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Thank you from the Man in the Yellow Truck

7 Jan

You may have missed it in the most recent Webster Today town publication — which arrived in the mail this week — but tucked towards the back was a thank-you letter from The Man in the Yellow Truck.

You may recall I posted a blog about this incredible community helper who can be seen regularly picking up garbage along the Rt. 104 on- and off-ramps. In that blog (which was originally an article written by Katie Kovar at the Webster Rec Center), there was a plea for donations of garbage bags. The community responded enthusiastically, which led in part to the letter. In case you missed it, it reads:

During the height of COVID, I was diagnosed with diabetes. I had very little knowledge of the disease, but was eager to learn and feel better. My doctor was very clear: I had to change my eating habits and I had to stay active.

On a beautiful afternoon, while running errands, the litter along the Webster expressway was a concern. So I took it upon myself to start cleaning. First, I needed bags. It didn’t take long to realize that I needed a LOT of bags. The Town of Webster was very cooperative, but they can only spare so much. I complained to anyone that would listen that I needed more garbage bags. My step-daughter, Tiffany, wanted to help, so she expressed my need on the Webster Village Facebook page.

I was then approached by Katie Kovar, Recreation Director from Webster Parks and Recreation. She asked if she could write an article about the work I was doing along the expressway. Honestly, I was a bit puzzled but also grateful. Since the article I have received thousands of garbage bags of all shapes and sizes. My diabetes is under control and the Webster roads are much cleaner.

Thank you to my step-daughter, Tiffany Diamond, for putting my need request on Facebook. Thank you to Katie Kovar for your beautiful and inspiring article. Thank you to EVERYONE who generously donated SO many garbage bags.

Lastly, please continue beeping your horn! It does not startle me, I hear it and it makes me feel appreciated.

It took a village.

Stephen Anderson, the Man in the Yellow Truck with the American flag

Thanks to the generosity of the Webster community, Steve has plenty of garbage bags for now, but stay tuned, because if the call goes out for more donations, I’ll let you know!

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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.

(posted 1/6/2024)

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Where can I volunteer in Webster?

3 Jan

Thank you to everyone who responded so enthusiastically to my recent Facebook post about my plans to research and blog about volunteer opportunities in Webster. I got several suggestions (most of which were already on my list), and a few ideas about some great organizations to blog about in the future.

But I was especially pleased by the large number of people who said they were looking forward to seeing the list. I’ve always known that Webster is a giving community, but the response to that one post has been heartwarming.

I give 100% credit for this idea to Tom Traub, who himself volunteers for the Friends of Webster Trails and other initiatives. In his email, he wrote,

The strength of a community is not only what  businesses we see, but all of the volunteering going on behind the scenes that is mostly invisible except for a few really involved … the pay will be terrible, but the benefits will be priceless to those who find their passion or niche.

I couldn’t agree more.

So, what follows is what I’ve pulled together so far about the many ways you and your family can volunteer in Webster. I’ve chosen at this point NOT to include service organizations like the Kiwanis or American Legion which do great things for the community, but generally require membership. Plus, while all of these organizations will gladly accept monetary donations to support their causes, I’ve tried to focus on hand-on volunteering opportunities. Click through to the website/Facebook hyperlink to find out more.

This is NOT an exhaustive list. If you see that I’ve missed something, please let me know.

Bellas Bumbas
1170 Ridge Rd. #208

Bella’s Bumbas, run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, is dedicated to building miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. To date, they’ve shipped 2,650 chairs to children in 66 countries, often adapting the chairs for each child’s individual needs, and charging the parents only for shipping.

How you can help: Volunteers help pack chairs; write “kids cards” (every child gets a handwritten card); help clean, vacuum, and dust the workshop once a week; transport chairs within the U.S. and internationally and stateside; and other tasks.

FoodWEBster

The goals of FoodWEBster are to promote food security, minimize food waste, support small scale food production, increase self-reliance, and help protect the local environment by nourishing a healthy ecosystem.

How you can help: share educational resources, facilitate peer-to-peer food gifting and mutual aid, and promoting and organizing pro-environmental conversations and events.

Friends of Webster Trails (FWT)
1350 Chiyoda Dr.

