Webster community mailbag

4 Nov

I know, I know, it’s going to feel like summer again for the next few days. BUT, rest assured, Monday’s cold and snow-showery weather will be back again very soon. So now is a good time to stock up on some good reads for the winter months.

The Friends of the Webster Library are ready to help.

Beginning this week, the Friends are hosting their Bundle ‘n Bag Sale. Just like it sounds, bundles and bags of gently used books will be for sale during regular library hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a wide variety of fun and unique Bundles ‘n Bags of fiction and nonfiction books for children and adults, starting at just $1.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd. All proceeds from the sale will benefit library programs.

Looks like it’s going to be a nice evening for the Friends of Webster Trails’ autumn Hot Cocoa Hike, this Saturday at Whiting Road Nature Preserve.

This has been an annual tradition for as long as I can remember, and thankfully the pandemic has not cancelled it entirely. There will, however, be a few changes.

As always, the event will be at night and your path will be guided by candle light. But there will be no gathering in the woods at the end of the trail while you enjoy your hot cocoa. Instead, you’ll pick up your hot cocoa packet which you can then enjoy at home with your family.

This year’s event will be Saturday Nov. 7 at Whiting Road Nature Preserve (on Whiting Rd. north of Shoemaker) and will be a loop of approximately two miles. Participants are asked to walk the trail between 7 and 9 p.m. Also, please click here to register so they have enough supplies.

Remember to social distance, bring a mask, dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Village of Webster will hold a Bring a Can or a Case Food Collection and Hat, Mitten and Scarf Collection on Saturday Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.

One of Immanuel’s biggest social ministries is the Backpack Program, which provides food to more than 50 children in five Webster elementary school buildings. This drive will support the Backpack Program and the church’s Little Free Pantry.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is located at 131 W. Main St., at the corner of Daniel Drive.

Lots of news from the Webster Museum!

The Webster Museum is presently closed to the public, but there has been a buzz of activity within. Volunteers Deb Oakley, Bill Schoff, Carol Yahoodik and Diana Strassman have been inventorying the attic and found a number of duplicate items not related to Webster’s history. In September, a “Vintage Sale” of some of those items was held in the museum parking lot and sales totaled $677.

The annual Barn Sale was held in September on Jan and Andy Naujokas’ historic property, which earned another $2,900.

Now would also be a great time to become a member of the Webster Museum or renew your membership. In honor of Susan B. Anthony’s visit to Webster, the museum will be giving away a limited edition Susan B. Anthony Barbie doll, unopened and in its original box.

To enter, simply join or renew your Webster Museum membership by December 14. On December 15, one entry will be selected at random with the hope of Susan arriving at the winner’s home before Christmas.

Stay tuned for details about the museum’s online Christmas program. If you make your own ornaments, dress up your pets or decorate your yard, they’ll be looking for your photos. More details about that, and about the Susan B. Anthony doll giveaway can be found on the museum’s website.

Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?

Co-Sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award that is designed to recognize teacher excellence in Webster Central Schools.

Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award.

Award nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central School
  • Have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in Webster Central Schools
  • Plan to continue to teach the next school year in, or retire from Webster Central Schools
  • Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Teachers’ Association

Nominations must be submitted by February 1. Click here for the nomination form.

  • Joan Bardanis
    Joan Bardanis
  • Tamara Schell
    Tamara Schell

By the way, congratulations to the 2020 Oak Tree winners, Joan Bardanis in secondary and Tamara Schell in elementary.

Bardanis is a special education teacher at Thomas High School and has been a teacher in Webster for 17 of her 31 year career in education.

Schell is a 2nd grade teacher at Plank South Elememetary, and has spent all of her 23 years in education in the Webster Schools.

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Virtual costume contest winners announced

3 Nov

Congratulations to the winners of the first ever (and hopefully only) Village of Webster Virtual Costume Contest!

The village normally holds its costume contest at the beginning of the Trick or Treat in the Village event. Of course that didn’t happen this year, so instead, families were encouraged to get all dressed up and email photos to the judges at Village Hall.

