Archive | March, 2023

Learn about notable Webster women — and me

15 Mar

In honor of National Women’s History Month, the Webster Museum and the Webster Public Library have combined their talents to put together an interesting program this month, where you can meet several well-known Webster women, past and present.

At the program, scheduled for Thursday March 30 at 3 p.m. at the Webster Public Library, you’ll meet:

  • Victoria Woodhull, a leader in the women’s suffrage movement, stockbroker, and the first woman to ever run for president;
  • Erva Wright, Monroe County politician whose active role in civic service at the local, county and state levels earned her the title First Lady of Webster;
  • Esther Dunn, a lifelong Webster resident and long-time Webster teacher, best known for the book she published in 1971, Webster Through the Years;
  • Agnes Semmler, a farm wife who raised her family on Shoecraft Rd;
  • Ginny Nguyen, Town of Webster councilwoman;
  • and me, Missy Rosenberry

Each character will speak for about 5 to 6 minutes, describing a little about their lives and accomplishments. As for me, I’ll be telling you more about how I came to create the Webster on the Web blog and how it has become part of the fabric of the Webster community.

The program is free, but registration is required. So click here to sign up and please join us for what should be a very interesting presentation.

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

* * *

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

(posted 3/15/2023)

Tags: , , , ,

Webster resident celebrates 100th birthday

14 Mar

A very special celebration was held last Saturday when St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Rochester held a grand 100th birthday party for two of their parishioners, Sister Mary Dismas and Webster resident Ludwika Kardela.  

Ludwika was born on March 8, 1923 and raised in Poland where she married and began her family near the city of Nysa in southern Poland. She and her family emigrated to the United States in 1963 and settled in Rochester. Ludwika has volunteered and cooked for events at the St. Teresa’s and St. Stanislaus Kostka parishes, and has been a fixture at parish events for decades. If you’ve ever been to the St. Stanislaus Polish Festival, you’ve enjoyed her delicious pierogies and cabbage rolls, and definitely got one of her wonderful smiles. Ludwika still cooks for some events to this day. Family from all over the country and Poland came to town to help celebrate her milestone birthday.

Sister Dismas was born on March 11, 1923 and in 2021 marked 80 years of service with the Sisters of Mercy. Sister Dismas spent her school years at St. John the Evangelist and Our Lady of Mercy, where she graduated in 1941. The influence of the Sisters of Mercy led her to enter the order and led her to becoming a teacher for 41 years. Sister Dismas also volunteered with a number of organizations throughout her years and she still resides at the St. Stanislaus convent. 

Along with celebrating Sister Dismas and Ludwika’s birthdays, the parish also celebrated the birthday of Father Roman Caly with a buffet lunch gathering for friends, family and fellow parishioners. 

Many thanks to Ursula Zamora for this great report and photos.

* * *

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

(posted 3/14/2023)

Tags: ,

Webster community mailbag

13 Mar

The Webster Museum leads my mailbag today, with the latest in their intriguing “What is it?” series, featuring unusual items they’ve found in their collection.

The last time I posted a blog about these items, I received several emails from readers who could actually identify some — or all — of them. How about this one? If you have any idea what it might be, let me know. Or better yet, pop by the library and chat with the lovely docents there yourself, and check out all of the other interesting items on display for the “What is it? exhibit. The museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, and is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

This interesting update about some notable Websterites also comes from the museum.

Webster Thomas grad-turned-supermodel Rachel Hilbert is celebrating her birthday on March 14.

Julie Chen ’82, also an R.L. Thomas grad, was recently named chancellor of University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She will officially be installed on April 13.

Marc Thompson (WHS ’93) was recently interviewed by the Audio Book Club about his work as a voice actor and audio book narrator. If you enjoy Star Wars, audio books, or Marc’s work, it’s worth a listen.

Here’s another reminder that Community Arts Day is coming up on April 15, and if your community group would like to participate, the deadline to register is fast approaching.

Community groups that would just like to set up an information table can participate for $30, payable at the time of registration. Community groups or vendors that would like to sell their goods need advance approval from the CAD planning committee. A $55 vendor fee applies.

The registration deadline is April 1.  A $5 late fee will be applied for any registrations accepted past the deadline.  All registrations and payments must be received by Friday April 7 at 5 p.m., after which the registration forms and payment site will close.

Click here to register.

As usual, there’s lots of stuff going on at the Webster Parks and Recreation Department. Today I highlight a few of the Senior Center activities.

