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Drury and DeWitte named Master Teachers

13 Nov
Melanie Drury
Peter DeWitte

Here’s a bit of nice news from the Webster Central School District.

Webster CSD teachers Melanie Drury and Peter DeWitte have been named New York State Master Teachers.

Drury and DeWitte are among 144 educators representing 83 school districts recently added to the statewide network. Drury has been teaching science for 12 years and is currently in her 10th year at Webster Thomas High School. DeWitte, a technology teacher at Webster Schroeder High School, has been teaching for 26 years, 24 of which have been in Webster. 

Master Teacher is a professional network of more than 1,700 public school teachers with a passion for inspiring the next generation of educational leaders. As Master Teachers, they will support students in grades K-12 in the areas of science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math and integrated STEM. They will also serve as mentors for students and early-career teachers. 

The Master Teacher Program is hosted at nine SUNY campuses to leverage the expertise of the University’s faculty and existing educator preparation programs, and SUNY counterparts collaborate regularly with local STEM career and industry experts. Drury and DeWitte attended SUNY Geneseo.

Throughout their four-year participation in the program, Drury and DeWitte will engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year; work closely with pre-service and early career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers; and attend required regional meetings to participate in and lead professional development sessions each year.

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/13/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

8 Nov

Chris Perfetti has made it

If you’re a fan of Abbott Elementary, then this first mailbag item will interest you.

One of the best characters on that show is Jacob Hill, played by Chris Perfetti. What you may not know is that Chris is a 2011 Webster Schroeder grad. You may have seen him in Schroeder’s annual musicals (my favorite was when he was the Cat in the Hat for Seussical). He’s had many roles in TV and film since graduating, but his work on Abbott Elementary has become his breakout role, and has won him a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Several weeks ago, Chris was featured in the New York Times, in their “What actors do on Sundays” column. My husband, a regular NYT reader, shared the link with me, and the link should work for everyone, NYT subscribers or not.

Click here to see the article. (Photo above courtesy the New York Times).

The Diary of Anne Frank Coming to Thomas Stage

Webster Thomas High School will present the moving drama The Diary of Anne Frank later this month.

The play is based on Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, the true story of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who kept a diary while hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II.

I’ll be writing more about the production soon, but I wanted to give you all a heads-up because tickets are on sale now.

Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nov. 21 to 23 at 7 p.m. each evening, at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. Seating is reserved. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online in advance here. Tickets are digital and can be printed at home.

More to come.

Festival of Trees

I’ll have a more detailed blog or three about the Village of Webster’s annual Winter Wonderland festivities. But I always like to give a social shout-out to the Webster Museum and their annual Festival of Trees, which they host during the event.

The Festival of Trees will be held on Saturday, December 7 during Winter Wonderland. Museum visitors will be invited to vote for their favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree among 17 beautiful and creative entries which have been set up throughout the museum. (Online voting will also be available at webstermuseum.org.)

The museum will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. with live music beginning at 4 p.m.

Also this year, the museum invites everyone to help decorate their “Museum Memory Tree” by hanging an ornament with the name of a loved one or pet whom you’ve lost. The museum is also resurrecting its popular holiday raffle (so bring some cash), and will be offering the also very popular Kittelberger Florist “bouquet a month for a year” coupon booklet.

It all happens Saturday, Dec. 7 during the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland.

New hats and old books

A few quick reminders from the Webster Public Library about some programs this month:

  • The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s annual hat sale is going on now. Adult hats start at $8, children’s hats at $4.
  • A Vintage Book Sale will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prices start at $8.
  • This month’s community collections are cookbooks and recipes, and the Keeping our Promise donation station.

Mark your calendar for Breakfast with Santa

The Webster Lions Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa has been scheduled for Sunday Dec. 8 (note the new date; it’s been scheduled for the first Sunday in December for years).

It will be held at Webster Schroeder High School from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Santa and his elf will be there for the children, as well as the Lion Club’s Lion. Plus, there’ll be lots of great raffle items and free vision screening for kids ages 6 months to 12 years. And of course, breakfast: pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee.

