Was Mary Todd Lincoln insane?

5 Mar

A fascinating program scheduled for this weekend in Webster will explore the question of whether Mary Todd Lincoln was deranged — or just depressed.

Photo of Mary Todd Lincoln by Matthew Brady from Wikimedia Commons.

Apparently it is common knowledge that the wife of Abraham Lincoln was considered a “lunatic,” to use the accepted term of the day.  But there are some who believe that Mary Todd Lincoln was suffering not from lunacy, but from depression.

One of those people is Patricia Nugent, an East Irondequoit native who has written about the subject in the online edition of Ms. Magazine. In her article, she writes,

Many of us know that the former First Lady was convicted of lunacy, instigated by her eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln. She spent almost four months in an insane asylum until she was able to enlist support for a retrial, at which she was declared sane once more.

What we don’t know much about is what led to the behavior that was considered lunacy in the court of public opinion and a court of law…my assessment is that Mary Todd Lincoln suffered innumerable losses in her life and had few socially acceptable means of expressing her sorrow. Such bottled-up sadness resulted in acting out behavior that was interpreted as insanity.

Those losses included the death of her mother when she was just six years old, rejection by her stepmother, the loss of three of her four sons, and, of course, the assassination of her beloved husband. Her eldest (and only surviving) son, was no support at all.  He was “cold, judgmental and unaffectionate,” Nugent wrote.

I’d say that’s an understatement. For crying out loud, he had his mother convicted of lunacy.

Nugent will discuss her article at a presentation from 2-4 pm this Sunday March 10, at the Harmony House, 58 East Main Street, Webster. The public is invited to join the discussion and learn more about this tragic woman whom Abraham Lincoln loved so dearly, but whom historians call “one of the most detested women in American history.”

The event is being sponsored by Yesterday’s Muse Books, and there is no charge. Refreshments will be provided by Webster Gourmet.  For more information, call (585) 265-9295.

Brimont moves up to Main Street

3 Mar

Webster has a new restaurant.

It’s Brimont Bistro, at 24 West Main Street, where Shema Sushi used to be.  You might recognize the name, since the new place is a more spacious incarnation of the former Brimont Deli, which was located for seven years in the row of rear-facing shops near the gazebo on North Avenue.  Calling it a “new” restaurant, therefore, is not entirely accurate.  Owner Greg Cody has simply transplanted his incredible culinary talents, customer service and sense of class to a more visible Main Street location.

It’s pretty obvious that he’s also brought along a very loyal customer base. Word is, the line stretched out the door during lunch hour on the Wednesday after they opened.  Obviously, this was someplace I had to check out for myself.

So my friend Carol Klem and I stopped by for lunch a little while ago to see Cody’s new digs.  Whenever I enter a new place for the first time, I try to sum up my first impression in one word.  But that wasn’t going to cut it with Brimont. The best I could come up with was “bright,” “pleasant” and “comfortable.”

We had the choice of sitting at one of the small tables, or along the long, wooden bar. We decided on the bar, where we could chat with bartender Clay Wheaton and watch the world go by outside the big picture window.  Clay was very patient, since for the longest time Carol and I were chatting with each other so much that we almost forgot to order.

A look inside the Brimont Bistro

Eventually, Carol decided on the Greek Salad and I got the Santa Fe Wrap.  The service was quick, the presentation was very nice, and the food was delicious.  And just as importantly, the portion size was perfect and the price was just right for a nice lunch.

A little later during our visit, I got a chance to meet and talk with owner Greg Cody.  It only took about 39 and a half seconds to realize that this guy REALLY knows what he’s doing.  I’m talking “Chef” with a capital C.

Cody brings to Webster a wealth of experience gained from working in some of the finest restaurants in the nation, including  the Tribeca Grill, River Cafe and Montrachet in New York City. That experience shows not only in the expertly prepared food, but in everything you’ll see at Brimont. The staff members are dressed to the nines in black pants and starched white shirts.  The dinner tables are draped with white linen tablecloths and the napkins are fanned.  According to staff member Dierdre Hickey, the wait staff were given five training sessions before opening, covering skills including how to put plates on the table, presentation of wine and proper pouring of champagne.

The waitresses have also been told to be efficient, but not to rush things. Cody “expects every diner to be here for an hour and a half,” Hickey said.  “He wants them to savor the meal” and really enjoy the dining experience.  It’s attention to those kind of details which lends a touch of class to even a casual lunch.

My Santa Fe Wrap. The coleslaw was awesome.

The lunch menu offers a selection of sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads for prices ranging from $7.50 to $9.75. The sandwiches and wraps come with one side of coleslaw, potato salad or macaroni salad.  Add a soft drink or a glass of wine, and lunch will run you about $10 to $15.

