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Successful Jazz Fest 2017 in the books

24 Jul

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I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that the Webster Jazz Fest keeps getting bigger every year. Pretty soon they’re going to have to move the stage another couple hundred feet down West Main to fit everyone.

It’s hard to believe that this year’s event was the 10th annual, and in that time, our little Jazz Fest has really grown into something that’s pretty well respected. Sure, it’s no Rochester Jazz Fest, but the two-day event features high-quality entertainment, great food courtesy our increasing variety of village restaurants, and — at least two years in a row now — nice weather.

Here are a few photos from the evening. Click here to see more in a gallery.

 

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WCSD urges new kindergartners to Strive for Five

21 Jul
strive

Children practice walking carefully near buses at a previous Strive for 5 event. (M. Rosenberry)

This is an awesome program, and I highly recommend that if you have a young’un entering kindergarten in Webster this fall, that you put this on your calendar.

(The only thing I DON’T like about this program is that it means that September is not too far away, and I am kind of enjoying my summer.)

The Webster Central School District Strive for Five for School Bus Safety event is coming this August. The program, for 2017-2018 incoming kindergarteners, provides an opportunity for the district’s youngest riders to travel a short distance on a school bus with their parent(s) and to learn important safety procedures for riding the school bus.

The program will start at Willink Middle School, where the bus will pick up participants and bring them to (and from) the transportation department. The buses leave Willink at 6:00 p.m.

Incoming kindergarteners and their parents (no additional children, please) should attend as follows, if at all possible. IF you can’t make your assigned evening, you can come on another, but they district really likes to spread everyone out as much as possible.

August 7 – Plank South
August 8 – Plank North and Dewitt
August 9 – State and Klem North
August 10 – Schlegel and Klem South

Private and parochial schools can attend any one of the four dates.

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Jazz and Santa in one weekend. This is Webster!

18 Jul

jazz fest 2016

This weekend’s Webster fun is so spectacular that I’ve already looked at the long-term forecast — especially given how unsettled the weather has been so far this summer — and it’s looking pretty good.

So get your quad chairs and coolers ready, because the 10th Annual Webster Jazz Fest returns to the village this Friday and Saturday.

Here are the details:

Friday night July 21: Jazz in the Pubs

Live music will be featured all around the village in five different pubs and entertainment venues, at staggered times so you can hop from one to another:

  • Gregg Herman & Geoff Smith, 6:30-8 pm, Sweet Wood BBQ
  • El Rojo Jazz, 7-8:30 pm, The Coach Bar & Grill
  • Marco Amadio, 7-9 pm, The Brimont Bistro
  • Em K Jazz, 7:15-8:45, Barry’s Old School Irish
  • Amanda Ashley, 8 – 10 pm, Pub 235
  • Paradigm Shift, 9-11 pm, The Coach Bar & Grill

Saturday July 22: Jazz on the Street

West Main Street will come alive with music, cafe tables, restaurant service, and hundreds upon hundreds of quad chairs and jazz fans spread as far as the eye can see.

Entertainment begins at 6 pm. Here’s the schedule:

  • 5-6 pm, The Mambo Kings
  • 6:15-7:45 pm, Walter Chatman and the Joyful Music Experience
  • 8-9:15 pm, Jimmie Highsmith Jr.
  • 9:15- ??, Cabo Frio

Hope for good weather, and make sure you’re in town for the fun!

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santa at the market

Now that summer is in full swing, so is Webster’s Joe Obbie Farmer’s Market. If you haven’t been there yet this summer, this is definitely the weekend to go, especially if your kids already have their Christmas lists started, because Santa will be on hand for the market’s annual Christmas in July event.

The Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday through October from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm in the Webster Towne Center Plaza (Target plaza) in front of Old Navy. Regional growers provide locally-grown veggies and fruits, baked goods, plants, maple syrup, honey, meats, and hand-crafted items.

And, this Saturday, Santa will be arriving at 10 am, and there’ll be a special performance by the Webster Village Band.

Check out the Farmer’s Market Facebook page for more information.

P.S. I understand that Santa will be arriving on a Webster Fire Department vehicle, which my firefighter son will be driving. Is there anyone out there who would be able to snap a photo or two of Santa and Sean for me?

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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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Photos from the Firemen’s Parade

14 Jul

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For the first time in my memory, rain threatened to dampen the annual Webster Firemen’s Parade on Thursday night. Fortunately it never came, but it the threat of nasty weather might have shortened it. At a little less than 90 minutes long, I swear there were fewer marching groups this year (everyone missed the Shriners and their little cars) and the crowds also seemed to be smaller.

