Archive | Uncategorized RSS feed for this section

RocMaidan and Webster Rotary combine forces to help Ukraine

2 Oct

Last Thursday evening, more than two dozen volunteers gathered deep inside one of those huge Xerox warehouses off of Phillips Rd. They were surrounded by packing boxes, wheelchairs, walkers, surgical equipment and shrink-wrapped pallets piled high with medical supplies, and were focused on a singular purpose: to pack backpacks with medical supplies to be shipped to Ukraine.

The backpack-stuffing event was part of continuing efforts by RocMaidan to ship desperately-needed medical supplies to war-torn Ukraine. They all-volunteer organization is constantly on the search for donations of supplies, and funds which they use to purchase supplies, then come together every Thursday evening to organize, stack boxes, pack, shrink-wrap pallets … whatever needs to be done to keep supplying critical supplies to the war-torn country.

On this particular Thursday night, the RocMaidan volunteers had help from the Webster Rotary, which provided several members to help stuff about 50 backpacks with “expendable” supplies, like Tylenol, hand-held respirators, gauze pads and alcohol. The backpacks will be distributed to places like aid stations and ambulance companies, and each will be able to save four lives.

Shipped along with the backpacks will be dozens of other large and small first aid kits, which were purchased with an $8,000 grant secured by Gene Sydor, a member of Webster Rotary and RocMaidan. These kits are designed for more immediate aid, like when a first responder has to crawl into a building to find survivors. It’s packed with materials like tourniquets and respirators, whatever’s needed to stabilize a person and get them out from under the rubble alive. The smaller kits are used to get the patient outside and to an ambulance, where the larger kit can take over.

The hope is to get all of the stuffed backpacks, plus thousands of other boxes of medical supplies, mobility equipment, hospital beds and countless other items, shipped out within a few weeks. Basically, a truck carrying a shipping container will back up to the warehouse, a dock crew comes in and they just jam in as much as they can, filling every nook and cranny.

This will be the 23rd ocean-going container RocMaidan has sent to Ukraine, each one costing them $8,900. And THAT’S why RocMaidan needs so much support from our community.

Check out the RocMaidan website to see how you can help, and if you like a good party, keep reading below for information about the organization’s 10th anniversary gala.

Teagan O. and Marty P. with the finished backpacks

RocMaidan is Rochester based, all-volunteer organization founded in 2014 following the Russian invasion of Donbas and the annexation of Crimea. Over the last decade, RocMaidan has:

  • collected enough supplies to ship 22 shipping containers to Ukraine. This includes medical tactical backpacks, medical beds, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, X-ray machines, and other humanitarian aid amounting to 320+ tons to date. They also provided drinking water after the flooding caused by the bombing of Kakhovka Dam, and generators when energy infrastructure was first targeted.
  • sent or helped purchase thirteen ambulance cars and six field vehicles to evacuate the wounded.
  • organized or participated in many events with the specific goal of raising funds to support our mission. These fundraisers have resulted in over $1.3 million raised.

None of these achievements could have been accomplished without generous community donations of money and supplies. Continuing support is critical for RocMaidan to keep fulfilling its mission to help the people of Ukraine. Their next big fundraiser is the 10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala on Saturday Nov. 16 at Harro East Ballroom.

The gala will feature News 8’s Adam Chodak as master of ceremonies; a keynote speech by Serhii Plokhii, professor of Ukrainian History at Harvard University; violin music by Oleg Krysa and Irina Lupines; a performance by American songwriter Bria Blessing, who appeared on the Ukrainian version of “The Voice”; and a traditional dance performance by Rochester’s own Ukrainian dance ensemble, Kalyna. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, plated meal, and open bar.

Tickets are now on sale for $175, and business sponsorships are available beginning at $1,000. Click here to find out more about them. If you can’t make it to the gala but would like to make a donation, click here.

* * *

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 10/2/2024)

Tags: , , ,

Festival weekend continues

8 Sep

Just a quick post this morning to share some photos I took yesterday (Saturday) at the TWO festivals that were taking place.

The first one I stopped by in the morning was the Webster Garlic Fest, which by 11 a.m. was already packed with visitors, overflowing the Webster Recreation Center’s parking lot (don’t worry, there are shuttle buses from the Xerox lot across the street).

I visited the food trucks, met a king and queen, pet a HUGE tortoise, came nose to nose with some alpacas, AWWWWW-ed at baby goats in pajamas, and of course perused the more than 100 vendors booths selling everything under the sun (not just garlic).

I mean, it was so amazing and so much fun. Plus, they’re doing it all again today.