The dinner experience, in contrast, is even more representative of a fine New York City restaurant. At night, all the tables in the restaurant’s formal dining area (upstairs) are draped with linen tablecloths and adorned with flickering candles. You’ll start with appetizers such as Duck Confit or Blackened Shrimp, which run about $10. Entrees begin at $17; Chicken French, Coq au vin and Seared Duck Breast are among the most popular. If you order an appetizer, salad, entree and drinks, dinner will run around $50 or more.

So the way I see it, Brimont is kind of like having two restaurants in one. For people who don’t want to spend a whole lot on dinner, you can get the same fine dining feel and incredible food at lunch.  If you want a real top-of-the-line evening meal and high-class dining experience right here in downtown Webster, stop in for some of the Brimont’s Seared Dry Sea Scallops.

Either way, Greg Cody is in the kitchen, so you can’t miss.

Brimont Bistro is located at 24 West Main Street, Webster. They’re open Monday-Saturday for lunch from10:30 -3. Dinner hours are Monday-Thursday 4:30-9:30, Friday and Saturday from 4:30-10.  Reservations are suggested.  Call (585) 872-3170.  Check out their webpage at www.brimontbistro.com.

Carol had the Greek Salad

Clay Wheaton behind the bar.

Chef Greg Cody with diners Joan and Rodd Riesenberger upstairs in the formal dining room.

High school art students among the best (again)

2 Mar

Have I ever mentioned how incredibly talented our high school students are? Only a few times?  Well, here they go again, winning even more awards.

More than 50 Webster students have received recognition as regional winners in the prestigious Scholastic Art Awards.  These students’ works are in the top 10% of all artworks that were submitted this year to the Northeast Region-at-large. All Gold Key winners will be adjudicated at the national level in the near future.

Webster Schroeder students who won at this level include:

Grace Annese, Silver Key, Ceramics and Glass, Story Box – Camping At Stonybrook
Rachel Barbato, Silver Key, Drawing, In The Studio
Taylor Beebe, Gold Key, Drawing, Predator
Ashlynn Blose Honorable Mention, Drawing, Heidi
Genevieve Caldwell, Honorable Mention, Mixed Media, Out In The Cold
Valerie Cardillo, Silver Key, Drawing, Maine 1937
Elissa D’Alessandro, Honorable Mention, Painting, Octopus Garden, Gold Key, Drawing, Eye of the Beholder, and Honorable Mention, Painting, After Work;
Keenan Denis, Silver Key, Drawing, The Con Man
Devon Forward, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Person Of Interest, and Honorable Mention, Drawing, Erin
Samantha Killian, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Warrior
Megan Kloosterman, Silver Key, Ceramics and Glass, The Robin Egg
Ciara Lutz, Gold Key, Drawing, Taylor; Renee Macdonald,Honorable Mention, Painting, Starting Bright and Early
Maggie Mutschler, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Munchie’s Mugs
Sarah Nicolay, Silver Key, Sculpture, Technicolor Giraffe
Lauren Park, Silver Key, Drawing, Grandma Why Are You Gone
Katrin Peterson, Honorable Mention, Drawing, The Great Escape
Corinne Playfair, Silver Key, Drawing, The Sands Of Time; and Honorable Mention, Portfolio
Andrew Wagenhals, Silver Key, Drawing, Physical Interlude
Jennifer Wehrle, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Ustrasana
Maria Posato, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Still Life

Webster Thomas students who won at this level include:

Laura Aguilera, Honorable Mention, Painting, Jasmine
Julia Bender, Gold Key, Drawing, Me 2
Allie Bernstein, Honorable Mention, Mixed Media, The Explosion
Daniel Brown, Honorable Mention, Sculpture, Against All Odds
Hannah Buckley, Honorable Mention, Painting, Fighter
Maya Colombo, Silver Key, Drawing, Materialism
Connor Czora, Silver Key, Drawing, Work In Progress
Ashley Epping, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Seashore On Seaside
Lauren Fordham, Silver Key, Drawing, Eye, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Change, and Gold Key, Portfolio
Jamie Guarrera, Honorable Mention, Drawing, dusty space
Kate Hall, Mention, Drawing, Moon
Elana Howe, Honorable Mention, Painting, Cupcakes
Kelly Hurlburt, Silver Key, Drawing, The Tsunami Dancer
Abbey Lee, Gold Key, Drawing, Pieces Of Me
Aubrey Maryniak, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Backwards Through Glass, and Honorable Mention, Drawing, Hanging Onto Adolescence
Dominic Montante, Silver Key, Drawing, Geriatrics
Marley Morrill, Honorable Mention, Sculpture, Armadillo
Cynthia Nguyen, Silver Key, Painting, Attack on the North
Kyle Roethlisberger, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Still Life
Trevor Smith, Gold Key, Drawing, Tattoo
Scott St. George, Honorable Mention, Mixed Media, Meditate, and Honorable Mention, Drawing, Wonder
Erin Tersegno, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Horizon
Adrianna Zaretsky, Silver Key, Drawing, Goop

Congratulations to all these talented young students You make Webster proud.

