Vietnam-era armored car rolls into town

6 Dec

There’s a new military vehicle in town, and it’s a really big deal.

I say that not just because the M706 Commando armored car, recently acquired by the Cottreall-Warner American Legion Post, is not only really big (it weighs more than eight tons), but the simple fact that the Legion was able to get one is a big deal in itself.

The armored car arrived by flatbed trailer on November 17, after traveling more than 600 miles from the AAF Tank Museum in Danville, Va. The museum closed last month, at which time several of its exhibit pieces became available, and the American Legion post jumped at the chance to get one.

That’s about the only way organizations can acquire a display piece. Past Legion Commander Greg Cody explained that most decommissioned military vehicles are used for target practice, so you basically have to wait for a museum or Legion post or VFW post to close and their display pieces go up for grabs.

For our Webster American Legion, it’s been a long wait; Cody put in the post’s application a full nine years ago.

Considering the armored vehicle saw action in the Vietnam War in the early ’60s, it’s in pretty good shape. Still, Cody said, “When it showed up it was in worse shape than in the pictures we saw.” It was missing some windows, and the turret and the hatch had been removed and stuffed inside the vehicle.

Pretty much all that remains inside are the seats and the steering mechanism. “When they give you a tank or vehicle, they come completely stripped inside so no one can make it work,” Cody explained. Even the engine is removed. It had also clearly spent some time outside after the museum closed, because there were leaves and branches inside and some surface rust.

Getting a static display piece for our small-town Webster American Legion is, as I said, a big deal. Usually only the bigger Legion or VFW posts get them, or perhaps entire townships, because it’s a rather expensive proposition. The government doesn’t charge anything, but it does cost a lot of money to have the monster vehicles loaded up, trucked hundreds of miles, and then unloaded. You also have to have enough room to display it.

The vehicle’s under wraps right now, tucked under a tarp in a corner of the Legion’s parking lot. In the spring, Cody will crawl back inside to clean it up and do more repairs, give it a new paint job, and work with a local machine shop to fashion some mock gun barrels. That’s also when the Legion’s members will decide where on the property it will be permanently displayed. The plan is to put a fence around it, plant a garden and install a plaque.

It’s sure to be a fitting memorial to all those who served.

The Cottreall-Warner American Legion Post 942 is located at 818 Ridge Rd., at the corner of Five Mile Line Rd.

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(posted 12/6/2023)

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Young local dancers join the Nutcracker ensemble this weekend

4 Dec

Last year was the first time I’d ever seen a full production of Nutcracker. That in itself is hard to believe, but it’s especially egregious given that not only does Rochester get a professional performance of the holiday classic each year, but that performance also features a lot of young local dancers.

More than 30 children from Webster’s very own Dancing With Denise studio will be performing alongside the full international professional Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet troupe this year, filling the roles of mice, party kids, snowflakes, doves and other characters. It’s a rare opportunity for these kids to audition, rehearse and perform with a professional, international touring ballet company.

Any of you who’ve had the pleasure of seeing Nutcracker already know that it’s a truly magical show, from the bright Christmas-Eve-celebration colors, costumes and staging in the first act, to the sparkling wintry scenes in Act II, wrapped in the beautiful music we all know so well. The addition of adorable local children makes it even more enchanting.

I remember feeling somewhat sorry last year for the professional dancers when the kids were performing. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one, for example, paying more attention to the little rats scurrying around the stage than the pitched battle taking place between the Rat King and the Nutcracker.

Aside from the children, The Nutcracker features an award-winning ensemble from Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and more. It’s marking its 31st tour this holiday season, with stops in more than 50 cities across the country. As part of their “Dance With Us” program, the company partners with local dance studios like Dancing with Denise to cast young talent to perform onstage alongside the professional artists. This is the 15th year Dancing with Denise has had the privilege of being chosen to host this magical event. 

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet will take the stage on Friday December 8 at 7 p.m. at The West Herr Auditorium Theatre. Tickets are going fast for the one-time performance, so get yours soon. Click here to order online.

