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Local Cub Scouts caring for the environment

14 Apr

Earth Day is still a week away, but Webster Cub Scout Pack 108 got a head start yesterday, when they cleaned up Veterans Memorial Park in the Village of Webster.

Cubmaster Amy Schell wrote that this is the third year the Pack 108 cleaned the park. “We had nine Cubs, first graders through fourth graders from State Road School help,” she said. “Also helping were two siblings and nine parents. This is one of our favorite service projects. We collected 10 bags of garbage, had fun and got some fresh air.”

The effort was sponsored by Delta Laboratories and Friendly’s restaurant.

Amy also snapped the photos you see here.

Super job, kids!  You’re a great example of why Webster is such a wonderful place to live.

 

Was Mary Todd Lincoln insane?

5 Mar

A fascinating program scheduled for this weekend in Webster will explore the question of whether Mary Todd Lincoln was deranged — or just depressed.

Photo of Mary Todd Lincoln by Matthew Brady from Wikimedia Commons.

Apparently it is common knowledge that the wife of Abraham Lincoln was considered a “lunatic,” to use the accepted term of the day.  But there are some who believe that Mary Todd Lincoln was suffering not from lunacy, but from depression.

One of those people is Patricia Nugent, an East Irondequoit native who has written about the subject in the online edition of Ms. Magazine. In her article, she writes,

Many of us know that the former First Lady was convicted of lunacy, instigated by her eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln. She spent almost four months in an insane asylum until she was able to enlist support for a retrial, at which she was declared sane once more.

What we don’t know much about is what led to the behavior that was considered lunacy in the court of public opinion and a court of law…my assessment is that Mary Todd Lincoln suffered innumerable losses in her life and had few socially acceptable means of expressing her sorrow. Such bottled-up sadness resulted in acting out behavior that was interpreted as insanity.

Those losses included the death of her mother when she was just six years old, rejection by her stepmother, the loss of three of her four sons, and, of course, the assassination of her beloved husband. Her eldest (and only surviving) son, was no support at all.  He was “cold, judgmental and unaffectionate,” Nugent wrote.

I’d say that’s an understatement. For crying out loud, he had his mother convicted of lunacy.

Nugent will discuss her article at a presentation from 2-4 pm this Sunday March 10, at the Harmony House, 58 East Main Street, Webster. The public is invited to join the discussion and learn more about this tragic woman whom Abraham Lincoln loved so dearly, but whom historians call “one of the most detested women in American history.”

The event is being sponsored by Yesterday’s Muse Books, and there is no charge. Refreshments will be provided by Webster Gourmet.  For more information, call (585) 265-9295.

Time to get a scone and restock my story ideas

18 Feb

Anyone who thinks I know a lot about the village and town of Webster has not met Carol Klem. Carol writes the “Village Focus” column for the village website, which you may have also seen when it’s cross-posted in the Webster Herald.   She is the eyes and ears of Webster, much more than I will ever be. To steal an oft-used phrase, Carol has forgotten more information about the people and places of Webster than I will ever know.

I was reminded of that when I read her most recent column on the website, in which she included a very nice review of the new Prime restaurant on East Main Street.  Not only did she write a terrific article, but she did a heck of a lot better job with it than I ever would.  So good that any blog I would write would be redundant (so click here to read all about the Prime and its new owner).

The reason I happened by Carol’s column was that I’m planning to meet her this morning for scones and coffee at Barry’s Old School Irish. I’m trying to make this a monthly event partly because we have so much fun together. Nothing like sitting two crazy-lady local journalists across the table from one another. We hardly take a breath for the stories we tell, and laugh so hard my side hurts.

But I have another, more selfish reason for meeting:  To restock my story ideas.

Guaranteed when I walk out of Barry’s this morning, my reporter’s pad will be overflowing with news of the town and its businesses and people just begging to be blogged about.  Basically, Carol knows so many things about what’s happening in this town, she can’t write about them all, so she tosses some my way.  I buy her scones. It’s a win-win.

 

Fantastic(ks)!

13 Feb

Webster’s own Working Class Theatre Company (WCTC) will be holding auditions for its upcoming summer 2013 production of The Fantasticks, to be performed July 31-August 4 at the gazebo in Veterans Memorial Park on North Avenue in Webster.

