MEDINA: Thomas the Tank Engine pulls in Friday to railroad museum station

Communities

Related Photos

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

May 8, 2008

By Miranda Vagg<br><a href="mailto:vaggm@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Miranda</a> The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Thu May 08, 2008, 01:23 AM EDT

MEDINA — The beloved storybook character Thomas the Tank Engine will be pulling into the Medina Railroad Museum station on Friday to the pleasure of many children — from Orleans County and around the world.

Owner, conductor and Museum Director Marty Phelps said in the past, they have had visitors from throughout New York state and the rest of the country as well as from Toronto, Montreal, Japan and Australia, to name a few. With Thomas’ fourth annual visit to Medina, he isn’t expecting any less of a combination of cultures.

“It’s really nice to see the comments from the fanatics that come from all around the world,” Phelps said.

As the designated conductor — a title that is complemented with an outfit Phelps traditionally wears that comes complete with pocket watch — he said the weekends Thomas is in the area are simply an incredible experience.

But that’s not to say there isn’t a ton of hard work that goes into having the two weekends the train is in town go off without a hitch. That’s where the museum’s event director Linda Klein comes into play. Since January, she has been busy preparing for Thomas’ arrival — filling out paperwork, signing contracts, finding volunteers and now setting up tents, tables and blowing up balloons.

“Two weeks before Thomas is just 24-hours-a day work,” Klein said. In years past, Klein said they have had between 15,000 and 16,000 visitors, which means there is a lot to prepare for. But, with much of the planning and preparation behind her, it’s time to get down to the business of having fun.

This year there will also be a beekeeper on site — minus the bees, Klein said — which ties in with one of the Thomas stories, “James Goes Buzz Buzz.” In the children’s stories, James is a bright red engine with too many important things to do. Though he can’t be bothered with bees, they enjoy cozying up in his boiler, which drives him buggy. Along with the beekeeper, there are many other events within the event, such as a magician, clowns and live music, Klein said.

“We have a big Thomas bouncy house this year. It’s just adorable. The kids are going to love that,” she said, adding there are safety measures to be taken along with the fun. “(We’ve put) fencing up around the property for safety for the kids.”

And the kids are exactly what the entire weekend is about ... for the most part. Klein said one repeat customer has told the event director that when her children grow up, she would probably continue coming because of the pure enjoyment of the event.

“It’s a great event for all of us,” Phelps said. “Just to look at the joy and the fun of everybody of all ages — it’s just fun for everyone.”

Volunteers really help the event continue to be successful. Klein said she has approximately 125 volunteers on site per day, many of whom are from civic and non-profit organizations. For example, the Medina Lions Club takes care of the parking; the American Red Cross in Orleans County handles all the train-boarding areas; and members of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library offer their time to read Thomas stories to children at the Senior Citizens Center, which is across the street from the museum. In return for their help, once the profits and number of volunteers are counted, the museum gives over a donation to the organization.

“They all have so much fun. We’re so fortunate there’s always people from the community wanting to help,” Klein said.

Contact reporter Miranda Vagg at 798-1400, ext. 2225.

Get on the train

• WHAT: Day Out With Thomas

• WHERE: Medina Railroad Museum, 530 West Ave., Medina

• WHEN: Noon to 6:30 Friday; 9 a.m. to 6:30 Saturday and Sunday. Hours will be the same for the May 16, 17 and 18 events.

Text Only

Communities

Newfane's Apple Blossom Fest has something for everyone
An apple a day may keep the doctor away and the apple blossoms of Niagara County are cause for celebration. Sunday’s Apple Blossom Festival will lure hundreds of visitors to step back in time to the good old days.

The Newfane Historical Society’s annual event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the museum grounds at the corner of West Creek and Ide roads. Admission and parking are free, and families can while away a sunny afternoon perusing everything from antique tractors to a Civil War encampment.

May 17, 2012 1 Photo
NFTA targets Lockport bus routes for closure
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s proposed service reductions would eliminate all bus service from, to and within greater Lockport.

December 20, 2011
Library adds online selections
Library card holders can check out and download e-books anytime, anywhere by visiting lockportlibrary.org. Patrons can download to a personal computer, Mac and many mobile devices, according to librarian Claire McDonough.

