Tag Archives: Community Arts Day

Community Arts Day is coming up!

5 Mar

It’s a sure sign of spring (even more so than the unbelievably spring-like weather we’ve been having): Community Arts Day (CAD) is coming up fast.

I’m sure you already know about this great family event which takes place every April. It’s basically a show-off day for our district’s schools, showcasing the musical and artistic talents of our Webster School District K-12 students. It was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district. This year’s event is Saturday April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School.

In addition to the art displays, it’s also a great opportunity for community groups to set up tables and spread the word about their organizations. The fee for participation and space rental is $30 (payable at the time of registration) plus an additional fee of $30 for selling vendors. Click here for more details and to register.

New home for those old instruments

I’ll be posting a whole lot more about Community Arts Day in the coming weeks (it is literally one of my favorite events of the year), but I did recently find out about this great new addition to CAD 2024:

This year, the Webster Central PTSA is partnering with the WCSD Music Department to offer a Used Instrument Donation Drive, an opportunity for families to donate their gently used instruments to students who aren’t easily able to afford a new instrument.

The Concert Wear/Coat Drive the WCPTSA does every fall is so successful, this seemed like another wonderful way to help those in need, while spreading the love of music. The school district will cover the cost of repairing any instruments that need repair.

A table will be set up at Community Arts Day where families can drop off their unused instruments, so keep an eye out for it!

Also new at this year’s Community Arts Day

And this is breaking news: I’ll also be setting up a table at Community Arts Day! If you’ve ever wanted to meet me, find out more about my blog, or have a great story idea, please watch for me and stop by.

More details about this later as well.

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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 3/5/2024)

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Another successful Community Arts Day in the books

15 Apr

The gorgeous spring weather Saturday didn’t keep many hundreds of adults and children from checking out this year’s Community Arts Day, held at Webster Schroeder High School.

The annual showcase of our students’ artistic talents filled the Schroeder hallways, chorus room and auditorium with cultural arts, fine art displays and musical entertainment. Each one of Webster’s elementary and secondary schools, including St. Rita, was represented by displays of artwork of all kinds from collages to sculptures, jewelry work to pen-and-ink drawings. The variety was remarkable and the talent on display downright amazing.

Demonstrations and performances were held throughout the day, including a very well-attended performance by this year’s extra-special guest, the Garth Fagan Dance School.

I was only able to spend about 90 minutes wandering the halls this year, so I missed a lot of the dancers and musicians. But I still managed to take almost a hundred photos of the artwork, kids’ activities, a few performances, and many of the community group displays. I’ve posted a sampling here, but click here to see a much larger gallery.

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

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(posted 4/15/2023)

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Community Arts Day is this weekend!

10 Apr

It’s as sure a sign of spring as the first robin: The Webster Central School District’s — and the entire Webster community’s — grand show-off day, Community Arts Day returns to Webster Schroeder High School this Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This very family-friendly festival, which is marking its 46th year, showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts. It was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district. (Below are a few examples of the artwork from previous years. Click here for a full gallery from last year.)

Dozens of activities are planned throughout the day, including art displays, carnival games, crafts, community group exhibits and more. Webster student groups will present musical performances throughout the day, and the Webster’s Got Talent talent show will feature aspiring student singers, musicians, and dancers from 12 to 1 pm. Community performing groups will fill out the schedule of events, and all the performances are free.

Admission to Community Arts Day is free. Proceeds from concessions, craft, and carnival booth sales will benefit cultural arts programs within the Webster Central School District.  

For a complete schedule of events and map of exhibitors, follow the Community Arts Day Facebook page, where updates will be posted regularly.

And by the way, the Webster Marching Band will be right next door in the Aquatic Center parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., so make sure to put that bag of empties in your car before you head out to the event!

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@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 4/10/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

13 Mar

The Webster Museum leads my mailbag today, with the latest in their intriguing “What is it?” series, featuring unusual items they’ve found in their collection.

The last time I posted a blog about these items, I received several emails from readers who could actually identify some — or all — of them. How about this one? If you have any idea what it might be, let me know. Or better yet, pop by the library and chat with the lovely docents there yourself, and check out all of the other interesting items on display for the “What is it? exhibit. The museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, and is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

This interesting update about some notable Websterites also comes from the museum.

