Archive | June, 2025

Schroeder students make waves in cardboard boats

6 Jun

I get a lot of press releases from the school district. For various reasons, I don’t always use them for my blog, but this most recent one that came across my email just made me giggle, in large part because of the photos which accompanied it.

Earlier this week, Webster Schroeder High School students put their physics and calculus knowledge to the test in a unique, fun and entertaining challenge: building and racing boats made entirely of cardboard. 

Teams of two to four students spent a week designing and constructing their vessels, aiming to create a boat sturdy enough to carry at least one person across the width of the pool.

On Tuesday June 3, four innovative cardboard creations hit the water at the Webster Aquatics Center, each vying for the fastest time. While one boat quickly succumbed to the water, sinking before leaving the edge, the remaining three showcased impressive engineering. One canoe-shaped vessel successfully transported its Warrior captain across the pool and back. Another, designed like a stand-up paddleboard with internal reinforcements, saw its sailor swiftly glide across the water using homemade cardboard hand fins. The fourth boat, resembling a small outrigger canoe, also demonstrated remarkable speed.

Ultimately, the stand-up paddleboard-style boat, with its innovative hand-fin propulsion, was declared the winner for its impressive speed at 20.24 seconds. Second place was the outrigger canoe with two rowers at 29.02, and the canoe took third with a time of 39.85. 

After the official contest, other classmates eagerly took the opportunity to try out the cardboard crafts, though one boat eventually sank under the weight of two occupants. It must have been so much fun to watch.

What a terrific way to have students apply their classroom learning to a real-life problem, and have a lot of fun doing it.

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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 6/6/2025)

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The Webster Garlic Fest could use your help

5 Jun

The 2025 Webster Garlic Fest is coming up fast. It’s scheduled for Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

If you’re not familiar with the Garlic Fest, it’s a great family festival for anyone who loves all things garlic. The Rec Center gymnasium and grounds outside are packed with crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks and, lots and lots of garlic growers. Many of them provide tastings and samples. And even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there’s lots of other neat things there. In past years there have been baby goats (in pajamas), alpacas, a huge 70-year old tortoise, Mr. Wally the Balloon Man, a comedian and entertainers.

As you can tell, this is a huge event, and because of that, it takes a LOT of money to bring it back every year. I’m told that costs top $10,000 for the two-day festival. Proceeds from admission (which is very reasonable) and vendors make up a portion of that, but organizers are hoping to attract some more large-scale business or corporate sponsors to help defray the costs. And not for nothing, the less spent on overhead, the more can go to the organizations that benefit from the festival, Wreaths Across America and the Blue Star Mothers Rochester chapter.

So please, if you work at a corporation, or have any connection with a business or corporation which would be interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2025 Garlic Fest, please let Cherie Wood know by emailing her at websterwreaths@icloud.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 6/5/2025)

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Thank you, Webster, for helping make the Women’s Club Fashion Show a success 

4 Jun

The Women’s Club of Webster held its annual Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon on Sunday June 1, and thanks to incredible support from the Webster community, it was a huge success.

The show, held at the Penfield Country Club, featured fashions by Chicos of Pittsford. Almost 150 women attended; many of them were Women’s Club members, but most of them were not, and had come with friends to enjoy the fashions, food and camaraderie. 

The event’s success can be attributed to the many individuals who worked so hard to organize it, and almost two dozen local merchants who donated door prizes or basket raffle items.   

Specifically, the Women’s Club would like to thank:

  • the volunteers who designed and printed the programs, came early to set up, sell tickets, take pictures and do whatever else needed to be done; 
  • the members who collected donations from vendors;
  • everyone who donated the beautiful raffle baskets (we had 57 of them) and door prizes;
  • Chico’s of Pittsford for the gorgeous fashions, and all of the club members who acted as models;
  • the Penfield Country Club for hosting; 
  • Judy Bayer, who made the beautiful dessert cookies (including dresses, purses and hats); and
  • our sponsors – Morgan Stanley, First Consulting, Inc., and Roc City Stampers – for cash donations and the beautiful Cherry Blossom favors. 
Dina Dugan welcomed guests
Almost 150 guests attended

The annual Fashion Show is one of three big fundraisers hosted by the Women’s Club, which also include the Card Party in November and Christmas Cookie Sale in December. 

The Women’s Club of Webster is a lively group of women of all ages and from many different backgrounds, all dedicated to supporting cultural and educational causes through volunteering. The Club hosts luncheon meetings every month except July and August. For more information about becoming a member, call Carolyn Rittenhouse at (585) 265-1303.

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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 6/4/2025)

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Rec Center’s Summer Celebration is this weekend

3 Jun

Regardless of how warm it’s going to be this week, it’s not really summer yet (and for that matter it’s hardly been spring). But that’s not keeping the Webster Recreation Department from hosting its annual Summer Celebration this weekend, Saturday June 7.

The Town of Webster’s annual Summer Carty will be held at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, beginning at 4 p.m., and will feature food trucks, live music, family activities, and inflatables for the kids.

This year’s food trucks will include:

  • Bruster’s of Webster
  • Curbside Quesadilla
  • Macarollin’
  • Nancy’s Fried Dough
  • Roc Bowlevard
  • Tony Tomato’s Wood Fired Pizza
  • Uncle Bucks
  • Vasko’s on Park

Dr. Jem will kick off the music, followed by ZBTB (Zach Brown Tribute Band), who’ll take the stage at 6 p.m. The evening concludes with a fireworks display at 9:45.

