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Webster Thomas grad helped land rover on Mars

20 Aug

Eric Blood (courtesy CMU website)

If you’ve been following the recent news about the rover that NASA just landed on Mars, you’ll probably be interested to know that a Webster Thomas grad had a hand in its success.

Eric Blood graduated from Webster Thomas in 2006, and went on to earn a masters degree in engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2010. Following graduation he got a job at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where he was assigned to work with the Mars rover team.

As part of the rover’s engineering operations team, Blood oversees the vehicle’s thermal, power, avionics, data management and telecom systems. His position means that he was one of the very first scientists to get a look at the images the rover sent back from the surface of Mars.

That’s more than cool.

Once again Webster students are making their town proud.  Read more about Eric and his work on the Carnegie Mellon University website. And watch for a personal interview in this month’s Webster Schools newsletter, which should be hitting mailboxes within the next few weeks.

Scenes around town

17 Aug

OK, I’m a bit ashamed to admit it, but I was planning to post this blog more than a week ago before I left on vacation. But I was sitting on it while I awaited more information. Then when it finally arrived I totally wrote a whole new blog with it and forgot about this one.

I just came across it again. So consider this a bonus blog.

* * *

The following photo and caption were submitted by my friend Kelly Mutschler, who’s a little proud of what her daughter Maggie and her volleyball teammates are doing for the community.

Members of the Webster Schroeder Volleyball team spent time a few weeks ago volunteering with the American Cancer Society. The girls assembled kits for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which will  be distributed to the attendees of the kickoff breakfasts in Rochester and Waterloo this month.  Jessica Shatzel, a fundraising coach for this event, said,

It was my pleasure to work with the Webster Schroeder Girls Volleyball team who came to volunteer at the American Cancer Society’s Lakes Office in Rochester. The girls were here from 9 am until 1 pm and in that short time were able to assemble about 800 team leader kits for our upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kickoff Breakfast. This was no small task as folders needed to be stuffed, tee shirts folded and ribbons tied, but they kept a positive and hardworking attitude throughout, an excellent representation of both the school and the athletic department. I am so grateful for all of their help! Without volunteers like these girls, events like this would not be possible.

Front row: Ciara Lutz, Cailyn Hart, Deanna Callerame and Jane Vanvessem. Back row: Cassie Campbell, Maggie Mutschler and Courtney Miller.

These are the same ladies who are holding the mattress fundraiser tomorrow which I mentioned in my Thursday blog.  Click here for more information and for a $50 coupon.

This next photo is one I snapped a few weeks ago at Barry’s Old School Irish, where I was was having a gabfest with my friend and colleague Carol Klem. While our meeting was going on, at the next table over, several of the ladies from the Webster Museum’s Historic properties Committee were also meeting.  They were starting to plan out which local homes would be recognized this year for their historic significance.

Webster owes this committee a debt of gratitude for regularly reminding us that our town has a very rich and exciting history.

And speaking of Barry’s Old School Irish, the little pub/bakery on Webster’s Four Corners will host a second Fiddle Workshop tomorrow from 3-4 pm.

The free workshop will be led by Barry’s Crossing fiddle-meister Sean Rosenberry. It’s designed for advanced beginners and intermediate players, but fiddlers of all ages and skill levels are welcome, and participants are invited to bring other traditional Irish instruments as well.  Spectators are encouraged. Following the workshop, Sarah and Sean of Barry’s Crossing will perform a short fiddle set.

While family and friends watch, young fiddlers perform the tune they just learned at the first Fiddle Workshop in June.

For more information about the workshop, visit the Barry’s Crossing website and choose the “Shows” tab.

Barry’s Old School Irish is located at 2 West Main Street, smack dab in the middle of the Village of Webster. There is no charge for the workshop.

 

Odds ‘n’ ends

16 Aug

I’m not going to call this my mailbag this week, because a few of these items I did not hear about in my mail.

