WCSD invites kindergartners to Strive for Five

1 Aug

The start of the new school year is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about buying supplies, getting up early again, and catching the bus.

For our youngest students, getting on a big school bus on that first day of school can be a little bit scary. A great program called Strive for Five for School Bus Safety helps allay some of those fears.

The program, now it is 15th year, is designed for 2021/22 incoming kindergarteners. It provides children the chance to travel a short distance on a school bus with their parent(s)/guardians and to learn important safety procedures for riding a bus.

The program will start at Willink Middle School on Publisher’s Parkway, where the bus will pick up participants and bring them to (and from) the transportation department. The buses leave Willink at 6 p.m. and return about an hour later.

While at the transportation department, students will rotate through five stations teaching them the following safety elements:

  • Loading and unloading the bus
  • Proper crossing procedures
  • Danger zones surrounding the bus
  • Appropriate behavior on the bus
  • Emergency equipment/evacuation

Incoming kindergartners and their parents (no additional children, please) should attend as follows, if at all possible. IF you can’t make your assigned evening, you can come on another, but they district really likes to spread everyone out as much as possible.

August 2 – Plank South
August 3 – Plank North and Schlegel Rd.
August 4 – Klem South and Dewitt Rd.
August 5 – Klem North and State Road

Private and parochial students residing in the Webster Central School District can attend any one of the four dates.

For more information on the program, please contact the transportation department at 265-3840.

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Family game night: happy children, happy meeting

1 Aug

Friday night’s first-ever Family Game Night seemed to be a popular event. When I joined it about an hour into the evening’s festivities, a few hundred people were milling around or seated at the tables. Many were enjoying their beverages or having dinner, others were listening to the musician, or chatting with friends, or playing games and chalking the street with their children.

Basically, everyone who attended was having a good time doing SOMETHING, appreciating the excuse to get out of the house again and spend some time with friends and neighbors on a beautiful summer evening.

The best part of the evening, however, was the opportunity for kids to have some fun in a safe environment while their parents socialized. The organizers — the Webster Business Improvement District — had put out giant games for the kids to play with, like Jenga, Connect Four and Cornhole. There was also plenty of sidewalk chalk to be had, and by the time I got there, West Main Street was already filled with artwork.

It was all a very pleasant ending to the village’s Christas in July Week.

Here’s a gallery of photos from the evening:

The happy meeting which I mentioned in the headline referred to the chance I had to meet and share a pint with Colin Minster, the new editor of the Webster Herald.

Colin replaces Anna Hubbel, who has been with the paper for the last seven years. Colin brings with him experience as a writer and researcher for the Finger Lakes Times, but this is his first full-time editing position. He’s fairly new to Webster, but in the short time he’s been here, he seems to have fallen in love with the town, and is looking forward to telling everyone more about it.

“I like Webster a lot,” he said. “There are so many cool, fun things that Webster does. It’s such a cool town.”

So you can expect the Herald to continue to cover hard news stories, like the recent sewer consolidation discussions, but also lots of community news, like Colin’s reflections on the recent Waterfront Arts Festival. Both stories ran on the front page of last week’s edition. He also hopes to fire up a few columns of his own.

Colin currently lives in Penn Yan but is looking to buy a house in Webster.

Welcome to Webster, Colin. I think you’re really going to like it here.

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First-ever holiday summer parade a hit

30 Jul

It wasn’t the Firemen’s Parade we are all accustomed to (and it wasn’t supposed to be). But last night’s Webster Holiday Parade was a delight for parade-starved community residents who just needed SOMETHING to celebrate this summer.

The Webster Business Improvement District (BID) organized the event as part of the village’s Christmas in July celebration, which began with a showing of the movie Elf on Tuesday and continues tonight with a Family Games Night and Beer Garden on Main Street from 6 to 9 p.m.

And while it wasn’t the two-hour long spectacle we’ve come to expect with the Firemen’s Parade, the holiday-themed parade had enough fire trucks, EMT vehicles and candy-tossing to keep the kids happy. A few other community organizations put together some Christmas-wrapped floats, and Dancing With Denise broke out their holiday costumes.

Following the parade, kids and their parents streamed down to the gazebo where they could decorate cookies and join in some Christmas caroling.

Thank you to all of the organizations who participated in last night’s parade, and for the BID for pulling it together on such short notice. Visit the Webster BID website for more details about tonight’s activities.

Click here to see a gallery of photos, including almost everyone who really got into the spirit and dug out their Santa hats, Christmas-light necklaces and reindeer antlers for the occasion.

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P.S. Here’s another gallery of photos you might like, courtesy Mary White.

