Heading to college a bittersweet occasion for all

3 Sep

It’s been very quiet around our house for the last few days.  On Saturday morning my husband and I dropped Erin, our youngest, off at St. John Fisher College — a major milestone for her AND for us.  And despite how excited we all were to see the day arrive, it was a very bittersweet event.  Because no matter how excited you are to finally be out on your own, it’s a bit scary when it happens. And no matter how much you’re looking forward to empty-nesting, it’s sad when it happens.

I’ve been struggling to find the right way to put these feelings into words, and then remembered a letter my mother wrote to me my first week of college. She must have sat down immediately after returning home to write it and put it in the mail. She knew I would already be homesick, and she knew that laughter was the best medicine.  It made me laugh till I cried, and I needed to do both.

It was perfect, and I am pleased to share it with you all, and especially with those parents who have just sent your sons and daughters off to school:

Dear Missy:

Oh, I’m so glad you’re settled, temporarily, at least.  And of course I’m not WORRIED about you. You’re a big girl now!!!

(Did you find anything to eat, and where to go for supper? Do you have a comfortable bed? Did you stay warm last night? If it’s hot, will you have enough breeze? Do you like your roommates in the barracks? Do you know your way around? Do you have enough money? Will you have room enough for your clothes?)

Gee, we’ll miss you. I was just saying to your sister when we were taking your bed down, “Gee, I’ll miss that girl.”  She said, “Who?”  I’ll remind her again while we’re out tomorrow putting the ad in the Pennysaver for your dresser and your bicycle.

The neighbor lady loves your new sweater.

Love, Ma

Prime Steakhouse is under new ownership

1 Sep

I picked up another interesting bit of Webster business news in my travels around town yesterday. Prime Steakhouse on East Main Street has been sold.

This may not be news to you, since it actually closed its doors a few weeks ago. But I just found out yesterday, and was a bit surprised by the news. Last I heard from owner Neil Bauman, despite the troubles his other properties were  having with receiverships and such, The Prime was on solid ground.

Perhaps the economy finally did it in. Or perhaps it was the $28 steaks. Or maybe both.

In any case, I had the good luck to chat for a few minutes with the new chef, who told me the new owner hopes to open for business soon, maybe even as early as next week.  Various sources have informed me they’ll be keeping the name the same, but lowering the prices.

Stay tuned.

 

Changes in start times mark new school year

31 Aug

It’s hard to go anywhere these days without hearing moms and kids or moms and moms chatting about the beginning of the new school year. And several of those conversations have involved the schools’ new start times.

If you have kids in the Webster schools, you certainly already know about the new start times. In past years, school start times have been staggered — for example, Plank North and Plank South started about an hour apart. This year for the first time, all the elementary schools in the district will open their doors within minutes of each other, around 9 am.  The secondary schools will start earlier, as usual, but will also all open at about the same time, around 7:30 am. (For details, check the WCSD website.)

I’ve heard the rationale behind this explained a few times, and am still trying to get my head around it. Here’s the official explanation from Carm Gumina, Deputy Superintendent of the Webster Central School District:

The State’s move to a new Common Core Curriculum and new assessments based on this Common Core was certainly a significant driverfor the change.  The opportunity to add 40-60 hours of core instructional time for our 4th and 5th graders in a way that is tax-neutral was just as significant.

How did we “add 40-60 hours of core instructional time?”   Activity period (band/orchestra/chorus/intramurals/art club) has traditionally been during the school day, and when 4th/5th graders would leave their classrooms to attend these activities, the core instructional day would essentially stop for that 45 minute block of time. Now activity period will be before school on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fridays (Wednesdays are meeting days for teachers).  Students signed up for their activities last May/June, but will be able to sign up when school starts as well.  Busing will be provided before school as well.

I’m told that because the activity period lands before the school day instead of middle of the day, kids will be less hesitant to leave classroom to do an activity. So the change creates opportunities for kids to try more things.

Carm’s detailed explanation doesn’t specifically address why the start times were changed for the secondary schools as well, but I know it is closely tied to the Common Core Curriculum and its recommendations.

These new start times will require some adjustment for parents. Some will appreciate the later start times that several of the elementary schools are implementing. But that will also mean later release times, which could affect after-school activities. For others, their children will have to get used to waking up an hour earlier, an idea which I’m sure does NOT sit well with the kids.  And it will be interesting to see what the traffic is like on Publisher’s Parkway in the morning with both Thomas High School and Willink Middle School starting within 15 minutes of each other.

Several elementary schools are also seeing some shifting in their populations this fall. Specifically, many Klem South Elementary students will be transferring to Schlegel and Dewitt, some Plank North students will go to Plank South, and some State Road students will go to Schlegel Road. The changes will affect somewhere between 115 and 125 students.

