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Connor Miller is St. Martin’s newest Eagle Scout

25 Nov

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Congratulations to Connor Miller, from Boy Scout Troop 110 at St. Martin Lutheran Church, who recently earned his Eagle Scout rank.

Connor’s Eagle Scout Project consisted of building an outdoor shelter for Nature’s Haven, a non-profit wildlife rehabilitator in Webster. The shelter allows Nature’s Haven to re-acclimate wildlife to the outdoors before releasing them back into the wild.

More than 50 volunteers helped Connor complete his project in June, working for a combined 382 hours. The project was selected as Eagle Project of the Month for September 2019 by the Seneca Waterways Council Eagle Project of the Month Committee and is now under consideration for the honor of Eagle Project of the Year.

Connor also organized a supply drive for Nature’s Haven, providing much-needed supplies to help with the care of the animals.

Currently, Connor is a junior at Wayne-Finger Lakes Pathways in Technology Early College High School located in Newark. Through the program, Connor will receive both a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree from Finger Lakes Community College.

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I am an SRP.

19 Nov

You have to be nice to me today. It’s School-Related Professionals Recognition Day.

No, really.

SRP shirtThis is a day officially designated to “recognize and honor the school support staff who help transport, educate, feed and tend our children and keep our schools clean, safe and offices running smoothly.” Gov. Spitzer signed it into law in 2007, to be celebrated annually on the third Tuesday of November. I even have a t-shirt and a sticker this year which I can display proudly in the halls.

I suspect this came about because some of us “SRPs” were a little miffed that secretaries get a recognition day (Administrative Professionals Day) and teachers get a whole week (not that they don’t REALLY deserve it), while we teaching assistants, bus drivers, school nurses, custodians, food service workers, and teacher aides got short shrift.

So, there you have it. School-Related Professionals Recognition Day.

Now don’t get me wrong, as an SRP (doesn’t that sound important?) I will definitely take advantage of the snacks that might show up in the faculty lounge today. And I really do appreciate the effort.

But I really don’t need a Hallmark holiday to know how much I mean to the students. That feeling is renewed this year in my job at the elementary level. When I see them smile and wave as they file past the library,  when they laugh as I read them a funny story, when a kindergartner opens her arms for a hug as I walk by in the hall … that all means so much more to me than snacks.

Don’t get me wrong, though. I’d love some snacks.

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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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A heartfelt thank you from Harold Krieger

11 Nov

TRAIL ENTRANCE

Last month, in my East Extra column, I introduced many of you to the new Hickory Bark Trail, a 400-foot long stroll through a stand of woods located along Van Ingen Drive by the Webster Public Library.

The trail’s completion was thank in large part to the efforts of former Webster resident Ann Krieger, and her husband Harold, who championed the cause after Ann’s death in 2009. Its official introduction to the community happened at a grand opening ceremony on October 5.

I recently was copied in on an email Harold sent to Jason Poole (from the Webster Public Library) and Shari Gnolek (from the Friends of Webster Tails), expressing his gratitude to all of the organizations who helped complete the trail, and hinting at more exciting developments in the trail’s future.

I’d like to pass that email along, verbatim.

Looking back at the grand opening of the Hickory Bark Woods Trail, my son Hal and I were overwhelmed by the many volunteer groups and local organizations that were involved in its development and completion. Please thank them all for us (the Friends of Webster Trails, the Webster Library employees and volunteers, the Webster Boy Scouts, the Webster Town Board and Recreation Department, and the interested local residents); they should be very proud of what they accomplished. I won’t attempt to mention names for fear of leaving someone out. It’s such a wonderful feeling to witness your local community working together to create a real asset for Webster’s future.

Speaking of the future, I must confess that some of us (no names) have been thinking out loud about adding some side foot trails branching off from the platform on the Hickory Bark Woods Trail.