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Happy Bella’s Bumbas news and library stuff

29 Jul

Back in June, I posted a blog about how the Webster-based dance studio Dancing With Denise raised money and made a very generous donation to Bella’s Bumbas, a nonprofit grassroots organization which builds pint-sized “Bumba” wheelchairs for children with mobility issues.

The money was earmarked for a particular project Bella’s Bumbas was working on: building and shipping eight of the miniature wheelchairs to Algeria.

I found out several days ago that those chairs were shipped, have been received, and the children are already enjoying the Bella’s Bumba benefits of mobility, greater self-confidence and independence. (Check out those smiling faces in the photos below, sent from Algeria!)

Bella’s Bumbas is run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, dedicated to building miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. In the four years since Marty built the first Bumba for their niece Bella, they’ve shipped close to 2000 chairs to children in 46 countries (including ALGERIA), often adapting the chairs for each child’s individual needs, and charging the parents only for shipping.

Rebecca and Marty could barely contain their excitement on Facebook, where they wrote:

Well, it was a bit of a learning curve and journey but all the chairs made it to ALGERIA and the 8 children.

We owe an amazing amount of thank you’s to Dancing With Denise for a majority of the funds, Aziz Anas Ziad that assisted the families in Algeria with sending in their request papers, Samir the gentleman who received and distributed the chairs (and put on an amazing little party complete with gifts and hats for the children), Mohamed who connected us to Samir, and the amazing Association El Kawther who also assisted Samir to recieve the chairs from customs … INDEED it has taken so much compassion and cooperation for this adventure.

The excitement in Algeria could also be felt across the miles, summed up in comments like this one: “Thank you so much for this. Those children really need to be happy and independent persons. Biiiig thanks from Algeria.”

Rebecca and Marty have earned the right to step back and rest a bit after this huge project. But I’m sure they’ve already ramped up production again, and will almost certainly notch a few more countries before the end of the year.

Read more about the Bella’s Bumbas mission and how you can help on their Facebook page and their website.

Lots of things happening at the Webster Public Library these days, and I’ve been remiss in letting you know about them. So here you go:

  • Project Homeless Connect Rochester is holding its annual coat drive event on September 15th at the Public Market in downtown Rochester, and the library is helping with the collection. Community members are encouraged to donate clean, new coats in the library collection box right now (don’t wait until September!) Donations can be dropped off any time that the library is open, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 pm and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Can’t make the morning live storytimes at the Harmony Park gazebo? The library has recently added some Wednesday evening storytimes on Aug. 4 and 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The park is located on Foster Drive off of Phillips Rd. No registration is required.
  • As part of the Tales & Tails Summer Reading theme, the library is partnering with Operation Freedom Ride by collecting donations for underfunded rescues and shelters through August. Their mission is to rescue homeless dogs and cats and find them adopters in NY. Donations will be collected through August. Each donation will earn a kernel of food in our dog dish on the bulletin board outside the Children’s Room. Watch it grow!

See a complete list of requested items on the Webster Public Library Facebook page.

All these items just scratch the surface of what’s going on down there at the library. Check out their beautiful, brand new website for details about these and dozens of other special things that happen there every month. The library is located at the back of Webster Plaza, 980 Ridge Rd.

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Local Girl Scouts hunt for experiences in annual “QuestFest”

28 Jul
Team Sarski: (Front row) Karolynn Shaw, Samantha Byerts, Harleigh Simmons, Isabella Coradaro
(Back Row) Jennifer Shaw, Madison Fisher, Reagan Provo, Savannah Riggs, Kaelan Campbell, Addison Terrana, Abigale Terrana

Webster Girl Scout Troop 63113 joined troops from all over the world last weekend for an epic scavenger hunt.

The virtual Girl Scout QuestFest is an annual two-day event hosted by the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, held this year on July 24 and 25. Webster’s “Team Sarski” was one of 47 Girl Scout teams participating in the event from all over the U.S. and as far away as Alaska, Canada, Venezuela and Tokyo.

(L-R) Reagan Provo and Isabella Cordaro present flowers to Chris Rauber-Wasson at BC’s Chicken Coop for the “Drive-thru Kindness Challenge,” to thank the owners for their continuous support of Webster Girl Scouts.

The weekend’s adventures began with an official opening ceremony on Saturday, when the girls found out what this year’s challenges would be. To complete each one, they used smartphones or other devices to submit either a photo or video. Some challenges they could accomplish from their own homes, but others required going out into the community.

Unlike other scavenger hunts, however, the girls didn’t have to find THINGS. They had to search for EXPERIENCES. The challenges were designed with Girl Scout values in mind, so while they were having fun, the girls were also making the world a better place (as evidenced by the kindness challenge pictured to the left).

