Webster community mailbag

22 Feb

A Thomas vs. Schroeder high school basketball game is always highly competitive and definitely worth watching. But the one happening in a few weeks should be … well, interesting, and dare I say, a little short on actual basketball talent.

It’s a Charity Basketball Game, scheduled for Wednesday night March 6 at Webster Thomas High School.

The family-friendly event will pit Thomas/OWL staff and faculty against Schroeder/GOAL staff and faculty in a friendly winner-take-all-bragging-rights game. The school’s Resource Officers will officiate, so it will (well, SHOULD) be a clean game. Halftime activities will include some super fun competitions between Thomas/OWL students and Schroeder/GOAL students. Concessions will be available.

Admission is only $5 (suggested donation), and all proceeds will benefit Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.  Additional donations would be greatly appreciated as well.

The game will be played in the gymnasium at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. on Wednesday March 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Enter on the east side of the building, near the field house.

The next general meeting and luncheon for the Women’s Club of Webster will be held on Thursday March 21 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd.

Janine Sanger, Executive Director of WHEN:DFCC, Webster Health and Education Network will be this month’s speaker. WHEN is a network of Webster community members linked through awareness, education and action. It connects Webster residents to reliable resources with programs providing youth engagement, community education, parent outreach, advocacy and community training,

The event begins with a social mix-and-mingle at 11:15 a.m., followed by a brief meeting at noon and lunch at 12:30 p.m. followed by the presentation.

Lunch will feature a Turkey Melt, Reuben or Crispy Chicken sandwich, plus coffee, tea, cold drinks, fresh fruit and a cookie. The cost is $24. Send your check made out to WCW by March 14 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Questions? Phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

New members are always welcome.

The Friends of the Webster Public Library will hold its third annual Vintage and Collectible Book Sale on Thursday March 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The books are priced between $8 and $200. (Prices are firm.) A variety of books on Rochester, World War II, poetry, sports, movies, religion, classics, biographies, juvenile and adult fiction will be available. Many of the books are rare, unusual and in good to better condition. All proceeds from the event will benefit programs of the Webster Public Library.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the rear of Webster Plaza.

Here’s another option for the upcoming solar eclipse, this one an invitation from the Webster Arboretum, on Schlegel Rd.:

The Arboretum is planning a day-long event on Eclipse Day, April 8, beginning at 11 a.m., when the Curry building will be open with complimentary hot and cold beverages. A poetry reading begins at noon, featuring Jennifer Maloney and Jonathan Everitt, who will share some of their original works. Afterwards, community members will be invited to present some of their own poetry.

The eclipse itself will begin at about 2:07 p.m., and community members are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and solar eclipse glasses to relax and enjoy the event surrounded by the beautifully landscaped park, away from noise and light pollution. By about 3:20 p.m., the sun will be completely covered for 3 minutes and 38 seconds. By 4:30, the show will be over.

In the case of inclement weather, the readings will be moved to the Curry building.

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

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(posted 2/22/2024)

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Challenger Learning Center a far-out experience for Webster 5th graders

20 Feb

I went to Mars with some Klem South Elementary students a few weeks ago. … Well, to be completely accurate, the students went to Mars and I just went along for the ride.

The Mission to Mars took place at the Kodak Center in Rochester, home to the Challenger Learning Center.

The Challenger Center for Space Science Education was established in 1986 following the Challenger Space Shuttle tragedy. The crew’s family members came together, committed to carrying on the spirit of their loved ones by continuing their education mission. They created the Challenger Learning Center as a place that would inspire children and spark an interest in exploring STEM careers. Rochester’s Challenger Center opened in 1991, originally housed at the RMSC Planetarium. In the summer of 2019, it moved to Kodak Center.

The mission on this particular day was assigned to Meredith Haydanek’s fifth grade class, who were very excited to slip into their official Mission to Mars uniforms, and listened intently as Mission Commanders Andy Raab and Lauren Raines presented the challenges they’d be facing.