On Wednesday March 17, check out the “Singo Bingo,” from 1 to 2 p.m. Listen to music, mark off the songs, and call out “SINGO!” There will be prizes. The event is free but registration is required.

The Talks on Tuesday series continues on Tuesday March 14 with a presentation about Effective Communication Strategies by Kristie McCormick. It will be particularly focused on those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, but will benefit anyone who wants to improve their communication skills.

On Tuesday March 21, NASA Ambassador Jim Porter will speak on “NASA: 60 Years of Space Exploration,” beginning with the Mercury missions through what space exploration might look like in the future.

I’ll be there on Tuesday March 28, when my good friend Dave Wyble will present a facinating look at the Science of Color. It goes well beyond the color wheel we learned in art class.

There’s no charge for these programs, but registration is requested. Click here to register.

And not for nothing, the Webster Senior Center welcomes anyone ages 55 and above to these activities (50 and above for the Talks). So maybe you don’t consider yourself a “senior” yet, consider joining in and making some new friends.

By the way, Mark your calendar for Tuesday May 16; I’ll be presenting a Tuesday Talk all about my Webster on the Web blog.

Webster Hope will be hosting a food drive on Saturday March 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at 1450 Ridge Rd.

Please enter from Phillips Rd. and follow the signs. Just drive up, and volunteers will be on hand to unload your donations. Please no clothing…they really need food.

Here’s this month’s wish list to help:

  • fruit juice (cans or bottles)
  • jars of applesauce
  • canned tuna
  • pasta
  • jars of spaghetti sauce

The mission of Webster HOPE is to serve the needs of residents in the 14580-zip code. Their volunteers embrace the spirit of compassion as they provide food, clothing, household goods and furniture to those in need. Financial assistance, with the emphasis on preventing homelessness, is available.

A handful of blood drives are coming up in our area (click the poster for more details):

  • Friday March 17, noon to 5 p.m., Webster Fireman’s Building, 172 Sanford St.
  • Thursday March 23, 1 to 6 p.m., Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd.
  • Tuesday April 4, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.

Boy Scout Troop 262 will hold a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser this Saturday March 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Firemen’s Exempt Building, 172 Sanford Street. Dinner is $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 10.

Eat in or take out.

* * *

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

(posted 3/13/2023)

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

The Webster Girls 16U Cyclones are going to nationals

11 Mar

For the first time in the team’s 20-year (or so) history, the Webster Cyclones 16U Tier 2 Girls team will be heading to the Nationals.

At last weekend’s State Championships in Buffalo, the team capped an impressive 35-12-7 season with a strong showing, powering through a tough semi-final field and earning a trip to the Nationals later this month. After defeating Wheatfield in a thrilling 1-0 semifinal matchup, the team fell in the finals to the Adirondack Youth, who earned an automatic Nationals bid. However, the Cyclones were awarded an at-large bid to the tournament and will compete in Irvine, California from March 30 to April 3.

This is the first Webster Youth Hockey team — boys or girls — in the history of the organization to make it all the way to Nationals.

They can use our help to get there, too. Obviously, the cost of traveling to California for the tournament is pretty significant. So the team has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise some money for the trip. If you’d like to support the girls in their quest to bring a National title back to Webster, click here.

Also this news of note: the Webster Girls’ 19U team also made it all the way to the State Tournament this year, making this the first year ever that Webster had two girls’ teams make it to the States. Congratulations to both teams!

* * *

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

(posted 3/8/2023)

Tags: ,

Buy Girl Scout cookies, support our deployed troops

10 Mar

If you’re a big fan of Girl Scout cookies like I am, you know that the cookies have arrived and the troops are hard at work delivering them. But if you missed out on ordering this year, or you REALLY need more Thin Mints to toss in the freezer, have no fear. I know of at least one troop which will be selling them at local businesses in the coming weeks.

Webster Girl Scout Troop 60344 will have a table set up this Sunday March 12 at Lowe’s Webster from 1 to 4 p.m., and on Saturday March 25 and April 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walmart Home entrance. They’ll not only be selling cookies to all of us, they’ll also be taking orders for cookies which will be included in care packages being put together by the Blue Star Mothers for our locally deployed troops.

So, not only can you get your own personal cookie fix, you can also help send a little taste of home to our troops.

By the way, this particular Girl Scout troop is the one I wrote about a few weeks ago when one of its members, Julia Meyers, lost her cookie money envelope in the high winds we had in early February. A very kind neighbor found it and most of the missing cash, and it was all returned to Julia. I posted the whole touching story in this blog.

I know for a fact that Julia herself will be at the March 12 cookie-selling table, so if you’d like to meet her in person, this is a great chance to do so!