The Dancing With Denise studio is located at 1077 Gravel Rd. in West Webster.

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AND THERE’S MORE!

I recently got an email from a proud papa who told me that Emma Clausen is also performing in the Nutcracker this weekend.

Emma, who also lives in Webster, dances with TNT Dance Explosion in Irondequoit. She performed last weekend at Eastman Theater with the Rochester City Ballet and RPO and performs again this week with the ballet company at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua.

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(posted 12/4/2023)

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Photos from Winter Wonderland and the Parade of Lights

3 Dec

It would be nice if one year — just one year — it would snow for the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland festivities. Some wintry flakes would certainly enhance the holiday atmosphere. But in the last few years, at least it didn’t rain.

This year we didn’t even get that lucky. At least for most of the afternoon it was just cloudy, but shortly before the parade started it began to sprinkle and did so for pretty much the entire evening. The cold, rainy weather didn’t seem to turn many people away, however. It seemed to me there were a lot more people this year, more families making cookies and crafts in Gazebo Park, more kids dancing around with Denise and listening to Jason from the Public Library tell stories. And the lines to see Santa and take a wagon ride were — as always — quite long.

Kudos especially for the Webster Village Hall staff for the beautiful backdrop they created for Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Community Meeting Room, and for taking a photo of every family who visited. (Keep an eye on the Village website or Facebook page for when the photos are posted. I’m not sure where they’ll be.)

Thank you to the Webster Business Improvement District for another great year. This is always such a great family event with so many things to do and see, from the crafts, cookies and hot chocolate to the live performances by the Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody.

And of course thank you to the Webster Volunteer Fire Department for the always spectacular Parade of Lights. It’s always a delight to see how much fun the participants are having as they march their costumes, and how much fun the spectators have as each sparkling truck or float rolls by. Even if they are huddled under overhangs and umbrellas.

Click here for this year’s gallery of photos.

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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 12/3/2023)

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900 people. One week. One trail.

1 Dec

That was one of many remarkable statistics I learned at the recent Friends of Webster Trails annual meeting.

According to a trail counter, over a period of just ONE WEEK last summer, 900 people visited Gosnell Big Woods to hike the trails there. That’s a pretty amazing statistic, especially compared to the number of people who have actually become members of the Friends.

That was another statistic which always surprises me. The Friends currently have 245 members, a number which delighted the board members because it finally broke the 200 mark this year. But I think it’s disappointing, given how many people use the trails regularly.

Among those members, only a small proportion do all of the “heavy lifting” to create new trails and keep the current ones hike-able. And they do TONS of work every season, providing their own tools to do so. This year, for example, the Friends volunteers:

  • created a new trail and rerouted an old one at Four Mile Creek
  • supervised the building of a new boardwalk at Four Mile Creek
  • held numerous special events including the Hot Cocoa and Trees Along the Trail hikes
  • planted more than 250 trees and shrubs in five parks as part of the ReTree Project (330 hours of work)
  • Opened the new Michael A. Johnson Trail and expanded the new State Rd. Nature Preserve trails
  • Started planning the also new Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest trails

And there’s always work going on behind the scenes like updating maps, working with the Town to install parking lots, working with Eagle Scouts to build boardwalks, benches and kiosks, and so much more. Given the huge number of people who use the trails, it’s no wonder these volunteers are constantly working to keep them maintained.

The Friends have some funds saved up, and Town helped a little bit for the first time this year, but a good chunk of their funding comes from the individual and family memberships. So …

I don’t want to be obnoxious, but c’mon folks! If you use and enjoy these trails, please show the selfless Friends of Webster Trails volunteers some love this holiday season and join. Then every time you’re out on a hike, enjoying our town’s natural beauty, you can proudly say, “I helped make this so.”

Family memberships are only $15 per year, and an individual membership is only $10 … for the whole year! You can click here to join online or click here to print off the form to send by mail. It makes a great gift idea for the hard-to-buy-for nature lover in your family., by the way.

The annual meeting was held at the Hickory Bark Trail near the Webster Public Library

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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 12/1/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

30 Nov

Let’s start today with news of a fundraiser for the Webster Athletic Association at DiBella’s Subs on Empire Blvd.