The two-hour mission began with a “live broadcast” from the surface of Mars, where the astronauts spoke directly to the students, describing life in their habitat, complaining about how bad the food is, showing off their new Mars Rover, and especially mentioning how homesick they were. Expertly interwoven with scripted comments and questions from the Mission Commanders, it was easy to believe the astronauts were really there.

The students were tasked with two very important jobs: building and landing a probe to determine where the next Mars colony should be built, and, more importantly, retrieving four astronauts who had been stationed there for two years. Each student was assigned a different scientific workstation and had to collaborate with all of their other classmates to successfully complete the objectives. They’d also have to use their problem-solving skills as they faced several challenges, including meteor showers, sandstorms and system malfunctions.

The students were split into two teams, one assigned to the Explorer 2 spaceship which would take off for Mars, the other to Mission Control, who worked in a separate laboratory.

And that’s when the teamwork began.

Angel Beaty-Cortez gets some help from Mission Commander Andy Raab
Caden Hall gets some hands-on advice at the glove box from Mission Commander Lauren Raines

Once they were settled into their stations, the students started to work on their assigned tasks, outlined on clipboards placed near their stations. Some worked at computers. Others built a Mars rover prototype, created circuitry, examined rocks in a glove box, calculated an intercept course for Mars, or a dozen other tasks. As they worked, they regularly received vital information which they needed to relay to their teammates next door, who at the same time were relaying vital information to them. The communication team was kept very busy relaying critical messages back and forth between the teams.

In no time the rooms were abuzz with activity and chatter, every single student hyper-focused on their task at hand.

Apparently they did it all quite well. The mission is successful, with both mission goals were accomplished. The probe successfully landed on Mars, and the four astronauts occupying Mars Outpost Alpha Habitat were rescued and returned home to Earth. 

Rochester’s Challenger Center is one of 40 centers worldwide, and one of only three in Western New York, so it draws schools from all over the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Webster CSD, through Monroe One BOCES, has been sending students to the center since it was established. In the beginning, only Dewitt Rd., Plank North and Klem North elementary schools attended. During the COVID pandemic, the district opted for ALL the elementary schools to participate in newly developed Virtual Mission. Once school was fully back in session and field trips were back on track, the Center convinced the district to allow for all fifth graders to attend in-person.  

Teachers and parent chaperones always remark that the Center is Rochester’s “best kept secret,” and kids say it’s the “best field trip ever!”  It’s really all about fun, and the best kind of fun is when you don’t realize you’re learning something and practicing important skills while you’re doing it.

And here are fifth grade kids having FUN following directions, doing experiments, collaborating with their classmates, communicating, persevering and showing resilience, all the while practicing math and science skills. How can fun get any better?

Thank you Webster for giving our students this amazing opportunity.

Jionni Telero and Jacob Beach get some help
Hunter Giaconia hard at work
Mia DiLorenzo trying out the rover prorotype she built

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

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(posted 2/20/2024)

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February History Bit: Webster’s camera, the Winpro

18 Feb

Most longtime Webster residents are already pretty familiar with the industries our town is best known for, like baskets, apple growing, and fruit evaporating. But how many realize that Webster also had a thriving camera-making business? 

From 1948 to about 1954, Webster Industries, Inc. produced the only camera ever made in Webster. It was called the Winpro, and was the first point-and-shoot 35 mm camera made entirely of molded plastic. The factory was at 36-38 Commercial St., near where Response Care, Inc. is now located.

Local camera aficionado Frank Calandra owns several Winpro cameras. In an article he wrote for the Webster Museum website, he says they were made from lightweight Tenite plastic (which, ironically, was invented by Kodak). He notes, however, that “the grade Winpro chose gave them a strong, stable, attractive product. Cameras were made in either gray or black Tenite and proved to be quite rugged.”

