Village Band begins their 51st year

10 Mar

village-band-2016_1_orig

It’s a sure sign of spring when I get an email from the Webster Village Band.

The band will officially begin the 2018 season — its 51st year — on March 15 when they hold their first rehearsal at Willink Middle School.

The group is made up of more than 50 musicians of all ages, led by Director Tom Indiano and Associate Director Sue Siegmund. New members are always welcome to join. For more information, contact Harvey Cohen at (585) 738-6980, email hcohen@rochester.rr.com, or perhaps just pop in on one of the rehearsals to meet everyone!

The band’s regular Thursday night summer concert series will begin in June and run through September. Concerts are held in the band shell at Harmony Park on Phillips Road.

You’ll be reading more about this tremendous village resource in my blog as the concert season nears, but in the meantime, find out more details on the band’s Facebook page here, and the village website, here.

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Webster community mailbag

8 Mar

mailbagLots of events coming up around town in the next several weeks. Let’s get right into them:

The Webster Public Library is hosting the 5th annual Community Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, March 14, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Residents can connect with several Webster organizations that have volunteer opportunities available, including:

Friends of the Webster Public Library, Friends of Webster Trails, Heritage Christian Services, Hill Haven Nursing and Rehab, Hope Ministry, Maplewood Nursing Home, Never Say Never Foundation, Webster Arboretum, Webster Challenger Baseball, Webster Comfort Care Home, Webster Fire Department, Webster Museum and Historical Society, West Webster Fire Department, and more.

The Webster Public Library is located in Webster Plaza, 980 Ridge Road. The entrance is around the back.

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The First Baptist Church of Penfield has announced their next Flapjack Community Breakfast, on Saturday March 17 from 8 to 10 a.m.

Guests will enjoy pancakes, pure maple syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, and more for just $5.00 per person. All are welcome, and the venue is handicapped accessible.

All March proceeds will go directly to benefit Penfield Area Churches for Habitat for Humanity: a coalition of churches from Penfield, Webster, and East Rochester working with Flower City Habitat for Humanity to eliminate housing poverty in our area by financing and constructing homes for low income homeowners in Rochester.

The First Baptist Church of Penfield is located at 1862 Penfield Rd. For more information, call 585-586-2876.

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The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters, a not-for-profit senior transportation group, will host a Model Train Show on Saturday and Sunday March 24 and 25 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.

There will be lots of displays and lots of vendors offering trains and accessories. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children, and free for kids under 12.

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The Woman’s Club of Rochester will hold its annual Fashion Show/Luncheon fundraiser on Tuesday, April 24 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Midvale Country Club, 2387 Baird Road in Penfield. . Attached is the flyer describing the event and the address for reservations.

Cost is $25, and proceeds will benefit Challenger Miracle Field and Meals on Wheels.Capture

This fun event will feature a menu of Menu: haddock French, chicken Madeira or vegetable quiche; baked potato, steamed asparagus and a garden salad; coffee, tea and upside down cake for dessert.

Following lunch, participants will enjoy a fashion show presented by “J. Jill.”

Reservations required by April 18. To reserve, send your check (payable to WCOR) to:
Elsie Costa, 441 Cascade Drive, Penfield, NY 14526

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Put this one on your calendar now:

The Town of Webster’s regular Pharmaceutical Waste Pickup is Scheduled for April 28 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 226 Phillips Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any unused, unwanted or expired medication is taken for disposal. No appointment is necessary. If you do not feel comfortable with your personal information on the bottles, you can remove the pills and put them in a plastic bag for disposal.

If you can’t make it to this event, remember that the Town Hall, 1000 Ridge Road, has a pharmaceutical drop-ff box, located at the Police Department entrance. It’s open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Items accepted include any unused, unwanted or expired medication such as prescriptions, prescription patches, prescription medication, prescription ointments, over-the- counter medications, vitamins, samples and medications for pets.

Items that are NOT accepted include hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, aerosol cans, ointments, lotions, or liquids, thermometers, needles (sharps) and medication from businesses or clinics.

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Goodbye, my friend

6 Mar

carol_klemWebster began the painful process today of saying goodbye to one of the village’s most precious people, Carol Klem.

Carol passed away peacefully on Saturday March 3, surrounded by her family.

