Photo and information courtesy of Medina Central School
MEDINA – Medina Central School District’s SRO (School Resource Officer) Officer Dustin Meredith recently swore in the safety patrols at Oak Orchard Elementary School. Superintendent Mark Kruzynski, Medina Police Department Lieutenant Todd Draper and several staff members were on hand to take part in the ceremony.
Front row from left: Jack Smith, Henry Dresser, Kellan Bensley and Logan Bashford. Standing: Lieutenant Todd Draper, Dylan Wood, Molly Flansburg, Savannah Finch, Iszabella Eaton, Abigail Sutch, Destiny Cherry and Officer Dustin Meredith. Absent from the picture: Fiona Travis and Juliana Poole.
Thirteen students have volunteered to help the younger students at the bus loading and unloading zone, hallways and playgrounds to help keep them safe. The students were recommended by staff members for their outstanding behavior and their willingness to help others.
The Medina Police Department donated hot cocoa and doughnut holes to celebrate the students’ achievement.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2021 at 10:49 am
MEDINA – The Village Board is seeking two federal grants to upgrade equipment for the Medina Fire Department.
The board voted Nov. 8 to seek two grants through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Fire Chief Matt Jackson said Medina will seek one of the grants to replace Engine 10, a 31-year-old fire truck that currently does not standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. Replacing the truck would cost about $700,000 with the federal share of $666,667 and a village share of $33,333 if the FEMA grant is approved.
Jackson also will seek an Operations and Safety Grant through FEMA to replace 25 pagers, 25 portable radios and 10 mobile radios. The department’s current equipment will soon be obsolete and difficult to repair, Jackson said.
This has a total project cost of $94,500 with a federal share of $90,000 and the village contribution of $4,500.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 November 2021 at 7:00 am
Medina site gearing up for Polar Express
Photos courtesy of Chris Podosek/Medina Railroad Museum: The Santa train leaves the Medina Railroad Museum on Sunday under a striking sky.
MEDINA – The Medina Railroad Museum just wrapped up a successful weekend of Santa trains, which saw nearly 2,000 people ride the trains.
Passengers, who came from across Western New York, took a nearly hour-long ride, during which they talked with Santa and were entertained by dancing elves.
This family of women from the Rochester area came all decked out in red and black checkered pajamas to ride the Santa train Saturday at Medina Railroad Museum for what they called “ladies day out.”
The Santa train is a warm-up for Polar Express, which travels to Medina Railroad Museum the next three weekends.
Polar Express has been a crowd-pleaser for several years and features a ride to the “North Pole” with the hobo character from the popular movie and Santa on the train. All passengers get a train cut-out cookie from Case-Nic Cookies and hot chocolate. First-class passengers get their hot chocolate in a keepsake Polar Express mug.
In addition, each child gets a gift from Santa.
All first-class tickets for Polar Express are sold out, but a limited number of coach seats remain. They may be reserved by logging on the medinarailroadmuseum.com.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive an hour early to allow ample time to park. Tickets include admission to the Medina Railroad Museum, which has the largest toy train layout in New York state.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 November 2021 at 10:31 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Orleans Hub has already posted many photos from the Parade of Lights, including the winning entries that were announced today and other photos from Saturday night not long after the parade.
We wanted to highlight more of the floats, including the top photo that shows the entry from the Orleans County Tourism Department. It shows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and 13-foot-long fiberglass salmon that was lighted up for the display.
Schaal’s Tree Service gave the Grinch a ride in its bucket truck.
Miller Family Transport
Mahar Excavating spread a message of joy with its float.
Mark Time Marchers were one of four marching bands in the parade.
Bent’s Opera House featured a horse-drawn carriage. It is passing near the Bent’s Opera House which recently opened after an extensive renovation.
Albion Fire Department decorated its ladder truck.
Medina Lions Club
Pride Pak was one of nine new entries in the parade.
Niagara County 4-H Equine Program
Middleport Fire Department
Prime Time Brass perform in front of the judge’s stand on Main Street across from Avanti Pizza.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 November 2021 at 5:40 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Parade of Lights Committee in Medina has announced the winners in the 13th annual Parade of Lights on Saturday, which included about 40 entries.
The Metz’s Family Christmas (shown above) was named the grand champion and won the $500 top prize. The Metz’s Family Christmas is a first-time winner. The Medina Railroad Museum was the grand champion the previous two years.