They were so sturdy, Frank said, “As a publicity stunt, Winpro cameras were dropped from tall buildings and survived intact and in working order. None of their competitors, which included Argus, Kodak and Ansco dared attempt such a feat. “

The Winpro proved to be a very popular camera, especially for novice photographers. At the attractive price of just $10.95, more than 150,000 were sold in the first two years. This despite stiff competition from several manufacturers of the day, including the photographic powerhouse operating just ten miles to the west in Rochester.  

The camera was produced in Webster until about 1954, when the company fell on hard times and was sold to Zenith Film in Horseheads, NY.

Frank still owns several Winpro cameras, which he says were so well made that they’re still in working order, and still take nice photos. You can check out his collection, on display now at the Webster Museum. You can also read Frank’s article about Webster’s own Winpro camera on the Webster Museum website, webstermuseum.org, under the “History” tab. 

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, and is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/18/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

15 Feb

Soooooo … you’ve heard about this solar eclipse thing that’s happening on April 8? It’s a pretty big deal, so you’re going to start seeing and hearing about all sorts of programs to celebrate it and teach you and your family all about it. Leading today’s mailbag are several that might strike your interest.

This Saturday Feb. 17 at 2 p.m., the Webster Barnes & Noble will host Dave Bishop, vice president of the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science, who will explain all things eclipse and answer your questions. There’s no cost, and attendees will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses.

Barnes & Noble is located in Towne Center Plaza (Kohl’s/Target Plaza) on Ridge Rd.

The Webster Public Library has all sorts of special programs scheduled in March for everyone in your family. The two that excite me the most are:

  • The Black Hour: Eclipses in the Middle Ages — Tuesday, March 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

An evening exploring medieval science and superstitions about lunar and solar eclipses, including discussions about medicine, religion, art, and more. Registration is required. Click here for more information and to register. There’s no charge.

  • Rochester Eclipses: Past and Present — Tuesday, March 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

A talk about Rochester’s experience with the 1925 eclipse as captured in the resources of Central Library’s Local History & Genealogy Division. Registration is required. Click here for more information and to register. There’s no charge.

You’ll also want to check the Webster Library website for information about these other eclipse programs for the entire family:

  • Homeschool Hour — Friday, March 1 from 3 to 4 p.m.
  • Make it Monday Eclipse Craft — Monday, March 11 from 6 to 7 p.m.
  • Eclipse Storytime — Tuesday, March 12 from 10 to 10:30 a.m.
  • Family Eclipse Night Wednesday, March 27 from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
  • March drop-in eclipse crafts — Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And definitely don’t miss the Webster Public Library Eclipse event on Eclipse Day, Monday April 8. More details to come about this.

The library will be handing out two pairs of eclipse glasses per family at each of these events (while supplies last). If you can’t attend one of them, they’ll be handing out more glasses to the public as the date approaches and will have some available at the April 8 eclipse event.

These next items come straight to you (via me) from the Webster CSD:

Results on Budget ThoughtExchange Shared

In January, Webster CSD held a month-long ThoughtExchange, asking all district community members a series of questions seeking feedback on district budgeting.

The ThoughtExchange closed on Jan. 31. The results were presented to the Webster CSD Board of Education at its February 13 meeting. If you’re interested in seeing those results, click here.

Work of Webster Students, Teachers on Exhibit Together

The community is invited to enjoy artwork created by several of our One Webster students and their teachers at Nazareth College’s Art Center Gallery.

The Art Center is currently celebrating its biennial Shared Spaces show, which invites local art class teachers to submit one work by a chosen student to display alongside one of their own. The show celebrates the unique apprenticeship process that occurs between teacher and student.

Webster’s exhibiting artists this year are Webster Thomas students (with teachers) Carson Hogan (Kat Harrison), Jessica van Wichen (Cathy Morrill Crockett), and Gweneth Tetzlaff (Todd Stahl); and Webster Schroeder students (with teachers) Gianna Gallo (Cate Zalewski), Alexandra Zilist (Danielle Zatkowsky), and Corintia Griffith (Cheryl Simon).

