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Goodbye, my friend

6 Mar

carol_klemWebster began the painful process today of saying goodbye to one of the village’s most precious people, Carol Klem.

Carol passed away peacefully on Saturday March 3, surrounded by her family.

I know I was just one of hundreds to file through Willard Scott Funeral Home this afternoon and evening. But I’m certain that each and every one of those mourners came with a different story, a different memory, a different reason that Carol will be sorely missed.

I knew Carol for less than 10 years, but we shared a passion for local journalism, and a love for the village. When we first met — I don’t remember when or where it was, but it was probably at some village event — we immediately hit it off.  Aside from bonding over our love of writing and journalism, we recognized in each other the same determination to live life fully, not take life too seriously, and never completely grow up.

I will miss our gab sessions at Barry’s and Golden Boys, when we would get together to swap story ideas and gossip. I will miss seeing her swinging her little digital camera at village events. I will miss her ever-present smile, boundless energy and joie de vivre.

Her passing has created an ache in my heart and a rip in the fabric of our village which will take a long time to heal.

Carol Klem’s funeral will be held on Wednesday March 7, at  11:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Rd., Webster. Interment will follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Webster Arboretum. Click here to read the complete obituary.

Also, if you haven’t found it yet, here is the link to the article I wrote for the Webster Herald in November in anticipation of Carol Klem Day in the village.

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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 mailbag (redux)

1 Mar

It always happens.

I post a mailbag one day, and the next day I find out about — or am reminded  of — several other events which I should have included. So pardon the redundancy, but here is this week’s mailbag, part 2.

Start your Friday night with dinner

spaghettiBoy Scout Troop 110 will host a spaghetti dinner on Friday March 2 at 7 p.m. at the Webster Masonic Lodge, 30 Orchard Street.

Dinner will include salad, bread, spaghetti with meatballs, ice cream, coffee and water. Tickets are $9 each and will be available at the door.

Spry vs. Willink Basketball 

After dinner,  how about taking in a friendly basketball game?

The Webster Willink and Spry Middle School Student Councils are once again sponsoring the annual benefit basketball game between Willink and Spry students, staff, and new this year, special guests Rochester Wheels wheelchair basketball team.

The game will be held Friday March 2, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gymnasium. Tickets are $5 each and will be available at the door.  Refreshments and other concessions will be available for purchase.

This year the Spry Student Council will be donating their proceeds to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; and the Willink Student Council will be donating their proceeds to the Jack Foundation.

basketball

The evening will begin with three student games, featuring Spry vs. Willink 6th, 7th and 8th graders. After those, Spry and Willink faculty members will join forces to play the Rochester Wheels. It should be some great family-friendly fun.

Webster Schroeder High School is at 875 Ridge Road, Webster.

Need more basketball? 

The 5th annual Rumble on the Ridge, Webster Thomas faculty vs. Webster Schroeder faculty basketball game, will be held Saturday March 3 at Webster Schroeder, beginning at 6 p.m.

Cost is $5 per person at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Jack Foundation, Rochester Challenger Miracle Field and the Webster United Basketball Team.

Organizers promise that “it won’t be great basketball, but it will be entertaining.”

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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

1 Mar

The brand new ROC & Soul Fitness studio in the village has a few fun events coming up this month.

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The first is a St. Patrick’s Day special class on Saturday March 10. Katie, one of the studio’s barre instructors, will combine her love of barre and Irish dance to teach something she calls a Barre Jig. The class will begin at 8 a.m. and there’s no dance experience needed.

Next, the studio will host its first Open House/Wellness Day on Saturday, March 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.  It will bring together many Webster and Rochester businesses to give health tips and wellness inspiration to our community.

Some of the events that day include:

  • A FREE barre class
  • Lunch catered by CoreLife Eatery
  • Healthy treats from The Village Bakery
  • Two speakers (Sarah Ormsby- a mental health counselor and Sarah Goodenough who owns Kitchen-Verde and was featured in People Magazine).
  • Other local businesses including RSalon, Oils by Erin, Athleta, ​Lorraine Staunch Art, and Arbonne Shakes.

