Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – East Bank Street reopened to traffic today around noon after the fencing was removed that was put up 15 days ago on Feb. 17.

The fencing was added after a roof collapsed at 20 East Bank Street. Those debris have been removed from the third floor of that building, and the building has been deemed structurally sound, said Chris Kinter, the Village of Albion code enforcement officer.

The owner of the building, Frank Corso, is determining whether to put a temporary roof on the building or a permanent one. Once a roof is back on that will stop water from coming into the building and the second-floor apartments should soon after be available agin to tenants, Kinter said.

The building at the end of street at 28 East Bank has reopened its apartments and the first floor storefront also can be used again, Kinter said.

The sidewalk in front of 20 East Bank St. remains off limits to pedestrians.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A pedestrian bridge is planned to be built across the Oak Orchard Creek along Maple Ridge Road (Route 31A) in Medina. This area also will get about 2,000 feet of new sidewalks.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board hasn’t approved the bid for a pedestrian bridge and sidewalks along Maple Ridge Road because it is awaiting a recommendation from the engineer on the project.

Four construction companies submitted bids for the project. The apparent low bidder, however, isn’t on the state registry for contractors. That is requiring more background work and research from the engineering firm, Barton & Loguidice. The registry verifies that contractors and subcontractors are in compliance with labor laws, including prevailing wage requirements.

Four bids for the project were opened on Feb. 18 and include: $837,448 by RJT Construction Services in Rochester, $943,088 by Keeler Construction in Barre, $977,000 by Rochester Earth Inc. in Churchville, and $1,058,485 by C.P. Ward in Scottsville.

The new bridge and sidewalks have been several years in the waiting. The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent will be paid locally from the village ($55,000), Town of Shelby ($130,000) and Orleans County ($97,500). The money comes from a revolving loan fund that was administered by the Orleans Economic Development Agency. The state in 2019 required funds be ended with the money staying in the community for projects if they are for handicapped accessible initiatives or if they assist a neighborhood that is predominantly low-income.

The section of Maple Ridge Road by the creek has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA.

Photo courtesy of Erin Townsend Photography: Some of the Roy-Hart cast members in the upcoming production of The Addams Family include back row: Jaycie Heck as Grandma, Willow Clarke as Lurch, Collin Nicosia as Uncle Fester, and Fawn Elko as Wednesday Addams. Front row: Mailynn Dick as Morticia Addams, John Brigham as Gomez Addams and Isaac Schultz as Pugsley Addams.

It’s almost showtime for the local school districts with their annual musical productions.

Here are the upcoming shows:

Kendall Junior-Senior High School – Mary Poppins. The shows are at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 13; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, in the JSHS Auditorium. Tickets are $7, and can be purchased at the main office. “We can’t wait for you to see this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production!” the school district stated.

Albion Middle School Theater Department – School House Rock, Live. The shows are Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 14 at 12 and 7 p.m. in the MS Auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the door. “Thanks in advance for your support! Students cannot wait to see you in the audience,” the district stated.

Holley Middle/High School – Shrek the Musical. Shows will be at Holley Junior Senior High School Auditorium on March 13 at 7 p.m., and March 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online (click here) or at the Guidance Office. “Come see Holley High School’s talented student performers bring this magical show to life,” the district stated.

Roy-Hart Central School – The Addams Family. Shows are at the Roy-Hart HS Auditorium on Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Click here to purchase tickets online.

Barker Jr.-Sr. High School – The Wizard of Oz. Shows will be at the Herbert F. Ludwig Fine Arts Hall on Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15  at 3 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. To order tickets online, click here.

Lyndonville High School – Peter Pan. Shows are Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. Tickets will be $5. They can be purchased online (click here). “The production features students in grades 7-12. Join us at Lyndonville’s Stroyan Auditorium in March for this fantastic production!” the district stated.

Medina Junior-Senior High School – High School Musical. Shows are in the school auditorium on Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.