FWT focuses on building and maintaining recreational trails and protecting the natural character of the Town’s open-space lands through sensible management, education, and low-impact access. Assists in planning, maintaining, and promoting recreational trails in the Town of Webster.

How you can help: FWT is always looking for trail workers, especially for their monthly trail clearing and building work parties. New board members are also welcome.

Gathering Place Webster

Offers a wide range of community programs with “that serve the community with “a unique twist.” It exists in part to serve as an on-ramp to volunteering for those who aren’t sure where to start.

How you can help: Some recent Gathering Place Webster projects have included a pet food pantry, outdoor pantries, community garden outreach programs, filling grocery bags, packing Easter baskets, stuffing back to school backpacks, bag lunch outreach for the chronically homeless, free community Sunday suppers and sorting toy donations. Check the website for more.

Heritage Christian Stables
1103 Salt Rd.

Offers equine-assisted horseback riding and non-riding horsemanship lessons, inclusive to people of all abilities, designed to enrich a person’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being, while also building confidence and self-esteem.

How you can help: The continued success of the therapeutic horsemanship program relies heavily on volunteers, which help to run lessons year-round. Riders may require as many as three people to assist them – one “side walker” on each side of the horse and one “horse leader” responsible for guiding the equine. Experience is not required. All necessary training is provided.

Home Start Hope

Home Start Hope provides brand new, essential household items to women and their children transitioning to independent living from emergency shelters in Rochester, NY.

How you can help: Stock their shelves by shopping their Target registry or by donating gift cards; get involved as a volunteer or board member; organize a donation drive; attend, sponsor or donate items for their fundraisers.

Lap Robes for Veterans

Cut and sew lap robes, which are then distributed at Honor Flights, area hospice homes, hospitals, and veterans outreach centers as a small gesture of warmth and comfort for the men and women who have served our country. Coordinated by two Webster women, the group meets once a week in Irondequoit to cut fabric and sew it around the edges. Then a “thank you for your service” label is hand-sewn in the corner.

How you can help: Anyone who loves to sew is invited to join the group. Click the link above to contact the organizers for more information.

Lasagna Love
https://lasagnalove.org/

Neighbors helping neighbors by preparing and delivering home-cooked lasagnas for families who are struggling due to lost income, lost childcare or other life difficulties. There’s no cost to the families.

How you can help: Join the cooking team and make some lasagna!

Making Spirits Bright

A referral-based adopt-a-family organization providing gifts every holiday season for families in need. The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance, get wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items.

How you can help: “Adopt” an individual, or adopt a whole family, and fill a wish list. Volunteer wrappers are also needed once all of the gifts are collected. Bookmark the website and stay tuned to my blog next Christmas season for your next opportunities.

Maplewood Nursing Home
100 Daniel Dr.

Long-term care nursing facility in the Village of Webster.

How you can help: Volunteers are needed to transport residents to meals and activities, spend time visiting, assist with games and events, help on outings, bring in fun crafts, run our book club, offer cooking demonstrations (with tastings, of course), share their musical talents and more!

Meals on Wheels
2180 Empire Blvd.

Meal delivery service to support our senior neighbors to extend their independence and health.

How you can help: Become a driver! Your visits provide more then just meals; they provide socialization and safety checks. Become a regular delivery person, adopt a route with your club or business, or become a seasonal sub. Kitchen help is also needed.

Never Say Never Stables
906 Maple Dr.

The Never Say Never Foundation is a not-for-profit equine-assisted program that provides life-enriching, horse related experiences to children and teens living with long term illness, special needs and/or other serious life challenges.

How you can help: Volunteers are trained to act as support staff, helping children be safe in and around the barn and animal enclosures. Volunteers monitor activity and offer encouragement to the participants. They may care for the horses and animals and take on many chores around the barn.

Rochester Challenger Miracle Field
Ridge Park, 1000 Ridge Rd. (P.O. Box 826)

Provides people with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier-free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

How you can help:

Volunteer positions are available for all of Miracle Field’s sport leagues for anyone who can commit to coming every week as coaches, or even on a fill-in basis. No experience is necessary in any sport, just the desire to help players take turns and have fun.