First, one event this weekend to let you know about:

The Webster Warriors volleyball team is hosting a mattress fundraiser on Saturday August 18. (Yes, you heard right.)  Basically, a mattress store will be set up in the Schroeder gymnasium from 1-7 pm.  They’re brand-name mattresses in all sizes and price ranges, complete with factory warranty. The organization will also deliver your purchase and and pick up the old set.

I’m told that the salespeople do not work on commission, and because there’s no overhead, prices are 30-65% below retail. All forms of payment are accepted and layaway is available.

The event will benefit the Warrior Girls Volleyball program, helping defray costs for gear, training, and team events from
modified to varsity level. Click here for more information and a $50 coupon.

* * *

Now, a nice little story that I heard about through the grapevine.

For the last three years, Webster residents Dave and Cathy Smith have hosted a S’more Fest for friends and family. This year’s, though, was a very special one, because it coincided with a very happy occasion. Their youngest son Matt (a Thomas High School graduate) had recently returned home from the Navy after four years of service.

Matt was based in Guam, but as an anti-terrorist specialist, he was sent on many missions.  Since he had not seen a Webster summer in four years, he had also not been to any of the previous S’more Fests. So his very proud parents made sure this one was extra-memorable, with a pig roast catered by Pringle Barbecue and Catering, and fireworks to cap off the evening.  The Smiths hosted about 55 people at the party.

Now that Matt’s home for good, he volunteers for the Legal Services Project of Monroe County and will graduate with his bachelors degree in accounting in December, after which he plans to attend law school.

Here are a few photos from the party:

(L-R) Matt Smith, his dad Dave, caterers Jeremy and Jessie Pringle

Matt’s big brother Brad, Jessica Griffith and Steve Hondorf

Family and friends

Now I’m going to take a page from the D&C and tell you about a few stories I’m working on (my theory is that now that you know about them, I might be motivated to actually write them):

The school year is fast approaching, and some big changes are afoot. There are new start times — which are significantly earlier for some schools — and some redistricting (which the district likes to call “rebalancing”).

The Working Class Theatre Company is going to be back in Webster this fall with a production at the Harmony House. You may even see them here more often in the future, if things work out.

A local organization wants to teach Webster to sing.  Interested?

Big news from the Webster Herald about a big move they’ll be making.

More to come on all these stories, so stay tuned.

Annual family gathering benefits local food cupboard

5 Aug

Several days ago, Liz Nelson, one of my readers told me about a great event her niece’s family holds every summer to benefit the Webster Food Cupboard. It’s a pool party, where the admission is a donation of cash or food for the Cupboard. Liz was kind enough to send some follow-up information and photos after the event.   So rather than tell you about it myself, I’ll let her email do it for me:

The Bennetts’ 11th Annual Pool Party & Webster Food Cupboard Drive

Joyel and Roger Bennett hosted their 11th annual pool party and food drive along with their children Angel and Jayden on Saturday, August 4, 2012.  As usual it was a huge success, and what a hot day indeed!  The pool was put to good use!

Each year approximately $60 to $100 in monetary donations plus $200-$300 in food, school supplies and paper goods have been collected for the Webster Food Cupboard.

The idea for the party started 11 years ago when Angel was only 9 months old.  The Bennetts invited family and friends over for a pool party and instead of a dish to pass, they asked for donations for the food cupboard.  Years later the tradition continues as we look forward to seeing family and friends once again!  Some even travel from out of town to make this wonderful event.

What makes it even more special is that Joyel and Roger purchased their home from Joyel’s grandparents (my parents, Forest and Marie Lane) who still live in Webster.  Our home was always the gathering place filled with many memories and lots of love.  We are so thankful and proud of Joyel and Roger for carrying on the family tradition and then some!  I hope this story inspires others as a small idea turned into more than a decade of giving.

Joyel is my niece, but we are best friends and close like sisters.  As you can tell, this is close to my heart and it gives me pride to brag about my wonderful family!