Albion High School Drama Department – Annie. Shows will be in the MS Auditorium on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, March 28 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 presale or at the door.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Angelina DiMascio, left, librarian at the Royalton-Hartland Community Library in Middleport, and Georgia Thomas of Medina discuss plans for an upcoming tea March 12 at the library, presented by English Rose Tea Shoppe, where Thomas volunteers. Here Thomas shows two types of tea cups used centuries ago. The cup on the left has a ledge with an opening in it for men with a mustache. At right is a Nippon porcelain tea cup made in Japan in the 1800s.

MIDDLEPORT – When the Royalton-Hartland Community Library had a request from a Friend of the Library to do a tea, the English Rose Tea Shoppe immediately came to mind.

Library director Angelina DiMascio contacted the tea shop’s owner Cindy Robinson, who turned the request over to tea connoisseur Georgia Thomas.

Georgia Thomas will demonstrate how to make tea at a program March 12 at Royalton-Hartland Community Library in Middleport. After polishing it, she will serve from this tea service which was once a gift to the late Robert H. Newell and is on display at the Medina Historical Society. Newell was founder of the Newell Shirt Factory in Medina.

Thomas not only volunteers to work at the tea shop, but has been drinking tea since she was a child.

Thomas will preside at a program about tea at 6 p.m. March 12 at the library, located at 9 Vernon St. Attendees are invited to dress in their fanciest tea party apparel.

“To me, tea is a family thing,” Thomas said. “My grandmother was Canadian, so she was very British and drank a lot of tea. Mom always made tea and she made tea sandwiches for Dr. Leone’s wife here in Medina. And being an Army wife, I spent a lot of afternoons drinking tea.”

Thomas’ presentation will include how tea became famous, all the instruments used to make and serve tea and foods that go along with tea. She will share how the Dutch and British Tea companies fought over doing business with the East Indies Trading Company.

“We actually had tea here in New Amsterdam, now New York, before the British ever knew what tea was,” Thomas said.

An interesting fact is that originally tea cups didn’t have handles. Tea, sugar and cream would be mixed in the cup and then it was poured into the saucer, which it was drunk from as the cup would be too hot to handle.

The first cup with a handle was designed by a potter in Britain by the name of Wedgewood, Thomas said.

Special cups with a ledge across it and a hole to drink from were used by men with a mustache.

At the March 12 presentation, Thomas will make and serve tea from a silver plated tea service which was owned by Robert H. Newell of Medina’s Newell Shirt Factory. The set had been given to him by a fire company and donated to the Medina Historical Society after Newell’s death. Thomas will have to spend a considerable amount of time polishing the tarnished set.

DiMascio said the program on tea was very timely with television programs such as “Downton Abbey” and “Bridgerton” being so popular right now.

“It is wonderful to learn about the history of tea and bring people in the community together,” DiMascio said.

The library has a full schedule of programs for the entire family all year, according to DiMascio.

One is story time for children up to age 5. Homeschool Hour is popular with home-schooled students and takes place in March at 2 p.m. on the 17th. March 17 events will also feature leprechaun traps at 2 p.m. and a Tween/Teen Tuesday program for youth 10 and older.

Coming up will be a community craft supply swap, in which the public can donate any gently used craft supplies they don’t want or need. On March 28, people can come in and take what they want.

On March 31 the library will offer adult craft night, where they will make spring decoupage plates.

To register for programs, especially the tea presentation on March 12, call the library at (716) 735-3281 or e-mail mdtrpt@nioga.org.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Comfort Inn and Suites on Maple Ridge Road in Medina has 58 rooms for guests. The hotel opened in March 2022.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina implemented a new 2 percent bed tax last June and it has generated just over $12,000 for the village so far.

Hotels, motels, short-term rentals and other lodging establishments need to pay the village the occupancy tax in quarterly payments. So far Medina has been through three quarters of the new tax and it has raised $12,318.71 for Medina, said Jada Burgess, Medina’s clerk-treasurer.