* * *

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

(posted 3/10/2023)

Tags: , , , ,

Mama Lor’s still in the fight for best fish fry

9 Mar

Forget March Madness. The Democrat and Chronicle is holding a much tastier tournament, and our very own Mama Lor’s is in the hunt for a spot in the Final Four.

They’re calling it the “Fish Fry Faceoff,” which for the last several weeks has been pitting restaurant against restaurant to see who has the best fish fry in Rochester. This particular popularity contest was last run four years ago, and Crabby Dan’s Grill in Mendon took top honors. Apparently they’ve closed, so a new champion will be crowned this year.

And Mama Lor’s has worked its way through the original field of 32 down to the Elite 8.

As you can see in the brackets posted above, Mama Lor’s is up against Underpass Bar & Grill in this round, the only remaining Fairport contestant in the mix. As I write this blog, Mama Lor’s is ahead, but not by much. To add your vote, click here and scroll down to the appropriate listing. Then click the circle next to your choice. You can vote once per matchup, per round. Voting for this round is open through Sunday March 12.

If you want to try their fish fry for yourself, Mama Lor’s has two locations, at 1891 Ridge Rd. and 1319 Lake Rd.

* * *

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

(posted 3/8/2023)

Tags: , ,

St. Patrick’s Day, done right at Barry’s!

8 Mar

Count on Webster’s very own, award-winning Irish pub to do St. Patrick’s Day up right.

And I don’t throw the phrase “award-winning” around lightly. Since this little pub opened a little more than 11 years ago, Barry’s Old School Irish has racked up 15 local and national awards, regularly landing in the top 10 (or even top 5) in lists recognizing the best Irish pubs in the country.

Last week they added one more, when aol.com, together with TripAdviser, named Barry’s one of 20 “Under the Radar Pubs Across America that People Love.”

The online article read,

Started by Jessica and Danny Barry just over 11 years ago, Barry’s Old School Irish Pub offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere paired with delicious bites like sticky toffee pudding, corned beef Reuben fritters, potato and herb soup, and hot pretzels. The pub hosts its own annual Irish festival with music, craft vendors, Irish dance, and beer and food trucks. Barry’s may be a small, relatively new pub, but The Irish Post named it one of the best Irish pubs in the United States.

If you haven’t yet discovered this wee little corner of Ireland located smack-dab in the middle of the Village of Webster, St. Patrick’s Day is the time to do it. True to their award-winning reputation, Danny and Jess have planned not just one day’s worth, but more than a week’s worth of festivities to celebrate the season.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming up. For more details, check out the Barry’s Facebook page or website.

  • March 10, 7-10 p.m.: Annual Irish Music Sing-Along with Kevin Reynolds and Trace Wilkins
  • March 11 (Parade Day): Open 8 a.m. to midnight with breakfast, traditional session by The Killarney Boys; Irish dancers, bagpipers, whiskey samples; live music by Dave North, Everheart and Billy Herring; giveaways and more.
  • March 14, 6 to 8 p.m.: Guinness Glass Etching with Guinness on the house
  • March 15, 6:30 p.m.: All Things Green Trivia, with prizes sponsored by Guinness. Email Barrysirishpub@gmail.com to reserve a table.
  • March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day): Open 8 a.m. to midnight with breakfast, traditional session by The Killarney Boys; Irish dancers, bagpipers, whiskey samples; live music by Dave North, Everheart and Kevin Reynolds; giveaways and more.

* * *

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

(posted 3/8/2023)

Tags: , , , ,

Charity basketball game pits Thomas vs. Schroeder

7 Mar

A Thomas vs. Schroeder high school basketball game is always highly competitive and definitely worth watching. But the one happening this Thursday night should be … well, interesting, and dare I say, a little short on actual basketball talent.

It’s a Charity Basketball Game, scheduled for Thursday night March 9 at Webster Thomas High School.

The family-friendly event will pit Thomas/OWL staff and faculty against Schroeder/GOAL staff and faculty in a friendly winner-take-all-bragging-rights game. The school’s Resource Officers will officiate, so it will (well, SHOULD) be a clean game. Halftime activities will include some super fun competitions between Thomas/OWL students and Schroeder/GOAL students. Concessions will be available.

I don’t know for sure how often the high schools have hosted a charity game like this, but I do remember participating in one many, many years ago when I was working at Thomas. What I remember most about it, actually (aside from how poorly I played) were the fun costumes and wigs that many of the teachers wore, and how much laughing there was. It was an enjoyable experience both on the court, and for everyone in the stands as well.