Heading east toward the athletic fields, there’s a nice creek and small pond and wildflowers along the way. Heading north, not too far from the platform, I recall a nice area of ferns. Then heading southwest near Hard Road, as I remember from many, many years ago, there were nice hickory bark trees, some beech trees, and wildflowers. There is however a poison ivy problem to contend with. Details, details…J

Oh yes, don’t forget…wildflower seedlings were planted along the trail in September and we’re hoping for good results this spring. My hope? That Hickory Bark Woods Trail becomes the Wildflower Trail of Webster. Go to the Webster Library and learn all about it.

Do not underestimate the commitment Harold Krieger has for this project, as he continues his wife’s efforts to preserve the land as an educational resource.

Stay tuned!

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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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Photos of this year’s pet costume winners

3 Nov

 

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Better late than never, I present today photos of this year’s pet costume contest winners!

This contest has been run for the last few years during the village’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, but it’s been difficult to get the word out and actually get people and their dogs to meet up at the appointed time and place. So this year, Peter Elder — who organizes the contest every year — came up with a creative solution.

He wrote,

My son and I served as judges for the dog costume contest and since we could not find anyone gathered in front of Village Hall, we spread out through the (very large) crowd and found several dogs and their owners in costumes. After passing through once, we went back and awarded them first second and third prizes.

Peter added that this was “an excellent strategy for making the people and the dogs happy. … People loved being stopped and given gift cards.”

The three lucky winners this year are included here.

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Make sure to get out there and trick or treat with your pup next year, ’cause you never know…you might get a treat yourself!

Also, we’re hoping to resurrect the business-sponsored scarecrow contest next year as well, so watch for more news about that!

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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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Some well-deserved recognition for our Webster girls softball team

15 Oct

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You may remember a blog I wrote back in early August about our Webster Girls Softball WAA Xtreme Fastpitch Travel Team, and the very successful season they had just completed.

They ended the year with an overall record of 64-6-1 and captured their fifth championship. Earlier this month, the team’s outstanding achievements were honored by the Monroe County Legislature with a Certificate of Recognition, which noted the team members’ success on the field, in the classroom and in the community, and the outstanding sportsmanship and respect they showed all year to officials and opposing team members.

Congratulations, ladies!

 

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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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How about a ride to school in a fire truck?

11 Oct
fire truck

(photo courtesy WVFD Facebook page)

Wouldn’t your kids love to get a ride to school in a fire truck? Boy, would they be the talk of the entire school day!

That’s the great prize awaiting two lucky winners of a fire-preparedness contest going on right now, hosted by the Webster and West Webster volunteer fire departments.

Part of being prepared in case of a fire in your home is creating an escape plan, and practicing it with the whole family. For the contest, students are asked to make a drawing depicting their home escape plan, then submit it to the WVFD Facebook page.

Here are the details:

  1. Entries will be by students currently in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade.
  2. Students must live in Webster and attend school in the Webster district.
  3. Entries will consist of a drawing of an escape plan of the student’s home. For ideas on how to do this, click here.
  4. Entries must have the student’s first and last name, school, current grade in school, home address, and parent’s contact information on the back.
  5. Submit drawings via private message to the Webster Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page or bring the submission to our open house at 35 South Ave on Saturday, October 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (during the Trick-or-Treat Trail in the village).
  6. Two winners will be picked at random, one from the Webster Fire Department district and one from the West Webster Fire Department district.

Entries must be received by midnight on October 27, and the ride to school will be held the first week of November.

And even if your student doesn’t win, just thinking about, planning and practicing an escape plan in case of a fire in your home makes everyone a winner.

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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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Blood drive day 2 is Thursday

9 Oct

 

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I’m proud to belong to the Webster community.

The support today for the biannual Webster Community Blood Drive at St. Paul Church was amazing. I overheard one of the volunteers say there were 77 appointments made today alone, and we still have one more day in the drive.

You can see a photo above of the prizes that are being offered to donors — everyone who shows up gets 10 raffle tickets for your choice of great prizes donated by local businesses. PLUS you get other prizes including a free pint of ice cream from Bruster’s. (EVERYONE gets that!)

