Remembering Pat Copeland

2 Nov

I heard some sad news the other day. Pat Copeland, one of the Village of Webster’s bright spots, has passed away.

I didn’t know Pat very well, but I did get to meet her a few years ago when her daughter Molly organized a surprise car and truck parade for her 90th birthday. I heard about it on Facebook and made very sure I was there for the festivities.

Precisely at noon on April 28, 2020, dozens of cars, truck and jeeps covered in banners and balloons, led by emergency vehicles all sounding their sirens and air horns, streamed past Pat’s East Main St. home as she watched with a huge grin on her face. The parade even included a drum majorette, Webster’s own Denise Baller of Dancing With Denise.

Denise still remembers the day well.

I met (Pat) after seeing a post from Molly saying she wanted to have a parade for her mom for her birthday, and wanted to have a majorette in the parade. Well, my days at Bishop Kearney were filled with high kicking as a majorette in the BK Marching Kings, so I located an old uniform and boots and coordinated with Molly to be part of the parade!

As my mom had just passed away, I knew how important it was to fulfill the desires of her elderly mom. So I was so happy to be a part of such a special day and create such a nice memory for both of them.

Another very special moment that day, Molly remembers, is when an opera singer, who had once sung the National Anthem at a Florida Marlins game, sang it and “God Bless America” for Pat. Molly wrote, “Finding such a needle in a haystack was the Lord at work giving me a hand in creating such a day!”

The community came out in droves to drive by, honk their horns and lean out their windows yelling “happy birthday!” Many others stood along the sidewalk to watch the festivities. (Click here for the blog I wrote that day.)

Pat was rather blown away by it all. In a television interview she sat for after the parade was over, she told the reporter, “I don’t know where they all came from. (Molly) certainly went out of her way to create a birthday I will remember forever.”

“I’m overwhelmed. I just couldn’t breathe,” she added. “It’s a wonderful gift, a marvelous gift.”

Pat passed away on Saturday Oct. 15, at the age of 92. Her daughter Molly writes that she was not afraid to pass, that she was looking forward to seeing her brother, sisters, husband and friends.

Molly wrote, “The entire family, immediate and extended, will miss her dearly as she never left anyone with anything less than a smile.” It’s fitting, then, that in her later days, the Village of Webster community was able to bring a smile to her face.

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(posted 11/2/2022)

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Bonus Halloween houses

1 Nov

I’m not normally in the habit of posting more than one blog a day, but I wanted to share with you two additional submissions I got recently for my “bootiful” Halloween houses series.

The first is from one of my faithfull-est readers, Linda. She passed by this fog-enshrouded graveyard on Buttermilk Circle this morning.

This next video is of a display created by a ham radio enthusiast. He writes, “Skelly is working the ‘DX’ beyond the grave.”

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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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(posted 11/1/2022)

Webster community mailbag

1 Nov

Making Spirits Bright needs your help.

This wonderful grassroots organization has been bringing holiday joy to local families for nine years now. They started in 2014 helping just 13 families. Last year they brightened the lives of 375 families, providing winter gear, beds, bedding, household necessities, food and gifts.

But Making Spirits Bright needs community support to make all this happen. They’re looking for businesses, groups and individuals to adopt families’ lists (two family members or more). If you’re interested, or know someone else who might be, email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com. They’ll be happy to send more information.

If you can’t commit to adopting a family, here are a few other ways you can help:

  • They need beds. A LOT of beds. They’re collecting twin, full and queen-size mattresses, box springs and frames that are in GOOD condition. Email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com if you have a donation, and they’ll schedule a time with you to drop them off.
  • Adopt one person. You may be as specific as you’d like regarding age and gender identity. They can’t guarantee you’ll get an exact match, but they’ll try their best to accommodate wherever possible.
  • Organize a Drive. Host a donation drive to collect items like toiletries, cleaning supplies, wrapping paper, boxes, tags, gift cards and feminine hygiene items.
  • Purchase from the Community List. You can purhcase one item for one person or several items for numerous people. The list is typically posted on the Making Spirits Bright Facebook page by mid-November.
  • Make a monetary donation.
    The organization appreciates any monetary donations, large and small, which are used to ensure all the needs of the families are met. Contributions can be made via PayPal with a credit or debit card here (a PayPal account is not needed to make a donation).