The float for the Metz’s Family Christmas is shown in the staging and setup area at the Olde Pickle Factory before the start of the parade.
The Parade of Lights Committee gives out about $4,000 in prizes. Other winners included:
Best in Class – The Medina Misfits
Fire Company – Shelby Fire Company
The Shelby Fire Company pulled a trailer with a Christmas tree and sent a message: “Reduce the risk of a fire, WATER YOUR TREE!”
Not-For-Profit- Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund
Business – Party Tents Plus
Religious – Community Fellowship Church
Service Clubs – Roy-Hart FFA with a Buffalo Bills themed float
Star Award (for creativity) – Boy Scout Troop 28 in Medina with an aqua theme to promote the group’s trip to Florida to earn badges
Santa’s Pick (award the committee felt Santa would like the best) – Orleans County 4-H Heelers Dog Club
Little Elf Award (entry that best utilized youth in their entry) – Cub Pack 18 in Gasport
Community Spirit (entry that best represented their community) – Case-Nic Cookies
“Congratulations to all of these winners and our most sincere thanks for all the hard work represented in every entry!!” the committee stated in announcing the top floats.
The Parade of Lights Committee for 2021 includes: Jim Hancock, Mark Irwin, David Miller, Gail Miller, Duane Payne, Pat Payne, Jeff Wagner, Betty Rogowski, Reinhard Rogowski, David Stacey, Kathie Valley and Jake Hebdon.
Photos by Tom Rivers: This house on Park Avenue is decorated for the holiday season.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 November 2021 at 9:32 am
MEDINA – Village residents are encouraged to keep Medina lighted up for the holidays.
Medina had another successful Parade of Lights on Saturday night. But the lighted displays don’t need to stop with the parade.
Residents are encouraged to enter a “Village of Lights” competition that includes prize money.
Entries must be received by Nov. 30, and decorations must up by Dec. 6. The competition is open to residents and properties within the village.
There is no cost to enter, and entry forms can be found at The English Rose Tea Shop and at www.christmasinmedina.com.
Completed entry forms must be returned by Nov. 30 to Pat Payne, 3952 Fruit Ave., Medina, NY 14103. When she receives an entry, she will mail an entry number card.
Only decorations on the front face and front lawn of a house will be judged. Judges will view and judge from the curb. No one will enter the property. Lights and animated displays must be turned on during the judging periods, and entry number cards must be prominently displayed and visible from the street. Participants agree to have a photo of their decorated homes posted on the Parade of Lights Face Book page and website (www.ChristmasInMedina.com). Businesses may decorate any and all parts of their facade.
Judging categories and prize amounts:
Christmas Spirit – Traditional ($50)
Christmas Spirit – Innovative ($50)
Most Whimsical ($50)
Best Use of Lights ($50)
Probably Visible from Space ($50)
Best Business – Christmas Spirit ($50)
Best Business – Community Spirit ($50)
Block Party – (4 or more adjacent and/or across-the-street entries entered as a group) ($50)
Grand Champion ($200).
Judging will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10, 11 and 12. Winners will be announced and notified on Dec. 14.
This house on Park Avenue in Medina features many decorations and lights.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2021 at 11:21 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Members of the Medina Marching Band as well as some alumni performers were lighted up for the Parade of Lights on Saturday night. This photo shows the band on Main Street, where thousands gathered for the parade’s return.
Last year there was a “reverse parade” with the floats all stationary at the Medina school campus, with vehicles driving by the floats. This year, the parade was back to normal a big crowd lined the route from Park Avenue to Main Street in the downtown.
Fireworks went off right before the start of the parade.
The Medina Fire Department was the second of 40 entries in the parade, following the Medina Police Department.
The Medina Railroad Museum, the grand champion from the 2019 and 2020 parades, gave another big effort for this year’s parade. This is the 13th annual Parade of Lights, and the event draws several thousand people to the downtown area. The crowd gave a loud cheer at the conclusion of the parade.
The Medina FFA created a float with the theme of “The Island of Misfit Toys.”
These inflatable snowmen were part of the floats by the Orleans County 4-H Heelers Dog Club, front, and for Bentley Brothers. They are in the staging area at the Olde Pickle Factory before the parade.
