By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2023 at 2:11 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman
MEDINA – The Class of 2023 celebrated their commencement on Friday evening at Vets Park. The ceremony was held outside with a sprinkle of rain.
There are 98 members of the Class of 2023. They are shown on the field at the start of the ceremony.
A large American flag in held high by the ladder trucks from the Medina and Shelby Fire Departments. It was at the entrance of Vets Park and provided a striking backdrop for the ceremony.
Senior Class President Tatyana Baity and Gabriel Mark receive their diplomas from Principal Michael Cavanagh, School Board President LuAnn Tierney and school board member Jennifer Buondonno.
Valedictorian Dana Faith De Vera (left) and Salutatorian Lillian Wilson (right) gave speeches to their classmates.
De Vera’s entitled her message, “All of Our Yesterdays.” She thanked the family, teachers and friends for all of their help to the students during their educational journeys.
De Vera said her family moved across the world in 2008, leaving the Philippines. She acknowledged the sacrifice of her parents in seeking a better life for her and her brother, Owen. She is grateful the family moved to Medina.
She said the Covid pandemic posed challenges to students and the school district.
“We never really got to experience high school to the fullest,” De Vera told her classmates. Their ninth grade year was abruptly halted in mid-March and they didn’t return to school in-person until the following September.
In 10th grade, the students were on a hybrid schedule, with some days in school and some out of school with students doing schoolwork remotely on “off” days.
“Then there was eleventh grade, everyone was back in school, but there was still social distancing and masks until the middle of the year,” she said. “After masks were no longer enforced, just imagine the shock of seeing your hallway crush without a mask for the first time. Lastly, senior year, our first and last ‘normal’ year. Can you believe that? Some of our firsts in high school were also going to be our lasts.”
De Vera offered this advice to her classmates: “Don’t spend your life waiting. Be present in every moment of your life, and may you stay forever young.”
Salutatorian Lillian Wilson entitled her message, “Life Is Like A Movie.” She praised her classmates for completing high school.
“I’ve always been a big movie watcher, and the more I think about it, the more I realize that life is like one long movie,” Wilson said. “You’re the protagonist of your own story, but there will always be antagonists, and struggles you will have to overcome. We’ve all had so many different high school experiences, and along the way, we’ve all had our own successes and failures, with some regrets sprinkled in there, too.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2023 at 11:03 pm
New alumni urged to give back to their community, wherever they go in life
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Class of 2023 tosses their caps near the end of commencement this evening in the Albion High School gym. About 2,000 people celebrated with the class.
The graduates tossed their caps after moving their tassels from the right side to the left. In this photo Aquil Gaffney and Miranda Gebo are in front among the graduates who flung their caps high in the gym. There are 110 members in the graduating class, the most among the five school districts in Orleans County.
(Left) Chaynia Powell beams walking from the stage with her diploma. (Right) Makiya Jones, who graduated last year with the Class of 2022, lets out a yell for Chaynia Powell when her name was announced.
The soon-to-graduate seniors enter the gym for the start of commencement.
The ceremony was planned to be outdoors on the lawn between the high and middle schools but was moved inside due to the possibility of rain and the dark skies.
Graduation was traditionally in the gym but this was the first time it was there since 2019. In 2020, when schools closed to in-person learning in mid-March due to the Covid pandemic, there wasn’t graduation ceremony as a group. Instead individual graduates were recorded receiving their diplomas.
In 2021 and 2022, the ceremony was moved outside to the high school football field but that field is currently under construction and will have new turf this fall.
Natalie Bertsch walks up to the stage to accept her diploma.
(Left) Michael White gives the photographers a big smile after getting his diploma. (Right) LaShy Wills gets a hug after graduating and walking across the stage.
Some of the graduates include, from left: Pom Seibert, Logan Graham and S’koi Sanders-Smith.
The Caledonia Pipe Band, a mainstay at the Albion commencement, led the graduates in the processional into the gym.
Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, urged the grads to be people of “unwavering integrity.” He asked them to seek justice over injustice, and compassion over apathy.