The 2 percent tax is on top of the 8 percent sales tax and Orleans County’s 4 percent bed tax.

The bed tax in Medina gives the village some new revenue at a time when it faces rising costs. The village has tried in recent years for a boost in the local sales tax revenue and also more money from the state in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities or AIM, but has seen little change from the county and state.

When the tax was implemented the Village Board didn’t designate how the funds would be spent, except to specify the money will be “allocated at the discretion of the Medina Village Board for any Village purpose.”

The village tried for several to get the tax in place, but it took approval from the State Legislature and the governor.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Nov. 22, 2024, culminating a process that started in 2018 with village officials looking to generate some additional money.

Photo by Tom Rivers: RTS Orleans has this bus shelter in Albion on South Main Street near Walgreens, and also has one in Holley along Route 31 near the Holley Gardens apartments, which is also the former Holley High School.

MEDINA – RTS Orleans expects to soon be adding a new bus shelter in Medina, a project that has been talked about for several years.

The transportation organization is planning to put the shelter off Church Street in a spot behind the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy near a municipal lot.

The shelter will be paid by RTS. It will be on a 7-by-17-foot concrete pad with a 5-by-9-foot ramp because the spot doesn’t have a sidewalk, said Mayor Marguerite Sherman. There will be one bench inside the shelter.

RTS expects to award the bid later this month. The project doesn’t need village permission except for the sign.

RTS has been looking for spots for the shelter and wanted it in the downtown area. It met with village officials and considered a shelter on a sidewalk, but the sidewalks were too narrow, Sherman said.

The spot behind the Medicine Shoppe allows the buses to pull in easily and they aren’t impeding traffic. They can also come into the shelter location from East Center Street near the St. John’s Episcopal Church, and they easily go around the church to head back to Albion, Sherman said.

The Regional Transit Service has run a public transportation service in Orleans County since 2003. It has six buses in the county, and they are parked outside by the County Highway Department on West Academy Street.

Photo by Tom Rivers: These kids enjoy the splash pad at Bullard Park last year on June 4 when temperatures were in the 80s. The Village of Albion runs a six-week summer recreation program.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has approved $86,658 towards youth programs and services in the county.

The Youth Bureau Resource Allocation Plan was developed by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and Department of Social Services. The joint plan makes the county eligible for state aid from the State Office of Children and Family Services.

The money is awarded to municipalities and community-based agencies. The county received funding requests for about $260,000, said Kelly Kiebala, the Youth Bureau administrator. There is a small amount of additional money that is expected to be awarded for youth programs in addition to the $86,658, Kiebala said.

The allocations are for three different programs: Municipal Youth Development Program, $44,768; Municipal Youth Sports & Education Opportunity Funding, $23,252; and Municipal Youth Team Sports, $18,638.

Here is a breakdown of the funding:

Municipal Youth Development Program:

• Arc GLOW Camp Rainbow – $4,152.80
• GLOW Works, Inc. (GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare) – $500
• GLOW Works, Inc. (GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing) – $500
• Hoag Library Summer Reading – $500
• Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension – $1,500
• Orleans County Probation Juvenile Adjustment Services – $16,000
• PTA New York Congress – Albion Elementary PTA – $900
• Town of Kendall Recreation – $2,000
• Village of Albion Recreation – $2,000
• Village of Holley Recreation – $2,000
• Village of Medina Recreation – $1,500
• Orleans County Youth Bureau Annual Awards – $2,000
• Orleans County Youth Bureau Family Game Night – $2,000
• Orleans County Youth Bureau – $6,715.20

Municipal Youth Sports & Education Opportunity:

• Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension – $1,500
• Village of Albion Recreation – $17,264.20
• Village of Holley Recreation – $1,000
• Orleans County Youth Bureau – $3,487.80

Municipal Youth Teams Sports:

• Albion High School Alumni Foundation for the Albion Soccer Club – $3,500
• Albion Youth Football and Cheerleading – $3,500
• Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy – $8,842
• Orleans County Youth Bureau – $2,795

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mike Sidari, shown during a meeting in October 2023 when he was Medina’s mayor, has retired as a callman firefighter for Medina Fire Department.