But more to the point, donating blood actually helps save lives. That’s the real win/win for everyone who comes.

So if you didn’t have a chance to get there on Wednesday, please consider stopping by day two of the drive Thursday, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. I highly recommend you make an appointment; this drive is very popular, and it will get you through more quickly.  You do that by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by logging onto http://www.redcrossblood.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 community mailbag

8 Oct

This is a busy week coming up in Webster.

klem northFor starters, I just got a notice this morning from the folks over at Klem North Elementary, asking me to post this notice about an upcoming PTSA meeting.

As you can see, the meeting is scheduled for this Thursday at 6:30 in the library.

Please consider getting involved in your school’s PTSA if you aren’t already. They do so much to support our students and staff members — and as I one of those teachers, I speak from experience. Even if you can give an hour occasionally for a special event, that would be great.

I’m always happy to publicize community events like this, so please remember me when you need help getting the word out. Email your notices to missyblog@gmail.com.

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This Thursday through Saturday (Oct. 10-12), the Friends of the Webster Library will host their fall used book sale at the library, 980 Ridge Rd., off Van Ingen Drive at the back of the plaza.

On Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., all hardcover books are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents. Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. AND Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. are Bag Days; $4 fills an entire bag with books.

And get this! You can even use your credit card. So make your way to the sale and stock up on books for the long winter ahead.

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St. Rita School’s 35th annual Craft Sale returns this Saturday Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s time to start thinking about Christmas shopping, and with 100 vendors signed up this year, it’s a perfect opportunity.

There’s plenty of free parking, and there’s no admission. St. Rita School is located at 1008 Maple Drive in W. Webster.

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October is domestic violence awareness month, so proceeds from this month’s Saturday Flapjack Community Breakfast at the First Baptist Church of Penfield will be donated to Resolve, an organization dedicated to intervening and preventing domestic and sexual violence against women.

The breakfast is scheduled for Saturday Oct. 19 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the church, at Penfield’s four corners. For $6 per person, enjoy pancakes, pure maple syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, and beverages. The church is handicap accessible.

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nick KThe Nick K 5K will be running its 6th annual event this Saturday Oct. 12 beginning at 8 a.m. at Webster Parks and Recreation, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.

Nicholas Kapusniak was killed on March 1, 2014 when a drive-by shooter fired into a group of college students in St. Louis, Missouri. Nick is a former resident of Webster and was attending school at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

The Nick K 5K hopes to draw attention to the violence that is becoming commonplace in our schools and cities. Part of the proceeds will go to local Crime Stoppers in Rochester and St. Louis, with the rest being put towards scholarships in his name at his high school in Waukesha, Wisconsin and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

Runners and walkers can register by clicking here. Cost is $25, and includes a t-shirt and other giveaways. Walk-up registrations will be accepted the morning of the race beginning at 7:15AM.

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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 Fall Fest returns Oct. 5

26 Sep

The Town of Webster and Webster Parks and Recreation will kick off fall with the annual Webster Fall Festival, on Saturday October 5 from noon to 4 p.m. at Gosnell Big Woods, 680 Vosburg Road.

This is an awesome family-friendly event with donuts, cider, wagon rides, children’s crafts and games, pony rides, hot dogs, donuts and live country music courtesy Tennessee Lights. Admission is free and there’s plenty of parking.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.

I went to this event last year and had a lot of fun. You’re sure to see some neighbors and friends there, and it’s a very inexpensive way for the whole family to enjoy early autumn. Click here to see a gallery of 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

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.

Village Quilt Shoppe in the news

22 Sep
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Village Quilt Shoppe owners Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti

Just a quick note this morning to point everyone to my Our Towns East Extra column this morning in the Democrat and Chronicle, in which I feature one of the village’s newest businesses, the Village Quilt Shoppe. Its arrival is helping to revitalize East Main Street.

You can find a link to the article here. 

Remember to also “like” my Webster on the Web Facebook page to stay on top of all sorts of Webster happenings.

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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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