The Fantasticks is an American theater classic. Originally performed off-Broadway in 1960, the production ran a total of 42 years and 17,162 performances, making it the world’s longest-running musical.  As described on the WCTC website,

When two teens from opposing families get swept up in all the romantic notions of love and adventure, a merry cast of roving bandits sets out to teach them and the audience that there is more to love than just flowers and pretty metaphors!  Performed on a minimalist but charming set, using a variety of performing styles (including clowning, circus arts, mime, and acrobatics) and filled with catchy, memorable songs that have become American standards (“Try To Remember” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” among them), The Fantasticks is a fun-filled, entertaining, and magical evening of theater for the whole family. 

Actors are needed for the roles of El Gallo, the narrator; Matt, the boy in love; Luisa, the girl in love; Hucklebee and Bellamy, the fathers; Henry and Mortimer, the old actors/clowns; and the mute.  Auditions will be held Sunday March 24 and Monday March 25. For details on what to prepare for the auditions, and to make an appointment, visit the Working Class Theatre Company website at workingclasstheatre.net.

This will be the WCTC’s first musical, and their third production at the gazebo.  Not only are these performances very well done and very entertaining, they are presented absolutely free.  We are incredibly fortunate that the Working Class Theatre Company calls Webster its home.

 

Wednesday Webster Mailbag

8 Jan

Time again for another riveting installment of the Webster Blog Mailbag, a potpourri of interesting items that find their way to me through my various email accounts.

A special Family Fun Night at the Bay View Family YMCA this Friday January 11 will benefit the West Webster Fire Department.

From 6-8:30 pm, the Y will have activities set up throughout the building for family members of all ages to enjoy, including the huge inflatable climbing thingy, swimming, crafts, games, snacks and more. Cost is $20 per family, and all proceeds will support the fallen and recovering firefighters of the West Webster Fire Department.  All active first responders, firefighters and their families will be given free admission.

The Bay View Family YMCA is located at 1209 Bay Road, Webster.

* * *

All this month, the Webster Museum is proud to host the Great Lakes Seaway Trail War of 1812 Traveling Exhibit.

This is a beautiful exhibit of 26 quilts newly-made, but true to 1812-period quilting patterns, fabrics and colors.  It includes 20 American-made “cot-to-coffin” quilts from 11 states and six Canadian-made quilts from three provinces. The 30-inch-wide by 70-inch-long sizing represents the average height of a man during the war.  Story cards with each quilt share the factual history represented by the quilt or the imagined tale of a family sending a loved one off to the war.

The exhibit is traveling to quilt shows, museums and historic venues all along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, which follows the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River and Lake Erie in New York and Pennsylvania. Much of the War of 1812 was fought along this strategic freshwater shoreline.

Check out the exhibit yourself from January 6-20 at the Webster Museum. They’re open from 12-4 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. If you’d like to see the exhibit at some other time, call (585) 265-3308 to arrange a tour. There is no admission cost, but donations will be gratefully accepted, a portion of which will be donated to the West Webster Firefighter Fund of the Webster Community Chest.

* * *

The Webster Thomas Titans Hockey Team is hosting its first “Honor our Heroes” game on Friday Jan. 11 against division rival Victor. Thomas players will wear unique camouflage jerseys as a part of the team’s effort to honor all service members (including women and men in the military, first responders including firefighters, police officers, and EMTs).

The action starts at 5:30 pm at the Webster Ice Arena, 865 Publisher’s Parkway, Webster. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and students. Current military and veterans, as well as first responders will be admitted free of charge with ID. The team will also be running a 50/50 raffle, selling the team’s camouflage jerseys and collecting donations. All proceeds will benefit the CDS Monarch Warrior Salute program.

* * *

Finally, I wanted to pass along my personal congratulations on the engagement of one Webster’s nicest young couples, Jonathan Smalter and Kristine Rinebold of Yesterday’s Muse Books.  They officially announced the happy news in the shop’s most recent e-newsletter.

I’d like to sign off with the following, which Jonathan also wrote in that newsletter in response to the terrible events of Christmas Eve. I thought it was poignant and beautiful and perfect; words we should all live by.

Objectively, one might think that tragedies like these leave one feeling empty, in doubt of humanity, or frightened of the future. That’s certainly understandable. But having gone through this as part of the Webster community, I must say that I don’t feel that way at all. This has shown me how strong we are as a society. We show our greatest strength in the times of greatest adversity. Each time we are knocked down, we pick ourselves up and stand taller. With loss comes a greater understanding of what we have, and what is truly important.

Loss also helps us realize how lucky we are. … I gave several toasts during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations with family, acknowledging how fortunate we were to be together for the holidays, and to have these happy moments to look forward to. I’m not generally one for New Year’s resolutions, but this year I think I’ll resolve to alter my perspective a bit, whether that means realizing my problems are small in the grand scheme of things, or that the simple pleasures which sometimes seem small are actually among our greatest possessions.