The Pancake Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser is one of the ways the Lion’s Club earns money to help those in need. This year, donations will be made to the Webster Community Chest, Webster Hope and other charities.

Rec Center 55+ Monthly Newsletter

I recently got emailed my copy of the Webster Recreation Center’s 55+ newsletter, which is always packed with great programs for all of us taking full advantage of our active later years.

There is SO MUCH STUFF that I’m not going to go into too much detail here, just highlight a few things, and recommend you check out the newsletter for yourself and sign up to have it delivered monthly to your email box.

  • Technology Workshop, Tues. Nov. 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. FREE
  • Doctor’s Orders entertains during lunch on Wed. Nov. 13. FREE
  • Muslim Countries Wanderings, the Tuesday Travelogue on Nov. 12 (registration required)
  • The Lunch Bunch is going to Applebee’s on Nov. 15
  • The Holiday Party is scheduled for Wed. Dec. 11

And that’s just a sampling. Check out the newsletter for yourself to find out lots more.

Yum. Cookies.

The Women’s Club of Webster’s super-popular Holiday Cookie Sale returns to the Webster Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out, which is pretty quickly).

Proceeds from the sale benefit the club’s scholarship funds and many other programs and not-for-profit organizations in the Webster community.

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/8/2024)

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Webster Marching Band is #1 in the state … again!

29 Oct

This is why they’re called the Pride of Webster.

Last Sunday, our very own Webster Marching Band blew away the competition at this year’s state championships, held at the Dome in Syracuse, earning the title of New York State Champion in the Large School 2 (LS2) class. And they did it in impressive fashion, smashing a 20-year old scoring record.

The band competed in the LS2 class against eight other schools from all over the state. At the end of the day, only 8.6 points separated the nine schools. But Webster stood alone at the top, with 92.1 points, almost two full points ahead of second-place Kingston. It was the highest score recorded in the last 20 years for LS2.

This year’s show, with music written by David Hamilton, is called “Death of Star.” Band parent Michelle Lowe described it for me:

It takes you on a captivating journey through a star’s life cycle, from its brilliant beginnings to its transformation into a black hole. The show opens with vibrant music and colors, representing a massive star in its prime, radiating energy and life. As the star expands into a red giant, its fiery red and orange glow creates a stunning view that dominates the night sky.

As time passes, the star’s core becomes unstable, reflecting its exhaustion as it depletes fuel. Our ballad in the second movement represents the outer layers drifting away into space due to powerful winds and planetary nebulae. Eventually the star’s core collapses, resulting in a supernova explosion that marks the end of its life.

The final movement is chaotic and intense, depicting the star’s explosive end and subsequent collapse into a black hole. The music shifts to a darker tone as the core crumbles and condenses, creating an event from which nothing can escape. The field transforms into a swirling vortex, echoing the fiery chaos of our star’s ultimate sacrifice and transformation into a black hole.

Wow. Just wow. I wish I had seen it. No wonder the judges were impressed.

This is the band’s third state title, also winning in 1989 and 2021. In 2021, with a score of 90.8, their show “Unbroken” also beat out eight other schools, and marked the first time they achieved more than 90 points. This year’s score was even higher.

The Webster Marching Band is made up of 72 student musicians and performers drawn from all four Webster secondary schools: Spry Middle School, Willink Middle School, Webster Schroeder High School and Webster Thomas High School. Each band season begins with extensive training in the spring, followed by parade season, summer show season, fall competition season, band camps, weekly rehearsals and an eight-week competitive season. It’s a grueling schedule, and it’s great to see that all the hard work these musicians put in this year was so richly rewarded.

The band was welcomed home Sunday evening by cheering crowds and a fire department escort.

Congratulations to the all of the Webster Marching Band musicians and performers. Your hard work payed off big time. You truly do make Webster proud.

