Run, walk or roll with me next weekend

21 Sep

run walk

OK, my friends, here’s something to get you up and moving Sunday morning Sept. 30. It’s great exercise with a lot of new friends, doesn’t cost too much AND will benefit a great cause.

It the 4th annual Run, Walk & Roll 5K and 1 mile stroll to benefit Challenger Miracle Field. I’ve run this race every year since it began, and so I can attest to how fun it is. And I’ll be there again this Sunday.

Great progress has already been made on Challenger Miracle Field, which is located behind Town Hall on Ridge Road. Games are already being played there, and work is being completed on the restrooms and concession building. The inclusive field and accompanying Play With Possibilities playground will provide people with developmental, physical, or intellectual disabilities a barrier-free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

Run, Walk and Roll is an all-inclusive family-friendly event which invites participants to run or walk, push a wheelchair, push themselves in a wheelchair, or participate with other assistive devices including adaptive bicycles and tricycles.

The courses start and end at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Road. Registration is open at 8 a.m. The 5K, including wheelchair athletes, will kick off at 9:30. The 1-mile stroll will begin at 9:35. Packet pick-up and in-person registration will take place that morning. Prizes will be awarded, and the first 200 registrants get a free t-shirt, which you can wear proudly to show what a good person you are.

Cost is $20 for the 5K and $17 for the one-mile stroll, if you register online by Friday night. After that, in-person registration at the race will cost $30/$22.

The 4th Annual Run, Walk & Roll tales place Sunday Sept. 30 at Webster Thomas High School. Click here to register, and I’ll see you there!

run walk and roll

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Town info at your fingertips

20 Sep

IMG_20180917_184850397 (1)Last week, if you’re a Webster resident (or at least live within the 14580 zip code like me), you received the Town Times in the mail. I hope you didn’t just chuck it into the recycling bin, because there’s all sorts of interesting and useful information in there.

The newsletter, which is published three times a year, has regular columns from Supervisor Nesbitt, the police department, the highway department and the like. I kind of skim those. But several of the articles this time around made me pause and think, “Hmmm, I wonder if people know that.”

Here are a few of them:

  •  The Kent Park playground had a new safety surface installed this year. It’s comprised of three cushy layers so kids will fairly bounce off it if they fall. It’s also rated for walkers and wheelchairs. Didn’t know that Kent Park has a playground? This is a good reason to check it out, ’cause it’s a beauty.
  • Some of the older spray animals at the Ridgecrest Spray Park were removed earlier this year and replaced with ground-level water spray features. This great little park is on Ebner Drive, very near the village.
  • Construction of Miracle Field and its amenities is humming along. So far $2.1 million has been raised for the project, and the restroom and  concession pavilion is almost complete. If you haven’t seen this gorgeous accessible playing field yet, stop by; it’s right behind Town Hall in Ridge Park.
  • Did you know that you can receive regular emailed notifications and/or text alerts from the Town about important news items? To sign up, visit the Town of Webster website to register your email and/or phone. You can even choose which departments you’d like to get notifications from.
  • If you don’t like standing in line to pay your taxes, you should check out the new safe drop box located in the front vestibule of Town Hall. You can drop off your form and payment (checks only) in the box, and if it’s received before 4:30 p.m. it will be marked received on that day.
  • Finally — and this is cool — you can borrow an Empire Pass, and several museum passes, from the library! Basically, you check them out just like books, and you can use them at museums and parks for special admission prices.

Make sure to take a closer look at your Town Times for more details about all of these, and more information about a lot of town happenings.

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Webster community mailbag

19 Sep

mailbag iconSt. Martin Lutheran Church’s Fall Chicken BBQ and FunFest is scheduled for this Saturday Sept. 22, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster.

Dinners include a half chicken, salt potatoes, cole slaw, roll, butter and beverage for just $10. Pie slices and other desserts will also be available for purchase. A hot dog dinner for kids is $2, and they’ll also enjoy a FunFest with a bounce house, face painting and balloons.

Dinners are eat-in or take-out. Tickets can be reserved by calling the church office at 671-1899, or purchased at the event while supplies last. Proceeds support the church’s Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

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The Elks Lodge Webster-Fairport will hold a pasta dinner on Saturday Sept. 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to support GiGi’s Playhouse of Rochester Down Syndrome Achievement Center.

Tickets are $7.50 per person To purchase, please email drush@gigisplayhouse.org or contact Paul Kubrich at paul@ontariocycling.com. The lodge is located at 1066 Jackson Road Webster.

Also from the Elks: they’re hosting their Annual Sportsmen’s Raffle on a gun raffle on Sunday Sept. 30 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Raffle prizes include a fishing charter, crossbow package, an automatic rifle, a fishing kayak, and more.

