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Flu season creating greater need for blood donors

20 Jan

So have you been hit with the flu or that awful cold that’s been going around this year?  If you haven’t, you’re one of the lucky ones. And if you haven’t, I encourage you to consider making some time to donate blood this week.

The American Red Cross is really hurting for donations this winter, because so many people have had to cancel their appointments and so many others are hesitant to donate for several reasons.  I got this email just a few days ago which I am pleased to pass along:

As the number of flu cases grows, there may be a notable decrease in the number of healthy blood donors available to help sustain the blood supply. We are asking that healthy donors keep their appointments to donate blood in the coming weeks.

Donating blood will not cause you to be more susceptible to the flu. Also, there is no waiting period to donate blood after receiving a seasonal flu vaccine, as long as you are feeling healthy and well the day of donation. Neither the flu shot nor the intranasal form of the influenza vaccine is cause for a blood donation deferral because there is no risk of transmitting influenza after receiving the vaccines.

All blood types are currently needed, with an urgent need for types O negative and B negative.

Please make an appointment to donate and help save lives now by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Hospital patients are counting on the generosity of donors like you.

As a special thank you to our donors, Dunkin’ Donuts is providing a voucher for a free pound of coffee to all presenting donors during the month of January. The vouchers are redeemable at all participating Dunkin’ Donuts Restaurants.

What a great way to support our community and pay it forward. Plus you get free coffee.

Your next two local opportunities to donate are:

Tuesday January 22, 8:15-1 pm, Visiting Nurse Service,  2180 Empire Blvd

Saturday January 26, 9 am – 2 pm, Masonic Lodge, 30 Orchard Street

 

Webster Mailbag (weekend edition!)

18 Jan

Before I get to some news about upcoming events, here are a few other notes of interest:

Earlier this week I posted a blog announcing that the defunct Mobil gas station at the corner of Five Mile Line and Ridge has a new owner. An Express Mart is scheduled to move in, with construction possibly beginning as early as this spring.

I found out yesterday from Supervisor Nesbitt that the coffee shop it will include will be a Tim Horton’s.  I’m gonna like having one of those on the way to school.

* * *

Good news for book lovers: as of the first of the year, the Webster Public Library has resumed Sunday hours from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This service was terminated a year ago because funding was tight and cuts were needed to continue overall operations of the library. The Library Board of Trustees was able to find the needed revenue to reopen on Sundays from personnel changes that have taken place at the library in the past year.

Let’s keep this going — the library’s Spring Book Sale takes place in May, which is one of their best fund-raisers.  Keep an eye out for more details about that. In the meantime, drop your used books off during regular library hours (which include Sunday again!)

* * *

The new outdoor ice skating rink is up and running again at the Webster Recreation Center on Chiyoda Drive (off of Phillips). There’s no charge to use this facility, and it’s lit into the evening hours. Thanks to this winter’s capricious weather, you’ll want to call ahead to make sure the ice is frozen (585-872-2911). But wouldn’t this be a great family activity when the kids are off of school on Monday?

* * *

Plans are in motion for the 2013 Schlegel Road Elementary School Artisan Craft Fair, scheduled for Saturday March 2 from 10 am to 4 pm.  Organizers are looking for artisans interested in having a table at the fair.  Email Nicole Noon at NNoon@Nothnagle.com. For more information, check the event’s Facebook page by clicking here.

* * *

Our friends at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church invite everyone to their annual Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative (EROI) recital on Friday, January 25 at 7 pm.  The EROI strives to share great organ music with the greater Rochester area. One way it does this is by having organists from the Eastman School of Music give community recitals at local churches. Free will donations will go towards the student travel fund for the organ students at Eastman.

The Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 131 West Main Street in the village of Webster, at the corner of Daniel Drive. Parking is available behind the church accessed from Daniel Drive. More information at www.immanuelwebster.org or through the church office at 585-872-5180.

* * *

A big raffle to benefit the West Webster Fire Department will be held on Tuesday January 29 at Applebee’s, 1955 Empire Blvd. The event will take place from 5-7:30 pm, and feature dozens of items donated by local artists and business owners.  Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at any firehouse in Webster and at the Webster Police Department, 1000 Ridge Road. All proceeds will go to the families of the shooting victims.

