Archive | February, 2024

An update from Danny and Jess Barry

9 Feb

It happens to me at least once a week these days. I’m chatting with someone, and they ask me something like, “So, what do you know about Barry’s? When is it going to open again?” And more often than not they’d pass along some theory or rumor which answered their own question.

A few days ago, I determined to track down the REAL answer by going straight to the source. I called Danny and Jess and asked them to clear up the issue once and for all. Have they made any decisions on where the new Barry’s Old School Irish will be, and when it might open?

Their answer? In a word, no.

They DID tell me they “have some feelers out,” and a “lot of people looking” for the new space. But basically, Danny and Jess are not much closer to finding their pub’s forever home than they were when they closed Barry’s Old School Irish five months ago.

They get the same question all the time, of course. But they also often have people tell them, in no uncertain terms, “I know where you’re going.”

Danny laughed when he told me that, and said he responds, “OK, fill me in.”

Even though plans are still not set in stone, their hopes for the new pub haven’t changed much. They want a building they can own outright. They want it to be larger, yet still maintain the intimacy that Barry’s Old School Irish has become known for. And they definitely want to stay as close to 2 West Main St. as possible.

In the meantime, however, Danny and Jess continue to work hard promoting their new Barry’s Irish Cream Liqueur, traveling all over the state to hold tastings in liquor stores and pubs.

“We’re super thankful about how great the Irish Cream is going,” Danny said, attributing its success in large part to their loyal Barry’s Pub family, who have come out in droves to purchase it and ask for it to be stocked in their local stores. It’s folks like these, who remain loyal to the pub family, that continue to fill their hearts with gratitude every day.

“One of the things that’s been super nice is how we’ve been able to reflect on how amazing the last 12 years have been,” Danny said, “to go over the people and moments that have happened. … People built (the pub) with us. The least we can do is return the favor.”

“We’re excited for the future.”

Whether you’re a Barry’s regular or have only stopped in once or twice, you’ll like this next bit of news Danny and Jessica passed along: the 5th Annual Barry’s Irish Festival will (hopefully) be held at the Webster Firemen’s Field, just outside the Village of Webster. They’re still trying to figure out when exactly it will be, since several summer weekend dates are already unavailable, so stay tuned for more about that.

This is great news for all of the Webster locals who have come to love the festival — and Barry’s Old School Irish. It means that later this summer, we’ll be able to raise a pint with the Barrys again … albeit down the road a bit. In the meantime, Danny and Jess hope to hold some smaller events — kind of like mini-Barry’s family reunions — so that we can all get together again as we await for news on Barry’s Old School Irish 2.0.

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Also, HUGE congratulations to Danny and Jess Barry for being named this year’s Irish Business Leaders of the year by the Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. Watch for their whole family marching in the parade!

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

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(posted 2/10/2024)

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Catch Me if You Can comes to the Webster Schroeder stage this weekend

6 Feb

I had the pleasure Monday night of getting a sneak peek at Webster Schroeder High School’s upcoming spring musical, Catch Me If You Can, which takes the stage this coming weekend, Feb. 8 through 10.

The show tells the real-life story of con artist Frank Abagnale, who, from the age of 16, masqueraded as a teacher, pilot, doctor and lawyer, and wrote 17,000 bad checks to the tune of $2.5 million.

The musical drama’s plot largely follows the well-known 2002 film of the same name, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It opened on Broadway in 2011, receiving four Tony Award nominations and one Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

I’m a big fan of the film, and was very curious to see how a drama like that had been turned into a musical. But I’ve seen my share of Schroeder productions, and I expected to be blown away by this one, as I always am.

I was not disappointed.

Catch Me If You Can is not only well acted, with incredible voices I’ve come to expect from Webster Schroeder students, but it’s also funny. I was laughing right from the get-go, when the audience received the “airline safety procedures” presentation, complete with a seat belt and oxygen mask demo, and notice that we’d be having a “15-minute layover” in the middle of the flight.

Fans of the movie will notice that a lot of scenes have been eliminated and many others blended together, a necessary concession when translating a film to the stage. There are some impressive dance pieces, and LOTS of music, but every single one of the songs moves the story along and adds some meaningful character background. I actually left the theater humming one of the jaunty tunes.

The costumes are bright, and the set pieces are simple but imaginative. I was especially impressed by how quickly the stage crew could transform an airport into a living room, and may have gasped slightly when a huge airplane was lowered from the rafters.