Any other questions? Email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com.

The Village of Webster’s annual Bourbon Bash takes place this Saturday Nov. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 E. Main St.

Sample bourbons and whiskey from local and national distilleries, complemented by food samples from local restaurants.

This very popular event is brought to you by the Webster Business Improvement District and Webster Wine and Spirits. Tickets are $25 and are limited. They might already be gone, but you can check here to see if there are any left.

Santa’s Garage Sale is happening this weekend as well, at St. Martin Lutheran Church on Thursday and Friday Nov. 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is all about Christmas and holiday decorations, which you can pick up at some really good prices. (Certainly better prices than you’ll find in the stores.) There will also be other holiday decorations and toys.

St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd., Webster. Click here to read more about this great event.

Don’t forget about the Friends of Webster Trails’ Hot Cocoa Hike this Saturday Nov. 5.

This fun, free, self-guided hike will take place at Four Mile Creek Preserve (corner of Phillips and Lake roads), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It’s about 1.5 miles long and will include a stop for hot cocoa. The trail will start at the parking lot and be marked by lights along the way.

Please leave your dog at home, bring a flashlight and your own travel mug.

In honor of Veterans Day, Spry Middle School will once again welcome One Webster veterans and active duty service members and their families to a free, in-person dinner in their honor.

On Thursday Nov. 10 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., students and other volunteers will serve up spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert in the school’s cafetorium. Reservations are requested. Please call Spry Middle School at 216-0093.

The event is sponsored by Spry Middle School Builders Club, Webster-Fairport B.P.O. Elks #2396, Spry Middle School Student Council, Wegmans, Walmart, and Hegedorn’s in appreciation of the service of local veterans and active duty service members. 

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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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(posted 11/1/2022)

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Pumpkin Parade a spooky success

30 Oct

For months now, every since the Webster Parks and Recreation folks started promoting this year’s Pumpkins on Parade, they promised that the third annual event would be better than ever before. Well, I stopped by for about an hour to check it out, and I have to say this:

They weren’t lying.

Pumpkins on Parade took place at the Webster Recreation Center on Saturday night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. If you missed the festivities, you missed one of the most enjoyable events of Webster’s Halloween season. About 700 creatively carved, illuminated jack-o-lanterns were placed along the entire one-mile long Chiyoda Trail that wraps around the back of the Rec Center, and a shorter path set up especially for toddlers and seniors. Several places on the main trail were also illuminated with strings of multi-colored lights, and a number of spooky ghosts hung from the trees.

The trails themselves weren’t too different from previous years; the wide variety of jack-o-lanterns was delightful and in several places stopped a lot of people in their tracks. It was fun listening to the little kids “oooh” and “ahhh” at every new design and point out cats or spiders, or characters they recognized from their favorite shows.

But it was the slew of new activities at the end of the trail that really made this year’s Pumpkins on Parade the best ever. In addition to the free cider and donuts for everyone (offered every year), the Rec Center folks added a whole bunch of new family activities: a hay bale maze for the little kids, a rolly-slide, a dedicated children’s activities tent, a “photo booth” and a huge bonfire.

It was an extremely well-run event, to boot. Plans for parking the hundreds of cars were clearly well thought out in advance, and took good advantage of the two parking lots across Chiyoda Drive from the Rec Center (complete with life-sized traffic cones directing cars). Upbeat music got kids and adults dancing as they walked up the long driveway, even before they reached the path’s entrance. The post-walk activities were spaced all across the big fields behind the Rec Center, leaving plenty of room for kids to run around and chase each other. There were a few thousand people milling around among the activities, but it never felt crowded or annoying.

It was basically a big Halloween-themed festival that had something for everyone to do — moms, dads, kids and grandparents alike.

