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Webster Thomas grad performs during March Madness

1 Apr

Rmani Crawford, at the far left, prepares to lead Won by One in song. Click on the photo to watch the video.

If you watched any of the Elite 8 basketball games on Sunday, you might have caught a singing performance by a Webster Thomas grad.

Rmani Crawford (’10) led the Pepperdine University a cappella group Won by One in singing the National Anthem before one of the Elite 8 games  played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. I’m not sure the TV stations actually broadcast the performance, but someone did post a video to YouTube, which you can see by clicking here or on the photo to the right.

Rmani is a junior at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, majoring in rhetoric and leadership. He sings baritone for Won by One, who call themselves “A group of six unlikely friends who travel in a big white van, recruit students to come to Pepperdine and practice beat boxing daily.”

Thank you to my friend Holly for bringing my attention to this link. I’m always pleased to see our Webster students making a difference in the world.

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

 

Willink student wins Do the Right Thing award

12 Mar

Ryan Tubiolo is interviewed by News 10 Chief Photographer Todd Hayes.

This news is a little dated, but it’s such a great story that I wanted to share it anyway.

Willink Middle School seventh grader student Ryan Tubiolo has received a Do the Right Thing Award from WHEC Channel 10.

The Do The Right Thing program publicly recognizes Rochester-area young people who distinguish themselves by their good behavior, establishing them as role models for their peers. Ryan received the award in December, and gave an on-camera interview in February to a WHEC reporter/videographer.

Willink math teacher Maria Rigillo nominated Ryan for the honor because of his courage and passion to help others, exemplified in the way he deals every day with Muscular Dystrophy.  She wrote,

Ryan is a positive and exemplary role model of responsibility, diligence, respect, hard work and motivation.…He sets the standard for excellence in life and he has a very strong sense of courage…exemplified in the way he has handled, and continues to endure, a life-threatening medical condition that he has dealt with for many years. Ryan has not allowed this challenge to stop him from being the best he can be, and he never uses his medical condition as an excuse.

Ryan is actively involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, both as a successful fundraiser and as a spokesman. He also taped and aired an interview on Willink Titan TV that informs the Willink school community about Muscular Dystrophy and educates the community about the many children afflicted with various illnesses who are no different from children who are not facing such challenges.

Ryan enjoys being active in his school, and told the reporter that’s because “the teachers are so nice and it’s cool to be able to participate with other kids and do what they do. They know why I’m in a wheelchair and why I can’t do some of the things they do. The kids at Willink support me.”

And the teachers, too, apparently.

“Ryan has certainly made a huge difference in my life,” Rigillo wrote, “as I am sure he has in the lives of all those who have the honor and privilege of knowing him.”

 

Art teacher’s new book fills a need

1 Mar

Next time you’re at Wegmans, make sure to pause a few extra moments near the book display and take a closer look. You might just see a name you recognize.

Plank Road North Elementary art teacher Natalie Palermo has published a new book, titled Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art!!!  The 52-page, colorfully illustrated book looks at the seven basic elements of art from a child’s perspective – or, as Palermo explained it, “through the adventures of a young girl named Rowan.”

To say that the book was a labor of love is a bit of an understatement. Palermo has been working on it since 2005. It was then that she first noticed there was a need for such a resource. She wrote,

I saw the need for an elementary art education resource book for elementary art teachers and parents who homeschool their children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.  When I would go to the larger book store chains…I would find books about artists, art history, “how to draw” types of books, but could not find a book solely dedicated to teaching the seven elements of art.

And so Rowan was born.

The book is designed for parents and teachers to use throughout a child’s elementary art education. Through easy-to-understand text and Palermo’s original artwork, each section introduces concepts in a way that can be easily adapted to individual grade levels. With the chapter that introduces the color wheel, for example, a first or second grade learner could learn about primary and secondary colors, while fourth or fifth graders could “graduate” to the intermediates. And thanks to that adaptability, Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art! can be used as a supplement to classroom textbook, and also as an art education enrichment book for parents.

