Archive | February, 2020

Thomas swimmer wins Section V scholarship

12 Feb
Zoe

Zoe Masters (photo courtesy sectionv.org)

And the accolades for our amazing Webster athletes just keep on coming.

Section V Athletics recently announced its fall 2019 scholarship recipients, and Webster Thomas swimmer/diver Zoe Masters was among the winners.

According to the Section V website,

Zoe started swimming on the modified team in seventh grade and has been swimming ever since. She shared that “my family says I’m happiest when I’m in the water and I have the great opportunity to be able to swim year round. Swim is my only sport.”

Her highlight of the season was being “a co-captain this season. Having that opportunity allowed me to interact with everyone on the team and not just the varsity girls.” After high school she is planning to study Mechanical Engineering at RIT, where she also plans to continue swimming. One word that best describes her is “intentional.”

Winners were chosen based on a letter of recommendation from their coach, their high school transcript and activities sheet, and their responses to application questions. More than 80 athletes applied for this season’s scholarships, and only 13 were chosen across the entire Section V.

Winners in each sport receive a $250 scholarship for each sport to be used toward future academic endeavors. To read about all of the other scholarship winners, click here. 

Congratulations, Zoe!

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Officers + autism community = awareness

11 Feb
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Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy Mike Ottley and his K9 companion Peak.

An adorable and oh, so droopy and cuddly bloodhound puppy recently paid a visit to the Jujitsu Buddies class at Strike Back Martial Arts in the Village of Webster.

Accompanied by his handler, Deputy Mike Ottley of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the four-month old bundle of floppy skin and monstrous paws happily played with a crocheted dragon and endured much petting while Ottley chatted with the students about his role as a deputy.

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Sheriff’s Office SCUBA Commander Lt. Chris Fay helps Colton Sprague into a SCUBA suit at a recent No Gi Jujitsu class. 

It was a fun event for the students in class that day, but it had a serious purpose. It was one of a series of visits by law enforcement officers organized by Strike Back Martial Arts owners Dave Nicchitta and Mike Palmer.

Over the past several weeks, Nicchitta and Palmer have invited local law enforcement officers to visit the studio’s jujitsu classes for special needs children and adults. Officers visited three of the studio’s classes: Strike Back Fitness for kids and teens with Down syndrome, No Gi Jujitsu for teenagers with autism, and most recently, Jujitsu Buddies for younger children with autism.

The goal of the visits has been to give both students — especially those with autism — and officers a chance to ask questions get to know each other a little better.

“Autism is one of the fastest growing disabilities in America,” said Nicchitta, who is himself a Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy. “The way it presents itself can be misinterpreted as inappropriate or criminal behavior.”

“Data tells us that one in five teens with autism will be stopped and questioned by police before age 21, and people with disabilities, including autism, are five times more likely to be jailed than those without disabilities.”

Those with autism in particular often have a hard time looking people in the eyes or following multi-step directions. They can also become extremely agitated in the presence of flashing lights, sirens and loud radios, and may not like being touched. In a high-pressure situation, an officer might misinterpret such behaviors as combative or non-compliant.

Nicchitta hopes that through programs like these, and through additional opportunities he’s offering to the Rochester-area law enforcement community, he can help raise awareness.

“When an officer encounters someone who is acting unusually, we hope we can get the officer to just take a moment and think, is there something else going on here?”

The class visits are as beneficial for the students as they are for the officers.

“I wanted to create a non-stressful environment where our students can interact with law enforcement in a positive way,” Nicchitta said. “That way the students can keep that experience in the back of their heads if a situation occurs where they have to interact with officers.”

Strike Back Martial Arts is located at 55 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. The studio offers offers adaptive jujitsu classes designed for children and adults with autism, Down syndrome and other physical and emotional disabilities, as well as non-adaptive jujitsu classes.

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Students in Strike Back Martial Arts’ Jujitsu Buddies class listen — and watch Peak — as Deputy Ottley talks about his job.  