Tickets are $15 and include draft beer and pop, hamburgers and hot dogs. Contact the Elks for tickets and more information.

representatives

The Town of Webster will hold another Community Meet & Greet on Monday Sept. 24 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the community room at the Webster Public Library.

Participants will get a chance to meet their state, county and town elected officials, along with first responders and leaders of several community organizations, including the Webster Special Police, who will be recruiting new officers during the event.  It’s a good chance to learn about upcoming projects and ask questions. Bring the kids, too, because there’s going to be some crafts set up for them.

Kudos to the town for making this a regular event.

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And finally, just one more reminder about the Living History Tour at Webster Union Cemetery this Saturday Sept. 22.

The tour takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. and will introduce you to several of Webster’s citizens from the past, played by museum volunteers. You’ll hear their stories and be able to ask questions about what their lives were like back when our town was young.

Click here to read a more detailed blog about the event, including the people you will be meeting. Webster Union Cemetery is located at 345 Webster Road (Rt. 250 at Woodhull). A $5 donation would be appreciated.

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Dust off those yearbooks

18 Sep

The yearbook staff at Webster Schroeder High School needs your help.

This year marks the 100th year of the Webster Schroeder/Webster High School yearbook. To commemorate the occasion, the yearbook club would like to feature all of the past yearbooks in this year’s edition.

Problem is, many of those yearbooks are missing from their collection.

That’s where you come in. They’re hoping that there are folks out there who can help them fill in the gaps, and let them borrow (or better yet, donate) the following missing volumes:  1919, 1921, 1927, 1932, 1937, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1994.

If you have any of these yearbooks and would be willing to donate or loan them to the school, please contact yearbook club advisor Stephanie Metz-Miller at stephanie_metzmiller@webstercsd.org.

Also, rumor has it that there was one year among those in which the yearbook wasn’t published. If you have that information, Mrs. Metz-Miller would love to know that as well.

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The verdict is in.

In one of my blogs last week, I mentioned that Plank North Elementary School has a new Pioneer mascot. He was introduced at the school’s Friday assembly the first week of school. He didn’t have an name, so the students were given the opportunity to propose one.

Ballots were collected all last week and principal Craig Bodensteiner announced the winning moniker yesterday on the school’s morning show.

May I officially introduce Pride the Pioneer!

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Beer walk in the books

17 Sep
Jen Countryman pours some beer samples at Ploty’s Hometown Tavern
Paul Southard and Margaret Martin enjoy some Ploty”s hospitality

The Village of Webster Beer Walk seems to have been rather successful. I stopped by Ploty’s Hometown Tavern towards the end of the event and owner Eric Plotzker said that he had been very busy most of the evening.

If you weren’t part of the fun, here’s a quick summary of what it was all about: Participants paid $12 for a mini pint glass, and then stopped at Burke’s, Barry’s, The Coach, The Filling Station, Ploty’s and Brimont Bistro to sample different beers at each location.

Given its success, I’m sure it will happen again.

If bourbon is more your thing, remember that the village will be holding its second annual Bourbon Bash on Saturday November 10. The details are still being hammered out for this event, but last year’s was held at the Harmony House, featured several distilleries and local restaurants, and live music.

Stay tuned for more details here, or you can check the BID website as plans come together.

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You’ll THRIVE at new Webster yoga studio

15 Sep

exteriorthrive

There’s a new yoga studio in town, and it sounds like it was designed just for people like me.

In the “people like me” category, I include those of us who are 1) mostly unfamiliar with yoga, 2) couldn’t tell you the difference between a downward dog and a reclining tree, and 3)  despite that, have heard a lot of great things about yoga and would really like to try it, preferably without feeling too self-conscious about it.

If that describes you, then THRIVE Studio might just be what you’re looking for.

THRIVE just recently opened in the upper level at 865 Ridge Road, near Webster Schroeder High School. It’s owned by Chelle Walczak-Corsi, who grew up in the Buffalo area and received degrees at Buffalo State and St. John Fisher College in elementary education and administration.

After teaching for a number of years and serving as a school administrator, Chelle decided to change her focus to a more holistic career. She began to study yoga and discovered a great love for it, and ultimately decided to share her passion for wellness with others by opening her own studio.

The folks at THRIVE describe themselves as “a community of learners helping one another grow – mentally, physically and spiritually.” Their informational materials go on to say that “Oftentimes those new to yoga are hesitant to begin because of concerns about flexibility and knowledge of various poses. In many cases some are at a loss on how to even begin to practice yoga.”

That would be me.

