Archive | June, 2024

ATAD is looking for two host families

6 Jun

Even though this school year isn’t quite over, one local organization is already gearing up for September. And for them, time is already getting short.

The Association for Teen-age Diplomats (ATAD) is in urgent need of two Webster families to host high school-aged exchange students for the next school year. Now is the time to sign up, because the students need plenty of time to get their visas.

ATAD was created after World War II by a group of Kodak employees. They wanted to come up with some way to foster world peace and thought that if the world’s young people got to know each other, there would be less war. They started bringing exchange students to Rochester in the 1950s.

Most years, ATAD will host five to ten students hailing from France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Peru, Poland, Spain and Turkey. Two are expected this year: 16-year old Aurora from Sicily, who plays the piano, does gymnastics and volunteers for the Italian Red Cross; and 16-year old Marc from Spain, who loves to play basketball and wants to become an engineer. You can click here to see their complete bios.

Becoming a host family is easy, and really requires very little more than providing room, board and love. The visiting student doesn’t even need a private bedroom or any spending money.

You can find answers to many questions on the ATAD website, but here’s some helpful info:

  • students bring their own spending money and have their own insurance
  • families generally include the visiting student on family trips, and the students sometimes have their own money to pay for it
  • ATAD hosts a few social gatherings during the school year so host families can meet other families
  • each student has a program chair assigned to manage any problems — large or small — which come up. The ATAD volunteer network is ready to step in and help with any issues that arise.
  • host families do not have to have any other children
  • all visiting students know English well
  • families are not provided a stipend for hosting a student
  • students do not pay room and board

For more information, visit the ATAD website or email Suzanne Isgrigg, Vice President for Host Families, at froggymom@aol.com.

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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 6/6/2024)

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Final Point marker will honor Robert Prescott

5 Jun

Today’s blog is about an event that’s actually happening at Ellison Park in Penfield, but I highlight it because it might be of particular interest to anyone who’s at all involved in the surveying profession.

On Saturday June 15 at noon, the Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association (GVLSA) are having a “final point” dedication ceremony in honor of long-time professional land surveyor and past GVLSA president Robert Prescott.

Traditionally, a single Final Point monument is sited to memorialize the place of death or birth of a land surveyor. Last December, GVLSA members Mike Venturo, Cory Mahoney and Roy Garfinkel set a Final Point Monument at Ellison Park in Prescott’s honor. It is that marker which will be dedicated on June 15.

Prescott was licensed as Land Surveyor in New York in 1971 and worked in both public and private practice. In addition to serving as president of the GVLSA from 1992 to 1993, he also was in charge of the Monroe County Surveyors Office for many years, served as president and executive director of the president of the NYS Association of Professional Land Surveyors (NYSAPLS) and president of the Rochester Engineering Society. He made presentations before local, state, and national groups on various aspects of surveying, and in 2007 was awarded the NYSAPLS Pillar of Excellence Award.

Prescott passed away in early 2017.

The ceremony will be held on Saturday June 15 beginning at noon at the Orchard Grove Shelter in Ellison Park. The main entrance to the park is located east of Rt. 590 on Blossom Rd. A cookout lunch will be served after the ceremony. Please RSVP by June 7 if you plan to attend.

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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 6/5/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

4 Jun

A couple of fun things coming up this weekend are atop my mailbag.

The first is the Webster Recreation Center’s annual Summer Celebration, this Saturday June 8 from 4 to 10 p.m.

This excellent family-friendly event features a bounce house, food trucks, live music, and fireworks at the end of the night. It’s free and no registration is necessary.

The Rec Center’s Music at the Arboretum series continues on Thursday, June 20 with a performance by Jazz Generation, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is free (but weather-dependent). Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, plus snacks and drinks if you’d like!

Looking ahead at the Rec Center, mark your calendars now for the Summer Splash party on Saturday July 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the First Responders Spray Park on Chiyoda Dr. Rich the Magic Man will be there with foam bubble fun, and there’ll be free snow cones for all.

Then on Wednesday July 31, come out and see the beautiful new and improved Sandbar Park during Sandbar Splendor from 5 to 7 p.m. There’ll be lawn games, food trucks, raffles and music.

SPEAKING OF THE SPRAY PARKS…

Webster’s two spray parks are now open for the season, at Ridgecrest Park (off of Ebner Drive) and the beautiful, First Responders Spray Park near the Webster Recreation Center on Chiyoda Dr.

The First Responders Park (pictured here) is especially fun for kids and families. It’s a firefighter-themed playground and splash pad, with a nearby pavilion. The splash pad has all sorts of water-fun features including a fire hydrant, a dalmatian fountain and fire truck slide.  

Ridgecrest’s spray park is a smaller facility, but is just a short walk from the center of the village. It also boasts an adjacent playground and skate park.

    Also coming up this weekend is a program at the Webster Arboretum especially designed for those of you who love peonies.

    The Arboretum will present a Program about peonies, the “queen of flowers,” on Sunday June 9 at 6:30 p.m. Arboretum board member George Riehle will give a tour and present the program, focusing on the care and cultivation of peonies and tree peonies. Please register at the Webster Arboretum website.

