

“I thought it was beautiful and came back here and told Steve Johnson, our former commander about it,” Whitmore said. “I thought it would be awesome to have a flag on our post. We had just had the building painted and it looked wonderful. And we had this big blank wall and I knew then I was going to do whatever it took to get that done.”

Then the Covid pandemic hit and Steve moved away.

Whitmore didn’t forget his idea, however. The restrictions eased with Covid and this spring Whitmore, Carol Callina and Dave Kusmierczak started rethinking the idea of having a giant flag painted on the south side of their building. They contacted sign painter Mark Weld of Barker and his assistant Jeff Watkins of Newfane and put together the paperwork to present to the village for approval.

In June, the village approved the project and a week ago, Weld and Watkins began work.

It took a lot of prep work and six days to draw the initial outline and then paint it, Weld said. This is one of the biggest projects he has attempted, but it’s beautiful, he said.

“A lot of people have been pulling into the parking lot and commenting on it,” Whitmore said. “It’s the best sign I’ve seen on anything in my whole life.”

Underneath the flag are the words, “For God and Country.”

Whitmore doesn’t deny his patriotism.

“This is America,” he said. “That flag means everything.”

“We fought for that flag,” said Carol Callina, a Medina native who served four years active duty in the Navy.

Whitmore also served in the Navy for six years aboard the USS Forrestel.

“When our ship pulled into port and the sailors all lined up along the rail, nothing made you more proud than to arrive back in America with flags flying, a band playing and families waiting,” Whitmore said. “I want to do as much for Medina and this post as I can.”

Whitmore said the mural is latest improvement the Legion has made to their building. They recently added a patio with tables overlooking the canal. Legion members and their guests love to sit out there, have a drink and enjoy the breeze. Smoking is allowed out there, as well.

Whitmore said it is important to thank all the members of Post 204, the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and the village for their support in helping to make the project possible.

He also encourages anyone eligible to consider joining the American Legion.

Group also wins two 2^nd place awards at Elite Dance Challenge

Photo by Tom Rivers: Brandon Johnson, owner of Dance Theater in Medina and instructor for the competitive dance teams, is pictured with many of the dancers on the competitive team. Dance Theater won a first place and two seconds at a national dance competition on July 22 in Cape May, NJ. Amy hazel, in back left, and Emilie Preston, in back second from right, also are instructors at Dance Theater working with the recreational program.

MEDINA – Brandon Johnson and dancers from Dance Theater are basking in a strong showing a national competition.

One group from Dance Theater won the first place as “National Grand Champion” for their performance of Jumanji. They won in the age 13 over group.

Dance Theater also won second place in age 12 under group for “The Power” and another second in the age 13 over group for “These Hands.”

The dancers at nationals included: Elaina Bruce, Sydney Bruce, Adella Dukes, LiLiana Goebel, Lexi Hare, Alexis Jones, Olivia Maynard, Makenzie McGrath, Isabella Monacelli, Hailey Moore, Izabella Murphy, Brook Pisano, Natalie Rath, Gracie Tardibone, Marli Thrash, Carly Voelker, Hailey Walker and Arabella White.

“I felt like all of our hard work paid off,” said Marli Thrash, 17, of Albion. “We are in the studio a lot and we have a really good teacher.”

Provided photos: “Jumanji” – 1st Place National Grand Champion, Age 13 over Group

The dancers have been working on their numbers since September, sometimes putting in five hours a day at the studio. The rehearsal time picks up on breaks and in the early summer as they get ready for nationals.

Dance Theater competed with 28 other studios at the Elite Dance Challenge in New Jersey. Dance Theater sent three different teams and they performed 32 numbers, and advanced to the final dance off for three.

Johnson, 39, is celebrated his 20^th year of owning the dance studio. One of his dance teams won at nationals in 2018.

He was grateful for a chance to see the dance perform at this year’s recital and at the dance competitions without restrictions on crowd sizes, or have to wear masks on stage.

“These Hands” – 2nd Place National Grand Champion, Age 13 over Group

In 2020, Dance Theater did a recital but it was limited to 50 people, including the crowd. He staggered that recital over 10 sessions – 10 hours in one day. Last year the group performed in competitions while wearing masks and with a limit on guests.

This year it was “back to normal” for Johnson and the dancers. He was thrilled to see the groups having fun on stage, and to see the competitive teams advance in the regional competition in Rochester, earning a shot at nationals.

“It does feel good coming out a pandemic,” Johnson said. “It was nice to be back on stage in the competitive dance circuit.”

He praised the dedication of the dance teams. Johnson has about 130 dancers at the studio, with about 30 on the competitive teams. The competitive dancers are at the studio usually two to three times a week, sometimes from 4 to 10 p.m., honing their craft.

“It is a dedicated group of dancers who are looking for a little more,” he said.

Johnson works with the competitive teams, and will bring in guest choreographers to help make the performances even better.

Thrash, one of the dancers, said the group appreciates Johnson’s commitment to the program.

“I’m very thankful for ‘B’ and for everything he has done,” she said.

Dance Theater will have its fall open house from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 11-12, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Aug. 13. Dance Theater is located at 425 Main St. Call the studio at (585) 590-4643 for more information.

“The Power” – 2nd Place National Grand Champion,  Age 12 under Group

About 700 attend event outside middle school in Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Mason Cady, 8, of Kendall rides in a bike rodeo on Tuesday evening at the National Night Out in Medina, outside the middle school.

The event was free to the community and connected residents with local law enforcement officers and other first responders, as well as agencies.

National Night Out was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions and concerns. The event, in its first five years, was held at Bullard Park in Albion.

About 700 people attended the National Night Out.

Penny Miller, left, and Kim Brueckner serve up hot dogs. They were volunteering with Boy Scout Troop 28, which had 800 hot dogs ready for the event.

The Walmart in Albion donated the hot dogs and bottled water. Burger King in Albion donated the ketchup and condiments.

Jonah Fisher, 5, of Albion high fives Sparky the Fire Dog. Jonah’s dad, Medina firefighter Adam Fisher, wore the costume of the friendly dalmatian.

Jack Smith of Medina is next to Jonah, ready to greet Sparky.

The Safety Pup also attended National Night Out and greeted community members.

A lineup of fire trucks was available to tour, including ladder trucks from Albion, Clarendon and Shelby.

David Mogle, Albion police chief, let people take a peek at the Albion PD’s SWAT vehicle which is available for responses in the county and region.

Medina police officer Dustin Meredith assists Gabriella Burtwell, 5, of Medina in completing the bike rodeo course.

Crystal Elliott of Medina gave people a chance to paint rocks. She leads the “Medina Rocks” group on Facebook.

Medina firefighter Dustin Pahura helps Phoenix Konieczny, 5, of Medina aim a hose and direct water at targets.

State Trooper Doug Rich showed people a roll-over simulator to emphasize the importance of wearing seatbelts.

These kids enjoy sliding down and climbing through a bounce house.

The battle of belts was won by Jesse Cudzilo and his family – wife Katie and sons Caleb and Noah. Cudzilo is the new director of the Orleans County YMCA. They topped seven other teams by putting seat belts on, and then rotating to four different seats. They did it in 40.44 seconds.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was made available for the event by Hartway Motors Chevrolet.

These girls put their hands up after getting their seat belts on. They are Ashlyn Fisk, right, and Harmoni Wilson. Other members of team “Oreos” included Caliyah St. Louis and Mia Kujawa. They were the top youth team with a time of 53.16 seconds. Medina Police Department Lt. Todd Draper was referee in back and blew the whistle when they were done.