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These last few months have been difficult for everyone. The coronavirus has created an unending variety of challenges. It’s hard to see anything positive in what we’ve been dealing with.

But perhaps it’s just a matter of looking for it.

Case in point: there are a lot of really beautiful, interesting and whimsical things all around us, and it’s really fun to notice them. During the last week or two, as I’ve been out on my walks or bike rides, I’ve taken photos of some of these.

My husband and I came across this bench and tree, for example, along the canal path in Pittsford. Someone has been spending their down time crocheting, and using their creations to brighten up the path for riders and walkers who come by.

Closer to my home, this poor Rudolph, Santa and his sleigh made me laugh. Their next stop is the dump but I’m sure then enjoyed many happy holidays in front yard of this Penfield home.

I always appreciate it when homeowners take the time to do something extra special with their little front-yard gardens. Here, a mermaid patiently awaits the mailman every day.

Not far from the mermaid, this whimsical fairy garden just invites people to stop for a moment to say hi to the little people. It’s hard to appreciate the complexity of this presentation in this far-away photo. Try clicking on the photo for a closer look.

This was a spectacular stand of daisies in front of a North Penfield home.

These were  both taken in the village. On the left is a cute bird house recently attached to a tree on Main Street. On the right is something I’ve never seen before, a lawn Roomba (I actually looked it up — it’s called an “auto mower.”) It attacked us as we were riding along Pierce St. (Meaning it came right up to the street shoulder as I was riding by.) Scared me to bits. But it just patiently turned around and started heading the other way while I stopped to catch my breath, and this photo.

Finally, these two photos from my bike rides in and near North Ponds.

The first is a baby raccoon. A week ago I saw three of these babies on the Bird Sanctuary Trail. They’re about the size of a large kitten. This little one was wandering along Orchard St. all by himself (herself?). When I approached he slid into the grass and tried to hide. I’m just hoping that he didn’t wander out into the street again and get hit.

And finally, one happy family:

Next time you’re out and about, make sure to stop and smell the roses. Or at least notice them, and all the other beautiful and unusual things that make our neighborhoods great.

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

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If you’re like a lot of us, you’ve been out walking or biking a lot more these last few months. If some of those treks have been along any of our beautiful Webster trails, this blog is directed to you.

Have you ever thought about why our trails are so plentiful and beautiful? We can thank the all-volunteer Friends of Webster Trails for that. These volunteers put in thousands of hours every summer planning, creating and maintaining these trails. It’s really a thankless job, since only a small percentage of the people who use our trails actually sign up as members of the Friends. (It really doesn’t cost much. Check out the membership page here.)

I was thinking about them as I was biking a few days ago along the Bird Sanctuary Trail, which runs northeast from Orchard Street to Rt. 250 and connects up with the Chiyoda Trail by the Rec Center. This is a beautiful, peaceful, well-maintained trail and an excellent example of the great work the Friends do. It reminded me of why I’m a dues-paying member of the organization and will be for as long as I live in this town.

Along the Bird Sanctuary Trail

Along the Bird Sanctuary Trail

If you’re not familiar with all of the terrific trails we have here in Webster, check out the Friends of Webster Trails website, then get out there and start exploring. If you ARE already a fan of our trails, please consider dropping $10 for a single membership or $15 for a family. Your donation will go a long way to helping these fine folks help US enjoy our town’s natural beauty for years to come.

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

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.

As summer kicks into gear, thanks to this stinkin’ virus, there’s not a lot happening in our town and village. But I have a few items to bring to your attention today.

First, a reminder about tomorrow’s “Summer Celebration, Re-Imagined” at the Webster Recreation Center. Naturally they can’t hold the usual celebration this year, so the folks at the Rec Center have come up with a fun alternative.

Here’s the information again:

2020 is the year of thinking differently – and town festivities are no exception. While we have made the tough call to cancel Summer Celebration this year, the Town of Webster Parks and Recreation Department is bringing our Webster community together that day…in a different way!

Introducing “Summer Celebration Re-Imagined”! On Saturday, June 20 from 12 p.m. to  – 2 p.mm come to the Rec Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, to pick up a FREE bag filled with surprise items to celebrate summer at home!

The bag distribution will be a drive-thru party in a parking lot! We can’t tell you everything we have in store for you… but we are encouraging you to pack up the family and come pick up a bag! (*Bonus points if your car is decorated in fun summer gear!*) So, even though we can’t be together this year, we can still celebrate!

**PLEASE NOTE** There is a limit to ONE (1) BAG PER CAR. Bags are available to the first 1000 cars from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm or until supplies run out. Please wear a mask, remain in your car at ALL times and follow the traffic pattern.

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Here’s a great opportunity provided by WHEN, the Webster Health and Education Network and other local agencies.

It’s a virtual Narcan training. Participants will learn how to administer Naloxone in the case of a drug overdose, perhaps saving a life. Only 50 slots are available, and you can register online here. Check out the poster for more information.