Here are some other important reminders:

  • First Responders Park, First Responders parking lot and the Recreation Center CLOSE at 4 p.m.. Nearby walkers may want to consider driving because you won’t be able to cut through First Responders parking lot due to fireworks set-up. 
  • The main Recreation Center lot will be for handicap parking and elderly drop-off only. All othe parking will be across Chiyoda Drive in the Xerox lots. AND there’s no shuttle service.=, so plan to walk in from those lots. (Don’t worry, helpers will be there to direct traffic.)
  • Food trucks & bounce houses open at 4 PM. Bounce houses are free, food trucks take cash or credit. Bounce houses will close exactly at 8:45 p.m. for safety reasons.
  • For any onsite emergencies look for the pop-up tent with the RED WPRD flag on top or the two safety tents.

The Summer Celebration is free, no registration is required, and the entire community is invited. And it will be held rain or shine.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars now for these other family fun events from the Rec Center:

  • This summer’s Music at the Arb series kicks off Thursday June 19 with a performance by Josh Ketchum. Thursday July 19 features Chelsey Berry and Mark Cellura, and on Thursday August 14, The String Brothers. These concerts are all held in the Webster Arboretum gazebo, begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
  • This year’s wet and wild Summer Splash event will be held Saturday July 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Responders Spray Park on Chiyoda Dr. This is free family water fun which includes snow cones, Rich the Magic Man and bubble fun. No registration is required.
  • The 2025 Mud Run is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 20 (times TBD). I’ll have a lot more in my blog later about this, because I LOVE LOVE this event.
  • Sandbar Summer Splendor has been scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sandbar Park on Lake Rd. Lots of summer family fun planned here; more information to come.
  • Finally, say goodbye to summer at the “See Ya Summer Kids Concert” with Mr. Loops on Thursday Aug. 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Sandbar Park. This is also free and open to the 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 6/3/2025)

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Webster Park lodge renamed in honor of Jamieson Ritter

2 Jun

In a ceremony held last Friday, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello officially renamed Lakefront Lodge in Webster Park in honor of fallen police officer and Webster native Jamieson Ritter.

While serving as a police officer in Cleveland, Ritter was killed on July 4, 2024 as officers attempted to serve a warrant. He was just 27 years old. His funeral was held several days later at Falvo Funeral Home in Penfield. The Webster community came out in force to honor him as his funeral procession wound its way through the village towards Falvo.

Ritter was a 2015 graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School. He graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. As a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, he deployed to Syria in 2022 and returned to continue his service as a police officer with the City of Cleveland before he was killed. 

Several Monroe County officials spoke at the ceremony, praising Ritter for his bravery and selflessness in serving his community. In his remarks, Executive Bello said,

I hope that people will take time to learn about Jamieson when visiting this newly renamed lodge in Webster Park. He was a true American hero whose ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty will be remembered  by the people he served and by the residents of Monroe County.  

Ritter’s mother and father also attended the ceremony, saying, “The remembrance of Jamieson’s sacrifice means the world to our family. We are touched by the collective support of the County Executive, law enforcement, and legislature to rename the lodge in support of and in memory of first responders.” 

The newly renamed Jamieson Ritter Memorial Lodge, formerly the Lakefront Lodge, is just north of the intersection of Holt and Lake roads.

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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 6/2/2025)

Surprise! FWPL volunteers receive recognition at potluck lunch

1 Jun

On Saturday, what was expected to be just your average potluck lunch provided by, and for, Friends of Webster Public Library (FWPL) volunteers, took an extra special turn when two long-time volunteers — Peg Ehmann and Mary Alice Moore — were surprised with special recognition and awards.

FWPL Vice President Gail Dominik presented the award to Peg, saying,

Peg has served in many capacities over the years. She has served as president vice president treasurer and secretary. … Peg has been involved in many committees such as the book sale committee, spelling bee committee, by-law updating committee, nominating committee, fundraising committee and signage committee, to name a few. She has attended numerous meetings with the Monroe County Friends Council and NYLA Empire State Roundtable where ideas and strategies for successful Friends groups were shared, and then brought those ideas back to implement them with our group. Today Peg is not only a member of the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Webster Public Library but also serves on the Webster Public Library Board of Trustees and WPL Foundation.

In presenting the award to Mary Alice, FWPL Board Member Ruth Tetlow said,

Mary Alice was the book sale coordinator for 16 book sales beginning in the spring of 2007. She increased the awareness of the Friends and book sales with publicity ideas that are still used today. Mary Alice set the standard for successful book sales with her attention to details, her open and welcoming manner and her snicker doodle cookies. Mary Alice has served on many committees, volunteered for numerous events, attended meetings and offered her guidance to the Friends even when she was in Florida for the winter. For the past several years, Mary Alice has managed the Sign-Up Genius account which organizes the volunteers by shifts to work the book sale. In addition to working with the friends, Mary Alice serves on the Advisory Board of the Friends of the Webster Public Library, the Webster Public Library Board of Trustees and the WPL Foundation.

Appropriately, each honoree received a book or audiobook, inscribed with an individualized dedication recognizing their service. Once Peg and Mary Alice have a chance to read them, the books will become part of the library’s permanent collection.

Before the luncheon, two other long-time volunteers who were not able to attend — Richard Reid and Deb Suffoletto — were also recognized. Deb also received a book, and Richard an audiobook (his preferred mode of reading).

In concluding remarks, Gail said,

Richard, Deb, Peg and Mary Alice are all active in promoting and increasing the awareness of the Webster Public Library to the community. … The most important aspect of their contribution to the Friends is their friendship to one and all. They are always available to help, to listen, to advocate, to praise, to guide and be not only a Friend of the library, but more importantly, a friend to all.

Congratulations to all of the honorees, and thank you for all you do to help make the Webster Public Library the invaluable community resource it is.

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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 6/1/2025)

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