Fifteen families accepted the challenge. The winners were:

  • 1st Place: Mint Chip Ice Cream
  • 2nd Place: Baby Horse Jockey
  • 3rd Place: Headless Horseman
  • 4th Place: Shark Family

Here’s a slideshow of all the other costumes as well:

The contest was sponsored by Monroe County Legislator Matthew Terp, who is providing gift cards to not just the four top winners, but to family that participated.

Hopefully next year, Trick-or-Treating in the Village will be back, along with the costume contest. But in the meantime, thank you to everyone who helped pull this together and who joined the fun.

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Another Webster business lands on its feet

2 Nov

In the middle of this awful pandemic and the negative effect it’s had on businesses, there have been a few success stories.

Notably, LaLa of Webster has doubled in size; The Filling Station created a beautiful new patio dining space; Amy Stringer at The North Bee is expanding her inventory and devoting more time to the shop; and the Village Quilt Shoppe even survived a mini-flood before triumphantly celebrating its first anniversary.

Today I add another business to that list, Strike Back Martial Arts.

Back in July, Dave Nicchitta and Mike Palmer, owners of Strike Back Martial Arts jujitsu dojo on East Main St., officially closed their studio. The financial difficulties presented by the pandemic were too much to overcome.

I was especially saddened by the news because I’d been a longtime volunteer in a few of their classes. But I was also sad because the classes Strike Back offered — for children and young adults with autism and Down syndrome — were unique, and a valuable resource for these communities.  

But I’m pleased to report that Strike Back Martial Arts has started offering those classes again — just not in Webster.

Strike Back Martial Arts has partnered with the Irondequoit Recreation Department to start offering classes this Saturday at the Recreation Center on Pinegrove Ave.

All of the adaptive classes will be returning: Jujitsu Buddies for children with autism, No Gi Jujitsu for teens and tweens on the autism spectrum, and Strike Back Fitness for kids and teens with Down Syndrome. The Junior Jujitsu class will also be held again, for students looking for a more traditional jujitsu program. All classes will be open to the general public.

There are a lot of benefits to partnering with the Irondequoit Recreation Department, which is providing equipment and adminstration support. But more importantly, the Rec will be advertising the classes to a larger audience, which means that more children and their families will be able to take advantage of these outstanding programs.

Junior Jujitsu and Jujitsu Buddies are Saturday mornings beginning Nov. 7. No Gi Jujitsu and Strike Back Fitness take place Tuesday evenings beginning Nov. 10. For more information visit the Strike Back Martial Arts webite, call (585) 627-3869 or email strikebackmartialarts@gmail.com.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

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Explore Webster through Webster Library videos

1 Nov

If you haven’t done so yet, you HAVE to check out the Webster Library’s YouTube channel. It’s absolutely PACKED with informative and fun videos for everyone. There’s Storytime with Jason, book reviews, music, crafts, experiments, puppets, library program information and lots, lots more.

But one of the best features of the channel is the library’s “Let’s Explore Webster” video series. These are entertaining and informative video tours of some of Webster’s best features. Some of the more recent videos have explored the John Unger Nature Trail (part of their trails series), the Arboretum, Webster Park and the Hope Ministry.

But I really want to tell you about one in particular, which I helped create: a video tour of the Village of Webster parks.

I joined Laureen and Doreen from the Webster Public Library for the Explore Village Parks video.

As a member of the Village of Webster’s Parks and Recreation Committee, I was very happy to help Loreen and Doreen put together this video. One of the things I’ve learned in my tenure with the committee is that many people, even village residents, don’t realize that our village actually boats six parks. One of them even has a half mile of nature trails.

This video is a great opportunity to learn more about our village parks, even if you already thought you knew everything about them.

Here’s a direct link to the Explore Village of Webster Parks video. Enjoy! And while you’re there, make sure to check out all the other videos on the channel as well.

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Great things are happening at Knucklehead

31 Oct
An image captured from Knucklehead’s video of the new beer garden

It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged about my friends at Knucklehead Craft Brewing. And boy, do I have a lot to tell you.