“Doing right is not always popular,” Edwards told the group.
He urged them to show kindness to other and to “walk humbly.”
“We are part of something greater than ourselves,” he said. “Threat others with respect and humility.”
Edwards also offered this advice: “May you leave an indelible mark on the world not only through your achievements but how you treat others.”
Wayne Wadhams, president of the Albion Board of Education, told the students he walked across the same stage in the gym 43 years ago. He wasn’t sure what he would do in the future. He wouldn’t have predicted he would become a technology teacher and coach. Wadhams retired in 2017.
“Never sell yourself short and be open to opportunities,” Wadhams told the group. “Make good decisions and the outcome will take care of itself.”
Nick Andrews, the class president, is all smiles after giving his speech. Andrews is headed to Geneseo State College to major in childhood and special education. He told the group “it’s time to go out and spread our eagle wings.”
Andrews said the group shown perseverance, especially after the last three months-plus of their freshman year was spent doing remote learning. They returned to school on a hybrid schedule for their sophomore year with other Covid restrictions, including playing sports with masks on.
“I’m not going to let Covid define who we are,” Andrews said. “I believe we are stronger, more resilient individuals by overcoming these challenges.”
Andrews said the class will always remain connected, and the grads will always be loved no matter where they go or what they do.
(Left) Audrey Pask delivers the valedictory address and (Right) Natalie Baron gives the salutatory speech.
Pask will major in ceramic engineering at Alfred University. She said the educational process isn’t just about gaining knowledge and learning facts. It’s a journey to develop character. She said she is especially for her involvement in the music program, where students can express emotion through music and see their hard work and dedication pay off.
“What I learned in the band room is find your purpose,” she said.
Baron will major in communications at Geneseo State College. She emphasized her message several times: “We rise by lifting others.”
Baron was involved in the school musicals, often playing comic roles, including Pinocchio in Shrek and Grandma in The Addams Family.
Baron admitted she felt nervous sometimes in the shows, but the other cast members were always supportive and cheered each other on.
She said the class has benefitted from a nurturing Albion school family with teachers, coaches and friends showing lots of encouragement. She urged them to take that example into the rest of their lives.
“You should always be rooting for one another’s successes,” Baron said.
Hailey Crawford laughs while standing next to high school band teacher Mike Thaine before she was introduced to walk up and get her diploma.
“Impossible is Un-American” was the class motto of the 1923 Lyndonville High School Class.
Commencement exercises for this class were held on Tuesday, June 26, 1923, at Lyndonville’s Lyndon Theater.
Attendance at the Class Day Exercise held on the previous evening was greatly reduced because of a power outage caused by severe electric and windstorms.
Mr. Richard F. Morgan of the University of Buffalo delivered the commencement speech. Donald F. Fraser, President of the Board of Education, presented diplomas to: Mable Marie Devonshire, Muriel Alene Fraser, Thelma Lillian Langdon, Kathryn Belle Peters, Donald G. Stroyan (Valedictorian), Claude F. Ticknor and Florence Emily Wheeler.
The Class of 1923 entered Albion High School in 1918. While Sophomores, they held a weiner roast at Rock Springs and a picnic at Point Breeze. In their Junior year, they hosted the Junior Prom which was “a howling success.” As Seniors, they sold candy and held dances in the halls, were involved in athletic activities and school plays, and hosted a party for the teachers at the Country Club. Several of the students joined the trip to Washington D.C. organized by the Medina Senior Class.
The June 1923 issue of the Chevron lists the following forty-five Senior students:
Alice Anderson, Iona Axtell, Edith Brignall, Alethe Clapp, Lewellyn Clark, John Cleary, William Curtis, Carolyn Cole, Geraldine Collins, Rosabel Colony, Alice Dingle, Archibald Dorrance, Henry Daum, Howard Dunham, Geraldine Ferris, Maybelle Ferris, Neva Joslyn, Thelma Keitel, Julius Kuck, Eldredge Lamont, Stanley Landauer, Virginia Lattin, Marion Finn, Ellen Forder, Theresa Forbes, Verna Gage, Kenneth Howlett, Patricia Hunt, John Larwood, Edmund Lasher, Lemuel Levinson, Belle Levinson, Daniel McGuire, Lucy McNall, Teresa Pasturkowski, Arda Persing, Mildred Sayers, Marion Sheret, Donald Smith, Madalyn Smith, Gladys Thompson, Winifred Tripp, Clayton Walters, Ethelyn Williams, Morris Wright.