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/29/2024)

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Save these dates for our schools’ upcoming musicals

25 Oct

If you love live theater, then you’ll be excited to know that all four of our secondary schools are preparing right now to stage plays this spring. Here are the details:

The fun begins on January 31 and Feb. 1 when the Willink Drama Club presents the classic hit Annie, Jr.

Based on the popular Tony-winning musical, the youth edition is a perfectly-sized adaptation for adults and kids of all ages. The spunky little orphan will warm the hearts of your entire family.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Stay tuned for ticket information.

The following week, Feb. 6 to 8, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., will present the hit Broadway musical, Hadestown. The “teen edition” of the movie is still a full-length production — a haunting, jazzy folk opera which follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. Hadestown has only very recently been released, and Webster Schroeder is the first in our area to get it.

More to come about show times and tickets, on the website and Facebook page.

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Spry Drama Club will present the musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress Youth Edition. on March 7 and 8 at Spry Middle School, 119 South Ave.

This one-hour adaptation of the beloved musical tells the fairy-tale story of Prince Dauntless’ quest to find a bride. None so far had been able to pass the queen’s impossible tests, especially the Sensibility Test.

Stay tuned for more information about this lighthearted, funny and heartwarming performance.

Finally, Webster Thomas High School caps off the season with their production of Legally Blonde the Musical from March 27 to 29 at the school, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. I don’t know the show times or ticket information about this one, either, so check back here or the district website for times and ticket information as performance dates near.

Also coming to the stage in later this year and in 2025:

  • The Diary of Anne Frank, Nov, 21-23, Webster Thomas High School
  • Willink student-run play, April 4-5 (title not yet announced)
  • Webster Schroeder Drama production, May 1-3 (not yet announced)

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/25/2024)

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Oak Tree Award nominations being accepted

13 Oct

Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?

Co-Sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award that is designed to recognize teaching excellence, a commitment to students, an leadership in the community.

Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award.

Award nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central School and continue to teach the next year, or retire from WCSD
  • Have a minimum of five years teaching experience in Webster Central Schools
  • Eligible positions include preK to grade 12 teachers, school counselors, psychologists, social workers, librarians, media and language specialists and speech, occupational and physical therapists.
  • Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Teachers’ Association

Nominations must be submitted by January 31, 2025. Click here for the nomination form, which asks for basic information about the nominee and your connection with him or her, plus more detailed thoughts about how you believe the teacher demonstrates excellence.

The last three years’ winners have been:

2024: Carolyn Stahl, English teacher at Webster Thomas High School and Jeff Darling, Instructional Specialist at Plank North

2023: Diana Mee, Instrumental Music teacher at Klem Rd. North Elementary and Craig Johnville, special education teacher at Webster Thomas High School

2022: Michele Parry, 4th grade teacher at Plank South Elementary and Denise Warren, special education teacher at Webster Thomas High School

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/13/2024)

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High schoolers step up to help Klem South students

9 Oct
Dimitriy Yakymovych, Felix Castaneda-Wight, Ben Rizvanovic, Bronson Molisani and Will Brunswick with the new step stools they made.
A Klem South preK student tries out one of the new step stools

Here’s another nice little story about great things our young people are doing for our community. In this case, the young people are Webster Schroeder High School students, and they helped out some younger members of their One Webster community.

A little while ago, Rachel Dolan, a physical therapist at the Klem South Elementary School, saw that one of her students, who has some physical limitations, was struggling to reach sinks and toilets and could benefit from a few step stools. So she reached out to Webster Schroeder technology teacher TJ Milliman, asking if one of his classes would make some custom step stools for the Klem South building.

TJ and his students were happy to do it. Students Felix Castaneda-Wight, Ben Rizvanovic, Will Brunswick and Dimitriy Yakymovych and student aide Bronson Molisani, all of Milliman’s Home Skills 101 class of Webster CSD’s life skills program, went straight to work constructing step stools for their young friend.

On September 27, the high school carpenters delivered six brand new, multi-sized step stools to Klem South, where they are now being used by not just the one, but many students who are finding them very helpful.