* * *

Hallie Barrett as Sebastian, rehearses “Kiss the Girl” with cast from Disney’s Little Mermaid, Jr

Webster’s Willink Middle School is hard at work putting the final touches on their spring musical, Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr.

The energetic and enthusiastic cast of 113 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students have been diligently running their lines and practicing their dances since October.  Madison Fulton will play Ariel and Max Bucci will bring Prince Eric to life. Additional cast members include Kelly Barry as Ursula, Haley Barrett as Sebastian, Bridget Lasky as Flounder, Noah Swain as King Triton and Sarah Crumley as Scuttle.

Everyone already has seen the movie and loves the music, so you know that this will be a wonderful production for the whole family.

Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr. will be performed on the Willink Middle School stage, 900 Publishers Parkway, Webster on Friday, February 1 at 7:30PM and Saturday, February 2 at 1PM and 7:30PM.  Tickets are $9.00 adult; $6.00 students and seniors and are available at the door.

* * *

The 3rd Annual Snowmobile Rides for Kids With Special Needs will take place on Saturday February 2 from 1-4 pm, at the Webster Recreation Center on Chiyoda Drive.

This special winter event is open to children with special needs and their families. Kids under18 will get the opportunity to be a passenger on a snowmobile and enjoy the thrill of a ride around the Webster Recreation Center winter wonderland. Bring along your ice skates and sleds and make it a day! Hot cocoa and snacks will be available.

The event will take place if there is at least 8 inches of snow. (Last year there was none.)  You can check the Webster Recreation Center website for updates.

Educators going bald to benefit firefighters’ families

17 Jan

Sue Clark

Three Webster educators have pledged to go completely bald a few weeks from now, if they can raise $5,000 for a very worthy cause.

Webster Thomas vice principal Sue Clark, Thomas librarian Trish Warren, and Webster Schroeder vice principal Jeremy McBride will all go under the razor on Saturday, February 9, during halftime of a Thomas vs. Schroeder faculty benefit basketball game.  But it will only happen if they can raise $5,000 before the game, which will then be donated to the families of fallen firefighters Tomasz Kaczowka and Michael Chiapperini.

The decision to go hairless for the cause was actually Clark’s idea. It’s her personal way of paying it forward for an incredible gift her family received eight years ago.

In 2004 her husband Rick was fighting a losing battle with Fabry Disease, a rare kidney ailment, and needed a transplant. Lynn Early, one of Sue Clark’s teaching colleagues, offered to donate one of hers. Six months later, Rick Clark had a new kidney and has enjoyed good health ever since.  Ever since that day, Clark has been looking for a way to thank her friend for that extraordinary gift.

Trish Warren

The perfect opportunity to do that – to pay it forward – came out of the tragic events of Christmas Eve, when Kaczowka and Chiapperini were shot and killed when responding to a fire.

“This idea of paying it forward is very important to me,” Clark said. “Giving my husband a kidney was a huge act of kindness. There is no way to repay someone for that. (Lynn) simply said to me that someday I would know when it was my turn to do something for somebody else.”

“She was right.  Now is the time.”

Almost $2,000 has been raised so far, partly through small cash donations students and staff members have stuffed in boots located in the school libraries and main offices.  Educators from around the state have also sent larger checks.

Jeremy McBride

Still, there’s a long way to go and only a few weeks to raise the money. If you’re interested in donating, you can send a check in care of the WTHS Student Council, 800 Five Mile Line Road, Webster, NY 14580.

 

 

Pasta dinner will benefit WWFD

17 Jan

I received this press release earlier today, and wanted to pass the information along as soon as possible, so everyone had plenty of time to mark their calendars.

Hillside Family of Agencies Hosts Community Pasta Dinner to Benefit

West Webster Fire Department

The Hillside Family of Agencies is hosting a community pasta dinner on Friday January 18 at its Halpern Education Center, to raise money for the West Webster Fire Department.  The youth day treatment facility, located at 659 Bay Road in Webster,  was used as the command center during the tragedy that occurred on Christmas Eve.

For more than 175 years, Hillside Family of Agencies has been a strong fixture in our region, helping the community achieve great success. This fundraiser is a way for Hillside to honor and thank first responders for their commitment and support.