The flyer gives the details, but basically, if you order from DiBella’s in store or online between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, 20% of your check will go to the WAA. You’ll need to use code WAA20. See the flyer for more details.

Bernardi & Co. CPA, at 40 Barrett Drive, is hosting a free financial seminar designed for individuals and small businesses who could use a little advice.

The seminar, about Saving and Investing, is scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bernardi & Co. offices, and there’s no cost. But please RSVP as space is limited.

Email Elena@bernardiCPA.com to reserve your spot. If you have any questions, call 585-217-9393.

The Women’s Club of Webster will hold their 29th annual Christmas Cookie Sale on Saturday Dec. 9 in the Webster Public Library community room.

The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the cookies are sold out. This is always a highly anticipated event, so you might want to get there early. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the club’s scholarship funds and their support for many other programs in the Webster community.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza. For more information, please contact Peg Berry at 203-645-9352.

If you’d like to get more involved in the Women’s Club, here’s your chance: the club will be hosting their December Holiday Party on Thursday Dec. 21 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd.

The event begins with a social at 11:15 a.m., followed by the meeting at noon, lunch at 12:30, then “holiday gaiety” and an optional gift exchange. If you’d like to participate in the gift exchange, the gifts should not exceed $10. The luncheon buffet will feature assorted wraps, tossed salad, fruit salad and a cookie.

Special guest at this meeting will be Rochester folk musician Allen Hopkins.    

Cost for the luncheon is $27. Send your check made out to WCW by December 14 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Questions? Phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303. And remember, new members are always welcome!

The beautifully melodic Senior Singers will host their annual Holiday Concert at the Webster Recreation Center on Tuesday Dec. 19 at 11 a.m.

The Senior Singers is a lively group of older adults who come together at the Rec Center every Tuesday to rehearse and perform music. There’s no cost; they just do it for the love of music. (If you want to read more about them, click here to see the blog I wrote.)

There’s no charge to attend the holiday concert, and registration is not necessary, So plan to take a moment out of your day and stop by to hear some beautiful music,. (And perhaps consider joining this fun group.)

The Webster Recreation Center is at 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

This news from the Webster Chamber of Commerce:

At their October monthly meeting, the Webster Chamber honored TYS CPAs, LLP as their November Business of the Month.

TYS manages the accounting needs of their clients and goes beyond tabulation to point out opportunities for business growth and supports them through the process. They developed a ‘TYS Emerge‘ process, specifically for the Construction Industry. TYS also extends a promise to its clients, offering a fixed-rate, guaranteeing results, removing the escalating threat of hourly billing. In addition to serving the Webster Chamber, TYS volunteers at the Jefferson Avenue Elementary School, in Fairport. As he presented the award, Chamber President and CEO Barry Howard said, “TYS Co-Owner Tim Shortsleeve has been very active in the Chamber, assuming leadership roles. Currently, Tim serves on the Webster Chamber Board of Directors as Chair-elect, part of a six-year commitment, and is active on the Personnel Committee. He has also provided educational sessions for our members and visitors.“

Every month, the Webster Chamber of Commerce identifies a member business or organization which has excelled within their industry, given back to the community, and been active in the Chamber to be honored as Business of the Month. In the photo above, Webster Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Carolyn Montanaro (left) presents the November Business of the Month award to TYS partner Tim S. Shortsleeve (center) and Staff Accountant Brenda Zornow (right).

This important information also from the Chamber of Commerce:

Deadlines Approaching for Health Insurance Enrollment for January 1 Start 

The Webster Chamber of Commerce has offered no-fee health insurance enrollment assistance since 1938 and wants the public to be aware of the approaching deadlines to receive health insurance on January 1.

  • December 07 Medicare Annual Enrollment deadline: Medicare recipients have until the deadline to make a plan change for 2024. 
  • December 15: last day for Qualified Health Insurance (Including NYS Marketplace) for new or renewing participants for a January 1st effective date.

