The moon put on a spectacular show last Saturday night; perhaps you saw it. It was called a “moon dog.” I didn’t notice it, but learned about it instead from Jackson Thomas, one of my loyal readers, who sent me the following description and photos from when he attended the Webster Recreation Center’s Pumpkins on Parade event that night:
In addition to the amazing activities and decorations (at Pumpkins on Parade), participants were also treated to a somewhat rare astronomical event: moon dogs. This atmospheric phenomenon is the night-time equivalent of the sun dogs sometimes seen during the day when high, thin cirrus clouds create a bright, colorful spot on either or both sides of the sun.
Moon dogs, like sun dogs, appear within the 22-degree halo surrounding either the moon or the sun, although this halo of refracted light is not always visible around the sun, unlike the brilliant halo we witnessed that evening surrounding the moon. Sun dogs are colorful and appear to be miniature rainbows as sunlight is refracted through ice crystals at high altitude within those cirrus clouds. Moon dogs ordinarily lack the color of sun dogs, because moonlight is not strong enough to activate the color-sensing cones in our eyes, but, as you will see in my photos, there was a slight touch of color due to the moon’s brilliance that evening.
Jackson also attached the informational photo below, and a link to more photos of these beautiful phenomena. Click through either or both if you’re interested in learning more.
Thank you Jet for sending this along!
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The weather’s looking pretty OK for the next Family Scavenger Hunt, scheduled for Saturday Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.
Participants will explore the one-mile long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center, looking for scavenger hunt clues. Regular scavenger hunt hikers will be delighted with the new twist introduced with this hike. (All I’m going to say is I hope you like jigsaw puzzles!)
Three different skill levels will be offered for kids aged 2 to 12, so children of all ages can participate. Everyone who completes the hike can choose an apple or mini pumpkin as a prize.
Cost is $5 per child, and please preregisterat the Recreation website (look for program 301205-A). You can pay when you get to the hike. Sign in anytime between 10 a.m. and noon. The hunt will take place rain or shine, so dress for the weather.
And if you REALLY like hiking, here’s something you might want to try.
That same evening, Saturday Nov. 4, the Friends of Webster Trails’ annual Hot Cocoa Hike will be held at Gosnell Big Woods Preserve (674 Vosburg Rd.).
The hike is approximately 1.3 miles long (start to finish) and will include a stop for socialization and hot cocoa. The trail starts at the parking lot and will be marked by lights along the way. This is not a guided event. You are responsible finding your way to the hot cocoa and back by following the marked path.
Participants are asked to leave the parking lot between 7 and 8 p.m., to arrive at the hot cocoa stop by 8:30 p.m. Please leave your dog at home; you can bring them back to enjoy the trail another time. Please bring a flashlight and your own travel mug. This is a carry-in carry out event.
There’s no cost, but please register here so the Friends know how many people to expect.
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The Pride of Webster, competing against eight other schools in the Large School 2 division, came in second place (only .4 points behind first place Hicksville), posting their highest score of the season, a 90.75.
Perhaps it wasn’t the finish that a lot of people were hoping for, but it was a tremendous achievement. It was also a perfect crescendo for a season in which the band took first place in six local competitions, and three out of four first place honors in the U.S. Marine Corps Invitational, with this year’s stunning production, “Our Voices Carry.”
We’re so very proud of you, our very own Webster Marching Band. You’ll always be #1 in our books.
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When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or in this particular case, in the absence of Barry’s Old School Irish, find the next best place to get your Irish music fix.
On Sunday night, that place was Temple Bar and Grill on East Ave. My husband and I joined many other Barry’s regulars there that night, where we headed to catch a performance by one of our favorite Irish musicians, Dave North. It was like Old Home Week when we walked in and saw many of our Barry’s friends gathered around the bar. We really weren’t too surprised, though; Temple Bar has long been known for offering up Irish music on Sunday nights, and Dave North has been a regular performer there for decades. We’ve all enjoyed his shows at Barry’s, and were happy to follow him downtown.
Walking into the bar that night and seeing so many familiar faces helped fill the hole in my life created when Barry’s closed almost two months ago. We counted a good dozen Barry’s regulars among the Temple Bar faithful that night, and we spent a delightful couple hours enjoying a few pints and reconnecting with friends.
Temple will never replace Barry’s, but as we await the return of our favorite Irish pub to Webster (soon, please, Danny and Jess!) it’ll do in a pinch.
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I always wonder every year how the Webster Recreation Center can make their very popular Pumpkins on Parade event better than the year before. And every year they’ve surprised me.
As usual, the number of jack-o-lanterns lining the one-mile long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center was impressive. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chris Bilow estimated there were at least 600 of them, a good percentage of which were created by community members and dropped off in the last few days. And the activities offered for family fun in the big field at the end of the hike — a slide, “photo booth,” corn maze, a bonfire and free donuts and cider — were a welcome distraction for all the kids who still just wanted to run around in their costumes.
But this year’s trail also featured more twinkly lights, and some new and spooky decorations, many of them sporting an alien theme. It was fun to listen to the reactions of the kids who walked by the glowing green spaceship levitating a cow, and the witches huddled around their cauldron stirring their brew.