Schroeder’s production of Catch Me If You Can is especially notable since it’s the first time the musical has been produced in our area. Artistic Director Carrie Zugelder said that Rush Henrietta High School was planning to stage it in 2020, but COVID put a halt to that. So, “it’s pretty much never been done in Western New York,” she said.

“We were intrigued by it,” she added, explaining why she, Music Director Katie Goodman and choreographer Cori Colombo chose it for this year’s production.

It’s not an easy show. It’s got a ton of characters, it’s got a ton of singing, lots of stage time for kids. We knew we had a really solid group of ladies and we knew we had some really star quality gentlemen. … There’s a lot of wealth to pass around and we knew we could cast it.

The show was challenging in other ways as well.

We have 41 kids in the cast and we have more than 350 costumes. The average actor on stage has between eight and twelve costume changes, which is crazy. And not only are there a lot of costume changes, there are lots of accessories. Kids have hats, they have sunglasses, baseball bats …it’s all over the place.

This is unlike anything that I’ve ever done before, but it’s a really, really great show.

I couldn’t say it any better.

Webster Schroeder’s production of Catch Me If You Can is a lighthearted adaptation of the movie which tells a fascinating story that will delight everyone, regardless of whether they’ve seen the movie or not.

You’re definitely going to want to catch this one.

Catch Me If You Can will be presented on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Tickets are $14 and available now through WebsterSchroederMusicals.com. 

A thousand thanks to Schroeder parent David Schiffhauer for the excellent photographs. Check out his work at DJSchiffhauer Photography.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/6/2024)

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Civil War-era revolver has a Webster connection

5 Feb

Here’s an interesting bit of Civil War history which hails from Western Pennsylvania, but has a direct link to one of our Webster neighbors.

It’s the story of John William Glunt, a farm boy from the tiny borough of Munhall, PA, nestled along the Monongahela River southeast of Pittsburgh. He was born in 1843, and joined the Union Army a few months before he turned 21, part of the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.

Pvt. Glunt fought in several skirmishes, including at Wilkesboro, NC, and likely participated in several raiding parties responsible for capturing Confederate railroads and destroying supply trains. He served in the cavalry for eight months, fighting in Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia until he was discharged at the end of the war.

Glunt died during the U.S. Steel strike in 1901 at the age of 57. To this day, his family has stories and photos to remember him by.

But they also have his pistol.

John William Glunt was the great grandfather of Webster resident Dan Glunt, who recently shared with me the story of the Colt 44 that his ancestor carried during the Civil War. It was passed down through generations, a treasured heirloom that was not only admired, but also fired.

Dan remembers,

My father, John H. Glunt, was a metallurgical engineer at U.S. Steel and an amateur gunsmith. I was one of five sons who were taught to shoot and appreciate guns from an early age. With regard to the .44 revolver … we learned how to melt down zinc bars into pumpkin ball ammunition and to grease the cylinder, plus pour black powder down the barrel. We all shot this gun and even hit the target over time.  

The gun eventually wound up in the hands of Dan’s brother Tim, where for many years it mostly collected dust in a closet. Then, in 2016, the brothers got together and decided to donate the piece to the Soldiers and Sailors Hall museum in Pittsburgh.

The museum’s curator, Michael Kraus, remembers the donation well, even after all these years.

It was a “very generous donation,” he said. “We were excited about it because it was an identified piece from the Civil War. To find one that’s identified to an individual, and to know where he was and traveled, it’s pretty amazing. It helps us interpret. It’s not just a gun, it’s something real that someone carried.”

Kraus also said that the gun was “pretty high-tech” for the day, accurate for up to 50 yards. It’s what’s called a “percussion weapon,” meaning that each cylinder had to be individually filled with powder and a ball. It had to be reloaded after five or six shots. It was the museum’s first Colt 44 with a traceable history.

Many thanks to the Glunt family for helping preserve this interesting and important piece of our nation’s history.

Read more about the Soldiers & Sailors museum and its collections at soldiersandsailorshall.org.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/5/2024)

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Sitting & Stitching for 20 years

4 Feb

The Webster Public Library-based Sit & Stitch group has just celebrated 20 years of fellowship and friendship.

I first met the Sit & Stitchers ten years ago, when I visited them on the occasion of the club’s 10th anniversary, for an article for my Our Towns East Extra column, which I was writing for the D&C at that time.