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As you have probably heard by now, the Webster CSD 2020-2021 school budget was passed by an overwhelming margin.

As a teaching assistant in the district, may I add my personal thank you for supporting your teachers, staff members and students during this very difficult time. It’s going to be hard enough trying to figure out how to keep everyone safe this fall while still delivering the quality education that Webster has come to be known for. Having to do that while worrying about where funding will come from would make that even harder.

Here are the details:

Budget = APPROVED       YES = 6,197 (62%), NO = 3,808 (38%)

Proposition #1 for purchase of school buses = APPROVED     YES = 6,037 (60%), NO = 3,950 (40%)

Board of Education Election (THREE positions):

• • Janice Richardson = 4,430
  • Mike Alt (incumbent) = 4,304
  • Mike Suffoletto (incumbent) = 4,239
  • Jennifer Birdsong-Ng = 4,067
  • Shanna LaDelfa = 3,811
  • Maria Cortes = 3,706
  • John Hutchings = 1,727

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

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.

Saturday afternoon, hundreds of Webster residents came together at Veteran’s Memorial Park on North Ave. to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

The peaceful gathering featured several speakers, and an 8 minute, 46 second period of silence to represent the length of time a police officer kneeled on the neck of George Floyd.  There were also petitions, and a huge poster for people to sign and pledge to be an anti-racist.

It was a very meaningful, moving and inspirational ceremony, and I’m proud to be a part of a community that supported it so strongly. Thank you also for the special police who helped manage the traffic to make sure all of the attendees were safe.

I apologize to my readers for not letting you know about this event in advance. I didn’t even have any idea it was happening until a friend mentioned it to me, and that was a full hour into the ceremony. Still, I was able to quickly head on down there (another benefit to living in the village) and snap some pictures.

Ironically, I found out about it just after I had returned from a similar event in the Village of Pittsford. There, the Rochester Anti-Racism Action Coalition had organized a march from the community center to the Port of Pittsford gazebo. That event also drew many hundreds of people, a testament to how serious people are about the Black Lives Matter movement. Hopefully, participation in these rallies will turn into commitment to help bring about real change this time.

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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.

How about a little happy news for a change?

A very special birthday parade was held this afternoon for a very special young man, Jack Frank, who turned 9 years old today.

Jack’s mother Alana said that she put the word out to her neighbors — many of whom own some real hot-rods —  and a few of Jack’s teachers at Plank North that she’d love to brighten his day with a parade. It kind of morphed into something much bigger than she ever expected or hoped for.

Even our local first responders answered the call, leading perhaps 50 or so cars, motorcycles and bicycles down the street, to Jack’s utter delight.

Check out this short video from the beginning of the parade and you can see how much fun he was having. (The fire trucks are kind of loud, so get ready to turn down your speakers!)

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

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.

Perhaps you noticed a gathering at Veterans Memorial Park on North Ave. this afternoon. A couple dozen people came together for a “peace, love and music rally.”

On her Facebook invitation earlier in the day, the event’s organizer wrote that “We will be playing music through the decades to show things never change.”

She continued,

Music brings people together. Look at all the beautiful protests with singing and dancing. Let’s show those nasty people protest is not looting but a group extending love to everyone. I hope it also offers a chance to meet others in our community that have the same goals especially when it comes to our children.

Several of the attendees had brought posters which they displayed to the the cars passing by on North Ave. Others simply enjoyed the beautiful weather by relaxing in the grass on blankets, listening to some great music.

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

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.

Summer events are dropping like flies. But kudos to the Town of Webster for finding a creative way to still hold their Summer Celebration in a safe, socially-distant way.

Here’s the information I got from the folks at the Rec Center:

2020 is the year of thinking differently – and town festivities are no exception. While we have made the tough call to cancel Summer Celebration this year, the Town of Webster Parks and Recreation Department is bringing our Webster community together that day…in a different way!

Introducing “Summer Celebration Re-Imagined”! On Saturday, June 20 from 12 p.m. to  – 2 p.mm come to the Rec Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, to pick up a FREE bag filled with surprise items to celebrate summer at home!

The bag distribution will be a drive-thru party in a parking lot! We can’t tell you everything we have in store for you… but we are encouraging you to pack up the family and come pick up a bag! (*Bonus points if your car is decorated in fun summer gear!*) So, even though we can’t be together this year, we can still celebrate!

**PLEASE NOTE** There is a limit to ONE (1) BAG PER CAR. Bags are available to the first 1000 cars from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm or until supplies run out. Please wear a mask, remain in your car at ALL times and follow the traffic pattern.

Sounds like fun. I’m hopping for bubbles and sidewalk chalk 🙂

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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.

Lots of great news to report about this week’s annual Webster Community Blood Drive, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center.