Below are a few samples of these students’ work. Prepare to be amazed.

Taylor, by Ciara Lutz

Predator, by Taylor Beebe

Tattoo, by Trevor Smith

Fractured, by Abbey Lee

Eye, by Lauren Fordham

Art teacher’s new book fills a need

1 Mar

Next time you’re at Wegmans, make sure to pause a few extra moments near the book display and take a closer look. You might just see a name you recognize.

Plank Road North Elementary art teacher Natalie Palermo has published a new book, titled Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art!!!  The 52-page, colorfully illustrated book looks at the seven basic elements of art from a child’s perspective – or, as Palermo explained it, “through the adventures of a young girl named Rowan.”

To say that the book was a labor of love is a bit of an understatement. Palermo has been working on it since 2005. It was then that she first noticed there was a need for such a resource. She wrote,

I saw the need for an elementary art education resource book for elementary art teachers and parents who homeschool their children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.  When I would go to the larger book store chains…I would find books about artists, art history, “how to draw” types of books, but could not find a book solely dedicated to teaching the seven elements of art.

And so Rowan was born.

The book is designed for parents and teachers to use throughout a child’s elementary art education. Through easy-to-understand text and Palermo’s original artwork, each section introduces concepts in a way that can be easily adapted to individual grade levels. With the chapter that introduces the color wheel, for example, a first or second grade learner could learn about primary and secondary colors, while fourth or fifth graders could “graduate” to the intermediates. And thanks to that adaptability, Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art! can be used as a supplement to classroom textbook, and also as an art education enrichment book for parents.

And of course, she uses it in her own classroom as well.

When I introduce my book to my students I tell them that they can achieve anything with hard work and persistence like I did with my book… my students enjoy seeing the illustrations and how the elements of art relate to the real world.

Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art! is available right now at both Holt Road and Eastway Wegmans stores. Very soon you’ll also be able to find it at Hyatt’s All Things Creative (937 Jefferson Road, Henrietta)  and at the Memorial Art Gallery gift shop.

 

Palermo at the Temple of Apollo, Ortigia, Sicily

Meet Natalie Palermo

Palermo has taught art at the elementary and secondary levels for more than ten years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication from S.U.N.Y Fredonia and Master of Science in Art Education from Nazareth College. She has traveled extensively to explore art throughout the United States and Europe. She regularly uses her artwork to help others, raising money for local charities including the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, Bethany House, the George Eastman House, the West Webster Fire Department, AIDS Rochester, and Hannah’s Hope School in Kenya. She currently teaches art at Plank Road North Elementary School in Webster.

A blog only a word nerd could love

1 Mar

Every once in a while, something comes across my Facebook page that tickles my funny bone so much that I need to share it with everyone. That’s especially true if that something has to do with my favorite pastime, writing.

More and more these days, Facebook, instant messaging and texting have replaced face-to-face — or even phone-to-phone —  conversations. As a result, people don’t have the benefit of facial and vocal expression to help convey nuances in meaning.  It’s difficult, for example, to express sarcasm with the written word.

Mike Trapp, at Collegehumor.com has come up with a very workable solution, which I think you will enjoy.  He has proposed the following series of new punctuation marks:

8 New Punctuation Marks We Desperately Need

 

A visitor’s view of Webster

27 Feb

It’s the simple, unexpected moments in life that remind us that we live in a great town.

Jenny Flanery, from Michigan, discovers Toy Go ‘Round

The other day when I was visiting with Bonnie Reynolds at Toy*Go*Round, a customer entered the shop.  I struck up a conversation with her (because that’s the kind of thing I do) and was intrigued to find out that she was from out of town — specifically, the Detroit area. Naturally, I wondered what brought her into this little shop. Her answer warmed my heart.

Her name was Jenny Flanery, and her husband is a union representative whose job takes him all over the northeast states.  Jenny explained that she travels with him some of the time, but always tags along when he comes to this area.

“I love Webster,” she said. She especially likes all of the small shops in town, she added.  On that day, as she was driving down Ridge Road, she noticed Toy*Go*Round and thought, “I haven’t been there yet.”  So she stopped. And she shopped.

