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Webster mailbag

9 May

mailbagA variety of events stuff today’s mailbag. A few of them I have mentioned before, but I want to shine some light on them again as they get very near.

This first event is extremely timely:

This Thursday (May 10), the Willink Eighth Grade Band, under the direction of Matt Osika, will perform alongside the Webster Village Band, under the direction of Thomas Indiano. Each band will perform some selections on their own before combing to perform some of John Williams’ most memorable themes in the Star Wars saga.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Willink Middle School cafetorium, and admission is free.

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flowersThe Webster Arboretum’s 18th Annual Plant Sale happens this Saturday May 12, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Road, Webster.

The sale features perennials from standard to uncommon, annuals, dwarf conifers, geraniums, dahlias, various garden club offerings and more. Nice thing about this sale is that these plants are locally grown, so you KNOW they’re going to work in your garden.

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The First Baptist Church of Penfield will hold their last Flapjack Community Breakfast of the season on Saturday  May 19 from 8 to 10 a.m.

Guests will enjoy pancakes, pure maple syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, and more for just $5.00 per person. All are welcome, and the venue is handicapped accessible.

All May  proceeds will go directly to benefit the Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf: a supplemental food relief organization serving the 14526 and 14625 areas and families of children in the Penfield school district since 1997.

Donations of non-perishable foods and paper products also gratefully accepted.

The First Baptist Church of Penfield is located at 1862 Penfield Rd. For more information, call 585-586-2876.

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Lady golfers, this one is for you.

The Webster Golf Club’s Ladies Association is inviting women golfers to join the fun and sign-up to play in their annual charity golf tournament on Monday June 25, to benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home.

The event will take place on the Webster Golf Course, and will be a non-handicapped, 18-hole shotgun fun scramble.

Registration is $90 per golfer or $360 per foursome, which includes a continental breakfast, box lunch, an hors d’oeuvres reception, gifts for every player, a raffle, win pull and more.

Deadline to sign up is June 1. For more information, to sponsor the event or donate to the silent auction, contact Janet Jones-Brower, Webster Comfort Care Home Executive Director at director@webstercomfortcare.org, or Linda Dorsey at  ddorsey2@rochester.rr.com.

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

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Spry staff members tackle Pink Ribbon Run

4 May

CaptureThere’s a wonderful bunch of lady runners at Spry Middle School who are working hard to make a difference.

Led by teacher Toni Lynn Swinson, this group of more than 40 women will be taking on the 17th Annual Pink Ribbon Walk & Run on Mother’s Day, to support the Breast Cancer Coalition.

The ladies have been working for weeks, whipping their legs in shape for the 5K, and whipping up donations for their cause.

It’s a scary fact that 1 in 8 women can expect a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester is a terrific local organization dedicated to fighting this terrible disease and winning. Their advocacy, research, and funds stay right here at home in Rochester, and that includes every penny raised for this race.

That’s where you come in. These  Pink Ribbon Runners need your support to help make their efforts worthwhile. They’ve already raised more than $2,000, but would like to double that — or more.

It’s easy to donate; just click here to log onto their fundraising page. Even a little bit would help.

 

Next year, these ladies might try to make this a One Webster event, and invite lots more staff members to take part. If that happens, you can count me in.

As for this year ladies, if you’re a runner — or even a walker — and would like to join the Spry Pink Ribbon team, drop an email to Tony Lynn Swinson at ToniLynn_Swinson@webstercsd.org. They’d love to have you.

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

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Spring events have sprung

1 May

HAPPY MAY!

It looks like we’re finally going to get some nice spring weather this week, so perhaps it’s time to come out from hibernation and check out what’s going on around town.

meet the candidates

It’s school-budget-vote time. On May 15, district residents be asked to approve this year’s budget, and the new slate of Board of Education candidates. You can meet the candidates for yourself and pepper them with questions on Tuesday night May 2, at 7 p.m. at Spry Middle School.

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The Webster Public Library has a few fun programs coming up.

* This Thursday May 3 is Star Wars Night at the library. Stop by from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate all things Star Wars, including crafts and special activities. The whole family is invited and there’s no registration needed. All ages are welcome.