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/9/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

8 Oct

Time to pile up those leaves

The Webster Highway Department will begin their annual fall leaf collection in mid-October, depending on how many leaves have fallen and the weather. Crews will begin working in Zone 1 to Zone 5, and then back to Zone 1. (Click here to see the zone map.) Highway crews make several passes throughout the season.

Announcements will be made ahead of the final pass. After the final pass, any leaves will need to be taken care of by residents through their refuse collection company or another means. The best way to stay updated on the leaf collection season is to sign up for notifications from the Highway Dept. Use this link to do that.

Pumpkins on Parade is back

One of the best events of the autumn season, Pumpkins on Parade, returns to the Webster Recreation Center on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

I’ll be writing up a more detailed blog about this soon, but for those of you who have never experienced it, basically, that evening the Chiyoda Trail — which stretches for a mile around and behind the Rec Center — will be lined with brightly glowing jack-o’-lanterns. Visitors can walk along the trail and enjoy all the creativity and spookiness. Then afterwards, there’s free cider and donuts, and lots of family activities. It’s definitely one of my favorite events of the year.

The Webster Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Drive. (By the way, they’re always looking for jack-o’-lanterns donations because they need a LOT of them. So get your carving knives out and get ready to get creative.)

What’s happening at the library?

Here’s your monthly run-down of all (OK, most) of the great events happening at the Webster Public Library. For more information about any and all of these, visit the library’s webpage or Facebook page.

  • Celebrate Diwali, Wed. Oct. 23, 7 to 8 p.m. :An evening of family fun celebrating the Hindu festival of Diwali, or festival of lights. Enjoy a casual reception with Indian food and music, and learn about the Diwali festival. Registration is requested.
  • Library Trick-or-Treat, Friday Oct. 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bring the whole family and trick-or-treat through the entire library with a spooky maze at the end. No registration is necessary.
  • Bilingual Storytime, Saturday Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to noon. Join special guest Ms. Mariposa for a reading of Sebi and the Land of Cha-Cha-Cha. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
  • T(w)een Halloween Night, Wednesday Oct. 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m. A night of spooky fun, with activities, treats and more. Costumes are encouraged. For teens grades 4-12. Registration is required.
  • Rochester Theater Organ Society, Thursday Oct. 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The RTOS presents “Rochester’s Best-Kept Secret: Unveiling the Mighty Wurlitzer!” Registration is required.
  • Diamond Magnet Art for teens and tweens, Saturday Nov. 9, 1 to 2 p.m. Come make fun diamond art magnets in the teen room. All supplies will be provided. For grades 4 to 12. Registration is requested.
  • This month’s Donation Station is for Keeping Our Promise, a resettlement program for Afghan, Iraqi and Kurdish interpreters and support personnel. See the flyer below for their needs.
  • This month’s community exchange is SPOOKY STUFF. New or gently used costumes, Halloween/fall decor, etc. Drop off your unused stuff and find something new to you!

Women’s Club of Webster hosts Card/Game Party “Fun-Raiser”

The Women’s Club of Webster’s 2024 Card/Game Party will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Glendoveers, 2328 Old Browncroft Rd. Participants can join new friends and old to play cards — or any game — and enjoy danish, coffee and a delicious buffet lunch.

The event will feature door prizes raffle baskets, 50/25/25 raffles , and much more, so bring plenty of extra cash, because all proceeds benefit local charities and s cholarships. Bring your favorite card game, dominoes, Euchre, Scrabble or any other fun game you prefer. It’s a great way to meet people! (And don’t forget to vote before or after the games!)

Donation is $40, and reservations are required by Wednesday, October 30. Sorry, no walk-ins.

For reservations, send a check made payable to “WCW” and mail to Diane Miller, 428 Seneca Park Ave., Rochester, NY 14617.  Please include your name, phone number, email address and, if playing with friends, include their names.  For information, phone Diane at 585-230-6042.