Holley High School graduated the following sixteen students:
Ruth Bartlett, Mabel Brockway, Maurice Chadwick, Lucille Cole, Helen Hincher, John Moore, Catherine Murphy, Frederick Palmer, Antoinette Rago, Stanley Reid, Dorothy Seybold, Gertrude Tillman, Gladson Trimble, Lilah Turner, Lillian Vincella, John Young.
Medina’s Class of 1923
In their Senior Year, the Medina Class of 1923 organized a trip to Washington D.C. which necessitated some ambitious fundraising. They sold holly wreaths, candy, subscriptions to Ladies’ Home Journal and McCall’s Magazine, held bake sales and hosted a Senior Dance. This Class had the distinction of being the last to graduate from the old High School building.
Graduation Exercises were held at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 1923, at the Baptist Church in Medina. The commencement address was given by W. Howard Pillsbury, Deputy Supt. of Schools, Buffalo, NY. Diplomas were presented to the following thirty-four students by Dr. Howard A. Maynard, Pres. of the Board of Education:
Glenn A. Armiger, Lavern E. Beeton, Marion L. Boyle, Lester F. Brewer (Salutatorian), Helen L. Brown, Vincent Campana, Arthur Eugene Carrel, Daniel J. Cleary, Jr., Francis E. Conley, Loraine I. Croach, Harold C. Daniels, Kathryn E. Dockery, Julia A. Fay (Valedictorian), Earl B. Goldman, Stanley M. Hill, John D. Horan, J. Lucille Howe, Dorothy Barry Hunt, Clayton J. Ives, Francis J. LeBar, Florence M. McElwee, Cleona L. Oderkirk, Mildred Esther Pettit, Elroy W. Powley, Margaret C. Pringle, Mark A. Pringle, Maude A. Rands, Elsie M. Rook, Raymond F. Rowe, M. Geraldine Ryan, Edward Soucie, Wellington Stork, Eva L. Taylor, Margaret E. Willett.
The good wishes expressed in “Toast to the Seniors” by Eleanor Hill, published in the 1923 Medina High School yearbook, The Mirror, are still relevant for our 2023 graduates:
“O Seniors, happy Seniors, as you leave the High School shore,
Starting out upon life’s voyage, you will treasure more and more
Memories of your happy school days, of your teachers’ love and care,
May their teachings give you courage, so that you may do and dare.
“May your lives be great and useful, may you reach the heights of fame,
On Life’s honor roll at Sunset, we must find each Senior name.
We wish you health and happiness, true strength for every need,
And from our hearts, dear loyal friends, we wish to you, God-Speed.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2023 at 2:18 pm
Provided photos
MEDINA – Pauline Martin Firestone, age 103, was a member of the Daisy Chain about 85 years ago in Medina. Today she stopped by the high school to check today’s Daisy Chain that will be part of the graduation ceremony this evening.
The top 16 girls ranked academically and the top two boys create the 56-foot-long Daisy Chain ina tradition going back more than a century in Medina.
Pictured, from left, in front row include: Madelynn Rutledge, Kelsey Lemoi, Isabella Gray, Camryn Eick, Adeline Castricone, Iyla Lilleby, Taylor Frentz and Addison Taylor.
Second row: Madisynn Stanton, Caiden Class, Lexoni Russo, Baileigh McAdoo, Pauline Martin Firestone, Miriam Fike, Lorelei Sanders, Savannah Watts, Emma Jacobs, Brookelyn Nawotka, Angel Mulcahy and Alexander Balaban.
Pauline Martin Firestone is shown with family members with the Daisy Chain. From left include Alissa Dunham, Pauline Martin Firestone, Paula Firestone and Margaret Martin.