The exhibit will remain on display through March 10. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Prekindergarten Lottery Opens!

Lottery applications for Webster CSD’s 2024-25 prekindergarten program are now available online.

Children who will be 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2024, but who are not eligible for kindergarten, are eligible for prekindergarten enrollment for the upcoming school year.

Webster CSD PreK is a play-based program that engages students in social and emotional skills with a heavy emphasis on communication. The district offers both full-day and half-day options for families. Locations are determined by the lottery and according to the child’s home catchment for kindergarten.

For more information and to complete a lottery application, please visit Webster CSD’s prekindergarten web page here. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, March 14.

An open house will be held Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. at the Schroeder PreK located at Webster Schroeder High School, as well as at Kids First, Expressive Beginnings, and Webster CSD’s half day location at STARS Preschool. Webster CSD PreK teachers will be on hand to answer questions. 

Webster CSD Vocal Teacher Grammy Nominated

Huge congratulations to Webster Thomas vocal music teacher Kyle Sackett, who was recently nominated for a 2024 Grammy Award.

Sackett is a member of the professional chamber choir The Crossing, which Musical America magazine named 2024 Ensemble of the Year. This year, The Crossing was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Choral Performance for their album “Carols after a Plague,” conducted by Donald Nally.

They were up against fellow powerhouse performances: “Ligeti: Lux Aeterna” performed by the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, “Saariaho: Reconnaissance” performed by the Uusinta Ensemble and the Helsinki Chamber Choir, “Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil” performed by The Clarion Choir, “The House Of Belonging” performed by the Miro Quartet, and “Conspirare,” conducted by Craig Hella Johnson.

In the end, “Saariaho: Reconnaissance” was announced the winner, but as they say, it’s an honor to be nominated.

Kyle is in his second year teaching vocal music at Webster Thomas (his alma mater). He earned his undergraduate degree in music education at SUNY Fredonia and a Masters in Voice and Opera Performance at Northwestern University in Chicago. Remarkably, this was The Crossing’s ninth Grammy nomination in eight years and Kyle’s third as a member of the group.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/15/2024)


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Friends of Webster Trails have a great new website

13 Feb

If you’d asked me last week if the Friends of Webster Trails could do anything better than they’re already doing, I’d have laughed and said, “No way!” But I’ve been proved wrong. This already amazing organization has just updated their website with a new, modern look.

Those of you familiar with the Friends will be relieved to know that all of the information we’ve come to expect from their old website is still there, including maps of each trail, trail length, and details about each trail. But somehow the Friends have found ways to make the website even better.

For starters, the new site provides even more information about each trail, including interesting tidbits like fishing and dog walking regulations, cross country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities, trail difficulty, and details about boardwalks and bridges. There are a lot more photos, and links to several news stories about things like the recent annual meeting, Eagle Scout projects and the ReTree Initiative. The navigation bar across the top leads to even more content, including an interactive events calendar, fun stuff just for kids, how to become a member and how to get involved in other ways.

Why the update? The Friends explain,

With more than 5,000 people using the trails in Webster each week, we wanted to make finding out about them a better experience. With a modern look, easier navigation, and more trail information, the updated site brings the best of Webster’s trails to you.

Friends of Webster Trails has always had some of the best maps and information about the trails, but this new design sweeps out the corners and gives the whole site a fresh look.

They still haven’t put the final touches on the site, so check back regularly to see what’s new. And when you do, PLEASE hover over that “become a Friend” tab and drop $10 (or $15 per family) to become a member and help the Friends of Webster Trails continue to do great things for our community.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/13/2024)

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Elena Bernardi named Webster Chamber Business Person of the Year

12 Feb

Congratulations to Elena Bernardi, owner of Bernardi & Company CPAs, who was recently named Webster Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business Person of the Year.