Director of Communications Ann Carmody explained that the changes are in response to recent growth in the Webster population, which has been steady in recent years, but favored particular neighborhoods.  Lately that growth has stabilized, so the district figured it would be a good time to reassign some of those neighborhoods and “rebalance” the schools to attain optimal class sizes.

 

Checking in with some awesome local businesses

31 Aug

I spent much of the day yesterday traveling around town lining up raffle prizes for the Trucks for the Tower Food Rodeo benefit in which I’m involved. And with every stop, I was reminded how generous and community-minded our local businesspeople are.

Almost without fail, every time I walked into a business, I walked out with a prize in hand, or promise of one to come.  Many of the business owners had heard about the event which sparked this benefit — the arson fire which destroyed the Bay View YMCA climbing tower earlier this summer — and more than pleased to do something to help the cause. But even if they hadn’t heard about it, they were still willing to help out.

I just love this town.

As an added benefit to my tours around town, I’ve reconnected with many business owners I haven’t seen in a long time. And in a few cases, I found out about some exciting changes in their businesses.

Take BayTowne Liquor, for example, in BayTowne Plaza. When I walked into their shop yesterday, I was taken aback at how airy and wide open things looked, much less crowded than I remembered from earlier visits.  It turns out that BayTowne has recently undergone a major renovation.

I spoke with Erin Pries, VP of Marketing, who told me that plans for the renovations have been in the works since the store changed ownership two years ago. When the time was right, those plans were put in motion and the place was “remodeled top to bottom,” including new flooring, walls and brickwork.  Plus, they expanded into the adjacent vitamin store, giving them more space to add products, and introduce special events like their Friday and Saturday afternoon wine tastings.

BayTowne Liquor had their official grand opening in March, but the place still looks brand spanking new. Check it out for yourself.  You’ll find them in BayTowne Plaza between Premier Fitness and WalMart.

Local business helps city school

31 Aug

I love helping to promote events where local people are going out of their way to help others.  This item fits the bill perfectly.

The folks at Henderson Ford in Webster are sponsoring a book drive to benefit City of Rochester School #52. People are encouraged to donate new or gently used books, for children ages 6-12 (grades 1-6). The books can be dropped off through September 1 in one of four boxes located around the Henderson Ford dealership, 810 Ridge Road in Webster, or at one of these other locations throughout the Rochester area:

Edge Advertising Group, 6 N. Main Street, Fairport
Dixon Schwabl, 1595 Moseley Road, Victor
A Different Point of View, 2920 Monroe Avenue, Rochester
Omero’s Clothes, 274 Silver Fox Circle, Rochester

You’ll often hear about book drives throughout the school year, but I love the timing of this one because it lands just before the school year begins. I can just imagine how excited the kids are when they get to choose a brand new book just as school starts.

According to Megan, my contact at Henderson Ford, this is the second year the dealership has sponsored the book drive. But “we’ve upped the ante this year,” she reported. Last year they collected almost 1,000 books, almost enough to fill new Ford Escape. This year they’re aiming to fill a new Ford Focus.

Wow. A car filled with books. What a great goal.  Please help them reach it.

 

 

Wisdom from the young

27 Aug

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting on a bench at Wegmans, next to to the store’s child care area, waiting for my husband to finish up some shopping. At one point, a mother came to pick up her daughter, who bounced excitedly through the door with this report: “Hey Mommy, Alissa is my new best friend!”

If only adults could have the same approach to life, and to the new people they meet, this world would be a much better place.

Spam, spam, spam

26 Aug

Looking for some cheap entertainment? Poke through your spam folder sometime. Don’t worry, if you don’t actually click on a link, you’re safe. I do this every once in a while when I get bored. I visit my Gmail spam folder and see how many people want to give me money or need help carrying all their money-stuffed suitcases to the United States, or consider me a perfect candidate for a cheap loan. (I don’t get the male enhancement ads very much anymore. Maybe they wised up.)

So those always make me giggle. But if I’m in the mood for some real gut-breaking laughs, I check the spam comments I get on my WordPress blog. Most of them try to commend me on my excellent blog and insightful comments. I think. Sometimes it’s hard to tell.  Here’s an example (and I swear, I did not edit this for clarity):

I wanted to post you that very small remark in order to say thanks a lot as before with your spectacular suggestions you’ve shown here. This is simply remarkably open-handed of people like you to offer unreservedly exactly what a number of people would have offered as an e book in order to make some cash for their own end, notably seeing that you might have tried it in case you wanted. These tactics also acted to be the great way to recognize that the rest have similar zeal just as mine to understand a little more with regard to this matter. Certainly there are thousands of more fun instances up front for folks who read your site.

Thanks. I guess?

Webster is pulling together to rebuild tower

23 Aug

The Webster community has been pulling together in a big way to help raise funds to rebuild the Bay View Family YMCA Climbing Tower.