Margaret Martin and Alisa (Martin) Dunham are both teachers at Medina Jr/Sr High School.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2023 at 1:59 pm
ALBION – Turnout has been low in the first six days of early voting for the Republican primary in four towns – Barre, Kendall, Murray and Shelby.
So far, only 90 people voted in the first six days of early voting. There are three more days of early voting including today, Saturday and Sunday.
The polling location is at the Board of Elections office at the County Office Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Suite 140.
The 90 voters represents 2.0 percent of the 4,446 registered Republicans in the four towns. Barre has 711, Kendall 902, Murray 1,464 and Shelby has 1,369 registered Republicans, according to the Board of Elections in Orleans County.
The polls will be open at the four towns on Tuesday, June 27.
In Barre, there are two candidates for town supervisor: incumbent Sean Pogue and Scott Burnside, and two candidates for highway superintendent, incumbent Dale Brooks and Bert Mathes.
In Kendall, Warren Kruger, the incumbent highway superintendent, is challenged by Eric Maxon.
In Murray, there are two candidates for town supervisor: incumbent Joe Sidonio and Town Board member Gerald Rightmyer. There are three candidates for two positions as town councilmen, with Eric Collyer on the ballot with incumbents Lloyd Christ Jr. and Randall Bower.
In Shelby, three candidates are running for the Town Board, including Justin Gray, Linda Limina and incumbent Jeff Schiffer. Two candidates are running for highway superintendent, William Wolter and incumbent Dale Root.
ALBION – Heritage Wind has announced three local organizations as awardees from the project’s community grant program.
Launched in 2020, this program supports community organizations throughout Orleans County working to build healthy communities, support economic development, foster environmental sustainability, and promote education.
“We are proud to once again support the good work of the Orleans County community,” said Carmen O’Keefe, Senior Development Manager with Apex Clean Energy. “We are proud to join with so many dedicated local organizations to support this area.”
The latest grant recipients are: United Way of Orleans County, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, and Hospice of Orleans County.
The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern has been awarded $3,000 for their Just Friends program. “We at the Ministry of Concern so appreciate Heritage Wind’s continued support! We are completely donor and grant supported – we do not accept tax dollars (other than a FEMA grant) which allows us to make common sense decisions as to how to best offer a hand UP to families and individuals in our communities. This grant will help support our Youth Program’s outreach and activities,” said Bob Harker, Executive Director of the Ministry of Concern.
The United Way of Orleans County has received $3,500 to support their community conversations on housing “The United Way is grateful to Heritage Wind for their financial support of our grassroots efforts to engage the community in working together to address one of our most pressing issues, lack of housing,” said Matthew Holland, Executive Director, United Way Orleans County.
Hospice of Orleans County (formerly Supportive Care of Orleans) has been awarded $3,500 to expand their memorial garden.
Counting this year’s recipients, Heritage Wind has awarded nearly $75,000 to community causes and non-profit organizations since the start of development. These grants are part of a larger community grant program by Apex Clean Energy. Since 2017, over $3 million in funds have been awarded to local communities nationwide.
Heritage Wind is committed to being a strong community partner to local governments, area businesses, and non-profits working to improve people’s lives across the region. The community grant program will open an additional round of grant funding this Fall to be awarded before the end of the year.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 June 2023 at 12:44 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jeanne Crane, president of the Medina Memorial Hospital’s Association of Twigs, talks to members at their annual luncheon in May at Zambistro’s Restaurant. After a discussion, the membership voted to dissolve the organization, which has been in existence for more than 70 years.
MEDINA – The decision to dissolve the Association of Twigs brings to an end the organization with a 70-year history of supporting Medina Memorial Hospital.
At their annual luncheon in May at Zambistro’s Restaurant, the barely two dozen members in attendance began to discuss what to do with the money remaining in their treasury.
It became evident that with no major way to raise money, it made sense to give the hospital their remaining balance to use as they needed it and dissolve the organization. The decision was unanimous.