Bilow made sure to credit the Webster Parks Department for the new decor. The Recreation Center staff carved a lot of the pumpkins and set them along the path, but the “parks guys” strung the new lights, and created the alien habitat and spooky passageways.
Bottom line, a huge amount of effort by a lot of people makes this community event the success it is every year. Thank you to all, and I challenge you to try to make it even better next year.
I couldn’t take photos of all of the jack-o-lanterns, but click here for a gallery of many of my favorites, and more highlights from the evening.
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Despite vartook part in the ying predictions about how much rain we were going to get on Saturday, skies were bright and beautifully sunny for the entire duration of this year’s village Trick-or-Treat Trail. As usual, thousands of children and their families took advantage of the gorgeous weather to wander up and down Main Street, North and South avenues to show off their costumes and collect candy. And as usual, I was there — for a while — with my camera, snapping as many photos as I could.
It’s always fun to see what new trends would be showing up in costume, and I was fortunate to have my daughter at my side to identify all the video game characters for me. Not being able to pop into Barry’s Old School Irish in between my photo rounds made me a bit sad, but I was pleased to see so many new businesses participating.
Many thanks to the Webster BID for hosting this great event every year and for all of the businesses and community agencies which joined the fun.
Click here for a gallery of more than 100 photos from the streets, the fire station and the museum. Sorry if I didn’t get around to snapping your child’s photo, but feel free to email one to me and I can add it to my gallery.
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I’m going to head-up today’s mailbag with a few events which I haven’t mentioned in any recent posting, including this brand new one I only just learned about this week.
Webster Schroeder High School’s National Honor Society will be hosting a Trunk or Treat at the school on Sunday Oct. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. The NHS kids promise candy, popcorn, cotton candy and creative costumes. They’ll also be accepting donations for the Pirate Toy Fund, so if you can help, bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event.
Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd. The Trunk or Treat will be held in the GOAL parking lot, which is on your right as you approach the Schroeder main entrance from Ridge.
Veterans and active-duty service personnel are invited to a free Veterans Day spaghetti dinner in appreciation for their service.
The dinner will take place Thursday, Nov. 9 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue. Reservations are required, so attendees are asked to call the school at (585) 216-0093 to reserve seats. If you’d rather pick up a meal and not eat at the school, you can also call to reserve a takeout order.
The dinner includes spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert. Attendees and pickup orders are asked to enter the school’s back parking lot off of Rt. 250, behind the cafetorium.
The next meeting of The Visionaries will be held on Wednesday Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
The Visionaries is a support group for community members who struggle with vision issues — macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, or others. Members share their interests and opportunities with others, encouraging those with visual impairment to get the most out of their lives.
The Visionaries began in 2000, and at one time boasted as many as 80 members. In addition to regular monthly meetings, the group has taken outings to attractions like the Memorial Art Gallery, Geva Theatre, and Pike Stained Glass Studio. For their December 6 meeting, the group will return to the Memorial Art Gallery and in January will meet at the Webster Public Library.
There’s no need to register for any meeting, just come by and join in. For more information on The Visionaries, contact Ed Wilkonski at (585) 265-4167 or email wingstwofly@rochester.rr.com.
The library will be closed on Friday Nov. 10 for staff training, and will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 22 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Caps for Sale fundraiser is coming up Thursday Nov. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hats will be $10 for children’s sizes and $15 for adult sizes and all proceeds benefit the Webster Public Library programs.
Also on Saturday Nov. 11, the library will hold their annual Vintage and Collectible Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Book prices will start at $8 and prices are firm.
November 22 marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. On Wednesday Nov. 15, MCC history professor Mark Sample tells the story of that tragic day and discuss some of the conspiracy theories. The hour-long program begins at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required.
The next Webster Business Spotlight program will focus on Schutt’s Apple Mill, on Thursday Nov. 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. Please register here.
The Webster Art Club Fall Show is going on right now at the library, through the end of November. This group meets for Open Art every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center and has meetings with guest artists and demos on the second Wednesday of each month. New members are always welcome. For more information click here.
The next benefit spaghetti dinner at the Masonic Lodge is Friday Nov. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the lodge, 30 Orchard Street.
This month’s dinner will benefit the Webster Thomas Titans Cheerleaders organization. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. You can eat in or take it to go. Call (585) 872-3500 with questions.
The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters will host an Indoor Arts/Crafts Sale at the Webster Recreation Center, Saturday Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 30 vendors will be there. Proceeds will benefit WSPS, a non-profit organization which provides Webster seniors with rides to their medical-related appointments.
The West Webster Fire Department invites community members to help clean up the Lake Rd. memorial honoring fallen WWFD firefighters Lt. Mike Chiapperino and Tomasz Kaczowka, on Saturday Nov. 18 at 9 a.m.
Please bring gloves, weed trimmers, takes and trash bags. The memorial is located on Lake Rd. just past Sandbar Park.
I won’t go into much detail about any of these following events since I’ve written about them before, so if you want to find out more about any of them, check out the flyers below or just search for it on the blog.
DEA Drug take-back Saturday Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Justice Court, 1002 Ridge Rd.