Sometimes it’s nice to see our hometown through someone else’s eyes to remember how special it really is.

 

“Footloose” kicks off spring musical season

26 Feb

The spring musical season kicks off — literally — this weekend, as Webster Schroeder High School presents Footloose! in four shows this Thursday through Sunday.

You undoubtedly remember the 1984 Oscar-nominated movie musical starring Kevin Bacon.  The story follows a city teenager who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned.  The new kid and his rebellious spirit shake up the town as he tried to bring music back into their drab lives…and win the girl at the same time.

And I’m sure you remember the music. (I’ll bet the title song is dancing around in your brain right now.)  The production will revisit many of the songs in the Tony-nominated top-40 score, guaranteeing a high-energy, high-stepping good time.

Footloose! will be presented Thursday, Friday and Saturday February 28-March 2 at 7:30 pm, an Sunday at 2 pm at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road.  Reserve seating tickets are $11, and are available at Wegmans or at the door. 

Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks about Webster Thomas’ spring musical, The Wiz, which will be presented in four performances March 21-23.  Tickets are also on sale now for that production, and are availableat Hegedorn’s, 964 Ridge Road, Webster, online at www.websterthomasplayers.com, and through the Webster Thomas Players’ ticket line at (585) 234-8248.

 

Residents came out early to meet the candidates

25 Feb

Open Party candidates Gerard Ippolito, Jr., John Cahill and Darrell Byerts

Last weekend provided an excellent opportunity to find out more about the candidates running in next month’s Webster village election. Candidates from both parties made themselves available to the public Saturday morning, fielding questions and talking about the issues.

The first event, and the bigger of the two, was a breakfast hosted by the Open Party at the Atlantic Restaurant on Ridge Road across from Schroeder High School. About 50 supporters paid $8 a plate for breakfast and a chance to meet with Open Party candidates John Cahill, running for mayor, and  Darrell Byerts and Gerard Ippolito Jr., running for trustees.

Beginning about a half hour after the breakfast, incumbent candidates Mayor Peter Elder, and Trustees Dave Kildal and Christine Reynolds were holding court across town at Barry’s Old School Irish in the village, buying coffee and shaking hands with anyone who wanted to stop in to chat. That event attracted about 30 residents.

Incumbents Dave Kildal, Christine Reynolds and Peter Elder

The coincidental timing of the two events was unfortunate for anyone who really wanted to get some quality time with all the candidates and dig more deeply into the issues. As it was, I think the only people who scurried to make both events were the local media.  For me, that meant having to cut out of the breakfast and head to the village before I heard all of the Open Party candidates’ prepared statements, which is something I was hoping to do.

Events like these are very important to help voters educate themselves. Fliers and yard signs, letters to the editor and print advertisements are all well and good, but voters need the chance to formulate their own questions and follow up on the information they’re being presented in political materials.  Meet-and-greets like these are a great way to accomplish that, and I hope others are planned in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, I encourage you to ask them all some questions through me.

A few days ago I posted this invitation on my blog Facebook page:  If you could ask any of the candidates a question (or two), what would it be?  Send me your questions, I’ll choose the best ones and present them to the candidates. Then I’ll run their answers in my blog.  Email your questions to missyblog@gmail.com.

 

The Webster Public library needs your input

23 Feb

Our Webster Public Library is really neat. The staff there is always finding ways to keep things fresh. Every time I stop in there’s something new going on.

Friday, for example, I was heading toward the back of the library for a meeting with Library Director Terri Bennett and stopped up short at their awesome Hometown Heroes display, honoring firefighters, army and police personnel. It’s a very nice tribute, but the best thing about it?  Kids are invited to try on all the equipment (adults too, of course, if they feel so inclined.)

 

Terri told me it’s been quite popular with the young ones. Not so much with one young man, though, who had this conversation with this Dad (and I quote very loosely):

Son: “I want to be a fireman when I grow up.”
Dad: “Well c’mon then, son, try on the helmet.”
Son: “No, Dad, I’m not a fireman TODAY.”

The youngsters below had no such qualms:

Library fans Jack Fitzsimmons and Alyssa Doody

The display will be up through the end of the month, so bring the kids on by.

Now back to the real reason you clicked into the blog. Why does the library need your input? Simply because they’re going to have to make some big decisions in the coming years about their collection, their services, even how they use their space. But before they do all that, it would help to know what the community really wants.

Let’s face it: libraries are facing the two-fold challenge of adapting to rapidly changing times, and steadily decreasing funding. Our own Webster Public Library has formed a long-range planning committee charged with addressing those challenges.  They started by asking the community for feedback to guide their discussions. But so far they’ve had limited success.