The Twigs, whose membership once numbered more than 400, had dwindled to 70 at its last banquet in 2019 and 40 at its May luncheon.
Twig, which stands for Together With Individual Goals, was founded in 1953 as a vision of Mrs. Donald Acer of Medina, who felt there should be a women’s organization at Medina Memorial Hospital. She sought advice from women who were members of existing Twig Associations in Rochester and at Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital in Albion.
In those days, women were often referred to by their husband’s name, not their own first name.
On March 16, 1953, Mrs. Acer and Mrs. John Wilkins, with the approval of Medina Memorial Hospital directors, called a meeting at the Elks Club for the purpose of establishing a Twig Association. Fifty women responded. By April, the Medina Association of Twigs had been established with Mrs. John E. Wilkinson as its first president.
Eight original Twig branches were formed, Apple Blossom, Bittersweet, Cherry, Evergreen, Juniper, Linden, Oak Leaf and Silver Birch.
Early projects were securing bedpans and sewing surgical stockings, bandages, glove covers, surgical sheets, curtains and pillows. The first major event was a Christmas party that year in the hospital dining room for personnel. Twigs supplied all the food and decorations and served the meal.
More groups continued to form during the following years, and by 1958-59, there were 27 branches and a total membership of 337.
In 1956 the Twig Association’s treasury had a balance of $350, which they donated to the hospital, starting what was to become an annual tradition of donating profits from fundraisers to the hospital. Through the years, Twig donations numbered into the hundreds of thousands.
In the early years, it was customary for each Twig branch to donate small items individually, such as ice pitchers, glasses, trays, stainless steel medicine trays, pictures, packages of patient tissues, ash trays, books for the library, baby foot printer, ice crushers, etc.
It is not known when Twigs took over the Gift Shop, but it became a major source of revenue, resulting in annual donations of $20,000 to the hospital.
By 1960, two new branches had formed, one, Cinnamon, was started for women from Lyndonville with Ellie Whipple as chair. Total branches were now 29.
Through the years, Twig branches continued to raise money through their individual projects, sponsor the hospital Christmas party, provide tray favors and puppets for patients, volunteer their services at the Greeter Desk and Reception Desk (saving the hospital thousands of dollars annually), provide a hospitality room and attend to tons of mending and sewing of hospital linens.
When a new birthing wing was established, Twig donated $100,000, resulting in it being named the Twig Birthing Wing.
In 1968, one new branch, Wildwood, was formed strictly for members who were only interested in the volunteer aspect and required no monthly meetings.
At its 25th anniversary celebration, it was reported Twig volunteers had given an estimated 63,500 hours to the hospital.
The Gift Shop flourished and was expanded in 1974. It closed in 2018 due to lack of volunteers.
By 1979, the Twigs were responsible for the Reception Desk, Greeter Desk, Gift Shop, Snack Shop, Gift Cart, Central Supply and sewing.
Twig branches began to disband in the late 1960s, due to the health and aging of their members.
In the 1970s, Twig began purchasing larger pieces of equipment for the hospital and undertaking projects such as the lobby renovation. A surgical lift, operating table, proctoscopic table, obstetrical table and mammography X-ray equipment (valued at $25,000) were some of the donations.
As of the last banquet in 2019, only 11 Twig branches remained, with a total membership of 66. Only Laurel Twig continued to have regular meetings, although only eight or nine attended of the original 25 members.
Nelda Toussaint of Medina was one of Twig’s longest standing members. She joined when her son Jeff was a year old and she was looking for something to do to get out of the house at night.
When the Gift Shop closed, Twigs lost their major source of revenue. They have continued their gifts to the hospital from the balance left in their account.
Jeanne Crane wiped away tears when she announced the vote to disband. She first became president in 1986. She has served in the position until now.
“I’ve struggled thinking about this for three years,” she said at the May luncheon. “We have no way to make money and haven’t run the Greeter Desk or Reception Desk since Covid.”
She recalled other projects and donations the Twigs were responsible for during the years, such as pledging $45,000 in 1983 for ICU; extensive lobby renovations; managing TVs for patients; and making puppets for kids in the ER.