It’s been perhaps two months since I was last at Knucklehead. My husband and I enjoyed a great dinner and a few pints outside at a picnic table, in a spacious area at the side of the pub destined to become a beer garden.

Since then, the beer garden has been completed, and it’s a thing of beauty. Owner Len Dummer posted a video on Knucklehead’s Facebook page a few days ago which just blew my mind.

The new space is about 1200 square feet, with very handsome tiling, stonework and fencing, with plenty of room for three or four tables, even in these days of social distancing. There’s a gorgeous waterfall feature and a large fire pit with room for another eight to ten patrons.

But there’s more! For starters, Knucklehead is just wrapping up installation of a $90,000 commercial kitchen. The very talented Chef Josh has been needing this for a long time and it will certainly help showcase his culinary skills. It should be completed in the next few weeks.

New lighting has been installed in front and in back, and come November, a new retaining wall will be put in, further expanding the pub’s parking options. Plus, both the interior and exterior have been painted.

So basically, if you haven’t been to Knucklehead lately, you’re in for a big surprise. But remember, even if things a look a little different, you’re going to find the same great people, welcoming atmosphere and outstanding brews that you’ve come to expect.

Knucklehead Craft Brewing is located at 426 Ridge Rd. in West Webster, at the corner of Bay Rd.

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So what are YOU doing for Halloween?

30 Oct

Halloween, like life in general this year, is going to look very different.

This awful virus is throwing a monkey wrench into plans to take the kids out trick-or-treating; there are real concerns about maintaining social distancing, staying masked, handling candy that a lot of others have handled … basically all the issues we’ve been living with for the past 7 months.

But of course, if you’re a kid, Halloween ranks up there with Christmas as the best holiday of the entire year. So I’m sure there are going to be a lot of trick-or-treaters out there Saturday, hand-in-hand with parents who’ll be making sure they stay safe and healthy.

I also know there will be a lot of homeowners ready to welcome them. Some have come with very creative candy-delivery systems to help make the whole experience safer.

Like this downspout-turned-candy-chute created by my friend David Peter:

I’m not quite that clever. But I will be taking advantage of Saturday evening’s not-necessary-warm-but-also-not-raining weather to sit outside in my driveway to welcome any trick-or-treaters who decide to come out.

I’ve been looking forward to this night for a whole year. Last year, my first one in our new village home, I felt like I really got cheated. We were told to expect several hundred visitors, and that often homeowners would set up tents and fire pits outside to hand out candy. So I was prepared with both the candy and the fire pit.

Photo courtesy P. Wyble

But as you may recall, the weather last year was awful: rainy, cold and very windy. So we retreated to our enclosed front porch, which was OK, but was not the village Halloween experience we’d been promised.

This year we’re looking forward to trying again.

I certainly understand if you’ve decided to do something else for Halloween in lieu of trick-or-treating. But anyone who comes down Fuller Ave. will be welcomed at our fire pit, and invited to take a few pieces of candy off the table we’ll set up at an appropriate social distance.

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Parade of Pumpkins a spooky hit

25 Oct

If last night’s attendance at the Webster Recreation Center’s first-ever Parade of Pumpkins was any indication, people are starved for family entertainment.

An estimated 1,500 or so adults, teens and children walked the mile-long Chiyoda Trail last night, so many people that cars filled the Rec Center’s parking lot, and quickly overflowed into the lot across the street.

As they strolled along the path, visitors were greeted by about 450 uniquely carved, glowing jack-o-lanterns lining both sides of the path. The designs ran the gamut from traditional and whimsical to spooky and just plain weird. I saw a unicorn, cats, witches, a moose, flowers, and lots of toothy grins.

At the end of the parade, everyone was treated to donuts and cider, served in the Rec Center’s expansive playing fields, with plenty of space for social distancing.

Parks Commissioner Chris Bilow and Recreation Supervisor Katie Kovar spent much of the evening welcoming families at the parade entrance. They were delighted not only by the turnout, but also by how many people thanked them for pulling the event together.

The enthusiastic response was a pleasant surprise. “We expected maybe 100 pumpkins from the community,” Kovar said. Even still, it only took a few hours for the staff members to place them along the path, adding some extra surprises like a pumpkin-light banner and twinkly lights along the path’s two bridges.