Walk and Bike Webster event

If you’re a fan of getting around Webster on two feet or two wheels, or are interested in helping brainstorm ideas to improve walking and biking opportunities in Webster, then this meeting is for you.

On Monday Nov. 4, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (time yet to be confirmed) there will be a Walk and Bike Webster event held in the Community Room at the Webster Public Library.

Right now the plan is to have Jesse Peers from Reconnect Webster show a short film, followed by a panel discussion including Webster Town Council member Ginny Nguyen and Matthew Isles of Walk/Bike Irondequoit. Nguyen will talk about how the Town of Webster is promoting safe walking and biking, and Isles will talk about what Walk/Bike Irondequoit is doing.

Free dinner for veterans

Veterans and active duty service personnel and their families are invited to Spry Middle School for a free dinner in their honor.

On Thursday, November 7 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., students will be serving up a pasta dinner in the Spry Middle School cafetorium, 119 South Avenue. Veterans and activity duty service personnel and their families living within the Webster Central School District boundaries are invited to enjoy a spaghetti dinner complete with salad, bread, and dessert. Take out is available as well. Either way, reservations are required by calling (585) 216-0093.

Crafters needed

This notice from Webster NY Hope:

Attention Webster crocheters! Webster Hope is in need of crafters to make dishcloths for their holiday collaborative program.

Their plan is to give away dish soap and a handmade reuseable dishcloth to each family along with holiday food. This project works best with cotton yarn as acrylic doesn’t absorb well. They’re trying to save on paper towels and give a handmade gift made with love.

Their goal is 150 cloths by mid-November. That sounds very do-able, knowing our Webster community.

Dishcloths can be dropped off at Webster Library or during Webster Hope open hours.

Check the image below for some helpful hints:

Webster Chamber offers health insurance enrollment assistance

Finally, this important notice from the Webster Chamber of Commerce:

Health insurance enrollment periods are starting in October and November, and the Webster Chamber of Commerce is available to help all New Yorkers with the process. 

The Medicare Insurance annual enrollment period is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, and the Individual & NYS Marketplace Insurance period is Nov. 16 to Dec. 15. Plans change annually and your needs change annually, so it’s important to take a close look at your coverage every year. In particular, for 2025 there are significant changes in Medicare Advantage, including the discontinuance of plans. It’s important to take action before the December 7 deadline or you may lose Medicare Advantage Plan benefits. The Chamber can help. 

The Webster Chamber’s health insurance enrollment service has been a no-fee service since 1938, offering the choice of a virtual or an in-office appointment. Due to the many insurance changes for 2025, requests for appointments will increase, so call soon to reserve your time:  585-265-3851. Before your appointment, visit here to prepare.

Health insurance selection and enrollment is very detailed and complicated. See an enrollment service to assist you in this process. And pay attention to the deadlines noted above to avoid penalties.

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/8/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

1 Oct

Autumn is shaping up to be a pretty busy time of year in our little town. Here’s a quick look at some of the events coming up in the next several weeks:

Chicken and Ribs — yum

The Webster Lions Club will be holding their next Chicken & Ribs BBQ on Thursday, October 3 at the Webster Fireman’s Field.

This is a drive-through and pick-up event, serving from 3 to 6 p.m. or until sold out.

Cost is $20 (paid at the event), and includes a quarter charcoal-cooked chicken AND pit-smoked ribs, mac salad and baked beans and fresh corn bread. The dinners will be first-come, first-served, so make sure to get there early.

This is one of the Lions Club’s biggest fundraisers, and they depend on these events to continue their mission to help others in our community.

WCSD Family Engagement Forum

The entire Webster community is invited to the next Family Engagement Forum hosted by the Webster Central School District.

The primary goal for the Community Engagement Forum is to afford parents/guardians, Webster CSD staff and students, and the broader community a space to network and partner on a variety of activities. The district will share information on relevant topics in family engagement, hear from parents and students directly, and strategize collaborative action steps for moving forward.

The forum will take place Monday, October 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the second floor professional development center at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, Webster.