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* Percy Jackson fans will want to be on hand Saturday May 5 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. for the Rick Riordan book release party, celebrating the release of Riordan’s third book in the Trials of Apollo series: The Burning Maze. The event will include crafts, games, snacks, and a special viewing of the video of Rick’s recent visit to Rochester. Costumes are welcome, so come dressed as your favorite character.

All ages are welcome, but space is limited, so click here to register.

* We’ve seen enough rain to last us for a while, but just in case more is on the way, you might want to check out the library’s Rain Barrel & Rain Garden Workshop on Tuesday, May 15 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Learn how to protect local water quality by learning about rain gardens and building a rain barrel for your home. All tools and materials will be supplied at the workshop.

Workshop fee is $40 per rain barrel. Pre-registration is required. Click here.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Road. For more information, visit the library’s website here.

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The First Baptist Church of Penfield will host a chicken barbecue this Saturday May 5 from 2 till 6 pm, (or sold out).

Chickens will be prepared on site by Gale-Wyn Catering. Dinners are $10.50 and include a half barbecued chicken, coleslaw or macaroni salad, salt potatoes, roll and butter, plus a dessert.

The First Baptist Church of Penfield is located at 1862 Penfield Road. For more information call 585-586-2876 or visit http://www.fbpenfield.org.

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

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Webster Library to host unique photography exhibit

30 Apr

Everybody has a story. That’s the intriguing premise behind a brand new photography exhibit opening Tuesday at the Webster Public Library.

Created by Linda Dow Hayes of Hayes Photography, the exhibit features portraits and personal narratives of 25 Webster Central School District faculty and staff members

Hayes, who works as a teaching assistant at Webster Thomas High School, has always been interested in creating insightful portraits. The project grew from remarks made by Webster CSD superintendent Carm Gumina on the opening day of school last year, when he talked about the fact that all faculty and staff members have stories to tell.

Hayes took that thought and ran with it, creating her very personal and meaningful “We All Have a Story” exhibit, where she takes a closer look at the lives and stories of more than two dozen staff members.

“The idea of connecting with interested faculty and staff members by taking their portraits was something that I felt might work to help me grow as an artist and connect with the community-at-large,” Hayes said.

The exhibit, which runs the entire month of May, will be open to the public during the library’s normal business hours, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., friday from 10 to 6, and Saturday from 10 to 5.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Wednesday May 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Road.

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

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YOU need to come to the Willink play

25 Apr
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Mayli Nitsch, Olivia Freida and Alex Ramirez work on a scene during rehearsal. (Provided)

Paradise Junction is just about the most perfect small town in the world.

It’s a place where everybody gets along, the sun is always shining, and the tomatoes grow as big as beach balls. So when a TV network offers to film a reality show there, the townsfolk jump at the chance. After all, the town will receive five million dollars, while the publicity promises to turn the residents into TV stars.

But host Wink Smiley has his own agenda. Secrets are revealed, old feuds are rekindled, and the town’s annual pie-baking contest is turned into a massive food fight. Now it’s up to Joe Goode, owner of the Rise ’n’ Shine Diner, to save the town.

Find out for yourself if he’s successful when the students of Willink Middle School present the student-run play Paradise Junction on Friday May 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday May 5 at 1 p.m.

The heartwarming comedy is inspired by the films of Frank Capra such as It’s a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Tickets are just $5 and will be available at the door.

Willink Middle School is located at 900 Publisher’s Parkway, Webster. For more information, visit willinkstudentrunplay.club.

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Julia Maciag, Jakob Rothfuss (Technical Director) and Colby Armstrong (Performing Director) work on set pieces for Paradise Junction. (Provided) 

Thank you to Jakob Rothfuss for providing all this information and the photos!

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

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Webster community mailbag

20 Apr

Let’s start today’s mailbag with a unique event being hosted next Wednesday April 25 by St. Ann’s Community on Ridge Road, which will be of special interest to anyone with a loved one who is dealing with memory impairment.

From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., people are encouraged to visit The Lifestyle of Rainier Grove, the memory care neighborhood at Cherry Ridge. Staff members will be on hand to demonstrate how they use sensory stimulation to bring enjoyment to residents and increase their social interaction.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be available. Please RSVP by calling (585) 697-6701

Rainier Grove at St. Ann’s is located at 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd. (across from Webster Schroeder High School). The event is open to the public. For more information, click here to see the Facebook event posting.