As I mentioned in a blog a few days ago, this week’s drive is going to look a lot different. Normally for this drive, several Webster small business owners donate raffle prizes for blood donors. But of course, business owners are clearly in no position to donate prizes right now, so the drive’s organizers didn’t even ask them to do so.

But that didn’t stop the generous folks at Bruster’s. They STILL want to hand out free ice cream cones to each and every donor who comes to the drive. So if you’re signed up, make sure to grab your coupon!

And if you’re not signed up, better do so soon. Word from the Red Cross is that every one of Wednesday’s 105 appointments has been booked, and as of this blog only 40 or so appointments are left for Thursday. Make your appointment by visiting  RedCrossBlood.org and search for the sponsor code “WebsterCommunity,” or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.  (Appointments will be required.)

AND REMEMBER, this year all donors are being asked to help support our small business owners by purchasing gift certificates and bringing them along to the drive. All gift certificates and any cash donations will be handed over to our local first responders to thank them for all they do.

Donation boxes will be set up outside the Recreation Center during the entire two-day drive, so even those who are unable to donate blood for any reason can still drive by and drop off their donations. Organizers will also have posters at the drop-off site, where people can write their personal messages of appreciation.

Checks may be made out to North East Quadrant Advanced Life Support, the Webster Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc., or the West Webster Volunteer Firemen’s Association.

This year’s Webster Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday June 3 and Thursday June 4, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. 

For more information, you can also call Monroe County Legislator Matthew Terp at (585) 753-1922.

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

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.

You may recall a few months ago when I told you about how Webster’s very own Village Quilt Shoppe was joining forces with Sew Creative in Fairport to make and donate face masks to — at first — health professionals, and then many other Rochester-area agencies.

Hundreds of customers answered the call, volunteering their time and talents to make masks from their homes. Despite having to hang a “closed” sign on their front door because of COVID, Quilt Shoppe owners Monique and Vanetta found themselves coming into their store almost every day to collect fabric and supplies for the masks, prepare mask-making kits, and put together deliveries for people who could not leave their houses.

Now that Phase II is being rolled out, Monique and Vanetta can open for business, so the mask-making effort is beginning to wind down. But I wanted to share some amazing statistics with you as it does.

Monique reports that between the two shops, a total of 15,000 masks were donated in the last two months. Here’s a partial list of where they went to:

Rochester Police Dept.
Monroe County Health Dept.
Rural & Migrant Ministry
Rochester Rehabilitation Services
RGH Hospital and their associated facilities
ACR
Strong Memorial Hospital
Greece Central School District
Honeoye Falls-Lima School District
Heritage Christian Services
Catholic Charity Services
NYC health care workers
Navajo Nation
US Navy
Alternative Wellness
Webster Town Hall
Sisters of Saint Joseph
Highland Living Center
CPA in Webster
Triton Mechanical
Mercy Hospital in Buffalo

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped in the effort by donating supplies and/or sewing masks. (They include, Monique noted, her mother and lots of elderly folks who had to stay quarantined for the last eight weeks.)

Monique and Vanetta will be updating their website shortly to reflect their opening guidelines and hours. They’re still getting requests for masks, by the way, so they’re still providing mask-making kits and will accept completed masks.

So if you need quilting supplies, or if you’d like to continue making masks, check out their website, and stop by. Or just pop into the shop at 21 East Main Street to say THANK YOU for everything Vanetta and Monique have been doing for Webster and the Greater Rochester community.

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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.

Here’s a nice story for you today, about how taking the time to offer a simple kindness can potentially come back around to brighten your own life.

Last week I posted a blog titled “We all have a story. This is mine.”  It told about my participation in a portrait/story project created by my friend and teaching colleague Linda Hayes.

In my story, I recalled something my high school English teacher said to me one day, four simple words that changed my life. When I shared that blog on Facebook, my brother Jim took notice and encouraged me to try to get in touch with the teacher and let her know the positive influence her words had.

Linda Yanchus

My high school self

Her name was Linda Yanchus, my junior-year English teacher at Owego Free Academy. I graduated from OFA more than 40 years ago, so I didn’t hold out much hope that I’d be able to track her down. Still, I decided to give it a shot.

Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, I very quickly connected with Linda’s ex-husband’s younger brother’s wife.  She was happy to pass along my phone number.

Early last week, I got a phone call from my former teacher.

She said that she actually remembered me and my writing and the fun way I would put things. We had a very nice conversation, but I didn’t tell her exactly what she had said to me. I wanted her to read the story for herself. I told her about my blog and invited her to read it there.

A few days later I got this note from her:

That IS quite a story and you ARE a good writer! Thank you so much for reaching out to me and sharing what is now an important moment for both of us. I am gratified to learn that I had a positive influence on you and wish you the very best with your writing, your work with elementary readers and your eventual retirement.

I guess the moral of this story is that you never know how something seemingly insignificant can have a life-long effect on someone.

Words mean a lot.

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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.