The Roy-Hart FFA gets their float ready which had a Buffalo Bills theme.
Santa Claus took the mic during a stop on a parade route and thanked the crowd for attending the event. Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, served as emcee of the parade.
East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was among nine fire departments that decorated a fire truck for the parade.
The Pembroke Marching Band performed in the parade. They were one of four marching bands with the Medina Marching Band, the Mark Time Marchers and Prime Time Brass the others.
The Parade of Lights banner is carried down the parade route near the beginning of the lineup of entries.
Stacey Knights Pellicano checks a display of names of people who were highlighted by friends and family as part of the Knights-Kaderli float. The Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund assists people who are battling cancer, helping them pay some of their bills.
Knights-Kaderli helps about 50 families a year pay for out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays, transportation and other bills. A recipient must be undergoing a cancer treatment and must be an Orleans County resident.
The “Medina Misfits” includes a group of friends from several local businesses who wanted to dress up Christmas characters and add some extra fun to the parade.
Click here to see a 42-minute video of the parade.
Click here to see a video of the festivities before the parade, including fireworks and a tree-lighting.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2021 at 3:51 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Maverick, a golden retriever owned by Kathy Napier of Albion, wears a holiday costume during a pet parade at noon that also featured the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. (Click here for a short video of the pets in costume.)
The parade is part of the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in Medina, which features many activities throughout the day, including fireworks at 5:45 p.m. and the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. with 38 entries.
The Medina band plays Christmas songs during the parade, including Feliz Navidad and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.
Gabby, a Boston Terrier owned by Sue Hagen of Gasport, wears a Mrs. Claus outfit as part of the pet costume competition. Prizes were awarded to smallest and largest participants, best costume and most Santa-like.
Jim Hancock, chairman of the Parade of Lights, poses with Olaf before the noon parade, which started at the Medina Historical Society on Park Avenue and went through Main Street. Sophia Goyette wore the Olaf costume. Her brother Chris was Olaf is prior noon parades.
Rayna Balaban of Medina took her grandparents’ dog, Sadie Stahl, for the pet costume contest.
Santa and Mrs. Claus greet people gathered on Main Street.
The Medina Railroad Museum decorated a mini-replica of a railroad station.
Medina Police Lt. Todd Draper directs traffic while in the holiday spirit.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2021 at 1:22 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Ryan Czaja of Middleport wears a Santa suit while running a 5K this morning in Medina. He was one of 75 participants in the 9th annual Home for the Holidays 5K. Czaja also is the Middleport fire chief. He has worn the Santa suit for the race at least three times.
“It makes the kids smile,” he said.
Debbie Tompkins, co-director of the race with Teresa Wilkins, welcomes the runners for the 5K race. Tompkins and Wilkins have organized the event the past four years. Last year’s was capped at 50 due to Covid restrictions. This year there wasn’t a cutoff.
The runners, including Santa, get lined up in the Canal Basin for the start of the race. The proceeds from the event, estimated at $1,000, will be given to the Hands for Hope ministry.
The runners take off at the Canal Basin this morning when temperatures were about 30 degrees.
Aurora Owczarczak has an elf costume on for the race. She is close to the finish on the Prospect Avenue lift bridge.
Alden Cayea of Medina won the race in a time of 18:33. Kimberly Mills of Oakfield was the first woman to cross the finish line in a time of 21:09.
Loren Jones and Katy Owczarczak head to the finish line amidst a brief blast of snow.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2021 at 11:21 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Takeform employees Dave Kozubal, Tosha Boyle and Shannon Dent are at a booth this morning that was created by the company as part of Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration.
Takeform will be on Main Street by the Presbyterian Church today until 10 p.m. to accept messages about gratitude.
The company will use those words and messages to create a display at Rotary Park from mid-December until mid-January.
Takeform has been a big part of Medina’s Parade of Lights and holiday celebration in recent years. It twice was the champion in the Parade of Lights, and donated typography decorations for Rotary Park to celebrate the Christmas season.
This year, Takeform decided it wanted to emphasize a feeling of gratitude, especially during a time of suffering and disruption from Covid-19.
Takeform employees want to hear from the community what they are thankful for. Takeform will also be giving away cutout ornaments in celebration of the 2021 Parade of Lights.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Lyndonville Fire Department won Best in Class in 2018. The department has been decorating fire trucks for the parade for several years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 November 2021 at 7:08 pm
MEDINA – Medina’s Parade of Lights on Saturday includes 38 entries, with four marching bands and nine first-time parade participants.