December 20, 2011 4 Photos
Mayor Maedl
Julia A. Maedl is stepping away from politics after 19 years of service to the Village of Middleport in 2001.
Maedl, who was a village trustee for nine years and village mayor for 10 years, will not seek re-election. She says she will remain very active, however.
Since the death of her husband, Robert Maedl in 2008, the Middleport mayor has been running Maedl Woodcrafts. She is on the tourist committee, chair of business association and trustee of Middleport United Methodist Church. She sings in the choir and is in charge of Harvest dinner and chicken barbecue. She manages 28 apartments.

February 11, 2011 1 Photo
Memorial tree program off to a good start
The town’s new memorial tree program has been growing quickly.
Councilwoman Cheryl A. Antkowiak said the program is being done with Stedman’s Nursery of Newfane. Residents who wish to have a tree planted will receive an information packet from Stedman’s as well as a map of Day Road Park showing where each of the 85 trees are located. Stedman’s sells the trees along with a plaque if the resident wants one to be put up.

February 3, 2011
New recycling bins available soon
Town residents could have some new bins to go along with its new recycling incentive program.
At Monday’s work session meeting, Town Board members approved the purchase of new recycling bins. The town placed an order of 1,000 of the 18 gallon bins for $8,845 and another order of 200 of the 32 gallon bins for $3,110. The large bins are 31 and a half inches in height and 22 inches in diameter.
Both sets of bins will be blue in color and the 32 gallon bins will come with lids.
The 18 and 32 gallon bins were produced by Otto Environmental Services in Charlotte, N.C., a company Supervisor Marc R. Smith said the town has used before for bins. The company still has a rubber stamp with the town logo on it.

February 1, 2011
Library names new director
Beverly Federspiel, Director of the City of Tonawanda Public Library, has been appointed as the new Director of the Lockport Public Library.
Federspiel, 49, will succeed Marie Binderman, who is retiring, on Feb. 28.
“I’m excited,” said Federspiel, who has been at the Tonawanda Library three years after serving at the Buffalo and Erie County Central Library for 18 years. “I’ve always loved the Lockport building and the community is very supportive. There are lots of opportunities out there.”

February 1, 2011
Winterfest, take two
Winterfest was a big success last year and Winterfest 2011 may even be bigger Saturday at Royalton-Hartland Elementary School and the Hartland Bible Church.
“Last year was the first year and well over 650 people attended, that’s a huge response for an inaugural event,” said Helen Feron, the chairman of the steering committee. “This year we expect more.”
Entertainment and activities are scheduled from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. including a basket auction at the Hartland Bible Church at 3 p.m., where Magician Robert Geckler will also perform at 2:15 p.m.
The event is geared towards school aged children and free to children 10-and-under. Admissiong is $3 for adults and includes Chinese auction tickets.

February 1, 2011
High school project coming along
Construction on Lockport High School is continuing throughout the winter months. Construction crews work on a scaffold on the west side of the building, which is the Locust Street side. The school is undergoing a $23.5 million capital improvement project that includes adding a fitness center, a six classroom addition and completely renovate the auditorium into a brand new fine arts center. The auditorium will also have stage work completed, new music rooms, a renovated foyer and a new entrance on the Locust Street side. There will be improvements made to ventilators and mechanical systems, an art gallery, new windows, as well as new padding and bleachers in the gymnasium. The technology wing also will be updated, and the library renovated to make room for a computer lab. Also, bathrooms will be added nearby. The entire project is expected to be completed in September.

January 28, 2011 2 Photos
Going green
With a symbolic “shot heard ‘round the community,” Lockport’s historic Kenan Center Arena unveiled its new artificial turf indoor soccer field and renovated “annex.”
About a dozen local dignitaries were on hand Thursday night at special dedication ceremony, attended by about 200 parents and soccer players, who wasted little time putting two new soccer fields to work.
The new turf installation was part of a larger arena capital project, which included the renovation of the arena’s adjacent annex room, which was gutted last year to create almost 6,000 square feet of additional space. Parts of the old artificial turf field were used to cover the new, smaller soccer field in the annex.
Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker lauded the Kenan’s effort and others who joined in to make the $106,000 capital improvement project — more than 10 years in the making — a reality. Funders include the Kenan soccer players, who raised about $60,000 selling candy, the Grigg-Lewis Foundation, the Kenan Arts Council, Rotary Club of Lockport and the Lockport Lions Club.

January 28, 2011 4 Photos
More Communities Headlines

Communities

Search Results

Related Photos

MEDINA: Thomas the Tank Engine pulls in Friday to railroad museum station

Site Map

Contact Us