Crane, a registered nurse, taught expectant parent classes at the hospital, worked as a registered nurse beginning in 1967, worked as nurse manager in the North Wing in 1970 and retired from Medina Memorial Hospital in 2003 as Risk Management and Infection Control Nurse.
Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health, praised the Twig Association and said their involvement will be missed.
“The Twigs have stood hand in hand with Medina Memorial Hospital and Orleans Community Health since the 1950s,” he said. “The impact they’ve had on the health and wellness of the community goes far beyond what many realize. They were behind the purchases of items for surgeries and mammograms, while their name is also on the sign in front of Medina Memorial Hospital. You can’t walk through Medina Memorial Hospital without seeing something the Twigs had a hand in making a reality.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2023 at 10:56 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt Holland starts on Monday as manager of small business development of the Orleans Economic Development Agency. He is shown is downtown Albion on Thursday evening.
ALBION – The director of the United Way is leaving the organization to manage small business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
Matt Holland starts the new job on Monday. He will be succeeding Diane Blanchard, who is retiring but not until September. Holland will do some of the administrative tasks for the EDA and will eventually head up the Microenterprise Assistance Program which has been managed by Blanchard. She will help train Holland to take over the program.
“I see the opportunity that the position presents to work with many of the businesses and organizations,” Holland said.
He has been director of the United Way the past five months, and previously was the grantwriter for the United Way.
In that role, he worked with many local organizations in applying for grants, and offered guidance on pursuing funding through the state and federal governments, as well as foundations.
Holland worked as the grant writer for about two years, and teamed with United Way co-worker Nyla Gaylord to help local organizations secure about $1 million in funding for initiatives with healthcare, nutrition, respite care for caregivers of senior citizens, and recreation.
The grantwriting position was a chance to meet with local officials “and get to the heart of issues,” Holland said.
He is pleased the United Way was able to help agencies secure funding. He said a key to those efforts was the collaborations among the agencies, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and the Orleans County YMCA.
“With the addition of Matt Holland, as manager of small business development, the Orleans EDA is looking forward to introducing more programs and services to help local entrepreneurs achieve their business goals,” said Michael Dobell, CEO of the EDA. “I’m confident that Matt’s programming and development expertise will be a valuable resource to business owners across Orleans County.”
Holland, 41, is a native of Oregon. He was a graduate student at the University of Buffalo when he met with wife, Catherine, who was also an anthropology student. “Cat” Holland got a job with Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Buffalo, selling Steampunk Cider at the Barrel Factory. Matt Holland worked as the program and volunteer coordinator at the Buffalo History Museum for two years.
When Leonard Oakes closed its Buffalo operation due to the Covid pandemic, they offered Cat a job at the winery in Medina as the wine-tasting and retail manager.
The Hollands bought a house in Medina, and Matt took the grant writing job with the United Way.
The couple is happy in Orleans County. Matt is a member of the board of directors with the Cobblestone Museum and Medina Sandstone Society. He also is a member of the Albion Rotary Club and Medina Lions Club.
Cat has recently taken a new job with Orleans County in the Personnel Department.
Matt said he is looking forward to meeting local entrepreneurs and being a resource for them.
“I believe a lot of my success comes from the fact that I listen,” Holland.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is holding his annual Summer Reading Challenge to help encourage good reading habits and continued learning this summer.
This year’s theme is “All Together Now,” in cooperation with summer reading programs at New York libraries. All students in grades K through 5 living in the 139th Assembly District during the 2022-2023 school year are eligible.
Students who pledge and complete reading for at least 15 minutes each day for at least 40 days during the months of July and August will be presented a New York State Excellence in Reading Certificate from Hawley.
“I’m excited to announce this challenge for the kids in our communities,” Hawley said. “Reading is an incredibly important part of any child’s education and I hope this challenge will instill the value of learning in them. I know this is a great opportunity for our kids, and it will be a great way to kick off the summer.”