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29595506_1997052513657004_6508532490232657654_nThe Webster Central PTSA will present a wellness night on Monday April 30 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Willink Middle School cafetorium, 900 Publisher’s Parkway.

The event, called Coping with Stress and Anxiety in Family Life, is in response to PTSA survey results. It will explore stress and anxiety in our daily lives, provide tips on how to identify it and tools to cope with it.

Facilitators will include Erica Ebert, WCSD instructional specialist and mindfulness coach; and Keith Greer, WCSD social worker, progressive recovery coach, speaker, trainer, and advocate at Recovery Coach University.

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St. Martin Lutheran Church will host its bi-annual Spring Chicken BBQ and FunFest on Saturday, May 5 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, cole slaw, roll, butter and beverage, for $10. Pie slices and other desserts will also be available for purchase.  A hot dog dinner for kids is just $2.

Dinners are eat-in or take-out. Tickets can be reserved by calling the church office at 671-1899, or purchased at the event while supplies last.  Proceeds support the church’s Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Road, Webster.

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The Webster Arboretum Association’s spring plant sale is back, scheduled for May 12 from 8 a.m. to noon.

This sale is just blooming with beautiful, healthy live plants which are grown by local garden clubs and local commercial growers in local soil, so they’re going to grow in your garden, too. Garden Club members will also share their favorite plants from their own gardens.

Check it out at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd., Webster. It’s a perfect opportunity to grab a Mother’s Day gift.

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

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What I found out at Community Arts Day

16 Apr

I mentioned in a few of my previous posts how much I look forward to Community Arts Day every year, in large part because I get to check in with a lot of community agencies and visit with some people I only see once a year — at this event.

As usual, this year I came away with a whole bunch of flyers about upcoming events, most of which I will be developing into individual blogs in the near future. But for now, let me give you a teaser:

  • The Webster Public Library is sponsoring an unusual fund-raiser. Well, actually, a HAT-raiser. They’re looking for generous people to make hats, caps and head-warmers of all sorts for sale this fall to support library programming. You can knit, crochet, sew, or weave the hats (whatever!) and make them any size or design, then drop off your creations at the pubic library by October 1.
  • The Webster Library’s Spring Book Sale is scheduled for Thursday April 26-Saturday April 28. You can get more details by clicking here.

TROUBLEINP

  • Willink’s fourth annual student-run play will hit the stage on Friday May 4 and Saturday May 5. It’s called “Trouble in Paradise Junction,” which they describe as a “love letter to small town life.” Tickets go on sale Wednesday April 18. For more information visit willinkstudentrunplay.club.
  • The Friends of Webster Trails reminded me that there’s a new trail in town! The new Yellow Trail has recently been completed at Four Mile Creek Preserve, at the corner of Phillips and Lake roads. It’s an extension of an already existing trail system which itself is one of the newer jewels in Webster’s outstanding trail system. Find out more at www.webstertrails.org. And while you’re there, drop them a few bucks and become a member.

Stay tuned for more details about these and other upcoming Webster events, including the Chorus of the Genesee’s annual spring concert, which this year will welcome the Core, and the Yellow Jackets. I just got a flyer in the mail, and will tell you more about that shortly.

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

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Fun Saturday ahead

13 Apr

I’m really looking forward to Saturday. One of my favorite events of the year has returned — Community Arts Day at Webster Schroeder High School.

Community Arts Day is our school district’s annual show-off day. Students from every one of our elementary, middle and high schools will have artwork and written pieces on display. There are individual and ensemble music performances of all kinds. There’s food, crafts, vendors and baked goods.

But mostly I love this event because I know I’ll be seeing a lot of my friends and neighbors there. And since I work in two elementary schools, I expect to see a ton of students, too. Plus, it’s a chance for me to check in with a dozen community agencies to see what’s going on and to get blog ideas.

And make sure to schedule in an extra 10 minutes to test drive a new car out in the front parking lot.  The Marching Band Boosters are teaming up with Henderson Ford for an easy and fun fundraiser. Just spend a few minutes driving a new car or truck around in a circle in the parking lot and Henderson Ford will donate $20 to the Marching Band and Senior Class.

Community Arts Day will be held at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I’ll probably be there for two or three hours (after I drive my car), so make sure to look for me and my camera and say hi!