It was a beautiful night for a stroll, and a great opportunity for people to discover one of Webster’s best walking paths.

Bilow and Kovar are already thinking about next year, when COVID restrictions will not limit them to an all-outdoor event. They’re thinking maybe creating two paths, one just for toddlers and small children. Perhaps having music, games and crafts. Basically, making it a big fall festival, both inside the Rec Center and out.

“People want to do things like this at the holidays, and who better than (the Webster Rec)?” Bilow said.

Here are some more photos from the evening:

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An update on Edna Struck Memorial Park

23 Oct

Just a week ago I posted a blog about Edna Struck Memorial Park, the grassy median where Lapham Park makes a slight jog at the corner of Elm St. It’s named in honor of Mrs. Struck, who made it her passion to tend the plants on the island for years.

In February of 2019, someone was driving down Lapham Park much too fast and — instead of navigating the jog in the road — decided to drive right through the park, pretty much destroying it.

Today I can offer a bit more detail about what the newly refurbished park will look like.

As illustrated in the sketch, which I received from the village’s Historical Preservation Commission, the redesign will include a nice mix of colorful annuals and perennials, and some whispy ornamental grasses, anchored at each end by Japanese lilac trees.

The boulder which holds the actual memorial plaque to Edna Struck will be replaced as well, pretty much where it was before.

Welch’s Greenhouse, on Rt. 250 south of town, will be providing the trees, grass and flowers, and will do all the planting.

Plans have been in the works for more than a year to fix and redesign the park, so it’s great to see that work has finally begun. Everything should be completed this coming spring.

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Webster community mailbag

21 Oct

There’s lots going on this autumn in and around the town. I’m going to start today’s mailbag with a few reminders about some fun events you will NOT want to miss.

This Saturday, Oct. 24, the Webster Health and Education Network is sponsoring a Fall Drug Drop-off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Wastewater Treatment Facility, 226 Phillips Rd. This is an excellent opportunity to safely dispose of any unused or expired medications which are clogging up your medicine cabinet.

Registration is not required for this event, but if you sign up on their website, they can send you a reminder the day before the event.

And remember, there’s a pharmaceutical drop-box at Town Hall, 1000 Ridge Rd., in the police station’s foyer, where you can drop off your unused pharmaceuticals any weekday during regular business hours.   

Also this Saturday, the Webster Recreation Center will host its first ever Pumpkins on Parade.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. this Saturday Oct. 24, you can stroll along the Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center and view a parade of brightly glowing jack-o-lanterns. Afterwards, visitors will be treated to free cider and donuts.

But don’t just come and see the jack-o-lanterns. Create one yourself!

Children, adults, businesses, organizations, pretty much anyone who wants to participate is encouraged to carve a pumpkin and drop it off at the Rec Center on Friday Oct. 23 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. OR Saturday Oct. 24 between noon and 2. The Rec staff will be sure to get your creation out on the path for everyone to enjoy.

Multiple carved pumpkins are allowed and encouraged. For each carved pumpkin, participants will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win a great prize.

Businesses who choose to participate can leave a business card with their pumpkin and the Rec Center will make up a little sign to accompany it on the path with your name and logo.

Everything will be ready for viewing from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This is a free event and will run rain or shine, so put it on your calendar, and get carving! The Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Drive, off of Phillips Rd.

And don’t forget about the Village of Webster’s costume contest. It’s going virtual this year, but there are still some great prizes to be awarded.

Here’s how it works:

  • Email a photo of yourself in your costume to VOWcostumecontest@gmail.com no later than October 29 at midnight. Group costumes will also be accepted.
  • Judges will take a look at all the entries and award prizes. Winners will be announced on Oct. 31 (Halloween) by noon on the Village of Webster Facebook page (so make sure to “like” the page!) Winners will also be contacted via email and/or by phone, as long as you’ve included that information with your submission.
  • Winners will receive gift cards to a Village of Webster business of their choice.

