A crazy family holiday

26 Nov

I have a wonderfully crazy, off-the-wall, funny, and incredibly talented family.

I was reminded of that this past weekend when my husband, kids and I traveled down to Greene to celebrate Thanksgiving with my side of the family.  We try to do this every year on the weekend after Thanksgiving, but this year was a little different from most, in that it was the largest of these gatherings we have ever had.

By the time everyone had arrived for dinner, there were 21 of us:  my 84-year old father, four of his five children (with the exception of my brother Jim), all 7 of his grandchildren, and assorted wives, husbands and significant others.   Most notably, it was first time ever that Dad was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with all of his grandchildren.

As close a family as we are, you can totally understand that hosting that many people in my sister’s home for dinner would probably have led to fist fights.  So she very wisely arranged with her good friend Bonnie Cobb to “borrow” Bonnie’s Restaurant in downtown Greene for the evening.  Everybody brought a dish to pass, which led to a very eclectic, non-traditional Italian/American/summer-barbecue-themed Thanksgiving buffet, including all sorts of beverages, appetizers and desserts, stretching from one end of Bonnie’s counter to the other.

And over in the corner, patiently awaiting the end of dinner, sat a pile of instruments.

You see, when the cousins get together, without question there’s going to be a jam session. All four of my nephews are super-talented musicians who play a variety of instruments. Put them in the same room with their cousin Sean and his fiddle, mandolin and cajon, and what resulted was an hour-long post-dinner bluegrass, Irish and classical music concert. Sean’s friend Sarah King, the other half of Barry’s Crossing, even set up her keyboard to provide backup and vocals.

But the evening would not have been complete without stepping outside to participate in the family’s annual tradition: stripping off our socks and shoes and walking barefoot in the snow. Fortunately, snow had been falling all evening and about two inches of the fluffy stuff was awaiting our toes.

We have been honoring this tradition in my family for, well, going on 75 years or more now.  This was the first time, however, that my father has been with us when we’ve done it.  And 84-year old trouper he is, he tramped out into that snow with the rest of us, grinning all the time. It’s stuff like this that makes my family unlike any other.  Here’s hoping that your Thanksgiving family get-togethers were as memorable. On to Christmas!

 

This is my family. After the family photo, they broke out spontaneously into “Hooked on a Feeling.” No one knows why. Click to see the video.

And if you’re at all interested, click on the photo to see a short selection from the jam session that broke out after dinner.

Black Friday in the village a pleasant experience

24 Nov

Remember a few days ago when I said that I never take to the roads on Black Friday? Well, that philosophy didn’t mesh very well with the fact that I’m providing a big chuck of my family’s Thanksgiving dinner this weekend in Greene. So yesterday morning I climbed into the car and prepared myself for the worst.

And I gotta tell you, it wasn’t that bad. At 10:30 in the morning, Ridge Road was busy, but not backed up like it always is at rush hour. Still, I kept off it as much as I could, and with some creative use of back roads, the 104 access road and parking lot drive-throughs, getting from one end of town to the other was fairly painless.  The main impediment, actually, were the garbage trucks, who also travel those back roads at that time of day and tend to take up an entire lane.

Since I knew I was going to be out of town today, Small Business Saturday, I also made yesterday my Small Business Friday, and did some Christmas shopping in the village.  I had a nice conversation with the folks at Nest Things, a cup of tea with Walter Scott at Webster Gourmet, and followed that up with a hot chocolate, a scone and an unexpected visit with my friends Chris and Julie at Barry’s Old School Irish. It was a very no-stress shopping experience, and as I strolled from store to store I wondered whether all those people fighting the crowds at the big box stores were enjoying themselves as much.

The only thing that could have gotten me more into the holiday spirit was a little snow.  And what do you know — here we have some, just in time for Small Business Saturday.

So check out the village yourself today, and I guarantee with the variety of shops we have in town, you can polish off your entire Christmas shopping list. The parking is plentiful and just steps from the shops, and the people are friendly. And if you go into Webster Gourmet, have a cup of Snickerdoodle tea with Walter, and tell him Missy sent you.