You probably remember what happened: On June 24, the day before summer camp began, the 45-foot climbing tower at the Bay View Family YMCA was set on fire by arsonists. The entire tower was destroyed, including much of the climbing equipment and the popular zip line feature. It was a devastating blow to the YMCA community, all of the kids who used it every day at camp, and the families who tackled its challenges each evening.

Insurance did not completely cover the cost of replacing the wall, so fund-raising efforts began almost immediately. The campers even got involved. The preschoolers put out jars to collect change. Camp Bay View camper Joey Gerard has already raised thousands by selling woven bracelets.

But lots more money is needed, because the Y has some ambitious plans for the new tower. As they describe in one flyer:

The vision for the Bay View Family YMCA is the development of a multi-sided climbing structure that accommodates five climbers at one time on automatic hydraulic belays. In addition, a stair tower would be constructed to support dual zip lines allowing multiple children and adults to simultaneously zip. The YMCA is also seeking to enhance the surrounding area for children to “boulder” before actually climbing a tower. Bouldering provides children a wonderful introduction to rock climbing at a low height.

What is particularly exciting about the plans is that everything will be handicap-accessible, including the zip-line.

YMCA staff members, local business people and community leaders have already met several times to determine the best ways to raise the big money needed for these big plans.  They’re developed a two-pronged approach: solicit corporate sponsorship donations (for the bigger money) and hold an awesomely entertaining fund-raising event for everybody who doesn’t have big money, but still wants to help out in some way.

Here are some details:

If you work at a business which would like to become a corporate sponsor for this effort, there are several levels available, starting at $500. All include your company’s name permanently displayed on a plaque at the new climbing center.  Click here  to download a brochure with more details.

If you would like to attend an awesomely entertaining fund-raising event to show your support, you’re in luck.  A huge Food Truck Rodeo and Family Festival is being planned for Friday Sept. 14 at the Damascus Shrine Center, 979 Bay Road in Webster. If you’ve never heard about these things (I hadn’t), basically a Food Truck Rodeo is when a whole bunch of food trucks descend on one place at one time. It’s kind of like a mini State Fair, with all kinds of great dinner and dessert items at your fingertips. These events are apparently very popular, so much so that their fans follow them around.

This event will also feature lots of things for both kids and adults. Details are still being finalized, but there are plans for a bounce house and/or obstacle course, a dunk booth, face painting, live entertainment, raffles and more.  Plus lots of food, of course.

Once again, here are the details:

Food Truck Rodeo and Family Festival
to benefit the Rebuild the Climbing Wall Fund of the Bay View Family YMCA
Friday, September 14, 5-9 pm
Damascus Shrine Center, 979 Bay Road, Webster

Click here to go the event’s Facebook page for more information

If you or someone you know can donate a raffle prize for this event, please let me know by emailing me at missyblog@gmail.com. All businesses who donate a prize will be recognized on big signboards placed at the entrance to the festival.

 

The end of an era.

22 Aug

The way it was.

It was a sad day along Empire Blvd. today. The Lipinski sign, which has stood tall and proud at the corner of Terrel Drive for more years than I can remember, finally came down.

It was more than four years ago that the corner hardware store closed its doors and the property’s new owners completely gutted the old building, turning it into the gingerbread-house-like strip plaza that it is now.  Several new tenants have moved in over the years (and one came and left), but through it all the sign has stood tall, almost in defiance of the redevelopment.

I had heard from a friend that this day would soon be coming, but secretly I hoped it never would. I always enjoyed seeing the Lipinski Bros. sign every time I passed by. To me it was a sign of simpler times, of family-owned businesses where the owners knew your name and greeted you personally every time you walked in.

So I guess this is a final good-bye to Lipinski Bros., our old friends. We will miss you.

The scene today at what I will forever and always refer to as “Lipinski’s Corner.”

This was a sad sight.

Webster Thomas grad helped land rover on Mars

20 Aug

Eric Blood (courtesy CMU website)

If you’ve been following the recent news about the rover that NASA just landed on Mars, you’ll probably be interested to know that a Webster Thomas grad had a hand in its success.

Eric Blood graduated from Webster Thomas in 2006, and went on to earn a masters degree in engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2010. Following graduation he got a job at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where he was assigned to work with the Mars rover team.

As part of the rover’s engineering operations team, Blood oversees the vehicle’s thermal, power, avionics, data management and telecom systems. His position means that he was one of the very first scientists to get a look at the images the rover sent back from the surface of Mars.

That’s more than cool.

Once again Webster students are making their town proud.  Read more about Eric and his work on the Carnegie Mellon University website. And watch for a personal interview in this month’s Webster Schools newsletter, which should be hitting mailboxes within the next few weeks.

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