Health insurance enrollment is challenging. In addition to deadlines, you have many health insurance carrier options to consider. Plus, each carrier offers different plans to align with individual needs. The Webster Chamber staff will help you through this insurance enrollment process, helping you select the plan that best fits your needs. Chamber membership is not required and you do not need to be a Webster resident. 

To meet the deadlines to start health insurance on January 1 and to select the best-fit health insurance option for you, follow these steps:

  1. Call 585-265-3960 to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with Chamber staff.
  2. Watch this introductory video.

The Webster CSD has announced the dates for this spring’s school musicals, the theater lovers will want to get them on your calendars.

  • Willink Middle School will present Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo on Feb. 2 and 3
  • Webster Schroeder High School’s production of Catch Me if You Can will be held Feb. 8 to 10
  • Spry Middle School presents Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical March 8 and 9
  • Webster Thomas High School will stage DreamWorks’ Shrek the Musical from March 21 to 23
  • (this one’s a drama) Webster Schroeder Theater Company will present Little Women from April 25-27

As performance dates near, you can check the Webster CSD website for details … plus I’ll be posting them here on my blog, so stay tuned.

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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 11/30/2023)

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Winter Wonderland at the Webster Museum

29 Nov

A few days ago I posted a blog with details about this weekend’s Winter Wonderland festivities in the Village of Webster on Saturday Dec. 2. But I wanted to separate out the Webster Museum for special treatment because they have a lot of cool stuff going on that day, even before the festival starts.

The museum’s fun-filled winter celebration kicks off with a book sale and signing by local author Bill Schoff, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A retired Plank Rd. North Elementary teacher, Bill has authored four wonderful books of fun poetry for the child in all of us. For this special event, all of Bill’s books are on sale for $10 each, cash or check only.  Bring your own to be signed, or purchase one at the museum on the day of the signing.

Beginning at 4 p.m., the museum will have live music, featuring The Saxophone Therapy Project until 4:45, followed by The Goodwin Family from 5 to 5:45 p.m., providing instrumental music with a sing-a-long.

The Festival of Trees officially opens this Saturday as well. Fifteen beautifully decorated miniature Christmas trees have been placed throughout the museum, and community members are encouraged to see them all and vote for your favorite. They’ll be on display through Dec. 31, but if you can’t make it to the museum before then, you can also vote online at the museum’s website. (That link will be posted soon!)

Many local nonprofit organizations have worked hard to create these beautiful trees, and prize monies will be awarded. So stop on down and cast your vote!

The spectacular Burkardt Family Crèche will be on display for the month of December.  Handcrafted in Germany between WWI and WWII, it was shipped to the Burkardt family in Webster at the end of the war. You can read more about it in this blog I wrote about it last year.   

Finally, here’s a unique holiday gift idea which will delight someone you love, and benefit the museum at the same time. It’s called “12 Months of Flowers,” and is being offered in conjunction with Kittelberger Florist.

Purchase a “12 Months of Flowers” card for $40, cash or check only, at the museum during Winter Wonderland and receive one bouquet of flowers, each month, for 12 consecutive months. Bouquets are valued at $15 and must be picked up at Kittelberger Florist, 263 North Ave, Webster. What a great way to brighten every month of the new year for someone special (or yourself)!

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park (just steps off of East Main St.). They’ll be open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 2.

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(posted 11/29/2023)

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November History Bit: Where did Webster’s slogan come from?

28 Nov

It’s a phrase most residents of the Town of Webster know well: Webster is “Where Life is Worth Living.” But have you ever wondered how and when that slogan came about? 

Several years ago, Town Historian Lynn Barton looked into the question, and uncovered an excerpt from the 1926 Webster Union and High School Handbook for Students, Teachers and Parents, which attributes the slogan to “an enterprising Ad Club.” 

According to Webster Chamber of Commerce president Barry Howard, the Ad Club refers to an organization that promoted Webster businesses in the early 1920s. It was similar to the current Chamber of Commerce, which was formed in the early 1930s.