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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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CPD, CPR and more at the library

10 Feb

Here’s a quick notice of a few adult programs at the Webster Public Library coming up this week:

On Tuesday Feb. 11, explore Italy with librarian Colleen Hernandez. She’ll present a travelogue from 2 to 3 p.m. in the community room. Light refreshments will be served, and no registration is necessary.

On Wednesday Feb. 12, find out exactly what CBD is and what it can do for you to help with pain, inflammation and anxiety. The program will he held in the community room from 7 to 8 p.m., and registration is required for this one.

Friday, Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day! What a great day to learn how to save a heart, with CPR for Seniors, a class designed especially for those 60+. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the community room, and registration is required.

To register for programs, call 585-872-7075 and press 3 for the reference desk or log onto the library website and go to Events and Classes.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza.

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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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Spry and Thomas to present Fiddler and The Music Man

10 Feb

Congratulations to the Webster Schroeder Drama Club for their outstanding production of Chicago over the weekend! The incredible talent that takes the stage every spring for Schroeder musicals continues to astound me.

SMS Fiddler on the Roof Poster V4Next up for theater lovers, Spry Middle School’s presentation of Fiddler on the Roof, which will be presented Friday, March 6 and Saturday March 7 at 7:30, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Saturday.

Because of construction at Spry, the performances will be held at Willink Middle School. Stay tuned to websterschools.org for ticket pricing and purchase information. These Spry shows always sell out, so make sure to get your tickets as soon as you can.

The Webster Thomas Players will present the beloved classic The Music Man Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28 nightly at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased by visiting  www.websterthomasplayers.com.

2020-Music-Man-Large-Color

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Bowling tournament to benefit scholarships

8 Feb

bowlingDust off those bowling balls and shoes and save the date for an enjoyable afternoon of bowling, all for a great cause!

On Sunday, April 26, Webster’s Special Education Parent-Teacher Association (SEPTA) will hold its annual bowling fundraiser to raise scholarship funds for graduating Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas High School seniors who are part of the district’s special education family.

The event takes place at AMF Empire Lanes, 2400 Empire Blvd., Webster. Check-in and lane assignment will be 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. with squad time from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Details are still coming together, but right now organizers are looking for teams to show off their hidden bowling talents. This is always a hugely fun event where teams dress up in theme costumes to win some awesome prizes. Cost is only $30 per person (teams of four or five), which includes two hours of bowling, shoe and equipment rental, pizza, unlimited soft drinks, two raffle tickets toward prizes, gratuity for AMG Empire staff, and (of course) money toward the scholarships.

For more information and/or to reserve a spot for your team, email Christine Schotthoefer at Christine_Schotthoefer@webstercsd.org. Registration ends April 15.  To sponsor or donate prizes, email Dina Malboeuf at Dina_Malboeuf@webstercsd.org.

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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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Your mug on a mug of Guinness?

7 Feb

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So I was at Barry’s Old School Irish last night (I see that shocked and surprised look on your face) and was talking with Jess about plans for tomorrow’s Great Guinness Toast. (If you’re a Guinness lover and haven’t heard about this event yet, read more here. You don’t want to miss it.)

One of the highlights of the evening will be a visit by Guinness representatives, who will have what Danny and Jess called a “Guinness design machine.”

When I was there last night I had to ask her what the heck that was.

Apparently, Guinness has this machine that can imprint a sepia-toned photo on the foam of your freshly-poured Guinness. They call it a “STOUTie.” It’s created with a natural malt extract that’s added to the top of the beer, and since it’s malt, it won’t alter the taste of the beer.

Guinness only introduced this technology in November at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin when they hosted the International Stout Festival. So it’s just now making it over to this side of the pond, and chances are, Barry’s is one of the first pubs to experience it.

And that’s because Barry’s — our little corner pub in our little village — sells more Guinness than any other pub or restaurant in the Greater Rochester area and beyond.

So you can be one of the first to get your head on a head of beer.

Tomorrow’s Great Guinness toast will also feature free Guinness for everyone, entertainment by Billy Herring and other fun stuff. Click here for more information.