The pasta dinner will be provided for a minimum donation of $10 per person and all money will be donated directly to the West Webster Fire Department.  A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, so it is recommended that reservations be made by visiting www.hillside.com or by by calling 585-256-7515.

Dinner will be served from 5:30-8 pm. Organizers hope they are able to serve at least 2,000 people and raise more than $20,000 for the department.  Let’s everyone help them hit their goal.

Halpern Education Center is located at 659 Bay Road, Webster.

Should Webster create a memorial park on Lake Road?

12 Jan

Is it to early to think about a permanent memorial to honor the heroes we lost — and almost lost — on that terrible Christmas Eve morning?  Probably not. It’s a natural next step for a town which continues to grieve, but is slowly beginning to move beyond the tragic events of that day. The fire and the shootings, and the utter senselessness of it all, tore a hole in this community as nothing has ever done before.  And in the years to come, we all need something, or some place, to visit where we can show our respect and our love for those we lost, and — just as importantly — to remember how as a community we not only persevered, but became stronger.

There has been some talk about creating a memorial on Lake Road, at the site of the fires.  That’s an intriguing idea, but not as easy as it might sound.

For starters, the Lake Road families whose homes were destroyed are planning to rebuild, with assistance from the Town of Webster, which is waiving building fees, and local tradesmen and women who have offered their design and construction services.

But how about 191 Lake Road, where the shooter lived?  Webster Town Supervisor Ron Nesbitt explained in a recent email why that’s not an immediate solution, either.  He pointed out that the lot is small and there’s no room for parking.  Plus, the property is likely to be tied up in the courts for a while. “We still don’t know if it was the sister in the fire, and if it was, and she owned the house,” he said. If she did, it’s possible she left it to someone in her will, which would complicate matters further.

“We are waiting a little longer for things to calm down,” Nesbitt added, “then the town, police and West Webster Fire will sit down and plan a proper memorial.”

So eventually there will be a memorial, but the town is proceeding slowly. And that’s a very good idea, because this memorial, more than any other, has to be done right.

 

 

Walk for W. Webster Firefighters raised thousands

11 Jan

Just a quick follow-up this morning on a blog I posted earlier this week.  The folks at Operation Patriot Foundation have informed me that the Walk for West Webster Firefighters which took place last Saturday at Greece Ridge Mall raised $3,574.05.

Yesterday they presented a check for $3,600 (they rounded it up) to the West Webster Fire Department.

Operation Patriot founder Mark Rossney added in an email,

Combined with our initial donation of $1,000 made on Christmas Eve afternoon, we are pleased to have donated $4,600.00 in support of our heroes Lt. Michael Chiapperini, Tomasz Kaczowka, Theodore Scardino and Joseph Hofstetter.

We will continue to offer t-shirts from the walk until Jan. 31 (they will no longer be available after that) and will donate those proceeds in early February. Anyone interested in ordering a t-shirt, you can do so online at http://www.OperationPatriot.org.

We are also pleased to announce that The American First Responder Institute of Heraldry out of Philadelphia, PA has asked us to deliver four “First Responder Service Medals” to the West Webster Fire Department.

It is our privilege and honor to do so.

The logo which appears on the Walk for W. Webster Firefighters t-shirt. Order one for $20 at http://www.operationpatriot.org

Wednesday Webster Mailbag

8 Jan

Time again for another riveting installment of the Webster Blog Mailbag, a potpourri of interesting items that find their way to me through my various email accounts.

A special Family Fun Night at the Bay View Family YMCA this Friday January 11 will benefit the West Webster Fire Department.

From 6-8:30 pm, the Y will have activities set up throughout the building for family members of all ages to enjoy, including the huge inflatable climbing thingy, swimming, crafts, games, snacks and more. Cost is $20 per family, and all proceeds will support the fallen and recovering firefighters of the West Webster Fire Department.  All active first responders, firefighters and their families will be given free admission.

The Bay View Family YMCA is located at 1209 Bay Road, Webster.

* * *

All this month, the Webster Museum is proud to host the Great Lakes Seaway Trail War of 1812 Traveling Exhibit.