MEDINA – Mike Sidari, Medina’s mayor for eight years until 2024, has retired from another role with the village.

Sidari for 40 years was a callman firefighter, responding to emergency calls on a part-time basis.

The Medina Village Board accepted his resignation last week and approved allowing him to keep his helmet shield and uniform badges. Sidari’s helmet shield includes his number as callman firefighter 213.

“I have witnessed many changes not only in the department, but in the fire service, from equipment and training to technology,” Sidari wrote in a letter to Fire Chief Steve Cooley. “Throughout my time there has been one constant, that is the dedication of the officers and firefighters of the Medina Fire Department. I am proud to have served our community.”

Chief Cooley praised Sidari for his service to the department and the community.

“I will always be an advocate of the good department and the residents of the village,” Sidari wrote in his letter. “I wish you and my fellow firefighters nothing but the best in the future.”

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – Hoag Library is expanding what it means to be a library this spring — offering not just books, but vital health screenings, legal and social service outreach, tax assistance, and live music, all under one roof.

The UR Medicine Mobile Mammography Van will be onsite at Hoag Library on March 27, providing convenient breast cancer screenings. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 1-844-870-0002.

Several community organizations, including Oak Orchard Health Clinic, YWCA, Neighborhood Legal Services, HCR Home Care, Alzheimer’s Association of WNY, Homeless Alliance of WNY, and Cancer Services Program, will be present at the library throughout the month of March offering medical, legal, and social outreach services.

For those preparing their tax returns, IRS-trained tax volunteers will be available at Hoag Library on select Mondays in March and April. Appointments are required for tax preparation services.

The free Hoag Library Music Series was set to return on March 28 with a performance by the Medusa Quartet; unfortunately, they are unable to perform that day, but we are working to schedule another performance and will share updates soon.

In April, Hoag Library will host the EDDY Mobile CT Unit in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, offering lung cancer screenings. Registration is required by calling 1-800-ROSWELL.

“Many people are surprised to learn just how much Hoag Library offers beyond traditional library services,” said Library Director Betty Sue Miller. “We are proud to serve as a hub for health services, legal assistance, tax help, and cultural enrichment — all free and open to the public.”

Conveniently located in the center of Albion, Hoag Library continues to redefine what a modern library can be: a place where community members can read, learn, connect — and access essential services that improve quality of life.

For more information about upcoming programs and services, visit Hoag Library or call 585-589-4246.

Photos by Tom Rivers (Left) Carol Callina of Medina was one of about 40 veterans who took advantage of a free day of bowling Saturday at Medina Lanes. (Right) Nick Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans’ Services Agency, chats with his wife, Tricia, left, and Sara Hults, a volunteer in suicide prevention from the Batavia VA, as they wait to check in veterans for the day of bowling Saturday, sponsored by the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program.

MEDINA – The Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer-sponsored afternoon of bowling was a resounding success, according to Nick Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans’ Services Agency.

At least 40 veterans and their families enjoyed an afternoon of bowling with pizza, wings and pop. complements of the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program.

Adam Rush of Waterport, a Navy veteran, came with his wife Ashley and children Evelyn, Henry and Charlotte.

“It’s great to get together with other veterans,” Adam said.

Navy veteran Adam Rush of Waterport checks in at Medina Lanes with his wife Ashley and children Evelyn, Henry and Charlotte.

Carol Callina, also a Navy veteran, brought her sister Christine Mason. Mason’s son is a 17-year veteran of the Navy, where he is an air traffic controller.

“This is great,” Mason said.

At another table, Jack Miles and his wife Nancy of Albion chatted with Mike Donahue of Albion, a Navy veteran who did two tours to Vietnam. Both men are members of the Veterans’ Services Council and Honor Guard. Neither man bowls but they wanted to be there at the bowling alley.