ROC & Soul Fitness is located at 43 East Main Street in Webster, in that little plaza behind the Prime.

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Hey parents: If one of your kids is thinking about college, this news is for you, brought to you by the Webster Central School District:

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will host the Rochester National College Fair, on Sunday, March 18 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and Monday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Attendees can meet one-on-one with admission representatives from public and private colleges and universities, including some international institutions. Both two- and four-year schools will be featured. Gap-year programs have also been invited to exhibit.

Participants will receive tips on how to navigate the college selection process, and learn more about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings, and campus life. Students and parents can also discuss individual needs with college experts at the fair’s counseling center.

Complete information about the fair, including free student registration, can be found at www.nacacfairs.org.

The event is free and open to the public.

WFD facebook

Finally, If you’ve ever wanted to get a peek behind the scenes at a working firehouse, it just got a lot easier.

The Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page is enjoying a kind of rebirth. It’s recently come alive with news and photos from all aspects of the department’s day-to-day operations.

Just in the last few days, for example, there have been photos of the new recruit class and one from a training session, and a link to a TV news story about a local fire to which the WVFD responded.

That’s just the beginning. You’ll want to like the page to stay up to date on what’s happening with your local firefighters. I think you’ll be surprised how busy they are (even when they’re not out on call) and how connected they are with our community.

Check out the WVFD Facebook page here.

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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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The Filling Station is open for dinner!

7 Feb

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After what seemed like forever, the news everyone has been waiting for has finally come — The Filling Station will finally be open for lunch — AND dinner — starting this evening.

That is, barring unseen complications or a snowstorm keeping them from driving to Buffalo and picking up their liquor license this morning. But Wendy assures me there’s no way that’s going to happen. Sounds like they would hire an actual snowplow to get there and back if need be.

For the last three days the new pub and grill at 77 East Main Street has only been open for lunch, lacking that magical liquor license. But even so, they saw a steady stream of customers, old and new friends showing their love and support.

And they’re very appreciative.

So starting today, the new Filling Station hours will be Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m to 11 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 11 to midnight and Sundays noon to 11.

Connect with them on Facebook and on the web.

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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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Good news from the Filling Station

3 Feb

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This is news everyone has been waiting for … sort of.

The new Filling Station Pub and Grill will open beginning tomorrow, Sunday February 4, for lunches only. They’re still working on getting a transfer of their liquor license, so thy can’t serve liquor yet, but hopefully that will also happen soon.

So for right now, hours will be Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

The Filling Station is located at 77 East Main Street in the old Burger King/Original Mac and Cheez building.

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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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Capt. Brad Ball named Firefighter of the Year

2 Feb

Ball-Brad-9955_57_thumbThere are lots of benefits to writing this blog. One of the best is that I get to meet — and become friends with — some of the finest people who ever walked the streets of this town. Captain Brad Ball of the Webster Volunteer Fire Department is one of them.

That’s why I am pleased to pass on the news that Capt. Ball was recently named the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s 2018 Firefighter of the Year.

Here’s an excerpt from the write-up on Capt. Ball from the WFD website:

A lifelong resident of the Town of Webster, Brad chose to serve his community as a volunteer firefighter. Words often used to describe Brad include reliable, responsive, competent and resolute. As one of Webster’s most active and dependable firefighters Brad rose through the ranks to the rank of Captain. …

The ability to serve and protect the community ultimately relies on a department’s most vital asset, its people. … For nearly a decade Captain Ball has coordinated and conducted the recruit training for Webster’s nearly 75 new firefighters. …Captain Ball instills in his recruits a feeling of welcoming camaraderie that has helped foster an outstanding retention rate for new firefighters.

For nearly 4 decades Brad Ball has served his community as a volunteer firefighter. Brad’s service includes 11 years as a Line Officer. He has performed his duties and responsibilities in a remarkable manner and to the highest standards. From his recruit training efforts, to his Line Officer contributions, to his everyday rock solid firefighting performance, Brad has continuously demonstrated his dedication to community and commitment to excellence. Brad is considered a true leader by his peers and the Webster Volunteer Fire Department and the community we serve are extremely fortunate and grateful for his service.