 

Candlelight vigil brought together the family that is Webster

30 Dec

Click any photo to see a gallery with many more.

I have never loved Webster more than I did last night.

Despite near-blizzard conditions, an estimated 300 people gathered inside and outside Barry’s Old School Irish last night for a candlelight vigil to honor the firefighters who died and were injured in the terrible events of Christmas Eve.  Danny and Jessica Barry weren’t even planning to open their doors until 6:30, but when people started showing up before 6:00, there was no way they were going to make them stand out in the cold. By 6:30 there were so many people packed into the little pub that new arrivals were invited to go to the Garage Sale Store next door to stay warm. In the meantime, a small army of helpers prepared luminaries for the patio tables, and assembled wind-proof candles to hand out  to vigil participants.

The mood was somber, but the conversations were comforting as friends met up with friends and strangers jumped in to help with final preparations.  It was like…we were there for each other as much as we were there for the firefighters.

The vigil itself was wonderful. Judge Michael Barry and his son (and Barry’s Old School Irish owner) Danny Barry had some very beautiful comments. And when Fr. Bob Werth read the Firefighter’s Prayer, its final sentence pretty much brought everyone to tears :

And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
Please bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.

But it was when the whole crowd sang “Amazing Grace,” led by Sarah King, that I pretty much lost it.

Last night was an moving testament to the incredible community that is Webster.  We are nothing less than a big extended family, and when one — or more — of those family members needs our help, we’re there in a heartbeat. I think my new friend Dave Gambino put it best. As he sat at Barry’s pub table last night, helping with candle preparation, he said, “We have an excellent community.”

Yup. That pretty much sums it up.

And, by the way, that generous Webster spirit did not end with the vigil. People hung around for many hours afterwards in Barry’s enjoying the companionship, live music, and free Wren Day snacks. And by the end of the evening, they had stuffed the tip jars placed throughout the pub with more than $500, to be donated to the West Webster Fire Department.

Even if you were not able to join us in person last night, if you have any connection with Webster, I am certain you were with us in spirit.   For that matter, it has become very clear that people all over the country — and the world — are thinking of us this week.

Click here to see a Facebook gallery of photos from the event. (And please email me your photos to add to my gallery.) You can also find coverage of the vigil on all the local news stations and newspapers.  Probably the best TV coverage is on Channel 10.  But you can also check these sites:

Channel 13

Channel 8

And a link to the article in the D&C

Lighting of the Lights in the village this evening

15 Dec

If you think of all the twinkly village decorations, and the White Christmas and Parade of Lights as a big Christmas gift to Webster, then tonight’s event is like a big bow on top.

Tonight is the annual Lighting of the Lights, from 4- 8 pm at Hanks Ice Cream and Taylor Rental on North Avenue.  The fun starts with a Chili for Charity Cook-off  from 4-6 pm. It’s not supposed to be bitterly cold, but  some nice hot chili will be very welcome nonetheless. Immediately after the cook-off, Santa and his elves will arrive.

Then, at 6:30 comes the spectacular Lighting of the Holiday Lights and fireworks. Plus, there will also be a raffle featuring dozens of prizes donated by local businesses.  Proceeds will benefit Webster Comfort Care and the Finger Lakes Regional Burn Association.

So make it a whole evening tonight. Bring the family down to the village, do a little shopping, sample a little chili, say hi to Santa, and enjoy the holiday, Webster-style.

 

Thursday Mailbag

5 Dec

The second of Webster’s three Fabulous Festive Fridays (I just made that up) is tomorrow, when the Village Band presents its annual Holiday Concert.  It’s the band’s annual holiday gift to the community, thanks for all the support they’ve received this year.

The concert begins at 2 pm at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road. There is no admission charge. Click here for more information and to see some photos from last year’s concert.

Looking ahead, next Friday the village continues to welcome the holiday season with the Lighting of the Lights from 4-8 pm, at Hank’s Ice Cream and Taylor Rental on North Avenue.  More details to come, but click here if you can’t wait.