Wonderful doesn’t even begin to describe these folks.  Check out these photos from the party:

A sad goodbye to a great friend of Webster

3 Aug

I learned some sad news the other day. Long-time resident Helen Miller passed away suddenly at the age of 82.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Helen, but from what I have heard, she was a dear friend of Webster — not just its people, but the entire Webster community itself.  Someone whose positive attitude brought a smile to every life she touched.

Her beautifully-written obituary captures her irrepressible spirit:

A talented artist, restorer of art, an avid golfer, card player, reader & traveler, Helen looked for any excuse to get everyone together to have a party! Helen, thank you for teaching us to love with all our hearts, to laugh often, to turn the negative to a positive, to enjoy every minute and share it all with family & friends. Helen has left a legacy through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her artwork and her zest for life.

And I just love this.  In her memory she has asked everyone to perform a Random Act of Kindness for someone. (Read the entire obituary here.)

Most people probably don’t realize that Helen painted the mural which now hangs in the Community Meeting Hall, where the Village Board conducts all of their meetings.  And, I just found out yesterday, she also created the stained glass window in that same room.

So the next time you watch a meeting on TV and see that mural, remember Webster’s good friend Helen Miller, and think about how you can pass on her spirit through kindness.

 

 

Webster in the news

27 Jul

There’ve been several interesting tidbits about Webster in the news these last few days. If you haven’t seen these, allow me to enlighten you:

The front-page story of this week’s Webster Post is all about the Friends of Webster Trails and the volunteer crew that does such a terrific job creating and maintaining our local trail system.  In my opinion, these people don’t get enough recognition for the work they do, so I’m very pleased to see them front and center this week.

I can’t seem to find the article online at the Messenger Post website yet, so you’ll have to pick up a hard copy.

* * *

The plan to build a new $5.4 million firehouse on Phillips Road was soundly defeated in Tuesday’s night’s referendum vote. I  think people in general agree that the fire department needs a new station, but think that the proposed one was a bit more than they need.

Back to the drawing board.  Click here to go to the Democrat & Chronicle article about the vote.

* * *
Speaking of the D&C, in today’s Our Towns, columnist Stacy Gittleman featured Joe Gerard, the Camp Bay View camper who’s making and selling bracelets to benefit the climbing tower replacement fund. Scroll down a few days and you can see the blog I also wrote about this exceptional young man. I heard today that Channel 10 is also chomping at the bit to do a story on Joe, but they’ll have to wait until next week, after his family returns from vacation.

Unfortunately, as of right now the D&C  has not updated their website to include Stacy’s most recent column, so you’ll have to read that in hard copy as well until they do.

* * *

Speaking of previous blogs I wrote … back in May I wrote about a new store that had appeared on Ridge Road, called the “Look Ah Hookah Smoke Shop.”  I didn’t say so at the time, but I was kind of wondering about the kinds of things they sell.  Is it really all … well, legal?

Apparently not.

This article from the Webster Post (which is online) reports how the owner of  Lookah Hookah was fined for violating state labeling laws. Specifically, they were selling synthetic marijuana and other designer drugs.  ‘Course, what can you expect from a place where the tagline is “We’ll smoke you up”?

 

 

Webster folks are everywhere — even in the 19th century

15 Jul

My husband and I spent an enjoyable day yesterday at Genesee Country Museum in Mumford. I hadn’t been there in years, and this being the weekend of the annual Civil War battle reenactment (and the fact my son would be participating as one of the townspeople) it sounded like a good time for a return visit.

While I was there I thought it would be fun to see how many Webster/Penfield folks I could find participating as reenactors. Perhaps you know some of these people:

Tim Ricotta, right, played with the Union’s fife-and-drum corps.

Susan Berardi was portraying the character of Caroline Sawyer, her great-great-great grandmother. At other events, she plays a Union spy.

Lisa Sansone was one of the dress makers. Here she holds her 3-month old daughter Rebecca.

Karen Nitschke (far right) chats on the porch of the Livingston-Backus House with Mary Barber, Renate Tindall and Larry Ferner.

My son Sean with his friends Sarah King and Chris Chamberlain.