“We’re just here for the camaraderie,” they said.

A veteran waits with his ball, while Danille Colasurdo speaks to her service dog Brady, partly visible at right. A Navy veteran, Colasurdo suffers from PTSD.

It was a very significant day for Daniele Colasurdo, a Navy veteran who was happy to be out.

“I have PTSD and this is the first time I’ve been in a bowling alley in four years,” she said.

She was accompanied by her service dog Brady, who helps her deal with her stress.

Nick Mroz said the turnout was double the number who came last year. Other events sponsored by the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program were free turkeys at Thanksgiving and a banquet with prize giveaways at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. The next event will be giving away 100 free hams for Easter.

Jack Miles and his wife Nancy, left, and Mike Donahue are greeted by Bill Moroz, a volunteer driver for the Veterans’ Van Service.

Photos and information courtesy of Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s Office

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) today visited Elba Elementary School and Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion for Read Across America Day.

This event has been a longstanding tradition for Hawley and his office, and he is proud to be able to host it for another year.

Hawley read “Maybe You Should Fly a Jet! Maybe You Should Be a Vet!” by Dr. Seuss to third graders at Elba Elementary School and second graders at Ronald L Sodoma Elementary School before donating the books to the schools.

“Read Across America Day highlights the important role books have in our classrooms,” said Hawley. “Through reading, our students are able to expand their minds and create a passion for learning. I want to thank all of the schools, teachers and staff members for making this event possible and for putting their time, talent and energy into educating the next generation.”

“I would also personally like to thank Mrs. Anmarie Maher, Mrs. Amy Damasiewicz, Mrs. Holly McNair, Mrs. Beth Stanley and Mr. David Plewinski for allowing me to read to their classes,” Hawley concluded.

MEDINA – Robyn Ottaviano took this photo of a striking sun pillar this morning in Medina when it was it was frigid with temperatures struggling to get in the teens.

Sun pillars are a vertical, glowing column of light that extend above or below the sun. A sun pillar is an optical phenomenon caused when sunlight reflects off hexagonal ice crystals. It needs to be cold with the sun low on the horizon, either a sunrise or sunset.

The temps will warm up beginning on Tuesday with a high of 36, followed by highs of 44 on Wednesday and Thursday, 48 on Friday and 64 on Saturday.

Medina PD and Y staff will compete in dodgeball on March 19

To participate in Pie Day at the Orleans YMCA, pre-register by scanning the QR code.

MEDINA – Andrew Houseman, senior program director at the Orleans County YMCA, has announced a new schedule of special activities for families.

On March 14 two events are planned – a medieval show and demonstration from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and a Pie Day from 1 to 3 p.m. for families.

The first event will feature heavy fighting, archery demonstrations and more. There is a $5 spectator fee that will go towards the Y’s Strong Communities Campaign, which supports its Scholarship Assistance Program, according to Houseman.

The next event, scheduled in the kitchen of the YMCS, will be an interactive family pie making activity, which will cost $5 for a member family of four or $15 for a non-member family.

Pre-registration is required by March 12 by scanning the QR code.

On March 19 the Y will host a hometown faceoff between the Medina Police Department and Orleans County YMCA. Teams will be competing in a dodgeball game starting at 6 p.m. Spectator fee is $5 and will support the Strong Communities Campaign.

Action will begin on March 26 and continue through April 16 with a Ball Hockey Skills Camp, led by a local Batavia Ramparts coach. The event, over four Thursdays will take place from, 5 to 6:30 p.m. It is open to all levels from 6 to 12 years. For those who don’t own gear, equipment will be provided. Participants should just bring a water bottle and sneakers. Cost is $25 for members and $32 for non-members.

“This is an opportunity to improve your skills or gain a new interest with a local vetted hockey coach,” Houseman said.

On April 2, the Y is hosting an April showers crafts and activities event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for ages 5 to 12. Pre-registration is required, but participation is free to members or $5 for non-members.

For more information or to register, call (585) 798-2040.