Webster Thomas grad-turned-supermodel Rachel Hilbert is celebrating her birthday on March 14.

Julie Chen ’82, also an R.L. Thomas grad, was recently named chancellor of University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She will officially be installed on April 13.

Marc Thompson (WHS ’93) was recently interviewed by the Audio Book Club about his work as a voice actor and audio book narrator. If you enjoy Star Wars, audio books, or Marc’s work, it’s worth a listen.

Here’s another reminder that Community Arts Day is coming up on April 15, and if your community group would like to participate, the deadline to register is fast approaching.

Community groups that would just like to set up an information table can participate for $30, payable at the time of registration. Community groups or vendors that would like to sell their goods need advance approval from the CAD planning committee. A $55 vendor fee applies.

The registration deadline is April 1.  A $5 late fee will be applied for any registrations accepted past the deadline.  All registrations and payments must be received by Friday April 7 at 5 p.m., after which the registration forms and payment site will close.

Click here to register.

As usual, there’s lots of stuff going on at the Webster Parks and Recreation Department. Today I highlight a few of the Senior Center activities.

On Wednesday March 17, check out the “Singo Bingo,” from 1 to 2 p.m. Listen to music, mark off the songs, and call out “SINGO!” There will be prizes. The event is free but registration is required.

The Talks on Tuesday series continues on Tuesday March 14 with a presentation about Effective Communication Strategies by Kristie McCormick. It will be particularly focused on those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, but will benefit anyone who wants to improve their communication skills.

On Tuesday March 21, NASA Ambassador Jim Porter will speak on “NASA: 60 Years of Space Exploration,” beginning with the Mercury missions through what space exploration might look like in the future.

I’ll be there on Tuesday March 28, when my good friend Dave Wyble will present a facinating look at the Science of Color. It goes well beyond the color wheel we learned in art class.

There’s no charge for these programs, but registration is requested. Click here to register.

And not for nothing, the Webster Senior Center welcomes anyone ages 55 and above to these activities (50 and above for the Talks). So maybe you don’t consider yourself a “senior” yet, consider joining in and making some new friends.

By the way, Mark your calendar for Tuesday May 16; I’ll be presenting a Tuesday Talk all about my Webster on the Web blog.

Webster Hope will be hosting a food drive on Saturday March 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at 1450 Ridge Rd.

Please enter from Phillips Rd. and follow the signs. Just drive up, and volunteers will be on hand to unload your donations. Please no clothing…they really need food.

Here’s this month’s wish list to help:

  • fruit juice (cans or bottles)
  • jars of applesauce
  • canned tuna
  • pasta
  • jars of spaghetti sauce

The mission of Webster HOPE is to serve the needs of residents in the 14580-zip code. Their volunteers embrace the spirit of compassion as they provide food, clothing, household goods and furniture to those in need. Financial assistance, with the emphasis on preventing homelessness, is available.

A handful of blood drives are coming up in our area (click the poster for more details):

  • Friday March 17, noon to 5 p.m., Webster Fireman’s Building, 172 Sanford St.
  • Thursday March 23, 1 to 6 p.m., Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd.
  • Tuesday April 4, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.

Boy Scout Troop 262 will hold a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser this Saturday March 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Firemen’s Exempt Building, 172 Sanford Street. Dinner is $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 10.

Eat in or take out.

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

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 3/13/2023)

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Welcome back, Community Arts Day!

9 Apr

I always love walking through the halls of Webster Schroeder High School at Community Arts Day. I see dozens of my friends from the community, get some great blog ideas and admire hundreds of incredible pieces of art made by our schoolchildren.

But Saturday, as I made my way ’round the displays, I realized this Community Arts Day was one like no other. This Community Arts Day was nothing less than Webster’s coming-out party.

Our town, like everywhere else in the world, has been in a cocoon much of the last two years. Clubs couldn’t hold meetings, dance and martial arts studios had to suspend their classes. Our schools were even shuttered for several months. And we certainly couldn’t hold community celebrations like this one.