Click here to see a schedule of events, vendors and activities.

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

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Community Arts Day is our kids’ chance to strut their stuff

6 Apr
art

One of the incredible pieces of high school art at last year’s CAD

Community Arts Day returns to Webster Schroeder High School next weekend, on Saturday April 14.

If you’ve been a Webster resident for a while, you probably already know about this great event. But if not, please read on, especially if you 1) appreciate artwork of all kinds, 2) have children, 3) like baked goods, 4) like crafts, 5) like seeing your friends and neighbors, and/or 6) like having fun with life.

Allow me to elaborate.

  • Community Arts Day is our school district’s annual show-off day. Students from every one of our elementary, middle and high schools will have artwork on display. We’re talking sculptures, paintings, collages, sketches, you name it. Even the youngest students will be represented. These kids just love seeing their work displayed in public, and you’ll see many a proud parent snapping photos of their children in front of the displays. Especially don’t miss the incredible artwork by our high-schoolers, usually set up in the cafeteria. They’ll make your jaw drop. By the way, make sure to look at the walls as you walk by, because you’ll find written pieces posted there. (Writing is an art form all its own.) And throughout the day you can enjoy music and dance performances, and martial arts demonstrations.
  • Even if your children don’t expect to have anything on display, bring your kids anyway. There are all sorts of free activities and give-aways, there’s a bake sale and hot dogs, arts and crafts, and usually a firefighter hanging around to show off his — or her — gear.  So basically it’s a full day of free entertainment.
  • Did I mention the bake sale? Tons of great baked goods. And here’s an insider’s hint: the last hour of the day or so, everything is half price. You can walk away with whole pies for a steal.
  • Local craft-type people set up their wares in the cafeteria every year, and it’s great fun to see what they bring. This is also where you’ll find the kids’ arts & crafts area and regular live entertainers.
  • Guaranteed, within minutes of walking into the school, you’ll see someone you know — a friend, school acquaintance, a neighbor. Because Community Arts Day is THE place to be that weekend.
  • Having fun with life is what this day is all about. As soon as you walk in the door, you’ll see a dozen things you want to see or do. Around the next corner, there’s another dozen things. Basically, make sure to plan a couple of hours to wander.

Community Arts Day takes place Saturday April 14 from 10 am to 4 pm at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road. Admission is free and there’s plenty of parking. Proceeds from food, craft, and carnival booth sales will benefit cultural arts programs within the Webster Central School District. For more information, visit the Community Arts Day website.

Click here to see photos from last year.

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

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Mark your calendar for these town events

3 Apr

CaptureThis week’s column by Town of Webster Supervisor Ron Nesbitt is just packed with interesting news which I am pleased to pass on.

Road construction has begun at the corner of Phillips and Schlegel roads. This project will include widening the roadway, widening the shoulders, and completing water main and drainage work.  If the summer weather cooperates, everything should be completed by this fall.

The next Pharmaceutical Waste Pickup event has been scheduled for Saturday April 28 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 226 Phillips Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Any unused, unwanted or expired medication is taken for disposal. No appointment is necessary.  If you do not feel comfortable with your personal information on the bottles, you can remove the pills and put them in a plastic bag for disposal.

And remember also that there’s a CVS Drug Collection unit at the Webster Town Hall right inside the Police Department entrance.  It’s open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As with the pharmaceutical waste pickup, items accepted at the drop box include any unused, unwanted or expired medication such as prescriptions, prescription patches, prescription medication, prescription ointments, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, samples and medications for pets.  Items that are NOT accepted include hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, aerosol cans, ointments, lotions, or liquids, thermometers, needles (sharps) and medication from businesses or clinics

Details are still being worked out, but the annual Town of Webster Open House has been scheduled for Saturday, May 12. Watch for more information soon.

The Town of Webster’s annual Summer Celebration is slated for Saturday June 23 from 4 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Building, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. It features food trucks, games, inflatables, live music, and fireworks. More information to come about this as well.

Finally, Webster’s newest festival, the Waterfront Arts Festival will take place this year on Saturday and Sunday July 28 and 29 at North Ponds Park. The annual event attracts fine artisans from all over Monroe County. You’ll also find food trucks, live entertainment, a wine tasting booth and other exhibits.

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

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.

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