Elena is a wife, mother, business owner, and volunteer. Over 20 years ago she made the decision to move her business to Webster. Since that time, Elena has been very active within our community. In addition to her Chamber membership, Elena is an Advisory Board Member at Canandaigua National Bank. She also serves as the Webster Economic Development Alliance Treasurer and is currently President of the Webster Village Business Improvement District (BID).

At the BID, Elena leads volunteers in a quest to make the Village of Webster businesses visible, impacting business owners and residents. Her planning and leadership have brought to Webster the recent shredding event at Village Hall, the Beer Garden, Family Game Nights, Winter Wonderland, Easter Egg Hunt, movies and concerts in the park, Jazz Festival, Trick or Treat Trail and Health and Wellness Fair.

Candidates for Business Person of the Year are nominated by Chamber of Commerce members, the winner chosen based on length of Chamber membership, business accomplishments and community service.

The next Webster Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Before Business meeting is scheduled for  Friday Feb. 23 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center. Business owners are encouraged to attend for an opportunity to network with as many as 90 business and organizational leaders. There’s always an informative program followed by “pass-the-mic” time when everyone has an opportunity to be visible. Visitors and members are welcome.

The Webster Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Dr., off of Phillips Rd. Please register here.  

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/12/2024)

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An update from Danny and Jess Barry

9 Feb

It happens to me at least once a week these days. I’m chatting with someone, and they ask me something like, “So, what do you know about Barry’s? When is it going to open again?” And more often than not they’d pass along some theory or rumor which answered their own question.

A few days ago, I determined to track down the REAL answer by going straight to the source. I called Danny and Jess and asked them to clear up the issue once and for all. Have they made any decisions on where the new Barry’s Old School Irish will be, and when it might open?

Their answer? In a word, no.

They DID tell me they “have some feelers out,” and a “lot of people looking” for the new space. But basically, Danny and Jess are not much closer to finding their pub’s forever home than they were when they closed Barry’s Old School Irish five months ago.

They get the same question all the time, of course. But they also often have people tell them, in no uncertain terms, “I know where you’re going.”

Danny laughed when he told me that, and said he responds, “OK, fill me in.”

Even though plans are still not set in stone, their hopes for the new pub haven’t changed much. They want a building they can own outright. They want it to be larger, yet still maintain the intimacy that Barry’s Old School Irish has become known for. And they definitely want to stay as close to 2 West Main St. as possible.

In the meantime, however, Danny and Jess continue to work hard promoting their new Barry’s Irish Cream Liqueur, traveling all over the state to hold tastings in liquor stores and pubs.

“We’re super thankful about how great the Irish Cream is going,” Danny said, attributing its success in large part to their loyal Barry’s Pub family, who have come out in droves to purchase it and ask for it to be stocked in their local stores. It’s folks like these, who remain loyal to the pub family, that continue to fill their hearts with gratitude every day.

“One of the things that’s been super nice is how we’ve been able to reflect on how amazing the last 12 years have been,” Danny said, “to go over the people and moments that have happened. … People built (the pub) with us. The least we can do is return the favor.”

“We’re excited for the future.”

Whether you’re a Barry’s regular or have only stopped in once or twice, you’ll like this next bit of news Danny and Jessica passed along: the 5th Annual Barry’s Irish Festival will (hopefully) be held at the Webster Firemen’s Field, just outside the Village of Webster. They’re still trying to figure out when exactly it will be, since several summer weekend dates are already unavailable, so stay tuned for more about that.

This is great news for all of the Webster locals who have come to love the festival — and Barry’s Old School Irish. It means that later this summer, we’ll be able to raise a pint with the Barrys again … albeit down the road a bit. In the meantime, Danny and Jess hope to hold some smaller events — kind of like mini-Barry’s family reunions — so that we can all get together again as we await for news on Barry’s Old School Irish 2.0.

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Also, HUGE congratulations to Danny and Jess Barry for being named this year’s Irish Business Leaders of the year by the Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. Watch for their whole family marching in the parade!