The parade typically has 35 to 40 parade entries. Last year, there were about 20 when Medina shifted to a “reverse parade” where the entries were stationary and people drove by from their vehicles.
Jim Hancock, the parade chairman, said organizers and participants are happy to be back for a “normal” parade with the procession starting at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and then working its way downtown on Main Street. This year’s parade marshal will be Steve Morse, who has portrayed Santa Claus for many years.
The four marching bands in the parade include Mark Time Marchers, Prime Time Brass, Pembroke High School Marching Band and the Medina Mustang Band, which is coming off its 15th state championship. The band will be joined by alumni from graduating years of 1975 to 2021.
Prime Time Brass will perform at the four corners of Main and Center streets beginning at 5 p.m. The community Christmas tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m. at Rotary Park. There will be a special performance by Stacey Steverson at 5:40. Fireworks will go off at 5:55 and the Parade will start promptly at 6 p.m., Hancock said.
There are activities throughout the day, including a noon parade down Main Street with Santa and Mrs. Claus coming to town. Click here for a full schedule of events.
Fireworks burst in the sky in downtown Medina just before the 11th annual Parade of Lights on Nov. 30, 2019. Fireworks are scheduled for 5:55 p.m. on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 November 2021 at 9:40 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Downtown Medina is decked out in decorations for the holiday season. This photo of Main Street was taken on Wednesday evening.
Medina will celebrate its annual Olde Tyme Christmas on Saturday with numerous events throughout the day, including the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Click here to see the full schedule.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church is in the background of this photo showing some of the decorations on Main Street.
Today on Thanksgiving the forecast calls for a high of 46 with showers expected after 11 a.m. Tonight, rain and snow showers are likely.
The highs the next few days include cloudy and high near 34 on Friday, partly sunny and 34 on Saturday and some snow likely on Sunday with a high near 36.
Medina also decorated East and West Center Street for the holidays. The First Baptist Church is in the background.
Press Release and photo courtesy of Medina Police Department
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department’s Police Benevolent Association has used donations collected from “No Shave November” to purchase Thanksgiving meals for some local families.
Pictured from left to right are K9 Handler Jacob Reeves, Pastor Rich Damey with his children and School Resource Officer Dustin Meredith.
Members of the Police Department were allowed to grow facial hair during “No Shave November” and collect donations to be given to a good cause.
For the second year in a row, the PBA chose to purchase Thanksgiving dinners for local families. Faith Bible Baptist Church helped to select recipients. The meals were purchased and delivered by MPD police officers to Pastor Damey to be distributed to the selected families for the upcoming holiday.
This Journal-Register photo shows the founding members of the Medina Historical Society. From left: Frank R. Berger, Treasurer; Miss Margaret Shannon, President-elect; Ciel White, President; and Miss Marian Perry, Secretary.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
Illuminating Orleans – Vol. 1, No. 30
MEDINA – On November 30, 1971, a group of twenty people attended a meeting at Oak Orchard School in Medina and officially organized the foundation of the Medina Historical Society.
Ciel White, Village of Medina Historian, was named President, with Miss Margaret Shannon as President-elect, Clifford Wise as Vice-President, Miss Marian Perry as Secretary and Frank Berger as Treasurer. A constitution was adopted.
The purpose of the newly formed society was to: “discover, procure and preserve whatever may relate to the history of Western New York and particularly the Village of Medina and Townships of Ridgeway and Shelby, to gather statistics of commerce, manufacture and business, publish reports, essays and other historical material, maintain lectures and studies, engage speakers, raise funds, buy or lease property or construct buildings for future historical society uses, and other related activities.”
The Society can justly be proud of its steady accomplishments over the past 50 years. Following several years of fundraising and searching for a suitable location, the Society achieved its long-term goal of securing a suitable location for a museum in 1979, when members reached an agreement with the Town of Ridgeway for the use of 406 West Ave., Medina. This sturdy red brick building built in 1841 by LeVan Merritt had been used as offices by the Town of Ridgeway since 1960.