In that article I wrote that in those ten years, the group had grown from just two or three regulars to an average of perhaps a dozen crafters every week — men and women, young and old. And as it grew, the club had also become less about the crafts, and more about the community.

I quoted Marcia Weinert, the group’s creator and coordinator, as saying,

We have become a very caring group of friends who always have room for a new face in the circle. At the same time, we reach out to each other as personal issues arise — a new grandbaby, an illness or death. You’d be amazed at how healing sticks and string can be.

Nothing much has changed in the years since that article. More crafters have discovered the group, so you’ll often find many more than a dozen people circled up in the Webster Public Library’s community room for the weekly gatherings. But that feeling of community, family and friendship remains, and continues to be a huge part of the group’s purpose.

Aside from the cake and punch bowl set up in the corner of the room, last Monday’s meeting was pretty typical of every weekly gathering. It was very well attended; about two dozen crafters crowded into the circle, their projects draped over their laps, needles clicking. A table at the front of the room was covered with finished projects exhibiting the impressive variety of fiber arts these men and women have created. But that ever-present sense of community was also very much on display. Friends welcomed friends, experienced knitters welcomed new arrivals, the conversations flowed and laughter filled the room.

When Marcia stood up to speak this year, she credited the group members for making the club what it is.

“Like in Field of Dreams,” she said, “when (the voice) said ‘if you build it they will come,’ literally by just showing up, you are the ones who created this. You are the ones who made the community. You teach each other.”

The Sit & Stitchers have become a weekly support group, a family, sharing stories and skills, making friends and helping others. And I will no doubt be visiting with them again in ten more years.

The Sit & Stitch group meets every Monday (when the library is open) from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Webster Public Library community room. All fiber arts crafters are welcome, no matter your experience level. No need to register, just stop by, and bring whatever project you’re working on.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/4/2024)

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A heartfelt thank you from the “Truck Parade” birthday girl!

3 Feb

Today I’m pleased to bring you one more blog about the truck parade held a week ago in honor of 88-year old Ruth Childs.

The parade was inspired by a single Facebook post, in which Ruth’s daughter Bonnie asked if anyone knew who drives the “long white truck with a lot of lights” that goes past Ruth’s apartment window every evening. She was hoping the driver could flash their lights and beep their horn on Friday night, Ruth’s birthday.

You can read the whole story here about how the resulting truck parade turned out, but simply said, it was an incredible outpouring of Webster community love that brought Ruth to tears. It came to her as a complete surprise, and she wanted to make sure to express her thanks.

“I did not know what my daughter had done,” Ruth said. “She just told me there was going to be a surprise. I had no idea until we had to get outside and start waving.”

I just wanted to thank all of the people that were involved, who came to wish somebody happy birthday that they didn’t even know. I thank them for giving up their evening, because once you work all day, especially on Friday, you just want to go home and do your own thing. I thought it was just wonderful and I was overwhelmed.

It was the best birthday ever.

Her daughter Bonnie was also extremely grateful for the outpouring of support, writing,

The effort put forth to make a complete stranger so happy was beyond heartwarming. When they sang Happy Birthday I don’t think there was a dry eye. I think it was a morale booster for the entire community!

Just reading the Facebook comments is evidence that we are all looking for the good that exists in the world and Webster has proven to be a shining star. I challenge you to find any post with more than 200 comments and  ZERO negative remarks. That’s when you know something special is happening! 

We live in an amazing community.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/3/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

2 Feb

St. Martin Lutheran Church will host a free Mardi Gras Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m., to thank the community for supporting their missions over the year.

Dinner will include sausage and applesauce, with unlimited pancakes and syrup. Participants are invited to come dressed in Mardi Gras style. Beads will be provided, and you can make your own masks.

The event will be held at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd. Everyone is invited to this family-friendly event, so bring your friends. There’s no cost, but a free-will offering of a boxed or canned good for the church’s Little Free Pantry would be gratefully accepted.   

Catch this musical if you can!

This year’s spring musical season in our secondary schools continues with Webster Schroeder’s production of Catch Me if You Can, which will take the stage next Thursday through Saturday.

Based on the 2002 Dreamworks hit movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, the musical Catch Me if You Can introduces us to Frank Abagnale Jr. (Ryan Parody), a precocious individual seeking fame and fortune. He ran away from home in 1964 at the age of 16 with nothing but his boyish charm, big imagination, and millions of dollars in forged checks. From 1964 to 1969 Frank successfully posed as a substitute teacher, a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. When Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Jack Baker), Carl does whatever it takes to bring Frank down. It’s the true-life story of the world’s (now) most respected authority on forgery, embezzlement, cybercrimes and scams.