The Webster Garlic Fest is open today — Sunday — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1650 Chiyoda Dr. Admission is only $5 and all proceeds benefit Wreaths Across America, Blue Star Mothers ROC and Gold Star Mothers Rochester. Visit the website for more information about everything that’s going on. In the meantime, here are some photos:

Then yesterday afternoon I definitely made sure to carve out some time to attend the Barry’s Irish Festival, held for the first time at Fireman’s Field in the Village of Webster.

I wanted to go not only because I knew it would be a great place to enjoy Irish music and dance and beer, but more than anything else, I looked forward to reconnecting with some Barry’s Old School friends and family members whom I haven’t seen in a year or more.

And there was a lot of that, which filled my heart with happiness. I saw faces and smiles I haven’t seen in forever, and shared SO MANY hugs. And the grounds were packed. It was like everybody in a 100-square mile radius (not just Webster) was chomping at the bit for an Irish festival. Being able to see old Barry’s friends was a delightful bonus.

From the look of things, the festival was an enormous success. Fireman’s Field was the perfect venue, offering plenty of space for vendors, a big stage for musicians, dance floor for dancers, Gaelic Football practice, Corn Hole tournament, food trucks, beer sales, the Raffle Castle … plus some new features like the very popular Battle of the Bartenders.

Despite dire predictions of bad weather, most of the day was sunny, albeit cool, which actually was pretty perfect for a festival. It gave me an excuse, for example, to wear my Barry’s Old School Irish hoodie.

Here are some photos from THAT festival:

  • Rusty Kettle
  • The whole Barry’s gang … and friends
  • Two huge backdrops from Barry’s Old School Irish created a pub atmosphere in the “pubvilion”

* * *

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 9/8/2024)

Rec Center child care lets adults enjoy the facilities while their kids and grandkids have fun

26 Aug

Every so often, while I’m in the gym at the Webster Recreation Center doing my workout, I look over and see several little faces in a window, peeking out at everyone from a small room adjacent to the gym.

The room is the Webster Recreation Center’s child care space, and the kids were taking a break from playing with toys, or doing a craft or coloring. As a regular Rec Center visitor, I’ve often wondered about their child care services. Although I’ve never had to take advantage of them myself, I think it’s a valuable offering for their members. So I thought maybe it’s something I should highlight for others.

The program is actually called Stay ‘n Play, and it’s a totally FREE service provided to Rec Center members. Basically, it’s supervised childcare, provided by fully vetted and trained staff members, which parents and grandparents can use while they participate in Rec Center activities.

It’s a win/win for everybody. Children have fun playing and crafting and socializing, while their adults are having fun working out, taking part in a fitness program, or relaxing in the lounge doing some of their own socializing.

Fitness Coordinator Jay Verna said about the program, “Our goal is to create the best experience for our members and their families to live their best lives.” For the adults, that means they can better their lives by working out or visiting with friends. For the kids, it means the opportunity to play with other children, make friends, take part in inter-generational activities and more.

Jay added,

In today’s busy world, life happens, and too often parents and grandparents focus so much on the kids that they neglect their own sanity and well-being. At the Webster Recreation Center, we’re always looking for ways to better serve our community and give them opportunities to relieve the stresses of daily life. Our Stay ‘n Play child watch program allows parents and caregivers a chance to focus on themselves while our caring staff engage with their kids.

The Stay ‘n Play program is for children, nieces, nephews (and don’t forget grandchildren!) ages 6 months to 12 years. All staff members are certified in CPR and first aid and must pass a background check before being hired. It’s offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Please note: potty training is not required but parents, grandparents etc. must be prepared to attend to their child’s bathroom needs when called upon.)

The Webster Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

Jay Verna

* * *

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 8/26/2024)

Thank you, McAllister Signs, from all us hikers

17 Aug

My regular blog readers know how much I love our Webster trail system, and how often I preach that we should NOT take it for granted. The Friends of Webster Trails — all volunteers — do an excellent job building and maintaining these trails, which now number more than 30 and stretch for 36 miles.

But today I have to fess up. There’s something about these trails that even I’ve taken for granted: the signage.

Whenever I hike our trails, I’ve come to expect that anytime I wonder where I am or how far I’ve come on a particular spur, right around the corner there’s going to be a multi-colored map pinpointing my exact location. Recently, I learned that we have McAllister Signs to thank.

This is the message I saw on the Friends of Webster Trails Facebook page:

That way? This way? Which way?

When you’re in one of Webster’s preserves, there’s never a question, thanks to the amazing maps from our partner, McAllister Signs. When new trails were added to Four Mile Creek, Friends mapped the trail and McAllister made the high-quality signs you see at each intersection. Thanks, McAllister!