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/10/2024)

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Catch Me if You Can comes to the Webster Schroeder stage this weekend

6 Feb

I had the pleasure Monday night of getting a sneak peek at Webster Schroeder High School’s upcoming spring musical, Catch Me If You Can, which takes the stage this coming weekend, Feb. 8 through 10.

The show tells the real-life story of con artist Frank Abagnale, who, from the age of 16, masqueraded as a teacher, pilot, doctor and lawyer, and wrote 17,000 bad checks to the tune of $2.5 million.

The musical drama’s plot largely follows the well-known 2002 film of the same name, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It opened on Broadway in 2011, receiving four Tony Award nominations and one Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

I’m a big fan of the film, and was very curious to see how a drama like that had been turned into a musical. But I’ve seen my share of Schroeder productions, and I expected to be blown away by this one, as I always am.

I was not disappointed.

Catch Me If You Can is not only well acted, with incredible voices I’ve come to expect from Webster Schroeder students, but it’s also funny. I was laughing right from the get-go, when the audience received the “airline safety procedures” presentation, complete with a seat belt and oxygen mask demo, and notice that we’d be having a “15-minute layover” in the middle of the flight.

Fans of the movie will notice that a lot of scenes have been eliminated and many others blended together, a necessary concession when translating a film to the stage. There are some impressive dance pieces, and LOTS of music, but every single one of the songs moves the story along and adds some meaningful character background. I actually left the theater humming one of the jaunty tunes.

The costumes are bright, and the set pieces are simple but imaginative. I was especially impressed by how quickly the stage crew could transform an airport into a living room, and may have gasped slightly when a huge airplane was lowered from the rafters.

Schroeder’s production of Catch Me If You Can is especially notable since it’s the first time the musical has been produced in our area. Artistic Director Carrie Zugelder said that Rush Henrietta High School was planning to stage it in 2020, but COVID put a halt to that. So, “it’s pretty much never been done in Western New York,” she said.

“We were intrigued by it,” she added, explaining why she, Music Director Katie Goodman and choreographer Cori Colombo chose it for this year’s production.

It’s not an easy show. It’s got a ton of characters, it’s got a ton of singing, lots of stage time for kids. We knew we had a really solid group of ladies and we knew we had some really star quality gentlemen. … There’s a lot of wealth to pass around and we knew we could cast it.

The show was challenging in other ways as well.

We have 41 kids in the cast and we have more than 350 costumes. The average actor on stage has between eight and twelve costume changes, which is crazy. And not only are there a lot of costume changes, there are lots of accessories. Kids have hats, they have sunglasses, baseball bats …it’s all over the place.

This is unlike anything that I’ve ever done before, but it’s a really, really great show.

I couldn’t say it any better.

Webster Schroeder’s production of Catch Me If You Can is a lighthearted adaptation of the movie which tells a fascinating story that will delight everyone, regardless of whether they’ve seen the movie or not.

You’re definitely going to want to catch this one.

Catch Me If You Can will be presented on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Tickets are $14 and available now through WebsterSchroederMusicals.com. 

A thousand thanks to Schroeder parent David Schiffhauer for the excellent photographs. Check out his work at DJSchiffhauer Photography.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/6/2024)

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Civil War-era revolver has a Webster connection

5 Feb

Here’s an interesting bit of Civil War history which hails from Western Pennsylvania, but has a direct link to one of our Webster neighbors.

It’s the story of John William Glunt, a farm boy from the tiny borough of Munhall, PA, nestled along the Monongahela River southeast of Pittsburgh. He was born in 1843, and joined the Union Army a few months before he turned 21, part of the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.

Pvt. Glunt fought in several skirmishes, including at Wilkesboro, NC, and likely participated in several raiding parties responsible for capturing Confederate railroads and destroying supply trains. He served in the cavalry for eight months, fighting in Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia until he was discharged at the end of the war.