Thank you to the Webster Recreation Department for a wonderful event. But thanks also to the Webster community. It’s only with your amazing support that this event could happen.

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chris Bilow called participation from the community “unbelievable.” He was particularly amazed by how many people actually purchased their own pumpkins, even though the Rec Center offered to provide them. Six businesses stepped forward to carve, and Spry Middle School alone carved 70 pumpkins.

As I left the event, I told Bilow that there was only one thing wrong with this year’s Pumpkins on Parade: it was so awesome, there’s really no way they can make it better next year. He looked at me with a little grin and replied, “Oh, I got a few more ideas up my sleeve.”

Guess we’re going to have to wait until next year to find out what they are.

Click here for a full gallery of photos from the evening.

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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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(posted 10/30/2022)

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Photos from the Trick-or-Treat Trail

30 Oct

What a spectacular day it was yesterday for the Village of Webster’s annual Trick-or-Treat Trail! So many children and their adults came to town for the event that I do believe business owners were a bit overwhelmed, some of them running out of candy pretty early.

I tried to make three or four rounds of the streets and take pictures of many of the outstanding costumes. Sorry if I didn’t see you and your kids, but please feel free to send along your photos and I can add them to the gallery.

Email them to me at missyblog@gmail.com.

I’ve posted a few photos here, but click here to see my whole gallery.

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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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(posted 10/30/2022)

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More “boo”tiful Halloween houses

28 Oct

Today I post the third and final installment of my Halloween Houses series. Enjoy these decorative bits and pieces from around the town!

I can’t remember where most of these photos came from, except for these first three, which Alicia S. sent to me. Her beautifully decorated home is at the corner of Wood Meadow and Deer Haven Drive. She wrote that her neighbors know it as the “Halloween House,” and every year they dress up, add fog and music, and try to debut new items every year.

They call their creation “Witches Hollow.”  

This one, the skeleton pole dancer, made me laugh.

These two are from the village:

Happy Halloween everyone. Let’s hope for good weather.

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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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(posted 10/27/2022)

Webster lacrosse star inducted into Hall of Fame

27 Oct

Fans of Webster lacrosse will be interested in this press release I recently received:

On Saturday, November 5, Dr. Steve Cochi, star of Webster’s 1969 Upstate New York high school lacrosse champion team, will be inducted into the Greater Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Leading point-getter for the ’69 Ridgemen, Steve scored six of the team’s seven goals including the fourth overtime winner as Coach Bill Guerrera’s crew topped Fayetteville-Manlius to win the championship of the Upstate Lacrosse Conference.

Steve went on to lacrosse All-American honors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a highly accomplished career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Steve’s inclusion at the celebratory banquet for inductees in the 2022 Greater Rochester Hall of Fame class will mark the fourth selection of a Webster lacrosser in the last five induction groups: Bob Menz in ’21, Dick Baran in ’18, and Patrick Dutton in ’17. Dr. Cochi will be the ninth member of Webster’s 58-year-old lacrosse community to join the ranks of local Hall of Famers.

As in the past, there will be an enthusiastic turnout of Webster lacrosse folks to honor Dr. Cochi and highlight the community’s support of The Creator’s Game. Some of Steve’s teammates are planning a gathering ahead of the banquet and induction. To find out more, email larrynogaj@hotmail.com

For specific information about the induction and banquet or to indicate an interest in joining a Webster table, email weblax50@rochester.rr.com or check the Greater Rochester Area USA Lacrosse Chapter website.

The banquet will be held on Saturday Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Harro East Ballroom. Tickets for the banquet are $75, Children 10 and under $15, 5 and under free. Click here to order.

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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.

(posted 10/27/2022)

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New Horizons band performs a free community concert this weekend

26 Oct

A concert this weekend at Willink Middle School features a band that has a rather unusual story.

The aptly-named New Horizons combined concert and symphonic band, which will perform Saturday Oct. 29 at 4 p.m., is part of an Eastman Community Music School program which provides musical experiences for adults, regardless of experience level. Its bands are open to any adult who wants to play an instrument, even if they’ve never played an instrument before.