You might remember, for example, a survey which was distributed several months ago asking for public input. But then again, you probably don’t remember it, because only 29 people responded.  I’m pretty sure more than 29 people in this town have opinions about our library.

So consider this a personal invitation. Webster Public Library Director Terri Bennett would love to hear from you.  What do you like about the library? What don’t you like? What would you like to see more of? What do you think of the children’s area…the teen area…the periodicals?  Do you like the cafe? Are there enough computers? Do you use the Quiet Room? (Did you know there was a Quiet Room?) Is the carpeting too dull? No opinion is too frivolous.

And just think about it. If you’re the only one who responds, and you ask for a water slide for the children’s room, who knows?

Email Terri Bennett at tbennett@libraryweb.org with your thoughts and suggestions.  Or call her at (585) 872-7075. Or just stop by to see her. She’s really nice.

 

Recycled toys: Best. Idea. Ever.

22 Feb

I readily admit it. I’m a cheapskate. Anytime, anywhere I can save money, I’m there.

It was no different when I was raising my young children. If anything, money was even tighter back then. So when it came to clothing my kids, and providing them with toys and the necessary accoutrements of baby and toddler-hood, I was always on the lookout for a good deal. I relied a lot on hand-me-downs, garage sales, and the grandparents.

So basically, I would have killed for a store like Toy*Go*Round.

You’ve probably seen this shop as you’ve driven by it on Ridge Road in Webster. It’s the pretty blue house with pink shutters (I love that for a children’s shop) at the corner of Ebner Drive.   It’s owned and run by Bonnie Reynolds and her daughter Sarah, and they’ve just celebrated the store’s one-year anniversary.

I visited the other day on the advice of a friend, Beth Brasser, who absolutely loves the place.  From her description and the sign out front, which advertises “gently used toys and kid gear,” I had some sort of idea of what I’d find. Basically, it was a consignment shop for toys, I thought.

Basically, I was wrong.

Sorry, Bonnie, but that slogan on your sign? It’s woefully inadequate.  I would suggest changing that to “A Young Mother’s Paradise.”  Try to imagine walking into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Room, and all the chocolate bushes, trees and flowers, even the walls, are made of toys.

To give you a better idea, here’s a partial list of the different things I saw as I walked through the shop: strollers, toddler toys, stuffed animals, outdoor toys, musical instruments, car seat covers, infant toys, books, kitchen sets, table and chair sets, mobiles, race cars, transformers, action figures, board games, basketball hoop and building kits. Plus all sorts of clothing, even maternity wear (they think of everything). Or, in Bonnie’s words, the selection includes “Just about everything for mom and baby up to age 6.”

My friend warned me in her email that it might be overwhelming. She wrote,

The decor is bright and charming — though you may miss the hand-painted walls and sparkling chandelier because your eyes will be dazzled by a wonderland of colorful toys.”

There was a chandelier?!

Everything, by the way, was clean, sorted, bagged, and very inexpensive. We’re talking toys and baby equipment of all shapes and sizes — including strollers and bouncy chairs — for a fraction of the cost you’ll get at a big box store. I dare say, it was hard to find anything that even looked used.

But what I liked more than anything was the idea of recycling perfectly good toys.  As the kids grow up, we all collect countless toys and closets-full of baby needs that, if we give them away, eventually get tossed in the trash. Thanks to Bonnie and Sarah at Toy*Go*Round, many of them can now be passed on to someone else who will love them all over again.

Not that Bonnie can take everything. Things like breast pumps and car seats really can’t be re-sold. But owning your own business does mean there’s some wiggle  room on other things.

When I was there chatting with Bonnie, a mother and her teenage son came in carrying a box with about a dozen Webkinz animals. I stepped aside to let her talk with them, but kept a close ear to the exchange. Bonnie explained to them that stuffed animals don’t sell very well, and she doesn’t normally accept them. But it was obvious to her that the young man “really needed a little extra money.”  So in the end a deal was struck.  “As long as I can make him happy, I’ll make him happy,” Bonnie said.

You’d never find that kind of service at a big-box store.

Toy*Go*Round is located at 1197 Ridge Road, Webster, at the corner of Ebner Drive.  They’re open 10-2 on Monday, 10-6 Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday 12-4. Call (585) 545-4904. Check out their Facebook page by clicking here.

P.S. They’ve got a nice selection of Webkinz, just in!

 

This is the wonderland of toys that greets customers when they walk in the door.

I call this the boys’ room.

The smaller baby and toddler toys are cleaned and bagged.

 

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