We in Webster owe a huge debt of thanks to the dedicated men and women of our fire departments. “Cap” epitomizes the commitment each one of them shows every day, and the kind of quality people they are.

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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 Monday Mailbag

28 Jan

Happy new week! Here are some neat events coming up you might want to check out, starting with Willink Middle School’s upcoming production of Legally Blonde, Jr.

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Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical Jr. is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The show’s instantly recognizable songs are filled with humor, wit and sass – leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink!

Legally Blonde Jr. follows the transformation of Elle Woods (Sarah Lewandowski) as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. When Elle’s high school boyfriend, Warner, (Jacob Sukhenko) dumps her and heads to Harvard, claiming she’s not “serious” enough, Elle takes matters into her own hands, crafting a showy song-and-dance personal essay and charming her way into law school. Befriending classmate, Emmett (Jake Groff), and spunky hairdresser, Paulette (Shanna Smith), along the way, Elle finds that books and looks aren’t mutually exclusive.

An energetic case and crew numbering more than 100 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have been working hard for months to bring this show the stage, and you’re gonna be impressed with the results.

Legally Blonde Jr. will be performed at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway, on Friday February 2 at 7:30 and Saturday February 3rd at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and can be purchased through the Drama Club website the week beginning this week.

Les Miz Tickets on Sale

And since we’re talking school musical productions, I should mention that tickets are now on sale for Webster Schroeder High School’s production of Les Miserables. 

The show will take the stage in four shows February 8 through 11.

Reserve tickets are $12, and can be purchased online by clicking here. You can also get them at Wegmans and at the door if it’s not sold out.

 Free Mardi Gras Pancake Supper

St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Road, will host a free Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday February 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu will include sausage and applesauce, and unlimited pancakes.

You’re invited to attend this family-friendly event in your most festival Mardi Gras attire, and there will be plenty of beads for everyone. Plus, you’ll be able to make your own masks.

The dinner is free, but a free-will offering for outreach projects can be made. Call the church at 671-1899 with questions or to reserve seats.

Pancake Breakfast at Rochester Christian School

PCBF2018If you don’t get your fill of pancakes at St. Martin, make sure to visit Rochester Christian School on Saturday February 23, for their annual breakfast, which will benefit the VIP playground project.

This is the school’s 23rd annual event. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, fruit, milk, juice and coffee. Plus, there will be family-friendly games, so make sure to bring the kids.

Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 11:30 am at the school, 260 Embury Road. Tickets are $6 for adults, (max $25 per family) and free for children under 2.

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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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An(other) update on the Filling Station

20 Jan

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The sign has been installed on the front of the building, the decorations and photographs are hung on the walls, and all of the video games and furniture pieces are ready to be pushed into place.

But if you were to stop into the new Filling Station Pub and Grill, which is (slowly) moving into the old Burger King/Original Mac and Cheez building at 77 East Main Street, you’d see that things are still in disarray, and you wouldn’t believe the owners were planning to open anytime soon.

When I visited last week, I was assured that even though things look amazingly disorganized, by Monday, everything will be assembled, installed, cleaned and looking beautiful. The only thing they’ll still have left to do is paperwork.

Even though making sure all the “i”s are dotted and “t”s are crossed has been a struggle at times, they’re hopeful that everything will finally be in place to open by the end of January. You’ll know when you see all the neon signs in the front window click on — including the big one that says “OPEN”!

I’ll also let you know through this blog, so stay tuned.

 

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Chip off the old blog

19 Jan

IMG_20180119_070716225There’s a new columnist in town, and it’s a proud mommy moment for me.

My daughter Erin has officially become a new columnist for the Webster Herald. Her column, which she is calling the “Village Beat,” will be published every two weeks in the Herald, and on the village website.

Erin is taking the reins from long-time Webster Herald columnist Carol Klem, who wrote the very popular “Village Focus” column for 12 years.  Knowing that there is really no way to replace Carol Klem, Erin explained in her first column, published on January 3, that she’ll be approaching the piece a bit differently.