I know I was just one of hundreds to file through Willard Scott Funeral Home this afternoon and evening. But I’m certain that each and every one of those mourners came with a different story, a different memory, a different reason that Carol will be sorely missed.

I knew Carol for less than 10 years, but we shared a passion for local journalism, and a love for the village. When we first met — I don’t remember when or where it was, but it was probably at some village event — we immediately hit it off.  Aside from bonding over our love of writing and journalism, we recognized in each other the same determination to live life fully, not take life too seriously, and never completely grow up.

I will miss our gab sessions at Barry’s and Golden Boys, when we would get together to swap story ideas and gossip. I will miss seeing her swinging her little digital camera at village events. I will miss her ever-present smile, boundless energy and joie de vivre.

Her passing has created an ache in my heart and a rip in the fabric of our village which will take a long time to heal.

Carol Klem’s funeral will be held on Wednesday March 7, at  11:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Rd., Webster. Interment will follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Webster Arboretum. Click here to read the complete obituary.

Also, if you haven’t found it yet, here is the link to the article I wrote for the Webster Herald in November in anticipation of Carol Klem Day in the village.

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PEEP Show returns to Rec Center

5 Mar

peeps

I have said this before, but it bears repeating.  I don’t like Peeps.

You know, I’m talking about those yellow marshmallow chicks and every other iteration of Peepdom that has since been introduced. I kind of put them in the same category as those faux-orange circus peanuts. They squeak when you bite on them.

That being said, I definitely will be attending the third annual Greater Rochester Peep Show scheduled for March 17 and 18 at the Webster Recreation Center. It’s a fundraiser for the Webster Community Chest, and 20 other local nonprofit agencies, and it is the CUTEST THING EVER.

The show will feature more than individual works of art and dioramas made with multi-colored Peeps or based on the a Peeps theme. Some of my favorite creations at last year’s event were the train station created by the Heritage Square Museum and the baseball field, entry from Rochester Miracle Field. (Click here for a small photo gallery from last here.)

Organizers are still soliciting entries for this year’s event. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Plus, there’s a brand new “Spring Bonnet Parade” category, in which  participants are encouraged to decorate a hat with at least one Peeps candy on it. Make it funny, silly, gorgeous — whatever you like!  This is a great project for families and community groups.

There’s no charge to enter and your artwork will be returned after the show if you want it back.

So check out the photos for ideas and START YOUR PEEPS! You can get a lot more information and details on the Greater Rochester Peep Show website.

The show will be held at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, on Saturday March 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday March 18, noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the show is free.

 

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Webster Thomas Players present Pippin

4 Mar

pippinThere are still a few weeks to go before the Webster Thomas Players present this year’s spring musical, Pippin. But tickets are on sale now, and want to encourage you to get them now, while the best ones are still available. This production is going to be something special.

The show’s producers are calling this production of Pippin “a unique interpretation.”

The show chronicles the journey of a young teenage boy searching for happiness, glory, adventure, and fulfillment in life. He tries many different avenues and roads, some of which he realizes are not positive or healthy directions. Eventually, this young man concludes that joy and comfort can be found in the simple things. This show’s theme, discovering who you are as a teenager and the impact your life has on others as you search for contentment, has never been more relevant.

Director Brenda Nitsch wrote that the path from first rehearsal to opening night has been an enlightening one:

Last June when we announced to the students that the 2018 spring musical would be Pippin, our initial thoughts centered on a show that is entertaining, provides learning opportunities in dance, and is a fun and thought provoking artistic production. Little did we know, in the environment our students live in today, that this show would also serve as a vehicle for self-reflection and exploration. We have spent a lot of rehearsal time discussing the themes of Pippin and how we as performers not only have the privilege, but also an obligation, to make a statement about who we are and what is important.

Pippin will be presented at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Road, at the following dates and times:

● Thursday, March 22, 2018, 7:30 PM
● Friday, March 23, 2018, 7:30 PM
● Saturday, March 24, 2018, 2:00 PM
● Saturday, March 24, 2018, 7:30 PM

Tickets are $12.00 and available online now at: websterthomasplayers.com/tickets. They will also be available at the door. For group discounts, email Jennaltobelli@gmail.com.

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Webster mailbag (redux)

1 Mar

It always happens.

I post a mailbag one day, and the next day I find out about — or am reminded  of — several other events which I should have included. So pardon the redundancy, but here is this week’s mailbag, part 2.