This is a beautiful exhibit of 26 quilts newly-made, but true to 1812-period quilting patterns, fabrics and colors.  It includes 20 American-made “cot-to-coffin” quilts from 11 states and six Canadian-made quilts from three provinces. The 30-inch-wide by 70-inch-long sizing represents the average height of a man during the war.  Story cards with each quilt share the factual history represented by the quilt or the imagined tale of a family sending a loved one off to the war.

The exhibit is traveling to quilt shows, museums and historic venues all along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, which follows the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River and Lake Erie in New York and Pennsylvania. Much of the War of 1812 was fought along this strategic freshwater shoreline.

Check out the exhibit yourself from January 6-20 at the Webster Museum. They’re open from 12-4 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. If you’d like to see the exhibit at some other time, call (585) 265-3308 to arrange a tour. There is no admission cost, but donations will be gratefully accepted, a portion of which will be donated to the West Webster Firefighter Fund of the Webster Community Chest.

* * *

The Webster Thomas Titans Hockey Team is hosting its first “Honor our Heroes” game on Friday Jan. 11 against division rival Victor. Thomas players will wear unique camouflage jerseys as a part of the team’s effort to honor all service members (including women and men in the military, first responders including firefighters, police officers, and EMTs).

The action starts at 5:30 pm at the Webster Ice Arena, 865 Publisher’s Parkway, Webster. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and students. Current military and veterans, as well as first responders will be admitted free of charge with ID. The team will also be running a 50/50 raffle, selling the team’s camouflage jerseys and collecting donations. All proceeds will benefit the CDS Monarch Warrior Salute program.

* * *

Finally, I wanted to pass along my personal congratulations on the engagement of one Webster’s nicest young couples, Jonathan Smalter and Kristine Rinebold of Yesterday’s Muse Books.  They officially announced the happy news in the shop’s most recent e-newsletter.

I’d like to sign off with the following, which Jonathan also wrote in that newsletter in response to the terrible events of Christmas Eve. I thought it was poignant and beautiful and perfect; words we should all live by.

Objectively, one might think that tragedies like these leave one feeling empty, in doubt of humanity, or frightened of the future. That’s certainly understandable. But having gone through this as part of the Webster community, I must say that I don’t feel that way at all. This has shown me how strong we are as a society. We show our greatest strength in the times of greatest adversity. Each time we are knocked down, we pick ourselves up and stand taller. With loss comes a greater understanding of what we have, and what is truly important.

Loss also helps us realize how lucky we are. … I gave several toasts during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations with family, acknowledging how fortunate we were to be together for the holidays, and to have these happy moments to look forward to. I’m not generally one for New Year’s resolutions, but this year I think I’ll resolve to alter my perspective a bit, whether that means realizing my problems are small in the grand scheme of things, or that the simple pleasures which sometimes seem small are actually among our greatest possessions.

 

Mall walk benefited West Webster firemen

6 Jan

A charity walk drew an estimated 300-400 people from all over the county to the Greece Ridge Mall on Saturday morning to raise money for West Webster firefighters.

The walk was organized by the Operation Patriot Foundation, a group dedicated to paying tribute to first responders, and to raise funds to support them.

The event was intended to bring the community together for a one-lap walk around the mall to honor firefighters Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka, who lost their lives on Christmas Eve; and Ted Scardino, Joe Hofstetter and John Ritter, who were injured.  It was also designed, of course, to raise money for the West Webster Volunteer Fireman’s Association. The effort raised funds through walker registrations and t-shirt sales.  A final total is not yet available, since donations are still coming in, but the folks at Operation Patriot expect it to be more than $3500.

If you’re still interested in purchasing a t-shirt, by the way, you can order one for $20 through the Operation Patriot website.

I could not attend the walk myself, so am very grateful to Kim Runnells for acting as my blog photographer for the event. She took some great photos. A few of them are posted here, and the rest are posted in a gallery on my Facebook page. Just click on any of the photos to go there.

By the way, if you haven’t heard the news yet, Joe and Ted have both been released from the hospital. May they have a speedy recovery.

 

A heartfelt thank you from the West Webster FD

4 Jan

West Webster Fire District Chief James Deisenroth posted this blog yesterday. If you haven’t seen it yet, I am pleased to share it with you now. I am so very proud to be a part of this community, and proud to call Webster my home.