Miracle Field also hosts special events for the special needs community such as a Halloween Party, Holiday Kickball with Santa, and a Valentine’s Dance. Volunteers for those events can help with planning, decorating, and generally facilitating the event for players and families. Volunteers with experience in fundraising, grant writing, creating programming, managing social media, and other areas are also needed.

Webster Health Education Network (WHEN)
119 South Ave.

WHEN Works with the Webster School District, Town of Webster and community resources to promote healthy, substance-free behaviors and lifestyles in the Webster community by supporting drug education and awareness initiatives.

How you can help: WHEN could use some project-specific volunteers to help Webster kids grow up strong and substance free. You don’t have to be a member to lend a hand; help design a youth coalition, join the information table team, or join the welcome wagon. Community members are always encouraged to join the coalition. Meetings are held monthly.

Webster Arboretum
1700 Schlegel Rd.

The goal of the Webster Arboretum Association, Inc. is to create and maintain a park-like setting dedicated to quiet reflection and passive recreation through the beauty found within the sights, smells and sounds of nature through educational, conservational and recreational opportunities for all ages.

How you can help: Weeding, mulching, landscaping, general maintenance and park improvement projects.

Webster Assoc. of Senior Program Services (WSPS)
1350 Chiyoda Dr.

A group of volunteers who provide transportation for retirees and disabled residents who live within the Webster School District.

How you can help: Drive residents to and from medical and dental appointments, other health-related trips such as pharmacies, as well as banks, barbers, hairdressers and tax preparation services.

Webster Business Improvement District (BID)

Organization of mostly Village of Webster businesses responsible for creating a vibrant, clean and safe business district. Its mission is to “help create a positive and welcoming business atmosphere within our community to enhance the community’s overall perception of the Village and to help foster economic stability and growth.”

How you can help: Community members are welcome at the monthly meetings. Express your opinions, ideas for future events, put in your two cents about how things are being run. You can also sign up to help out with community events like Family Games Night, Trick or Treat Trail, and the Webster Jazz Fest.

Webster Comfort Care Home
700 Holt Rd.

Provides end-of-life comfort care, symptom control and pain management for residents while being a source of respite care for the families.

How you can help: Opportunities include resident care volunteer, house cleaner (2 times a month), social media liaison, maintenance person, party planner (especially if you love fundraising), newsletter designer (Canava expert). Hands-on training is provided for all volunteers.

Webster Community Chest
1000 Ridge Rd.

Provides information and referrals, emergency financial assistance, food assistance, summer camp scholarships, high school senior awards for community service, and financial aid to organizations whose programs benefit Webster residents.

How you can help: Lots of ways! Coordinate a food collection, help stuff envelopes for the annual campaign, join a committee (like marketing/PR or fundraising), help with meal center distribution, become a board member, help plan the next Greater Rochester Marshmallow Peep Show in March, and more.

Need more ideas? Visit the Community Chest’s Volunteer Appreciation night on Tuesday Jan. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Webster Public Library.

Webster Food Pantries

Webster has four free food pantries, located at Immanuel Lutheran Church (West Main), St. Martin Lutheran Church (Bay Rd.), Webster Baptist Church (South Ave.) and the United Church of Christ (Klem Rd.). The concept is to take what you need, leave what you can.

How you can help: You can drop off non-perishable food items any time at any of the pantries. Look for them in the church parking lots.

Webster Girl Scouts

Girl Scouting aims to empower girls through the development of five essential skills: goal setting, money management, people skills, decision making, and business ethics.

How you can help: Become a troop leader/chaperone, cookie volunteer, service unit volunteer, camp/seasonal volunteer or more.

Webster Public Library
980 Ridge Rd.

Enhances our community’s intellectual and creative pursuits by providing expertise and an eclectic collection of books, periodicals, digital media, and so. much. more.

How you can help: The Friends of the Public Library offers many volunteer opportunities for adults. The all-volunteer organization promotes and supports library, services, facilities and needs through community events, programs, the lobby bookstore and a semi-annual book sale. Additional opportunities for teens include assisting with children’s/teen Programs, dressing as a character for a children’s program, dusting and cleaning tables, cleaning books, clerical support (cutting scrap paper, sharpening pencils etc.), folding brochures, and more.