“At THRIVE Studio the welcoming atmosphere allows for each individual to begin one’s journey in a non-threatening environment,” it continued. But those more familiar with yoga are certainly welcome to join the community, and will definitely be challenged by “fresh sequences and opportunities to rejuvenate and grow.”

THRIVE Studio offers a wide variety of both group and individual yoga classes at various levels. Click here to see more information about that.

THRIVE will host an open house on Saturday September 22, including free sample classes. Mini Ease-n-Flow Yoga classes will be held from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and 10 to 10:30 a.m., followed by mimosas and mingling. Please register by September 15 by visiting their website at thriveyogastudioroc.com. (I know that’s today, but I’ll bet if you push it a day or two you’d still be welcome.)

If you can’t make it to a class but want to check out the studio anyway, stop between noon and 2 p.m. for food and refreshments.  They’d love it if you could RSVP to that as well.

Chelle Walczak-Corsi, centerm with several of her students.

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History, miniatures and music

14 Sep

Three really cool events are coming up next weekend, and I want to give you a heads-up about them now so you can get them on your calendar.

museum tour

First, on Saturday Sept. 22, the Webster Museum and the Webster Union Cemetery are joining forces for a Living History Tour at the cemetery.

The tour, which takes place from 1 to 4 p.m., will introduce you to several of Webster’s citizens from the past, played by museum volunteers. You’ll hear their stories and be able to ask questions about what their lives were like back when our town was young.

Click here to read a more detailed blog about the event, including the people you will be meeting. Webster Union Cemetery is located at 345 Webster Road (Rt. 250 at Woodhull). A $5 donation would be appreciated.

On Sunday Sept. 23, ROC City Scale Modelers will host their 37th annual ROCON scale model show and contest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.

If you’re even a lukewarm fan of scale models, you have to see this show. The Rec Center’s gymnasium is lined with tables displaying hundreds upon hundreds of miniatures including aircraft, auto, armor, figures, ships, juniors, fantasy and more. For those who choose to enter models, the cost is $10 for 1-3 entries for adult modelers, $2 for each additional model, and $1 each for junior entry (15 years and under). You can register when you get there.

For those who simply enjoy modeling as a hobby, there are also a lot of vendors at this event offering the latest books and gadgets. Basically, it’s a modeler’s paradise.

Once again, ROCON 37 will take place Sunday Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. General admission is $5 and children under 12 are free.  Click here for more information

 

rhapsody

Finally, how about extending your weekend with a song?

On Monday Sept. 24, Webster’s own Rochester Rhapsody will be holding open rehearsals for women of all ages.

Rochester Rhapsody, the Rochester chapter of Harmony, Incorporated, is an international organization of female a cappella singers specializing in the barbershop harmony style.

Female guests can “FALL in Love with A Cappella” at the Harmony House, 53 E. Main St. on Monday Sept. 24 from 7:30 to 9 p.m., during the group’s open rehearsals. If you can’t make it that Monday, you can stop in also on October 1 and 8.

Women of all ages can participate in vocal warm-ups and exercises in a relaxed environment, learn new songs, meet with other women, and enjoy an evening of singing and camaraderie.

“If you like to sing but haven’t had much experience, we’ll help you find your voice,” said director Sue Melvin. “The beautiful harmonies, when shared, bind us together. I’m very proud to be a part of this group…it’s more like a family than just friends. It’s ordinary women coming together to make extraordinary music.”

The 3-week event will culminate in a concert performed for the local community on October 15 at Harmony House at 7:30 p.m. All of the guests who have attended open rehearsals will be invited to join in the performance.

For more information about “FALL in Love with a Cappella,” and about the chorus itself, click here. a copy of our flyer or information on Rochester Rhapsody chorus, email info@rochesterrehapsody.com or call 585-865-2731.

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Meet the D&C’s new east-side reporter

13 Sep

Georgie SilvaroleI had a very pleasant meeting yesterday afternoon with Georgina Silvarole, the new east-side reporter for the D&C.

Georgie, as she likes to be called, reached out to me a few days ago, hoping to meet up and pick my brain about all things Webster. She is a Rochester-area native, having grown up in Scottsville, but doesn’t know much about the east-side towns which are on her beat.

So I invited her for a cup of coffee at Barry’s Old School Irish (of course). Barry’s is not only representative of our village’s small-town, family-centric feel, but its four-corners location is ideal for checking out “downtown” Webster.

Georgie is a December 2016 graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, and a former intern at the D&C. After graduation she worked at the Greenville (South Carolina) News, and the Syracuse Post-Standard before returning to the D&C just a few weeks ago. Her official title is Suburban Trends Reporter, and she replaces Lauren Peace, who left the newspaper recently when she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship.