But it was a terrific event, and the cooler, overcast skies were a lot more comfortable than the stifling heat we sometimes get.

Here’s a gallery of photos from the event. Towards the end of the parade we were having a little fun with the marching firefighters, so make sure to check out all the pictures for a couple that might make you smile. Plus, if you were there, you and your kids might be in one as well.

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Big week for food and fun in Webster

10 Jul

trucks

Let’s hope the weather holds this week, because there are a lot of fun events coming up.

This week, of course, is when the Webster Firemen’s Carnival returns to town, kicked off with the huge Firemen’s Parade which will take over Main Street in the village on Thursday evening.

You can find all the details here about the Kiddie Parade, the Firemen’s Parade, and the carnival, but here are a few highlights:

  • Wednesday: Carnival opens at 6 pm at Firemen’s Field on Main Street. Featured attraction is a Craft Beer Night.
  • Thursday: The Firemen’s Parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. , starting at Phillips Road and continuing down Main Street to Firemen’s Field. The carnival is open from 6 pm till late.
  • Friday: Carnival opens at 6 p.m., featuring live entertainment in the beer pavilion.
  • Saturday: The Kiddie Parade will be held beginning at 12 noon (this appears to be a change from previous years when it was held Wednesday night). Registration begins at 11 a.m. at Spry Middle School. The carnival runs through midnight with live entertainment, rides, games, food and drink, a bike raffle, and fireworks to end the night.

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And don’t forget about the Webster Marching Band Boosters’ second annual Food Truck Rodeo, scheduled for this Friday July 21 from 5 to 9 pm in Webster Schroeder High School’s front parking lot.

The Marching Band Boosters sponsor various fundraising events throughout the year to help pay for the Webster Marching Band’s equipment, show productions, and competition-related trip expenses.

At least 11 food trucks will be on hand, including Macarollin, Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza, Rob’s Kabobs, The Meatball Truck Co., Midnight Smokin’ BBQ, Meat the Press, Le Petit Poutine, WingNutz, Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Kona Ice, and Smoothies Plus.

There will also be face painting for the kids, a visit by a West Webster Fire Department truck, and live music provided by the Aaron Rizzo Trio. Admittance to the rodeo is FREE, and all proceeds from the food trucks will benefit the Marching Band Boosters and Webster Marching Band members.

Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Road.

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Webster Community Mailbag

8 Jul

mailbagThis week’s mailbag is packed with news from the St. Martin Lutheran Church, the Webster Village Band and the town and village of Webster. So grab your calendar, and keep reading!

 

Pulled Pork Drive Thru BBQ

St. Martin Lutheran Church is holding a Pulled Pork Drive Thru barbecue on Saturday, July 15 from 4:30 until gone at the church on 813 Bay Road, Webster. Pull into the parking lot, place your order, and the dinner will be delivered to you in your car.

The take-out dinner includes pulled pork, roll, salt potatoes, cole slaw and cookie for $9.00. Proceeds support the church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 children and teens in Monroe and Wayne counties.

Webster Village Band 

The Webster Village Band‘s summer schedule is off to a strong start thanks to recent nice weather. Their most recent concert was held at the United Church of Christ last Wednesday, and was well attended.

Their next two appearances are their regular Thursday night gig at the band shell on Phillips Road, Thursday, July 20 beginning at 7 p.m., and their always popular Christmas in July concert at the Joe Obbie Farmer’s Market (Kohl’s/Target Plaza) on Saturday morning, July 22 beginning at 10 a.m.

The Webster Village Band is directed by Tom Indiano and Associate Director Sue Siegmund. Their concerts are always free and always open to the public. Here’s a quick slideshow of photos from last Wednesday’s UCC concert and last year’s Christmas in July.

Town Hall Renovations are Progressing

Supervisor Nesbitt has provided an update on the Town Hall renovations. He writes:

All of the exposed asbestos has been removed, and now the crews have started on demolishing walls, ceilings, and floors.

There will be new restrooms for men and women installed, along with the updating of offices and the common rooms all around town hall. The new door entries are being installed so the wind does not catch the doors and break them anymore. There will also be more security put in place for our employees’ safety. Cameras will be installed in the building common areas and overlooking the parking lots for security of all.

The Police Department is seeing a complete face lift of their operation complete with cameras, new booking area, new locker rooms for the officers, upgrades to the detention area, and new flooring throughout the department.

So far, operating from the temporary offices in the Van Ingen Court Building seems to working out well. Remember that all Town Hall functions have been moved to the Van Ingen building (behind Town Hall) until construction is completed later this year. So bring all your business there, and make sure to have a smile for all the Town Hall employees who are enduring through it all!