Webster Museum and Historical Society
18 Lapham Park

Dedicated to educating and introducing Webster’s heritage to our community through research, collection preservation, educational programs and exhibits.

How you can help: Volunteers are needed in many areas, including as greeters and docents, helping with publicity and other writing tasks, setting up exhibits, managing computer files, and others.

Webster NY Hope
1450 Ridge Rd.

Serves the needs of residents in the 14580 zip code, helping to provide food, clothing, household goods, furniture and financial assistance to those in need.

How you can help: Volunteers help restock the food pantry, sort clothes, and meet with clients.

Webster Volunteer Fire Dept./Northeast Joint Fire District
35 South Ave.

Provides fire, rescue and EMS services to the Village of Webster, East Webster and Northeast Penfield.

How you can help: The invitation to become a member and join the volunteer firefighting team is always open. Other opportunities are also available; send along a Facebook message or find an application on the website for more information.

West Webster Fire Department
1051 Gravel Road

Provides fire, rescue and EMS services to the residents of West Webster and northwest Penfield.

How you can help: From Cpt. Tom Woodward: We are always looking to add people who are passionate about serving their community. Send us a message on Facebook or find an application on our website to find more information.

Wreaths Across America

The mission of Wreaths Across America is to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in the country. The simple act of placing a wreath helps assure that these veterans are never forgotten.

How you can help: The next wreaths Across America Day is Dec. 14, 2024. Community members are encouraged to attend the ceremony that day at Webster Union Cemetery and help lay wreaths in one of three (or more) Webster cemeteries. In the meantime, wreath sponsors are needed to make sure we have enough wreaths for every veteran in those ceremonies. Click on the link to find out how you can sponsor a wreath.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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.

(posted 1/3/2024)

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Christmas on the Hojack

22 Dec

In these last few days before Christmas, the holiday spirit can be found pretty much everywhere. Even along the Hojack Trail.

Margaret Supinski was hiking on the Hojack last week between Van Alstyne Rd. and Vosburg Hollow, when she came across these gaily decorated pine trees along the trail. What a nice way to share the spirit of the season and brighten the day of everyone who walks by.

 As long as we’re talking unusual Christmas trees, I’d like to tack this small item here as well.

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations in my neighborhood, a hand-made tree with a large bulb marking each day in December. As the days and weeks count down to Christmas Day, a new bulb is illuminated to mark the number of days left.

It’s set up in front of a house on Dunning Ave. I go by it every morning on my walk and just love watching the lights creep up to the top. I imagine a few children taking turns every morning, screwing in the next bulb as they excitedly count down the days until Christmas.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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.

(posted 12/22/2023)

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Webster shows amazing outpouring of support for Wreath Across America Day

17 Dec

The Webster community has done it again.

At Saturday afternoon’s Wreaths Across America ceremony, an estimated 1,000 adults, children, veterans, active military and first responders gathered at Webster Union Cemetery to honor our veterans at the 2023 Wreaths Across America Day, proving once again what a generous and caring community Webster is.

Local Wreaths Across America organizer Cherie Wood was delighted by the extraordinary response from the Webster community, which was about three times the number of volunteers who attended last year’s ceremony, the first held in Webster.

It was that amazing support that allowed Webster’s Wreaths Across America effort to expand significantly this year. Last December only 650 wreaths were placed at one cemetery, Webster Union. This year Webster was able to add to more cemeteries — Webster Rural and Union Hill — where volunteers placed an amazing 1,350 wreaths. And most of those wreaths were sponsored one at a time.

The ceremony began promptly at noon. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and a moment of prayer, Wood explained how Wreath Day is not just a local occurrence, but was happening at the exact same time at more than 4,200 cemeteries across the country and in foreign battlefields.

“More than four million wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves today” by three million volunteers, she said, reminding everyone that, “We are not here to ‘decorate graves.’ We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.”

Following Wood’s remarks, representatives from each of our nation’s armed services placed ceremonial wreaths in memory of those who served, and those who are still listed as Prisoners of War or MIA. It was especially moving when Dorothy Reid and Grace Allen, from Gold Star families, placed the Army wreath. Dorothy lost her son, and Grace lost her father, in Afghanistan.