Team Sarski, comprised of seven Webster girls and two former troop members now living in Virginia and Maine, did a great job. The team was co-captained by troop leaders Abigale Terrana and Jennifer Shaw, who report that the girls successfully completed every single challenge and came in fifth overall. While that wasn’t better than their second place finish in 2020, they did almost double last year’s score.

Karolynn Shaw completing the “Take the Time to Smell the Roses” challenge.

“We are so proud of how they did!” Shaw added.

The troop is already looking forward to participating in QuestFest 2022 next summer. In the meantime, however, they hope to visit Savannah, Georgia in February, which Shaw called their “dream trip.” They’ve been fundraising for several years in anticipation, and hope to cover the entire cost of the trip for the girls.

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The Christmas lights are going up!

27 Jul

A friend of mine noticed last night as she was heading toward my house that village workers are stringing up Christmas lights on Main Street.

You know what that means, of course.

IT’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY IN THE VILLAGE!

We’ve all been pretty parade-starved these last few summers, so I think the most exciting news about this week is the Firemen’s Holiday Parade taking place Thursday night from 7 to 8 p.m. on Main St.

Now this is not going to be anywhere near as big as the Firemen’s parades that herald the return of the Firemen’s Carnival every year, but c’mon… it’s a parade. And it’s an excuse to wear Santa hats and jingle bells in July.

True to the “Christmas in July” theme, there will also be caroling and Christmas cookie decorating at the gazebo Thursday night.

Then, on Friday July 30, West Main Street will be closed for an evening of family games and entertainment…and beer.

The village’s first-ever Family Games Night and Beer Garden will feature sidewalk chalk art for the kids (and adults), giant street games like Jenga and Connect Four, and a free yoga class. The Coach Sports Bar will be serving up beer and wine and Webster Hots will offer dinner options.

Live acoustic music is also on tap from 6:30 to 8 p.m. featuring Steve Bartolotta.

Christmas in July events actually start tonight, with a showing of Elf (yes the Christmas movie!) at Movie Night in Gazebo Park beginning at 8 p.m.

It’s all being brought to you by the members of Webster’s Business Improvement District, the group that organizes all of the fun events in the village, from the Trick or Treat Trail to White Christmas. For more details, visit websterbid.com.

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A morning of baseball like no other

26 Jul

“Heroes Helping Heroes.” There was absolutely no better way to describe the incredible event held Saturday at Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.

You’ve read about this magical place in my blog before. Miracle Field is located in Ridge Park adjacent to Town Hall. This beautiful facility was specifically designed for individuals with physical and/or cognitive challenges and is fully wheelchair accessible. It offers those with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier-free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

On Saturday, these young athletes were joined on the baseball diamond by local first responders — police officers, State Troopers, EMTs, firefighters — who ran with them around the bases and assisted them in the field.

Heroes helping heroes.

It’s a delight to see the joy on the faces of these young people when they hit the ball, round the bases and score runs. Or when they successfully snag a grounder — which is such a joyous event they’d rather show it to the adult standing next to them than actually throw it to a base. Their mile-wide grins are infectious, and their jubilation as they cross the plate makes every heart smile.

Saturday’s event featured several ballgames, plus kids’ activities, a dunk tank, a fire truck to climb on, a mounted patrol officer with her horse to pet, food trucks, give-aways, and lots more. It was a super, well-coordinated event that was a delight for everyone who attended. Thank you to Linda Burke, Don Barone, Ron Kampff, the rest of the Miracle Field members and staff, and all of the volunteers for making it a great day. I look forward to next year.

Click here for a gallery of more photos.

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Waterfront Art Festival continues today

25 Jul

I stopped by the Waterfront Art Festival with my camera yesterday, just long enough to walk the entire circle of artisans spread across the lawns and around the ponds at North Ponds Park. I didn’t have more than a few dollars on me, which in retrospect was probably a good thing since I would have dropped a lot of cash at some of the booths. (Thinking ahead to Christmas already.)

This year’s festival really does seem bigger than the ones I’ve walked through in previous years, and both the variety and quality of the arts and crafts on display were impressive. (Visit the festival’s website to see a list.)

There was also a “food court” of sorts with several food trucks, a wine/beer/cider tasting tent and and some decent entertainment. And the weather was gorgeous, something else that will continue today along with the festival.

As I am prone to do at events, I took a lot of photos. There are a few here, but click here to see a Facebook gallery with many others.

The Waterfront Art Festival continues today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Ponds Park, right off of Rt. 104. Admission is $3 for adults, free for kids 12 and under, and there’s plenty of free parking.

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A delicious Pittsford/Webster connection

24 Jul

My husband Jack and I like to ride the Erie Canal Trail between Pittsford and Fairport, and we do so frequently, usually rewarding ourselves with a pint at one of the many fine pubs on either end of the trail.

