Music is in the air

9 Apr

chorus

This Thursday is National Barbershop Quartet Day, and Webster’s very own Chorus of the Genesee will be celebrating with a concert this Thursday April 11 at the Harmony House, 58 East Main Street in the village.

This is a great opportunity to have an evening out, enjoy some incredible music and really get to know the guys who make up one of Webster’s lesser-know treasures, the Chorus of the Genesee. Make sure to ask them how YOU can get involved as well!  

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. There’s no charge, but a free-will donation will be gratefully accepted! Refreshments will be served.

For more information about the Chorus, visit www.chorusofthegenesee.org.

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Plank North teacher earns Golden Apple

8 Apr
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Plank North kindergarten teacher Cindy Barnard with Brooklyn

I am pleased and proud to spread the news that my good friend and Plank Rd. North Elementary School teaching colleague Cindy Barnard received a Golden Apple Award from WROC-TV Channel 8 Friday morning!

Cindy was in the school library with her kindergarten class, lured down there by an admitted “fib” from Principal Craig Bodensteiner,  when Channel 8 came in to present the award.

Brooklyn Lown’s mother Lindsay nominated Cindy for the award.

It was clearly an emotional moment for Cindy; after the requisite interviews and photos were completed, she had her class help her do some mindful breathing to calm her nerves.

Afterwards, she told me, “I feel blessed to have been working for Webster for 22 years, and I have been at Plank North the entire time. I call everyone at Plank North my family.”

The presentation and interview were captured on camera, and will be aired in a few weeks. As soon as I know when it will be on, I will be sure to share that information.

 

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Photos from Community Arts Day

6 Apr

It was another extremely successful Community Arts Day today. For the two hours I was there this afternoon, the cafeteria and hallways were fairly crowded with people, and I dare say attendance was as good as I have ever seen it. I’m sure that the pleasant weather had a lot to do with that. It has been much worse some years.

Congratulations to the organizers for another great event and thank you to all of the volunteers who helped pull this together.

I did my best to snap pictures of as many things as I could, but there was just SO MUCH going on and SO MUCH great artwork. But I still managed to get more than 100. Click here to see them. 

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East Rochester race to benefit Webster girl

6 Apr

beat braina cancerYoung Vivian Stoch of Webster will benefit from this year’s Beat Brain Cancer 5K, scheduled for Saturday June 8 at East Rochester High School.

Vivian, just 8 years old, is battling medulloblastoma, a pediatric form of brain cancer. In an email, race organizers said this about the brave young lady:

Vivian was diagnosed on April 23, 2018 after having double vision. Vivian has under gone surgery, 31 radiation treatments, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. Vivian is working with occupational therapy and physical therapy as well as tutoring at home. Due to the location of the tumor, Vivian still struggles with her balance, which prevents her from participating in many of the activities she enjoys most. Vivian loves cheerleading and gymnastics and wants to be a dolphin trainer when she grows up. Despite the major obstacles Vivian has overcome, she still smiles and maintains a happy disposition. 

The Stoch family has experienced a loss of wages and continues to receive medical bills for treatment. Please join us in supporting Vivian, her parents Mark and Kelly, and her little sister, Laila in this long and difficult journey against this horrible disease…. All of the money raised from this event will go to the Stoch family.

Vivian

Vivian Stoch

The annual Beat Brain Cancer 5K was created in memory of Desiree Stockholm, a nurse practitioner who passed away from a rare form of brain cancer at only 31 years old. Eveyr year the event raises funds to help other families in need offset the very expensive costs of fighting this disease. Last year, the race raised an amazing $17,000.

The race will feature a 5K run, 1 mile walk and a kids’ obstacle course. Registration is $20 through May 6, then goes up to $25 through June 7 and $30 on the day of the race.

For more information, to register, or just make a direct donation, click here. You can also send a tax-deductible donation to Beat Brain Cancer 5k, 31 Captiva Crossing, Fairport NY 14450. Please make checks payable to Beat Brain Cancer Inc.

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Two blood drives hit town next week

5 Apr

blood dropThe American Red Cross is holding two blood drives in Webster next week, and Game of Thrones fans will especially want to attend.

All this month, every presenting donor (even if you’re deferred for some reason after you sign in) will be entered into a drawing to win a full-size Iron Throne from HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Our upcoming local drives are:

  • Tuesday, April 9, St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd., from 1 to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday April 10, American Legion, 818 Ridge Rd., from 1 to 6 p.m.