What I’m thankful for

21 Nov

Last year on Thanksgiving Day I wrote the following blog, with the conviction that it’s the simple things in life for which we should be most thankful. In today’s world, which seems to be getting more materialistic by the minute (as evidenced by Black Friday extending to Black Thursday), I think that message is more important than ever.

So I’ve decided to post that blog again, with a few updates:

I am thankful for:

My husband, my kids, having a nice home and enough food for the table, my cats, my karate family, my job, friends at my job, good neighbors, good health, my family’s good health, my terrific in-laws, my father, my siblings, the color and crunch of autumn leaves, flowering trees in the spring, rain on the porch roof, Easter baskets, Tiny Tigers, line-dried laundry, lilacs, Christmas Eve snow, sunshine, Friday summer nights on the porch with a beer, sunsets, thunderstorms, warm summer rains, starry nights, blankets in the winter, fires in the wood stove, weekends, Christmas lights, writing my blog, hugs, leaf piles for jumping in, crisp new sheets, the summer breeze that comes in my bedroom window, daffodils, baby giggles, holding hands with my husband, memories of my mother, picnics, camping, hot soaking baths, the WOFs, fog in the valleys, puppies and kittens, spooning, Christmas trees on Christmas morning, cinnamon buns right out of the oven, my mother’s banana bread recipe, reading a good book, the sound of crickets in summer, strangers who return my smile, warm apple pie…

and … watching Glee with my daughter, my new Barry’s family, baby snuggles, naps, after-dinner walks, sleeping in, “Caledonia,” my kids (I know that’s a repeat, but they continue to make me proud), hiking, fuzzy pajama pants, rainbows, my cat keeping me company while I write…feel free to add your own.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Webster’s wonderful Christmas

20 Nov

Driving through town last night, I noticed the snowflakes have been put up on the light poles. They reminded me how much I love Christmastime in Webster.  It’s a time when our cute little town becomes even more charming. The trees twinkle, the shopkeepers’ windows glow with holiday displays, the gazebo comes alive with colorful Christmas lights.  Add a gently falling snow and we’ve got our own little Bedford Falls.

The village offers several opportunities to envelop yourself in this holiday feeling. Aside from the great shopping, of course.  I’ll come back atcha with more details about these soon, but mark your calendars now for:

Saturday, December 1: White Christmas in the Village and the Parade of Lights, 3-7:30 pm, all along Main Street

Saturday December 8: The 2012 Webster Village Band Holiday Concert,  Schroeder High School

Saturday December 15: Lighting of the Lights, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Hanks Ice Cream235 North Avenue & Taylor Rental, 205 North Avenue

You can check out the Village website for more information or just check back here in the coming days to find out more about these terrific events.

District report recommends full-day kindergarten

20 Nov

Webster residents have spoken, and they overwhelmingly support full-day kindergarten.

That fact among all others stands out most clearly from the Full Day Kindergarten Final Report which was presented to the Webster Board of Education earlier this month. The committee which compiled the report — comprised of more than 60 people including administrators, teachers, parents and other community members — met monthly from March through November, researched the subject, went on site visits, and distributed an opinion survey. They presented their findings to the Board of Education on November 8 in an 80-page report buoyed by more than 200 pages of supporting materials.

Basically it all boiled down to one decisive statement, presented right off the bat:

It is the recommendation of the Full Day Kindergarten District Advisory Committee that the Board of Education pursue the implementation of a Full Day Kindergarten Program for Webster students, beginning in the 2013‐2014 school year.

Click here if you’d like to read the entire report for yourself.  There are a lot of charts and graphs and talk about core standards and curriculum requirements, if you really want to slog through all that. But what I found most interesting were the results of the opinion survey.

More than 1200 people completed the online survey, including a lot of people who don’t have children in the schools, and even some non-Webster residents. On the question of whether Webster should institute full-day kindergarten, the results were clear: 78% said yes, 22% said no.

The comments were also quite interesting. The two main reasons people gave in support of full-day kindergarten were to 1) allow more time for instruction and social/emotional development, and 2) offer a more manageable schedule and lower daycare costs for or parents who work full-time.

Typical comments in this section read:

Hopefully a longer day will not only encourage academic growth but also allow time for children to ‘think outside the box’ and be creative and learn through play!