All (appropriate) submissions will be featured on the Village’s Facebook page, so smile big! I’ll also post the winning photos here on my blog.

So go “like” the Village of Webster Facebook page, check back frequently for updates, and get working on those costumes!

Here’s another fun, albeit virtual, event for the whole family.

It’s a Halloween Magic Show, presented by the Webster Recreation Department.

It takes place online on Friday Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Cost is $10 per family and pre-registration is required. Check the poster for more information, then visit the Rec Center website to register.

Looking forward to November…

Thanks to COVID-19, the Village of Webster can’t have its usual sit-down Veterans Day luncheon. Instead, they’ll be providing take-out meals for any interested veterans or service men and women on Wednesday Nov. 11.

The village is still working out the details, but so far we know that the meals will be paid for by the Village of Webster and made by Brimont Bistro.

The “luncheon” will be handed out at Village Hall, and a ceremony will still take place at Veterans Park, where everyone will be asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines unless you’re with family. Mayor Byerts will speak.

More details to come about this. But for now, if you’re a veteran or know of one, mark your calendar and spread the word.

The Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf is also looking forward to November, specifically their holiday dinner distributions.

Thanks to COVID, the Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf has seen a dramatic increase in the number of families needing help with accessing food this year. There’s been a more than 30% increase since March, and the food shelf is now serving between 138-150 families weekly.

Very soon, frozen turkeys will start going on sale at local grocery stores. If you’re able to grab an extra and donate it to the food shelf, it would go a long way to help feed our neighbors in need. Smaller sized turkeys are fine, 8-12 lbs. if possible.

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Were you at Plank North in 1976? You’re in this time capsule.

18 Oct
The time capsule was actually a large Thermos cooler.

Do you remember 1976? Happy Days was one of the most popular shows on TV. A first-class stamp cost 13 cents. The $2 bill was introduced with great fanfare. Ross Willink was Webster School District’s superintendent.

And, of course, 1976 was the year of our nation’s bicentennial. It was probably that fact in particular which motivated Plank North Elementary School to create a time capsule, filled with items depicting world events, school life and pop culture of the time.

The school chose to “plant” its time capsule — actually a large, red, white and blue Thermos cooler — on June 14, 1976, where the event took center stage at the annual Flag Day ceremony. Each class had chosen a different object to include in the capsule. The objects were presented one at a time, along with an explanation of why each had been chosen.

Some of the more than two dozen items included in the time capsule. Click below to see a gallery of everything.

No one seems to know where the time capsule spent the next 25 years. But we do know that in 2001, on the appointed day, it was opened at a school-wide assembly to the delight of students and teachers alike.

That was not the end of its travels, however. Some time after that assembly, the time capsule found its way to the Webster Museum, where is has spent much of the last 19 years in the museum’s attic.

Last week, it came back home to Plank North again, courtesy Bill Schoff, a former Plank North second grade teacher, and currently a volunteer for the Webster Museum.

Schoff is part of the museum’s “attic and inventory” crew, who are working on clearing out a lot of stuff to make more space. When they came across the cooler, they thought Plank North would like it back, and perhaps share some of the items with today’s students.

Schoff was on staff at Plank North that day in 2001 when teachers and students gathered for the assembly to open the 25-year old time capsule.

He remembers, “When the poster of Fonzie was pulled out, we asked the kids if they knew who it was. One student replied, ‘One of the teachers?'” We adults got a kick out of that one.”

Sharing the cooler with the Fonzie posted was a TV Guide with Sonny and Cher on the cover, a Holly Hobbie doll, copies of the Democrat and Chronicle and the Webster Herald, and almost two dozen other items. Each class’s written description of their object was included in a folder with a class photo. And someone had compiled a scrapbook of playground photos, complete with captions.

I took photos of everything in the time capsule, so you can check them all out for yourself. CLICK HERE to see that photo gallery.

Please feel free to share this blog with anyone you know who attended or taught at Plank North back then (I was out of town, graduating high school). And if you have any stories to share about the assembly or the time capsule, drop me a line!

It’s very interesting to read the explanations of why each object was chosen and what children thought the world would look like in 2001.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

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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