These brand-new, “green” musicians, who learn from the ground up from band directors, mentors and private instructors, are joined by more experienced musicians, many of whom are returning to performing after many years. New members don’t even have to audition to join the band, because you don’t have to know how to play; anyone of any experience level is welcome.

The concept has changed little since 1991, when Roy Ernst, a professor at Eastman, came up with the idea to form a band for senior citizens.

His original ad, which ran in the Democrat and Chronicle, looked like this:

The first rehearsal was held at the Cutler Union, now part of the Memorial Art Gallery. The 30 or so musicians who showed up included several who had played years before, and some who had never played. In a historical piece she wrote for the New Horizons website, original band member Dana Johnson said there were “plenty of clarinets, flutes, saxes and trumpets but no trombones or low brass.” Barry Rabson, another original member, recalled, “It was fun, but the music was terrible!”

Nevertheless, the band rehearsed faithfully and presented their first concert in December of that year. Dana wrote, “There were about 35 band members and 40 in the audience, mostly relatives of band members.” The following year, the band continued to spread their wings, performing at schools, St. Mary’s Hospital, the Rochester Convention Center, and on a float in the Lilac Festival Parade.

In 2021, the New Horizons Program celebrated its 60th anniversary. A few things have changed in that time. Membership, for example, has grown from the original 35 to about 340. The band, while open to any adult, is still composed primarily of seniors, mostly because rehearsals are held during the day. The original, single band program has expanded to offer 17 smaller ensembles, including beginning, intermediate and advanced bands, a Big Band, beginning strings, full and string orchestras, a chorus and several chamber ensembles.

One main thing, however, hasn’t changed: New Horizons is and has always been a welcoming community of beginner and experienced musicians who simply love making music and make new friends in a non-competitive, collaborative and supportive environment. It’s an idea that’s been so well received that the program has spread to more than 200 other programs across the U.S., Canada and Europe.

About 80 of these talented, passionate musicians (including some of the newbies) will perform in the weekend’s New Horizon Band Fall Concert, Saturday afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publisher’s Parkway in Webster. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Click here to read more about Rochester New Horizons and find out how you can get involved.

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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.

(posted 10/26/2022)

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Enjoying a gorgeous autumn afternoon

25 Oct

I cannot recall, in recent memory, when we’ve had a more beautiful autumn. The colors are outstanding, the warm temperatures downright delightful, and the stretch of sunny weather has been unbelievable.

I was out and about Tuesday afternoon running some errands, when I decided on the spur of the moment that I needed to do SOMETHING to take advantage of the gorgeous … well, gorgeous everything. So as soon as I got home I dragged my husband to Four Mile Creek Preserve to take a short hike.

Four Mile Creek is probably my favorite Webster hiking trail. It’s flat and just the right length, and even though all of our trails are incredible at this time of year, the Four Mile Creek trails are especially incredible.

I was also inspired by upcoming Cars Along the Creek hike taking place there Saturday morning. This is a very interesting trek hosted by the Friends of Webster Trails, where trail steward Dennis Kuhn will lead participants in a two-hour hike and point out six abandoned cars which hikers can see along the trails. (Click here to read more about this weekend’s hike.)

I can’t make Saturday’s hike, unfortunately, so I figured I could revisit some of those cars myself while we were hiking.

The trails were just as spectacular as I expected, and I couldn’t resist taking a lot of photos. I also saw three of the six cars those lucky hikers will see on Saturday, and I checked out the bridge the young daredevils must have used to drive them onto the property 60 years ago.

Enjoy some photos from the afternoon, and consider taking in some of this beauty, and history, for yourself this weekend at the Friends of Webster Trails Cars Along the Creek Hike, 10 a.m. Saturday morning at Four Mile Creek Preserve, corner of Phillips and Lake roads.

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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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(posted 10/25/2022)

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REALLY busy weekend coming up

24 Oct

Usually it’s during the summer months that the special events pile up so fast I can barely mention them all. But summer’s got nothing on this coming weekend.