    The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

    ALSO on Sunday June 9, the Webster Museum will present what has become one of their most popular programs, the Antiques and Collectibles Roadshow.  

    If you’re curious about the value or origin of an antique you own, bring it to the museum on June 9 at 2 p.m. and the Palma Brothers will use their expertise to provide some insight. There’s no cost, you don’t need to register, and free refreshments will be provided.

    The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.

    Finally, this notice which I actually got in my SNAIL MAIL: the Summer Concert Series at Cherry Ridge is back.

    The first concert is scheduled for Wednesday June 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring the Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Gates open at 5 p.m., and food will be available for purchase beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs, and make sure to pre-register here so you can skip the line. There’s no cost for this community concert.

    Looking ahead, on Tuesday Aug. 6, 8 Days a Week takes steps up on the Cherry Ridge stage, so make sure to mark your calendars now.

    Cherry Ridge is located at 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd., across from Webster Schroeder High School. Registration is requested. Click here to do so.

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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 6/4/2024)

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    Senior Singers concert, lots more this June at Webster Senior Center

    3 Jun

    I often write about what’s going on at the Webster Recreation Center, but sometimes the 55+ “senior” center activities get lost in the shuffle. I’d like to correct that oversight today.

    The main thing I want to let you know about is the next free community performance by the Senior Singers on Tuesday June 11, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

    The Senior Singers is a enthusiastic group of older adults who come together at the Rec Center every Tuesday to sing, socialize and — two or three times a year — share their love for music with the greater Webster community. There’s no charge to attend the concert, and registration is not necessary. So bring a friend, a grandchild, or come solo, and take a moment out of your day and stop by to hear some beautiful music.

    While you’re there, consider joining this fun group. It doesn’t cost anything, and no audition is required. The only things you really need are the desire to make music — and a lot of new friends.

    The Talks on Tuesdays series continues this month with three great programs.

    The first, scheduled for Tuesday June 4, is called Be Scam Aware. The chief of the White Collar Crime Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s office will discuss the latest scams, what to look out for, how to avoid them and what to do if you become a victim. (Register for activity #246940-F)

    On Tuesday June 11, join Dan Glunt for a fascinating program about the Civil War Colt 44 his family inherited from his great-great grandfather. I wrote a blog about this interesting story which will tell you more about it. (Register for activity #246940-G)

    On Tuesday June 18, join a seminar about Empowering Seniors Against Fraud. The program will discuss ways fraudsters reach out and attempt to defraud and scam the elderly population. (Register for activity #246940-H)

    All Talks on Tuesday programs begin at 10:30 a.m. and are free, but registration is required so they make sure to have enough seats.

    Also coming up this month, especially for seniors, at the Webster Recreation Center:

    • Tuesday June 11, 9 to 10:30 a.m. — Technology Workshop: Have Apps Will Travel. Technology instructor Daniel Jones will teach about travel-related apps for your upcoming trips. Free.
    • Tuesday June 11, 12:45 p.m. — Strawberry Shortcakes. Show up anytime between 12:45 and 1:30 p.m. to enjoy a sweet treat. Cost is $3, register by June 7.
    • Friday June 14, 11 a.m. to noon — Dogs & Donuts. Meet some amazing RocDog Therapy Dogs and share a breakfast treat. Free.

    This is just a sample of all the cool things happening at the Webster Recreation Center for community members 55+. Check out the Senior Center newsletter for more information.

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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 6/3/2024)

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    Wilbert’s earns recognition as a Top Workplace

    1 Jun

    Thank you to my friend Jan Naujokas for passing along this little happy piece of news about a local business. Wilbert’s Family Enterprises has recently been honored as one of the 2024 Rochester Top Workplaces.

    The rankings were compiled by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, based on employee surveys collected from September through November 2023. Judges were looking for “dynamic companies (with) high employee satisfaction and being committed to workplace excellence.” Any business (public, private, non-profit, or government) with 35 or more employees in the Rochester metro area was eligible to participate.

    In all, more than 18,000 employees from 101 companies submitted surveys. Of those, 69 companies in three categories — small, midsize and large — were chosen as Top Workplaces.

    Wilbert’s Family Enterprises, located on Salt Rd., has been operating for more than 70 years as one of the largest automotive recycling facilities in New York State. In their listing on the D&C website, Wilbert’s writes that “our vision is to be the employer of choice, fostering a workplace where talent thrives. We aspire to create an environment where every employee feels valued, inspired, and empowered to reach their full potential.”

    We are dedicated to embracing a collaborative and innovative workplace to elevate our products and services and contribute meaningfully to the communities we touch. Our success is measured not just in financial terms but in the positive influence on the lives of our employees, customers, and the community… we pride ourselves in providing quality products and service, with the help of our amazing family of employees, while continuing to give back to the community.

    The Top Workplace honorees were celebrated at a cocktail reception on April 3 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Click here to see the entire list.

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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 5/29/2024)

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