Webster Waterfront Art Festival

Make sure to mark your calendars for the third annual Waterfront Art Festival, scheduled for Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 at North Ponds Park. Dozens of vendors will gather with high-quality craft items and good food, and entertainment will be provided throughout the day.

The best place to find parking is at the Xerox lot off of Phillips Road, where a free shuttle bus will take you to the park and back.

Summer in the Village

The summer village music scene is heating up. There have already been three concerts at the gazebo, and the Friday night series continues for the next two months, the next one scheduled for July 28 at 7 p.m., featuring the fusion sounds of The Ryan Johnson Project.

On the weekend prior to that, the 10th annual Webster Jazz Festival returns to Main Street on July 21 and 22.

Nationally acclaimed Fusion Jazz great Cabo Frio headlines the weekend, with other acts including The Mambo Kings, Walter Chatman, Jimmie Highsmith Jr, Paradigm Shift, El Rojo Jazz, Marco Amadio and many more.

Movies in the Park is also celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Upcoming features include Tuesday night movies for kids like The Batman Lego Movie, and Disney’s Big Friendly Giant, and Saturday night date-night movies like Casablanca and the Out of Towners. The movies take place in Gazebo Park on North Avenue.

The music and movies are all sponsored by our local businesses, members of the Webster Business Improvement District. Click here for more details about all of these special events, and many more.

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Help the Jack Foundation pave the way to play

2 Jul

pave the path

Hopefully by now you have heard of the Jack Foundation.

This fabulous organization was created in honor of 3-year old Jack Heiligman, who lost his life tragically last October. (You can read more about Jack here.) His amazingly strong parents have risen from their shock and grief to create a foundation dedicated to carrying Jack’s happy spirit forward, spreading happiness, laughter and love to other families, as Jack did for his.

To that end, the Jack Foundation is building a blue, dinosaur-themed playground called “Jack’s Place,” at Penfield’s Rothfuss Park on Five Mile Line Road. (Jack loved dinosaurs.) To help fund the construction, they’re raising money through the sale of engraved bricks, which will be placed in the path leading to the playground.

Individuals and groups are encouraged to help celebrate Jack’s spirit and keep the love flowing by purchasing a brick.

Bricks are being sold in two sizes:

  • 4 x 8″, which can accommodate 3 lines of text, 45 characters each (including spaces), for $100.
  • 8 x 8″, 5 lines of text, 75 characters each (including spaces) for $175.

Bricks will be on sale for a limited time. Order can be placed by visiting the Jack Foundation website, under the “Playground” tab.

Construction is progressing right now and hopes are that the playground will have its grand opening at the end of July or early August.

Upcoming events 

Here are a couple of other ways you can help support the Jack Foundation in the coming weeks.

Breathe Yoga‘s 4th of July Kindness Class will benefit the Jack Foundation.

The class will take place at the Holt Lodge in Webster Park. Holt Lodge is located at the end of Holt Road (right hand side) next to the baseball fields.

Pre-register with $20 donation for a quick check-in or donate at the door. If you are unable to make it to class, you may still make a donation over the phone or in person at our Greece or Webster location.

To register call (585) 248-9070 ext. 2 or ext. 5 or stop in to breathe’s Greece or Webster location.

Donations will also be accepted at the Kindness Class for the Dimitri House in Rochester.

Here’s a list of items they especially need:

  • Non-perishable groceries, e.g., soup, tuna, peanut butter, jelly, canned vegetables, fruits, and meats, beans, tomato products, pasta, rice, Jello, pudding, cereal, fruit juice, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, powdered iced tea, Kool-Aid, and lemonade
  • Toiletries, e.g., toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, foot powder, body lotion, soap, shampoo, razors, lip balm, nail clippers, feminine hygiene products
  • Household products, e.g., paper plates, plastic flatware, napkins, paper towels, toilet tissue, laundry detergent
  • Office supplies, e.g., copy paper, pens, pencils, folders, ink cartridges, postage stamps, envelopes
  • Clothing, e.g., new underwear and socks and new or gently used t-shirts, long underwear, gloves, hats, scarves
  • Gift cards to grocery stores, office supply stores, or general use cards

This year’s Motorfest 2017, scheduled for Sunday July 9 at the Damascus Center, 979 Bay Road will also benefit the Jack Foundation.

In addition to all the cool cars to check out, CARtoon Magazine artist Greg Panneitz will be appearing. You can have him do an original piece of artwork of your spiffy ride, or bid in the auction to win a Panneits original.