* * *

The folks at Henderson Ford are partnering with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, and challenging their staff, customers and the Webster community to help fill a 2013 Ford Escape with toys

New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off through December 10 at Henderson Ford, 810 Ridge Rd., Webster, or at any of the following participating locations:

A Different Point of View, 2920 Monroe Ave, Pittsford
Design Pool & Spa, 7244 Palmyra Rd., Fairport
Dixon Schwabl, 1595 Moseley Road, Victor
Edge Advertising Group, 6 North Main St. Suite 220, Fairport
JNCS, 1387 Fairport Rd Suite 900J, Fairport
Omero’s Clothes, call 585-392-2939 to schedule a drop off

* * *

On Sunday December 16, Music at Immanuel will present A Service of Lessons and Carols beginning at 7 pm.  The event is free and open to the public.

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 131 West Main Street in the Village of Webster, at the corner of Daniel Drive. Parking is available behind the church accessed from Daniel Drive. More information at http://www.immanuelwebster.org or through the church office 585-872-5180 ext. 12.

* * *

This note is from Plank North Elementary, which is hosting its Share the Season night tomorrow night.  The email I received about it yesterday said there are so many kids in the Plank North chorus now that they can’t all safely squeeze onto the stage for their annual performance.  So instead, they’re planning a family sing-along. “Ms. King will play piano,” the email said, “accompanied by a special guest mandolin player.”

It made me giggle. The “special guest mandolin player” is my son Sean, Plank North Class of 2001.

* * *

Finally, the school district has sent out notice about their Emergency Preparedness Early Release Drill, which they do every year to test the district’s plan for early dismissal of students. (I never have understood how letting students go 15 minutes early tests that plan, but hey.)  I seem to recall that in previous years they’ve done this on the day before Thanksgiving Break. This year, it’s happening on Friday December 21, officially kicking everyone out of school for Christmas Break.

All Webster schools will dismiss early that day.  Here are the times:

Schroeder and Thomas High Schools: 2:10
Spry Middle School: 2:15
Willink Middle School: 2:25
Klem North and Plank South: 3:05
Dewitt, State, Plank North, Schlegel and Klem South: 3:15

Photos from Webster’s White Christmas

3 Dec

Click the photo to go to a gallery of images from White Christmas

If you were in Webster on Saturday night for the village’s annual White Christmas and Holiday Parade of Lights, you might have noticed a photo elf wandering the streets snapping pictures left and right.

Many thanks to my friend Ken Corpus (of Computer Works Pro) for acting as my official blog photographer for the event, since I was out of town and couldn’t be there for the festivities myself.  His daughter was part of the Webster Thomas choir which performed at the gazebo and on Main Street, so of course he wanted to take pictures of that. But he didn’t stop with those; instead, he snapped 50 or so more, then yesterday handed them all over to me on a flash drive.

Most of them came out pretty great, and I am pleased to post them all in a gallery here.  If anyone else has some they’d like to send along, please do, and I’ll add them to the gallery.

 

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree…

29 Nov

Festival of TreesWhen you’re in town this weekend for White Christmas in the Village, make sure to stop by the Webster Museum on Lapham Park, where the museum’s annual Holiday Festival of Trees is in full swing.

Adorable little 4-foot tall trees are set up throughout the museum, each of which has been adopted and decorated by an individual, family or local organizations.  When I went over to the museum yesterday to see them for myself, I was delighted by the variety of themes and decorations.  There were already probably a dozen trees already completed, and some folks were there putting the touches on a few more while I was there.

Hard at work on the Troop 60502 tree are (l-r) Anna Langfitt, Margie Bowen and Linda Bowen. It’s called “Brownies Buggin’ Out.”

All the trees will be done and ready for viewing by Saturday afternoon just in time for the village’s White Christmas.  From 2:00-4:30 pm the public is invited to tour the museum and vote for a favorite tree. Voting will continue through December 29 and winners will be announced after the first of the year.

And by the way…. this year for the first time, the museum is also holding a holiday raffle with some terrific prizes. For your $5 entry fee, you can take a chance on some great prizes, all donated by local businesses, including:

* fresh Christmas trees from Bauman Farms, Wilbert’s Farm Market and Woody Acres;
* a holiday wreath from Kittleberger Florist & Gifts;
* a “kissing crystal” from Kunz’s Christmas Shoppe;
* a “kissing ball” from Harris Garden Center;
* handcrafted wood shelves from David Schoff Nursery & Woodworking; and
* a tabletop tree from Freckleton’s Tree Farm.

So make sure you get your name into that raffle when you stop by this weekend. Entries will be accepted through Tuesday December 4, and the drawing will be held on Wednesday December 5.  (But I’m going to win the Christmas tree. Just sayin’.)

 

This very red tree was one of my favorites, created by Diane Fahl-Slattery.

I also loved this one, by the Webster Quilt Guild.

 

 

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