Georgie will be covering several east-side communities including Webster, so you might be seeing her out and about in town.  She may even reach out through social media sometimes for help with a story … for example, she’s working on a piece about Greenlight internet services and would love to connect with someone who’s a current subscriber. If you’d like to chat with her, email her at GSilvarole@rocheste.gannett.com, or you can get in touch with me and I will pass your information along!

P.S. This doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere! Georgie and I will actually be working together to share story ideas. So keep sending me your story tips and concerns, because I might just send some of them along to her.

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The Village of Webster remembers 9/11

12 Sep

IMG_9270

When I was in school yesterday, naturally I was thinking a lot about the events of September 11, 2001. It was, and will always be, a seminal event in the lives of most adults. But as I looked around at the schoolkids, I couldn’t help but think that it’s really ancient history for them.

They, and about a quarter of our current population, were not alive that day. They don’t remember the shock, disbelief, and profound sadness we all felt as we saw those awful images.

That’s why it’s more important than ever that we continue to set aside some time every year to remember. To its credit, the Village of Webster does a nice of that every year, and has done so now for 17 straight years.

Yesterday’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park was a dignified, yet powerful mix of ceremony, patriotic music and memories. About 75 people braved cloudy skies to attend, most relaxing in quad chairs, many standing for the entire 45-minute event. On the west side of the park, Webster firefighters, first responders and an honor guard stood at attention. On the other side of the gazebo, local and regional political representatives waited their turn at the podium.

The speeches were a mix of memories, sorrow for lives lost, praise for the first responders who gave their lives as they rushed to help others, and gratitude for those who still do so every day. They were punctuated by performances by the Chorus of the Genesee and concluded with the performance of “Taps” by Steve Forman.

It was a very nice and meaningful evening. Thank you to the Village of Webster for helping up remember.

Click here to see a gallery of photos from the event.

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Webster community mailbag

10 Sep

I’ve got a couple of local events for you, happening on Wednesday, and photo of a surprising new friend at Plank Road North!

Volunteer Fair

This Wednesday, the Webster Public Library will host a Community Volunteer Fair from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Volunteer Fair flier Fall 2018If you’ve ever thought about spending an hour or two a week — or more — using your many skills to help out a worthy organization, this is your chance to find the perfect fit. You’ll be able to connect with almost a dozen local agencies including Challenger Miracle Field, Friends of the Webster Public Library, Friends of Webster Trails, Heritage Christian Services, Maplewood Nursing Home, Never Say Never Foundation, Webster Comfort Care Home, Webster Museum and Historical Society, and the West Webster Fire Department.

No registration is required; you can pop in any time between 3:30 and 6 p.m. The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Road, on the back side of the plaza off of Van Ingen Drive.

Free Rabies Clinic

Also on Wednesday Sept. 22, the Town of Webster in conjunction with Monroe County Health Department will offer a Free Rabies Clinic from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Town of Webster Highway Department, 1005 Picture Parkway.

If your dog/cat has had a rabies vaccine in the past, bring the old rabies certificate for your pet to receive a three-year vaccination. Without the certificate the dog/cat will be issued a one-year vaccine certificate.

If you are unable to attend this event, and you’d like to find out about others in our area, visit the Monroe County Health Department online or call (585) 753-5171.

Surprise, Plank North!

Principal Craig Bodensteiner had a happy surprise for staff and students at Plank Road North Elementary School on Friday morning. During the school’s monthly “powwow” pep rally, Bodensteiner introduced a brand new Pioneer mascot, in honor of the school’s 50th anniversary.

Right now, the school’s large new friend has no official name. The students are being given the chance to come up with their own suggestions. So stay tuned!

pioneer

What I’m working on 

I’ve been in contact recently with representatives from two new Webster businesses, which I’ll be writing more complete blogs about very soon.

The first is THRIVE Studio, a new yoga studio opening soon at 865 Ridge Road, on the upper floor.

My THRIVE contact, Kathy Marchaesi describes the studio as a “non-threatening environment for beginners and experienced yogis as well. The owner, Chelle Walczak-Corsi, will tailor the classes to the participant’s skill level.”

THRIVE will be holding a grand opening on Saturday Sept. 22, including free yoga classes, food, mimosas and socializing. More to come about that.

Also, I chatted the other day with Caleb, the new owner of Savage Chef, which will be hosting its grand opening soon at 5 East Main Street in the village.

Savage Chef is a catering and meal-prep service. But Caleb is also considering putting a few tables into the shop to serve breakfast and smoothies.

Lots more to come about this. I, for one, want to find more about how Caleb originally considered opening a landscaping business, but ended up cooking….

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram

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