Board members and volunteers worked to renovate the building. Members of the community generously donated cherished items. The Monitor Clock in the entryway belonged to Ciel White, as did two glass lamps. The Victorian furniture in the parlor was given by Louise Brownell. The Estey parlor organ has Shelby connections. The G.E. refrigerator and early stove were donated by Ward Bramer. Agricultural tools, a wooden sewer pipe, a WWII POW bed, military uniforms, the list goes on. The most recent donation is a voting booth from the Medina Central School District. Indeed, each item in the collection has a local connection and resonance.
In addition to establishing a fine museum and hosting visits and group tours, the Society also began a quarterly publication, The Bugle, which features articles on topics of local interest. Annual calendars showcasing some of the collection’s unique photographs have helped raise funds.
The Society has presented a varied slate of programs each spring and fall. Recent offerings include the Orphan Trains and the History of Polio. Character reenactors have brought Mary Jemison, Surly Sal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to life. The January “Show and Tell” is an annual favorite.
Members have organized elaborate Old Home Days with artisans demonstrating traditional skills such as weaving and chair caning. The “stone soup” cooked over an open fire on that day was always popular. Fashion shows, wedding dress galas, parades, floats, afternoon teas, Victorian mourning customs, Santa Claus – are some of the imaginative events presented.
This wealth of activity was all organized, promoted and provided by volunteers. The yearly membership in 1971 was $2. Fifty years later, it is a modest $15. Residents of the Village of Medina, the Townships of Ridgeway and Shelby have been well served for 50 years by the dedication of the Medina Historical Society and its stewardship of their memories.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2021 at 6:03 pm
Takeform creating display at Rotary Park and accepting messages on Saturday during Olde Tyme Christmas celebration
Photos by Tom Rivers: Takeform in Medina will be giving out thousands of cutout ornaments on Saturday during the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in Medina. Takeform will have a booth outside the Presbyterian Church, where it will give out ornaments and accept messages about gratitude as part of a display that will be up from mid-December through mid-January.
MEDINA – A Medina company will be creating a display of gratitude to be displayed at Rotary Park from mid-December through mid-January.
Takeform has been a big part of Medina’s Parade of Lights and holiday celebration in recent years. It twice was the champion in the Parade of Lights, and donated typography decorations for Rotary Park to celebrate the Christmas season.
This year, Takeform decided it wanted to emphasize a feeling of gratitude, especially during a time of suffering and disruption from Covid-19.
Andrew Szatkowski, director of operations; Shannon Dent, production graphics coordinator
Takeform employees have volunteered to be at a booth on Saturday during the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration. They will be outside the Presbyterian Church on Main Street, and want to hear from the community what they are thankful for. It could be said in a word or phrase. The company will create a display that shares those messages and words of what people are thankful for.
“We want to fill it with beautiful messages,” said Andrew Szatkowski, Takeform’s director of operations. “It will be different fonts, sizes and colors. It will be a display of our entire town’s gratitude.”
Takeform has already received some submissions from employees. One person is grateful for hunting season. Another said he loves his dog.
Those who submit a message or word of gratitude on Saturday will be entered in a drawing for a dinner in one of the igloos at the Zambistro restaurant.
Takeform will also be giving away cutout ornaments in celebration of the 2021 Parade of Lights.
Once the company receives the gratitude messages, it will create a display that will be about 12 feet by 24 feet.
Takeform employees wanted to do something to be part of Medina’s holiday celebration, but wanted to do more than a one-day display.
“During a time when everyone is distanced and separated, we wanted to bring people together,” said Phil Duggar, director of corporate branding.
Szatkowski and Shannon Dent, Takeform’s production graphics coordinator, said employees pushed for the gratitude display to show their appreciation for the community in supporting Takeform. The company has 200 employees and is hiring.
Szatkowski said he is grateful to work for a company that gives back to the community, and wants to be a part of medina’s Christmas celebration.
Dent said she looks forward to seeing the messages of gratitude.
“Everybody will have something they connect with,” she said about the upcoming display.
Szatkowski said the display should remind people there are still many good things in their lives, even during challenging times.
“There are blessings everywhere,” Szatkowski said. “Just look around.”
Takeform created the typography decorations that emphasize the holiday season at Rotary Park. This photo is from December 2020.
MEDINA – On November 30, 1971, a group of twenty people attended a meeting at Oak Orchard School in Medina and officially organized the foundation of the Medina Historical Society.