Start your Friday night with dinner

spaghettiBoy Scout Troop 110 will host a spaghetti dinner on Friday March 2 at 7 p.m. at the Webster Masonic Lodge, 30 Orchard Street.

Dinner will include salad, bread, spaghetti with meatballs, ice cream, coffee and water. Tickets are $9 each and will be available at the door.

Spry vs. Willink Basketball 

After dinner,  how about taking in a friendly basketball game?

The Webster Willink and Spry Middle School Student Councils are once again sponsoring the annual benefit basketball game between Willink and Spry students, staff, and new this year, special guests Rochester Wheels wheelchair basketball team.

The game will be held Friday March 2, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gymnasium. Tickets are $5 each and will be available at the door.  Refreshments and other concessions will be available for purchase.

This year the Spry Student Council will be donating their proceeds to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; and the Willink Student Council will be donating their proceeds to the Jack Foundation.

basketball

The evening will begin with three student games, featuring Spry vs. Willink 6th, 7th and 8th graders. After those, Spry and Willink faculty members will join forces to play the Rochester Wheels. It should be some great family-friendly fun.

Webster Schroeder High School is at 875 Ridge Road, Webster.

Need more basketball? 

The 5th annual Rumble on the Ridge, Webster Thomas faculty vs. Webster Schroeder faculty basketball game, will be held Saturday March 3 at Webster Schroeder, beginning at 6 p.m.

Cost is $5 per person at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Jack Foundation, Rochester Challenger Miracle Field and the Webster United Basketball Team.

Organizers promise that “it won’t be great basketball, but it will be entertaining.”

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Webster community mailbag

1 Mar

The brand new ROC & Soul Fitness studio in the village has a few fun events coming up this month.

roc & soul

The first is a St. Patrick’s Day special class on Saturday March 10. Katie, one of the studio’s barre instructors, will combine her love of barre and Irish dance to teach something she calls a Barre Jig. The class will begin at 8 a.m. and there’s no dance experience needed.

Next, the studio will host its first Open House/Wellness Day on Saturday, March 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.  It will bring together many Webster and Rochester businesses to give health tips and wellness inspiration to our community.

Some of the events that day include:

  • A FREE barre class
  • Lunch catered by CoreLife Eatery
  • Healthy treats from The Village Bakery
  • Two speakers (Sarah Ormsby- a mental health counselor and Sarah Goodenough who owns Kitchen-Verde and was featured in People Magazine).
  • Other local businesses including RSalon, Oils by Erin, Athleta, ​Lorraine Staunch Art, and Arbonne Shakes.

ROC & Soul Fitness is located at 43 East Main Street in Webster, in that little plaza behind the Prime.

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Hey parents: If one of your kids is thinking about college, this news is for you, brought to you by the Webster Central School District:

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will host the Rochester National College Fair, on Sunday, March 18 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and Monday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Attendees can meet one-on-one with admission representatives from public and private colleges and universities, including some international institutions. Both two- and four-year schools will be featured. Gap-year programs have also been invited to exhibit.

Participants will receive tips on how to navigate the college selection process, and learn more about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings, and campus life. Students and parents can also discuss individual needs with college experts at the fair’s counseling center.

Complete information about the fair, including free student registration, can be found at www.nacacfairs.org.

The event is free and open to the public.

WFD facebook

Finally, If you’ve ever wanted to get a peek behind the scenes at a working firehouse, it just got a lot easier.

The Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page is enjoying a kind of rebirth. It’s recently come alive with news and photos from all aspects of the department’s day-to-day operations.

Just in the last few days, for example, there have been photos of the new recruit class and one from a training session, and a link to a TV news story about a local fire to which the WVFD responded.

That’s just the beginning. You’ll want to like the page to stay up to date on what’s happening with your local firefighters. I think you’ll be surprised how busy they are (even when they’re not out on call) and how connected they are with our community.

Check out the WVFD Facebook page here.

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Strike Back Martial Arts joins national registry

24 Feb

STRIKE+BACK+Logo+Extra+SmallCongratulations to my friends and colleagues at Strike Back Martial Arts, which has recently been accepted as a member of the Adaptive Martial Arts Association (AMAA).

The AMAA is a national organization which describes itself as

a resource for students and instructors to gather and share ideas, curriculum and other adaptive training information while promoting disabled inclusion and helping to break down martial arts training stereotypes associated with the disabled.

Strike Back, owned by Mike Palmer and Dave Nicchitta, is a perfect fit for the organization. In 2015 the jujitsu dojo introduced their Jujitsu Buddies class, designed for children with autism, and just last year began a brand new Strike Back Fitness program specifically designed for children and teens with Down syndrome. Both programs have been very well received and have grown since their introduction.

After they had established those programs, Nicchitta said,

We had been looking to align ourselves with organizations that coupled martial arts and special needs (adaptive) programs. This seemed to be exactly what we were looking for so I reached out to them regarding membership. …We received approval a few weeks later and as a result are listed on their national registry along with other schools across the country.

“We are the only Upstate NY martial arts school on their national registry,” he added.

Strike Back Martial Arts is located at 55 East Main Street in the village. For more information about these and other programs they dojo offers, visit their website or Facebook page.

You can also ask me — I am pleased and proud to say I am part of the Strike Back family, and help teach these exceptional young people.

 

strike back

I love my Saturday morning Jujitsu Buddies

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End break week with some great library programs

22 Feb

family_night

If your kids are beginning to get a little bored with having so much time on their hands this week, here are a few great kid and family-friendly library programs you’re gonna love.

Friday night Feb. 23, bring the family to the Webster Public Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for an after-hours evening of fun. Enjoy a family craft, retro video-gaming, minute-to-win-it challenges, live music by Bach to Rock and more. Snacks will be served.

Registration is required for this program, and there are only a few spots left, so make sure to log onto the library website to register ASAP.

On Saturday Feb. 24, your kids will help kickoff the spring season with the library’s IMG_5766“Seedy Saturday” program.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., both kids and adults can take part in a variety of spring gardening activities, including participating in a hands-on demonstration of worm composting; making plant labels out of a variety of materials; seeing an example of square foot gardening; making seed balls and seed starting containers; and learning how to start plants from seed.

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And here’s a heads-up about an important event hitting our town in April.

The second annual Challenger Miracle Field Fete has been scheduled for Friday April 13 at the Arbor Loft in downtown Rochester.

Anybody who’s anybody will be attending this festive, fancy celebration, which will feature food and drink, a live and silent auction, and entertainment. You’ll also hear a lot about what a great facility Miracle Field already is, and how your support can make it even better by helping build a pavilion, concession stand, accessible restrooms and a Play with Possibilities Playground.

I am pleased to also report that my close friends Jim, Mary and Katie Holleran are honorary chairs for the event.

Tickets are $100 each and can be reserved by clicking here.

Challenger Miracle Field is located in Ridge Park, behind Town Hall on Van Ingen Drive.  To read more about this tremendous facility, click here.

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She’s baaaaack!

22 Feb

You would think, with a week off of school, I would be taking advantage of all the free time I have to be writing up a storm.

Turns out, that has not quite been the case.

I did, indeed have a long list of things I wanted to accomplish this week. It included buy a dishwasher, buy a printer, clean off computer files, clean out crawl space, finish column, start new column, make gig bag, finish EPK, work on bowling program, buy socks…. and tucked somewhere in there was the word “blog.” In large part because the column was on deadline and the “clean off computer files” task took more than 3 days, I never quite got around to updating this blog in the last week.

Today I try to correct that oversight.

I’ve already blogged about Spry Middle School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie Jr., which will take the stage for three performances March 9 at 7:30, and March 10 at 2:30 and 7:30. Tickets are $7 each and will be available beginning Monday February 26 by clicking here.

Spry Middle School is at 119 South Avenue in the village of Webster.

Just a few weeks later, Webster Thomas High School will present their spring musical, Pippin.

pippinPippin is the story of a young prince, told by a traveling troupe of actors led by the cunning and charming Leading Player. The prince is heir to the throne, searching for his own “corner of the sky.” Pippin returns from university certain that he will find a fulfilling purpose in life. As encouraged by the Leading Player, Pippin dabbles in bloody battle, temptations of the flesh, and savvy political maneuvers, only to discover that true happiness is more complicated than he thought.

The show is peppered with infectious tunes by Stephen Schwartz and classic choreography from Bob Fosse, and promises to be a humorous, exciting adventure.

Pippin will be presented on Thursday March 22, Friday March 23 and Saturday March 24 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.

Tickets are $12.00, available online now by clicking here. They’ll also be available at the door.

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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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