Cute animals need your help

This note from our neighbors to the east, the Humane Society of Wayne County (HSWC).

You may have seen these folks during their regular visits to PetSmart stores in Webster, Henrietta and Victor, where they tempt local community members with some ADORABLE cats and kittens that need loving forever homes.

The dedicated HSWC volunteers are in the middle of a “Raise the Woof” capital campaign to raise money for a new shelter, which is in desperate need of replacement. The new building will allow the HSWC to expand their capacity to care for an increased number of animals in need and enable them to meet the new NYS Shelter Standard Law. 

Their next fundraiser, called “Leaf-A-Legacy,” is scheduled for Sunday October 6 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lodge at Shadow Hill in Ontario. The event will feature music and dancing by Doze Guys, a silent auction, a pumpkin walk, food grazing, and a chance to meander the beautiful grounds, sit by the campfire, relax in the Adirondack chairs, and play some cornhole.

It sounds like a beautiful fall evening. Tickets are still available. They cost $50, and are available online only. Click here to order yours and feel good about helping animals in need.

Cookies, cookies, cookies

The Women’s Club of Webster will be supplying homemade cookies for the Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, October 10 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Webster Volunteer Fireman’s Building on Sanford St.

Appointments are not required for this drive; you can just drop in. For more information or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, call Katie Hout, American Red Cross, 585-353-9964.

The Women’s Club of Webster is an active community service organization that has nurtured friendships and generously supported many worthwhile causes for 60 years.  The group meets the third Thursday of each month, from September to June. WCW’s motto is “Friendship through service” and New members are always welcome!  

The next luncheon meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Nucci’s Italian Seafood & Steak House on Ridge Rd. This month’s speaker will be Amy Stringer, owner of the North Bee in the Village of Webster. Amy is an expert on all things bee and beeswax, and is a fascinating speaker. It begins with social hour at 11:15.

Cost is $21 for a buffet including chicken parmesan, mixed vegetables, oven-roasted potatoes, penne with sauce, salad, a cannoli and lots of new friends. Send check made out to WCW by October 10 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. For questions, or if you think your check will be late, phone call Carolyn Rittenhouse at 585-265-1303.

Webster BID schedules community events

For starters, Webster Business Improvement District has been busy scheduling all sorts of fall events. The first ones are coming up very soon:

The second annual Health and Wellness Fair has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Village Community Meeting Room, 29 South Ave.

This is a free event which showcases the businesses and professionals throughout our community that address all aspects of health and wellness. Last year’s event was a great success, and this year is expected to be even bigger.

ON THAT SAME DAY, in the parking lot behind the Community Meeting Room, the BID is also sponsoring a shredding event from 9 to 11 a.m.

This is a free, drive-through event. Paper only will be accepted, and staples do NOT need to be removed. Paper must be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags (no plastic), with a limit of five boxes per vehicle.

(By the way, stay tuned for details about the next Beer Walk, scheduled for Saturday Oct. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m., and the Trick-or-Treat Trail on Saturday, Oct. 26. More details about these and other events can be found on the newly revamped Webster BID website.

Books, books, books

The Friends of the Webster Public Library have scheduled their fall book sale, Oct. 16 through 19 at the library, 980 Ridge Rd. (at the rear side of the plaza).

This year they’ll be including a mini vintage and collectible book sale during members night on Wednesday Oct. 16. Those books will be for sale at fixed prices starting at $8.00. They’ll also be selling Kittelberger Flower Bouquet Cards that night while supplies last.

Members Night will be Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. (Memberships will be available at the door.) The general public sale is Thursday, Oct. 17 from 9 to 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (bag sale day); and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon (another bag sale day).  

Free pasta dinner for veterans and active military

Veterans and active duty service personnel and their families are invited to Spry Middle School for a free dinner in their honor.

On Thursday, November 7 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., students will be serving up a pasta dinner in the Spry Middle School cafetorium at 119 South Avenue, Webster. Veterans and activity duty service personnel and their families living within the Webster Central School District boundaries are invited to enjoy a spaghetti dinner complete with salad, bread and dessert. Take-out is also available. Either way, reservations are required by calling (585) 216-0093.

