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Tour de Parks tour coming to an end…

25 Jun

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If you haven’t had a chance yet to catch my 2016 Tour de Parks presentation yet and still want to, your last opportunity will very likely be coming up Monday night.

I’ll be bringing my talk to the Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, Monday June 26 beginning at 7 pm.

Still haven’t heard about it? Well, basically, last year I challenged myself to visit every one of Rochester’s east-side parks. I tried to hike a bit in every park that had trails, I took a lot of photos, and recorded my adventures in a blog.

It was a long year, but I accomplished my goal. Mostly.

You can hear all about it at Monday night’s presentation. Chances are you’ll see a park or two that you recognize, and perhaps learn something about parks you never knew existed.

There’s no admission, and you don’t have to bother registering. But the library folks did promise they’d make cookies (it was the only compensation I asked for). So please do come, because I’d much rather speak to a larger crowd than just a few people. I promise it will be interesting.

And cookies. Just sayin’.

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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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You are being watched…

11 Jun

There seems to be a new movement afoot, and I like to think that I was in on it from the beginning.

If you know me fairly well — or have read my blog for a while — you may remember that I have broken two bones in recent years, one in my finger in 2010, and my arm last spring. I had a series of casts each time, each one smaller than the next. Just for fun, I decided to personalize each one with googly eyes.

And I named them, of course, usually after Muppets like Kermit and Oscar and Cookie Monster.

I got a lot of weird looks, of course, and a lot of giggles from children. And I was pretty much certain that I stood apart from all others in my silliness.

glass leaner

But I was wrong. There are a lot of silly googly-eye people out there who were just waiting for the right time to pounce.

I think I noticed it first from my friend Kristen, whose “bonus daughter” keeps putting miniature googly-eyes on items around their home, from coffee canisters to spray bottles.

But then, just a few days ago, I discovered a new Twitter feed dedicated to the googly-eye cause.

It’s called Googly Eyes of ROC (@rocgooglyeyes), and the organizers (who prefer to stay anonymous) simply want to spread some happiness. As they explained:

The idea came to me after seeing so much negative and unhappy news about our city. $5 for a pack of googly eyes, a camera, and a dream to spread smiles is what we’re all about. We want people to love our city, and we want to show it off. All of it. From its highest highs to its lowest lows, all in good humor. Right now we’re focusing on the city, there’s so much going on it’s an endless opportunity to show off so many wonderful gems Rochester has to offer. Who doesn’t love a pair of googly eyes? 🙂

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A recent placement by Googly Eyes of ROC

So the group’s googly eyes haven’t spread as far east as Webster yet. But I still have a lot left over from my cast days, so don’t be surprised if you find a tree — or sign post or ugly village planter — looking back at you next time you’re out and about.

And please feel free to help spread the happiness. Follow @rocgooglyeyes on Twitter, get out with some googly eyes and a camera, and post your photos with the hashtag #rocgooglyeyes.

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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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Still talkin’ about parks

11 May

park collageA couple of months ago I had the pleasure of speaking to the Adirondack Mountain Club about my 2016 Tour de Parks. The adventure took me to more than 100 parks all over the east side of Rochester.

I had so much fun doing that talk (and I put so much time and effort into preparing it) that I decided to take it on the road.

So if you didn’t catch it in March and would still like to hear about my adventures, there are three more chances to do so in the coming weeks.

This coming Wednesday May 17, I’ll be at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Road, at 7 pm.

Then on Thursday June 1, I’ll be at the Brighton Memorial Library, 2300 Elmwood Ave, at 6:30 pm.

Finally, on Monday June 26 I’ll end my tour (at least for now) at the Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, beginning at 7 pm.

Since I’m only doing these talks for fun, the only compensation I asked for was cookies. So no guarantees, but if you’re able to make one of the talks, you might be able to enjoy some oatmeal scotchies. (Actually that makes it worth seeing several times.)

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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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Friday Webster Mailbag

4 May

mailbag

The Penfield Village Nursery School will be sponsoring a golf tournament on Friday June 2 to help celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary.

The tournament, held at Shadow Lake Country Club in Penfield, costs $100 per player, which includes 18 holes, a golf cart, and goodie bag, raffles and lunch.