As well known as that slogan is, many may not realize that it really only refers to the Town of Webster. The Village of Webster has its very own: the village is “Where Life Keeps Getting Better.” You’ll see that motto proudly displayed on the sign outside the Village offices on West Main St. 

You, too, can proudly display our town’s slogan, on a “WLiWL” bumper sticker available for just $1 at the Webster Museum, or with a t-shirt, mug, apron, water bottle or more, available at the museum’s online gift shop (think Christmas gifts!).

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org to learn more.    

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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 11/28/2023)

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Shopping with Santa on Small Business Saturday

27 Nov

I had a terrific time last Saturday, accompanying Santa and one of his elves as they strolled through the Village of Webster, checking out the Small Business Saturday savings and handing out treats to the children. It was so much fun to see the children’s eyes light up when they saw Santa, and the smiles he brought to everyone’s faces.

We were out there for 90 minutes in the morning and again in the afternoon. My husband caught some of the action on video, which we’ve put together in my first-ever “vlog.” Click the photo below to see that video.

(Click on the photo to watch the video)

Two local television stations, Channel 10 and Channel 13, sent cameras to capture some film as well. After all, Santa showing up in the Village of Webster? That is definitely news.

Click here to see Channel 13’s coverage.

I also took a lot of still photos, which I’ve put into a gallery here. (P.S. the elf is my daughter.)

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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 11/27/2023)

Dessert before dinner? Sure!

26 Nov

The Webster Community Chest invites community members to eat your dessert before dinner. To be more precise, how about enjoying a big ice cream sundae, prepared in a hand-crafted bowl created by our Webster CSD art students?

On Wednesday, Nov. 29, the Community Chest will partner with the Empty Bowls Project to raise funds to help feed our less fortunate neighbors. From 4 to 6 p.m. in the Schroeder High School cafeteria, you can choose one of a great variety of hand-crafted ceramic bowls, and have it filled with an ice cream sundae. Enjoy the sundae, then take the bowl home. Suggested donation is $20.

Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd.

Then, on Friday Dec. 1, follow up your dessert with a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Masonic Temple, 30 Orchard Street. Dinner will include spaghetti with marinara or garlic sauce, meatballs, salad, bread … and more dessert (ice cream and a cookie)!

Cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under.

Tickets for both the Empty Bowls Project and the spaghetti dinner can be purchased in advance here, or at the door. Takeout dinners will be available. All proceeds from both events will go to feeding the hungry in our Webster 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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/26/2023)

Details about next weekend’s Winter Wonderland

25 Nov

The Village of Webster’s annual holiday fun festival, Winter Wonderland, returns to Main Street, Gazebo Park and Village Hall next weekend, on Saturday Dec. 2.

All of your family favorites will be back for the afternoon and evening, including carriage rides, crafts for the kids, cookie decorating, live music, story time, and a visit with Santa, culminating with the always spectacular Parade of Lights down Main Street.

Everything starts at 3 p.m., when Santa will welcome children in the warm Village Hall Community Meeting Room until 5:30 p.m., when he has to leave and get ready to ride in the parade.

From 3 to 6 p.m., stop by the North Pole at Veterans Park (Gazebo Park) where all sorts of activities will be happening. The carriage rides will begin there, there’ll be crafts for the kids, hot cocoa, cookie decorating, dancing, games and more, including story time with Jason from the Webster Public Library from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

While you’re in town for the festivities, make sure to walk up the short block to the Webster Museum (18 Lapham Park) where there’ll be live music from 4 to 5:45 p.m., and your chance to place your vote in the museum’s Festival of Trees (more information to come about that).

Everything wraps up with the spectacular Parade of Lights which will begin at 630 p.m. at Kircher Park and travel west down Main Street to Fireman’s Field. It’s always amazing to see all of the fire trucks, bands, community group floats — everyone and everything — parade by, covered in twinkling Christmas lights. (It’s always an adventure as well to see if the huge inflated snowman on the one fire truck will make it under the traffic light safety.)

I’ll be walking around with my camera, so if you see me, smile nice!

Here’s a link to my gallery from last year’s Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights.

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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 11/25/2023)

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