Family Scavenger Hunt, Saturday Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center
Santa’s Garage Sale at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd., from Nov. 2 to 4.
A Concert Apparel and Coat event, Sat. Oct. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
Friends of Webster Trails’ annual Hot Cocoa Hike, Saturday Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Gosnell Big Woods Preserve.
Pumpkins on Parade, Saturday Oct, 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
The Village of Webster’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, Saturday Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The All in For Comfort Care Casino Night, Friday Nov 3 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at The Lodge at Shadow Hill in Ontario.
The Webster BID’s annual Bourbon Bash, Saturday Nov. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House.
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I was visiting recently with some new friends over at the Woodside Nursery School, located at the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd., who told me about a “magic gardening” activity they designed for their young charges.
Some of the “magic” seedsThe magic pumpkin patch in bloom
The students first planted “magic” pumpkin seeds — fallen leaves cut into stars, hearts and butterflies — in the Magic Pumpkin Patch outside of the school. Then, during the day, parent volunteers and school board members helped the magic seeds “grow” by replacing them with little pumpkins, perfectly sized for little hands. You can just imagine the squeals of delight from the students and the wonder in their eyes when they saw the magic garden filled with miniature pumpkins.
Check out some of these adorable gardeners:
Olivia
Matthew
Brody
Caleb
Miss Amy with students
Colin finding his pumpkin
In the next several months you’re going to be hearing more in my blog about the parent co-operative Woodside Nursery School, which has been serving our community since 1956 from the same location at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. I didn’t know anything about them until my visit, and was rather surprised they’ve been around this long. I’ve encouraged them to keep sending me news about what’s going on over there, so stay tuned for more cuteness coming across your computer screen.
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As we get closer to Halloween, I know that there are SO MANY events coming down the pike that you want to make sure your kids have a chance to check out. Make sure these two, happening this coming Saturday Oct. 28, are atop your list.
The first is the Village of Webster’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, an annual tradition in the village which draws thousands of kids and adults to walk through the streets and trick-or-treat dozens of village businesses.
The day begins with a costume contest at Village Hall from 11 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Trail from 11:30 to 2:30. There’s a pet costume contest as well (a judge will be walking along Main St. keeping an eye out for contestants!). The Webster Museum will have special treats, the Webster Volunteer Fire Department will host their open house with displays, fire hats and equipment for the kids to explore, and there’ll be wagon rides behind Gazebo Park.
And don’t forget to take the short side trip down Lapham Park to visit the Webster Museum, where the folks there are cooking up some special events for the kids.
And of course, I’ll be out there with my camera trying to take as many photos of kids (and adults) in costume as possible, so watch for me. I especially love to see entire families dress up together. Moms and dads often have some of the most creative costumes.
Saturday evening, Pumpkins on Parade returns to the Webster Recreation Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
This is a super fun family event where participants stroll along the mile-long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center, which is lined with hundreds of creatively carved, humorous, scary and downright weird jack-o-lanterns. At the end of the path, there’s free cider and donuts and a bonfire, a family photo area, and for the kids, a hay maze and roller slide. And it’s ALL FREE. (Here’s the Facebook event page for more information.)
To make this event the success it always is, the Rec Center needs a LOT of jack-o-lanterns. So grab some pumpkins today or tomorrow and get carving! You can drop off your finished creations on the trailer parked outside the Rec Center (1350 Chiyoda Dr.) on Friday Oct, 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Saturday Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Multiple pumpkins are both welcomed and encouraged. Each pumpkin gets a raffle ticket for the chance to win a Fall Themed Raffle Basket (be sure to stop inside the Rec Center after dropping off your pumpkin to fill out a ticket!)
Once again, I’ll be there with my camera, so keep an eye out for me. And have FUN!
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The generosity displayed by Webster folks never ceases to amaze me. The latest example is a donation made recently by the residents at the Villas at Easthampton retirement community on Maryview Drive.
The community members there make a charitable donation every year to a different non-profit organization. Many of the residents had attended the recent Webster Garlic Fest, which benefited the Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 (military families), Wreaths Across America Webster and Gold Star Mothers Rochester (who have lost an immediate family member in active duty). Following the festival, the community decided to have this year’s donation benefit the Blue Star Mothers and the care packages the mothers send to deployed servicemen and women.
In an effort organized by Jo Ann Timkey, about 30 Villas families got together and completely filled the Blue Star Mothers’ Care Package Wish List. Jo Ann reported this was the largest donation they’d ever received. Many veterans live in the community and were especially eager to donate.
One of the reasons the community chose the Blue Star Mothers Care Package project is because the collected items will go all over the world, and are placed into the hands of our locally deployed service members.
It took a truck to carry all the donations.
The next care package shipment is scheduled for November. Supporting this program is an easy way for us to provide a bit of joy to our soldiers so far from home. The care packages also bring comfort to the families left behind, who can see how much their loved ones are appreciated. Thank you, Villas at Easthampton, for supporting this great effort. You’ve really made a difference.
If you’d like to donate some items to the Blue Star Mothers’ care package program, click this Amazon link to see the wish list. The more items we can purchase for the program, the more care packages can be sent!
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I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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