Shows are Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Tickets are $14 and available now through WebsterSchroederMusicals.com.

Start your Super Bowl Sunday off right

If you’re planning to spend a lot of time on the couch on Super Bowl Sunday (like I am), you might want to consider starting off your day with a fun workout.

The Webster Recreation Center has cooked up a FREE Super Bowl-themed “Football & Fitness” sampler workout for Sunday Feb. 11. Beginning at 9 a.m. you can sample four workouts with four different instructors, split into 15 minute “quarters.”

You can even earn raffle tickets for some great prizes. Check out the poster for details.

It all happens at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr., beginning at 9 a.m. There’s no cost, registration is not required and you don’t have to be a member of the Rec to join the fun.

Kindergarten registration opens

Kindergarten registration is now open for the class of 2037.

Families are asked to go online now to register their children who will be entering kindergarten this September. (Families who do not have access to a computer may call the Webster Central School District at 585-216-0029 to have a registration packet mailed to them.) 

Families are encouraged to register early as it takes a substantial amount of time and planning for the appropriate number of students to be enrolled in each of the seven elementary schools. In the event there’s not enough space for a child to enroll at their home elementary school, registrations will be processed in the order in which they are received. 

Parents/guardians can get more information and register online at www.websterschools.org/registration.

Investors sought for Shark Tank-style panel

This news also from the schools which will interest local business owners:

High school students in the Webster Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) will pitch their businesses in Shark Tank-style to a panel of investors this spring, and Webster YEA! is looking for local businesses and persons to be the next Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John, or Barbara Corcoran for these budding entrepreneurs.

YEA! transforms Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Through the year-long program, Webster YEA! students generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel of investors, and launch their very own companies. Investors pledge $700 toward student businesses and join the in-person Shark Tank-style presentation of student entrepreneur business proposals to be held on Thursday, March 21.

Interested in being an investor and on the panel? Contact program coordinator Jim McEntee at james_mcentee@webstercsd.org.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/2/2024)

Class of ’93 donation honors former Thomas VP John Soper

1 Feb

When we graduate from high school, we all leave a little bit of our hearts behind. It might take some time, but eventually most of us come to look back fondly at our alma maters, the good times we had there, and the teachers and administrators who helped guide us.

That’s what the members of the Webster Thomas Class of 1993 were thinking when they celebrated their 30th reunion last summer. As part of the reunion, they decided they wanted to do something to give back to the school, and especially honor their vice principal, John Soper. So, in his memory, they held a fundraiser to raise money for the Webster Thomas Food Pantry.

Class of ’93 representative Andy LaManna explained they chose Soper for the recognition because he was “a great human being … very much appreciated by the class.”

He added,

When the class of ’93 had the reunion planning, we wanted to do something different. Knowing that no student should have to worry about being hungry during the school day (there’s enough other things to worry about in high school), we decided that we would take up a collection to raise money for the Webster Thomas Food Pantry that is right at the school.

What ended up happening was amazing. Both those that could, and those that could not make the reunion donated to the pantry. All in all we raised over $3000.

Unfortunately, Soper passed away in 2016. John’s wife Judy was very appreciative of the sentiment, writing,

John was truly dedicated to his students and the Webster schools. He took great joy in being personally involved with his classes as vice-principal and later as principal. Seeing former students succeed was his reward. Being an educator was his true calling. He would have been so honored by this dedication from the class of 1993.

Glenn Widor and Ari Halaris

Webster Thomas administrators were pretty much blown away by the generous donation. Principal Glenn Widor said, “The Class of ’93 donation made it possible for our Thomas/OWL students to know and more importantly feel that people care and want to help in numerous ways even after graduating! Having a pantry that provides essentials for those in need is of great value.”

OWL administrator/director Ari Halaris added, “I’m honored to work in a school where alumni continue to show support for our schools and programs. It’s great to have a stocked pantry right within the buildings.”

The funds were used to purchase nonperishable food for the cupboard, and provide food vouchers for students to use over breaks and vacations.

Every one of our secondary schools has a food pantry to serve those students who need extra support and don’t get enough to eat at home. Wouldn’t it be cool if other Webster class reunions did something similar to support the pantries at Schroeder, Willink, and Spry? What a great way for Webster alumni to help our current Webster students.  

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/1/2024)

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