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and play begins at noon.

Interested players, sponsors or businesses interested in donating prizes should contact Kacey Kiley at kldunbar@yahoo.com.  Organizers ask that completed registration forms and payment be submitted by May 15.

The Penfield Village Nursery School and Kindergarten is located at 1862 Penfield Road. Read more about the school in a blog I wrote about them last fall.

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The Webster Arboretum Plant Sale will return on Saturday May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Arboretum, 1700 Shlegel Road.

Visitors will find plants of all varieties offered for sale by the Arboretum, local commercial growers and local clubs. The Country Gardeners of Webster Garden Club members have chosen selected plants from their own gardens. What this means is that all of the plants for sale will definitely grow in Webster with some sun, water and your tender loving care.

Celebrate the much-anticipated arrival of spring by stopping by the Webster Arboretum on he 13th and get some new plants for your garden (and maybe a Mother’s Day gift). Admission is free and the event happens rain or shine.

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And the accolades for our Webster music teachers just keep on coming.

The College Board has appointed Webster Central School District’s Laura D’Angelo to its Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory Development Committee.

D’Angelo has been teaching music for 23 years, 20 in Webster Central School District where she presently teaches Music Theory I and AP Music Theory at both high schools. Laura currently serves The College Board by grading AP Music Theory exams. She also has been a speaker at the AP National Conference, as well as at the reading sessions for AP Music Theory.

“We have one of, if not the, biggest high school music theory programs in the nation. When I go to Cincinnati to grade exams (for the AP board), Webster is very well known for our program. I am extremely fortunate to be in a district that supports this program,” D’Angelo said.

D’Angelo’s three-year appointment to the AP Music Theory Development Committee will begin in July.

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In other school news, remember that the Board of Education and budget vote is scheduled for Tuesday May 16th, from 6 am to 9 pm at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road.

You get find out more about the proposed budget by clicking here, and you can meet the Board of Education candidates Wednesday May 10 at 7 pm in the Spry Middle School auditorium. Four candidates are running for three positions this year. They are: Andy LaManna, Mike Suffoletto, Bill Kent and Jan Strege.

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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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A message for our Wayne County neighbors

3 May

I recently received an email from a representative from Strong Hearts for New York, an organization working with the Cornell Cooperative Extension on a research project in Wayne County.  The study will examine the effects of the “Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities” program on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The leading cause of death among adults in New York State, including women, is heart disease.

strong heartsThe program will begin either in the spring (May) or fall (November) of 2017, will meet twice per week for one hour each time, for 6 months. Participants will learn and practice good nutrition and physical activity for improved individual, family, and community health.

Project organizers are looking for women aged 40 and over who would like to be more active and achieve a healthier weight. Participants can earn up to $130 for completing the study, and will be given free blood draws and nutrition and physical activity assessments before and after the study.

Organizers are hoping to sign up at least 30 women from Wayne County to participate in the study. They still need about 15 more.

To read some more straightforward information about the study, to find out if you’re eligible, and to sign up, visit http://www.strongheartsnewyork.org.

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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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Woman’s Club of Rochester announces annual luncheon

25 Mar

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When food and fashion get together, it’s usually a good time. And when they get together for a special event sponsored by the Woman’s Club of Rochester, it’s extra special.

The Woman’s Club of Rochester is having its annual Fashion Show/Luncheon fundraiser on Tuesday, April 25, at Midvale Country Club, on Baird Road in Penfield.

The cash bar opens at 11:30 a.m., the luncheon starts at noon and the fashion show hits the runway at 1 p.m. The luncheon menu features Haddock French, Chicken Marsala or Vegetable Napoleon, and all choices include coffee, tea and a Chocolate raspberry torte for dessert. This year’s fashions will be presented by Chico’s.

The event will also include a silent auction, raffle and door prizes.

Cost is $25. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will benefit the House of Mercy. Please RSVP by April 18 to Carol Carrigan, 530 Corwin Road, Rochester, NY 14610

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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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I need photos!

20 Mar
websterpark

A stunning view of Webster Park by Joe Altieri.