Family members of veterans who are resting at Webster Union Cemetery were invited to enter the grounds first to place wreaths on their loved one’s graves, followed a few minutes later by the rest of the volunteers. Wood encouraged each participant to say the veteran’s name out loud before placing the wreath, and take a moment to thank him or her for their service.

She explained,

It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Wreaths Across America has a saying: A person dies twice. Once when they take their last breath, then again when their name is said for the very last time. Many of our veterans no longer have family to remember them. Today, we, the Webster community, will become their family. They will not be forgotten. Not on our watch.

After placing the wreaths at Webster Union, volunteers were invited to drive to Webster Rural and/or Union Hill to help place those wreaths.

The heartwarming support from the Webster community has even been noticed by the National Wreaths Across America organization. Many locations struggled to meet their goals this year; the funding just didn’t happen. But here in Webster, in just our second year, we more than doubled the number of wreaths placed and added two more cemeteries. Next year, Wood hopes to add even more cemeteries and more veteran wreaths, until all 3000 veterans resting in Webster are remembered and honored.

I was very proud of my community that day, and I was especially touched by how many entire families attended, involving their children in this solemn ceremony, teaching them how important it is to remember and honor our fallen heroes.

Click here to see an entire gallery of photos. Thank you to Glenn Peck and Rebecca Parzynski for their photos (which I have included in the gallery). If you have any photos you’d like me to add to the gallery, please email them to me at missyblog@gmail.com. (Via text and Facebook they come out too small!)

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Want to help kick-start next year’s Wreaths Across America effort?

Through Tuesday, Jan. 16, The National Wreaths Across America organization will match one-for-one every wreath sponsored. So for just $17, you can sponsor two wreaths for placement at next year’s ceremony, Dec. 14, 2024. Click here to find out more!

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Groom’s best man is the stranger-turned-brother who saved his life

16 Dec
Chris (right) and his best man, Ed Suslovic
Ed Suslovic officiating Chris and Chelsea’s wedding ceremony

Now here’s a really nice story which hails from Geneva, but has a distinctly Webster connection.

About two and a half months ago, on Sept. 29, Webster resident Chris Costello and his fiance’ Chelsea were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in Geneva. Now, that news in itself is not remarkable. But there’s much more to this story, and it’s pretty touching.

More than 20 years ago, 8-year old Chris Costello was diagnosed with leukemia. After months of chemotherapy, remission and relapsing, he was finally told that a blood stem cell transplant would be his best chance at survival.

Hundreds of miles away in Portland, ME, Ed Suslovic, who had registered as a stem cell donor more than a decade earlier in college, found out he was a match for a young boy battling leukemia. He didn’t hesitate to donate his blood stem cells to a perfect stranger, ultimately saving Chris’s life. A year later, Chris and Ed met in person and instantly formed an unbreakable bond.

Now, back to the wedding. Obviously, it was already a special day. But it was made extra special in that Chris’s stem cell donor and longtime friend, Ed Suslovic, served as best man and officiated the wedding.

How heartwarming and appropriate that was, since it was Ed’s selfless donation that made it possible for Chris to marry the love of his life.

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In 1998, once Chris had regained his health, his mother established Christopher’s Challenge to educate about bone marrow transplants, encourage people to become potential bone marrow donors, and provide financial support to patients going through bone marrow transplant procedures. You, too, could save a life and be part of someone’s inspirational story by signing up through DKMS, the world’s largest blood stem cell donor center.

To find out more about Christopher’s Challenge, click here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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.

(posted 12/10/2023)

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New children’s book stars Webster Thomas basketball standout

15 Dec

There’s a new picture book on Amazon, which attracted my interest because it not only was written by a Webster author, but features a Webster student and his Webster coaches.

Andrew Conquers the Court, written by Antonietta Quinn, launched in November and has already become an Amazon.com bestseller. It’s a story of determination and perseverance, the kind of I-won’t-quit attitude that we try to instill in our children … and aspire to ourselves.

The book was inspired by a true story about Antonietta’s son Andrew. When he was in 7th grade at Willink Middle School, Andrew tried out for the basketball team, but wasn’t chosen. For some kids, that kind of defeat might have been the end of the story. But for Andrew Quinn, it was just the beginning.