This year, Summer Reading Calendars were sent to students at all schools and libraries throughout the 139th Assembly District. Track your child’s progress on the Summer Reading Challenge with the calendar. Once your child has completed the challenge you can mail your summer reading calendar to my District Office and receive a certificate for your child’s achievement.
Mail to:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley
121 N. Main Street
Suite 100
Albion, NY 14411
For any parents and guardians who would like a copy of the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge Calendar, please scan the QR Code in the image to download a copy and print one out or click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2023 at 10:31 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Dave Viterna Group performed this evening at State Street Park in front of 1,000 people to kick off the second annual Blue Thursdays concert series.
The band includes Dave Viterna, “Scooter” Scott Felice on drums and Marty Hobbs.
Dave Viterna played to a big crowd in his hometown this evening at State Street Park.
The concert series has expanded from six to eight events this year. The Orleans Renaissance Group has partnered with The Print Shop in organizing the concerts. Modern Mercantile and Main Liquor in Medina are sponsors for the different musical performers.
The 1,000 people passed last year’s crowd size, which were typically about 800. There is no admission charge.
People come to the concerts from Orleans County, and the surrounding counties of Monroe, Genesee, Niagara and Erie, said Chris Busch, president of the Orleans Renaissance Group.
“It’s good music in an idyllic setting with great food,” Busch said. “People love this kind of opportunity to enjoy good music and food with the company of their friends.”
David Brown, front, and Otoniel Garcia of Middleport run Empanada, which serves Mexican pastries and other handheld pies in a buttery crusts with fillings. Brown and Garcia are among several food vendors for the concert series. They started their food business last year and are a new vendor for Blue Thursdays.
People of all ages enjoyed the concert, including this girl while she was on the teeter-totter.
These kids head down the slide at the park. Other kids and adults played corn hole, but most people were happy to enjoy the music while sitting in lawn chairs.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 June 2023 at 6:15 pm
MEDINA – Plans to build two new basketball courts in Butts Park got a big boost with the recent announcement that Shelby Stone would donate 518 tons of crusher-run stone toward the project.
Medina has long been overdue for basketball courts, said Medina Sports Boosters’ president Melissa Valley. After a couple of years of working on it, the basketball courts are now a “go.”
“Every town should have them,” Valley said. “Although basketball wasn’t something the village committee had put much thought into, they agreed having courts would be a positive addition to Medina. With the recent help of Shelby Stone’s great donation, we have been able to move forward with the project. Tom Biamonte and Paul Pass, owners of Shelby Stone, are making this wonderful contribution, which has been a major part in finalizing this project.”
Valley initially contacted Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, who was receptive to the idea.
“They will be well used by kids,” Sidari said. “Now they are out in the streets and playing all over the place.”
Shelby Stone’s donation equates to a savings of $9,000, Sidari said.
“We are happy to support our community,” Biamonte said. “Our quarry has been a part of the Western Orleans County area since 1980.”
“We strive to do our best for the community and make Medina a great place to live,” Valley said. “We are never disappointed, as time and time again we see businesses and the community members step up and show they also want the community to thrive. The donation from Shelby Stone is tremendous. Tom has been great to work with. His generosity and eagerness to make this huge contribution was overwhelming and we are incredibly grateful.”
Total cost of the project will be $133,000, of which the village will use $110,000 out of the American Rescue Plan Fund. The town of Shelby recently committed to $10,000 to covering the cost of the basketball hoops and Medina Sports Boosters will also make a financial contribution.
“We are also appreciative of the relentless support the village is providing in seeing this project will come to fruition,” Valley said. “Their dedication to improving Medina is evident, and with these contributions, it shows when we all work together, good things happen.”
Construction is scheduled to get underway in July. American Paving of Clarence will do the site work, with final work completed by Super Seal of Rochester.
“The kids in the community are excited for the courts to come to the village,” Valley said. “I’m so glad we can give them something to look forward to and a place where they are eager to go outside and play. So many life lessons are learned on an athletic field or court, so the community getting behind this is really a great thing.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is holding his annual Summer Reading Challenge to help encourage good reading habits and continued learning this summer.