And of course, she uses it in her own classroom as well.

When I introduce my book to my students I tell them that they can achieve anything with hard work and persistence like I did with my book… my students enjoy seeing the illustrations and how the elements of art relate to the real world.

Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art! is available right now at both Holt Road and Eastway Wegmans stores. Very soon you’ll also be able to find it at Hyatt’s All Things Creative (937 Jefferson Road, Henrietta)  and at the Memorial Art Gallery gift shop.

 

Palermo at the Temple of Apollo, Ortigia, Sicily

Meet Natalie Palermo

Palermo has taught art at the elementary and secondary levels for more than ten years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication from S.U.N.Y Fredonia and Master of Science in Art Education from Nazareth College. She has traveled extensively to explore art throughout the United States and Europe. She regularly uses her artwork to help others, raising money for local charities including the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, Bethany House, the George Eastman House, the West Webster Fire Department, AIDS Rochester, and Hannah’s Hope School in Kenya. She currently teaches art at Plank Road North Elementary School in Webster.

This is why you were saving those Beanie Babies

9 Feb

I got an email yesterday from a friend who’s working with a wonderful group of young ladies from the Browncroft Community Church, and asked that I pass along some information about their community service project.

This enterprising group of fourth graders has partnered with Dress a Girl, an international organization based on North Winton Road which provides dresses and small toys to girls living in extreme poverty all around the world.  They began the project by bringing in their own toys, and then asked friends and neighbors. Some of the girls have also talked with their principals and have organized collections in several Webster schools.  Now they’re reaching out to the greater community.

The girls are looking for Beanie Babies, small stuffed animals and fast food meal toys to donate to Dress a Girl.  I’ll bet everyone has at least a few of these hanging around the house; I know I have a boxful tucked away from when my kids were little.  So when you’re doing your spring cleaning in the next few weeks, throw some in a box, and drop them off at Browncroft Community Church’s ministry office, 2530 Browncroft Blvd., Penfield.

The girls’ goal is to collect 1,000 toys.  Let’s help them get there.

Dress a Girl is a part of Angels of Mercy, 692 N. Winton Road.  Click here for more information about this wonderful organization.

 

Browncroft Community Church’s “Pioneer Girls” are shown presenting their first collection of 110 toys to a local Dress a Girl representative.

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.

 

 

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

Lighting up the holidays — and the night sky

20 Dec

Well, we’re finally supposed to get some measurable snow this weekend, so I thought today might be a good day to post my Exceptional Christmas Lights blog.

I did, indeed, go out several days ago in search of awesome outdoor light displays — particularly in search of a few especially nice displays that my readers suggested.  Well, to be more specific, the TWO displays that my readers suggested. (That’s not counting the one my friend Edna in Fairport wants me to go see out there.  “YOU HAVE TO GO TO BEAUMONT!” she wrote. Even wrote it on my Christmas card.) No, the two local displays that readers wrote to me about were on Klem Road just east of Route 250, and on Yorktown Drive just off of Plank Road.

This house is just east of Rt. 250 on Klem Road. I love the frog.

Now, the one on Klem is nice. But nothing can compare to the display that lights up the sky — literally — on Yorktown every year.  I chatted briefly to the homeowner when I was there, who told me that every year he tries to add a new element. This year it was the 6-foot-tall dancing, singing, motion-activated Santa at the end of the driveway. He also installed reflectors on the neighboring lawns to reduce damage from the constant traffic. The display is so well known that it has become a regular stop on senior citizen bus tours;  the owner told me that ten vans came through the night before.

Here are a few photos of individual portions of the display.  But the photos don’t really do it justice, so I also took video. CLICK HERE to see the video.   His back yard is almost as impressive, but I didn’t get any photos of that. If you want to see this one for yourself, Yorktown runs between Plank Road and Creek Street, but the house is closer to the Plank Road end. Just look for the glow.