Andrew set his sights on improving his skills and trying out for the team again in 8th grade. He started playing basketball whenever he could, working out with his friends and younger brother, getting up early every morning to practice dribbling, and joining travel teams. When tryouts came around again, Andrew not only made the team, but Coach Rob Fenton (another name Webster folks will recognize) put him in the starting line-up.

Andrew ultimately became a star player on the Webster Thomas High School Varsity team, earning MVP honors. Plus, he was voted the Monroe County Division 2 Co-Player of the Year, a Ronald McDonald House All-Star Player, and was selected for the First Team of the All-Greater Rochester basketball team.

As an educator herself, Antonietta realized what a great story Andrew was living.

“Watching it as a mom, I thought, this is amazing,” she said. “This is a metaphor for life. You don’t get what you want, but you keep working at it and you eventually get it.” It wasn’t until years later that she decided to write a book. So many people were telling her how inspirational Andrew’s story was, she knew she needed to share it with the world.

People would say to my husband and me, “Gosh, he’s got such a great story.” Then at his senior banquet his coaches said, “I don’t think this ever happened before, where a kid didn’t make it in 7th grade and ended up the all star on the team.” … That’s where it kind of popped in my head that maybe this is the time to do the children’s book I’ve wanted to do. 

That decision was further sealed when Andrew’s 7th grade English teacher told Antonietta, “I tell his story every year to my class.”

“As soon as she said that,” Antonietta thought, “I was like, that’s my book. That’s gotta be it. Because if she tells it to her class, maybe other classes would read it too.”

Now she hopes Andrew’s story will inspire others, young and old, to not give up when life throws you a curve.

“The whole idea of resilience in life is so important, because you’re going to go through those things,” she said. “It’s just part of life, whether it’s a sport that you love or a career … Failures are really learning opportunities” if we choose to look at them that way.

Andrew Conquers the Court, written by Antonietta Quinn and illustrated by Eva Morales, is available on Amazon.com for $18.99 in hardcover, $12.99 in paperback, or $3.99 for Kindle.

Andrew in 8th grade
Andrew as a Webster Thomas senior

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Andrew Quinn is currently studying architecture — and playing basketball — at Marywood University in Scranton, PA. Antonietta Quinn lives in Webster with her husband David and younger son Sean, currently a junior at Webster Thomas.

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Happy Thanksgiving, my friends

22 Nov

This Thanksgiving, like most of us, I’m thinking about all of the things and people I’m thankful for in my life.

Of course, my husband and three children top the list. And I could add a lot of other, smaller, things that are making my life enjoyable, like my friends, Tiny Titans kids, the kittens I’m fostering, the ability to travel, and my continued good health.

But definitely in the top 10? My blog and all of my blog readers, whom I have come to consider my extended family. Your continued support, your kind comments and emails, have given me a real purpose in life.

So thank you, my blog readers and friends, for helping keep me busy and happy. (And special thanks to Lydia and Emmie McKibbon for the artwork which briefly greeted walkers along Dunning Ave. before the rain washed them away.)

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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.

(posted 11/22/2023)

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Raking leaves, tossing kids, making memories

17 Nov

They say when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. Webster residents George Baker and his wife Melissa have a different take: when life gives you leaves, make a huge leaf pile and throw people into it.

That’s exactly what took place last Saturday, and has every year for almost 20 years, at the Baker home on the corner of Klem and Holt roads. In a column I wrote about the event for the D&C back in 2014, Melissa recalled how the Leaf Party tradition began:

In 2004, our little great nephew Trevor was born. That fall he came to play in the leaves at our house, since we have numerous trees and many leaves. He came the next year and the next year after that, until this year we had our 11th annual “Leaf Party.” As other nieces and nephews were born and then our own grandchildren (Ryan, Brendan & Nolan Moorman), they added to the fun.

The idea is to start with a monster pile of leaves, add a bunch of fearless children and two strong people who can toss them, one by one, into a thick bed of leaves. After “one, two, THREE!” and huge wind-up swings, each child is launched into the soft leaf pile. Adults are not immune to the tossing ritual, either, especially those (like me) who say “I want to be tossed!” (Check out the photo below.)