Webster cannot continue as an academic power house without full-day kindergarten. We have to get on board, as the stakes are too high with all these new standards.

and of course,

For children who need care outside of the half day hours. It is too much shuffling around to bus to school then day care then home.

On the other side of the argument were diametrically opposite comments:

Let our kids enjoy their youth. They have plenty of years to spend all day in the classroom. 6+ hours is too long of a day for 5 and 6 year olds.

I am primarily concerned with what’s best for the children developmentally at this age, not just the cost or the convenience for working parents currently needing daycare for their children.

Judging from the response to the survey and to the initial call for community participation on the committee (80 people showed up), it’s clear that community interest in this topic is strong. And even though the committee has recommended that the district adopt full-day kindergarten next year, they don’t have the last word.

You do.

District administrators are now asking for community feedback about the proposal. They’re hosting an informal conversation with members of the Board of Education on Thursday, November 29 beginning at 7 pm at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue.

So if you haven’t had a chance to express your opinion, or would like to do so again, take a look at the committee’s report, attend the meeting and join the conversation.

Click here to see the whole report.

New Van Ingen Drive an improvement

18 Nov

When I was out and about today I noticed that the Van Ingen Drive project has been completed.  Last month the town ripped up the old Van Ingen Drive behind the library and rerouted it, as part of a deal with the Webster Plaza owners, who wanted to expand their parking.  (See the blog I wrote about the project here.)

It’s really pretty nice. The road is wider and smoother. They took out some parkland, but there’s still plenty of green space there and the park entrance has remained unchanged. But the best thing I like about it is the road’s exit point onto Hard Road.  The old road did not allow a left-hand turn onto Hard Road, which was a real pain in the butt. If you wanted to go south on Hard, you had to exit at the traffic light at Kmart Plaza.  And that’s a long wait.

But not only can you turn left from Van Ingen Drive now, there’s even a left turn lane.  It’s a definite improvement. (And makes an already great secret Christmas-shopping shortcut even better.)

My pledge to shop local this Christmas

15 Nov

SPOILER ALERT!!

If you’re on my Christmas list (you know who you are) you might NOT want to read today’s blog.

* * * *

 I’m going to try something new this Christmas. I’m going to buy local.

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that this is a new concept for me.  Like most people, I’m a big Kmart/Walmart/Kohl’s/Target shopper when it comes to the holidays.  But after all these years I’m beginning to get tired of the same old, same old.  I feel the need to get more creative in my gift-giving.

So I’m going to try to keep my Christmas dollars in the village as much as possible. It doesn’t hurt that Webster has so many wonderful little shops with such a wonderful variety of gift ideas.  And it doesn’t hurt that I’ve come to know so many of our village’s small business owners and really want to support them.

So I’m going to try my best to shop local this year. I know, for example, that my kids will definitely want one of Barry’s Old School Irish’s new t-shirts or hoodies. I know someone on my list who just LOVES Nest Things. (That place is a gift-giver’s dream store.)  I’m thinking a stop by The Music Store would be a good idea for my son the musician, who can never own enough things to beat, strum, pick, or fiddle with. And I haven’t even begun to list all the people who would like gift baskets or stocking stuffers from Webster Gourmet.  And books?  I don’t have small children anymore, but I’m sure someone on my list would love a book or two or five from Yesterday’s Muse.

And that’s just a start. I figure I can get my entire list taken care of in one day.  And I know the day.

Small Business Saturday is coming up on November 24.  Yes, that’s the day following Black Friday, a day I never ever venture out onto the roads. On Black Friday, not only is Ridge Road backed up for miles, but the process of entering and exiting Towne Center Plaza becomes an hour-long ordeal, a situation which will repeat itself every weekend until Christmas.

The following day, however, the traffic through the village will be very manageable, and the parking plentiful. So that is when I will be finishing up my Christmas shopping. You’ll find me strolling through the village of Webster, or perhaps hanging out at Barry’s warming my hands around a hot chocolate before heading out for round two.  Hope to see you there.

By the way, click here to download a whole slew of money-saving coupons courtesy our Webster Village businesses.

 

Thursday mailbag

15 Nov

Today’s mailbag features three very neat events happening today and tonight, so I hope you didn’t have many plans.