It was a very educational and entertaining day all around, and the weather — although very warm — was fine. Actually, the only sour point of the entire day was when we had to dodge the firefighters standing in the middle of Route 38 in Mumford. They were holding one of those fund drives where you’re supposed to drop money in the boot as you drive by. They actually had put up signs that read “Boot fundraiser toll.”

Now I’m all for firefighters trying to raise money, but I’ve always hated this approach. It’s invasive and dangerous, and these guys even went so far as to call it a “toll.” And wasn’t peddling like this was outlawed in Monroe County several years ago?



Ridgecrest spray park out of commission … for now

24 May

The blistering heat of summer is right around the corner (we’re even getting a tiny taste of it this week), but Webster residents will have to wait until at least early July to cool off at the Ridgecrest Water Spray Park on Ebner Drive.

The Ridgecrest Spray Park is a summer oasis for kids.

The facility, which is especially popular with families who have small children, will be closed at least through the first week of July due to an electrical issue which arose in conjunction with the recent sale of the old Webster Rec building.

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mark Yeager explained in an email yesterday,

When the building was sold we lost our electricity for the parking lot and spray park. We are working with RG&E to run a new electric line to the box lacrosse building. Once that is completed we will be back in business. We just received the quote from RG&E to set a new pole and run the line to the building. (Then) our electrician will come in and connect the spray park and parking lot lights.

So when will the park reopen? That pretty much depends on RG&E’s availability and how soon they can get the work done.  The town is hoping it’ll happen in early July.

My question is, who has sit on the spray whale every afternoon between noon and 3 pm and wait for the electric guy?

Pub full of new Webster friends help the Barrys celebrate

22 May

Hubby and and I had a terrific time Sunday afternoon at a surprise baby shower for Jessica Barry of Barry’s Old School Irish at Webster’s four corners. She and her husband Danny are expecting their first child in July, so naturally, friends and family had to throw her a shower.

Jessica was taken completely by surprise, which made the event a whole lot more fun. She thought she was going out to dinner at Sticky Lips with Danny and some other family members. But first, they stopped by the pub. It’s normally closed at that time of day, so she was a bit confused by the balloons and patio table decorations. She caught on pretty fast, though, when they pulled up in front and she saw family and friends spilling out the door to greet her.

Jessica and Danny Barry with a few of their gifts.

Baby showers are always fun affairs, but this one was particularly neat for one main reason: It was less than a year ago that Danny and Jessica Barry came to town to open up their new business.  Nobody knew who they were, just a couple of kids trying to start up another bar. One with a bakery attached, no less. (Go figure.)

Now, a mere nine months later, their little place was overflowing with Webster people who have come to know and love them.

Just a small sampling of the Barrys’ new friends who came out to celebrate.

The Wednesday afternoon gang was there, the Friday night regulars, and the Saturday night crowd. Debbie and Pat Bush from Webster Hots brought a whole tray of Jessica’s favorite chocolate chip brownies, and Mike Broikou from the Goodie Shop brought one of his incredible five-layer ice cream cakes.

It’s not often you see this kind of affection shown to pub owners by their patrons and fellow business owners. But that’s the kind of place Barry’s is, and that’s the kind of people the Barrys are. These kids aren’t just pub owners — they’re family.

P.S.  It seems like ages ago, but do you remember how ugly and embarrassing that southwest village corner was for years? Then Barry’s Old School Irish moved in and immediately improved it with a nice iron fence and patio seating. This summer Danny and Jessica have added some very nice gardens. Now it’s a corner Webster can be proud of.

Before. Ugly.

And now. Beautiful.

Webster Cadettes earn silver

21 May

Congratulations to these young ladies from Webster Cadette Troop 60434, who received their prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award on Friday, May 4th.  They’re all sixth graders at Spry Middle School.  (Thanks to Deb Hill for passing along the news!)

(L-R) Hannah Ippolito, Ryan Morency, Rachel Hill, Annika Schouten, Kaylee Gibb, Meaghan Gartland, and Alyssa Zaft

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