Things start off on Friday evening, Oct. 28, with a Community Food Truck Rodeo to benefit the Webster Montessori School. As you can see on the poster here, the trucks that you’ll find include Pop Up & Eats, Waffles R Wild, Al Dente Mobile Pasta, Marty’s Meats and Kona Ice.

The rodeo takes place at the school, 1310 Five Mile Line Rd. (next door to Bauman’s Farm Market) from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.

It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful autumn day on Saturday, Oct. 29 for these next few events:

At 10 a.m., The Friends of Webster Trails is hosting a Cars Along the Creek Hike at Four Mile Creek Preserve, at the corner of Phillips and Lake roads.

The two-hour guided hike will introduce participants to the many abandoned cars you can see along the preserve’s trails. Apparently the land on which the preserve is now located was once used by the local youth as a makeshift racetrack in the early 1960s. Among the cars you’ll see are:

* 1951 Chevrolet Styleine Deluxe Bel Air
* 1961 Ford 500 Galaxy Club Victoria
* 1959 Nash Rambler
* 1959 Chevy Bel Air
* 1954 Plymouth Belvedere Suburban
* 1949 Green Nash Airflyte

The hike is free, and begins at the parking lot on Phillips Rd.

One of the Village of Webster’s most popuar events, Halloween in the Village, returns this Saturday, beginning with a costume contest from 11 a.m. to noon at Village Hall.

The Trick-or-Treat Trail begins at 11:30 a.m., where children can stroll the village streets and trick-or-treat at dozens of village businesses. Look for the orange pumpkins in storefront windows to see which businesses are participating.

The Festival Wagon will be taking riders along Main Street, and don’t forget to get your pet involved in the fun; the Pet Costume Contest, complete with prizes, takes place on Main St. at 1 p.m. (Click here for a recap of last year’s Trick or Treat Trail, including lots of photos.)

While you’re in town for the Halloween festival, make sure to stop by the Webster Volunteer Fire Department during their open house. They’ll have candy, of course, but this is also a great opportunity for your kids to visit with real firefighters, climb into a fire truck, see some demonstrations, and get a fire hat.

The Fire Department is at 35 South Ave. Just look for the big red trucks in the driveway.

ALSO on Saturday during Halloween in the Village, take the short stroll down to 18 Lapham Park and stop into the Webster Museum. They’ve put together a scavenger hunt and a contest, and have some Halloween treats for everyone. Plus, there will be plenty of helpers there to give you a tour through the museum if you’d like one.

Then, after the village Halloween, how about taking in some great music at the New Horizons Combined Band Concert at Willink Middle School.

New Horizons is a really cool band which welcomes all adults, even those with no musical experience. These enthusiastic concert and symphonic band musicians will be performing their fall, combined concert at Willink, on Publisher’s Parkway, beginning at 4 p.m.

There’s no charge. Check back here in a day or two for a more complete blog about this great organization.

And here’s your Saturday evening entertainment:

The Webster Recreation Center’s Pumpkins on Parade is Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

This is a very fun, family-friendly event where young and old can take a leisurely walk along the Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center and view hundreds of creatively carved jack-o-lanterns. At the end of the trail, there’ll be music, a kids’ slide, a mini hay maze, a bonfire, free cider and donuts, a family photo area and kids’ activities. Plus, professional pumpkin carver Eric Jones, t

The festival is totally free. The Webster Recreation Center is on Chiyoda Drive, off of Phillips. Click here to read more about this great event.

…and if you get to all of these events on Friday and Saturday, plan on sleeping late on Sunday. You’ll need the rest.

BUT THERE’S MORE!

If you need to work off some of that candy and good food, the Webster Parks and Recreation Department has got you covered.

They’re hosting their third annual Halloween-themed fitness class sampler on Sunday from 9 to 10:30 a.m., which is absolutely free and open to the community. This year’s theme is disco, and the instructors will be handing out funky glasses and disco ball necklaces until supplies run out.

Check the schedule below for details.

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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.

(posted 10/24/2022)

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