The celebration has grown every year and now includes not only family members, but neighbors and lots of other friends. Everyone enjoys hot chocolate and a variety of baked treats, and drivers who go by the house wave and honk their horns.

Simply put, the annual Leaf Party is a celebration of family, friends, laughter and life’s simpler pleasures.

“The things I enjoy about these parties is all the smiles from the kids of all ages,” George wrote.

It’s kinda like the unofficial end of the season get together in our neighborhood. Having a yard full of people enjoying their time with each other and having fun, what more could we ask for? Over the years it has also helped bring our neighborhood a little closer together. We feel good about sharing snacks and hot chocolate with everyone and watching them make great memories for each of us.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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.

(posted 11/17/2023)

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A “magic” pumpkin patch grows at Woodside Nursery School

26 Oct

This is just the most adorabl-est thing ever.

I was visiting recently with some new friends over at the Woodside Nursery School, located at the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd., who told me about a “magic gardening” activity they designed for their young charges.

Some of the “magic” seeds
The magic pumpkin patch in bloom

The students first planted “magic” pumpkin seeds — fallen leaves cut into stars, hearts and butterflies — in the Magic Pumpkin Patch outside of the school. Then, during the day, parent volunteers and school board members helped the magic seeds “grow” by replacing them with little pumpkins, perfectly sized for little hands. You can just imagine the squeals of delight from the students and the wonder in their eyes when they saw the magic garden filled with miniature pumpkins.

Check out some of these adorable gardeners:

  • Olivia
  • Matthew
  • Brody
  • Caleb
  • Miss Amy with students
  • Colin finding his pumpkin

In the next several months you’re going to be hearing more in my blog about the parent co-operative Woodside Nursery School, which has been serving our community since 1956 from the same location at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. I didn’t know anything about them until my visit, and was rather surprised they’ve been around this long. I’ve encouraged them to keep sending me news about what’s going on over there, so stay tuned for more cuteness coming across your computer screen.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 10/26/2023)

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WSPS hosts appreciation luncheon for its drivers

23 Oct

The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WSPS) hosted an Appreciation Luncheon on Oct. 19 for the organization’s volunteer drivers.

The luncheon was held at the Webster Arboretum on Schlegel Rd. Most of the drivers and their significant others were present, along with the WSPS support staff and board members. Also in attendance were the Webster Town Supervisor Representative Kim Doyle and Daphne Geoca, Senior Coordinator of the Webster Parks and Recreation Dept.

Chances are you’ve seen the WSPS automobile driving around town. Based at the Webster Recreation Center, the Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters is a group of volunteers who provide transportation for retirees and disabled residents who live within the Webster School District. They help residents get to and from medical and dental appointments, and provide rides to pharmacies, banks, barbers, hairdressers and tax preparation services.

WSPS drivers and dispatchers have provided a record number of rides through September 30, 2023. Logging 2,940 volunteer hours, the drivers gave 3,113 rides, spanning 38,240 miles driven — just shy of the organization’s record year of 2022.

The volunteer drivers are the backbone of the organization; without them the service would not exist. Webster is indebted to them for their community spirit and service. These selfless volunteers are always happy to help and assist the retirees and disabled folks living in the Webster School District.

  • Karen Kinyon, Laure Barr, Kim Doyle and Julie Schillaci
  • Deb Gerlach, Larry Bovenci and Craig Dominas
  • Mike Donovan and Jay Watson

The Town and Village of Webster have supported WSPS for several years, recognizing the real need for the WSPS services. Several local businesses and service organizations also support the organization.

Currently WSPS has 57 volunteer drivers but with the number of seniors and disabled folks in the Webster School District increasing, they’re always in need of more volunteers. For more information on how you can join the team, call 585-216-7829 or visit the group’s website.

A big thank you to the Karpus Family Foundation which funded this year’s luncheon, and to the local which donated gifts for the drivers, including Wendy’s, Abbott’s Ice Cream, Tim Hortons, Corona’s Mexican Restaurant, Jiffy Lube, Wegmans and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. And always a big thank you to Vision Hyundai of Webster, which subsidizes the WSPS vehicle. (And my thanks to Dave Norton for the great report and photos.)

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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.

(posted 10/23/2023)

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