The Maplewood’s annual Holiday Bazaar takes place today and tomorrow from 10 am to 5 pm both days. This is always a very popular event which is open to the public and features crafts, a bake sale and a raffle. Vendors will set up their booths in The Maplewood’s Eastman Lounge.  There should be plenty of on-site parking thanks to The Maplewood’s new West Main Street entrance and parking area.

Funds raised during the bazaar will benefit two local charities, Webster Comfort Care Home and Webster Hope House.

A look at last year’s Holiday Bazaar at The Maplewood.

The Maplewood Nursing Home is located at 100 Daniel Drive in the village of Webster.

* * *

Fans of American Idol will like this very special event happening this afternoon at Henderson Ford, 810 Ridge Road.  It’s called the Go Further With Ford Night; customers who stop by Henderson Ford from 4:30 to 7:30 today will have a chance to test their judging skills with American Idol and get a chance to win a unique VIP experience during the show’s 12th season.

A computer with a webcam will be set up in the dealership to allow consumers to view a special message from Ryan Seacrest and test their judging skills on camera, in true American Idol style. Contest entries will be sent back to Ford’s program headquarters, where a team of experts will evaluate and select one winner to receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Hollywood and a unique VIP experience with American Idol.

For each person who attends Go Further with Ford Night today, Ford Motor Company will donate $10, up to $500, to Moose Charities, and Henderson Ford will match that offer.

Anyone 18 years and older who’s interested in participating in Go Further with Ford Night may preregister for the event at www.gofurtherwithfordnight.com and be entered for a chance to win tickets to a live taping of American Idol.

* * *

Finally, don’t miss the Third Annual GIRLS NIGHT OUT…HOLIDAY BAZAAR at Hatter’s Pub this evening from 7-9 pm.

It’s a special night for the ladies, featuring Lia Sophia Jewelry, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Dove Chocolates, Party Lite Gifts, uuthor Sharon Grace, Webster Gourmet and more. Plus,  Ellie’s Gluten-Free Bakery will be there will samples, and Budweiser will be offering samples of their new Gluten-Free beer.

This year for the first time, the event has partnered with the Webster Food Cupboard. Guests are asked to bring donations of non-perishable food items or $5 gift certificates from area grocery stores.

What a great event for a great cause. C’mon ladies … check it out!  Hatter’s Pub is located at 5 West Main Street in Webster.

 

 

Pink power at Webster Thomas

13 Nov

Today was Pink Day at Webster Thomas High School.  The event was part of a coordinated effort in all the district’s secondary schools, where students and staff rally against bullying by wearing pink. (To read more about the Pink initiative, scroll down to the previous blog I wrote.)

When students came through the front doors this morning, they were greeted with pink streamers lining the hallway, pink ribbons hanging from the ceiling, and a long pink chain snaking along the cafeteria corridor.

And lots and lots of people wearing pink.  It was a beautiful sight to see.

 

Webster Marching Band making Webster proud again

13 Nov

Cadets (in red) present the Cadet Award to Webster Marching Band members Tess Storace, Emily Dorsey, Jake Cobb, Katie Hackett and Samantha Toms.

Congratulations go out to the Webster Marching Band on several accounts this morning. The kids just returned from a the US Bands National Open Class 3 Championship competition at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey, where they placed 7th out of 24 bands. That alone was a great accomplishment. But on top of that, the band also won the Cadet Award for Achievement in Effect, Creativity and Excellence.

And not only THAT.  Since they were heading down to the New York area, the band families decided to take the opportunity to do something great for the folks down there who are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. They got together and filled a van with donations, which they handed over to the Salvation Army collection point at the stadium.

What is particularly neat about this effort is how quickly the word spread and how quickly the band family came together to help out.  Band mom Janet Sander sent out the original message last Sunday morning, and by practice Monday evening, donations were already beginning to pile up. Band families passed the word on their Facebook pages and told their extended families, friends and co-workers. Offers to stuff their own personal vehicles started coming in from parents who were planning to drive down on their own.  The result was a van — and more — filled to capacity with food, coats, batteries, diapers, toiletries and cleaning supplies.

Yet another reason this band makes Webster proud.

The Sander van stuffed full, ready to head to New Jersey.

Senior band members present a $500 check to the Salvation Army.

 

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