The show runs from 10 am to 4 pm. There’s a $15 car entry fee but admission for spectators is free. For more information log onto http://www.zccr.net/

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Webster High School Class of ’87 will hold 30th reunion

1 Jul

unnamedPlans are coming together for the Webster High School Class of 1987’s 30th reunion, scheduled for the weekend of August 5 and 6.

This event is unlike pretty much every other reunion I’ve heard of (and even my own reunions) in that in addition to partying with former classmates, organizers are also encouraging former teachers to attend the event.

Here are the details:

  • Saturday, August 5 at 6:30 PM
  • RIT Inn and Conference Centre.
  • Price: $60.00 per person, includes buffet dinner, DJ and photographer.

The following day, everyone is invited on a tour of the RL Thomas building beginning at 11 a.m. If you haven’t been in there recently, you’re going to be amazed at the changes (I’ve worked there for most of the last 16 years). After the tour, there’ll be a picnic at Webster Park (please bring a dish to pass).

As an interesting side note, I first heard about the reunion from Mark Kopf, who is currently living and working in Nelson, New Zealand. It was actually Mark’s idea to invite teachers to the festivities. He’s been working with reunion organizer Laura Fisher-Hepburn and former teacher Pat Moriarty to try get the word out to former faculty members. (Mr. Moriarty, you might remember, was a science teacher at Spry before joining the staff at Thomas High.)

They could use some help. Start spreading the word on Facebook, especially if you are still in contact with students or teachers from back then. If you’re not already a member, you should also join the class Facebook page for more information and updates.

Then dig out those yearbooks, kids!

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The Knuckleheads are kickin’ it again

30 Jun

knucklehead-logoKnucklehead Craft Brewing in West Webster is re-introducing a seasonal favorite

The Kick-It seasonal imperial IPA will be released on July 5. It gets its name from the fact that Knucklehead owners Len Dummer and George Cline will be donating proceeds from its launch to help fight cancer.

Len and George describe the brew:

We used Chinook, Columbus, and Cascade hops during the boil and dry-hopped it
with Willamette to finish at 94 IBUs. The sweet malt body is complemented by a mild hop bitterness (8.5% ABV).

The Knuckleheads first introduced their Kick It IPA back in 2015, with its proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. This time around, they’ll be donating $1 from each beer sold to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.

Back then, Len explained their reasoning:

Both of our families have been touched by cancer as well as many, many of our customers and close friends’ families. This is simply our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our supporters and it gives them a chance to enjoy a pint while knowing their money will go to a wonderful cause.

They ended up raising $5300 for the American Cancer Society. Let’s see if we can do even better this time.

 

Knucklehead Craft Brewing is located at 426 Ridge Road in West Webster. Check out their Facebook page and website for more information.

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Webster Tuesday mailbag

27 Jun

mailbagHere are a few community notes of interest.

Webster Brownie Troop Makes Blankets for Children in Need

Webster Girl Scout Brownie troop 60392 recently made knotted fleece blankets to donate to Project Linus, which then distributes them to children who are critically ill, have been traumatized, or are experiencing another form of need.

The 11 third-graders from Plank South Elementary made this a featured part of a sleepover event. They then donated them to Project Linus through Cafe Sewciety Quilts on Empire Blvd.

Troop 60392 Blankets

Pictured in the photo (from bottom left clockwise) are Megan Kelly, Ella Ellsworth, Kate Sayers, Becca, Dolan, Gianna DeMarco, Sophia Hachee, Olivia Salafia, Ashley Huss, and Avarie Chalachan. Not pictured: Mackenzie Mihalitsas and McKenna Simmons.

Webster Marching Band Boosters Host Food Truck Rodeo

The Webster Marching Band Boosters have announced their second annual Food Truck Rodeo, scheduled for Friday July 21 from 5 to 9 pm in Webster Schroeder High School’s front parking lot.

The Marching Band Boosters sponsor various fundraising events throughout the year to help pay for the Webster Marching Band’s equipment, show productions, and competition-related trip expenses.

Eleven food trucks have already signed on for the event, including Macarollin, Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza, Rob’s Kabobs, The Meatball Truck Co., Midnight Smokin’ BBQ, Meat the Press, Le Petit Poutine, WingNutz, Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Kona Ice, and Smoothies Plus.

There will also be face painting for the kids, a visit by a West Webster Fire Department truck, and live music provided by the Aaron Rizzo Trio. Admittance to the rodeo is FREE, and all proceeds from the food trucks will benefit the Marching Band Boosters and Webster Marching Band members.

Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Road.

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