But at least once every summer we make that ride with the explicit purpose of stopping for lunch at Harladay Hots in Pittsford.

Harladay Hots is an unassuming hot dog cart which every weekday from May through October can be found at the Main Street entrance to Pittsford’s community parking lot. Owner Charlie Harladay and his wife Bernie have been operating the cart in Pittsford since 2010. I first discovered the food cart and met Charlie back in 2017, and got to know him better when I featured Harladay Hots in my D&C column.

From the first time I stopped by the cart, I fell in love with Charlie’s chicken sandwich slathered in his homemade hot sauce. I order it every time we return. But as I explained to him on our most recent lunch visit, I’m not really ordering chicken with a side of hot sauce. I’m ordering his hot sauce with a side of chicken, because it’s that good.

I was singing its praises so much that Jack had to try it. “This is the best hot sauce I’ve ever tasted,” he reported, adding that it reminded him of the hot sauce he used to get in a Buffalo restaurant as a child.

Apparently I’m not the only one enamored with the hot sauce. Just recently, Charlie told me, he started bottling the sauce for sale. (Of course I came home with a bottle of it, since he had some on hand.)

And finally, the Webster connection.

I was pleased to hear that the Harladay Hots Spicy Meat Sauce is available at Hegedorn’s (along with some Pittsford locations). So here’s my totally uncompensated endorsement: you gotta try this hot sauce. And if you really like it, take a ride down to Pittsford some weekday for lunch and see what it’s like on one of Charlie’s burgers or sausages or chicken sandwiches.

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The Webster Museum is bloomin’ beautiful!

23 Jul
The Webster Museum before its garden transformation

In anticipation of its re-grand opening next month, the Webster Museum is getting a facelift, both inside and out.

Inside, display cases are being refurbished, walls are being painted, and exhibit spaces are being re-imagined. Visitors won’t see those improvements for several weeks yet. But the beautiful updates being made OUTSIDE the museum are a different matter.

Thanks to the hard work of museum volunteers and Village staffers, the two gardens that flank the museum’s front door have been totally transformed. Not only have the weeds been yanked and all the old mulch raked out, but unsightly old shrubs, bushes and roots have been removed and replaced with a beautiful collection of new plantings.

The replanting project started innocuously enough when a few volunteers got together to weed the front gardens. Conversation soon turned to how nice it would look if some of the older plantings were removed and new ones put in their place. Things started to get really serious when museum volunteer Diana Strassman did some research and pulled together an entire list of historically accurate plantings which they could consider choosing.

The project got yet another boost when Jude Lancy, the Village Board museum liaison, got wind of the discussions and enlisted the Board’s support.

The first step was to get the existing gardens cleaned out. Superintendent of Public Works Jake Swingly and several of his staff members made quick work of that, doing the heavy lifting (literally — they had to move some antique farm implements out of the way first), and preparing the beds by clearing out the old mulch and plantings.

The Village team (L-R): Brandon Boutillier, Jim Scott, Dan Bortle, Mike Bradshaw, Mike Northrup, Jake Swingly. Not pictured: Jim Clancy

Then, a few days ago, museum volunteers convened at Welch’s Greenhouses to purchase the new plantings.

And here’s another “Why I love Webster” moment: Welch’s DONATED $500 in plantings and labor. Not only that, museum volunteers opened up their own wallets to purchase about $200 more in additional plantings.

Wow.

The same day the volunteers were at Welch’s purchasing their plants, Welch’s owner Bill Vendel and his helper Jake Wilhelm were already at the museum, planting the ones they had donated. By early next week, everything should be in the ground and Swingly and his team will have topped off the job with some new mulch.

  • Welch’s Greenhouses owner Bill Vendel
  • Jake Wilhelm

When it’s all done, the new gardens will sport a wide and colorful variety of shrubs, annuals and perennials, including hydrangias, junipers, euonymous, weigela, sedum, and more. It’s going to be a spectacular and beautiful welcome for museum visitors.

Check it out for yourself when the museum reopens to the public on August 21 and 28, 2 to 4:30 p.m. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in September. The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.

Here’s a gallery of photos from the plant-purchasing expedition to Welch’s:

  • Just some of the final plantings chosen
  • Cherie Wood taking a closer look at a possible choice
  • Welch’s donated $500 in plants and labor to the museum garden project.
  • Diana Strassman (left) confers on the master planting plan with Kathy Taddeo and Terry Crumb.
  • Village Trustee Jude Lancy (right) discusses options with Welch’s staff member Brianna Kane.
  • Terry Crumb adds her chosen plant to the cart.

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