But yesterday I saw the Webster community coming back to life, boasting to all in attendance about the events, organizations, people and talent that make our town a great place to live. Community groups hosted informational displays, dance schools were back on stage, musical soloists and ensembles entertained all day. And I reconnected with friends and colleagues, some whom I haven’t seen in years.

As usual, I tried to capture the festivities by taking a lot of photos. I couldn’t get everything (there was SO much going on at once!) but I tried to get as much as I could.

Click here to see a Facebook gallery of all of the people and art that make Community Arts Day one of my favorite days of the year.

And may I be the first to say, WELCOME BACK!

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

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Community Arts Day returns!

3 Apr

As soon as I saw the news that Community Arts Day is returning this coming weekend, I knew that life is finally getting back to normal. This year’s event is going to be especially sweet since it’s the first one we’ve had in three years.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. This very family-friendly festival, which is marking its 45th year, showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts. It was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district. (Below are a few examples of the artwork from previous years. Click here for a full gallery from 2019.)

Dozens of activities are planned throughout the day, including art displays, carnival games, crafts, community group exhibits and more. Webster student groups will present musical performances throughout the day, and the Webster’s Got Talent talent show will feature aspiring student singers, musicians, and dancers from 12 to 1 pm. Community performing groups will fill out the schedule of events, and all the performances are free.

Admission to Community Arts Day is free. Proceeds from concessions, craft, and carnival booth sales will benefit cultural arts programs within the Webster Central School District.  

A whole schedule of events and map of exhibitors have already been posted to the Community Arts Day Facebook page. Check it out to keep tabs on the latest updates!

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

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Webster community mailbag

26 Mar

I anticipate writing longer blogs about a few of these events in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here’s a tease so you can get them on your calendars.

One of our town’s most creative and fun FREE family events — the Great Rochester Peep Show — returns Saturday and Sunday April 2 and 3 to the Webster Recreation Center on Chiyoda Drive (off of Phillips).

This fun, completely free, family-friendly event features at least four entire rooms filled with incredibly creative sculptures, dioramas, and various other works of art, all created with marshmallow Peeps candies. In addition to the displays, several entertainers and community groups will be performing.

Hours are 10 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 to 4 on Sunday.

Community Arts Day returns the following weekend after a two-year COVID-induced hiatus.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. This very family-friendly festival showcases Webster CSD students’ creative talents and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts.

Dozens of activities are planned throughout the day, including art displays, carnival games, sweet treats sale, plant sale, crafts, community group exhibits and more. Musical groups and demonstrators (dancers, gymnastics, etc.) perform free all day, and you can even grab lunch and snacks.

This is one of my favorite events of the whole year.

Webster’s next American Red Cross blood drive is coming up in just a few weeks. Here are the details:

Tuesday April 5, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church (813 Bay Rd.), 1 to 6 p.m. (Click here to make an appointment)
Wednesday April 6, American Legion (8181 Ridge Rd.), noon to 5 p.m. (Click here for an appointment)

Anyone who donates at one of these drives will receive an exclusive Red Cross t-shirt, while supplies last.

The need right now is critical, so please consider donating!

The Webster Public Library, is hosting a meet-and-greet with new library director Adam Traub on Wednesday April 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. Snacks will be served!

And since we’re talking about the library, next time you’re there, make sure to check out the Webster Museum’s current display. It features square-dancing fashions provided by the Copy Cats Western Square Dance Club, currently celebrating their 50th anniversary. The group was started by Xerox employees.

At the museum itself, at 18 Lapham Park in the village, a new exhibit looks at women’s nineteenth century garments, occupations, voting and working rights efforts, and the story of the “Great Women’s Uprising” of 1910. 

The museum is open 2:30 to 4:30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

This is exciting news.

The Webster Business Improvement District (BID) is sponsoring a FREE Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 16 at the Webster Firemen’s Field on West Main St.

Our local merchants will be providing the eggs, filled with prizes and surprises. Children will be divided into three different age groupings for the hunt, and there will be an extra prize basket for the child in each group who finds the golden egg.