Yes, thank you, McAllister Signs, from all of us who enjoy Webster’s natural beauty.

* * *

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 8/16/2024)

Annette’s Cafe to replace Mozzeroni’s in the village

16 Aug

The Village of Webster is getting a cafe.

Work will begin soon on the village’s newest little restaurant, Annette’s, which will be taking over the Mozzeroni’s location at 27 West Main St.

If you’re at all familiar with the Pultneyville Deli on Lake Rd. in Williamson, you already know the kind of quality, home-cooked meals that you’ll find at Annette’s, because the owner, Nan Kent, also owns the Deli. She said that her plans are to be open for lunch and dinner, offering “unique sandwiches, salads, pizzas, comfort food and a few starters. Much of our food at the deli is homemade, and we want to bring that same quality to Annette’s.”

Renovations to the old Mozzeroni’s will begin on Sept. 1. Nan said,

We are changing out the old floor, tables, paint colors and freshening up the location to give it some warmth & character. We are working on some new menu dishes in the kitchen in Pultneyville, including a retro reuben, blueberry pizza and some vegan dishes. We are also bringing a few of our best-selling sandwich items from the deli. 

She hopes to be able to open sometime in October, but added, “these things take as long as they take, so it may be November.”

As for the name? It fits perfectly with the new cafe’s small town, family-oriented approach.

Nan explained, “Annette’s is named after my late mom, who together with my dad raised five kids, and she had a hard and fast rule that we all sat down and ate dinner together every night.” 

Sounds like Annette’s is going to be a perfect fit for the Village of Webster. Stay tuned for more updates.

* * *

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 8/16/2024)

Webster community mailbag

13 Aug

You’re going to see a lot of repeats in this week’s mailbag, because there are a LOT of great events still coming up this summer.

Let’s begin with news from the Webster Recreation Center. Earlier this month they sent out their 55+ August newsletter, and while I won’t tell you everything that’s in (you can click on the link and read it for yourself), there are a few things I want to highlight.

The first is their Talks on Tuesday series, which is a variety of FREE lectures and presentations for adult learners over age 55. They run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday, and registration is requested. But you do NOT have to be a member of the Rec Center to attend. Click the link above to see what’s coming up.

The Rec Center’s final Music at the Arb concert is coming up Thursday Aug. 22 when popular local entertainer Sarah De Vallière takes to the Arberetum’s gazebo stage. The concert will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., and it’s free and open to the community. There’s plenty of room for music lovers to relax in chairs or on blankets, with a cooler at their side filled with drinks and snacks.

The Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Rec Center at the Red Wings

This Friday Aug. 16, the Webster Recreation Center will be partnering with the Red Wings to host a Webster Community Night. The focus will be on our community that evening; Supervisor Tom Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem. (Yes, the same Sarah De Vallière I talked about above).

The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10; click here to get yours.

Webster Union Cemetery turns 200

Here’s a reminder about a great opportunity to learn more about Webster history by actually speaking to some of its earliest settlers. (Well, not really. But we can pretend.)

On Saturday Aug. 17 From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Webster Union Cemetery will celebrate its 200th anniversary. Visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and chat with some of the people who founded our town. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation.

The celebration will take place Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Union Cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Admission is free.

Read more about this important celebration in this blog.

Free rabies clinic

On Wednesday Aug. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Town of Webster is partnering with Monroe County Department of Public Health to host a free rabies vaccination clinic at the Webster Highway Department, 1005 Picture Parkway.

All dogs in the Town of Webster are required to be licensed with proof of a current rabies vaccination.

Support the Marching Band. Eat good food

The Webster Marching Band will host a Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday Aug. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fireman’s Field, 172 Sanford St.

The band promises at least 13 food trucks and vendors, more than 30 draft vendors, a kids’ play place ($10 per child), free face painting, vendor raffles and a 50/50 drawing. The band will also be offering a preview of their 2024 show, “Death of a Star,” with performances at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce Breakfast is Aug. 23

The Webster Chamber of Commerce’s next monthly Breakfast Before Business Meeting, is Friday Aug. 23 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. 

There’s a new location! Beginning this month, the meetings will be held at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

The meetings begin with networking time. Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m., and afterwards, every attendee will get a chance to introduce themselves at pass-the-mic time. Door prizes will also be awarded, and you can get even more recognition for your business if you bring one to add to the pot.

These events are open to the public as well as Chamber members. Cost is $19 and reservations are required. Click here to do so.