She wrote,

I don’t live in the village like Carol does; I’m a Webster native, but I’m a few miles away from the center of town. For me, village life isn’t something I’ve spent my time surrounded by, at least not until the last few years. Still, that doesn’t mean I haven’t felt at home out on Main Street. The village is a place I go in order to meet with friends, spend time with family, have a pint. It’s where I go for experiences that are new and familiar at the same time. Every day is a different experience out there, but no less rewarding. Now I just have the privilege of being able to write down and share those experiences with you.

Now that the Village Beat is column is up and running (her second installment was published this week), Erin needs your help.

She’s going to need your press releases and emails, letting her know what’s going on in the village.  She’s going to want to know about your special events, important anniversaries, heartwarming village stories about village people and places. Let’s start flooding her email box with ideas for future columns, and help her share with everyone else all the things we love about the Village of Webster.

Email your news to webstervillagebeat@gmail.com.

And remember to check out the new column in the Webster Herald and online.

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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’s new Ploty’s Tavern strives for hometown feeling

29 Dec

bar 3

There’s a new tavern in town, and from the looks of it, its going to be a pretty popular place.

It’s called Ploty’s Hometown Tavern, and it’s located at 27 West Main Street, where the Vino Lounge used to be, in the lower level of shops behind The Coach and Mozzeroni’s.

eric and kourtney

New tavern owners Kourtney and Eric Plotzker

The unusual name is derived from the last name of the new owners, Eric and Kourtney Plotzker.  Both are Webster natives, and are excited about the opportunity to become an integral part of their hometown.

Kourtney said that owning a bar has been a long-time dream for Eric, who is stepping into the role after working for 11 years in the beverage industry with Pepsi. 

“Every year he’s been saying he’d like to do his own thing,” she said. “He’d always wanted to have his own local bar … in Webster. We have a lot of family and friends here.” 

They’d been looking around for about three months for just the right place, when one day a friend told them that the Vino location had been listed.

That’s when “the stars aligned,” Eric said. It was a great location, a nice size, and it came furnished. It was a done deal. 

Those who frequented the old Vino Lounge will see that Eric and Kourtney have pretty much changed everything to make the new tavern their own.

Everything is much brighter and …well, homier. The wall of dark curtains has been replaced with a hand-built wainscoting made from pallets. The new paint job throughout features pastel colors, and new lighting makes it easier for patrons to see each other while they chat.

True to its name, Ploty’s Hometown Tavern also has much more of a bar feel than the Vino. There are two dart boards and seven TVs, mostly featuring sporting events. There’s also a wall-mounted “Touch Tunes” digital juke box.

And of course there’s beer; 10 rotating taps hosting a variety of domestics and imports, lots of bottle beers and IPAs, and a wall filled with whiskey and spirits.

But as much as Ploty’s is a bar, Eric and Kourtney have made great efforts through the decor to give the place a hometown, rustic feel, in ways to help it create its own identity separate from Burke’s, The Coach and Barry’s.

“I wanted it to be a very comfortable place,” Kourtney said. “We wanted to be local and hometown and familiar. You come in and feel like you know people (and) feel at home.”  

Ploty’s Hometown Tavern will celebrate its official grand opening this weekend with three days of special events and special drink prices.

On Saturday December 30, Matthew Stephens, lead guitarist from the Zac Brown Tribute Band will play beginning at 9:30 p.m., and patrons will enjoy $2 Genny Lite bottles, $2.50 well drinks and $3 drafts, plus free appetizers.

Sunday will be their New Year’s Eve Hometown Bash with drinks and free appetizers from 5 to 8 p.m., a special cocktail menu featuring whiskeys and martinis, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Monday is NCAA Bowl Game Day. Bloody Marys and mimosas will be served beginning at noon, pitchers will be just $6 and pizza and wings will be served.

You can read more about Ploty’s and get more details about their grand opening weekend festivities at their Facebook page and website.

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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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