Things go a little faster if you sign up ahead of time for an appointment, which you can do online here or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS. But please feel free to just drop in if you find you have an hour or so free either of those days. The need is critical right now.

(And not for nothing, I don’t want a throne, so let me know if you’d like to have it if I win it.)

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School kids strut their stuff at Community Arts Day

4 Apr

Community Arts Day returns to Webster Schroeder High School this coming weekend, on Saturday April 6.

If you’ve been a Webster resident for a while, you probably already know about this great event. But if not, please read on, especially if you 1) appreciate artwork of all kinds, 2) have children, 3) like baked goods, 4) like crafts, 5) like seeing your friends and neighbors, and/or 6) like having fun with life.

Allow me to elaborate.

  • Community Arts Day is our school district’s annual show-off day. Students from every one of our elementary, middle and high schools will have artwork on display. We’re talking sculptures, paintings, collages, sketches, you name it. Even the youngest students will be represented. These kids just love seeing their work displayed in public, and you’ll see many a proud parent snapping photos of their children in front of the displays. Especially don’t miss the incredible artwork by our high-schoolers, usually set up in the cafeteria. They’ll make your jaw drop. By the way, make sure to look at the walls as you walk by, because you’ll find written pieces posted there. (Writing is an art form all its own, don’t you know.) And throughout the day you can enjoy music and dance performances and martial arts demonstrations.
  • Even if your children don’t expect to have anything on display, bring your kids anyway. There are all sorts of free activities and give-aways, there’s a bake sale and hot dogs, arts and crafts, and usually a firefighter hanging around to show off his — or her — gear.  So basically it’s a full day of free entertainment.
  • Did I mention the bake sale? Tons of great baked goods. And here’s an insider’s hint: the last hour of the day or so, everything is half price. You can walk away with whole pies for a steal.
  • Local craft-type people set up their wares in the cafeteria every year, and it’s great fun to see what they bring. This is also where you’ll find the kids’ arts & crafts area and regular live entertainers.
  • Guaranteed, within minutes of walking into the school, you’ll see someone you know — a friend, school acquaintance, a neighbor. Because Community Arts Day is THE place to be this weekend.
  • Having fun with life is what this day is all about. As soon as you walk in the door, you’ll see a dozen things you want to see or do. Around the next corner, there’s another dozen things. Basically, make sure to plan a couple of hours to wander.

Community Arts Day takes place Saturday April 6 from 10 am to 4 pm at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road. Admission is free and there’s plenty of parking. Proceeds from food, craft, and carnival booth sales will benefit cultural arts programs within the Webster Central School District. For more information, visit the Community Arts Day website where you can see the full entertainment schedule. 

Click here to see photos from last year.

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Inglés para adultos con guardería opcional

3 Apr

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Marissa Birke, owner of one of the Village of Webster’s newest businesses, The Pickled Paintbrush, is already becoming an active member of our local community. She’s teamed up with an ESOL teacher to offer free English classes for adults.

From April 29 through May 20, adults looking to improve their English language skills are invited to spend Monday evenings at The Pickled Paintbrush. Each session is 90 minutes long, and are designed to help adults improve their English skills through interactive activities, while getting to know people living in your community.

Marissa wrote,

This program is important to me because I want to help give back to the community. I’ve also taught Adult ESOL classes in Maryland (it is was my focus in grad school), and loved working with this group.

One of the best parts of the program is that childcare will be available during these sessions, for potty-trained children ages 4 and up. The Pickled Paintbrush will provide an art program for children while the adults are in class.

All skill levels are welcome to join the classes. There’s no charge, but participants are asked to register in advance so they know how many adults and children to expect. Click  here for more information and to register.  You can also call The Pickled Paintbrush at (585) 704-8809 or email thepickledpaintbrush@gmail.com.

The Pickled Paintbrush is located at 36 East Main St. in the village of Webster. You can check them out ahead of time at their open house on Monday, April 22.

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Schroeder drama takes the stage

3 Apr

the bad seedHere’s a quick addition this morning to yesterday’s community mailbag.

This week, the Webster Schroeder Drama Club will present Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson, the dramatization of William March’s novel The Bad Seed.

Described in the email I received,

Little Rhoda Penmark is the perfect child in every way: polite, proper and pleasant. But the shocking drowning of Rhoda’s classmate begins to raise questions for Mrs. Penmark on just how perfect Rhoda may be…

Showtimes are this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and will b available at the door. Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd.

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Webster Community Mailbag

2 Apr

mailbag iconThe Webster Central School District invites community members to complete an engagement survey to help guide the district’s strategic plan.

The Community Engagement Survey, which is now available online here, will help guide the district’s implementation of new district initiatives and evaluate ongoing programs that impact all students and families.

The survey can be accessed on the school district website, and will be available through Thursday April 11. WCSD staff members and students will complete a different version of this survey in school.

The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Paper surveys will also be available at all 11 school buildings, the Webster Aquatic Center, Webster Recreation Center, Webster Public Library, and Penfield Public Library. Accommodations can also be made if you would like the survey translated into another language. Visit the WCSD website for more information.

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The next Flapjack Saturday Community Fundraiser at the First Baptist Church of Penfield, on Saturday April 20, is going to be a special one. 

From 8 to 10 a.m., enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, sausage and more for just $5 per person. Plus, at 9 a.m., children up to fifth grade can also participate in an Easter egg hunt, rain for shine. 

April proceeds will benefit the Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf, a supplemental food relief organization serving the 14526 and 14625 areas and families of children in the Penfield school district since 1997.

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St. Rita School will be hosting a Sticky Lips fundraiser on Saturday April 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the school, 1008 Maple Rd., in Webster.

On the menu that night will be BBQ chicken, pulled pork, fresh cornbread, two homemade sides as well as a coupon for a free appetizer card when you visit the restaurant.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the school, or through the school’s website.

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It’s April, so all sorts of fun events are popping up at the Webster Public Library. Here are a few:

The Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale happens Wed. April 24 through Sat. April 27. This is an excellent opportunity to stock up on some new books for your home library, for just a few bucks!

Hardcover books are just just $1 each, paperbacks only 50 cents, and credit cards are accepted. Members of the Friends are invited to beat the crowds at special hours, Wed. from 5 to 8:30 p.m. (If you’d like to join the Friends that night, memberships will be available at the door.)

The general public is invited to shop on Thurs. April 25, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Friday and Saturday you can fill a whole bag for just $4. 

And here’s a quick reminder about the library’s Volunteer Fair, taking place Wed. April 3 at the library.

If you’ve ever thought about spending an hour or two a week — or more — using your many skills to help out a worthy organization, this is your chance to find the perfect fit. You’ll be able to connect with almost a dozen local agencies including Friends of the Webster Public Library, Friends of Webster Trails, Heritage Christian Services, Maplewood Nursing Home, Never Say Never Foundation, Webster Comfort Care Home, the Webster Arboretum, Webster Museum and Historical Society, and the the Webster and West Webster fire departments.

No registration is required; you can pop in any time between 3:30 and 6 p.m.

Visit the Webster Public Library website to get more information about these and lots more April programs. The library is located at 980 Ridge Road, on the back side of the plaza off of Van Ingen Drive.

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This year’s Peep Show was speeptacular

31 Mar

IMG_0495The 2019 edition of the Greater Rochester Peep show happened this weekend, and it was bigger and better than ever.

This annual extravaganza is sponsored by the Webster Community Chest. I’ve been attending since it began several years ago, and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen so many people checking out the entries before. I didn’t get a final official count, but there must have been easily more than 100 Peeps-themed entries spread throughout six exhibition rooms, the whimsical creations of dozens of local businesses and community groups who were vying for one of many “Peeple’s Choice” awards.

Live entertainment was provided this year for the first time, featuring demonstrations by local groups including the Rochester School of Irish Dance and DK Dance Studio. Organizers also brought back the children’s activity room this year, along with a snack bar, merchandise table and raffles.

Peep Show visitors purchase tokens to vote for their favorite displays. All funds raised through the voting, raffles and snack bar will be split among several local charities.

Thank you to all of this year’s sponsoring organizations, and everyone who spent so much time creating the spectacular displays. And congratulations to this yer’s organizing committee for a job well done. You have created an amazing event which touches all corners of our community and brings everyone together in so many ways. I am already looking forward to next year.

Here are a some photos from the show. To see a full gallery, click here.

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

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