Blood drives near you

Several blood drives have been scheduled in our area over the next month. Here’s the rundown:

  • Thursday Aug. 29, 1-6 p.m., Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.
  • Wednesday Sept. 4, 8 a.m. to noon, Bay View YMCA, 1209 Bay Rd.
  • Friday Aug. 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Laurelton Fire Dept., 405 Empire Blvd.
  • Tuesday Sept. 10, 1-6 p.m., St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.
  • Wednesday Sept. 11, 1-6 p.m., Webster American Legion, 818 Ridge Rd.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to sign up and learn more about the August and September giveaways. Or log onto redcrossblood.org.

* * *

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 8/13/2024)

Photos from the Kiddie Costume Parade

14 Jul

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been in town for the Kiddie Parade, so I was glad to be able to attend this year’s event. The firefighters changed the route this year from the village streets to the carnival grounds, “due to concerns regarding the length of the parade and safety issues with the parade occurring on the roads.” I was somewhat disappointed with that change, because I think it reduced the audience (and the candy-throwing, which kids love to do) and perhaps even the number of participants.

So this year, the costume parade began at the carnival’s beer tent, and took three laps through the grounds, led by an eclectic and always entertaining marching band (don’t know their name, unfortunately). I took a bunch of photos, and I apologize if there are duplicates of many of the kids because I didn’t want to miss anyone.

They’re all in this gallery.

* * *

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 7/14/2024)

Webster community mailbag

13 Jul

I begin today’s mailbag with a fun and free family event happening at Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.

It’s the fourth annual Heroes Helping Heroes Day, this coming Saturday July 20. Local first responders will spend the day at Miracle Field, playing with and against some of our amazing Challenger athletes. In addition to the entertaining baseball games, the chance to meet some local first responders and get a close-up look at some of their equipment, there’ll be food, carnival games, an Iron Man obstacle course, a dunk tank, the Zoo Mobile and lots more.

It all takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the field, 1000 Ridge Rd., Webster. If you have any questions, reach out to challengerdirec​tor@gmail.com or visit Rochestermiraclefield.org.

And now for some reminders previously mentioned in other mailbags:

Free concert at the Arboretum

The next “Music at the Arb” concert, sponsored by the Webster Recreation Center at the Webster Arboretum, is scheduled for Thursday July 18, featuring Doctor’s Orders, an acoustic folk and pop duo playing a variety of songs from the Beatles to John Prine, and pretty much everything in between.

The concert will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., is free and open to the public, and there’s plenty of parking. Bring a chair or a blanket, fill a cooler with dinner and drinks, and enjoy a pleasant evening of music.

The Arboretum talks about herbs

The next program in the Webster Arboretum’s Timely Topics Walk and Talk series is coming up this week, also on July 18.

On Thursday, July 18 at 1:30 p.m., Janet Robert and Beverly Gibson will show and tell about the Arboretum’s outstanding herb garden. Beverly will discuss the origin of the garden and the variety of herbs in each of the six themed beds.

This free, educational and lively herb discussion will be held July 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd.  Visit the Webster Arboretum website to register for this free talk at the Arboretum. 

The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Music, music, music in the village

Music’s going wild this summer in the Village of Webster.

The Webster Jazz Festival comes to West Main Street on Friday and Saturday August 9 and 10 with a Super two day lineup featuring Bill Tiberio, Judah Sealy, Sofrito Latin Jazz, Prime Time Funk and many more.

The Friday Night Memorial Gazebo Park Concerts start on Friday July 19 at 7:00 p.m. That’s Beatles Week so come and celebrate the 60th year Anniversary of the Beatles’ 1964 USA tour with Eight Days a Week.

Remember, admission is always free at village events, which are brought to you by the Village of Webster Business Improvement District.

Baseball is on tap at Webster community night

On Friday Aug. 16, the Webster Recreation Center will be partnering with the Red Wings to host a Webster Community Night. The focus will be on our community that evening; Supervisor Tim Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem.

The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10 click here to reserve yours.

Webster Union Cemetery celebrates 200 years

Don’t forget about this amazing opportunity to “meet” some of Webster’s earliest settlers, at the 200th Anniversary Celebration for Webster Union Ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 17.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and chat with some of the people who founded our town. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation.

The 200th Anniversary Celebration will take place Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Union Cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Admission is free.

* * *

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 7/13/2024)

Introducing the Women’s Club of Webster

25 Jun

Today I’d like to highlight a local organization in which I’ve become pretty involved, the Women’s Club of Webster.

The Women’s Club is a group of women of all ages and from many different backgrounds, all dedicated to supporting charitable, cultural and educational causes through volunteering.

I first attended a luncheon meeting of the Women’s Club of Webster last September. I was invited to be that month’s guest speaker, and made a presentation all about Webster on the Web. I learned a lot about the club that day, and made some new friends. I came away very impressed with the group and their mission, and joined the very next month.

Since then, I’ve continued to learn more and more about the club, their social activities, and the organizations which benefit from their donations. And there are a lot of them, including the Webster Comfort Care Home, Webster Library, Webster Museum, Challenger Miracle Field, NY Hope, scholarships including and MCC College of Nursing Scholarship and Webster High School Service Award, and a half dozen other causes.

There are three big fundraisers every year which you might have seen advertised: a card party in November, a Christmas Cookie Sale and the big Spring Fashion Show. The ladies gather socially at monthly card parties, make crafts to be sold at Rochester General Hospital, and do community service projects (if you’re a regular blood donor, you’ve probably enjoyed their cookies at a blood drive).

Clearly, WCW members are out in the community a lot, and announcements about their fundraisers and service projects hit the Webster Herald and social media regularly. Still, pretty much every time I mention to someone that I belong to the group, I’m almost always asked, “There’s a Women’s Club of Webster?” So that is why I titled this blog how I did. Because I want you all to know about it and all of the great things these ladies do.

I said earlier that I’ve become pretty involved with the Women’s Club recently. Not only have I been attending the meetings regularly, but I was also recently elected to the position of first vice president. At the June meeting last Thursday, several new officers were officially installed, and I was honored to accept the vice presidency alongside president Diana Holzwasser, second vice president Judy Gerew, Recording Secretary Peg Berry, Corresponding Secretary Marge Martellotta and Treasurer Susan Woodward.

I look forward to becoming an even more active member of the Women’s Club of Webster, contributing to the club’s mission of supporting local nonprofit organizations, and making Webster better.

Interested in finding out more about the Women’s Club of Webster? Check out the Facebook page here or call Nancy Melrose at 585-330-9928. I hope to see you at a meeting soon.

* * *

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 6/25/2024)

Tags: , ,

Radio Club Field Day will broadcast again from Kent Park

16 Jun

If you’re interested in amateur radio even a little bit, you’ll want to head out to Kent Park this weekend, June 22 to 23, to check out the annual XRX Amateur Radio Club Field Day. It’s a day when radio operators from all over the area come together to practice their skills totally “off the grid.”

Held on the fourth weekend in June every year, Field Day is an nationwide event, held simultaneously with 1000 similar stations across the US and Canada over a 24-hour period and involving more than 30,000 radio amateurs. Operators communicate via voice, Morse code and computers connected to transmitters.

On Field Day, operators are challenged to transport their equipment away from their homes, set up in a park or remote area, rebuild their stations, put up antennas and broadcast in quasi-emergency conditions, without drawing electricity from RG&E or using the internet or cell phones.

ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio, describes Field Day as the “single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada.”

They add,

Field Day is a picnic, a camp out, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of all, FUN! It is a time where many aspects of Amateur Radio come together to highlight our many roles. While some will treat it as a contest, other groups use the opportunity to practice their emergency response capabilities.

The challenge is simply to contact as many other stations as possible during the 24-hour window, which begins Saturday at 2 p.m. and continues overnight through Sunday at 2 p.m., overcoming any challenges thrown by weather or technical problems along the way.

This year’s Field Day will feature a brand new twist, called a “fox hunt.”  In this case, the “fox” is a hidden miniature radio transmitter, and the object is to use radio-location to find it. Field Day Chair Bob Karz explains that “the skills we develop (in the fox hunt) help us identify and track down interference, deliberate or otherwise, with our communications. Indeed, we used our fox hunting skills this past year to track down deliberate interference with some of our equipment.”  

Bob also said that, surprisingly, the intense solar activity that led to the spectacular auroras last month and temporarily disrupted radio communications world-wide actually improves radio communications the rest of the time. So they’re expecting make even more contacts this year than usual.

The XRX Radio Club will be operating from the lower soccer fields of Kent Park on Schlegel Rd. The club typically sets up several broadcast stations, complete with generators, computers, transmitters, and all manner of antennas. (Click here to check out the blog I wrote about 2021’s Field Day.)

Visitors are more than welcome to stop by. Equipment set-up will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and the exercise begins at 2 p.m., running through 2 p.m. Sunday. These radio amateurs are always happy to share their passion with interested onlookers, and you may even get the chance to make an “on-the-air” contact yourself.

* * *

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 6/16/2024)

Tags: , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →