Community Arts Day needs volunteers

20 Mar

As sure as sighting a robin is a sign of spring, I know that April is just around the corner when I start getting emails about Community Arts Day.

I’ll post more detailed information and photos about this great annual event soon, but for starters, here’s a quick reminder from the district (and a call for volunteers) so you can get it on your calendars right now.

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Community Arts Day is April 14

Webster Central PTSA is gearing up for Community Arts Day and everyone is invited to join the fun, so save the date and volunteer your time!

Community Arts Day (CAD) will be Saturday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School. This annual event showcases Webster CSD students’ creative talents and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts. This great Webster tradition was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district. Activities include art displays, carnival games, sweet treats sale, plant sale, crafts galore and so much more! Musical groups and demonstrators (karate, gymnastics, etc.) perform free all day! You can also grab lunch there (now accepting most major credit cards).

Volunteers are always welcome. Each of the 11 schools in the district contributes volunteers to the CAD committee and 30 volunteers to run the events, buy baked goods, and make the day a great event for the entire community. If you would like to donate a little of your time, email the CAD Planning Committee at CAD@websterptsa.org.

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Marshmallow Masterpieces on Display in Webster

19 Mar

Today I am pleased to step aside for a guest blogger, Justin Karnisky. Justin is a Boy Scout with Troop 110, and submitted this excellent follow-up article about an event that took place over the weekend.

Marshmallow Masterpieces on Display in Webster

by Justin Karnisky

librarypeep1.jpg

The Webster Public Library’s annual Book Sale… in Peeps. (J. Karnisky)

The Greater Rochester [Marshmallow] Peep® Show took place March 17-18 at the Webster Recreation Center on Chiyoda Drive and was a big hit. More than 1,600 people attended the event across the two days that it was held.

The cleverly named Peep Show consists of diorama-like displays of Marshmallow Peeps ® in various settings. Favorites included the Webster Public Library, a one-room schoolhouse full of Peeps sitting at desks made out of graham crackers, a Peep hair salon, a display from Lollypop Farm, local favorites such as Wickham Farms, and several displays of Peeps participating in events from the Winter Olympics. Free admission allowed families to attend and enjoy the displays at no cost, with an optional charity donation.

Several Girl Scout troops submitted displays for the event. Even some local news networks had displays of their newsrooms. Other displays included the Peep Eiffel Tower, Heritage Christian Stables, Peepble Beach putting green, Cherry Ridge playground, and even the brand-new Filling Station. For the older crowd, there was a Lawrence Welk Peep display, with a marshmallow Mr. Welk in front with his baton. Also new this year was a spring bonnet parade, with hats decorated with marshmallow creations. Many of the displays were quite detailed, in particular the Lollypeep Farm display, which included pigs, pine trees, ducks in a pond, sheep, and miniature animals inside pens. Genesee Valley Physical Therapy’s display featured Peeps doing various exercises, as did a Jazzercise display, which included free weights made out of toothpicks and mini marshmallows. For fans of the Netflix series Stranger Things, there was even a Stranger Peeps display. A local favorite, and winner of the Webster Dental Group award for Best Eatery Peep, was the Filling Station Pub and Grill display, which included Peeps on bar stools and at graham crackers booths, and even hamburgers and sodas.

The Peep Show is sponsored by the Webster Community Chest. Michael Granier, a member of the board of directors of the Community Chest and nicknamed “Head Peep” for the event, said the show “is funded by sponsors, donations from attendees, and merchandise sales.” Granier, a former member of Boy Scout Troop 110 himself, enthusiastically described the planning, setup, volunteer coordination, and community participation for the event. Volunteers range from students from both Webster High Schools to members of the Community Chest. “This exists as a fundraiser event for the Community Chest and for the charities involved, because all expenses go to the charities,” Granier said.

There are three levels of sponsorship for the Peep Show. At the Sponsor level, the company gets a banner displayed at the event, a prize sponsorship, and a table. At the Support level, the company gets a prize and table sponsorship. Finally, at the Friend level, a company gets to sponsor a prize.

Fishfamily

Angie Fish, Alicia Solis, Edwin and Abby Fish (J. Karnisky)

Several families were in attendance throughout the event. The Fish family, originally from Massachussetts, was seeing the show for the first time. Abby, Edwin, and Angie Fish, together with their mother and their friend Alicia Solis, really enjoyed the displays. “It’s like they took our world and turned it into candy,” Abby Fish said. Her favorite was the Webster Public Library display. Angie Fish said the show was “very creative,” and their younger brother Edwin said he liked that “all the stuff was made out of Peeps.”

Now in its third year, the Peep show has gained publicity through posters, social media, news articles, and sites such as Kids Out and About. For more information on how to create a display for next year, see http://www.rochesterpeepshow.com/.

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KarniskyScout2018Note: Justin Karnisky is a Star Scout in Boy Scout Troop 110 from St. Martin’s Church in Webster. He is 14 years old, and a 9th grader at McQuaid Jesuit High School. .Justin is working on the communications merit badge one of the required badges for Eagle Scout. 

 

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St. Pat’s at the pubs

12 Mar

plotys

St. Patrick’s Day, the High Holy Day of the Irish year, is just around the corner, and plans to celebrate in the village are beginning to kick into high gear.

Webster’s newest pub, Ploty’s Hometown Tavern, will be joining the fun this year in a big way.

Owner Eric Plotzker has renaimed his establishment “McPloty’s” in honor of the holiday, and has rolled out some extra special t-shirts and beer cozies, plus LOTS of great drink specials to commemorate the pub’s new (albeit temporary) Irish-ness.

He’s hoping for good weather so patrons will also be able to enjoy his patio.

Ploty’s is located at 27 West Main Street, on the lower level (where the Vino Lounge used to be).

Webster’s very own, nationally-ranked Irish pub, Barry’s Old School Irish is also planning a big splash, of course, kicking off St. Patrick’s Day week on Tuesday March 13, when the pub welcomes its friendly Barry’s Runners group at 6:30 p.m. Runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to join in for a wee bit of exercise and a lot of socializing. Participants will receive Guinness give-aways and free tastings after the run.  Plus, the Foxhunters will be hosting a traditional Irish music session, and the Rochester Academy of Irish Dance will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday March 14 is Trivia Night, sponsored by Guinness with prizes for first, second and third places, and best doodle. This is always a fun time and always packed with teams, so reserve your table by e-mailing barrysirishpub@gmail.com.

Thursday March 15 will feature a special menu, paired with selected Irish brews and whiskeys. At 7 p.m., a Jameson rep will be in the house, and from 7 to 10 p.m., the always entertaining Kenny Snyder and Bob Grocki will play some live acoustic rock.

Barry’s Crossing will provide entertainment on Friday March 16, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.  Dancers from the Jamieson Irish Dance school will perform at 8:30 p.m., and there will be Guinness and Jameson giveaways all night.

Finally, on St. Patrick’s Day proper, Barry’s will be opening the doors at 8 a.m. and have a non-stop day of entertainment, good food and drink until 2 a.m. To accommodate the expected crowds, they’ve arranged to have the sidewalks barricaded so people can spill out into the (hopefully) warm weather.

Entertainment will be provided all day by The Foxhunters, Barry’s Crossing and Everheart; two Irish dance schools will perform, whiskey reps will be handing out samples, Bagpiper Jack will walk through sometime, and of course there’s going to be some great food and drink.

There’s so much going on that day that you have to check out the Facebook page for details.

Barry’s Old School Irish is at 2 West Main Street, at the village of Webster’s four corners.

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Some thoughts about the Village Board

11 Mar

It had been a long time since I’d attended a Webster Village Board meeting, but last Thursday, on the advice of the fine ladies at the Village Hall (where I’d gone to renew my passport), I decided to go. And I’m glad I did.

The evening was marked by two important events. The first was a moment of silence in honor of one of the village’s finest people, Carol Klem, who passed away about a week ago.

Village Trustee Karl Laurer added some thoughts. He said that Carol was “instrumental in helping me be in the position I am now. … She was a fine example of humility, integrity, decency, honor, and a solid part of our village meetings.”

Village Trustee Jude Lancy added that Carol’s funeral, held the previous day, was a “great celebration of her life….As sorrowful as we felt, (the officiants) made us laugh.”

Mark

The next order of business was another celebration of service to the community, but a bit happier one, when David Mayer was recognized for his almost 21 years of service as the village’s Planning and Zoning attorney.

During his tenure he served under seven different mayors of different political parties, earning respect from them all.

On a side note, I have to say that attending the Village Board meetings is a pleasant experience once again.

I had gotten out of the habit of attending these meetings because I was a bit put off by the shenanigans and the circus it had become under the previous administration. I had both a prurient interest in attending just to see what might happen, but also felt frustrated, embarrassed and annoyed by what did transpire.

But now they’re back where they belong: civil, not contentious. There’s a lot of dry procedural matters that necessarily have to be part of village business, but there’s usually also a lot of interesting information for our day-to-day village living.

For example, at one meeting late last year, one resident brought up his concerns about the clock tower in Veterans Park, and how it had been broken for so long. He by the way, was one of the residents who worked so hard to raise money to purchase it.

I encourage every village resident to check out a meeting every once in a while. It’s a good way to become an informed citizen, and a great avenue by which to express your concerns about what’s going on in the village. There aren’t many opportunities these days when we can look a government leader in the eye and share our gripes.

Village Board meetings are held the second and fourth Thursday of every month beginning at 7 p.m., in the Village Community Meeting Hall, 29 South Avenue. (This is a new time. Meetings used to begin at 7:30, but were moved as of March 1.)

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

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