Event sponsors include Spry Middle School Builders Club, Webster-Fairport B.P.O. Elks #2396, Spry Middle School Student Council, Webster Community Chest, Wegmans and Walmart.

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/1/2024)

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Webster Marching Band presents Autumn Fanfare

28 Sep

Our very own Webster Marching Band will host their 38th annual Autumn Fanfare field show and competition on Saturday October 5 at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd.

Autumn Fanfare is always a spectacular evening of storytelling through music, marching, and even a little bit of acting. There are always huge set pieces involved to move the music-story forward. This is an awesome opportunity to see what our hometown marching bad has been up to, and be impressed by the incredible amount of hard work these kids put in every year to create a show that will blow you away.

This year’s production is called “Death of Star.” The This performance will take the audience on a journey through a star’s life cycle, from its brilliant beginnings to its transformation into a black hole. The show opens with vibrant music and colors, representing a massive star in its prime, and closes with the final movement depicting the star’s explosive end.

Sounds A-MAZING!

This year’s competitors include bands from Marcus Whitman, LeRoy, Rochester, Hilton, Greece, Webster, Orchard Park, East Irondequoit, Medina, Victor, and Lancaster. Gates will open at 5 p.m., and the show begins at 6 p.m., rain or shine. Pre-sale tickets are $10, available at Herman’s Farm Market (741 Five Mile Line Rd.) They can also be purchased online (for details see the poster below.) Tickets will be $12 at the door, and under 5 is free.

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 9/28/2024)

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Webster students earn top awards at DCI Championships

22 Aug

Here’s a nice feature about some Webster musicians who recently earned some recognition at the International Drum Corps Competition, held earlier this month in Indianapolis. A thousand thanks to Kathy Taddeo, who wrote the following article for me, and her daughter Tracy Dennis, who was at the event watching her son, William Small, compete, who gathered all the details and took the photos.

Miguel Ovando
Dylan Hickey
Will Small

WEBSTER STUDENTS TAKE HONORS IN INTERNATIONAL DRUM CORPS COMPETITIONS

This year’s World Championships of International Drum Corps included several students and
alumnae from Webster.

Thomas graduate and Clarkson University student William Small and Schroeder graduate and Fredonia University student Dylan Hickey returned last weekend from World Championship Drum Corps International finals in Indiana. Their Spartans corps, organized out of New Hampshire, has been touring the eastern United States for the last seven weeks. Spartans’ beautifully written and choreographed pageant of music and movement, daily grueling training and fierce competitive spirit led them to victory. They are now 2024 DCI World Champions, Open Class; that’s William and Dylan and some 160 other young people ages 14-22.

Watch for the Spartans next Thanksgiving; in recognition of their achievement, they’ve been invited to march in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Natalia Lopez (right)
White Sabers
Rafael Ovando (front)

Here are some details about the Webster students who participated:

The Spartans Drum Corps, is based in New Hampshire. In winning the distinction of Open Class World Champions, they won by only .5 point, beating out nine other bands. Its members include William Small (Aerospace major from Clarkson) and Dylan Hickey (Music Performance, SUNY Fredonia).

The Bluecoats Drum Corps, based in Ohio, was named Champions in the World Class. They beat 11 other bands by more than a full point. Performing with this band is Miguel Ovando (Music Education SUNY Fredonia).

Jersey Surf Drum Corps, based in New Jersey, also completed in the World Class. They didn’t make it past the semi-final round, but put on an outstanding show nonetheless. Band members include Rafael Ovando and Natalia Lopez.

The White Sabers Drum Corps, based in Rochester, came in 7th place in the All Ages Class. Webster students who perform with this band include Aaron Albert, Jason Auld, Molly Jaeger, Alex Munsuy, David Nilmeier and Bella Olschweski.

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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 “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/22/2024)

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