Admission is only $2 (suggested donation), and all proceeds will benefit Dreams from Drake, a Spencerport-based organization which provides children and teens who recently lost a sibling or parent with various forms of community and social support. Additional donations would be greatly appreciated as well.

The game will be played in the gymnasium at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. on Thursday March 9 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Enter on the east side of the building, near the field house.

* * *

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

(posted 3/7/2023)

Tags: , , , , ,

“Cut loose, footloose, kick off your Sunday shoes ….” (this weekend)!

6 Mar

The curtain’s about to go up on the Spry Drama Club’s spring musical, Footloose!, which will fill the Spry Middle School Cafetorium with music and dance in three shows this coming Friday and Saturday.

You surely remember the 1984 Oscar-nominated movie musical starring Kevin Bacon. The story follows a city teenager who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been deemed illegal. The new kid and his rebellious spirit shake up the town as he tries to bring music back into their drab lives … and win the girl at the same time. There’s lots of great music (including that very infectious title song), plus some new songs developed for the stage musical.

As you can see from the photos I’ve included here, I had the chance to pop by one of the dress rehearsals the other day, and was very impressed by how hard these young actors, actresses and stage crew have been working to put together a great show. And the talent I saw in these middle school-aged performers kinda of blew me away. There are some incredibly beautiful voices in the ensemble which I’m certain we’ll be hearing again in future productions at Webster Schroeder High School and beyond.

I highly recommend you see this show. It’ll be a delightful and inexpensive night out.

Spry Drama Club will present Footloose! this coming Friday March 10 at 7 p.m. and Saturday March 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Reserve tickets are $8 each and can be purchased online here. Spry Middle School is located at 119 South Ave., in the Village of Webster.

* * *

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

(posted 3/6/2023)

Tags: , , ,

Young Webster hero honored with Do the Right Thing Award

5 Mar

Small people can do some really pretty big things.

Case in point: Skylar Jones, a fourth-grader at Webster’s Plank Rd. North Elementary School, who last Thursday morning was presented a Do the Right Thing Award from the Rochester Police Department.

As described in the program from the ceremony,

Skylar was nominated by his grandmother, Judy Nolan, for his calm and brave actions during a family medical emergency that occurred last October. When Skylar got home from school that day, he saw that his grandfather wasn’t feeling well and called his grandmother at work to tell her. After Mrs. Nolan spoke with her husband and realized how sick he sounded, she left work immediately to come home. While enroute, Skyler tried calling his grandmother several times to tell her that Papa fell. When he was unable to reach his grandmother, he called his mother and told her what had happened. One of the women contacted 911, and both were headed to the house. Skylar handled multiple phone calls between the two, and was told that the ambulance was coming. During their conversations, he kept both family members informed of how Papa was doing, assuring them that was conscious and breathing, and encouraging him to talk. He secured the dog, and went to meet the ambulance when it arrived and guided the first responders into the home.

Skylar handled a chaotic emergency at nine years old better than some adults would have. He stayed calm and kept his grandmother and mother informed until medical help arrived. When asked afterward what he would have done if he had been unable to contact either of them, he confidently said that he would have called 911 himself.

Among the half dozen or so relatives and friends who were on hand to watch Skylar receive his award were his grandparents, of course, and Sarah Mossey, one of the EMTs who responded to the house that day, who also happens to be Skylar’s music teacher at Plank North.

Skylar was one of eight students presented with the award at Thursday morning’s ceremony at the City Public Safety Building. They ranged from a Greece Central School District kindergartner who’s doing great things for his community, to a junior at Churchville-Chili High School who called 911 when his two-year old sister was having a seizure. Their individual stories are all very different and all very inspiring.

The Do the Right Thing Program was created in 1990 by the Miami Police Department. Rochester joined the program in 1996, one of 60 chapters in the United States, England and Germany. Its purpose is to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and our community youth by recognizing young people for helping officers and other first responders, performing acts of heroism, displaying leadership, role model behavior, and volunteering in their community. The award distinguishes students who strive to make good choices, do well in school, give back to their communities, or demonstrate a “turn-around” or improved behavior. Any student enrolled in K-12 in Monroe County is eligible, including those home-schooled.

Each award winner receives a trophy, a prize package, a trip to Seabreeze Amusement Park, an invitation to the Camp Good Days Leadership Camp, and the opportunity to apply for a college scholarship when they become high school seniors.

For more information, visit the Do the Right Thing website here and Facebook page here.

* * *

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

(posted 3/5/2023)

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →