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On turning lanes and tossing butts

6 Aug

You know, I swear that sometimes road crews do things just for the sake of changing things, whether they need changing or not.

I fail to understand the rationale behind reconfiguring the road markings at the Plank Road/Empire Blvd. intersection.  Basically, as you drive west along Plank Road and approach Empire Boulevard to turn south, the Powers That Be have decided you need to first angle your car decidedly north, almost like you’re making a right-hand turn instead of left.

I could understand if the old orientation made it difficult to see the newly installed traffic lights. I could understand if previously, cars turning onto Plank Road were cutting the lanes. But neither one is the case. So the change seems pretty arbitrary.

I’m apparently not the only one who thinks so, either. I watched traffic pass through that intersection for about 5 minutes.  A good half the cars (maybe closer to 75%) ignored the new lines.

AND AS LONG AS I’M COMPLAINING…

I am SO sick of seeing cigarette smokers throw their butts out their car windows. The street is not your personal ashtray, folks.

Annual family gathering benefits local food cupboard

5 Aug

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Laundry can be fun

30 Jul

OK, I want to see some hands, and don’t be shy. How many of you out there just LOVE to hang out laundry?

I mean, I can’t be the only one who sees hanging laundry not as a chore, but as a simple pleasure. It’s a great time to just be alone, to check out from life for a few minutes, and just think. Or don’t think. Just listen to the birds chatting with each other. When you bring the clothes in, they smell great, and that fresh aroma seems to last forever. And it makes me feel good to know that I’m saving a lot of energy and money.

My mother used to hang laundry out all the time. One of the fondest memories of my childhood is the “scritching” sound of her kicking her laundry basket across the driveway as she worked her way down the line. I think about her every time I’m out there.

So I know this dry summer has been tough on farmers and lawns, but it’s been great for line drying.

 

Young camper weaves his way to fundraising success at Bay View

22 Jul

The remains of the climbing wall the day after it was destroyed by vandals.

Here’s a nice little story that I ran across recently at the Bay View Family YMCA.  It’s about Joe Gerard, a young camper who has almost single-handedly raised more than $1,000 for Bay View’s climbing wall replacement fund.

A little background first.  In the early morning hours of June 24, the day before summer camp was to begin, vandals burned down Bay View’s popular 40-foot tall climbing wall. It was a very sad day for the Y, and especially for all the kids who climbed that wall every day at camp.

Insurance will not completely cover the cost of replacing the wall and its high-tech hydraulic auto-belay system, so several fund-raising efforts are in the works. Most of them are being coordinated by Bay View itself.  But 12-year old Joe Gerard decided that wasn’t enough. He wanted to do something, too.

Joe Gerard (black shirt) with his mom and dad Wendi and Mike, and brothers Daniel (blue shirt) and David. Daniel’s wearing an assortment of bracelets.

It began one day several weeks ago when Joe wore a bracelet to camp.  He had woven from a kit his mother bought him for Christmas. His fellow campers loved it, and they all wanted one. Turns out they wanted one so badly they were willing to pay Joe to weave one for them.

One turned into many, and many turned into hundreds.

In just a little more than two weeks, Joe has sold more than 200 hand-woven bracelets at $5 each, already raising more $1,000 for the climbing wall fund.

Close-up of one of the bracelets.

Joe’s brothers David and Daniel have helped some with the weaving, and his parents Wendi and Mike have bank-rolled the cost of supplies, so it’s kind of a family effort. But Joe’s really the mastermind behind it all. And even though he’s reached his original goal of $1,000, the demand is there to keep going and keep selling. (More importantly, Mom is telling him he should.)

If you’re interested in purchasing a bracelet  for $5 to benefit the Bay View YMCA Climbing Wall Replacement Fund, stop by the Camp Bay View office any weekday (behind the branch next to the Aquatic Center).  Or call the office at 341-4001.  They’re high-quality, colorful bracelets, cobra-stitched with para-cord, with durable plastic clip closures.

To make a direct donation to Bay View to help replace the climbing wall, click here for information.

* * *

While we’re on the topic of Bay View, I was there yesterday to watch a very neat event, a cardboard regatta. Participants were challenged to build a boat completely out of cardboard which could successfully navigate a 300-yard route into Irondequoit Bay, around a buoy, and back to the dock.

Fourteen “boats” of varying buoyancy were launched, holding anywhere from one to three sailors each.  Several of them actually survived the voyage. Many others sank immediately or shortly after heading out into the bay, leaving their crewmen no option but to physically drag the ailing vessel out to the buoy and back.

Fortunately, points were handed out for creativity and spirit in addition to seaworthiness.

It was a fun event and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, sitting on the bay with a nice breeze, watching the birds fly and the boats sink.  It didn’t seem to matter how well their boat sailed or how wet they got, everyone seemed to be having a great time. Plus it raised money for three great organizations: the Hillside family of agencies, Rochester General Health System and the YMCA.

I’ve posted a few photos here, and a few more in a gallery. Click either of the photos to go there.

Webster folks are everywhere — even in the 19th century

15 Jul

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



It’s a girl!

13 Jul

I am tickled pink to announce to the greater Webster community that there’s — finally — a new baby Barry!

Jessica and Danny Barry, owners of Barry’s Old School Irish, are proud new parents.  Maley Barry was born by C-section at 7:48 pm Thursday night, weighing a healthy 8 lbs. 1 oz and measuring 20.25 inches.

And despite the excitement reflected in the headline of this blog, we’ve known for a while that the baby was going to be a girl. Actually, we’ve even known the baby’s name for months. It was just a matter of WHEN we were going to get to meet her.  Maley was officially due on Monday, July 2. But apparently she wasn’t quite ready to show her face on that particular day.  A week later she was still being stubborn. Finally, ten days after her official due date, Jessica’s doctor decided to induce labor. Nineteen hours later,  after some rather, well, forcible convincing, Maley was born.

And the happy news arrived none too soon. Since Danny and Jessica arrived in town, they have developed a very large, very loving group of friends — more like an extended family — who have been anxiously awaiting Maley’s arrival. Facebook messages and regular text messages from Maura at the pub kept everyone up to date on Jessica’s progress over the last few days.  We all feel like we’ve gained a new family member.

Congratulations to Danny and Jessica. We cannot wait to meet little Maley.

A famous local fiddler, cool science and a kiddie parade

11 Jul

Several little tidbits of information I want to toss out today, before I get to photos of last night’s kiddie parade. A few of these have been hanging around my email box for weeks, just waiting for me to get around and blog about them.  But this first nugget came to my attention just yesterday afternoon, and will interest anyone following the career of one of Webster’s finest musical talents, Kate Lee.

Kate is a 2010 graduate from Webster Schroeder High School, and an incredible fiddle player who has already been making a name for herself in Nashville, where she attends Belmont University.  Last November, for example, she was one of several back-up musicians for Rascal Flatts on the Country Music Awards television program.

Yesterday she announced something even more exciting. On July 24 she’ll be playing violin for the Heart & Soul Concert behind Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Wow.

Keep an eye on this young lady, folks, ’cause she’s going places.  Actually, you can see her for free at the Little Theater the day after the Heart & Soul Concert, playing a free concert from 7:30-9:30 pm.  Check out her website here.

* * *

This Friday, CDS Monarch’s Wolf Life Transitions Center on Hard Road will host a Luau Dance from 6:30-8:30 pm.  As always, there will be refreshments and music from DJ Delight. Cost is $5 per person for community members. RSVP to Summer at 347-1661 or Summer.Vanscott@cdsmonarch.org.

* * *

Cherry Ridge is hosting a concert series this summer, called Under the Stars. Gateswingers Big Band will perform on Tuesday, July 24, and Gentlemen of Song will perform on Thursday, August 16. The concerts are held on the Cherry Ridge Lawn from from 6:30 – 8 pm and there’s no charge. Refreshments will be served and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved inside.

Cherry Ridge is located in Webster, across from Webster Schroeder High School.

* * *

Remember that great idea you had at the beginning of the summer? “Hey, let’s NOT sign the kids up for camp this year, so we can spend more quality time with them!”

So now you’re wondering what the heck you were thinking, and you’re all stressed because this late in the game all the summer camps are full. Don’t sweat. Here’s a super option:

It’s called “Cool Summer of Science with Mr. Noon,” a series of week-long summer science classes (for 4-6 year olds and 7-9 year olds) taught by Williamson High School science teacher Brendan Noon. The classes feature age-appropriate hand-on activities that are not only fun but help develop the skills kids will need to meet the next generation of National Science Standards. (So they’ll be learning while they’re having fun, but don’t tell them.)

Upcoming classes include weather and the interaction between organisms and their environment.  You can click here for more details, but I’ll tell you right now the kids will be making clouds, playing in a pond and collecting slimy things.  Sounds like fun to me.

Classes cost $25/day and are held from 9 – 10:30 am Monday-Friday, at 153 Salt Road in Webster. For more information log onto the Science With Mr. Noon Facebook page or email Mr. Noon at Brendan.Noon@yahoo.com.

* * *

Finally, a quick note about the Kiddie Parade which took place last night in the South Avenue/Spry Middle School neighborhood. This annual warm-up for the Fireman’s Parade (which happens tonight in the village) is always an adorable affair.  I love the idea of this parade, because it gives kids of all ages a chance to get dressed up in costumes, march in a real parade (albeit a very short one) and throw candy at high velocity at the people lining the parade route.

(And I had forgotten about the candy at high velocity part. Popping in and out of the parade taking pictures, I felt at times like I was in a war zone dodging bullets. A strawberry Dum-Dum actually hit me so hard in the shoulder it made a mark.)

It’s also fun to see how much the kids’ parents enjoy the parade. Many of them dress up in themed costumes, and it’s obvious how much thought and effort work goes into many of the “floats.”  I’ll bet some families start working on them months in advance.

One child who was watching the parade walk by described it this way: “It’s like Halloween, only earlier.”  I’m not sure whether he was referring to the costumes or the abundance of candy.

As usual, I took lots of photos. Click here or on the photo above to see the gallery.

email me at missyblog@gmail.com

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In memory of a young life lost

9 Jul

Not much to say about this.  It’s a memorial that’s been created on Hatch Road around the corner from my house, in honor of Christopher Salva, a young man who lost his life in a motorcycle accident a little more than a week ago. He was only 18.

Every time I pass it I just want to go home and hug my kids.

A fond farewell to “Miss A.”

4 Jul

When my kids were young, we all knew “Wheels on  the Bus” by heart. We’d sing it at all our preschool activity classes and mommy/child events, and it was one of our favorites for long car trips.  Back then, the bus had a driver, lights, a horn, doors and people.

Adrienne reads a story to the kids. (Click on any photo to see a gallery with more.)

Apparently, in the 15-plus years since I’ve heard this little ditty, the bus has become a “space bus” and has also picked up a llama and an alien in its travels.

At least that was the interpretation I heard yesterday from Jason Poole of the Webster Public Library.  The occasion was Stories in the Park, a half-hour story time hosted by the library every Tuesday in July at Ridge Park, featuring Jason and Children’s Librarian Adrienne Furness. The library has been hosting these story times for years, but yesterday’s was extra special, because it marked the last time that Adrienne — or “Miss A.,” as the kids know her — would be participating.

After ten years as the children’s librarian at Webster Public Library, Adrienne will be moving on to a position as Library Director of the Henrietta Public Library.

Adrienne has been with the Webster Public Library for a little more than ten years, starting just a few weeks before the new library

Jason gets the kids hopping. I think they’re being fountains.

opened in Webster Plaza. In that time she has become a beloved figure in the children’s room, making an already pleasant area even more inviting with her ever-present smile and welcoming personality.

Yesterday’s program was a good example of why Adrienne will be sorely missed. When I got there just before the program started, I was amazed to see how many kids and adults were squeezed into the Ridge Park gazebo.  There were more than 50 small children crowded onto two tarps on the ground, in their parents’ laps or on the picnic benches. And there were almost that many parents and grandparents. Plus, more families kept arriving even after the stories began. I’m sure a lot of them came for the playground but were pleased to find something  even better going on, so they just stood outside the gazebo and watched.

Jason started the program with a song, accompanying himself on a guitar. Then for the next half hour he and Adrienne tag-teamed with stories, movement games and children’s tunes, keeping all 50-plus kids jumping, laughing, smiling, singing, shouting, standing still as stones, wiggling, whispering, spinning and dancing.

And even better, when Adrienne was reading a story, every child’s eyes were glued to the book, their faces bright with wonder, their minds open to new information. It was a beautiful thing to see. At that moment, a BOOK was the most important thing in their lives. All I could think was that I was watching the next generation of readers become inspired. They were learning to love stories and books.

No children’s librarian could ever ask for a better legacy.  Thank you, Adrienne, and good luck.

(Click on any of the photos to see more from yesterday’s Stories in the Park.)

 

Check out the faces of the kids. They are totally involved in the book.

Some of Miss A’s many fans gather for a final photo after the program.

Some tips on flag etiquette

27 Jun

As Independence Day fast approaches — our nation’s most flag waving-est holiday — the Village of Webster would like to remind everyone about flag etiquette.

Frankly, I think a lot of people could use a refresher course (when you drive around over the next week, count how many flags are hanging backwards off of porches).  But even if you think you’re pretty much up on all the proper regulations, check out the write-up on the village website anyway, because it makes for some interesting reading.

For example, this part of the Flag Code:

The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

Now I’m going to be looking around all the time to see if this regulation is being followed.  And years ago, wasn’t it forbidden to work the flag into any piece of clothing?  That’s apparently not the case anymore, despite this part of the code which seems to address that:

The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

The website also tells you where to take your old flag to properly dispose of it.  Click here to find out how.

 

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