Click on either of the photos to get a closer look, or click on the link above to see a video.

And I just had to include these photos from our own little village. The lights aren’t nearly as impressive, but I love the snowflakes and the twinkly lights in the trees, and the garland of lights wrapped around the gazebo. Simple and classic, and pure Webster.

Thomas student follows his passion — despite his challenges

10 Dec

D&C photo by Jamie Germano

Today I was going to blog about something rather boring, but instead I’d like to draw your attention to a very nice article in the D&C this morning. It’s about former Webster Thomas High School student Mark Houppert. It’s on the front page of the sports section, or you can click here to read it.

Mark has been struggling with early-onset Parkinson’s disease since he was three years old, but that has not dampened his love of sports — basketball in particular. When I knew him at Thomas, he served as manager for the varsity basketball team. I was pleased to see this morning that as manager of the St. John Fisher basketball team, he is still following his passion.

Once again, you can read the whole story here, and also check out the nice sidebar about when Mark met his basketball hero, Kobe Bryant, back in 2010, courtesy of the Dream Factory.

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Webster’s own Justin Bieber?

29 Nov

Now here’s a young man you’re gonna want to keep an eye on.

I found out yesterday that Webster has an up-and-coming blues guitar star in its midst. His name is Jon Dretto, and he’s a Webster Thomas High School freshman.

Jon has been playing guitar since he was 8 years old.  Now just 14, he’s already tucked some impressive gigs under his belt, including the Niagara Falls Blues Festival, where he performed with the Nighthawks and Shrimp Daddy.

Jon’s budding music career got a big boost this month when he was featured in the music classroom magazine In Tune.  The feature was a follow-up to a contest sponsored by the magazine in July, where he won the top prizes: a brand new Paul Reed Smith SE guitar, an SE50 amplifier, and the opportunity to perform at In Tune’s Race to the Stage concert at Watkins Glen Grand Am in August.  In addition to being the opening act, he was also invited to play onstage with the PRS professional band.

Jack Higginbotham of PRS posted on his blog after the event,

Our fourth and final concert for the season featured 14-year old Jon Dretto, who rocked the 10,000+ fans that attended our Watkins Glen concert. Jon joined our PRS band the Rocky Mountain Stoneflies and British Blues phenom Davy Knowles for a few in front of the huge and enthusiastic crowd.

Congratulations, Jon. You’re making Webster proud, and we are all looking forward to following your career.

 

Webster folks doing their part for literacy

8 Nov

Book Festival patrons can take a chance on winning this gorgeous quilt from Altrusa.

Book lovers from all over the state will gather this weekend at MCC for the Rochester Area Children’s Writers and Illustrators Annual Book Festival, and some Webster folks are going to be right in the middle of it.

Those folks are members of the Rochester branch of Altrusa International, a service organization dedicated to promote literacy worldwide.  Webster resident — and Altrusa member — Karen Marquardt has really taken that mission to heart.  Karen has befriended city school librarians and has learned how under-funded they are. To help, she scours public library used book sales, and using Altrusa funds, stocks up on books to donate to city schools. She recently donated more than 800 books to School 42, including 149 which she picked up at the Webster Public Library book sale for just $89.

Altrusa will be hosting a table at Saturday’s book festival, and accepting monetary and book donations to support their city school cause.  They’ll also be raffling off a beautiful quilt; anyone who donates a dollar or a book will receive a raffle ticket.

The Book Festival itself is a book-lover’s wonderland, a full day of author talks, workshops, presentations, activities and story-reading.  Plus there’s all sorts of information and vendor booths. Popular authors including Vivian Vande Velde and Linda Sue Park will be on hand to chat and sign your books.

The Festival runs Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm at Monroe Community College in Brighton. For more information, check out the Rochester Children’s Book Festival website here.

 

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