If you follow my Webster Blog Facebook page, you’ll see that I regularly change the photo at the top of the page. Usually the photo goes with my most recent blog post, but sometimes I just don’t have anything interesting to put up there.

So this is where you all come in.

I would love to have a collection of great photos representing our great town, which I could tap into when I need a cover shot. Your photos could be a stunning landscape, like the one above by Joe Altieri, or perhaps just a shot of your kids sitting watching a sunset at Sandbar Park.

I made this request a few years ago for exactly the same reason, and received some wonderful photos. But I have long since run out and need to re-stock.

Of course, when I use your photo, I’ll be sure to give you credit. So please go through your images, or get out there and start snapping. Then send your favorites to me at missyblog@gmail.com. Please be sure to include information about who is in the photo (if necessary) and where you took it.

Thank you!

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Penfield fifth grader wins essay contest

11 Mar
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Lawson Drabik reacts when he hears he has won first place in the Monroe County Fire Prevention Essay Contest. Standing behind Lawson is Harris Hill fifth grader Jordan Dawson, who won sixth place, $25 and a trophy. (Provided photo)

Congratulations go out today to Lawson Drabik, a fifth grader at Harris Hill Elementary School in Penfield, who recently won first place in the Monroe County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Fire Prevention Essay Contest.

This year’s challenge was to write an essay explaining why people should change their smoke detectors every ten years. For his first-place essay, Lawson received $100, a plaque for his school and a traveling trophy which will be kept at the school for the next year.

Lawson learned of the award last Monday, when representatives from the Penfield Volunteer Fire Department came to his school for a surprise presentation. His reaction, which you can see in the photo, was priceless.

In addition to his other prizes, next year at the beginning of Fire Prevention Week, Lawson will get a ride home from Bay Trail Middle School on a fire truck.

Amanda Notareschi, Lawson’s teacher, believes that while Harris Hill has had finalists before, she doesn’t think the school has ever had a first-place winner.

If you’d like to read the essay for yourself, a photo of it is below.

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One year, 100 parks. Hear all about it at the ADK talk

1 Mar

park collage.pngRemember how I went out and explored 100 parks last year? I called it my 2016 Tour de Parks Challenge, and it pretty much consumed my life. I wrote about it several times in my East Extra column (the most recent one is here) and probably touched on it a few times here in my blog as well.

Well, you’re going to have to hear about it one more time.

Shortly after I began my quest last year, I realized exactly how much of a challenge I had shouldered. I actually considered letting it fade off unnoticed. But then I got an email from the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, inviting me to be the featured speaker at one of their meetings.

I was stuck.

That meeting has finally arrived, and I would like to invite all of my readers to attend, if you’re at all interested in hearing about my adventures.

The event takes place on Wednesday March 8, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Eisenhart Auditorium of the Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Ave.

It should be interesting, I hope. I’m working up a fancy-pants display board with pins showing all the parks I visited, and a PowerPoint presentation highlighting some of the funny, surprising, beautiful and disappointing things I saw and learned. And yes, I’ll even tell everyone which one was my favorite. Sort of. The whole shebang should only be about 45 minutes.

Please join me. There’s no admission charge. Maybe you could grab dinner beforehand and make it a night out.

And if you’d like to read up on all the parks I visited, here’s a link to the 2016 Tour de Parks blog I maintained through it all.

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Webster Thomas grad back in town to perform

3 Jul

Click the photo to see the performance. Rmani Crawford is at the far left.

Back in March I posted a blog about a performance by a former Webster student at a March Madness basketball game.

Rmani Crawford, a 2010 Webster Thomas grad, sang the National Anthem with his Pepperdine University a cappella group, Won by One, before one of the Elite 8 games. Someone posted a video of the performance on YouTube, which you can see by clicking here or on the photo to the left.  (You can also see the original blog by clicking here.)

Well, Rmani and his group Won by One will be in town on Saturday, July 6, to perform in a concert at the Northside Church of Christ, 634 Hudson Avenue in Rochester.The concert begins at 5:00 and is free.  It’d be great if some of Rmani’s hometown friends could go out to support him.

You can find out more about Won by One by checking out their website here or their Facebook page here.

 

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