Glunt died during the U.S. Steel strike in 1901 at the age of 57. To this day, his family has stories and photos to remember him by.

But they also have his pistol.

John William Glunt was the great grandfather of Webster resident Dan Glunt, who recently shared with me the story of the Colt 44 that his ancestor carried during the Civil War. It was passed down through generations, a treasured heirloom that was not only admired, but also fired.

Dan remembers,

My father, John H. Glunt, was a metallurgical engineer at U.S. Steel and an amateur gunsmith. I was one of five sons who were taught to shoot and appreciate guns from an early age. With regard to the .44 revolver … we learned how to melt down zinc bars into pumpkin ball ammunition and to grease the cylinder, plus pour black powder down the barrel. We all shot this gun and even hit the target over time.  

The gun eventually wound up in the hands of Dan’s brother Tim, where for many years it mostly collected dust in a closet. Then, in 2016, the brothers got together and decided to donate the piece to the Soldiers and Sailors Hall museum in Pittsburgh.

The museum’s curator, Michael Kraus, remembers the donation well, even after all these years.

It was a “very generous donation,” he said. “We were excited about it because it was an identified piece from the Civil War. To find one that’s identified to an individual, and to know where he was and traveled, it’s pretty amazing. It helps us interpret. It’s not just a gun, it’s something real that someone carried.”

Kraus also said that the gun was “pretty high-tech” for the day, accurate for up to 50 yards. It’s what’s called a “percussion weapon,” meaning that each cylinder had to be individually filled with powder and a ball. It had to be reloaded after five or six shots. It was the museum’s first Colt 44 with a traceable history.

Many thanks to the Glunt family for helping preserve this interesting and important piece of our nation’s history.

Read more about the Soldiers & Sailors museum and its collections at soldiersandsailorshall.org.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/5/2024)

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Sitting & Stitching for 20 years

4 Feb

The Webster Public Library-based Sit & Stitch group has just celebrated 20 years of fellowship and friendship.

I first met the Sit & Stitchers ten years ago, when I visited them on the occasion of the club’s 10th anniversary, for an article for my Our Towns East Extra column, which I was writing for the D&C at that time.

In that article I wrote that in those ten years, the group had grown from just two or three regulars to an average of perhaps a dozen crafters every week — men and women, young and old. And as it grew, the club had also become less about the crafts, and more about the community.

I quoted Marcia Weinert, the group’s creator and coordinator, as saying,

We have become a very caring group of friends who always have room for a new face in the circle. At the same time, we reach out to each other as personal issues arise — a new grandbaby, an illness or death. You’d be amazed at how healing sticks and string can be.

Nothing much has changed in the years since that article. More crafters have discovered the group, so you’ll often find many more than a dozen people circled up in the Webster Public Library’s community room for the weekly gatherings. But that feeling of community, family and friendship remains, and continues to be a huge part of the group’s purpose.

Aside from the cake and punch bowl set up in the corner of the room, last Monday’s meeting was pretty typical of every weekly gathering. It was very well attended; about two dozen crafters crowded into the circle, their projects draped over their laps, needles clicking. A table at the front of the room was covered with finished projects exhibiting the impressive variety of fiber arts these men and women have created. But that ever-present sense of community was also very much on display. Friends welcomed friends, experienced knitters welcomed new arrivals, the conversations flowed and laughter filled the room.

When Marcia stood up to speak this year, she credited the group members for making the club what it is.

“Like in Field of Dreams,” she said, “when (the voice) said ‘if you build it they will come,’ literally by just showing up, you are the ones who created this. You are the ones who made the community. You teach each other.”

The Sit & Stitchers have become a weekly support group, a family, sharing stories and skills, making friends and helping others. And I will no doubt be visiting with them again in ten more years.

The Sit & Stitch group meets every Monday (when the library is open) from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Webster Public Library community room. All fiber arts crafters are welcome, no matter your experience level. No need to register, just stop by, and bring whatever project you’re working on.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/4/2024)

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