Thank You Message from Chief Deisenroth

The West Webster Fire District family would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to our loving and caring community. We are enormously overwhelmed with the generosity of each and every one of you and as unbelievably amazing as you have all been, we should not be surprised. We have witnessed the true meanings of honor, community, brother and sisterhood, and family. Our family extends well beyond our firehouse and our community well beyond Webster!

To thank you all for each and every gift of love you have given would be impossible as we are still learning of the many ways people have shown and continue to show their support. You have visited our home with cards, monetary gifts, food and drinks, flowers, candles, teddy bears, plaques, hand-crafted crosses, drawings, and even coffee and treats from Abbott’s. Facebook Groups have been formed by many to show support, share comforting words and pictures, and even arrange for transportation and housing for the funeral services. We notice signs in front yards and we see your flags are lowered. We notice when you tell us to be safe and we know those words hold more weight than anyone could ever explain. We appreciate each and every person who stood outside to watch the funeral processions and every vehicle that stopped on the side of the road. We saw flags waving, people saluting, hands over hearts, and we have seen so many tears. Each and every one of you not only reminded us but also taught us what it truly means to be a strong and loving community.

Brothers and sisters came from all over, including other countries, to pay their respects and to share in our grief. Each and every one of you not only reminded us but also taught us what Brotherhood/Sisterhood truly means.

You have prayed for us and with us and we know that you will continue to pray, as will we.

“Thank you” doesn’t begin to express our appreciation to all of you. Please know that the good you have all shown will always be remembered and cherished by all of us. You have truly honored our brothers!

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the various media outlets for respecting the wishes of the families through this difficult time. We appreciate them working with us to make sure the highest level of respect was shown during all of the events that they attended.

May you all have a safe and happy 2013.

James Deisenroth
District Chief
West Webster Fire District

More ways to show your support

2 Jan

You could almost hear the collective groan yesterday morning as everyone dragged themselves out of bed and into the new year. That was especially true for students and teachers, who all enjoyed so much more than a long weekend.  Still, I sensed that more than a few people were ready to put a very distressing 2012 holiday season behind them and start looking forward again.

But this community is far from done thinking about and talking about the awful shootings on Christmas Eve.  Just today I found out about a few new opportunities for community members to show their support.

The first is a Walk for West Webster Firefighters, this Saturday January 5, sponsored by the Operation Patriot Foundation.  The walk will be held within the warm confines of the Mall at Greece Ridge. Registration for the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 9:15. A minimum donation of $5 per person is requested. The first 100 participants who donate $20 or more will receive a free event T-shirt. Children 12 and under are free.

Funds raised will be donated to the West Webster Volunteer Fireman’s Association. For more information, click here.

And I found this very interesting:  An online petition has been established urging the Obama administration to award the Medal of Freedom to the four firefighters who were ambushed in West Webster.

The petition reads:

On December 24th, 2012 four West Webster Firefighters responded to a call of a vehicle/house fire. As they arrived they were ambushed by a lone gunman. Lt. Mike Chiapperini and Firefighter Tomasz Kaczowka were killed on scene. Firefighters Joseph Hofsetter and Theodore Scardino both received life altering injuries which will require months of rehabilitation. These brave men were volunteers answered the call for assistance at 5:30 in the morning.

These brave men were ambushed by a coward. For their sacrifices, their willingness to help their fellow man they all should be honored with the Medal of Freedom.

If you would like to “sign” the petition, click here. You have to register on the petition’s website before it will record your signature, but that’s easy and quick.

I also got this press release from the Webster Community Chest, reminding us that they are still collecting donations through January 31:

The Webster Community Chest is continuing to accept monetary (only) donations for the families affected by the 12/24 tragedy on Lake Road. Checks may be written out to the Webster Community Chest and mailed to 1000 Ridge Road, Webster, NY 14580. On the memo line please write: 12/24. Credit Card donations are also being taken through our web site at http://www.webcommchest.org. Please indicate that your donation is for 12/24.

All donations earmarked for these families will be given to these families, in addition to Webster Community Chest needs based assistance. If you have any questions you may call the Webster Community Chest at (585)671-2060 or you may visit our website at http://www.webcommchest.org

 

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