The hunt will begin at 10 a.m. More details to come!

This great event is just the first in a long line of special events the Webster BID is working on for this spring and summer, which include a Beer Walk, Bourbon Bash, Family Games Nights, the Trick or Treat Trail, Jazz Fest, Wine Walks and more. Watch for more details about these in an upcoming blog.

The Webster Quilt Guild has an upcoming show.

“Envision the Possibilities” will showcase approximately 250 quilts, plus special displays of quilts created for Breast Cancer Coalition, Quilts of Valor, Bivona Child Advocacy Center, Asbury Storehouse, and Meals on Wheels. Other activities include vendors, boutique table, and book and pattern sale.  The guild will also be collecting non-perishable food items in support of the Webster Backpack Food program. 

The show will be held April 23 and 24 at Holy Trinity Church, 146 Ridge Road. Tickets will be $5, available at the door.

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

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Community Arts Day is back!

3 Mar
Decorative art.

As sure as sighting a robin is a sign of spring, I know that April is just around the corner when I start getting emails about Community Arts Day. And this year, that news is more exciting than ever, as it will be the first in-person Community Arts Day in three years. Because, well, you know…..

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. This very family-friendly festival showcases Webster CSD students’ creative talents and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts. It was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district.

Dozens of activities are planned throughout the day, including art displays, carnival games, sweet treats sale, plant sale, crafts, community group exhibits and more. Musical groups and demonstrators (karate, gymnastics, etc.) perform free all day, and you can even grab lunch and snacks. PLUS, this year there’s going to be an opportunity for ALL students to exhibit art at Community Arts Day (stay tuned for details about that).

Volunteers are always welcome and very much needed. Each of the 11 schools in the district contributes volunteers to the CAD committee to run the events, make baked goods, and make the day a great event for the entire community. Organizers are also looking for sponsors, and there are plenty of opportunities for exhibitors, performers and vendors.

To find out more about all of these opportunities, click here.  You can also follow the Community Arts Day Facebook page to keep up on the latest.  

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

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Check out this Community Arts Day slideshow

3 Jun

penguins

These penguins, created by Melissa Pennington’s students at Klem North, are a great example of the art you’ll see in the slideshow.

I love Community Arts Day.

This all-day event, which is normally held every April at Webster Schroeder High School, is a terrific opportunity to reconnect with old friends and neighbors, and check out what’s new with many of our area non-profit agencies and organizations.

But mostly, Community Arts Day is our school district’s annual show-off day. Students from every one of our elementary, middle and high schools have artwork on display, plus there are music, dance and martial arts performances.

This year’s Community Arts Day had to be canceled, of course. But I’m happy to report that you can STILL check out some of our kids’ incredible artwork, albeit virtually.

Our district’s art teachers have each taken a selection of their students’ work and compiled photos of them in this Community Arts Day 2020 slideshow. Click through, sit back and enjoy hundreds of  stunning works of art, including sketches, paintings, sculptures, pottery and more. Every single one of our elementary and secondary schools is represented.

It’s going to blow you away. And best of all, you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas to appreciate them this year!

Here’s the link again.

drawing one

Sample pieces from students in Kate Zalewski’s Drawing One class at Webster Thomas.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

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.

 

 

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Community Arts Day postponed

17 Mar

cad

With an inevitable and understandable move announced this morning, Community Arts Day, scheduled for April 18, has been postponed.

In the email, CAD chair Jenny Hryhorenko wrote,

After discussion with the Central PTSA executive team and in review of the escalating group restrictions, we have made the decision to postpone Community Arts Day. We say postpone because we truly believe we can make this happen on a future weekend – but obviously it is too early for us to be planning for when that might be. There are a lot of moving parts to CAD but you can be sure our team is committed to working with the district, exhibitors, vendors, and performing groups to try and make CAD happen at a later date.

Registrants and sponsors : Refunds for your payments are available, or you can also choose to “hold your spot” and we can refund if the new date doesn’t work for you, or if rescheduling turns out not to be feasible.

We thank you for your patience and hope you are all hanging in there! Please direct any questions to CAD@websterptsa.org

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

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