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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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SparX blazes into the 2020 robotics season

7 Feb

Copy of Team Photo 1

Webster’s Team SparX is off and running with this year’s FIRST Robotics challenge,  called “Infinite Recharge.”

The challenge was described as

Two alliances work to protect FIRST City from approaching asteroids caused by a distant space skirmish. Each Alliance, along with their trusty droids, race to collect and score Power Cells in order to energize their Shield Generator for maximum protection. To activate stages of the Shield Generator, droids manipulate their Control Panels after scoring a specific number of Power Cells. Near the end of the match, droids race to their Rendezvous Point to get their Shield Generator operational in order to protect the city.

The moment the contest was announced, teams around the nation went to work creating 120-pound robots designed to tackle the challenges of the game. Teams have just six weeks to build, test and practice with an operating robot capable of completing the tasks (hopefully) faster than any other team, using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. The first big tests for their finished robot will be the Rochester Regional, scheduled for March 12-14 at RIT, and the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, March 26 to 28.

Community members are welcome to attend the competitions free of charge. But if you can’t make it out to RIT, you can meet the team members and see their robot at a SparX Open House on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 1:30 p.m. in the Webster Thomas High School café, 800 Five Mile Line Road.

Webster’s team 1126 is comprised of 38 students from Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas high schools plus 16 adults. For more information about the robotics program, visit www.FIRSTInspires.org, and to learn more about our local team, visit www.GoSparX.org.

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Webster community mailbag

6 Feb

I’d like to lead off today’s mailbag with some notes from our schools.

KN AP social mediaA big Webster welcome to Sarah Welsh, the new assistant principal at Klem Rd. North Elementary, a position she will officially begin in March.

Welsh has 12 years of educational experience as an elementary special education teacher in Penfield. While there, she also served as the extended school year program principal and as a mentor and instructional coach to new teachers.

Welsh received her undergraduate degree from St. John Fisher College and master’s degree from Brockport. She and her husband Casey live in Fairport.

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Spry Middle School’s annual charity basketball game is almost here. Game day is Friday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Spry Middle School gym, 119 South Avenue. The event basketballfeatures a tournament between the school’s houses (Red vs White vs Blue) for girls and boys in grade six and then seven and eight combined, followed by a competition knockout games for students and staff. The evening culminates with presentation of the Spirit Stick to the winning house.

Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased in advance at the school during Spry lunch periods February 24-28. Limited tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House of Rochester.

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The next Flapjack Benefit Breakfast hosted by the First Baptist Church of Penfield has been scheduled for Saturday Feb. 15 from 8 to 10 a.m. For $6 enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes, real maple syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, and more. All February proceeds will go directly to help support Refugees Helping Refugees, an organization which seeks to foster the growth of Rochester’s refugee community by making them agents of their own advancement.

The First Baptist Church of Penfield is located at 1862 Penfield Rd., steps from four corners.

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Your next local opportunities to help save lives by donating blood are coming up next week.

Drives will be held Monday Feb. 10 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Rd. and on Tuesday Feb. 11 from 1 to 6 p.m. at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.

It only takes about an hour, especially if you have an appointment, which you can make at redcrossblood.org. Or just stop in without an appointment. They’d love to see you.

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Looking forward to February Break, the Webster Public Library has all sorts of great programs for you and your kids.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 18, join a Book Swap Party from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Feb. 20 make some cereal box guitars from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
  • Also on Thursday Feb. 20, join me and my fellow instructors from Strike Back Martial Arts for Family Night and learn some martial arts, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 21, from 2 to 3 p.m., get your taste buds working at the Pop-Tart Taste-Off
  • Also Friday, continuing through Saturday Feb. 22, check out an N-Scale Model Train display. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Visit the library’s website for more information about all these programs. The library is located at 980 Ridge Rd. 

And while we’re talking about the library, here’s a quick reminder that I will be there on Friday Feb. 21 from noon to 3:30 p.m. just hanging out, if anyone would like to come by and say hi. If you’ve ever had any questions about my blog, how I get my stories, or maybe have a story of your own to tell me about, I’d love to hear it.

I’ll be there with my computer, working on some blogs, so come on by!

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

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